ATNR (Auckland Thursday night ride) - Discussion thread

[vifferman]

im into Aural

Them's small holes...
Does this imply summat....?

[racefactory]

In a nutshell.


all of a sudden, because it 'looks' more like a sports bike, people think it actually is, and try to ride with the proper sportsbikes, and fail.

Are you talking new or old Ninja 250's? Agreed the new ones are a bit pansy along with the hyoshits- can't really call it a sports bike... agreed they'd take some real wide open throttle to keep up with big boys but those 90's zxr's are good machines and have the turning and braking alright, that's for sure. And it's not like the ride is faster than 150kph, so why couldn't it keep up if the rider so much as knows where the throttle is?

Where are you drawing the line here?

[nodrog:Me]

..Does this imply summat....?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/great_nort...rs_400x300.jpg

[Morcs]

Are you talking new or old Ninja 250's? Agreed the new ones are a bit pansy along with the hyoshits- can't really call it a sports bike... agreed they'd take some real wide open throttle to keep up with big boys but those 90's zxr's are good machines and have the turning and braking alright, that's for sure. And it's not like the ride is faster than 150kph, so why couldn't it keep up if the rider so much as knows where the throttle is?

Where are you drawing the line here?

Well, flat tack constantly at full tuck, whats the point?

and on the straights where we all slow down due to cops, goes barrelling past us...

[SixPackBack]

If you can imagine Skidmark on a new blue Ninja 250, then you'll understand the scenario........

If his numberplate reads 66BZM then I can confirm that recently I searched his numberplate and rung his Mum hahahah......and yeah I'm serious [140kmh plus through Whangaparaoa rd on the median was the dumbest thing I have witnessed for a long time].

[aewilliam]

Common courtesy and NOT endangering others is generally expected. That said, everyone makes a mistake now and then or does something that upon reflection they perhaps shouldn't have done.

No reason why you can't raise it with the rider at the next stop either, most people are receptive to constructive criticism when approached on the quiet and will readily acknowledge and error of judgement.

The issue raised in this recent series of posts is not however about an isolated incident and could well lead to endangering others, not to mention himself.
Though in my view, his well being is his choice and it's not my place to tell others how they are to live (or not) their lives, provided they don't endanger others.

Sweet as Stranger... been on a few other group rides and wasn't expecting that, and stuff like staggered formation didnt seem to be evident.

Props to TEC/Silver&Flamed Ninja 250 (Peter?).
From what i saw (or didnt see...) he rode his own ride, not wringing the tits off the 2fiddy, and finished the ride (well, until Caltex Dairy Flat...where I left).

And to the two marked plod mobiles that left us alone



:

[vifferman]

Sweet as Stranger... been on a few other group rides and wasn't expecting that, and stuff like staggered formation didnt seem to be evident.

Staggered formation is only applicable/suitable for slow rides, or straightish wide roads (e.g., like in motorway processions). Once you get in the twisties, or narrowish country roads, then single lane spread out is more sensible.

[The Stranger:Me]

It's not a race track so why can't a 250 keep up?

Sure, he's welcome to keep up.

But stop taking unnecessary risks, pissing people off and potentially endangering others to do so. If that is the only way he can keep up, he's going to come unstuck (one way or another), and as you may have read he came close to it last night.

[The Stranger:Me]

Staggered formation is only applicable/suitable for slow rides, or straightish wide roads (e.g., like in motorway processions). Once you get in the twisties, or narrowish country roads, then single lane spread out is more sensible.

+1
Too many focus on staggered formation to the exclusion of the number 1 rule when riding - ride your own ride. How the do you do that when you are in a set formation?

Cornering - you set up from the correct entry point regardless of your formation.
Visibility - you can generally be seen better if you are in the RH wheel track and generally have a better view of the road also.
Debris, pot holes, rough seal and tar bleed etc are usually more prevalent in the Lh wheel track.

Fuck it I ride my ride in my space. Treat me as a hazard and give me my space.

[Qkchk:Me]

If his numberplate reads 66BZM then I can confirm that recently I searched his numberplate and rung his Mum hahahah......and yeah I'm serious [140kmh plus through Whangaparaoa rd on the median was the dumbest thing I have witnessed for a long time].

