Tips for buying a Honda CT110 "postie bike" please
David
license test (NSW). We would probably want to keep it after that to use
a local run-about.
1. Are there any particular things to look for on CT110s at auctions to
spot the good/bad ones ?
2. I notice that many CT110s are sold at auctions with no registration.
What is involved in registering one. Is it just a blue slip + green
slip, followed by a visit to the RTA ?
Thanks folks
David
Jordan
ran properly. They also tend to rattle annoyingly, and are very low
powered. I went off them after that.
For a cheap runabout, you might want to stay under 100cc, or you'll pay
maybe a hundred dollars more every year, for green slip. That means a
scooter unless you find an oldie with big wheels.
BT Humble
CT90! Just ask Johnnie5. ;-)
BTH
CrazyCam
OK, David, a few questions...does your wife want you to buy it for her
_now_?
Do you know much about motorcycles? Have you been to auctions in the past?
Assume, for the moment, answers are: yes, very little, no,
I'd suggest you take her to look at a Sachs Madass 125.
Auctions can be funny. I went to a few with Cath W. and it's a game you
need to know how to play.
Dunno how much you can tell about the condition of one, out of a row of
ex-Posties, with a quick look over. <shrug>
Again, assuming that you _want_ her to successfully learn to ride, it
makes it easier if she has the confidence of a new(ish) and hopefully
reliable machine.
regards,
CrazyCam
David
> David wrote:
>> My wife wants me to buy her a CT110 for her to learn on and take her
>> license test (NSW). We would probably want to keep it after that to use
>> a local run-about.
>>
>> 1. Are there any particular things to look for on CT110s at auctions to
>> spot the good/bad ones ?
>>
>> 2. I notice that many CT110s are sold at auctions with no registration.
>> What is involved in registering one. Is it just a blue slip + green
>> slip, followed by a visit to the RTA ?
>
> OK, David, a few questions...does your wife want you to buy it for her
> _now_?
>
> Do you know much about motorcycles? Have you been to auctions in the past?
>
> Assume, for the moment, answers are: yes, very little, no,
> I'd suggest you take her to look at a Sachs Madass 125.
>
Yes, she wants it ASAP
A fair bit. I've been riding for 20 years, had approx 10 bikes.
No, I've never been to an auction.
> Auctions can be funny. I went to a few with Cath W. and it's a game you
> need to know how to play.
>
> Dunno how much you can tell about the condition of one, out of a row of
> ex-Posties, with a quick look over. <shrug>
Yeh, I know.
>
> Again, assuming that you _want_ her to successfully learn to ride, it
> makes it easier if she has the confidence of a new(ish) and hopefully
> reliable machine.
>
Good point, although we only plan to keep it for a few months at most,
just long enough for her to get her license, then sell the bike. So
reliability is not a major problem, but depreciation on a new machine is
a consideration.
I bought her a 2 year old GS500 in January, because I thought it made a
good first bike (hello Betty!) and she has been learning with it,
on-and-off for just over 6 months. The big problem is that she just
doesn't get enough practice time (work, kids etc), limited to a few
hours every 2 or 3 weeks.
She is mainly having difficulty with the u-turns on the GS500, and
recently when she re-did her pre learners course, to renew her Ls, had a
brief ride on a postie bike and found it a lot easier for the low speed
stuff.
I have told her that it would be best to keep learning in the GS500, and
perfect her low speed riding, but she is impatient.
She just wants me to buy a postie which she can use to get her license,
and then sell the postie bike, and keep riding the GS500.
> regards,
> CrazyCam
CrazyCam
<snip>
> Close :-)
> Yes, she wants it ASAP
> A fair bit. I've been riding for 20 years, had approx 10 bikes.
<snip>
>> Again, assuming that you _want_ her to successfully learn to ride, it
>> makes it easier if she has the confidence of a new(ish) and hopefully
>> reliable machine.
>>
>
> Good point, although we only plan to keep it for a few months at most,
> just long enough for her to get her license, then sell the bike. So
> reliability is not a major problem, but depreciation on a new machine is
> a consideration.
Well, you originally said:"We would probably want to keep it after that
to use a local run-about."
> I bought her a 2 year old GS500 in January, because I thought it made a
> good first bike (hello Betty!) and she has been learning with it,
> on-and-off for just over 6 months. The big problem is that she just
> doesn't get enough practice time (work, kids etc), limited to a few
> hours every 2 or 3 weeks.
What may seem to you, with 20 years experience, a good learner bike,
might not actually work for a real learner.
At a few hours every 2 or 3 weeks, she's gonna be shoving shit up hill
with the proverbial pointy stick.
> She is mainly having difficulty with the u-turns on the GS500, and
> recently when she re-did her pre learners course, to renew her Ls, had a
> brief ride on a postie bike and found it a lot easier for the low speed
> stuff.
> I have told her that it would be best to keep learning in the GS500, and
> perfect her low speed riding, but she is impatient.
I have a wife like that too. Are they _all_ like that? :-)
> She just wants me to buy a postie which she can use to get her license,
> and then sell the postie bike, and keep riding the GS500.
That's kinda the end of the discussion then. <shrug>
regards,
CrazyCam
Biggus.....
>perfect her low speed riding, but she is impatient.
>She just wants me to buy a postie which she can use to get her license,
>and then sell the postie bike, and keep riding the GS500.
SO she struggles with the GS now, but all will be magically wonderful
and forgotten if she gets her license on a steppy? Am I missing
something here?
Theo Bekkers
You sure are. But I'm missing it too, and so is David.
