Ride out musings

[killa]

Morning people….

So, I went out with a few guys and gals from another forum on Saturday, the route was from Cheltenham through all the A roads to Weston Super Mare for a BBQ on the beach.

I was on the Kwak, the missus was with me and the day was going to include about 200 miles of road, at first I wasn’t fussed about that but when I got into the ride I was concerned more than once with the way myself and others were riding.
I don’t go on many ride outs, I love going out on my own to a meet or with one or two others but any more than that and I feel I am looking out for them as well as me.
I’ve been out with the organiser before, Tom, he had his missus on the back, an experienced rider, especially when with her as pillion as they’ve done a lot of travelling together.

I hadn’t taken anyone pillion on the Kwak, as you all know, the ZX7R is quite a beast, it’s not a tourer and she is heavy.
I was fine in the beginning, just opening her up a little and getting used to the braking and cornering, then we started hitting the nice twisty A roads.
Tom and GF were in front, they knew where they were going so I was behind and then there were two others behind me.
I’m young, but experienced, and in my experience I’ve come across some silly motorists, most of which are merrily shooting out of junctions and the like, so when I don’t know the roads I won’t blatt round them like I do, as I have the GF on the back I am twice as paranoid.

Good to be paranoid?
I don’t know, I was following fine, not really loosing Tom as we reached speeds of 80-90mph around these corners, occasionally peg down action, but I couldn’t see round the corners for bushes, Tom seemed confident though, he had said he’d been down these roads to Bath before but I still couldn’t see how he had the confidence to take them at the pace he was.

I’m not saying it’s stupid, I just don’t have it in me to go around corners that I can’t see around, at one point we were coming to a golf club to the right and this beamer was looking like it was making a dash for the road and Tom was going some, the beamers saw us and hit the brakes, and no, Tom wasn’t going so fast he didn’t have much time to react, the guy wasn’t paying attention.

I don’t know, I love biking, and I don’t mind the danger at all, I think that I ride well and always have a thought in the back of my mind “Don’t give em the chance” which basically means, don’t let the cagers catch you out, cagers are idiots until proven otherwise so treat all of them like their out to kill you.
This doesn’t stop me riding quick, it just stops me from getting into positions where it looks like I’m setting my self up for an off.
I wanted this thread to bring up some thoughts of you guys, what you think of other riders, are they idiots? Are you the idiot? Etc…..

That’s it really, I had a lovely day, the weather was superb on Saturday and I saw some lovely machines on the road.
The BBQ was ace, burning random things in the big fire was fun and the 120mph+ journey on the M5 home was interesting……

Killa
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Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[Suzuki]

You bought yourself a set of leathers yet?

As for rideouts in groups, I always ride for myself. Before we start I make sure I know the route and the meet-up points along the way. That way, if the guys at the front start behaving like idiots or are simply faster than me I can let them go and ride at my own pace. Far safer, and I find much more enjoyable.

The best scenario is riding with people of the same livel of skill and experience. Then you all ride together, without anybody stretching themselves outside of their comfort zone and putting themselves in a dangerous situation.

Oh, and treat all cars like it's their mission to kill you!
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<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
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[G]

[killa]

I did make a couple of mistakes, one of which wasn’t really my fault.
Through cheddar I think, there are some strange switchbacks, we had just had lunch so we were becoming a bit lethargic and dosey…….the Kwak decided to run out of fuel just as I was entering them, it put me off and my line went out the window, I ended up on the other side of the road and touched some gravel with my front wheel. Could have been worse…

Cheers for the comments guys….
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Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[Dark]

I too only ride at speeds i'm comfortable with. Its very rare that i trust anyone enough to push my limits to keep up with them on the road.

If i'm out with a group of friends and i notice someone struggling to keep up and starting to ride ragged whilst i'm leading i'll drop back into the pack for a while.

I really enjoy riding in groups, especially when the group can all ride at a similar pace, but riding with a group that consists of different abilities can be tricky
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My Bikes in order:- Yamaha RXS100 / Suzuki X7 250 / Yamaha RD350LC / Kawasaki
KR1S 250 / Kawasaki ZXR750 H2 / Honda C50 / Kawasaki ZX7R P5 / Kawasaki ZX10R / Suzuki GSXR 400 / Honda CBR1100 Blackbird & Yamaha FZR 600

[Harold_Shand]

Myself, I'm not interested in riding out in groups, because of exactly what you said... I know that being me, I would try to keep up and end up in a hedge.

On your own, it's all about you and you decide what type of ride you are in the mood for.
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BCF's 6th favourite poster 2009-2010

Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.

[Dark]

I do feel that some good riding experience can be gained in riding in groups though, whether it be watching a good rider or by learning from other peoples mistakes.

But yes, its a totally different ball game to riding on your own, which needs a whole new mindset
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My Bikes in order:- Yamaha RXS100 / Suzuki X7 250 / Yamaha RD350LC / Kawasaki
KR1S 250 / Kawasaki ZXR750 H2 / Honda C50 / Kawasaki ZX7R P5 / Kawasaki ZX10R / Suzuki GSXR 400 / Honda CBR1100 Blackbird & Yamaha FZR 600

[msgander]

hmm going pillion....

far worse experience riding pillion if you ride yourself imho. Its always better as a pillion when you didnt ride alone first!

For once I have to agree with sig

[JonB]

I prefer riding in groups no more than 5 people. A spirited ride seems so much more comfortable then and you rarely loose each other.

Enjoyed a ride with Rookie a while back at a sprited pace but because we are local, we know the local roads well so we never get out our depth.

However once you start having stupid amounts of people you will inevitabely get an inexperience rider trying to keep up.

I don't like rideouts when I am riding somewhere I don't know well cause you don't know the routes so well, so you are more likely to become a cropper.
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[steveh]

if im in that situation, i signal others to move infront of me and sit at the back at my own pace, never like being forced to keep up, especially with my mrs on the back.
Then if the rider thats just passed me is really slow, ill overtake if i see fit.


Steve.
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Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.

[BorderHooner]

i dont like brussel sprouts so i dont eat them. moral of the story.
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Benelli. Happy as a pig in cacky.

[colin1]

Good thread and its something thats been on my mind too.

On my own I am quite happy going at my own pace which isnt that fast

Im surprised to find myself agreeing with siggi when he said.

[SimonB]

I know how your feeling I recently went on a ride out with my brother and his mate. The thing that bothered me was that I have about a year and a bit more riding experience than my brother yet he is able to ride quicker than me and our bikes arn't all that different they are both 600's sure his is newer.

Like some people have mentioned I don't like going quick on country roads that I don't know especially when the road surface is a bit shit.

I decided during that ride that I'm not going to play catch up its not a race and so what if my brother is faster than me. After this I became less stressed and began to enjoy the ride.

So just go at a pace your comfortable and good on you for thinking of your missus safety.

(btw I got stung by a wasp on that ride out little bastard)
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Bikes: Honda CBR250RR [sold], Yamaha FZR600 [sold], Honda CBR600RR6

[Rookie]

[GearboxGeezer]

I dont like pushing it on blind courners either, Even when I know the roads well. When I do push it its not even really that much of a thrill for me, im to busy thinking about " what if theres a stick in the road " or somthing.

When im out with mates im normally always at the back, I hate being the leader

My mates are pretty crazey ( somtimes dangerous ) and I tend to back off, I do enjoy group riding though, espcially when your just cruising in city areas having a little muck around ( slapping each other at the lights, ect ect )

[Visitor Q]

Wanna swap
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