Losing my nerve
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Joined: Jan 2017
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From: in a cave at the foothills
Losing my nerve
Riding has become a chore and I have become very nervous riding through curvy roads. This has developed into an actual fear and the joy of riding had become anything but. Nothing has happened to cause this but it just one day began this year. I would hate to sell my bikes but it has come to where I am actually considering that.
I am posting this hoping someone will say something that will help regain my nerve.
I am posting this hoping someone will say something that will help regain my nerve.
Popular Reply
Jul 18, 2020, 03:47 PM
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,454
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
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.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Jul 18, 2020 at 03:48 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,064
Likes: 4,696
From: Fix'n 2 N, TX
Do you still have the Road King and do you feel the same on both Glide and King?
Sorry to hear this. Is it age or a health thing?
As you know riding with bad nerves can be a bad outcome. Is a Trike an option?
Sorry to hear this. Is it age or a health thing?
As you know riding with bad nerves can be a bad outcome. Is a Trike an option?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,625
Likes: 4,080
From: Virginia
Its probably more than just getting nervous about curvy roads my friend. I will tell you two stories. First, I taught a guy to ride many years ago and he was doing really well. One day, he was going through an intersection and someone ran a red light and almost ran him over. He was so shook up about what could happen on a bike, he never got on a bike again. Second, i was in a horrible motorcycle accident about 20 years ago and the dresser I was riding was completely demolished. My buddies tell me I was rambling about what bike I was going to get next while I was in the icu, lol! Its a very personal decision. Riding is and always has been inherently dangerous and either you live with it or you dont.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,763
Likes: 22,964
From: North Carolina
There are no promises in life on this earth. All we can do is find what makes us happy and enjoy it as long as the Good Lord allows. Look at Grant Imahara. A brilliant guy, had it all, avid skydiver which is in my opinion far more dangerous than riding a motorcycle and he is dead at age 49 from an aneurysm.
I have never been a great rider, or an aggressive rider. I consider myself a smart rider and enjoy riding within my comfort zone.
The worst thing you can do is ride if you don’t feel safe or don’t enjoy it. Only you can make that decision.
Good luck
I have never been a great rider, or an aggressive rider. I consider myself a smart rider and enjoy riding within my comfort zone.
The worst thing you can do is ride if you don’t feel safe or don’t enjoy it. Only you can make that decision.
Good luck
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,533
Likes: 30,855
From: Pennsylvania
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.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,454
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
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.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Jul 18, 2020 at 03:48 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 201
Likes: 104
From: Ohio
I don't know if it will help but I started getting nervous on curvy roads a couple years ago and I realized that I somehow after 40+ years of riding, had fallen into a habit of trying to steer my bike thru turns. Once it dawned on me what I was doing, I focused on my old dirt bike training i.e. look where I wanted to go and the bike will follow. The fun is back and I am much more comfortable. I really think the habit started when I bought the Ultra Classic, it is much heavier and the weight is higher than my old shovel so I rode it differently.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 727
From: Michigan
My wife has lost her zest for riding. Her Chief was sitting in the garage and she wasn't showing much inclination to ride it. Finally we had a heart to heart and she said riding wasn't something that she needed to do. We sold my older bike and converted hers for two up. Then we went to the nearest dealer and ordered a new UTV. We agreed that we don't want to sit and get old and we'll look at our well traveled roads from a different angle. I still enjoy getting out and riding but it's not a driving force like it was years ago. Not everyone wants to ride into his 80's.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 696
Likes: 488
From: Southern Indiana
You obviously have been riding for some time. Try to draw on that experience and realize that you have the skills to conquer your fears.
I recently had an experience where I nearly crossed the line into oncoming traffic, on a tight curve, and got the jitters for a while. I had to just tell myself I need to keep more focused and get back in the saddle right away.
The longer you stay out of the saddle the more difficult it will be to resume riding. Try to stay off the winding roads for a bit until you regain your courage.
You say nothing happened but maybe you just don't remember exactly what caused this. If all else fails perhaps some professional consultation could help to face your fears before selling your bikes.
Good luck.
I recently had an experience where I nearly crossed the line into oncoming traffic, on a tight curve, and got the jitters for a while. I had to just tell myself I need to keep more focused and get back in the saddle right away.
The longer you stay out of the saddle the more difficult it will be to resume riding. Try to stay off the winding roads for a bit until you regain your courage.
You say nothing happened but maybe you just don't remember exactly what caused this. If all else fails perhaps some professional consultation could help to face your fears before selling your bikes.
Good luck.