Theo
David
> David wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
>> Close :-)
>> Yes, she wants it ASAP
>> A fair bit. I've been riding for 20 years, had approx 10 bikes.
>
> <snip>
>
>>> Again, assuming that you _want_ her to successfully learn to ride, it
>>> makes it easier if she has the confidence of a new(ish) and hopefully
>>> reliable machine.
>>>
>>
>> Good point, although we only plan to keep it for a few months at most,
>> just long enough for her to get her license, then sell the bike. So
>> reliability is not a major problem, but depreciation on a new machine is
>> a consideration.
>
> Well, you originally said:"We would probably want to keep it after that
> to use a local run-about."
>
True.
I probably should have said that SHE wants to use it to get her license
and then sell it, while I would like to keep it as a run about. I'm used
to saying "we" when it mean "my wife".
>> I bought her a 2 year old GS500 in January, because I thought it made a
>> good first bike (hello Betty!) and she has been learning with it,
>> on-and-off for just over 6 months. The big problem is that she just
>> doesn't get enough practice time (work, kids etc), limited to a few
>> hours every 2 or 3 weeks.
>
> What may seem to you, with 20 years experience, a good learner bike,
> might not actually work for a real learner.
>
> At a few hours every 2 or 3 weeks, she's gonna be shoving shit up hill
> with the proverbial pointy stick.
>
I agree, but that is the hardest thing to fix.
>> She is mainly having difficulty with the u-turns on the GS500, and
>> recently when she re-did her pre learners course, to renew her Ls, had a
>> brief ride on a postie bike and found it a lot easier for the low speed
>> stuff.
>> I have told her that it would be best to keep learning in the GS500, and
>> perfect her low speed riding, but she is impatient.
>
> I have a wife like that too. Are they _all_ like that? :-)
Grrrr, probably
>
>> She just wants me to buy a postie which she can use to get her license,
>> and then sell the postie bike, and keep riding the GS500.
>
> That's kinda the end of the discussion then. <shrug>
>
Not really.
The original discussion was about tips on buying a CT110 at auction, and
about the process of then registering it.
> regards,
> CrazyCam
David
No, I don't think so.
In real life she is very unlikely to ever have to do a u-turn within a 6
-odd metre boundary as is required for the test. She would choose to
ride round the block rather than do the u-turn.
She will mostly be doing day-rides with the local Ulysses branch.
David
David
bikerbetty
"David" <da...@nospam.me> wrote in message news:n5qps4-...@oznook.com...
I have over 30,000kms on my GS500 and I still get a bit nervous at the
thought of u-turns. The MOST test has had far-reaching, deep-seated
emotional consequences <grin> for this rider...
I can do u-turns that aren't 'official' u-turns - getting out of parking
spots etc - but give me a u-turn to do on the road, and my palms sweat, my
heart races, and it's "right back to the MOST test" for me.....
So --- I think I understand what you mean, David...
Oh - as an aside - I don't think I would've liked the GS500 as a learner
bike, because of my size and its size relative to me. The GPX was at the
outer limits of my comfort zone as a learner. I would probably have been
better off with something really nimble and confidence-inspiring, like a
Yamaha Zeal, where I could flat-foot it...
betty
Zebee Johnstone
David <da...@nospam.me> wrote:
>
> No, I don't think so.
> In real life she is very unlikely to ever have to do a u-turn within a 6
> -odd metre boundary as is required for the test. She would choose to
> ride round the block rather than do the u-turn.
>
You'd be surprised.
Slow speed manouvering happens more often than you might think, you
probably do it without noticing.
If she's not got the ability now, and won't practice enough, then she
won't have it when she needs it and she will.
Zebee
CrazyCam
Ever ridden the Galston Gorge Road?
How about leaving Wiesmans Ferry heading for Sydney, up the hill the
first slow left hander?
Whether you, or she, like it or not, it is part of the MOST and it tests
an ability to control a motorcycle which _is_ kinda useful for folk
riding them.
> She will mostly be doing day-rides with the local Ulysses branch.
But she can only manage a few hours every three or four weeks to practice...
Do these occasional bursts of riding ever happen on weekdays, and any
place within cooee of Beecroft?
regards,
CrazyCam
CrazyCam
> CrazyCam wrote:
<snip>
>> That's kinda the end of the discussion then. <shrug>
>>
>
> Not really.
> The original discussion was about tips on buying a CT110 at auction, and
> about the process of then registering it.
Well, if you _have_ to go to the first available auction, and _have_ to
come back with a postie bike, then the only sensible tip is "don't".
Registering it is fairly easy so long as everything on the bike works
correctly, you just get a blue slip. The green slip is a bit of stuffing
around, but no major drama. (You haven't got a rego number at this stage!)
regards,
CrazyCam
David
> "David" <da...@nospam.me> wrote in message news:n5qps4-...@oznook.com...
>> Biggus..... wrote:
>>>> I have told her that it would be best to keep learning in the GS500, and
>>>> perfect her low speed riding, but she is impatient.
>>>> She just wants me to buy a postie which she can use to get her license,
>>>> and then sell the postie bike, and keep riding the GS500.
>>> SO she struggles with the GS now, but all will be magically wonderful
>>> and forgotten if she gets her license on a steppy? Am I missing
>>> something here?
>> No, I don't think so.
>> In real life she is very unlikely to ever have to do a u-turn within a 6
>> -odd metre boundary as is required for the test. She would choose to
>> ride round the block rather than do the u-turn.
