chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 6701
Loc: Mind your own business
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After 30 odd years riding on the road I've finaly decided to give it up. So today I sold my Aprilia, form now on I'm just going to stick to riding MX practice tracks and trackdays.
My first goal is to get me an MX bike and a nice shiny new KXF250 has caught my eye, although so have a new RMZ250,YZF250 and lightly used CRF250 but currently the KXF is looking like my new steed. With MX bikes test rides aren't the norm so I'm having to do lots of research I know exactly what I'm looking for and 3 bikes fit the bill closely (KXF, RMZ and CRF)with if I'm honest the RMZ being the closest thanks to aparently more useable power and light handling but there is little in it the KXF is prettier not too keen on the yellow.
Once I've got the MX bike sorted I'll be working on a trackbike chances are it will be an R6 although I'm not too fussed ATM about trackdays (too much money).
I've given up riding on the road because I feel that if I continue riding the way I am I will either end up locked away or worse!
So there you go.
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Say what you think and think what you say.
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Chip
enthusiast
Reged: 06/05/2007
Posts: 266
Loc: Fairhope, Alabama USA
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Something I've been considering a lot lately. My main concern is the price of trackdays  I don't think I could handle only riding once a month if I'm lucky
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Pure speed in sixth gear on a 5000-foot straightaway is one thing, but pure speed in third gear on a gravel-strewn downhill ess-turn is quite another
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FastBikerBoy
veteran
Reged: 08/11/2006
Posts: 1479
Loc: Norfolk, UK - Police State
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I can see where you are coming from. I almost do as many track miles now as I do on the road.
Having said that riding (or any form of travel) for me is purely for my amusement as I walk to work, so I have no real need for any vehicle. I find that regular track days have slowed me down on the road but I know what you mean. Now that speeding is considered more serious than most crime, not to mention defrauding the country for several £0000s, you only need to get caught at silly speed once to end up inside.
Look on the bright side you'll still be having fun on a bike, one way or the other.
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FBB
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europeantrack
newbie
Reged: 19/03/2009
Posts: 31
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my thought's exactly, when i lived in the UK i lost a lot of interest in road riding, as a was looking for camera's etc more than the road ahead, plus all the good roads are well policed now targeting bikers
A move to France changed a little,used the bikes a little on the road (916sps / RC30 & T160 Triumph) but i really like riding on the track, so i swapped the T160 for a New R6 in 2007.
Now owner of a track day company I enjoy some track time & the paddock banter with my clients & never think about going out on the road
I am thinking of a little green-lane bike as quad riding is quite popular here but it has 4wheels & so it's not for me
whatever you do still having bikes in your live always helps
BTW, give the 675 Triumph a look over, more charm than the R6
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makka
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 13/05/2007
Posts: 2866
Loc: Jungle, Near Byron Bay, Austra...
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Don't get him started on the 675.
Sorry to hear that (sort of) Chappers.
It must be bad there in the UK to be driving you guys off the road. And no doubt exactly what the borocrats want.
Have fun on the mud.
You should consider moving out here. We have hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of dirt for you to play on!
Dirt bikes far outsell road bikes in Aus. every year.
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makka
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.
J. Krishnamurti
Never confuse who you are with what you do.
Makka
Zeitgeist
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RevRun
addict
Reged: 21/09/2008
Posts: 495
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I gave up road riding nearly 5 years ago after trying to stay upright and away from penalty points,do i miss it ? yep now and again.
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chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 6701
Loc: Mind your own business
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My decision against riding on the road was only partially influenced by the "law makers" I've always been one for not paying too much heed to the "law makers" although it was another straw.
The biggest thing for me was my kids TBH, in the past I have gone out and just ridden and my view was if anything happened it happened so I didn't think about it, the hedonistic approach. It's changed now maybe I've lost my nerve, don't care really, I'll get my kicks just in a different way I don't mind the odd broken bone here or there although I'll do all I can to avoid them but I do want to be there for my family.
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Say what you think and think what you say.
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xxrider
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 07/11/2006
Posts: 2604
Loc: Somewhere over the rainbow.......
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So long as you still get your kicks, then good luck to you mate.
I gave up riding on the road in 1988. And again in 1992. And 1999. And 2003........
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Remember - there are people in the world who are only alive because it's illegal to shoot them.
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immy
veteran
Reged: 09/11/2006
Posts: 1350
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Quote:
So long as you still get your kicks, then good luck to you mate.
I gave up riding on the road in 1988. And again in 1992. And 1999. And 2003........
I said I would give up on my 40th B/day-thats 60years ago according to Monkiboys calculas
Moving here helped a lot-quiet roads-no police except in the towns where they belong  and knowing my limitations (perhaps because unlike most of you Im sure I started again, family wise, so I have 3 year old twins and a young wife at home to think about) Not that you dont have family but Im sure you get my drift. But I still enjoy roadriding-always have and always will. And I still get home with a big grin.
