Going hard or enjoying the ride or am I just getting old?

[Sandman]

I have come back to riding after a 40 year break. I rode 250 trail bikes with semi nobbies on the road as an 18 yo. I stopped riding because I T-boned a guy on Canterbury Road (Sydney) and landed on my head, then back, and was nearly run over by a semi going in the opposite direction. Spent 24 hours in Hospital, 12 of which I was paralyzed from the waist down.
I was fine the next day (a bit sore) but it naturally scared me (and my Mum) and I never got back on a bike.
I always wanted to, but marriage, kids and golf got in the way and to be honest I was a bit scared.
When I finally made the decision to get back on the saddle I didn't want to go back to small bikes. After almost 3 years of looking and deciding on a Dueville 700 I found a 98 ST1100 at a bargain price and snapped it up without riding it or even seeing it (I was overseas at the time).
So when I picked it up it took a bit of getting used to (especially at slow speeds) I dropped it at the servo looking down for the stand. Funny and embarrassing all at the same time.
I then went and did a Stay Upright Advanced I course which gave me the confidence I needed.

I have 2 mates who are very experienced that I ride with around the Murwillumbah area and the roads are just so much fun. They however go like the clappers (they are on sports bikes) and sometimes break all sorts of 'common sense' rules like overtaking on blind bends across doubles just so they don't have to follow a car at the speed limit around the bendy and fun part of the road.
I on the other hand are very happy to follow a car (at a safe distance) around the bends just in case a crazy is coming in the opposite direction on the wrong side of the road and overtake when I have clear space. My mates don't put any pressure on me and are happy to wait whilst I come toddling along.
Am I being a bit of a bore? Don't get me wrong, I like going fast and pushing it around the corners  (I'm not very good at it yet) but I really enjoy the experience of being out in the country (sometimes with one of kids on the back) chatting on my Scala.
I can't get excited about being on the edge and the adrenaline rush. I was with my 22 yo daughter riding out along the North Tumbulum road and we both commented on how great it was. I was doing 80 to 90 around the corners and I know my mates are doing 100 +

I know we all ride for our own pleasure and my mates really enjoy the thrill of going fast and all power to them.

Just my thoughts on how I feel about riding. I may change my mind (and my riding style) the more I ride and get used to the bike. I'm going to do the next Stay Upright Advanced II and I just put a set of PR4 GT's on and they stick in the corners really well.

What do you reckon?

[NTRebel]

Sandman. ther's an old saying that goes it's not what you ride but why you ride so just do it and enjoy. And welcome to Ozstoc

[Gadget]

Always ride with the intention of coming home in one piece and enjoy it while you do.  Some of my most relaxing (therapeutic) rides have been 10 to 20 under the limit.

I made the mistake once of pushing beyond my limits and ended up landing on my head with a Yammy V-Star  still between my legs and then slamming my back into the ground.  Suffer with back pain from time to time now as a result.  I still like to ride hard from time to time when the road is clear, but I try to ride to survive.

[Gadget]

NTRebel, your post reminds me of another old saying, "There are bold riders, there are old riders, but there are no old, bold riders."

[NTRebel]

That's why I take it easy and just enjoy riding and let the idiots write themselves off cos I've seen the results laying in the morgue back in my younger days.

[alans1100]

It's all about riding your own ride and coming home and riding to your skill level.

Good thing about the car in front is it's a buffer between you and any on coming traffic that might cross the centreline.

[Brock]

As you get older, you no longer need that massive adrenaline hitthat you get by scaring yourself silly doing stupid things. The ST is quite capable of getting up and going when you want to, and is quite happy to puddle along as well.

Hmm,

Sounds like the ST is going to suit your riding style just fine..

It sure suits mine.

[Shaun]

I am *relatively* young and have been out on rides with people on crotch rockets and they just fly away and do incredibly chancy things. I never feel inclined to keep up or match them on speed. I know my limits and am content to ride to my level of enjoyment.

It's whatever floats your boat and gives you the best chance to get home safe. The ride will be enjoyable anyway.

[ST2UP]

Thanks for the great intro Sandman on what brought you back to riding......your spot on riding at your own pace and style..... is so very important. Some of the best times from a ride come from the reflection upon the ride....not the fact that you had a dozen adrenaline rushes scared the snot out of yourself and other road users.