>
> I have over 30,000kms on my GS500 and I still get a bit nervous at the
> thought of u-turns. The MOST test has had far-reaching, deep-seated
> emotional consequences <grin> for this rider...
>
> I can do u-turns that aren't 'official' u-turns - getting out of parking
> spots etc - but give me a u-turn to do on the road, and my palms sweat, my
> heart races, and it's "right back to the MOST test" for me.....
>
> So --- I think I understand what you mean, David...
>
Me too :-)
> Oh - as an aside - I don't think I would've liked the GS500 as a learner
> bike, because of my size and its size relative to me. The GPX was at the
> outer limits of my comfort zone as a learner. I would probably have been
> better off with something really nimble and confidence-inspiring, like a
> Yamaha Zeal, where I could flat-foot it...
>
I understand what you mean about comfort zone.
I felt, and still do, that the GS500 is a good learner bike for her, as
at 5"11 ish she is able to get both feet flat, and it weighs only a
little more than the 250s, while being easier to ride, because you don't
have to rev it as much to get it going.
> betty
>
>
David
Zebee,
She wants to get her license and ride.
I have told her that it would be best to keep learning until she is able
to comfortably past the test, even if that means taking years, and
having to re-do the pre-learners course multiple times.
But, she doesn't want to take that long, and as an adult, gets to make
those decisions for herself.
The best I can do is to advise and help.
David
JL
David you're absolutely right, if the only riding skill in her armoury
that she's lacking is feetup U turns then quite frankly who cares.
There's a dozen ways to avoid them (putting your feet down and
paddling around being the obvious, but you could also get off and
wheel it around, or go around the block etc).
Totally aside from the fact you'd obviously be wasting your time
trying to change her mind I don't actually see a problem with the
tactic. The vast majority of new learners have traditionally been
young men - the course is oriented towards ensuring they have a high
enough skill set before being let loose to probably survive the first
year. In my experience very few women take the "I'm 10 foot tall and
bullet proof" attitude, and are far more likely to stick within their
capability. The hard part can be to get them to expand their skills.
JL
(BTW Zebee, fwiw I can't even remember the last time I HAD to do a
feet up U turn in a LAMs sized area, and I'd remember because I still
hate doing the buggers)
Theo Bekkers
> No, I don't think so.
> In real life she is very unlikely to ever have to do a u-turn within
> a 6 -odd metre boundary as is required for the test.
I must admit I rarely have the need to do figure eights in real life.
Theo
Theo Bekkers
> I don't know what I'm missing :-P
I think that goes for most of us. Keeps us happy.
Theo
Feeling mellow today.
Theo Bekkers
> CrazyCam wrote:
> I probably should have said that SHE wants to use it to get her
> license and then sell it, while I would like to keep it as a run
> about. I'm used to saying "we" when it mean "my wife".
I know the feeling.
Theo
Married 43 years yesterday.
CrazyCam
<snip>
> David you're absolutely right, if the only riding skill in her armoury
> that she's lacking is feetup U turns then quite frankly who cares.
The system cares. If you want a full bike licence in NSW you have to
pass the MOST.
> There's a dozen ways to avoid them (putting your feet down and
> paddling around being the obvious, but you could also get off and
> wheel it around, or go around the block etc).
Aye, try any of those on the hairpin going down to Berowra Waters Ferry!
:-)
> Totally aside from the fact you'd obviously be wasting your time
> trying to change her mind I don't actually see a problem with the
> tactic.
The tactic of getting a bike which is easier to pass the MOST on, is a
valid one.
But, you have to understand the entire MOST.
A postie will allow a U-turn much more easily than lots of bigger bikes,
but, there is still the quick stopping business, which also has to be
passed. With its fairly small brakes, a postie isn't the ideal for that
bit of the test.
Oh, and you aren't allowed to change bikes in the course of the MOST. ;-)
The Z50 would allow even a learner to do figure of eights in the U-turn
box, but would, like the postie, be a problem with the stopping
business, since it's hard not to lock up the front end.
The OP, or rather, his wife, wants a quick fix and, realistically, there
isn't one. She'd still have to spend the time and effort to learn to
ride the postie properly. And, a decent postie bike has long since moved
out of the two-cases of beer priced range.
> The vast majority of new learners have traditionally been
> young men - the course is oriented towards ensuring they have a high
> enough skill set before being let loose to probably survive the first
> year.
Please explain about this orientation business?
The MOST is a straight forward competency based test.
> In my experience very few women take the "I'm 10 foot tall and
> bullet proof" attitude, and are far more likely to stick within their
> capability. The hard part can be to get them to expand their skills.
Dunno about that either.
regards,
CrazyCam
Zebee Johnstone
I do a U turn in about the same space as the Most requires when I
leave the garage.
I don't have to, but I figure being able to can't hurt.
It's a right pain on the Norge, dead easy on the other Guzzis.
Zebee
- doing her bit for Theo's Law.
Theo Bekkers
> Theo Bekkers <tbek...@bekkers.com.au> wrote:
>> I must admit I rarely have the need to do figure eights in real life.
> I do a U turn in about the same space as the Most requires when I
> leave the garage.
>
> I don't have to, but I figure being able to can't hurt.
>
> It's a right pain on the Norge, dead easy on the other Guzzis.
I have this little roundabout at the house end of the driveway, about 40
metres in circumference.
I am not really familiar with the most but did a few skills courses at the
National Safety Council in Mt Lawley before they converted it to parking
space for ECU. My unlimited motorcycle test consisted of riding around the
block on a 125 Vespa, sans helmet.
