Your most exciting motor bike ride.

[xelasnave]

I have been watching some on board Ilse of Mann videos and particularly one on a little 600 cc reaching speeds of 185 mph and in general eye watering stuff. I mean really impressive.

I did race moto cross but it is at slow speeds such that rarely would you go over sixty miles per hour.

My most exciting ride was when I was able to ride a short circuit bike on a short circuit track just for a few laps. A short circuit bike (only 500cc) is similar to a speedway bike in appearance with much the same motor but the short circuit bike has brakes and gears, never the less you ride with a similar style going through the "speedway corner" with the bike completely sideways at full throttle...I found it very exciting.


You can only do a few laps because the oil system is a total loss being circulated once through the motor then discharged onto the track.

But I will never forget that first time coming flat out into that speedway corner and sort of stepping off and having the bike completely sideways at full throttle and yet under full control...still not fast maybe 60 or 70 mph I expect.

I did not ride very much on public roads so never got going very fast, once to 170 kph down the expressway only to be passed by a sports car like I was stationary...but I wonder if any folk here ever rode bikes at high speeds and would be prepared to share their most exciting experience....I guess high speed in a car would be fun also.
Alex

[raymo]

Oh Alex, where to start. I had a young life full of speed, both cars[racing]and bikes,[and aircraft] and have a leadfoot to this day, so I'll just submit one shortish anecdote. I was super fortunate to have a number of very quick machines at a time when outside of the town limit the roads were unlimited.
The buses from London to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool etc: used to
cruise up the M1 motorway at 160kph. The Intercity 200kph trains arrived
in 1964 and the buses went out of business.
To begin the anecdote. I used to go out late at night to have a blast free of traffic. One night I was cruising at around 220kph [which was very fast back then] in my 3.8 Mk2 Jag which had a 3/4 race blueprinted engine, and I passed a parked Police S Type Jag. I saw in my mirror that it was coming after me, so I slowed right down. It came by and waved me down. I stopped[don't want to upset the Bill, not that it had a hope of catching me].
He leant into my window and said " You were moving out chum, you should
slow down a bit, it's a bit misty". Then he said "what the f--- have you got
under the bonnet"? so I said I would show him. Opened the bonnet, and
the three of us admired my gleaming engine with the three shiny Webers
for the duration of two cigarettes. Those were the days. Not an exciting event, but it is still fresh in my mind.
raymo

[xelasnave]

Wow Raymo 220 kph!!!
I cant even imagine it.
Thanks for sharing...mmm just one more please.
Alex

[xelasnave]

It is 6-30 am and I can hear a motor bike on the main road in the distance down on the flat and remember that on the few occassions I rode on the road just how cold it was on a bike, particularly once after riding back to Hornsby having fallen in a puddle on a trail ride at Wisemans Ferry, I had to be lifted off the bike as I think I was frozen solid...never ever so cold..bikes as a romantic form of transport left my thoughts forever after.
Alex
Alex

[leon]

My best one and my last was in New Guinea a long time ago when me and my mate working on one of the missionary stations in the Highlands had a few to many and decided it would be a good idea to do laps of the local Church, whilst in service on Postie Bikes.:eyepop:

However I, whilst undertaking this exciting venture ran straight into a deep culvert and went straight over the handle bars.:sadeyes:

My mate told me later it was such a graceful flight through the air, however due to the fact that I was half cut no serious injuries occurred :screwy::screwy:

Leon:thumbsup:

[JohnF]

My dad put me on a motor bike as a teenager. I promptly rode it into the fence. Tried again and rode it into the other fence. Gave up motorbikes after that, Pushbike was okay.

[Bart]

I've had some good ones and I'm still going. I regularly camp off my bike, traveling for two to three weeks at a time. Did a run through the Flinders to Cameron Corner a few years ago (5 maybe), did a lovely two week stint through NSW and the Blue Mountains about 3 years ago. Did a trip up to Oodnadatta a couple of months ago including Coober Pedy and COVID has scuppered my plans two years in a row now to do a trip to Cairns and back. Some of that has been proudly with my son.

[Bart]

It's one of those things. Riding motorbikes is "in your blood". :question:

[Wilsil]

My most exiting ride was when I had my license again after an accident.
Due to my right arm and hand no longer being functional after a bike accident, I thought I had to give it up.
However after 5 years I was riding again on a modified Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat. All the controls were on the left: throttle, front brake where normally the clutch is and the clutch on the inside operated by my thumb.
We went to Germany on the Autobahn and did 210+.
It was great to be back on a bike.

