Ever had one of those down to earth moments that changed your whole outlook on your riding and your attitude.
Mine was back in 1996.
I was approaching my mid 30's.
I had a ZZR1100 which was the most sophisticated and fastest thing I had owned till that point,
Yeah, I fancied myself as quick on that.
I had the sports leathers and sliders, and rode around with a very elevated sense of my ability.
Then, one fine Summers day, I was out for a spin in the twisties in Kent, bombing past everything in my way, when I caught a glimpse of another bike in my mirror.
After each corner I took, I checked my mirror and it got closer and closer.
I gunned it as much as I could, determined that he wasn't going to get past me, when all of a sudden, on a sweeping left hander the old guy on his ancient BMW RT twin, went around the outside of me, arm held high waving as he went passed.
He wasn't even trying hard.
My whole outlook on riding changed from that point on, and I came down to earth with a huge bang.
I changed my whole attitude after that.
Ever had a moment like that ?
Down to earth moments
Moderators: slparry, Gromit, Paul
-
Boxadog 2000
- Member
- Posts: 1908
- Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 8:29 pm
- Location: Looking over hedges
Many years ago I went to Paris in the winter with a few mates.
Me on my heavily customized Honda 750 4 Colin Sealey Honda Britain everything.
When we arrived in Paris they had to lift me off the bike.
they were ready for a night on the town.
Me I was ready for bed.
Suffice to say 2 days after being home I had purchased my first BMW circa 1980
Me on my heavily customized Honda 750 4 Colin Sealey Honda Britain everything.
When we arrived in Paris they had to lift me off the bike.
they were ready for a night on the town.
Me I was ready for bed.
Suffice to say 2 days after being home I had purchased my first BMW circa 1980
Almost 10 years ago, after a few years of riding already, when you start convincing yourself that you are a decent rider... I met this guy (we ended up being really good friends soon) that came out on a ride with me once.
After a few miles he stopped me and said: "you have no idea how to drive a motorbike"
Later that day I discovered he is pro race driver (bikes and, later, cars).
He did teach me and helped me to improve myself over the years (I'm still shit ) but, trust me, when you see a proper racer driving, or you go along at trackdays... it's a nice reality check.
It puts everything in perspective and you get really humble.
After a few miles he stopped me and said: "you have no idea how to drive a motorbike"
Later that day I discovered he is pro race driver (bikes and, later, cars).
He did teach me and helped me to improve myself over the years (I'm still shit
) but, trust me, when you see a proper racer driving, or you go along at trackdays... it's a nice reality check.It puts everything in perspective and you get really humble.
-
Droptarotter
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:02 pm
- Location: Cloverdale, BC, Canada
Mine was at Portland International Raceway in the early '90's....
I was on my Honda Hawk V-twin......all of 70hp.....
Turn 9 at PIR is a fairly tight right hander that leads onto the 1/2 mile front straight.
It was a practice day and all the fast guys were out.......me included.
Half way through turn 9.....my knee on the ground......just pushing the slicks and clipping the apex........I hear another bike on the outside.......
Scott Russel goes by on his factory Kawi....(I think)........almost a full lock slide, back tire smoking blue........lofts the front wheel......and is gone.......front wheel still in the air until he disappeared!
Made me realize how slow I really was!
Cheers
I was on my Honda Hawk V-twin......all of 70hp.....
Turn 9 at PIR is a fairly tight right hander that leads onto the 1/2 mile front straight.
It was a practice day and all the fast guys were out.......me included.
Half way through turn 9.....my knee on the ground......just pushing the slicks and clipping the apex........I hear another bike on the outside.......
Scott Russel goes by on his factory Kawi....(I think)........almost a full lock slide, back tire smoking blue........lofts the front wheel......and is gone.......front wheel still in the air until he disappeared!
Made me realize how slow I really was!
Cheers
Some years ago I was overtaken by five police riders training on the same bike as me K100rs (yes that long ago)
but there was no way I could match them and coming up to a roundabout, they looked like they where on a Sunday
ride and I was sh####g myself thinking am I going to make it.![[smilie=sweat.gif]](./images/smilies/sweat.gif "sweat")
So I joined the IAM and never looked back.![[smilie=winner_first_h4h.gif]](./images/smilies/winner_first_h4h.gif "winner_first_h4h")
Ned![[smilie=bike.gif]](./images/smilies/bike.gif "bike")
but there was no way I could match them and coming up to a roundabout, they looked like they where on a Sunday
ride and I was sh####g myself thinking am I going to make it.
So I joined the IAM and never looked back.
Ned
Yesterday R1100S 03, today K1300s sport
Ride like they are all out to kill you and you will live to ride another day............Ned 2008
Ride like they are all out to kill you and you will live to ride another day............Ned 2008
Similar story to Ned, but it was someone on an HD Sportster (I'm told there is a very quick woman on an HD around here - makes no odds - he/she was quick) on my favourite local road, went past me and off into the distance. So that's when I decided to join IAM. I'm quicker and smoother and I hope, safer but I'm not convinced I could match the HD rider yet. Maybe... Maybe not...
There's a local old-ish guy (so a bit like me then) who rides an ancient BMW (not a boxer) and is so smooth and quick, I'm in awe. I couldn't keep up with him even now. More practice needed.
There's a local old-ish guy (so a bit like me then) who rides an ancient BMW (not a boxer) and is so smooth and quick, I'm in awe. I couldn't keep up with him even now. More practice needed.
-
bikesnbones