Theo
CrazyCam
<snip>
> I do a U turn in about the same space as the Most requires when I
> leave the garage.
>
> I don't have to, but I figure being able to can't hurt.
>
> It's a right pain on the Norge, dead easy on the other Guzzis.
Do you think there is a real physical/mechanical difference, or is it
something to do with a new, virgin, 26 grand motorcycle?
regards,
CrazyCam
JL
> JL wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
> > David you're absolutely right, if the only riding skill in her armoury
> > that she's lacking is feetup U turns then quite frankly who cares.
>
> The system cares. If you want a full bike licence in NSW you have to
> pass the MOST.
Yebbut, take it in the context, that was the point of getting a postie
- 'cos then passing that bit of the test is dead easy.
> > There's a dozen ways to avoid them (putting your feet down and
> > paddling around being the obvious, but you could also get off and
> > wheel it around, or go around the block etc).
>
> Aye, try any of those on the hairpin going down to Berowra Waters Ferry!
> :-)
Y'know it's interesting, you've got me stumped, I wouldn't compare the
Galston Gorge Hairpins with the feetup U turn at all - most of the
hairpins are cambered and I do them at about 10 times the speed I'd do
a feet up U turn, and they don't seem as tight as the MOST test box
anyway. You start at the far left and chuck it down hard on the apex -
I treat them as a normal corner I don't try and ride them like a feet
up U turn - leaning the wrong way and riding the brake like a trials
bike
> > Totally aside from the fact you'd obviously be wasting your time
> > trying to change her mind I don't actually see a problem with the
> > tactic.
>
> The tactic of getting a bike which is easier to pass the MOST on, is a
> valid one.
>
> But, you have to understand the entire MOST.
>
> A postie will allow a U-turn much more easily than lots of bigger bikes,
> but, there is still the quick stopping business, which also has to be
> passed. With its fairly small brakes, a postie isn't the ideal for that
> bit of the test.
>
> Oh, and you aren't allowed to change bikes in the course of the MOST. ;-)
Yeah that's a fairly valid point, and you'd certainly know better than
I would but given the advantages across a number of parts of the test
(cone weave etc as well as u turn) would have thought it was still
better than a bigger bike
> The OP, or rather, his wife, wants a quick fix and, realistically, there
> isn't one. She'd still have to spend the time and effort to learn to
> ride the postie properly. And, a decent postie bike has long since moved
> out of the two-cases of beer priced range.
<shrug> Like I said you know that test far better than me but I would
still think it's a pretty fair work around if you have a weakness in
one area.
> > The vast majority of new learners have traditionally been
> > young men - the course is oriented towards ensuring they have a high
> > enough skill set before being let loose to probably survive the first
> > year.
>
> Please explain about this orientation business?
The level of the skills required is far higher than the car test
requires. The L's course opens with quite a stern lecture which about
safety which seems very intended to scare the pants off the boys :-)
> The MOST is a straight forward competency based test.
>
> > In my experience very few women take the "I'm 10 foot tall and
> > bullet proof" attitude, and are far more likely to stick within their
> > capability. The hard part can be to get them to expand their skills.
>
> Dunno about that either.
<shrug>That's my experience YMMV.
JL
CrazyCam
<snip>
> Yebbut, take it in the context, that was the point of getting a postie
> - 'cos then passing that bit of the test is dead easy.
Compare, if you will:-
going to an auction, with no auction experience.
buying an untried postie bike.
getting it home.
getting it to pass a Blue Slip test.
then wife has to get used to riding it, and a postie feels very
different from a GS500.
do (and hopefully) pass MOST
sell postie.
or
wifey goes to a proper riding instructor and gets taught how to do the
U-turn properly on her own bike....maybe an hour.
(It is a perfectly teachable technique. The current size of the box is
such that, once they have been taught how to do it, they smile and don't
see it as a problem.)
<snip>
> Y'know it's interesting, you've got me stumped, I wouldn't compare the
> Galston Gorge Hairpins with the feetup U turn at all - most of the
> hairpins are cambered and I do them at about 10 times the speed I'd do
> a feet up U turn, and they don't seem as tight as the MOST test box
> anyway. You start at the far left and chuck it down hard on the apex -
> I treat them as a normal corner I don't try and ride them like a feet
> up U turn - leaning the wrong way and riding the brake like a trials
> bike
Current U-turn box size means that leaning wrong way is only required in
extreme cases.
If you arrive at the hairpin on the inside, with a car coming down the
outside (wider) track, you are bloody nearly doing a U-turn.
<snip>
> Yeah that's a fairly valid point, and you'd certainly know better than
> I would but given the advantages across a number of parts of the test
> (cone weave etc as well as u turn) would have thought it was still
> better than a bigger bike
A lot of it is confidence. If the wife in question isn't prepared to
spend a wee bit of time, one way or the other, then I dunno how she is
supposed to gain that confidence. <shrug>
>> The OP, or rather, his wife, wants a quick fix and, realistically, there
>> isn't one. She'd still have to spend the time and effort to learn to
>> ride the postie properly. And, a decent postie bike has long since moved
>> out of the two-cases of beer priced range.
>
> <shrug> Like I said you know that test far better than me but I would
> still think it's a pretty fair work around if you have a weakness in
> one area.
I agree, if the person is likely to do the appropriate practice on the
alternate bike. It seems somewhat wasteful, but it ain't my time/money.
I dunno what they charge, but both StayUpright and HART do a pre-MOST
course, and then allow folk to use their bikes (as in what they did the
course on) for the real MOST.
