Best and worst ride in 2016?
Discussion
As the year is almost over...at least in biking terms as not sure if I will get out again, what with the cold weather and excessive drinking and eating over the next few weeks.
Worst ride was picking up my 899. About 100 miles home and after about 20 it started to rain hard. Previous owner had set the suspension so that it didn't move! Add in a shiny new rear tyre and unfamiliarity with the bike and it was not a pleasant experience (as well as being wet and cold).
Best ride was probably a test of a GSXR 750. Never ridden one before but felt comfortable within a few hundred metres. Had a very good ride - best part was exiting an S bend on a stretch of road I know well. I was a bit enthusiastic with the throttle and got the back to step out (no longer used to bikes without electronics). Felt heroic but black mark on the road was probably smaller than the brown one in my pants! Wasn't sure about swapping to the GSXR as was a bit worried that it encouraged me to ride like a hooligan. Would have bought it though if the dealer had offered a sensible price for my S1000R.
Worst ride was picking up my 899. About 100 miles home and after about 20 it started to rain hard. Previous owner had set the suspension so that it didn't move! Add in a shiny new rear tyre and unfamiliarity with the bike and it was not a pleasant experience (as well as being wet and cold).
Best ride was probably a test of a GSXR 750. Never ridden one before but felt comfortable within a few hundred metres. Had a very good ride - best part was exiting an S bend on a stretch of road I know well. I was a bit enthusiastic with the throttle and got the back to step out (no longer used to bikes without electronics). Felt heroic but black mark on the road was probably smaller than the brown one in my pants! Wasn't sure about swapping to the GSXR as was a bit worried that it encouraged me to ride like a hooligan. Would have bought it though if the dealer had offered a sensible price for my S1000R.
Worst was highsiding my fireblade 100yards from work after spending a week getting it all clean and shiny and having 2 new tyres fitted (that I didn't check pressures on and they were over inflated). Cue a broken wrist and a broken bike.
Best is much more difficult. Either riding through Ireland on the same Fireblade a few months later chasing a friend through some fantastic mountain pass type roads, or riding a ZXR400 race bike on a track day at Pembrey in October, final session I was 1 out of 5 bikes that went out!
Best is much more difficult. Either riding through Ireland on the same Fireblade a few months later chasing a friend through some fantastic mountain pass type roads, or riding a ZXR400 race bike on a track day at Pembrey in October, final session I was 1 out of 5 bikes that went out!
I've no real standout rides this year, one decent run up the newly re-opened A591 to Keswick at 6am was probably the best, its very very fast now with a new surface and improved sight lines, with a 40mph limit 
Worst, following a mate on a 100 mile rideout, he was holding coaches up on B and A roads, never again.
Worst, following a mate on a 100 mile rideout, he was holding coaches up on B and A roads, never again.
Similar experience for me. I picked my GSXR1000 K7 in April last year and it snowed that morning! Thank god i have 'Rain mode' what made it worse was that it had no MOT and when i picked it up i was booked in for the MOT at the end of the 60 mile journey. I do recall some slides exiting roundabout and traffic lights.
Best - Just has to be the track days at Snetterton, had a great time tussling with a mate of mine in every session, great fun.
Best - Just has to be the track days at Snetterton, had a great time tussling with a mate of mine in every session, great fun.
Worst ride was arrival in Spain in June with the Old Gits. The roads in the Picos were superb but upon arrival at the hotel I discovered that one of our number had been involved in an accident. He was in a bad way (but is subsequently on the mend. It turns out that the accident was the result of a brain bleed) and the news definitely took the edge off the enjoyment for the day.
The best ride was probably also one of the many rides we did while in the Picos although I didn’t know it at the time as it wasn’t until we had news of Chris starting on the road to recovery that I could look back and see how enjoyable those rides had been.
The best ride was probably also one of the many rides we did while in the Picos although I didn’t know it at the time as it wasn’t until we had news of Chris starting on the road to recovery that I could look back and see how enjoyable those rides had been.
Worst was probably in March, pinned it out of a roundabout on my ZX7R only for the rear tyre to rapidly deflate, cue a brown pants moment. Stopped in a layby and phoned my old man to see if he could come and get me. After an hour of waiting he phoned me to say the trailer that he was going to borrow had different electrics to his van. Ended up him bringing me a can of tyre weld, us whacking a bit of old pallet into the hole in the tyre and a very very ginger ride home with him following me.