[Nikolas]

Riding in a thunderstorm during peak hour then as the rain petered out I rode through a bee swarm that took off after the rain stopped in some of the most humid conditions Melbourne had ever thrown at me, thankfully didnt get stung. It was exciting and terrifying at the same time.

[taminga16]

I enjoy distances and one trip home to Victoria involved Brisbane to Forbes (1100 + klms) in torrential rain, quality gear and wonderful service at the now gone Albion Hotel made the difference. Greg. P.S. Bike BMW R100R.

[anj026]

Way back in 1986 I rode an R80 around Australia for 5 months. It was a great adventure. Then in 1989 I rode the same bike over the Nullarbor again to see the 500cc GP in Phillip Island. That was the year Wayne Gardner won.

In the early 90's I was working in Europe. I had a Ducati 900 and went to the Isle of Man to watch the TT races. I got to see Joey Dunlop racing. Such an incredible event to see. It is just phenomenal how fast the top riders lap the circuit. I did ride a few laps myself while I was there but at much more relaxed pace.

My last bike was a 1973 R75/5, after the kids came along it wasn't getting used so I Iet it go. Oh well, many happy memories!

Andy

[AndyG]

As a late teenager I thoroughly enjoyed my 1st registered vehicle, a Kwaka KR-1S. Just like their cousins, the NSR, RGV, TZR, etc, they did not appreciate being ridden slow.

Having changed the sprockets from 15:41 to 14:48, it definitely liked to scream. Had it up to 210 km/h (not bad for a 250cc) on my way home one afternoon, @10,000rpm for about 2mins.... "pop, GGGRRRRRrrrrr"... melted the rings :(

Serves me right for feeding it $8/litre 2stroke oil (meant for mowers), rather than the good stuff... On a $100/week income at Woollies, that was a lesson in many things.

[leee]

Check out Moki Dugway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzQoDc4DcX8

[taminga16]

GUY MARTIN Isle of Mann TT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uwp2atrSgw

[xelasnave]

I have been watching all of these...I cant get my head around the high speed...185ph from a 600 cc...

Alex

[xelasnave]

I would love to attack that with an old 350 yammy in an endlesd slide.
Alex

[Boozlefoot]

The ride from the Civic Theatre, Newcastle, pillion, in 1978 to Maitland following a Tubeway Army Concert (Gary Neumann) Umgawahhh!:eyepop:

[Boozlefoot]

Peeled similarly in 2000 from an XS650 twin @ Goolmah pub, hugging the verandah posts couldnt put my feet down (literally) after a run from Cobar to Mudgee. I wanted to bale at Narromine and get the bus.

[leee]

Alex. An endless slide ! Never was I that young - or silly.
In fact, that was my worry. Going off the side of the Mountain, resulting in an 'endless slide' - to the bottom.

[xelasnave]

I remember the days partying hard down the river going up for more beer with my mate on the back similar road surface to in the Video but corners closer and narrower road but with decent drop offs ( never any comptemplation of going over the edge ..not with beer on board) full opposite lock feet up slides every corner trying to keep a continuous slide ...like drifters do these days...there and back..him holding the carton (24 cans) with one arm and holding the back of the seat with his free hand.
He was young and silly but trusted me..,350 yammy two stroke..perfect geometry..only doing 110 klm max...probably less.
It was very exciting for both of us.
I think on a light bike its best to hang it out so it does not suddenly jump out and surprise you.
Alex

[taminga16]

The IOM TT is run over a road course of 60.72 klms and the fastest lap speed to date is 217.98 Kph by Peter Hickman riding a BMW S 1000 RR.
Scary stuff.

[xelasnave]

Was watching 50 cc bikes earlier which are even fast.

[astronobob]

Well, Alex, I have to chime in 'ere.
1stly, I had an RD 350 square head, 2 stroker, what a blast that was.

Have to say my most insane ride was back from Armidale NSW bout 6yr ago on my Kwak ZZR1100, long story but getting there was a cruise and from Glenn Innes to Armidale is 100k of straight boring road, I struggled to stay under 120k and no traffic, flat out pass three oncoming vehicles, i didnt know road for cameras so didnt take chances. (keep this in mind)
I was at Armidale for a week, stopped in bike shop for new helmet and asked if any cameras on that road, replied, some times, which way you going back, I says not that way, any better options ?
He says go East to Ebor, never any camera there, and then head Nrth into South Grafton, bit twistier and no cameras there either, we do it often, get into it, you'll be right,, Sheeze, I thought about it and when headed back a few days later, it got the better of me and I gave it my best, well, not totally but a very good go, Armidale to Ebor is 80ks, I did in 30 mins, good long bends and a workout keeping the bike layed over. And from Ebor to Sth Grafton is 115ks and done that in 1hr 5mins & its the twisty stuff.
Anyway, 2-3 weeks after getting home I gets a ticket in mail for doing 120 from Glen Inness to Armidale, sh!t happens tho! And knowing I was there for a week before trip back my mind was focusing closer every day on that letter box, after a week I was flat out sleeping, ha, a few more days passed and nothing yet, talk about stress, waiting to loose license,,, a few more days and still nothing,, I was gaining some hope, but 2 weeks later, I still got nothing, 2 months later, still nothing, and I was quite confident had got-a-way with it. to this day, nothing, sooo, that makes it my best ride, not because no ticket/s, (well maybe yeah, haha) but I had a ball on the bike, felt like being on a track with no limits, for an hour and a half, felt invincible, on the road and from the boys ..
Hope worth the read..

