Long to this world?

[Greggers]

Hypothetically speaking, and not pointing fingers at anyone cos I'm not a nasty guy... really, really I'm not ...

Anyway, I'm not trying to be funny, but maybe someone in your position needs to fall off or have an accident and experience the pain that comes as a result - because if they can't listen to their own advice to slow down then there's no amount of trackdays, rider training courses or bikesafe stuff that's going to convice them any better.

All that can be hoped for is that they don't kill themselves, or worse, anyone else, before they realise this.

Do you have kids?

I'm not being pious or 'holier than thou' cos I'm sure we've all done rash things in the past, I know I certainly have, but as I get older I'm becoming so much more aware of my mortality and fercrissakes I want to ride my fekking bike for a few more years yet ...

I've lost too many good friends to accidents and just plain bad luck - it hurts like fuck.

Greg

 

[David Nimrod]

So what's the hurry..?

If you want to explore motorcycling dynamics, get on a track, or ride hard off road.

If you're touring, take the time look around you... that's what traveling's for...

If you want to take personal risks, do it in such a way as to not endanger others.

 

[Shadwell]

Again thanks all for the advice,

Greg/Jonyboy i have already had some big offs. once when a car pushed me into a wall in london on my ZX9R, he came out of a pub car park with no lights on and left me with 13 broken bones, a broken bike and he did not even stop to see if i was ok - The police tracked him down 2 years later.

Second one i was wheelying down a runway - took it to high missed the brake and flipped my KTM at 50 - 60 mph, broken leg so i know what is like to spend weeks in hospital. Although my wife now says if i fall off again she is not coming to see me! This is over a period of 12 years so i dont make a habit of it. I have also had the experience of friends dieing on me more than i care to mention on here. But one of them jumped a barrier on a german autobahn at 200mph to meet an oncoming truck. All im saying is none of this seems to make a difference.

David, my whole proffession is about taking personal risks and risks with other people, there is a buzz that is kind of missing in the job im doing at the minute which i do get while im riding.. maybe a couple of track days is the way to go, but does that not make you want to go faster all of the time?

Omigos, i know my riding could improve, its just getting the motivation to book something.

Anyway, time to go out on the 8. Do you know what im going to try and not break the speed limit all the way home, you never know.

 

[Packer]

Sell the 800 or keep it for events.

buy a Gixxer 750 as a track bike. Buy a BSA Starfire for commuting.

The Gixxer should give you all the track excitement that you can handle.

The Starfire will give you massive excitement as a result of you not knowing if it will get you to your destination. If you thrash it it certainly won't Ohh, an additional bonus will be the huge amount of exercise your right hand gets trying to stop the plot with an archaic TLS drum brake A C15 would be even better re the stopping but may prove a bit too reliable if thrashed.

HTH

 

[Greggers]

I think Packer's got the best solution!

Coincidentally, I've just bought a GSXR750K1 .... for the track, lol - and my first trackday - harhar, yes my very first... is at Brands tomorrow night ... wish me luck

G

 

[argee]

Put TKC's on last Fri Rich, they scared me a bit for a couple of days, now i love them. im not sure im comfortable with the front end wobbling as much at 110mph up the wrong side of the single lane part of the A11 towards mildenhall as they did today when i was chasing some bloke on a ZX10 though! twat obviously thought i was just another old bloke on a BMW, didnt he get a surprise!

i was glad when i turned off the a11 towards Bury from Elveden))

Thanks for the comments guys, im sure i will be alright

Errrr, you do know that tkc's are only rated to 99mph.....

 

[GunZenBomZ]

I think Packer's got the best solution!

Coincidentally, I've just bought a GSXR750K1 .... for the track, lol - and my first trackday - harhar, yes my very first... is at Brands tomorrow night ... wish me luck

G

You don't need luck , enjoy yourself G.

Just cant seem to stop myself, anyone else feel like they have to ride as fast as they can everywhere, or is it just me!!!

Yep all the time, however I video myself alot & it would be ironic to get done from my own footage... Theres a time & place for fun, certainly not in towns or villages. The back lanes/dual carriage ways are fair game, my bike does 132mph.

Whats yours do mdw403? The bike sings at 60-70mph, it wants to cruise but can burst into a monster if needed.

 

[santrix]

I feel your excitment at a great bike but IMO i'd have kept the rest to yourself... and slowed down... You're obviously conscious of your own speed, thats the first step.....

 

[Malcolm Leick]

Several people have mentioned the Institute of Advanced Motorist programme and I would really recommend it. I did it last year and it has transformed my riding.

I was a complete speed junky before and found it almost impossible to keep my foot off the throttle in the car. I eventually got banned for a month with a £500 fine for doing 112 on a dual carriageway. On other occasions I had driven at 140 on the motorway and ridiculous speeds through town, almost always kicked of by getting into a 'race' with someone else. On one occasion the other person got so wound up that when we got stuck at the lights he got out and kicked my door in.

When I took up biking a couple of years ago I quickly realised that I was going to end up dead if I didn't do something about it. Ironically, after my first assessment the instructor said I was going round corners too slowly!

Yes the IAM programme teaches you a lot about planning, positioning, anticipation etc but one of the most important things I learned, which you are scored on, is restraint. The first chapter in the police Roadcraft Advanced riding handbook focusses completely on what goes off in your head when riding/driving, and the need to avoid the Red Mist that can get you hyped up in a pursuit situation. It still gets hold of me sometimes and I have to start giving myself a verbal commentary, actually speaking inside my helmet, to switch into advanced riding mode. Engaging the brain in logical thinking, observation and planning helps to calm you down and take control of your riding.

At first it was almost like giving up smoking! Riding within the speed limit actually felt painfully slow. But now it seems normal and you start to realise how dangerously other people are driving and what an arrogant nutter I used to be. I had to re-frame all of my behaviour and thinking and take pride in being a good driver/rider rather than a fast driver/rider.

This doesn't mean that life becomes dull and boring. I was on an IAM ride out last night and over a couple of hours we had a brilliant and exhilarating time on twisty country lanes. The group leader, a senior instructor/observer said his GPS showed his maximum speed to be 64mph. The key was maintaining speed through tight corners, while always being able to stop within the distance you can see. I'm riding on knobbly TKC80 tyres so banking steeply through 90 degree bends is pretty amazing. (Don't try it in the wet on these tyres!)

Overall, riding has become so much more enjoyable since I did the training. If I had the time I would definitely raise my game and do the observer training.

I would also agree strongly with others encouragement to get into off-roading. It takes a lot of concentration, skill and physical energy, particularly when you have picked the bike up several times. I have been mentally exhausted by lunchtime, only to carry on after a break and end the day on a major high. Some of my best biking ever has been off road.

Never done a track day...but it's on my to do list.

Hope this is useful. Look after yourself!

 

[GunZenBomZ]

I have to start giving myself a verbal commentary, actually speaking inside my helmet, to switch into advanced riding mode. Engaging the brain in logical thinking, observation and planning helps to calm you down and take control of your riding.

Enjoyed all of what you have said & the above quote is imo the most powerful of it.

We are made of two minds, the conscious & unconscious mind. You can control your sleeping mind or guide it by speaking aloud to yourself.

 

[Dean]

We are made of two minds, the conscious & unconscious mind. You can control your sleeping mind or guide it by speaking aloud to yourself.

Your getting a bit heavy now Paddy

Are you talking about the "impossible Dream"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x13DH6IoIcQ


I do sing in my lid Loud when my Ipod runs out or stops
not sure if i'm waking anything up.

Just being open minded