Valuable lesson for beginner

[mowgli]

Did my second trip over the Rimutakas last night with TCWNR along with more than a dozen other riders. Awesome weather, not too blowy, an excellent evening for getting a bit more experience under my belt. Learned a valuable lesson aswell.

We left the duckpond with the next stop at the saddle carpark. Riding up the takas I was well warmed into the ride. After the stop and heading down the other side found the first couple of corners awkward. Then the next few were diabolical. I kept it in my lane and on tarmac but whoever was behind me must have been just waiting for an off with all the late, mid corner braking and squared corners.

I slowed and then realised what I was doing wrong. When we set off from the carpark we were quite bunched. I WAS FOLLOWING THE BIKE IN FRONT TOO CLOSE. I'm not suggesting I was up his tail pipe, worse I was watching him and not the road ahead. Consequently I was in the wrong position, too fast and ended up decelerating and braking through corners.

I backed off and reminded myself to "look where I want to go" (ie as far ahead as possible) and everything settled down. For the return trip over the hill I deliberately put myself in space and got into a comfortable cornering groove.

Thanks to all those on TCWNR last night. I enjoyed myself and practised a valuable lesson of the priorities of safe biking: Look, position, speed, gear, accelerate.

[Trudes]

Good on you for sorting it out. I watched you for a little bit at some point last night and thought you looked very in control and relaxed.
I'm finding more and more with group rides that I prefer to find myself a gap and ride than be stuffed up someones bum, so often hang back and let everyone else take off and then go (not too much of an issue the way I stuff about).
Glad you had a good time last night, was a grand evening for it!

[PrincessBandit]

thanks for sharing that, very helpful reminder or lesson for those of us who have done very little group riding especially in larger numbers.

[jimbo600]

A very astute observation, and well timed. Nice going Rob. Sounds like y'all had a good ride too.

[Hawkeye]

Well done Rob, You certainly didn't look like a rider going over there for only the second time.
I also learnt 2 valuable lessons last night.

1. don't follow a cruiser over the Taka's. Their lines are totally different. Which goes back to your learning Rob. Ride your road not theirs.

2. Put a cloth and a small bottle of water under the seat to clean the visor. By the time I got back over Haywards, I could hardly see out of the visor for flies splattered on it.

[Drum]

I think I was behind you on the way down the hill (you're on the red Hyosung right?).

You were probably approaching corners a little fast and braking a little late, but you improved markedly the further down the hill we got. So keep up the good work.

I noticed you exceeded 70 km/h at one stage in the 'Rapa too!

[mowgli]

I think I was behind you on the way down the hill (you're on the red Hyosung right?).

Yep that was me.

I noticed you exceeded 70 km/h at one stage in the 'Rapa too!

Yeah, a bit slack I know. Still think the fuzz would let me off with a warning for doing 72 km/h

[sels1]

Still think the fuzz would let me off with a warning for doing 72 km/h

Of course they would......

Good ride last night.

[mowgli]

I also learnt 2 valuable lessons last night.

1. don't follow a cruiser over the Taka's. Their lines are totally different. Which goes back to your learning Rob. Ride your road not theirs.

2. Put a cloth and a small bottle of water under the seat to clean the visor. By the time I got back over Haywards, I could hardly see out of the visor for flies splattered on it.

3. No matter how bad your visor gets, wiping it with your glove won't make it better.

[mowgli]

Well done Rob, You certainly didn't look like a rider going over there for only the second time.

'Tis but a thin veneer. Like a swan it might seem all grace and composure topside but underneath those feet are churning big time.

[dipshit]

For the return trip over the hill I deliberately put myself in space and got into a comfortable cornering groove.

Or next time you could just go for a ride.

You don't have to go riding with a bunch of people from an internet forum. No one can actually help you when riding the bike... and you may only pickup other people's bad habits and advice.

When riding on your own, you can solely concentrate on what you are doing rather than worrying about what others are doing.

[PrincessBandit]

3. No matter how bad your visor gets, wiping it with your glove won't make it better.

does when it's raining though -instant windscreen sprayer

[99TLS]

good to know you knew what you were doing wrong and learnt from this shows great learning ability

[mowgli]

Or next time you could just go for a ride.

Amen to that. I've had my learner's exactly one month today. Bought the hyo the day after and have put over 1500km on it since. It's been a case of love at first ride.

[Tall Learner]

Amen to that. I've had my learner's exactly one month today. Bought the hyo the day after and have put over 1500km on it since. It's been a case of love at first ride.

Ive heard that the GT250R isnt such a great bike to learn on, apparently ur put in too much of a foward leaning position and u cant see much of the road. Dunno if this is tru or not, what do u think? Im looking 4 a bike at the mo and need all the tips i can get!