[xelasnave]

Thank you Bob.
I just love to hear real stories from real people so thamk you for taking your time to share...I for one greatly appreciate the read.
Alex

[SimmoW]

Great stories! I only had my Yamaha MT-07 for 6mths before my ex. Made me sell it, but loved it as my very first, mid life crisis bike. Even at 140kph it thrilled the hell out of me.

I learned to rally drive in a 1974 Ford Escort 4 door. That was a hoot! I used to scare my friends who drove V8s in the wet in that underpowered thing.

Driving it on the edge, in retreads, was mad!

[taminga16]

Living in the Yarra Valley we would often ride from Wandin North to Warburton, Reefton, Marysville down to Healesville via 'Black's Spur and home via Toolangi or Mount Slide. It has been suggested that the Reefton Spur Road (18 klms) involves 165 bends.

[mura_gadi]

Hello,

While I have friends who will tell you that if you don't have the little balls of rubber on the side of the tyres after a ride you weren't trying hard enough. I have never been one for speed, more a don't slow down for corners attitude.

However my best bike ride was my 1st on an old clapped out Cb125 in primary school. A mate saved it from a trip to the tip and we rode that thing everywhere, no real speed just freedom esp. aged 11 or so!

Finally ended when he got done by the police for riding down the footpath along Belconnen way. No rego $25, no license $25, no helmet $25, seems weird thinking about it now you could fine a kid back then.


But fun and freedom all a bike should be.
Steve

[xelasnave]

I did have a 350 yammy two stroke when I lived down the river (Hawksberry tributary) and between Berowra and Mount White was where all the hopefuls would come for their Sunday ride...I could beat anyone up or down and we would end up at the Mt White cafe for a chat.."what have you done to your bike mate its damn quick?". I have just put in new plugs and man she goes"...When you have raced things become very different cause you ride to the limit and make the road much wider than ordinary folk.
Never had the urge to road race however.
Alex

[The Mekon]

Two weeks ago, just prior to the big shutdown in NSW, a friend and I rode our trail bikes from Mittagong to Yerranderie. Both of us 66 years old, friend on a Yamaha TTR250, me on a KLX300. We rode as quick and safely as we could, took around 3 hours each way. Really great fun, the slowest part being the climb down and out of Goodman's Ford. My friend reckoned it would take an extra hour in an awd car, and he may be right.

[xelasnave]

You young blokes have all the fun.

Small is good...and there are very few who can ride even a 250 cc to its limit unless spending years on a 125 cc...look at the greats in USA moto cross just how many years they ride 125 cc...

I will never forget one club race at Bilpin 125s up to 400s...everyone disappeared in the dust cloud that was the first corner and out first came Albert on his hot little 125 cc four stroke and led for three laps before he knocked up...he had come out of retirement for just one more race. Better braking faster corner speed and hence entry into straights.
Alex

[ausmensan]

My favourite ride, when a younger man, was from Canberra to Rockhampton in Queensland. I did this on a Honda CB750F2C with panniers and full fairing.

It was a beautiful ride, especially passing through the NSW/QLD border. I saw lightning play out in the sky while riding, and I felt young and bulletproof.

Ah well, now I make do with a Hayabusa 1300, so I still have some life left in me :)

[Outcast]

Every ride is exciting for me...

Quick trip down the shops, blast up to the tablelands through the twisties or Long haul touring with the cruise set & the tunes a pumping...

They're all great times... won't give up my bike til I'm dead or physically incapable of riding....:)

My Indian Chieftain is my daily driver & weekend fun bike. Thinking about looking for an old vintage bike to tinker with & use as a Sunday fun bike

Maybe an Ariel Red Hunter, BSA Golden Flash or Matchless G50....

I'd love a Vincent Black Shadow but, alas, I don't have Viincent Black Shadow coin...:rofl:

[multiweb]

When I took my training wheels off. Still can remember the pavement.