Losing my nerve
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
Its good that you are being hones. Do what you feel is the best decision.No justification is needed either way to keep riding or to quit riding. My gut instinct after reading your very brief post is that you have not become overly nervous about riding in and of itself but lack confidence in yourself on the bike, especially on curvy roads. Lack of confidence can lead to anxiety and fear regardless of what activity it is.
And a little anxiety now and then is not necessarily a bad thing either, unless it dominates. It keeps up your respect for the activity. For example, occasionally when I am on a long road trip and just going down the highway in Iowa or SD for hours on end, its easy to get complacent. Then sometimes I think, "man if a deer came out of the woods and...' That's the cue to slow it down a little. refocus on the road and not zone out etc.....the thought quickly just goes away. But if that's all your thinking about all the time, you will neither enjoy the activity nor will you be in the right frame of mind.
If you really do want to keep riding but the lack of confidence is the issue. perhaps you might try an MSF refresher course or the intermediate skills course. If not, and the fear of wrecking or your own personal safety dominates then maybe its time to just look back with fondness on the fun times you had riding and call it quits. No right or wrong decision.
And a little anxiety now and then is not necessarily a bad thing either, unless it dominates. It keeps up your respect for the activity. For example, occasionally when I am on a long road trip and just going down the highway in Iowa or SD for hours on end, its easy to get complacent. Then sometimes I think, "man if a deer came out of the woods and...' That's the cue to slow it down a little. refocus on the road and not zone out etc.....the thought quickly just goes away. But if that's all your thinking about all the time, you will neither enjoy the activity nor will you be in the right frame of mind.
If you really do want to keep riding but the lack of confidence is the issue. perhaps you might try an MSF refresher course or the intermediate skills course. If not, and the fear of wrecking or your own personal safety dominates then maybe its time to just look back with fondness on the fun times you had riding and call it quits. No right or wrong decision.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 319
Likes: 126
From: North of Cincinnati
I had friend that went through that a couple of years back. The anxiety got so bad it even bother him pulling up at stop lights. He decided to get a trike and it instantly brought back his confidence and the joy of riding again.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 8,420
From: Inland NW
Take a smaller bike out on a test ride. Had an older friend go through something similar. He had some PTSD from years (and wars) past that seemed to come back and mess with him, he ended up getting a Dyna to replace the FLH and got some confidence back, and rides the **** out of that thing, now.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Nobody.... I have no help for you other than take a look-see at all the advice and decide what makes you feel comfortable. I know one of the things I preach to the less experienced riders I'm sometimes with is to look as far up the road as you can. You will go where you look. (same holds true for doing tight u-turns) Don't worry about not seeing things.... you will look up-road, and have the occasional glance what's in front of you...plus looking up, you will see things in the road, if there are any. The suggestion for a lighter bike is not a bad idea either. Weight does have a huge impact on handling.
Regardless of your decision, you will do what's best for you. I will never criticize you or doubt your decision. And if you do quit riding, don't be a stranger here!!! We all have too much time in here to simply walk away!!! Good Luck to you my friend.
Regardless of your decision, you will do what's best for you. I will never criticize you or doubt your decision. And if you do quit riding, don't be a stranger here!!! We all have too much time in here to simply walk away!!! Good Luck to you my friend.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,542
Likes: 6,217
From: In your head rent free
Hey, it’s not safe out there. People are angry, inconsiderate, not paying attention.
Ive had way too many close calls lately. I’m getting older, my reaction times are slower, I get this. The idea of getting in an emergency stop, on a RGU, has slowed me down, made me more “aware”, and made me question the “when” of giving it up.
It’s not now, but I can see the day. May downsize if the right deal is there.
Ive had way too many close calls lately. I’m getting older, my reaction times are slower, I get this. The idea of getting in an emergency stop, on a RGU, has slowed me down, made me more “aware”, and made me question the “when” of giving it up.
It’s not now, but I can see the day. May downsize if the right deal is there.
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 17,008
Likes: 14,675
From: in a cave at the foothills
I appreciate the replies and thoughts. Just may chill for a while and hope as suggested that this is a passing phase. Will be 61 soon but don't see where that is a factor. I used to live for twisty roads. Now I try to avoid them.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 606
From:
I've cut way back on my riding the last couple of years too. last year was an ankle injury, this year I ran into the trailer hitch while walking too close to it on the SUV. I think I broke the leg. that was in April and it just started to feel good enough to ride again. I started to consciously counter steer thru corners and that helped a lot. I put on about 250 miles the last 3 days and it felt good to get out there again. I forgot how good the old 85 runs.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,457
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Do what you have to do,
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
I had the exact same thing happen to me about five years ago, after my second accident. I will add that I'd been riding for 35 years at that point. It was a day when my head wasn't in the game like it shouldn't have been, and I missed the "25 MPH" corner sign and went into a blind corner on an unfamiliar road at about 50, skidded and high-sided, landing in a pile of leaves. By nothing more than stupid blind luck, I walked away without a scratch. Despite that, I found after I got the bike home, I had lost my nerve, and couldn't ride. Winding roads suddenly terrified me. I actually went for a ride, got scared and turned back. First time I'd ever done that.
Well, by then it was mid October, so I made a decision. I'd walk away for a while, fix the bike over the winter and see how I felt in the spring. If I was still scared to ride come spring I'd sell the bike. Of course, come spring, I realized I still wanted to ride, so I did. It all came back, although I will admit it was two years before I rode that stretch of road again.
Now last year I had a much worse accident. I was nearly killed by a careless driver. Funny thing is, once I got out of the hospital, all I could think of was getting another bike and going on. Quitting wasn't on my mind at all once the initial shock wore off. I'm still not sure it was the smart thing to do, but here we are.
Whether to ride on or to quit is a personal decision we will all face at some point.
Well, by then it was mid October, so I made a decision. I'd walk away for a while, fix the bike over the winter and see how I felt in the spring. If I was still scared to ride come spring I'd sell the bike. Of course, come spring, I realized I still wanted to ride, so I did. It all came back, although I will admit it was two years before I rode that stretch of road again.
Now last year I had a much worse accident. I was nearly killed by a careless driver. Funny thing is, once I got out of the hospital, all I could think of was getting another bike and going on. Quitting wasn't on my mind at all once the initial shock wore off. I'm still not sure it was the smart thing to do, but here we are.
Whether to ride on or to quit is a personal decision we will all face at some point.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Jul 18, 2020 at 05:49 PM.