However, the GS500 isn't a serious handicap to doing the MOST, and it
makes more sense to me that she learns to ride what she'll really be riding.
>>> The vast majority of new learners have traditionally been
>>> young men - the course is oriented towards ensuring they have a high
>>> enough skill set before being let loose to probably survive the first
>>> year.
>> Please explain about this orientation business?
>
> The level of the skills required is far higher than the car test
> requires.
Yup! But is that a problem of the bike test or the car test?
I know which one I'd change if I had the power. :-)
> The L's course opens with quite a stern lecture which about
> safety which seems very intended to scare the pants off the boys :-)
....and the knicker off the girls.
>>> In my experience very few women take the "I'm 10 foot tall and
>>> bullet proof" attitude, and are far more likely to stick within their
>>> capability. The hard part can be to get them to expand their skills.
>> Dunno about that either.
>
> <shrug>That's my experience YMMV.
Does the name Ali remind you of anything? :-)
regards,
CrazyCam
bikerbetty
"David" <da...@nospam.me> wrote in message news:nvvqs4-...@oznook.com...
>
> I understand what you mean about comfort zone.
> I felt, and still do, that the GS500 is a good learner bike for her, as
> at 5"11 ish she is able to get both feet flat, and it weighs only a
> little more than the 250s, while being easier to ride, because you don't
> have to rev it as much to get it going.
You think 50kgs is "only a little more" than the 250s weigh? Holy dooley,
that's only a little less than what I weigh! I suppose it's all relative -
but when I changed from the GPX to the GS I had to haul around almost a
whole extra "bettyweight"! (and geez, didn't I notice it!)
betty
Zebee Johnstone
CrazyCam <craz...@upturnet.com.au> wrote:
> Zebee Johnstone wrote:
>
>>
>> It's a right pain on the Norge, dead easy on the other Guzzis.
>
> Do you think there is a real physical/mechanical difference, or is it
> something to do with a new, virgin, 26 grand motorcycle?
Higher CofG.
Different arm position
greater turning circle.
The Norge has more weight up high than the T or GT. It also has fewer
degrees of movement in the bars. I'm also more "in" than "on top", the
ergonomics are different.
Makes it a great bike for high speed, less good at really tight tight
turns.
Having dropped it once doing that turn, I'm now very scared of doing
it and am slowly learning to do it again.
I'm pondering a lowering kit, see if that helps the confidence level.
Zebee
David
> David wrote:
>> Biggus..... wrote:
>>>> I have told her that it would be best to keep learning in the GS500,
>>>> and
>>>> perfect her low speed riding, but she is impatient.
>>>> She just wants me to buy a postie which she can use to get her license,
>>>> and then sell the postie bike, and keep riding the GS500.
>>> SO she struggles with the GS now, but all will be magically wonderful
>>> and forgotten if she gets her license on a steppy? Am I missing
>>> something here?
>>
>> No, I don't think so.
>> In real life she is very unlikely to ever have to do a u-turn within a 6
>> -odd metre boundary as is required for the test. She would choose to
>> ride round the block rather than do the u-turn.
>
> Ever ridden the Galston Gorge Road?
Yes, I have, She won't.
>
> How about leaving Wiesmans Ferry heading for Sydney, up the hill the
> first slow left hander?
>
Same.
> Whether you, or she, like it or not, it is part of the MOST and it tests
> an ability to control a motorcycle which _is_ kinda useful for folk
> riding them.
>
I agree
>> She will mostly be doing day-rides with the local Ulysses branch.
>
> But she can only manage a few hours every three or four weeks to
> practice...
>
> Do these occasional bursts of riding ever happen on weekdays, and any
> place within cooee of Beecroft?
>
No, always on weekends. but we aren't far from Beecroft. Why?
> regards,
> CrazyCam
David
> David wrote:
>> CrazyCam wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
>>> That's kinda the end of the discussion then. <shrug>
>>>
>>
>> Not really.
>> The original discussion was about tips on buying a CT110 at auction, and
>> about the process of then registering it.
>
> Well, if you _have_ to go to the first available auction, and _have_ to
> come back with a postie bike, then the only sensible tip is "don't".
>
Sound advice.
> Registering it is fairly easy so long as everything on the bike works
> correctly, you just get a blue slip. The green slip is a bit of stuffing
> around, but no major drama. (You haven't got a rego number at this stage!)
>
OK
> regards,
> CrazyCam
David
I worked out the problem when I found I couldn't make the u-turn even
wheeling the bike with full lock.
David
David
> JL wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
>> Yebbut, take it in the context, that was the point of getting a postie
>> - 'cos then passing that bit of the test is dead easy.
>
> Compare, if you will:-
> going to an auction, with no auction experience.
> buying an untried postie bike.
> getting it home.
> getting it to pass a Blue Slip test.
> then wife has to get used to riding it, and a postie feels very
> different from a GS500.
> do (and hopefully) pass MOST
> sell postie.
>
> or
>
> wifey goes to a proper riding instructor and gets taught how to do the
> U-turn properly on her own bike....maybe an hour.
> (It is a perfectly teachable technique. The current size of the box is
> such that, once they have been taught how to do it, they smile and don't
> see it as a problem.)
>
I agree 100%, and have suggested she do some one-on-one time with the
pro riding instructors rather than learning my bad habits.
We will be "looking into it".
:-)
David
at 135'ish kg, a GPX250 at 138kg, while the GS500 is 180 kgs.