Best was a late season ride up to loomies with some mates I hadn't ridden with before. Nice clear roads on a Wednesday morning and a good fun, fast ride with no incidents.
Best was a late season ride up to loomies with some mates I hadn't ridden with before. Nice clear roads on a Wednesday morning and a good fun, fast ride with no incidents.
Good thread, 2 worst ones first.
Just got back into biking after a 13 year break and got myself a TDM850 to ease back into it.
2nd ride on it and had my 15 year old son on the back. Started off ok but started to rain so pulled over under a tree in Wavendon village. My fault entirely but all i was wearing was a bomber jacket jeans and trainers (Im fully kitted up now). Son had a Richa touring jacket boots etc.
So, still under this tree trying to keep out the rain and theres a couple of very loud and near thunder and lightning cracks. Swiftly get out from under our cover and set off for Woburn Sands. Straight into one of those really bad storms that happened earlier this year. Soaked through hardly any visibility due to the torrential rain, pull into the petrol station for some cover under the forecourt with some other bikers. Ive never seen rain like it. Street was flooded , fire engines going up and down - chaos. Eventually had to grit my teeth and set off for home . Come out of Woburn Sands and onto a country road which is also flooded, with masses of water running onto the road from the elevated fields to our left. On top of that cars coming towards ups were throwing up water as high as our bodies. Never been so wet, inside our crash helmets, in our faces and mouth. I don't think we would have got through it if it wasn't for the height of the TDM.
Then the bike cut out - soaked coils.!! Took ages by the side of the road but got it rung ) misfiring) and had to rev the b
ks off it to get it home. Poor son, 2nd time on the road on a bike and he went through this .
Second worst was picking my ZRX1200 up 45 miles from home. By the time id got there - torrential rain again, the dealer had decided the tyres weren't as good as he thought so gave me the option of leaving it there for a few days while he got the tyres sorted or i could take it and bring it back to get then done.
Of course i took it not being able to wait:roll eyes: , the ride home was a bit nerve-racking. Every line or repair in the road had the bike snaking.
Just got back into biking after a 13 year break and got myself a TDM850 to ease back into it.
2nd ride on it and had my 15 year old son on the back. Started off ok but started to rain so pulled over under a tree in Wavendon village. My fault entirely but all i was wearing was a bomber jacket jeans and trainers (Im fully kitted up now). Son had a Richa touring jacket boots etc.
So, still under this tree trying to keep out the rain and theres a couple of very loud and near thunder and lightning cracks. Swiftly get out from under our cover and set off for Woburn Sands. Straight into one of those really bad storms that happened earlier this year. Soaked through hardly any visibility due to the torrential rain, pull into the petrol station for some cover under the forecourt with some other bikers. Ive never seen rain like it. Street was flooded , fire engines going up and down - chaos. Eventually had to grit my teeth and set off for home . Come out of Woburn Sands and onto a country road which is also flooded, with masses of water running onto the road from the elevated fields to our left. On top of that cars coming towards ups were throwing up water as high as our bodies. Never been so wet, inside our crash helmets, in our faces and mouth. I don't think we would have got through it if it wasn't for the height of the TDM.
Then the bike cut out - soaked coils.!! Took ages by the side of the road but got it rung ) misfiring) and had to rev the b
ks off it to get it home. Poor son, 2nd time on the road on a bike and he went through this .Second worst was picking my ZRX1200 up 45 miles from home. By the time id got there - torrential rain again, the dealer had decided the tyres weren't as good as he thought so gave me the option of leaving it there for a few days while he got the tyres sorted or i could take it and bring it back to get then done.
Of course i took it not being able to wait:roll eyes: , the ride home was a bit nerve-racking. Every line or repair in the road had the bike snaking.
Worst was easily the second time my fking Kawasaki broke down. I was on my way to work and already late.
Runner up is the third time my fking Kawasaki broke down. It was on the way to the MOT and it was nearly freezing, but at least I got home mostly under its own power.
Then again, it could be the first time my fking Kawasaki broke down, because it cost me 160 quid in recovery fees.
