psyching myself out, needless worry?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 1
From: West by God Texas
Hey listen you are right where you need to be at this level of experience. The real danger comes when you feel 100% confident and start screwing around or forget to respect your ride. That's when the lesson comes for so many young riders. Sad to say a few never get a chance to tell others about the lesson.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Mo
One thing that helped me when I started riding is to look through the curve of the road as you enter a turn. It will help you automatically aim for where you want to get to and that kind of helps you to keep from correcting your line all the time.
And if you want to slow down do so. Don't feel you need to keep up with more experienced riders or keep in front of cars that are behind you. It does no good for them or you if you push the bike past your comfort level.
Fear teaches nothing but experience will. Get out there and ride!
And if you want to slow down do so. Don't feel you need to keep up with more experienced riders or keep in front of cars that are behind you. It does no good for them or you if you push the bike past your comfort level.
Fear teaches nothing but experience will. Get out there and ride!
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 818
Likes: 1
From: Central NY
Look through the curves and where you want to go
It DOES get easier, much easier to pick up speed...I still don't like blind curves, and I do still slow down for them, since you never know what might be in it that you can't see
The more saddle time you have, the better it gets. Keep riding the same roads, get familiar with them. Include ramps, start slow, and ride your own ride, don't let traffic push you from behind. Find some quiet intersections that you can stop at and practice start ups with.
and then BREATHE....more than a few times I've had to self talk, and say just relax the shoulders, loosen the grip, and breathe, it's supposed to be fun. If you're not doing well in traffic, then stay to the back roads for awhile if possible. Now I love both highway speeds and back roads for different reasons.
I made the post on page 2 about riding for 5 weeks and have over 1100 miles under me now. What a huge freaking difference! Get out there and ride! You won't feel confident unless you get miles behind you.
If you need help with specific scenarios, don't be afraid to ask. You already got good info on how to handle the gravel and sand.....there's a few corners around here I'd like to go sweep the stupid road myself, just to make it safer!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Timbuktu
I still get anxious when I first start my ride. Than after an hour it's bliss.
My mind will race through "what ifs" and "worse case scenarios". But once I'm warmed up its no problem...
I said in another thread,
Close calls and near misses are a part of riding... The key is to learn from them and move on. Don't dwell on it...
And dwelling on every noise your bike makes will ruin your ride too. What you need are "confidence build" rides.
Meaning, "defeating" a part of riding that intimidates you, you gain confidence and skill. You will never get better unless you try **** you can't do.
I'm at the point now, where I can throw my bike around curves , with a passenger and scrape my mufflers. And not even flinch. Could I do that when I first started riding on the street? Hell no!
Just keep on riding!
My mind will race through "what ifs" and "worse case scenarios". But once I'm warmed up its no problem...
I said in another thread,
Close calls and near misses are a part of riding... The key is to learn from them and move on. Don't dwell on it...
And dwelling on every noise your bike makes will ruin your ride too. What you need are "confidence build" rides.
Meaning, "defeating" a part of riding that intimidates you, you gain confidence and skill. You will never get better unless you try **** you can't do.
I'm at the point now, where I can throw my bike around curves , with a passenger and scrape my mufflers. And not even flinch. Could I do that when I first started riding on the street? Hell no!
Just keep on riding!
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 983
Likes: 2
From: Wisconsin
Hey listen you are right where you need to be at this level of experience. The real danger comes when you feel 100% confident and start screwing around or forget to respect your ride. That's when the lesson comes for so many young riders. Sad to say a few never get a chance to tell others about the lesson.
Honestly, you won't see every patch of sand out there and they'll startle you when you hit them in a corner, but you can handle them. The best advice I ever read and it's a great confidence booster is to ride in the rain. Let in come down for twenty minutes or so to wash the roads, then head out there during the next storm. After you start riding in the rain, you'll be a lot more comfortable riding when it's dry. Good luck.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,626
Likes: 98
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
I'm gonna go against the grain here and tell you that your confidence level is no where near where it should be. The first thing you need to do is to get David Hough's book "Proficient Motorcycling". He will explain in great detail the basics of riding especially counter steering. Once you understand the concept and can apply it you will be amazed on how much your confidence will grow. Mine sure did. I hadn't ridden in almost 40 years and I was right where you are now.
It's not always possible to have a "mentor" although it would be nice. No, I was on my own as everyone I knew thought I was a loon for even considering riding a motorcycle, probably cause I was in my sixties then. I guess the book was my mentor.
You need to really feel good about your skills before you throw your leg over that bike, at least in my opinion. Hell, we all ride with caution, it comes with the territory, but we need our confidence as well.
Ride safe.
It's not always possible to have a "mentor" although it would be nice. No, I was on my own as everyone I knew thought I was a loon for even considering riding a motorcycle, probably cause I was in my sixties then. I guess the book was my mentor.
You need to really feel good about your skills before you throw your leg over that bike, at least in my opinion. Hell, we all ride with caution, it comes with the territory, but we need our confidence as well.
Ride safe.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,511
Likes: 13,826
From: Pa.
You're realizing that you don't just take the course and get on bike and ride like you been doin' it for 30 years. You SHOULD be cautious. Very natural progression. Just don't let it get you so anxious that you don't ride at all.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 980
Likes: 176
From: PA
It's safe to say, you're not alone.
I have these same feelings from time to time. I noticed it's the worst
after a night of partying.
I think this is a good thing, to have these things on your mind.
if your not thinking about these things, then you won't position yourself
for a fun, relaxing ride.
Ride Safe!
I have these same feelings from time to time. I noticed it's the worst
after a night of partying.
I think this is a good thing, to have these things on your mind.
if your not thinking about these things, then you won't position yourself
for a fun, relaxing ride.
Ride Safe!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Bemidji, MN
You all have given thoughtful and appreciated advice; thank you very much for the insight and encouragement. I need to keep at it, trust what I have learned and continue to gain confidence.