It just seems light to me compared to my 285kg K1200GT I suppose. :-)
CrazyCam
> CrazyCam wrote:
<snip>
>> Do these occasional bursts of riding ever happen on weekdays, and any
>> place within cooee of Beecroft?
>>
>
> No, always on weekends. but we aren't far from Beecroft. Why?
I live in Beecroft, at the end of a dead-end street, with a big turning
circle.
I also have time, during the week, and have, in the past, had quite a
few learners round to prepare for their MOST.
I was tempted to make an offer which my wife would later make me regret.
(SWMBO became increasingly unhappy about me teaching folk without all
the appropriate insurances.)
regards,
CrazyCam
CrazyCam
<snip>
> I tried the u-turn with my K1200GT ans had trouble.
>
> I worked out the problem when I found I couldn't make the u-turn even
> wheeling the bike with full lock.
That doesn't mean that it can't be done.
A few years ago, the turn box was smaller, and a GPX250 couldn't be
walked round on full lock. Lots of learners still managed to pass the test.
I watched a bloke do the U-turn, in the old, smaller box, on a Leadwing,
but, to be fair, he was the chief riding instructor of NSW at the time.
regards,
CrazyCam
Theo Bekkers
"CrazyCam" <craz...@upturnet.com.au> wrote
> I live in Beecroft, at the end of a dead-end street,
I don't remember your street being that boring or bogan.
Theo
JL
> JL wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
> > Yebbut, take it in the context, that was the point of getting a postie
> > - 'cos then passing that bit of the test is dead easy.
>
> Compare, if you will:-
> going to an auction, with no auction experience.
<snip>
> or
>
> wifey goes to a proper riding instructor and gets taught how to do the
> U-turn properly on her own bike....>
OK, I get your point :-) Reservations withdrawn
<snip>
>
> > Y'know it's interesting, you've got me stumped, I wouldn't compare the
> > Galston Gorge Hairpins with the feetup U turn at all - most of the
> > hairpins are cambered and I do them at about 10 times the speed I'd do
> > a feet up U turn, and they don't seem as tight as the MOST test box
> > anyway. You start at the far left and chuck it down hard on the apex -
> > I treat them as a normal corner I don't try and ride them like a feet
> > up U turn - leaning the wrong way and riding the brake like a trials
> > bike
>
> Current U-turn box size means that leaning wrong way is only required in
> extreme cases.
Mmm ? Have they made it bigger ? I can remember laying out a U turn
box for Ally to practise in and then trying the TRX in it and finding
it a bit hard; and that's a bike that wasn't particularly heavy and
which I was VERY comfortable throwing around (far more so than any
I've had since. I could only get it around comfortably by doing the
trials style trick.
> If you arrive at the hairpin on the inside, with a car coming down the
> outside (wider) track, you are bloody nearly doing a U-turn.
I suppose so, but I'd still do it with a lot more momentum than I
would a feet up U turn - which means I s'pose it's a head issue for me
more than anything - which I guess is as much about that focus on
"must not go outside the lines" as opposed to the turn actually being
hard. I dunno I'm a lot more comfortable leaning hard when I'm moving
a bit than when I'm doing 10Kph. I don't think there's a corner on
Galston I'd do slower than 45 on the KR1, (haven't taken the Raptor
down there yet) that'd be the lefthanders, the rights can be done a
lot quicker provided no one is on the other side of the road.
...snip lots of good advice
> >>> The vast majority of new learners have traditionally been
> >>> young men - the course is oriented towards ensuring they have a high
> >>> enough skill set before being let loose to probably survive the first
> >>> year.
> >> Please explain about this orientation business?
>
> > The level of the skills required is far higher than the car test
> > requires.
>
> Yup! But is that a problem of the bike test or the car test?
>
> I know which one I'd change if I had the power. :-)
You and me both !! I've long argued the car test should emulate the
bike, even represented that opinion to the Aust Council on Road Safety
(fat lot of good that did)
> > The L's course opens with quite a stern lecture which about
> > safety which seems very intended to scare the pants off the boys :-)
>
> ....and the knicker off the girls.
Yeah indeed, to the point where each time the latest girly has done
the L's course I have to convince her that it is actually possible to
survive riding a motorcycle. I think it's at the right level for
testosterone charged 18yr olds (which do indeed make up the majority
of the attendees) but it can be a bit OTT for the somewhat less
agressive members of the fairer sex.
>
> >>> In my experience very few women take the "I'm 10 foot tall and
> >>> bullet proof" attitude, and are far more likely to stick within their
> >>> capability. The hard part can be to get them to expand their skills.
> >> Dunno about that either.
>
> > <shrug>That's my experience YMMV.
>
> Does the name Ali remind you of anything? :-)
Oh indeed, but she didn't start that way- she came out of that first
day of the course seriously thinking about not going back - that
speech was very effective in scaring her...
JL
JL
I suggest you contact Crazy Cam if you're on Sydney's North Shore -
he's assisted at least one(1) of my ex's to get past their P's and a
lot of other people from here as well.
Better yet he works for beers :-)
JL
(1) Scratching my head now, I can't recall Cam how many of my ex's
HAVE you tutored ?
Zebee Johnstone
JL <jlit...@my-deja.com> wrote:
>
> Yeah indeed, to the point where each time the latest girly has done
> the L's course I have to convince her that it is actually possible to
> survive riding a motorcycle. I think it's at the right level for
> testosterone charged 18yr olds (which do indeed make up the majority
> of the attendees) but it can be a bit OTT for the somewhat less
> agressive members of the fairer sex.
