Good Rides in Kent?

[jim shea]

OK, you're just a romantic then!!!
Did you have a spill? you mention you are not fit?

[Pavsta]

How's about this then...

A20 Maidstone to Ashford
A28 Ashford to Tenterden
Appledore Road from Tenterden to Brenzett
A259 to Rye

I did the second bit on Motorline's demo 848 last weekend. So nearly bought one! Much much easier to ride than my 748R. Not as special tho. Will reconsider when the S comes out no doubt...

[jim shea]

Originally Posted by Pavsta

How's about this then...

A20 Maidstone to Ashford
A28 Ashford to Tenterden
Appledore Road from Tenterden to Brenzett
A259 to Rye

Agreed on the first two..looking fwd to trying the other two..

[Monkeyboy]

Originally Posted by jim shea

OK, you're just a romantic then!!!
Did you have a spill? you mention you are not fit?

sorry where are my manors, i should have replied ages ago, nope thankfully i didnt have a spill. ive a possible rupture of the ulna colateral ligament in my right thumb, its sucks majorly because it takes ages to hear and the real annoying things is it might not even be healing itself......grrr i hope i dont have to have surgery.

i did it doing somthing that is suposed to keep you fit and healthy.....playing rugby.

hence no more romantic taking the girlfriend to the beach on the bike

[jim shea]

Mate,
I hope it heals without surgery, give up rugby and concentrate on the bikes!
I pm'd you to reply to your Q.

I finally got to do do the Rye run y'day from Motorline..nice road, except I was trying to keep up with a 749... no names.... but, Mark, you know who you are...oops!

[dsj1979]

I've been off bikes for years..... I bought a 996 a few weeks ago. I've only managed to go out on it about 5 times but I'm starting to get the hand of it now. I live in Beltinge, my other half lives in Hastings - incidently I used to live there. I rode there last week - I just love the road. Upto Faversham then on the twisties through to Ashford, then through to Hastings via tenterden, brede etc. really nice twisty roads! Sorry I'm useless with road names - I'm sure you know the roads. When I was in Hastings I used to often go on a short blast to rye, used to always be great fun over there!

[jim shea]

I know the roads you mean, they are good...
Straight back on a 996, you are brave.... but if that's what you are used to?? I was away from bikes for 25 years and my first bike was an XJR 1300... that was a bit too cumbersome for me, so got rid of it after only 300ish miles!!! Then got the ST4, much better, now I have a Multistrada...

[dsj1979]

Originally Posted by jim shea

I know the roads you mean, they are good...
Straight back on a 996, you are brave.... but if that's what you are used to?? I was away from bikes for 25 years and my first bike was an XJR 1300... that was a bit too cumbersome for me, so got rid of it after only 300ish miles!!! Then got the ST4, much better, now I have a Multistrada...

My last bike was a GSXR 750, but that was years ago; in other words getting a 996 was probably more stupid than sense! I've wanted to get a bike again for years and the time came where I said, why not? I was looking at various bikes, strangely I was also considering a little trials bike - guess I remember good times from being 16/17 onwards..... In the end I decided on a 748 or 916 as their prices are very reasonable.

The Ducati 748 916 etc. has always been my dream bike. They're so beautiful. I remember first seeing one ride past me in real life the year they came out, WOW!!! I guess I figured as the price is right, why not get the bike I have always wanted! Normally I would buy a project but I have so many car projects on the go at the moment I just wanted something I could ride. About 1 month ago, along came the 996 from a dealer which seemed to fit the bill so I parted with my cash!

That's the good...... now came the bad. I rode back home and thought what the hell have I done. I've only ridden it 5 or 6 times. The first few were not good. Round town and low speed corners was really not good to ride (first gear too snatchy, second not smooth enough), my neck was really hurting, the ebay DAINESE leathers I bought really didn't make me feel safe and somehow on my second ride I dropped it? The front went at virtually no speed on a junction 20 yards from my house - really don't know what happened - talk about topping of the lack of confidence! Also add in a much higher sense of mortality - my friend died about when I bought the bike , I was seriously umming and arring about whether to sell it and give up.......

One ride can change it all...... Now I tried on some WOLF kangaroo leathers, they felt so comfortable and safe and bit the bullet and bought them. I now feel safe when on the bike - big confidence booster! I checked the suspension settings as per a fast bikes guidelines - unfortunately I could only do the static changes as I need people to help me measure the bike while it's lifted etc. the back was as they recommended, the front wasn't. Even just changing the static settings, it felt so much better, the front didn't feel as twitchy or unstable - maybe the previous owner was heavier than me? I weight 11 stone so there's a good chance of that! Mix that in with learning to slip the clutch a lot more when in town, my neck lasting longer till it starts hurting, starting to know what gear I'm in, and more road time..........

I rode to Hastings to see the other half - incidentally where I used to live. What a great ride, I really enjoyed it! The leathers, front suspension, less neck pain, more slipping of clutch, knowing my gear and more ride time added to a great package. I kept thinking, I was going to sell this? I was so happy that I'd found that happy area again. I will possibly put a 14t front sprocket on which should make town/low speed corners even better.

Power has never been a problem as you only go as fast as your wrist turns and I've been very restrained. I like the V Twin power, reminds me of a Suzuki Goose I had (DR350 engine, fourstroke single). Progressive power rather than hitting a power band, engine braking is great!

One thing I really want to do again is get my knee down. I know different people will have different opinions on this, though these are my reasonings...... It's something which will have a major effect on my confidence. When I was younger I used to be knee down on every corner, just loved it and seeing a roundabout was a joyous occasion! The thing is, it gave me such a better feeling of being at one with the machine. Knowing, feeling the bike..... feeling and knowing how much lower it can go. Lowering my center of gravity, getting the right position on the bike, the right lean..... etc.

The first time I got my knee down was on some twisties between Rye and Brenzett on a corner which tightens up. Stopped at a roundabout in Brenzett with my friends and knew I could do it. This is a nice roundabout, a nice size, not very busy and a good view if there's any incoming traffic. I learnt the correct posture, lean etc. It felt so good being able to raise and lower the bike like that, realising what the bike could do. I probably haven't done a good job at explaining myself with regards to this subject but I've tried, if people call me a pratt so be it, everyone's entitled to their opinions!

Anyway.... I'm looking forward to being able to ride with other bikers again. I moved to Canterbury years ago for work and shortly after I couldn't afford to keep my bike God I hated having to use busses - I believe they must be the spawn of the devil! Unfortunately due to moving away and no bike I lost touch with all my biker friends So... bring on sunny weather and I look forward to meeting and riding with you all. Sorry for the long reply, though it's nice to get that off my chest!