On rules or, another "I binned it on the Takas" thread

**sanchez** · 19th November 2006, 18:22

It's funny how these things happen, since i started riding i've had
some rules that have so far served me pretty well. They include but
are not limited to the following.

1) Be careful on the rimutakas, lots of people fall off and there is always a drop on one side and a stone wall on the other.
2) Never pass just past the summit heading south as the corner at the end of the passing lane sucks ( i did a 360 there in the car once and learnt this)
3) Be careful on downhill sweeping bends.
4) Unless the person is really old and doing 30kph, dont pass on the rimutakas at all
5) If things start to look shitty and you're already commited to a line, lean more and stay steady on or open the throttle a bit.

This afternoon i broke all of those rules for no particular reason and
quite rightly got bitten in the ass.

Basically i passed a car in the shitty passing lane before the shitty corner on the inside. Got to the corner uncomfortably fast, did not use rule number 5

(would have been fine if i had, wasnt going too fast to make it, mabye 70 on a posted 55 corner), stood the bike up, kind of highsided, and ended up embedded in a part of the mountain (still on the bike in riding position).

Fortunatley there was a pile of very soft sand/gravel that had been left by a roading crew, a few meters either side was solid rock. I was able to stand up straight away, a car had stopped and the guy helped me push it up to a wide part of the shoulder. Some guys on bikes stopped as well to check things out (thanks!). I stood around and talked to them for a bit and then rode home. Basically i need a new footpeg, rev counter, headlight lens, mirror, and some pants. The back plastics are a bit scratched, but fortunatley the tank is fine.

One of the few things i had time to think as i went over is, thank christ for all this armour and padding. It didnt really hurt at all, but the pants have a big rip in them on the knee and are pretty much stuffed. Jacket held up fine so i think i'll go for leather trousers next time.

I'm not really shaken up, just highly fucked off that i let this happen in the first place. Had an awesome ride before all that happened too (over the recently re-opened pauata?? hill rd and then up and over to riversdale beach)

Follow your rules people!

**Fatjim** · 19th November 2006, 18:53

Bugger mate. Get those leathers eh.

Sounds like an insurance job, I hope you excess isn't like $2000 or anything.

The corner is one of the hardest I think because it tightens, I think a little blind with the white wind fence blocking the exit, and your prone to gusts of winds. However, stomping on the brakes going in is a good way to get some heat back in your tyres if you've stopped for a pie at the top.

I've been known to overtake the odd cage on the mighty (yeah right) vtr, and the brakes on that aren't known to cause any discomfort in the nether regions.

Get back up there lad and give it another go.

**sanchez** · 19th November 2006, 19:31

Hopefully no insurance will be required, unless all of the stuff i broke is well over $100 each it wont be worth the premium/excess increase. My excess is only $250 at the moment, would be nice to keep it that way. Guess i'll find out at TSS tomorrow.

MD · 19th November 2006, 19:32

Bugger. You weren't on that nice new shiny black Hyo 250R about 3.30pm leaving the top car park? Lots of bikes up there today. Even more HP. Never seen so many people getting booked in such a short time.

**skelstar** · 19th November 2006, 20:01

Bummer mate. Yeah the rules kinda go out the window sometimes when I get on the Takas. My favourite one at the mo is:

"Don't go flying around a tight blind lefthander (on the way home)...there will be a queue of cars that have stopped".

Take it easy.

**Drum** · 19th November 2006, 20:20

At least you learned from your error Sanchez.

And well done for having the proper gear.

**lukelin250** · 19th November 2006, 21:52

good attitude dude. im glad your bikes ok. post some pics of the poor girl.

**Terminated** · 19th November 2006, 22:07

Originally Posted by sanchez

1) Be careful on the rimutakas, lots of people fall off and there is always a drop on one side and a stone wall on the other.
2) Never pass just past the summit heading south as the corner at the end of the passing lane sucks ( i did a 360 there in the car once and learnt this)
3) Be careful on downhill sweeping bends.
4) Unless the person is really old and doing 30kph, dont pass on the rimutakas at all
5) If things start to look shitty and you're already commited to a line, lean more and stay steady on or open the throttle a bit.

A good lesson I was given was to ride using just the right hand, throttle no front brake, no left hand on the bar [keep it close for cover...just in case]. I picked my days when it was nice and quiet and 3rd gear all the way down from the top going north and coming back from the top south.

**sanchez** · 20th November 2006, 17:40

Originally Posted by MD

Bugger. You weren't on that nice new shiny black Hyo 250R about 3.30pm leaving the top car park? Lots of bikes up there today. Even more HP. Never seen so many people getting booked in such a short time.

No R so no fairings thankfully. Been into TSS today to try and sort out some parts, just have to wait and see what the total comes to now

Some pics of the damage are attatched