Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

I've been reading the forums for a while (since I decided that I wanted to buy a kawa') but only registered last week, and figured it's time for an intro.
I've bought a Red 1990 GPX250 for my L's and an RJays Striker helmet and RJays Voyager 2 all-weather jacket, got some nice boots (left overs from Fireys) and looking to get some Draggins or Hornees in the near future (pity I'm a stout fit.. They don't seem to stock them anywhere!). That should get me up and running for the moment. I'm going for my L's at Penrith on the 10th/11th of Feb and look forward to joining you all for the PITS/"old road" run once I feel up for it.

I'll upload pics of my bike, but I'm sure you've seen more than enough of the standard GPXers...

So, I'll be riding from the Mountains to work in North Sydney daily and was wondering if any of you other guys (I know there's a lot of people in between) have any hints or tips for getting there quickly, and safely?
Also I think I've been passing a couple of you (or, more correctly, you've been passing me) as I'm doing all these kays to and from work, so I can recognise some of you... (or at least, some of the more vocal ones on here), and can't wait to join you.

Anyway, just thought I'd say hi, get the intro out of the way, and let you all know that I'll be up for a ride (and the experience) most weekends if you're passing through the "Lower Mountains" and want (another) Learner tagging along.

Oh, and if you've got any specific hints or tips on my bike/gear, please let me know, I'm totally new to all this (although I have done a LOT of reading recently)

Cheers guys!

Edit: Got the date of my own bike wrong!

welcome

G'day......welcome to the asylum. Nurse will be along with some medication soon....... oh, here she is viewtopic.php?f=19&t=20903.

Welcome mate! When it comes to reading, the most factual and useful website I've seen is this one:

http://roadsafety.mccofnsw.org.au/

One thing I got from there is that statistically leg injuries are much more prolific in falls than upper-body injuries, but it's the jacket armour we think about the most...... I've still only got kevlar jeans tho....

I'm in the same position as you plus 3 weeks, and loving it.

My advice is to pay attention to everything in the Ls course, then and go and practice it as much as you can on quiet streets so you can develop the skills, then ride within your ability and be tough on yourself to stay "switched on", because it's your skin, is in/on your hands.

That reminds me, GLOVES! You didn't say anything about them. My wise uncle put it this way:

"think to yourself, who's gonna be there when you go to the toilet and all you've got are 2 bandaged stumps"

Welcome aboard man...

gidday & welcome

tim wrote:That reminds me, GLOVES! You didn't say anything about them. My wise uncle put it this way:
"think to yourself, who's gonna be there when you go to the toilet and all you've got are 2 bandaged stumps"

Thanks Tim,
Great site, thanks for the link!
As for gloves, I got given some Rivets by the guy I bought the bike from... They were too small for him, and so he just threw them in with the bike! They are the perfect size for me, and have all the palm padding and knuckle protection, so they'll work fine for me.

Just trying to narrow down the jeans and I'll be set. I've reverted to looking on eBay for a pair of stout 36" blue kevlar jeans... It is turning out to be harder than it sounds. Ah well, just keeping my eyes peeled.

Cheers for all the welcomes guys!

Welcome to the club Mate hope to see you on the road!

Welcome to the klub
With the Kevlar jeans & similar you have to really look at your options... why .... because they offer little protection compared to proper leathers or riding pants with combo armour. I wear jeans only on the shortest of trips say 5K& the rest of the time its the dri rider extreme pants or full leathers both offer the best protection. Please don't fall into the all too common trap of thinking that it wont happen to you...... because it might & when it does you want to be protected. Every day when I see someone squidding all I can think of is where has the common sense gone ... especially nubes & yes you can tell they have just done the courses & been told the drill & whats the first thing they do when things get a bit hot? SQUID! unfarkinamazing because they are the most likely to come to grief
Anyway just have a look around & see if you can get something that offers a bit more protection .....you might be suppressed & find its cheaper

& Yes full gear on a 35 deg day sux but at least you are covered
Remember ......Skin is really hard to replace

Because you are new you should really be looking at purchasing the good protective gear like leathers etc etc, yes they are a bit more expensive, but hten again if you can't afford then you shouldnt be riding! Also if you have a stack you will be protected! Plus other good side is they will last a while longer!!

Also welcome aboard! Ride safe!

welcome to the club

welcome to club, have fun, and hope to meet you on the road/pits whatever comes first. if you are after draggins, just head over to MCA, got mine for $169 and i think they are bit bigger then your size coz im a fat sh@t{42 i think}.

Anyways have fun, and as tim says, find a quiet street and practice your butt out!!! The Penrith dudes are good to do the P's test with, dont know about the l's course, did mine a Rouse Hill. {great place aswell} but yeh Penrith is a friendly training atmosphere.

Check out the KSRC sponsors for more gear you may be after, go the "mates rates" viewtopic.php?f=8&t=319

Aitkens aren't TOO far from you.

I got my kevlars from a place called KITBAG. Good products, good prices.

Welcome.

There are some good roads around Blaxland. Going down the highway and turning behind Maccas into Emu Plains is pretty good. It is a one way street after the old bridge so you should not get hit by cars coming the other way (watch out for pushies and walkers though).
Hawksebury road up to Springwood also a good road so too is Old Bathurst Road. Although being a local you already know these roads and many more. For riding pants check out Kelens at Penrith. They have pretty good prices and as well as being local don't try to sell you shit you won't want or need.

ZXR750 wrote:Welcome.

There are some good roads around Blaxland. Going down the highway and turning behind Maccas into Emu Plains is pretty good. It is a one way street after the old bridge so you should not get hit by cars coming the other way (watch out for pushies and walkers though).
Hawksebury road up to Springwood also a good road so too is Old Bathurst Road. Although being a local you already know these roads and many more. For riding pants check out Kelens at Penrith. They have pretty good prices and as well as being local don't try to sell you shit you won't want or need.

Yeha they are good, they always give me 10% dicount when i go in there. lol