The RTA do provide women only courses, the more demand, the more
courses.
I think it would be interesting to see how many currently licenced
riders could pass the MOST.
I don't think I could do it on the Norge[1] but I expect I'd have
found it dead easy on the T.
Zebee
[1] obligatory Norge reference. They track us on these things you
know.
JL
> In aus.motorcycles on Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:36:58 -0700
>
>
> > Yeah indeed, to the point where each time the latest girly has done
> > the L's course I have to convince her that it is actually possible to
> > survive riding a motorcycle. I think it's at the right level for
> > testosterone charged 18yr olds (which do indeed make up the majority
> > of the attendees) but it can be a bit OTT for the somewhat less
> > agressive members of the fairer sex.
>
> The RTA do provide women only courses, the more demand, the more
> courses.
>
> I think it would be interesting to see how many currently licenced
> riders could pass the MOST.
>
> I don't think I could do it on the Norge[1] but I expect I'd have
> found it dead easy on the T.
I definitely would have passed it on the TRX at the time I had it as I
practised it with Ally, however I definitely couldn't have passed it
on the Bandit (there's no way I could have got it through the U turn
or cone weave - maybe Cam's head instructor could but I'm pretty sure
I couldn't have). Definitely could on the KR1 (although the poor
turning circle and having to keep the revs over 6grand would make it a
royal pain in the arse. Raptor maybe, dunno, probably. Then again my
skillsets are down through the fact I've barely ridden in the last
18-20 months
JL
CrazyCam
> On Sep 28, 11:47 am, Zebee Johnstone <zeb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> In aus.motorcycles on Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:36:58 -0700
<snip>
>> The RTA do provide women only courses, the more demand, the more
>> courses.
If I could get women only pre-learners I could almost be tempted back
into the work force. ;-)
>> I think it would be interesting to see how many currently licenced
>> riders could pass the MOST.
Indeed. :-)
I know this may sound strange, but I'd like to see the RTA allowing an
SO to go thru the pre-learners and MOST with their other half.
The current NSW training system is good.
However, the risk of that good being undone by "help" from an SO who got
their licence in the year dot, and haven't done any formal training is
fairly high, in my not too humble opinion.
>> I don't think I could do it on the Norge[1] but I expect I'd have
>> found it dead easy on the T.
I would be confident that, if you wanted to, you could do it.
It might take an hour of stuffing about, but you'd be able to pass on
the big Guzzi (not careful avoidance of name!)
> I definitely would have passed it on the TRX at the time I had it as I
> practised it with Ally, however I definitely couldn't have passed it
> on the Bandit (there's no way I could have got it through the U turn
> or cone weave - maybe Cam's head instructor could but I'm pretty sure
> I couldn't have).
As you say, you'd have been able to do it on the TRX, 'cos you tried a
couple of times, and thought about it.
The current, larger turn box, I expect that you'd be able to do both
bits, U-turn and slow slalom even on the Bandit. Might take a couple
or three practice goes.
MOST does not require any superhuman skills....but it does assume that
the rider is, within reason, riding a suitable bike.
Ally, as a beginner, on the GPX250 would be facing much the same
challenge as you would, John, riding the Bandit. (as a rough example)
> Definitely could on the KR1 (although the poor
> turning circle and having to keep the revs over 6grand would make it a
> royal pain in the arse. Raptor maybe, dunno, probably. Then again my
> skillsets are down through the fact I've barely ridden in the last
> 18-20 months
Well, you wouldn't be allowed on the KR1! :-) It would be noisey and
messy, but you'd do it. Raptor....piece of piss.
(For recent additions to the aus.moto fold, I have ridden with both
Zebee and John quite a few times.)
The scary bit, to me, is seeing those folk who have a bike licence from
the year dot....they maybe used to ride a C90 to uni, 40 years ago...
but now have big flash machines, and no real understanding of what they
are doing. That's bad enough for them, themselves, but they then start
"helping" SOs, sons or daughters, who might be learning to ride.
regards,
CrazyCam
bikerbetty
> <snip>
> I know this may sound strange, but I'd like to see the RTA allowing an
> SO to go thru the pre-learners and MOST with their other half.
>
Actually, I think that's a pretty good idea. I used to have a good
friend who was a bit of a bike mentor for me. Every time he took me
out for a "lesson" he kept telling me to do stuff that ran contrary to
the Stay Upright stuff. I kept saying "no, I don't want to do it that
way, I'll just get confused" and he kept telling me why his way was
better, but I figured Stay Upright had more current knowl't have to do
a MOST test - didn't have to bloody do much of anything, actually!)
One thing that I wish I hadn't learned QUITE so well at Stay Upright
is the automatic adoption of the "ready position". There are times
when it would be far safer for me, balance-wise, to put my right foot
down when stopped, rather than the left. In Tamworth I almost came a
cropper every time I stopped because the main road slopes off to the
left so much, and I'm already at a bit of a stretch to get my foot
down! If only I could be "ambidextrous" with my feet - but I can't!
betty
bikerbetty
"bikerbetty" <biker...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1190961460.2...@d55g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> On Sep 28, 3:25 pm, CrazyCam <crazy...@upturnet.com.au> wrote:
>
>> <snip>
>
>> I know this may sound strange, but I'd like to see the RTA allowing an
>> SO to go thru the pre-learners and MOST with their other half.
