The black 2011 GSXR 600 was my pride and joy over the past few years. I rode everyday for a number of years and sold the bike roughly four months ago and I miss it very much. The heartbreak didn’t initiate until the cash was in my hand and the new owner took off down the street. It suddenly hit me; my beast is gone forever. I have been very busy working, surfing or doing other things like helping my grandfather restore his house, but every time I see a bike I start to feel like riding.

My first bike was a Kawasaki ninja 650 Lams ABS. This was a great bike to learn on, although would be nothing like the new bike I was about to own. The GSXR was advertised on bike sales and instantly knew that she was the bike. The bike already had a name prior to purchasing; it had been decided at that moment I was going to buy her. I called her ‘Avalanche’, named after my adored black Chihuahua. The previous owner wanted $9200, I firmly said I am not going to muck around and here is $8900 cash. He said 'I am not going to muck you around either, sold' and was a great sale for both. The bike had only completed 3000 km and turned out to be a beast with no problems at all.

Many riders do decide to stop riding for one reason or another. My decision to stop and sell was due to having a very close call at over 100 km per hour. I previously had close calls but not like this, most of the time it was other drivers at fault and I was always anticipating their mistakes. I never anticipated to feel so miserable because of my own mistake and to this day I still don't know how I made it.

The incident happened while travelling in the left lane where I decided to punch ahead of a car in the right lane, the bike flew like a rocket. My distant vision was blocked by the car in front of me and the road slightly veered to the right. When changing into the right lane at high speed, a four wheel drive suddenly revealed itself and it was completely stopped, the car was turning right. I was going too fast and had less than 10 meters to stop at accelerating speeds of at least 100 km per hour. I totally screwed up and went into a fight-or-flight response.

I began to gently squeeze the front brake ready for an emergency stop and instantly applying the rear brake hard. I then started to squeeze hard on the front brake. I couldn’t squeeze the front brake hard instantly, as I would potentially low side the bike. Then when I started to squeeze hard, it all hit me at once. I was going to crash and could not brake in time. Without thinking I maneuvered the bike around the car somehow. I remember the rear end of the bike flick out and drift to the right, then back out to the left. I somehow managed to fit through an almost impossible gap between the four wheel drive and car in the left lane. It felt like a batman maneuver, but I very well knew it was just a lucky move in response to a costly mistake. It only takes one mistake and probably what also pushed me to sell. I enjoyed surfing and other things in life that I would hate to give up because of that one mistake.

After the incident I then continued to ride with a terrible feeling in my stomach all the way to work. The feeling stayed with me and that was the moment I decided to sell the bike. I still rode for a month until the bike was sold.

Sure there are others who have continued to ride after these particular events, but for myself I could not continue to look at my dogs and girlfriend knowing that this could be the last time they ever spent time with me. My girlfriend had already lost her sister in a car accident when she was 17 years old. It was more important to make sure she did not have to suffer from something similar again. I felt selfish to continue to ride for some reason. Your actions on a motorbike can be very different to what you say to yourself prior to riding. That inner voice lecturing yourself before you ride, 'don’t ride fast and take it easy'. Sometimes it would fly right out the window when you’re riding in the heat of the moment or in a group, it just felt way to good.

To this day I miss riding my GSXR very much. The experience of riding was amazing, specifically that part where you stop to have a chat with other riders. The last ride was amazing and we all met for a beer and a steak at the pub afterwards to talk about our recent journey. When you first buy your bike, you quickly realise it is not just a bike you bought, but also a membership to a riders club. I sometimes drive past other bikers in my car and want to nod my head, that gesture of being part of a group.

It had been a great journey riding my bike for many years, it taught me a lot and one day I will buy that Ducati sports classic or Harley Davison just to cruise about with friends. For now my helmet and jacket will rest in the wardrobe, unless I decide to ride on a track.

On a side note my great grandfather was a champion at riding motorcycles and was the first mechanic for Harley Davidson in Australia. I was very pleased to find out about this :)

10 useful Tips and tricks discovered over the years of riding.

Some tips are obvious and other tips I was taught from friends that rode for over 30 years. I am no Valentino Rossi but these are some of the things that helped me along the way.

• Stay within your own limits. This is important when riding with a group. Always organise to meet at the next petrol station rather than trying to keep up with advanced riders. Sometimes better not to ride in large groups.

• Do not use the front brake when going into corners, if you must only use the rear brake to adjust speed. If you are in the correct gear you shouldn’t need the rear brake. Entry speed is your best friend.

• Always check your tyres for nails prior to riding. I have had nails in my tyre a couple of times. Unlucky I know.

• Check your brake lights are working and tyre pressure is good. (try to check every time prior to riding)

• Always buffer and keep as much distance from other cars.

• Anticipate other cars merging into your lane. Watch their tires move rather than relying on purely the indicator. A lot of drivers do not indicate. Also if lane filtering is legal, do it. A lot of motorcycle accidents are from the rear. Always check your mirrors when sitting at lights when a car is approaching from behind, have your bike in gear so they do not push you into the intersection accidentally.

• Stiff arms is bad. When riding a sports bike on windy roads, sit a little bit back on the seat with about a fists distance between your crotch and the fuel tank. There is a molding for your knees on the tank. This puts you into the correct position when leaning. Also don’t sit on the seat completely, use the balls of your feet to take weight and learn to slide your bottom across to set up for corner. This helps you to have relaxed arms when riding. Your legs should be sore after you ride and practice makes perfect ;) Do a advanced riding course to achieve proper technique.

• Always look through the corner when turning, not directly in front of you. The direction you look is where you go.

• When riding at high speeds do it on a track. The track won’t have sand or potential hazards and speeding fines.

• Always wear your protective gear. When not wearing your helmet put it on the ground on top of your gloves. Replace your helmet if you drop it and buy a new helmet that fits well. Helmets save lives, so do not cheap out.

Thanks for reading Steemians and if you would like to leave a riding tip or comment feel free. I wonder how many other riders out there decided to stop and for what reasons. Cheers