Best time I think was about the 4th time I rode my Bonneville. I'd sorted the clutch and brake and got it running properly. It was brilliant. The first time I could just enjoy riding my first classic for what it was, rather than it being a nervous "test run".
king Kawasaki broke down. I was on my way to work and already late. Runner up is the third time my f
king Kawasaki broke down. It was on the way to the MOT and it was nearly freezing, but at least I got home mostly under its own power. Then again, it could be the first time my f
king Kawasaki broke down, because it cost me 160 quid in recovery fees.Best time I think was about the 4th time I rode my Bonneville. I'd sorted the clutch and brake and got it running properly. It was brilliant. The first time I could just enjoy riding my first classic for what it was, rather than it being a nervous "test run".
Best ride was probably going from Northampton to Blackpool with no motorways and as many back roads as possible. It took 7 hours but it was a day well spent with mates only slightly worse by a rad leak 30 miles out.
The worst ride was the return journey.Many hours on the motorway, torrential rain with gloves soaked through and having to stop every 20 miles to fill up said rad with a small water bottle. 3 trips each time. It's the only time I have ever hated being on a bike.
The worst ride was the return journey.Many hours on the motorway, torrential rain with gloves soaked through and having to stop every 20 miles to fill up said rad with a small water bottle. 3 trips each time. It's the only time I have ever hated being on a bike.
Best: Cracking a 57 at brands (according to my ropey phone timer), I know, nothing special. That and a wet Cadwell for the first time on full wets was fun, definitely an eye opener on how good wets are. Everyone needs to try full wets out and see how great they are. Finally, making the GSXR-1000 a track bike with a nice nitron shock which really helped it out.
Worst: Binning a mates race bike (ninja 300) in March at Rockingham then binning my own bike at Snetterton a month later. Lesson being always use the right tyres, both in wet/damp conditions and wrong tyres. Bought an R6 5EB with ropey suspension (was fine on the road till pushed as I found out on a track day at Brands and Silverstone) and later finding out that model are prone to engine liner failure, do more research in future! It's now been broken for parts and used towards helping a poorly 5SL.
I need to do more track days next year, definitely didn't do enough.
Worst: Binning a mates race bike (ninja 300) in March at Rockingham then binning my own bike at Snetterton a month later. Lesson being always use the right tyres, both in wet/damp conditions and wrong tyres. Bought an R6 5EB with ropey suspension (was fine on the road till pushed as I found out on a track day at Brands and Silverstone) and later finding out that model are prone to engine liner failure, do more research in future! It's now been broken for parts and used towards helping a poorly 5SL.
I need to do more track days next year, definitely didn't do enough.
Best - The JW trackdays at Anglesey, that was proper brilliant. Empty groups, relaxed, and amazing views (when it wasn't pissing down). Saying that the trackday at knockhill where all the bsb paddock showed up for a test day was good.
Worst - Hard to pick one, I've had a crap year, some include, my crash at donington and an overnight in hospital with a brain injury. My bike breaking all day at Oulton and rushing around fixing it, I just wanted to go home.
But probably the worst was a 500 mile round trip to Ireland in 24 hours. From 4am to midnight it pissed it down, blew a gale and was fking miserable.
Worst - Hard to pick one, I've had a crap year, some include, my crash at donington and an overnight in hospital with a brain injury. My bike breaking all day at Oulton and rushing around fixing it, I just wanted to go home.
But probably the worst was a 500 mile round trip to Ireland in 24 hours. From 4am to midnight it pissed it down, blew a gale and was f
king miserable. Best: Competing in the Ulster GP for the first time this year. Absolutely loved it, despite the rain and oil slick on the newcomers practice laps. Loved it so much, I have booked to do it again this coming year.
Worst: 2 Stand out ones here: Oliver's Mount Spring Cup, having a good catch up with my mate Billy Redmayne, who sadly was killed there on the Sunday meeting. Never seen such a dark and sombre mood over a race paddock. Secondly, losing the front end at Oliver's Mount in the Cock O'The North races at the end of the back straight, to go sliding toward the large stone monument. Managed to stop sliding just before it all could have gone horribly wrong!
Worst: 2 Stand out ones here: Oliver's Mount Spring Cup, having a good catch up with my mate Billy Redmayne, who sadly was killed there on the Sunday meeting. Never seen such a dark and sombre mood over a race paddock. Secondly, losing the front end at Oliver's Mount in the Cock O'The North races at the end of the back straight, to go sliding toward the large stone monument. Managed to stop sliding just before it all could have gone horribly wrong!