Trackdays are only a good way to go if you can afford at least 1 a week IMO 
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chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 6701
Loc: Mind your own business
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Quote:
Quote:
So long as you still get your kicks, then good luck to you mate.
I gave up riding on the road in 1988. And again in 1992. And 1999. And 2003........
I said I would give up on my 40th B/day-thats 60years ago according to Monkiboys calculas
Moving here helped a lot-quiet roads-no police except in the towns where they belong and knowing my limitations (perhaps because unlike most of you Im sure I started again, family wise, so I have 3 year old twins and a young wife at home to think about) Not that you dont have family but Im sure you get my drift. But I still enjoy roadriding-always have and always will. And I still get home with a big grin.
Trackdays are only a good way to go if you can afford at least 1 a week IMO
I hear you immy it's not my limitations I'm concerned with it's meeting another bike or car coming the other way.
You are right A trackday a week will be required but:-
 is affordable every week.
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Say what you think and think what you say.
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makka
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 13/05/2007
Posts: 2866
Loc: Jungle, Near Byron Bay, Austra...
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They say each kids slows you down by a second a lap.
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makka
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.
J. Krishnamurti
Never confuse who you are with what you do.
Makka
Zeitgeist
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shinybusa
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/01/2008
Posts: 1989
Loc: away with the fairies..
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Quote:
They say each kids slows you down by a second a lap.
I must have shitloads of kids I know fuck all about then.... 
Hayabusa...and I'm as fast as a thousand speeding Snails.....
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Biggles
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 05/05/2007
Posts: 3089
Loc: Orion arm of the milky way
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(about the snails)
Sorry to hear your decision Chappers, although I think it is wise to listen to the little voices when they tell you to pack something in, just keep an ear out for when they tell you it is okay again 
At least you didn't do a Sigi and opt for a camper van as an alternative.
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Quote me as saying I was miss-quoted.
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makka
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 13/05/2007
Posts: 2866
Loc: Jungle, Near Byron Bay, Austra...
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Maybe I should do the same.
Just got another fucking five points and $388 from the same cop on the same road on fucking sunday again.
How fucking dumb is that?
Trouble is the road is a fucking race track and they put the speed limit to 80km/hr precisely so they can nail all the bikers. Cunts.
I passed him again a few miles down the road with two more suckers pulled.
Trouble is he is pretty nice with it.
With all the things I was actually doing he could have nailed me for $1000+ and taken my license for three months.
He took loads off my actual speed and ignored five violations (crossing lanes without indicating, splitting lanes when not overtaking etc etc) so I wouldn't lose my license.
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makka
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.
J. Krishnamurti
Never confuse who you are with what you do.
Makka
Zeitgeist
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BigHam
veteran
Reged: 12/11/2006
Posts: 1420
Loc: Letchworth, UK
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Something I'm considering again when(if) I get a full time job.
O the joys of graduating in the middle of a recession.
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Where there's a will and Gaffa Tape there's a way!
Edited by BigHam (17/05/2009 09:04)
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chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 6701
Loc: Mind your own business
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Quote:
O the joys of graduating in the middle of a recession.
Things are on the up BH.
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Say what you think and think what you say.
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BigHam
veteran
Reged: 12/11/2006
Posts: 1420
Loc: Letchworth, UK
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Still very few jobs around, and everything'd over subcribed, graduating next year would be perfect I think.
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Where there's a will and Gaffa Tape there's a way!
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Biggles
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 05/05/2007
Posts: 3089
Loc: Orion arm of the milky way
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Not sure if this help BigHam, but it *always* feels a tad frightening when graduating. The thing to do is to keep pegging away, and don't give up.
I know it is a very different area, but a great many of my students don't get settled for many months-but they do in the end. While this may sound depressing, it is normal, and almost understandable when you consider the huge bulge of graduates who are looking for work at this point in the year.
It would seem Dawinism works here to, many of those who are not committed give up and make way for those who are.
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Quote me as saying I was miss-quoted.
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daveajj
member
Reged: 24/03/2007
Posts: 126
Loc: Durham
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Sad times when we start thinking like that, although i understand your thoughts.
I went through this last year after a couple of 'moments', sold the Blade and bought a VFR to hopefully slow me down but still enjoy biking.
That lasted 4 months!!!!
Just needed the buzz of riding a sportsbike....
After contemplating what you've said i still don't think i could give up riding on the road, not just yet anyway.
hope you enjoy MX
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chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 6701
Loc: Mind your own business
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Running my new bike in
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Say what you think and think what you say.
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