My New Toy

[skycat]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

I never say never ... :-)

I reckon I survived my motocycle days, I kinda feel like I used up all my luck. Not sure I'll get another bike. But if I did I'd get another litre Ducati and really REALLY tight leathers and just ride to my local cafe once a week and swagger around like I've got a really big cock. Then ride home.

Yep i have seen your ROLEX it is a big clock

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by gazz

What about - Postie bike, ag bike, mustering bike, commuter bike, police bike, camera bike for ( bicycle ) road racing?

Originally Posted by kmli5

I wasn't going to comment until I saw the word Ducati.

+1 on the Ducati, I just bought myself a white 696. It is such a good bike.

The only thing I can say about the 659, if you buy brand new, is it is very expensive. Same amount of coins as the bigger 696.

Nice looking Ninja, Congrats.

You guys are all in other states, anyone in Melbourne who has a bike as well? and want to ride let me know.

Thanks mate. Seems like there are a few bike riders on here. Congrats on the 696 too

Originally Posted by BMWRX

I noticed that. I'm looking second hand. And red! Although the white dead sexy.

I personally prefer the red, just suits it so well. Bit like having a Ferrari in red. I just looked up the white, looks really good too. Get one, I'm keen to go on some rides

Originally Posted by skycat

Come on guys Ducati when they are new they are fine, but you best shed the beast before it sees 20,000km coss no one will want to own it.
The BMW S1000R is out of this world it is with out compromise, it is the best sports bike out there at the moment, you can keep all your Italian crap.
And Vinn the little Kawasaki is a gem you will love it,
Just make sure that your next bike is a Harley.

Thanks Peter. I think I will flick any bike once it gets over 15k on it. I'm not sure if any bike will ever be my daily driver so it will take me a while to accumulate some km's on it. Considering how cheap they are compared to euro cars, I will be more motivated to try new bikes. You love your Harley's

[MrBlonde]

Originally Posted by skycat

Yep i have seen your ROLEX it is a big clock

What can I say? I'm well sprung.

[kmli5]

Originally Posted by BMWRX

I noticed that. I'm looking second hand. And red! Although the white dead sexy.

Mine is actually white with the red frame.

[gazz]

Had heaps of bikes and eventually got a Harley to find out what all the fuss is about. Sold it still wondering. No brakes, no suspension, no go, everything made of rustanium and a chassis as loose as a Kings Cross hooker.

It had foot boards, or whatever they're called; that's like buying a new car with an external lever handbrake and flip up blinkers. You leave your signature on every roundabout with them.

Like Kenny, no more riding for me as I reckon I've used up my luck as well, though I won't let my Honda RC30 go. It's in the museum.

[Ninjaoz]

Originally Posted by skycat

And Vinn the little Kawasaki is a gem you will love it,

you reckon? how does the new 300 ninja compared with the old GPX? i dont think power is that important for a beginner rider...they most important thing your techniques, riding positions, throttle control, look ahead and think everyone is trying to kill you on the road. etc etc

[skycat]

Originally Posted by gazz

Had heaps of bikes and eventually got a Harley to find out what all the fuss is about. Sold it still wondering. No brakes, no suspension, no go, everything made of rustanium and a chassis as loose as a Kings Cross hooker.

It had foot boards, or whatever they're called; that's like buying a new car with an external lever handbrake and flip up blinkers. You leave your signature on every roundabout with them.

Like Kenny, no more riding for me as I reckon I've used up my luck as well, though I won't let my Honda RC30 go. It's in the museum.

Yep thats what they are like, each to there own.
I to have a rumpus room with a collector bike its a Suzuki RE5 i have owned since 1976 done 3000km they were such a shit box but interesting.

[bfi2906]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

I never say never ... :-)

I reckon I survived my motocycle days, I kinda feel like I used up all my luck. Not sure I'll get another bike. But if I did I'd get another litre Ducati and really REALLY tight leathers and just ride to my local cafe once a week and swagger around like I've got a really big cock. Then ride home.

You'll be one of many weekend worriers, strutting around in a power-ranger suit. Just enjoying the shit out of doing what you want, 'cause you want. A growing collection of birthdays has it's advantages

Originally Posted by gazz

Had heaps of bikes and eventually got a Harley to find out what all the fuss is about. Sold it still wondering. No brakes, no suspension, no go, everything made of rustanium and a chassis as loose as a Kings Cross hooker.

It had foot boards, or whatever they're called; that's like buying a new car with an external lever handbrake and flip up blinkers. You leave your signature on every roundabout with them.

Like Kenny, no more riding for me as I reckon I've used up my luck as well, though I won't let my Honda RC30 go. It's in the museum.