>>
> Actually, I think that's a pretty good idea. I used to have a good
> friend who was a bit of a bike mentor for me. Every time he took me
> out for a "lesson" he kept telling me to do stuff that ran contrary to
> the Stay Upright stuff. I kept saying "no, I don't want to do it that
> way, I'll just get confused" and he kept telling me why his way was
> better, but I figured Stay Upright had more current knowl't have to do
> a MOST test - didn't have to bloody do much of anything, actually!)
Eek, this is what I meant a couple of weeks ago when I talked about gremlins
eating bits of my posts..... I sent this via Google groups, and there's a
slab missing from the middle. What I originally said was: "but I figured
Stay Upright had more current knowledge (and more inside knowledge about the
MOST test) than he did, because he didn't have to do a MOST test - didn't
have to bloody do much of anything, actually!)"
>
betty, bloody gremlins
CrazyCam
<snip>
> One thing that I wish I hadn't learned QUITE so well at Stay Upright
> is the automatic adoption of the "ready position". There are times
> when it would be far safer for me, balance-wise, to put my right foot
> down when stopped, rather than the left. In Tamworth I almost came a
> cropper every time I stopped because the main road slopes off to the
> left so much, and I'm already at a bit of a stretch to get my foot
> down! If only I could be "ambidextrous" with my feet - but I can't!
The "ready position" gave me a few problems for a while too.
My left leg isn't as strong as my right leg...replic of many years old
operation.
I had to work _hard_ to consciously put down my left foot all the time.
I used to tell folk do it the way you have been taught for the first
year, after that, so long as you remember the reasons for left foot
down, you should be capable of making up your mind in the odd
circumstance where it isn't appropriate.
BTW, forgive me if you already know this, but you can get quite thick
soles attached to boots. I know a couple of vertically challenged bikies
who have done this just to gain a wee bitty extra in the leg length.
:-)
regards,
CrazyCam
CrazyCam
<snip>
> So Cam, is there a special place that does the thicker soles on bike boots,
> or can any bootmaker do them?
I'm a bit light on for detail, but I think you just wander round the
local boot repairers and chat to them.
I remember getting the impression that it wasn't a major drama, nor
particularly expensive, when I last spoke to a wearer of thick soled
boots. They might have had almost an inch extra, but didn't look silly
or anything. Actually, they were quite hard to pick, unless you were
looking for them.
Maybe some one else round here has actual detailed experience in getting
it done?
regards,
CrazyCam
bikerbetty
"CrazyCam" <craz...@upturnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:46fd6d43$0$7152$afc3...@news.optusnet.com.au...
Thanks Cam, I'll ask around. I'm not too keen to fiddle too much with my
boots - after two years of daily riding (and they're comfy enough to walk in
as well) the soles of my Rossi boots are barely worn at all. They'd be
comfortable enough to wear all day , and I reckon they have many years wear
left in them. Wouldn't like to compromise the comfort or safety of the boots
in any way. Are bike boot soles made from a different compound to regular
boots, I wonder? Will have an "in-depth" conversation with one of the
bootmakers here to find out what I can.
In the meantime I'm thinking a campaign to get "bigger boots - longer legs
for shortarsed bikers" might be fun. Will fire off emails to various bike
boot manufacturers (have started with Rossi) and see if anybody responds.
After all, Target has had considerable success with their range of leg
lengths in women's trousers - are there enough short-arsed bikers around to
make variable height boots viable for boot manufacturers, I wonder???
betty
CrazyCam
<snip>
> In the meantime I'm thinking a campaign to get "bigger boots - longer legs
> for shortarsed bikers" might be fun. Will fire off emails to various bike
> boot manufacturers (have started with Rossi) and see if anybody responds.
> After all, Target has had considerable success with their range of leg
> lengths in women's trousers - are there enough short-arsed bikers around to
> make variable height boots viable for boot manufacturers, I wonder???
A few years back now, in Europe, Honda decided to do some research into
marketing motorcycles to people of the feminine persuasion.
At the time, I found the whole thing very funny, 'cos the head of the
team was a bloke, admittedly of fairly small stature, but...<shrug>
Anyhow, they did various questionnaires and studies, and found that a
common complaint from ladies was that either they needed longer legs or
the motorcycles needed to be less tall.
The research team sat about and looked at the data, and noticed that
there was a funny thing in the pattern, the shortleggedness was common
in UK, France and German, but didn't seem to exist in Italy.
Was it possible that Italian ladies had longer legs?
It apparently took quite a while before they twigged that the Italian
ladies typically wore high-heeled boots when riding. :-)
(Italian ladies are also not too impressed with crash helmets.)
As I maintain, sometimes one has to sacrifice comfort for style!
regards,
CrazyCam
David
She says you're on :-)
David
CrazyCam
Well, as I said, I have the time only during the week.
If you want to discuss beer etc. crazycam at ardotcomdotau reaches me.
regards,
CrazyCam
JL
> In Tamworth I almost came a
> cropper every time I stopped because the main road slopes off to the
> left so much,
See, that'll teach you to stop in Tamworth !! That bypass is there to
allow normal people to avoid having to go there.
JL
(there's nothing wrong with Hicksville that couldn't be fixed with a
couple of tons of C4)
bikerbetty
"JL" <jlit...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:1191124694....@y42g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...
LOL, well I learned my lesson! Won't be doing it again in a hurry (unless I
get taller boots <grin>)
So..... you're a bit of a Tamworth fan, JL.....
betty
JL
> "JL" <jlitt...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
Indeed, it has all of the charm of a Broken Hill miner's used sock
left to moulder in a tin shed over summer.
JL
(and then in late January it gets worse)