Losing my nerve
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2,235
Likes: 1,210
From: AZ
Hmmm, I was actually more nervous at first being that I never had a big full dressed bike before. My Intruder 1500LC is low & the weight is well proportioned. Felt that my 09 Ultra Classic was pretty top heavy & with my wife on the back I'd be a little uncomfortable with slow speed maneuvers. But that has gone away & I'm feeling totally comfortable with it now. Have had the UC going on three years now.
Not much riding lately as its 110° again today. Phoenix in the summer is not for the meek! I'm sure what you're feeling will pass. Or it may be time for a lighter bike. I used to think the Intruder was really heavy, now it feels like it weighs nothing compared to a 900 lb bike.
Not much riding lately as its 110° again today. Phoenix in the summer is not for the meek! I'm sure what you're feeling will pass. Or it may be time for a lighter bike. I used to think the Intruder was really heavy, now it feels like it weighs nothing compared to a 900 lb bike.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 14,866
Likes: 31,162
From: Whiskey Falls, Texas
Hit a spell like that myself years back, one day I couldn't bring myself to get on the bike. Can't say why just felt weird and off every time I tried. Same as you nothing preceded this was completely out of the blue. Learned long ago to listen to those gut instinct moments so I left the bikes parked for several months till whatever was eating at me went away.
Don't overthink it, don't over react right now with worrying about selling stuff and just leave them parked and go find something else to wrap the head around for a while. No shame, no guilt , and no eating yourself alive trying to figure out why. The anxiety that brings will make this a self fulfilling prophecy if you don't.
Good luck, happens to everybody at some time if they are honest with ourselves.
Don't overthink it, don't over react right now with worrying about selling stuff and just leave them parked and go find something else to wrap the head around for a while. No shame, no guilt , and no eating yourself alive trying to figure out why. The anxiety that brings will make this a self fulfilling prophecy if you don't.
Good luck, happens to everybody at some time if they are honest with ourselves.
It can happen to anyone. I call it the Yips. Baseball pitchers get it, race car drivers, etc. I've never got it on a motorcycle, but years ago I shot archery competitively on the National level. Developed this little thing called target panic. Happens to every archer that shoots every day. Missed 3 targets in a Pro Am in Illinois. Came home, and temporarily stopped competing until I fixed it, which I did. You basically have to shut down, stop what your doing and rewire your brain. Fixed it after a bit, started competing again and was fine, never bothered me again.
Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to shut down for a while and decide how to mentally address and fix this. Can be done. It's not in your abilities, you still have that. It's in your head.
Gut instinct is something else entirely, but something I NEVER ignore. I'm certain it's saved my life before......
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,557
Likes: 1,847
From: Albuquerque, NM
I also had the same thing happen about five years ago. I had been riding about 35 years at that point, averaging around 11,000 miles a year for the previous 20 years or so. It came out of nowhere one day for no apparent reason, hit me like a hammer. One day I went from being a practiced competent rider to nearly freaking out. A routine ride would give me stomach churning heart in my throat moments 15 or 20 times. I was considering giving it up completely, or perhaps seeing a sports psychologist if I could afford it. Like I said, this was all happening for no apparent reason.
I decided that riding was too much of who am to give it up, so I just kept after it. I figured I was nervous when I started riding on the street and got over it, maybe I'd get over it again.
After a couple of years I got mostly back to normal. maybe 90%. My confidence still isn't as high as it once was, but what the hell, I'm in my 60's now so maybe slowing down a little is OK.
Good luck with however you want to handle it.
I decided that riding was too much of who am to give it up, so I just kept after it. I figured I was nervous when I started riding on the street and got over it, maybe I'd get over it again.
After a couple of years I got mostly back to normal. maybe 90%. My confidence still isn't as high as it once was, but what the hell, I'm in my 60's now so maybe slowing down a little is OK.
Good luck with however you want to handle it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
Could be as simple as a chemical imbalance in the brain like some forms of depression that can be treated with medication.
Just a thought form another older rider.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 2,361
Slow down and enjoy the ride, fear leads to apprehension and that leads to bad decisions, at 56, I still enjoy the twisty roads, I’m more worried of drivers not paying attention, I’m at the point that I assume that none of them see me.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 467
From: anywhere
nerves
Then I got a 2005 sportster with thoughts of converting it to a Frankenstein trike. Loved the sportster,no more nervousness so It will be with me forever. It handles with ease, is light and goes good. Anyways keeping the 2005 sporty and also bought a 2015 sportster and converted it to a trike. It handles twice as well as the freewheeler, doesnt heat up and is just as quick. So now I have a bike and a trike. LIFE IS GOOD
Supporter
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 248
From: Milton Mills NH
Go back to basics, take an advanced riders course and take it from there, may just need some practice to get the confidence back.
Is age, balance or other factors an issue?
I know my 2017 FLHTCU at 900 lbs got to be too much for me to handle as balance was becoming an issue. I have no problems with my lighter bikes, Yamaha FJ09 & 2003 Sportster. I went to a trike for heavy touring and have not looked back.
Is age, balance or other factors an issue?
I know my 2017 FLHTCU at 900 lbs got to be too much for me to handle as balance was becoming an issue. I have no problems with my lighter bikes, Yamaha FJ09 & 2003 Sportster. I went to a trike for heavy touring and have not looked back.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 355
From: San Diego
You're not alone. You're just getting older. I'm much more defensive than I used to be. Had some really close calls and t-boned a car last year. Don't like the twisties any more and stick mostly to the open road/highways. Still need the adrenaline rush, though.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 887
From: Upstate New York
OP could be stress that is causing this anxiety
Anxiety is your body's natural response to stress. It's a feeling of fear or apprehension about what's to come. The first day of school, going to a job interview, or giving a speech may cause most people to feel fearful and nervous.
Go get a checkup with your primary. They should be able to help you.
Anxiety is your body's natural response to stress. It's a feeling of fear or apprehension about what's to come. The first day of school, going to a job interview, or giving a speech may cause most people to feel fearful and nervous.
Go get a checkup with your primary. They should be able to help you.