You'll both be back - it's an adiction that can't be treated. I stayed away for 30 years, but it eventually got me -- and loving it all over again, even if I am a bit more "sensible"

[bfi2906]

Originally Posted by skycat

Yep thats what they are like, each to there own.
I to have a rumpus room with a collector bike its a Suzuki RE5 i have owned since 1976 done 3000km they were such a shit box but interesting.

Love it! Bikes in the 70's were so bad campared to todays bikes. I had a Kawasaki Z1B 900. Stupidest piece of machinery ever built - a genuine point and shoot weapon. Went like stink, didn't stop and didn't handle - you could feel the frame flexing under you.

But I wish I still had it, just for sentimental reasons. I also wish i still had my Norton 850 Commando, just for financial reasons (and sentimental)

[gazz]

Originally Posted by skycat

Yep thats what they are like, each to there own.
I to have a rumpus room with a collector bike its a Suzuki RE5 i have owned since 1976 done 3000km they were such a shit box but interesting.

Mines a bit more than a rumpus room.

Interesting indeed. Collect all three - yours, the DKW and the Norton.

[quote=bfi2906;12964306 You'll both be back - it's an adiction that can't be treated. I stayed away for 30 years, but it eventually got me -- and loving it all over again, even if I am a bit more "sensible"[/QUOTE]

Nah mate. Had several comebacks and the last one was it. I'd be on a bike right now if there weren't any cars on the road. The fear eventually got to me. The constant dread that one day I'd be taken out by some punk with his cap on backwards in his WRX sideways around a blind corner on my side of the road. Or some old blind biddy simply pulls out in front of me at an intersection. Or a hundred other similar scenarios. It like Russian roulette except there are more bullets in the gun.

[pavo335]

Originally Posted by gazz

Interesting indeed. Collect all three - yours, the DKW and the Norton.



Nah mate. Had several comebacks and the last one was it. I'd be on a bike right now if there weren't any cars on the road. The fear eventually got to me. The constant dread that one day some punk with his cap on backwards sideways around a blind corner on my side of the road would take me out. Or some old blind biddy simply pulls out in front of me at an intersection. Or a hundred other similar scenarios. It like Russian roulette except there are more bullets in the gun.

[skycat]

I know you are all correct touch wood i have been OK so far, well its at least 30 years since i dropped my Kawasaki H2. Now its slow and steady and full sunshine only.
Once every couple of weeks or so off i go with a few mates great fun but still dangerous. Your always 100 meters up the road watching out for L or P platers or even worse My mum or dad.

But its all worth it, i have had bikes since 1970 sometimes five or seex { i am a Kiwi } at the same time i will never give it up so long as i can still cock my leg over the seat i will continue to ride bikes

[BMWRX]

You guys aren't painting a positive picture regarding riding motorbikes. I've been flip-flopping regarding my license, as "staying alive" in generally a prerequisite is most things I get involved with. I notice quite a lot of ignorance on the roads when on my pushie but I'd imagine it's magnified when you're out in the middle of the road with the cars.

[MrBlonde]

Originally Posted by BMWRX

You guys aren't painting a positive picture regarding riding motorbikes. I've been flip-flopping regarding my license, as "staying alive" in generally a prerequisite is most things I get involved with. I notice quite a lot of ignorance on the roads when on my pushie but I'd imagine it's magnified when you're out in the middle of the road with the cars.

Smart.

[Ian///M]

Originally Posted by BMWRX

You guys aren't painting a positive picture regarding riding motorbikes. I've been flip-flopping regarding my license, as "staying alive" in generally a prerequisite is most things I get involved with. I notice quite a lot of ignorance on the roads when on my pushie but I'd imagine it's magnified when you're out in the middle of the road with the cars.

just be extremely defensive when riding in the city.... out in the country is where you can have more fun.

In have had falls in past 10 years, but all my fault or lack of skill.

I can't imagine not owning a bike.... enjoy it

[gazz]

Originally Posted by BMWRX

You guys aren't painting a positive picture regarding riding motorbikes. I've been flip-flopping regarding my license, as "staying alive" in generally a prerequisite is most things I get involved with. I notice quite a lot of ignorance on the roads when on my pushie but I'd imagine it's magnified when you're out in the middle of the road with the cars.

Pushies are worse! Had more dangerous moments during training on a pushbike than I ever did on a motorcycle. Only a mountain bike these days.

Still, I wouldn't take any of it back because I learnt so much. Sure the statistics for motorcyclists are atrocious, and I know it's a der comment, but the subset of motorcyclists who are reckless and untrained would contribute overwhelmingly to the stats for injury and fatality.

So Vinnie, don't be put off, get some training and use your loaf while you're on the road.

[BMW86]

Hey guys, thanks for the advice and I really appreciate it but it sounds like some people think I may having doubts or undecided about riding which is not true at all. If anything, I'm stoked with my decision and hope some of the enthusiasts that don't ride will experience this too, even if it only means doing the riding course.