If that plate resembles the old school style (big and square like a waka paddle) then there is a good chance it is...

[vifferman]

The number 1 rule when riding - ride your own ride.

Eggs, Zachary.

[aewilliam]

Staggered formation is only applicable/suitable for slow rides, or straightish wide roads (e.g., like in motorway processions). Once you get in the twisties, or narrowish country roads, then single lane spread out is more sensible.

I agree...

But to me it felt like most of that ride wasn't very twisty...and when we got bunched up, behind i had my tail followed (and seemed to be their tail was followed too - yes i do check behind quite a bit...), and ahead i could see people all over the lane =/

DEFINTILEY ride your own ride and in your own space, but when there isnt (or doesnt seem to be...) the space or time (eg when bunched up, in 50/60/80kmh zones), some formation would have been...good? maybe i'm just a prude and overly cautious...

Again, my first time on the West ATNR, so wasnt too sure what to expect.

[The Stranger:Me]

I agree...

But to me it felt like most of that ride wasn't very twisty...and when we got bunched up, behind i had my tail followed (and seemed to be their tail was followed too - yes i do check behind quite a bit...), and ahead i could see people all over the lane =/

DEFINTILEY ride your own ride and in your own space, but when there isnt (or doesnt seem to be...) the space or time (eg when bunched up, in 50/60/80kmh zones), some formation would have been...good? maybe i'm just a prude and overly cautious...

Again, my first time on the West ATNR, so wasnt too sure what to expect.

It's not a training ride and Dawn's not their mummy. It's not up to her to tell people how they should/must ride.
As I say, we should all be treating each other as a hazard.

If the guy behind is too close for my comfort and I don't feel like nailing it I simply pull over and/or wave them past, easy really. Sure I am likely to have a word with them at the next stop and politely request they desist.
DON"T LET SOMEONE ELSE DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU.
I waved the XT past me last night prior to some twisties, I knew that if he wanted to he would be quicker than me and I didn't want to hold him up or have him up my arse.

Consider the reasons for formation and would being in any sort of formation have alleviated the situation you describe? Sure you may have had additional room on the straight, but when the guy in front pulls into your line to set up for the corner all of a sudden your insurance policy (i.e. space) is gone anyway at the point you are most likely to need it. Too close is too close whether in formation or not.

[R6_kid:Me]

It's not a race track so why can't a 250 keep up?

Or are we talking GN250's here??

You've missed the point, and then agreed with the arguement we're having. There is no problem with '250's keeping up - i was on a 660cc single with 45hp - not a lot more than the 250's and i had no trouble sticking in there.

The problem with this particular rider was that he was 'keeping up' with the front runners at all costs. Like you said it wasn't on a race track, but he was doing his best to catchup to the front after being a back marker - which is a hard task on a 250.

To be honest i'd like to see the guy go round a track, seems like he could be a decent rider if he was focussed in the right direction. He'll need to get some boots first though!

[aewilliam]

It's not a training ride and Dawn's not their mummy. It's not up to her to tell people how they should/must ride.
As I say, we should all be treating each other as a hazard.

If the guy behind is too close for my comfort and I don't feel like nailing it I simply pull over and/or wave them past, easy really. Sure I am likely to have a word with them at the next stop and politely request they desist.
DON"T LET SOMEONE ELSE DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU.
I waved the XT past me last night prior to some twisties, I knew that if he wanted to he would be quicker than me and I didn't want to hold him up or have him up my arse.

Consider the reasons for formation and would being in any sort of formation have alleviated the situation you describe? Sure you may have had additional room on the straight, but when the guy in front pulls into your line to set up for the corner all of a sudden your insurance policy (i.e. space) is gone anyway at the point you are most likely to need it. Too close is too close whether in formation or not.

Many a point taken fropm above (any chance of creating a 'bow down' emoticon?)
Esp with the "politely request they desist" and "Too close is too close whether in formation or not "
Certainly hope i did my bit in pulling over for passers-to-be.

Churr Stranger!