Best: suddenly had my mates all cancel plans on me one evening for a Saturday. Got up early and headed out into Kent by myself on the MV and spend most of the day flying around Kent. Nothing apart from that really. I feel I haven't ridden very much this year (aside from commuting).
Worst: When I knew I was selling the M600, tyres were on the bars and the handling was all over the place. Got up in the morning and the choke cable stuck. Had to free it up with pliers, got half way to work and realised I need petrol, was raining just enough to smear my visor, but not enough to clear it and the roads were all jammed.
Worst: When I knew I was selling the M600, tyres were on the bars and the handling was all over the place. Got up in the morning and the choke cable stuck. Had to free it up with pliers, got half way to work and realised I need petrol, was raining just enough to smear my visor, but not enough to clear it and the roads were all jammed.
worst - dropping my zzr on a hill trying to turn round, the subsequent repair bill and the embarrassment of rolling arse over tit three times
best - getting the road from colsterworth to melton hooked up on my zzr one wednesday afternoon it just seemed to fly that day everything went right
best - getting the road from colsterworth to melton hooked up on my zzr one wednesday afternoon it just seemed to fly that day everything went right
Some interesting experiences among all that lot.
We all made it intact thou eh?!
I don't think I had a bad ride out at all last year, all of it was excellent, very lucky, my best ride out wasnt a ride out as such but watching Ron Haslam with my Dad (who is getting on in years) on pillion, pulling 120MPH+ wheelies down the pit straight at Donnington , overtaking everyone out on track, has to be the highlight.
We all made it intact thou eh?!
I don't think I had a bad ride out at all last year, all of it was excellent, very lucky, my best ride out wasnt a ride out as such but watching Ron Haslam with my Dad (who is getting on in years) on pillion, pulling 120MPH+ wheelies down the pit straight at Donnington , overtaking everyone out on track, has to be the highlight.
Best: Riding down a valley in mid wales on my XSR700 to see an RAF Hercules come round the corner and fly up towards me, passing over so close to the ground I could clearly see the pilot's grin. Wish I'd had a helmet cam fitted for that!
Worst: high-siding my HMC 125 in front of a pub with a huge crowd of onlookers.
Worst: high-siding my HMC 125 in front of a pub with a huge crowd of onlookers.
heyhomes said:
Best: Riding down a valley in mid wales on my XSR700 to see an RAF Hercules come round the corner and fly up towards me, passing over so close to the ground I could clearly see the pilot's grin. Wish I'd had a helmet cam fitted for that!
Worst: high-siding my HMC 125 in front of a pub with a huge crowd of onlookers.
You highsided a 10bhp horse power bike. Worst: high-siding my HMC 125 in front of a pub with a huge crowd of onlookers.
How the f
k is that even possible. Best: A sunny day in August riding a Street Triple I had from Triumph as a courtesy bike. I was given it for a couple of days whilst my Daytona was info for servicing, so I took it out for a lunchtime spin through Northumberland before dropping it off. I absolutely loved it! What a handler!
There weren't many bad rides, but the worst was probably a commute to work one night. I got on the bike a bit quickly as my leg tensed up as I was getting on the bike. I had it stood on the grass and gravelled back lane which goes from the garage back to the street. I let the clutch out a bit quickly, eager to get riding to dissipate the cramp in my leg thigh and arsecheek. The back wheel slewed sideways over the gravel as the bike took off like a scalded cat. Luckily, I avoided going into the hedgerow and stopped the bike, but I spent the rest of the ride cursing my stupidity. I never rush a take off now!
There weren't many bad rides, but the worst was probably a commute to work one night. I got on the bike a bit quickly as my leg tensed up as I was getting on the bike. I had it stood on the grass and gravelled back lane which goes from the garage back to the street. I let the clutch out a bit quickly, eager to get riding to dissipate the cramp in my leg thigh and arsecheek. The back wheel slewed sideways over the gravel as the bike took off like a scalded cat. Luckily, I avoided going into the hedgerow and stopped the bike, but I spent the rest of the ride cursing my stupidity. I never rush a take off now!
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