Scared to ride.....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
If you've already taken the MSF class, then take an advanced class. Learn about and practice emergency situational maneuvers. I think your fear doesn't only come from what happened to you, but also your lack of confidence in your riding skills. Improve your riding skills and gain that confidence. Knowing what your bike is capable of doing (and not doing) and being confident in yourself and your skills will make all he difference in the world.
Riding scared can be just as dangerous as riding stupid....maybe more dangerous for an unskilled rider. Good luck!
Riding scared can be just as dangerous as riding stupid....maybe more dangerous for an unskilled rider. Good luck!
-Moderator-"Wench with a Wrench and Queen of Quips"
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 10,252
Likes: 1,980
From: Breaux Bridge, LA
If you're afraid, you're gonna get hurt. I can SEE it when somebody is riding scared. If it's obvious to me, that rider has a prolem.
That said, take your time, it's only been a few days. You're gonna be a bit nervous after your first accident. The feeling will pass if you don't overthink it every time you decide to ride.
That said, take your time, it's only been a few days. You're gonna be a bit nervous after your first accident. The feeling will pass if you don't overthink it every time you decide to ride.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 4
From: northern NM
Smith system defensive driving will help a bunch.
Five keys:
Aim high in steering (look 15 seconds ahead)
Keep your eyes moving
Make sure they see you
Give yourself an "out"
See the big picture
45 years of bikes and cars. No accidents
Five keys:
Aim high in steering (look 15 seconds ahead)
Keep your eyes moving
Make sure they see you
Give yourself an "out"
See the big picture
45 years of bikes and cars. No accidents
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
Hate to pile on, but it's true. This was 100% avoidable. As someone said, laying down a bike is not a good accident avoidance technique. We used to think so in the 60's and 70's but it's not.
Whether you have take a safety course or not, take one (again). Following close behind a truck is bad for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it makes you invisible to oncoming traffic and oncoming traffic invisible to you. It also makes you invisible to cross traffic that may try to enter the road as soon as the truck passes (with no idea that you are back there).
If you take a course you will learn the skills you need to handle your bike safely in city traffic.
Good luck!
Last edited by TKDKurt; Apr 19, 2013 at 11:13 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: b.c.
Lots of good advice here, but I will dispute that fear is a bad thing. Fear is your mind's way of telling you to pay attention! Too much fear isn't fun and it CAN lead to poor decisions or paralysis....but it doesn't need to.
I've been racing offroad motorcycles for over 30 years and have crashed literally hundreds of times. I would have fear/apprehension going into every race and training and practice is the key to managing that fear. People who don't have any fear/apprehension or addrenalin getting on a motorcycle are the ones that worry me.
Bravery is being afraid and meeting that fear head-on and dealing with it appropriately. Total lack of fear is usually reserved for those that don't fully understand or appreciate the risk inherent in the activity.
Before anyone starts calling me a pansy, I've been over 170mph on a bike, pulled wheelies at 75mph, jumped over 20' vertically and won my share of races....all of which was done with a reasonable level of "apprehension"
I'd suggest that the OP consider taking an advanced riding course, practice, pay attention to his surroundings at all time and wear the best gear you are comfortable with wearing. If, after all that, riding just isn't fun anymore, then take a break from it.
my 2 cents,
Dave
I've been racing offroad motorcycles for over 30 years and have crashed literally hundreds of times. I would have fear/apprehension going into every race and training and practice is the key to managing that fear. People who don't have any fear/apprehension or addrenalin getting on a motorcycle are the ones that worry me.
Bravery is being afraid and meeting that fear head-on and dealing with it appropriately. Total lack of fear is usually reserved for those that don't fully understand or appreciate the risk inherent in the activity.
Before anyone starts calling me a pansy, I've been over 170mph on a bike, pulled wheelies at 75mph, jumped over 20' vertically and won my share of races....all of which was done with a reasonable level of "apprehension"
I'd suggest that the OP consider taking an advanced riding course, practice, pay attention to his surroundings at all time and wear the best gear you are comfortable with wearing. If, after all that, riding just isn't fun anymore, then take a break from it.
my 2 cents,
Dave
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
Lots of good advice here, but I will dispute that fear is a bad thing. Fear is your mind's way of telling you to pay attention! Too much fear isn't fun and it CAN lead to poor decisions or paralysis....but it doesn't need to.
I've been racing offroad motorcycles for over 30 years and have crashed literally hundreds of times. I would have fear/apprehension going into every race and training and practice is the key to managing that fear. People who don't have any fear/apprehension or addrenalin getting on a motorcycle are the ones that worry me.
Bravery is being afraid and meeting that fear head-on and dealing with it appropriately. Total lack of fear is usually reserved for those that don't fully understand or appreciate the risk inherent in the activity.
Before anyone starts calling me a pansy, I've been over 170mph on a bike, pulled wheelies at 75mph, jumped over 20' vertically and won my share of races....all of which was done with a reasonable level of "apprehension"
I'd suggest that the OP consider taking an advanced riding course, practice, pay attention to his surroundings at all time and wear the best gear you are comfortable with wearing. If, after all that, riding just isn't fun anymore, then take a break from it.
my 2 cents,
Dave
I've been racing offroad motorcycles for over 30 years and have crashed literally hundreds of times. I would have fear/apprehension going into every race and training and practice is the key to managing that fear. People who don't have any fear/apprehension or addrenalin getting on a motorcycle are the ones that worry me.
Bravery is being afraid and meeting that fear head-on and dealing with it appropriately. Total lack of fear is usually reserved for those that don't fully understand or appreciate the risk inherent in the activity.
Before anyone starts calling me a pansy, I've been over 170mph on a bike, pulled wheelies at 75mph, jumped over 20' vertically and won my share of races....all of which was done with a reasonable level of "apprehension"
I'd suggest that the OP consider taking an advanced riding course, practice, pay attention to his surroundings at all time and wear the best gear you are comfortable with wearing. If, after all that, riding just isn't fun anymore, then take a break from it.
my 2 cents,
Dave
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: b.c.
I won't argue your point because I don't think we're that far apart in what we said. I don't know about the others but when I used the word fear I meant to the degree where it would affect someone's good judgment....like look where you want to go, roll the throttle through a turn, or when to brake and not to brake. I think maybe when you used the word fear, you meant cautious....which could be a lesser degree of fear.
I'd also reiterate that practice and training are very important IMO; I've been in situations where I'd consider my comfort level somewhere north of "scared s***less" but usually my instincts kick in and I make it through. Those instincts aren't genetic (at least in my case), they are the product of hours, days and years of practice.
Cheers,
Dave
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,122
Likes: 51,433
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
If you're afraid, you're gonna get hurt. I can SEE it when somebody is riding scared. If it's obvious to me, that rider has a prolem.
That said, take your time, it's only been a few days. You're gonna be a bit nervous after your first accident. The feeling will pass if you don't overthink it every time you decide to ride.
That said, take your time, it's only been a few days. You're gonna be a bit nervous after your first accident. The feeling will pass if you don't overthink it every time you decide to ride.
OP if you listen to anything in this thread please let it be this bit of advice , anyone gonna know where your heads at it's gonna be this lady .
