MINDSET
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 483
Likes: 5
From: Palm Bay, FL
MINDSET
Had a close call about 3 weeks ago. \\; They missed but I left the road. \\; Fortunately I didn't go down. \\; All is well except now being skittish, especially with left-turners or those entering the road from an intersection. \\; The potential for what can go wrong seems to be in the forefront of my thoughts. \\; Any advice, or will it subside with some more time?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 931
Likes: 3
From: England
RE: MINDSET
I am so there for you on this one. \\; \\; I had a bad down about 7 \\; or so years agao wgen a cage overtook a lorry on a blind bend and drove into the front of me writing off the bike and not doing me a whole lot of good. \\; It freakin hurt and although I knew it wasn't my fault it took me 18 months to get back on a bike and when I did I was so worried about everyone on the road doing something stupid \\;it was not a lot of fun. \\; However I perservered and two confidence building bikes later I bought my Street Bob in Sept 2006 and I haven't looked back \\; Now and again I get flash backs when cars come too fast up to junctions I am approaching, but so far I am now enjoying my HD just as much as I always did. \\; Time is a great healer and we are blessed with a memory that forgets the pain and stuff quite quickly. \\;
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in, WA
RE: MINDSET
Had some jerk in a pickup make a left in front me about a month ago, locked the brakes, saw pavement in my future, but I held it upright, I still have a knot in my stomach when I see someone turning left or right in front of me. \\; I'm sure it will pass.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Blue Ridge Mountains, NC
RE: MINDSET
You either love it or you don't, and if you love it, you won't ever stop, no matter what. Been riding 47 years, been down a few times, real bad in '98, kept me off 2 years but that was physical, not mental. I guess I just can't help myself, I'd rather ride than anything else. If you don't enjoy it, don't do it. Just my .02
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,900
Likes: 4
From: way down upon the Suwannee River
RE: MINDSET
Just remember when you're on two wheels you are part of the food chain. watch out for the sharks! I know when I'm riding I never have the right of way, when I come to an intersection with traffic my hands and feet automaticly get ready to avoid idiots. after fifty years of riding and a few wipe outs it comes naturally. You're close call might be a blessing, if it makes you more observant. If you keep riding you will get more comfortable. Good luck.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in, WA
RE: MINDSET
ORIGINAL: smudge
You either love it or you don't, and if you love it, you won't ever stop, no matter what. Been riding 47 years, been down a few times, real bad in '98, kept me off 2 years but that was physical, not mental. I guess I just can't help myself, I'd rather ride than anything else. If you don't enjoy it, don't do it. Just my .02
You either love it or you don't, and if you love it, you won't ever stop, no matter what. Been riding 47 years, been down a few times, real bad in '98, kept me off 2 years but that was physical, not mental. I guess I just can't help myself, I'd rather ride than anything else. If you don't enjoy it, don't do it. Just my .02
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
RE: MINDSET
As long as you keep your desire to ride you will get better with the close calls.The reason: you will know what to look for.Hang in there!
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
RE: MINDSET
Glad you are OK. Keep the feeling, that everyone is going to pull out in front of you.
Suspect that everyone, will not see you and cut you off. Only one out of 5,000 will
cut you off. If you are prepared, and it happens. Chances you will be OK. I am not
parinoid or riding with fear. I am just cautious. It is called defensive riding.
Keep riding and enjoy it just be careful.
Suspect that everyone, will not see you and cut you off. Only one out of 5,000 will
cut you off. If you are prepared, and it happens. Chances you will be OK. I am not
parinoid or riding with fear. I am just cautious. It is called defensive riding.
Keep riding and enjoy it just be careful.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
RE: MINDSET
Had a few close calls on the bike but have never laid it down. However I used to race motocross and had tons of wrecks, some pretty severe. When I'd get back on I'd be pretty skittish, so I made myself do the things that scared me until I built my confidence back up. It's all a mind f*ck, it'll get better.
Quick funny story, a car pulled out in front of a buddy a few weeks ago, he locked the rear tire up getting stopped and hit his horn at the cage. The dude flips him off! Now he's pissed and at the next stop light he drops the kickstand and goes to the guys window. The dude flips him off again, now my buddy is so pissed he starts kicking a dent into the dudes car door, scares him so bad he runs the red light and hauls a$$. He thought for sure that he was going to jail as the guy behind him was dialing his cell phone. He must've just been calling his wife telling her he'd just seen a biker kick in some dudes door..
Quick funny story, a car pulled out in front of a buddy a few weeks ago, he locked the rear tire up getting stopped and hit his horn at the cage. The dude flips him off! Now he's pissed and at the next stop light he drops the kickstand and goes to the guys window. The dude flips him off again, now my buddy is so pissed he starts kicking a dent into the dudes car door, scares him so bad he runs the red light and hauls a$$. He thought for sure that he was going to jail as the guy behind him was dialing his cell phone. He must've just been calling his wife telling her he'd just seen a biker kick in some dudes door..