Enjoy the ST mate 



 

[Biggles]

I get a buzz out of positioning the bike accurately so a corner is effortless, rather than just poking along and finding I'm on the brake because I'm running wide in a corner.
There's a technique/philosophy called "The Pace" and its exponent reckons he often arrives at a place down the road around the same time as the boy racers, but with his adrenalin and peace of mind intact, and with a better fuel economy.  He writes of "The Art of Smooth".

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/pace

[Brian]

It's not a race .....ride at your own pace

[NTRebel]

that's exactly what I'm saying that I enjoy the ride more if I ride to arrive alive rather than riding to be dead on time.

[Sandman]

Nice to see there are others who enjoy riding for riding sake.
I looked at The Pace Biggles. Very cool. I'll go out and work on the technique.
I do like trailing the rear brake around corners. It was a technique taught at Stay Upright and allows me to control my speed through the brake and throttle. I'm thinking that if you use The Pace technique then you're not using the brakes too much.

[Kev Murphy]

I like to travel at a speed that I am comfortable with, but I do occasionally let the ST loose... but only for short bursts on isolated remote highways with no traffic. (eg: Warrego Highway Qld, Chinchilla, Roma, ...  or Stuart Highway SA/NT Roxby, Alice Springs)
Then again, I remember that I will be 67 years old in 3 weeks, and would like to see a few more birthdays come and go before I hang up my jacket.
Last time I cruised the Great Ocean Road, I was passed many times by multiple clowns on crutch rockets, who saw nothing except the blind corners rapidly approaching. At the end of the day, I have memories of visual offerings on both sides of the road, and can place the area where they were seen.

 Just as an aside, when I was eighteen and on my way to work one morning, I was pinched for 95 Kph, downhill in an 80 zone...
... on my pushbike! (road racing bike, 12 gears)  26 pounds fine and court costs, and I was only earning 3 Pounds 6 Shillings per week as an apprentice....

[Marcus]

Nice to see there are others who enjoy riding for riding sake.

This is why I like this group so much. If I were with another group of hot head racers, I'd lose interest in riding with them as I dance to the beat of my own drum when I'm riding.

I like my pretty face too much to risk any off due to my own stupidity.

[Biggles]

Just as an aside, when I was eighteen and on my way to work one morning, I was pinched for 95 Kph, downhill in an 80 zone...
... on my pushbike! (road racing bike, 12 gears)  26 pounds fine and court costs, and I was only earning 3 Pounds 6 Shillings per week as an apprentice....

That's a savage fine for 15 kays over the limit. 49 years ago that's the equivalent of over $500 in today's money.  But that's only a week's pay today- for you it was 7.5 week's pay.

[saaz]

Great to hear that you ride at the pace you feel happy with. I ride with all different sorts of riders, and on most trips those who take it easier are never more than a minute or so behind. I just let sportsbikes go if they do catch up, as most likely they are doing things that work the percentages against survival on the road.  Unfortunately you also have to allow for them coing towards you doing such things, so I stay clear of boy racer roads on weekends if possible (usually more fun and quieter during the week)

[pault]

mr sandman ( is that as in panel van) you sound like me and i am only down the road

[West Aussie Glen]

Sandman, just enjoy being out in the freash air taking in the country side. If you are going to continue riding with your sports bike mates you should be doing a St John's Ambulance Course/Refresher.

[Couch]

I never ride faster than my angel can fly..........he's my age, and he's slowed up somewhat since he turned 74!   Sometimes I might wind him up a little but it's only for short bursts!!

[JuST Peter]

I get a buzz out of positioning the bike accurately so a corner is effortless, rather than just poking along and finding I'm on the brake because I'm running wide in a corner.
There's a technique/philosophy called "The Pace" and its exponent reckons he often arrives at a place down the road around the same time as the boy racers, but with his adrenalin and peace of mind intact, and with a better fuel economy.  He writes of "The Art of Smooth".

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/pace

A good read Bill. Thanks for posting it. A lot of common sense, and some really good tips. 

Welcome back to riding Sandman. Ride your way and enjoy the feeling. It sure beats peer pressure