I made the decision to start riding a couple months ago, hence why I did my Q Ride, got my licence and bought a bike. I've got my helmet and the rest of my leathers will be here soon. There's no going back for me and I'm glad I made the jump to 2 wheels because they really are lot of fun.

Before I embark on anything new I do a ton of research, most of this stuff I've heard before from others, at Q ride and on various bike forums but it's always good to hear it again. I didn't throw myself in the deep end without having a good idea of what I was getting into. The one thing I don't have which will come with time is experience.

Craig - the best advice I can give is ATGATT (ALL THE GEAR ALL THE TIME). Buy the best gear you can afford. If you can afford a $400 helmet that's fine. But if you can afford a $600 helmet and you buy a $400 helmet, I think that's the wrong attitude considering the risks involved with riding. At the end of the day, it's protecting your head. Same goes for leathers. Most of the high end leather jackets comes with built in shoulder and elbow protection which is CE rated. Most come with built in back protectors but they are not always CE rated, so you can buy replacement back protectors which will protect your back. I recommend helmet, jacket, back protector, gloves, pants and boots. Buy gear that fits you will and gear that you like, I think I did more research on the gear than the bike itself! If you don't like it, you won't wear it. It's not IF you fall off but a case of WHEN you fall off, best to be as prepared as possible.

If the bike is your daily, you will increase your chance of having an off as you're exposing yourself more often. If you keep it as a weekend toy or a few days a week, you will minimise the risk straight away. Basically, the more you put yourself out there, I think it's a matter of time. Unfortunately, the sad thing about riding is you could be the most experienced and competent rider but any cager can take you out at any time which is why ATGATT. Having the right gear will minimise injury.

The reality is riding a bike is dangerous, there's no denying it. Just prepare yourself as best you can, do the training courses (they are excellent and I can point you in the right direction if need), get in a lot of practice, buy yourself a decent bike and decent gear and use your common-sense. There's not much else you can do.

The guys have pretty much covered all other bases really well, awareness is a big component and to ride defensively.

Anyways, now thats behind, just go out and have FUN!

[bfi2906]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Craig - the best advice I can give is ATGATT (ALL THE GEAR ALL THE TIME). Buy the best gear you can afford. If you can afford a $400 helmet that's fine. But if you can afford a $600 helmet and you buy a $400 helmet, I think that's the wrong attitude considering the risks involved with riding. At the end of the day, it's protecting your head. Same goes for leathers. Most of the high end leather jackets comes with built in shoulder and elbow protection which is CE rated. Most come with built in back protectors but they are not always CE rated, so you can buy replacement back protectors which will protect your back. I recommend helmet, jacket, back protector, gloves, pants and boots. Buy gear that fits you will and gear that you like, I think I did more research on the gear than the bike itself! If you don't like it, you won't wear it. It's not IF you fall off but a case of WHEN you fall off, best to be as prepared as possible.

There's a saying that's been around longer than I can remember - and that's a VERY long time - "You dress for the crash, not for the ride". That pretty much says it all.

Originally Posted by BMW86

Unfortunately, the sad thing about riding is you could be the most experienced and competent rider but any cager can take you out at any time which is why ATGATT. Having the right gear will minimise injury.

You also need to be very aware of other bikes - especially around popular "weekend worrier" spots.

Recently, I was coming home along the "Old Pacific Highway", just north of Cowan, minding my own business. There were plenty of other bikes out, so I had my "game-face" on. I was heading south - came to a right-hand sweeper - great piece of road, great surface, good camber, good visibility etc, etc - I was on the outside radius of the curve - I'd just tipped it in to my right, and I see this idiot going the other way, knee down, hanging off the seat - waaayyy too quick for the circumstances - I backed off a bit (not good having already committed to a line and angle) - and then, here he comes - spearing straight across my side of the road, and into the weeds on my left. - we missed by about 10ft, and that had nothing to do with his or my abaility - pure luck we didn't hit. All I had time to do was react and tip in harder, so I went inside him - which caused me onto the wrong side of the road - luckily nothing else was coming.

How'd it happen, All I can think is he over-rated his ability, so went in too fast. Something caused him to straighted up, so he went straight ahead, and onto my side of the road.

At the speed we were both doing, it wouldn't have been pretty if we'd come together.

Moral of the story - expect the unexpected. If you do that, you'll, give yourself a margin for safety that may make a difference, and as a result, you'll continue to have fun.

[MrBlonde]

You can't tell them, they have to work it out for themselves (if they live long enough).

[Nugget]

Was going for a drive on a twisty road over the weekend and had a biker overtaking his mate on the wrong side of the road coming out of a hairpin! Luckily I had looked across the hairpin before entering and pretty much came to a stop otherwise it could have been messy.
Some people seem to be in a rush to die.