The Motorbikerist Thread

[Barry]

As said elsewhere, I love the GT Air and really want one but the ones I’ve tried on don’t feel very comfortable. They seem to pinch my crown. I don’t know if it would bed in after a while.

Take your fuckin crown off then

New model coming in March '19. Might be worth holding out on case that's a better fit. I was planning on buying a new lid at the show next month but I'm tempted to wait now.

This is the first Shoei that fit me, always had Arai previously.

[Barry]

Ride your own race, James. Relax and have fun.

And that. Care not what others are doing. I lapped my mate at our last track day, he didn't care as he was having fun (albeit reeeaaallly slow fun)

[JLv3.0]

Ride your own race, James. Relax and have fun.

Exactly that mate and thank you, and to you as well Tim. Seriously.

[JLv3.0]

Ride your own race, James. Relax and have fun.

And that. Care not what others are doing. I lapped my mate at our last track day, he didn't care as he was having fun (albeit reeeaaallly slow fun)

And to you as well mate. It all got a bit high pressure for me tbh - one mate of mine in the Race group wondering why I couldn't get the 62 degrees lean angle he could on the same bike, and others doing the whole knee slider inspection upon return to the pits each time.

All meant in jest of course but it doesn't work for me when I'm struggling (at least in my own mind.)

I'm not that bad tbh, but they were better and it was the first time in many, many years of shared interests (4x4ing, quadbiking, car track days, cycling - you name it) it became competitive rather than supporting, and I didn't fucking like it.

As they have all been informed of in no uncertain terms. Trust me - they are SUPER clear on this.

[Rich B]

I know what you mean - we’re ok riders and can hold our own at most places, but sometimes we go out mountain biking with another group who are fucking good riders. There’ll be stuff beyond our level and they’ll offer all sorts of “help” and encouragement which usually just does the opposite for me, because tbh I’m really not that bothered about pushing way beyond my limits or being the best - I’m just out for having fun.

[JLv3.0]

It wasn't the same mate - that was strangers trying to help. This was my closest mates being dicks

[Rich B]

It wasn't the same mate - that was strangers trying to help. This was my closest mates being dicks

They're not strangers, we ride with them quite a bit. But yeah, they’re not best mates.

[NotoriousREV]

It wasn't the same mate - that was strangers trying to help. This was my closest mates being dicks

I’ve always been the slowest rider in the group when out with mates so I’ve learned to not give a shit. When I did my CSS day, and my track day this year, I wasn’t the slowest so I took that as a massive win.

[JLv3.0]

I think the variance between ego and ability might be my issue here

[tim]

My buddy is massively quicker than me, he has confidence with the front end into corners that I just don't have, but he reckons I might be able to keep up now I have the SINGLE-ARR... then added, "...down the straight" All good fun.

Trying to keep up is where things go to shit usually - but you know that. I think the i2i course I did recently will really show itself the next time I get on track. Also the British Superbike School I've got booked next April too.

[JLv3.0]

I'm good on theory - just can't quite seem to really put it to use. Tbh in the Intermediate class I'm a middle of the class battler, so am not quite too sure why I'm being such a fanny about this. I guess #BecauseJames.

I don't give a monkeys about being quick but I don't take being given shit - whether it's meant or not - too well.

Yeah - I'm being an overly-sensitive dick, aren't I - I see that now

[Barry]

Riding bikes is one of the few things I feel I'm actually good at so I do know what you mean James. On the road I'd get upset if a rider just made me look stupid, it's human nature.

On track I know I'm nothing but average so I'm less bothered by it as I know I've a long way to go there at least.

I only tend to ride with riders of a similar mentality on the road tbh, no ego, just ride to the level you're happy with and we'll all fit round that. I don't want people taking risks to keep up, nor will I push beyond my comfort zone.

[mik]

I only tend to ride with riders of a similar mentality on the road tbh, no ego, just ride to the level you're happy with and we'll all fit round that. I don't want people taking risks to keep up, nor will I push beyond my comfort zone.

Very much the mantra for me on driving meets Baz. No-one present is likely to offer me an F1 driving contract, so safe enjoyment is the primary focus,

[tim]

This is why I enjoy my RoSPA training and group so much. You can ride with anyone in the group and know what to expect, doubly so for my tutors.

There’s a group of 4 of us tutors heading to Reiten Motorrad in the morning for the free food and 1250 launch. It’ll be a progressive ride in a tight formation, guaranteed drama free.

[Broccers]

Ron haslam day was good this year - hope to do the premier + with one to one instruction and then an elite on the 1000s next year. Best place to be fast is on the track.

Anyone seen the latest Budget Bike battle? They can ride quick but still over cook it and end up on the other side of the road.

[tim]

Yeah I watched that yesterday, some dubious road riding but it's bloody funny for the most part.

[JLv3.0]

And it was normally Fagan overcooking it!

[Barry]

Yeah I watched that yesterday, some dubious road riding but it's bloody funny for the most part.

Do you find with these YouTube vloggers that their riding is usually quite poor, I can't help watch their lines and observation and spend a lot of the time shouting at the screen

44T is funny stuff generally though, TMF is a very average rider.

[unzippy]

Which reminds me - I've got a track day tomorrow on the BMW which I'm approaching quite hesitantly. I got very disheartened at watching my mates advance way faster than me and I've beat myself up over it a bit.

So tomorrow I'm in the novice class and am going to try and relearn what I've been taught and just try and string it all together a bit better. Wish me luck.

How did you go?

[JLv3.0]

It was great - god only knows why I was being such a twat about it all, it's not like it was my first time or anything.

First session I just took it easy but was getting held up which wasn't much use for getting any proper practice so on the second session was a bit more aggressive on getting past people and had the track to myself for most of it, and the same in the third session which was when it started to really click. I thought I'd call it a day after that, leave on a high note etc.

As ever the problem was just in my attitude - rather than getting all wobbly-lipped about the things I'm not as good at as others on track, I just went out and enjoyed the bike, which is as ridiculously epic and awesome as ever.

Tyres nicely scrubbed: