G'DAY New Rider from Oz

[DEN MONKEY]

G'Day to you all and might I start by saying thank you all for not only the site but the input and general conversation that goes on here, that has helped me better understand the biking realm which until just today has been pretty much a wonder to me.

You see Im in Australia and as of today took my first ride and was pretty damned impressed.So hopefully much more to follow.

This is likely to be a lengthy post followed with a couple of questions. So it would be great first of all if you take the time to read it, second if you feel like droppin a quick line to say "hi" and lastly but by no means least if you take the time out to throw a few hints or tips my way. I'll start with a bit of a run down on the process to becoming a rider here in Oz.

Before you are able to ride on the road "legally" you must complete a 2 day ( 4hrs/day) pre-learner course and once deemed compitent you must also complete a computer knowledge test.
These are obviously good practices as they both give you a little preperation for what you may face on the road when sharing with other road users and hopefully a little experience to make you that much safer.

I must agree from my limited experience that the current limitations on power to weight for learner bikes is spot on. This is set to a max capacity of 660ml or 150kw/tonne. Sounds like a lot but makes obvious sense for the "larger" rider who needs a larger bike but still limits them to a reasonable power to weight ratio to begin with.
I myself have no issue with this as Im about average height for a woman, standing a mere 5'4 and weighing in at 64 kilo. (I'm a guy by the way and that an attempt at a joke)
Also with going for a quick toot in the rain today I am greatful for the forgiving nature of my kawasaki gpx 250 (ex250) .

Ok get on with the questions I here you say.

First of all I'm keen obviously to catch up with any novice riders in the Newcastle Australia area who are interested in puting in a few practice miles up around the beach or anywhere else near by for that matter.

Also I would like to here how a few of you guys got your start to riding . Not so much the "my daddy got me into it" but more like your first month or so from jumping on a bike, were you shit scared ? Did you go for a 200Mile ride straight up? or did you hit the car park for a bit of slow riding skill? Did you have someone to ride with or were you battling the cages out on your little lonesome?

Ok will leave it at that. Again cheers for the multitude of posts that have kept me sane while waiting to get my licence to be able to take my new friend out of the shed for myself.

[Suzuki]

Did anybody else read that with a comedy Australian accent in their head?

Welcome to the forums mate!

I started riding 5 years ago. Can't say that I was particularly scared. It was excellent. Within the first week of passing my test I'd ridden my ZXR to Nottingham and back from Suffolk. (360miles ish).

Good luck with learning! You won't regret it.
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<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon
<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

[mchaggis]

Greetings and salutations!

I just wish learners here were allowed 660s!
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[DEN MONKEY]

Crikey you guys don't waste your time around here do you. Yeah the crikey thing was thrown in as a response to the dodgey Australian accent thing. Oh and no I don't know Steve Irwin personally. I'll do my best in future posts to throw in a bit of yobbo slang in for you where I can.

[BLOFLY 636]

G-day moit! I'm from Bunbury western Australia and can say with confidance that this is by far my favrite motorcycle chat forum it has plenty of users from all over the world and they all seem like good folks here anybody bad just gets tarred and feathered then banquished into the woods I should just say I seen a "P" plater getting around on 2004 Yamaha R1 yesterday! here it is so easy to get a license all you need to do is buy a learners permit and do a test on a 250cc or less motorcycle then you can either buy a 250cc bike either 2 or 4 stroke, or you could go home and forget about bikes for twelve months then do another test for a unrestricted bike license on any bike over 250cc like a ER500 after you pass you are free to buy a Hayabusa if you like amazing how silly the laws are here in WA so far I have seen 2 young guys about 18 years old getting around on a hayabusa and yesterday on the R1 makes me sick just thinking about the consequences of owning such a machine at such a young and inexperienced age well done for starting out with the 4 stroke 250 I started with a ZZR 250 and loved it now I have a '04 ZX-6R and I still get scared of it's power welcome aboard mate
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Those bloody footpegs......they ought to do away with em!

[Mr.Everready]

[mr.z]

[octane]

[BLOFLY 636]

but to us it is funny to read it in a pommy accent too
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Those bloody footpegs......they ought to do away with em!

[DEN MONKEY]

Not completely sure what you guys are talkin about. Its not me that has the accent .
Opened up the vents on the helmet today on my 3rd ride ever and kick the shit out of me if it aint kn(read f&^kin) noisy.
When I first popped em open then picked up a bit of speed I thought I'd pulled out onto a landin strip and a big flippin plane was just about to touch down on the top of my head.
Then I was like oh yeah right now I know whats doin.
But damn that was only at 60k.
Must admit though, I think Im gettin a little addicted to this shit.
At this point on that poll sex vs bike. I think I'd be knockin back the missus if the 2 ever clash for time. Sorry Kelly but Ive riden the bike 3 times and you ....... well. l think you get the point .... Ill happily take a crack at it though once I'm back and the baby is locked up in the shed. So keep the bed warm .
I hope you all appreciate the honesty and the chance Im takin here that if she reads this I aint gettin any for 6 months.
At least Ill have something else to keep me busy

[BLOFLY 636]

your a very brave man good luck with keeping this topic secret mate
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Those bloody footpegs......they ought to do away with em!

[DEN MONKEY]

It's all good it's my Birthday today, so goin in for some "special attention" What can I say . Ugh ugh its my birthday its my birthday ......