psyching myself out, needless worry?
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 3
From: utah
I think a little apprehension is healthy...just don't let it get in the way of you enjoying the ride. Probably good to be weary of sand and loose gravel. You'll get more comfortable leaning into turns with time. You'll probably find yourself more comfortable turning one way than another. The idea of slowing before a turn and maintaining power through the turn allows for more control. Just make sure to enjoy your time on the bike!
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 652
Likes: 7
From: Maui, Hawaii
Sand and gravel in the corners or when going through a sweeping turn can be very dangerous indeed; however, the Fall season when the leaves are changing their color and dropping from the trees can also be a very dangerous time. Particularly if the leaves or pavement are even a little wet. Most importantly - No quick maneuvers, gently slow down and keep the bike up-right: Speeding Up, Braking, or Changing Direction can put you down before you even sense it or try to correct it.
Take it easy and think it through. Carry on a conversation with yourself as you ride talking out loud as you notice potential dangers and the solutions to minimize the danger. By the time you have a few thousand miles in the saddle you should be much more comforable. Just don't allow yourself to become complacent - keep learning, you will never "know it all".
"He Who Lives in Joy Does His Creator's Will".
The Baal Shem Tov... Founder of Chasidic Judaism, ca 1750's
Take it easy and think it through. Carry on a conversation with yourself as you ride talking out loud as you notice potential dangers and the solutions to minimize the danger. By the time you have a few thousand miles in the saddle you should be much more comforable. Just don't allow yourself to become complacent - keep learning, you will never "know it all".
"He Who Lives in Joy Does His Creator's Will".
The Baal Shem Tov... Founder of Chasidic Judaism, ca 1750's
Last edited by Str8chuter; Aug 13, 2013 at 05:41 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
The wider you take a turn the easier it will be.*
a wide turn or curve is easier to take than a tight curve.
Say you want to take a right turn? Hugging the curb is tougher than tuning from the middle of the lane.*
From a stop if you've ever tried to take a right hand turn from close to the curb you'll find it more of a challenge than if you make that same turn from the middle of your lane prior to the turn.
Also, taking a turn a little faster than a turtle will help the bike turn better. I don't mean to speed through it, but if you're going at a speed around where your counter steer kicks in you'll find it easier.*
Countersteering: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countersteering
Taking a turn really slow (before countersteering takes hold) is more difficult than turning when going a bit faster. Depending on the bike, about 10-12 mph is when the bike goes from a regular turn right/go right-turn left/go left to countersteering's turn right/go left-turn left/go right.*
My point is, if you take a turn a bit faster it's easier. That said, you still need to practice slow speed maneuvering.
Go into an empty parking lot and practice, practice, practice.
a wide turn or curve is easier to take than a tight curve.
Say you want to take a right turn? Hugging the curb is tougher than tuning from the middle of the lane.*
From a stop if you've ever tried to take a right hand turn from close to the curb you'll find it more of a challenge than if you make that same turn from the middle of your lane prior to the turn.
Also, taking a turn a little faster than a turtle will help the bike turn better. I don't mean to speed through it, but if you're going at a speed around where your counter steer kicks in you'll find it easier.*
Countersteering: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countersteering
Taking a turn really slow (before countersteering takes hold) is more difficult than turning when going a bit faster. Depending on the bike, about 10-12 mph is when the bike goes from a regular turn right/go right-turn left/go left to countersteering's turn right/go left-turn left/go right.*
My point is, if you take a turn a bit faster it's easier. That said, you still need to practice slow speed maneuvering.
Go into an empty parking lot and practice, practice, practice.
*
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 6
From: Portland, Oregon
I took the MSF class in June and passed; bought a pristine 2001 Harley Davidson 883, chromed and meticulously maintained, have ridden it to and from work a fair bit and aside from some nerves in the twisties; I have had no "close calls" or spills. I am having random anxiety regarding riding, "what if I tip?" "What if I get in a wreck?" I live in an area with many gravel and sandy corners and am not sure of the prospect of that freaks me out, or if just needing more saddle time will cure this? I feel fairly comfy with operating the bike, but I have noticed that mentally I talk myself out of riding when I have opportunity. I just don't get what my hesitation and worry is all about. Thanks for any feedback or thoughts.
i ditched my sporty for a Road King and i feel more comfortable on it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 6
From: Portland, Oregon
Sand and gravel in the corners or when going through a sweeping turn can be very dangerous indeed; however, the Fall season when the leaves are changing their color and dropping from the trees can also be a very dangerous time. Particularly if the leaves or pavement are even a little wet. Most importantly - No quick maneuvers, gently slow down and keep the bike up-right: Speeding Up, Braking, or Changing Direction can put you down before you even sense it or try to correct it.
Take it easy and think it through. Carry on a conversation with yourself as you ride talking out loud as you notice potential dangers and the solutions to minimize the danger. By the time you have a few thousand miles in the saddle you should be much more comforable. Just don't allow yourself to become complacent - keep learning, you will never "know it all".
"He Who Lives in Joy Does His Creator's Will".
The Baal Shem Tov... Founder of Chasidic Judaism, ca 1750's
Take it easy and think it through. Carry on a conversation with yourself as you ride talking out loud as you notice potential dangers and the solutions to minimize the danger. By the time you have a few thousand miles in the saddle you should be much more comforable. Just don't allow yourself to become complacent - keep learning, you will never "know it all".
"He Who Lives in Joy Does His Creator's Will".
The Baal Shem Tov... Founder of Chasidic Judaism, ca 1750's
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
This is the best advice. I followed an experienced rider on several 500 mile trips. Observing his line, and knowing he made the curve, and then copying him, made things easy. If he went faster than I felt comfortable with, I met him in next town.
I was a returning rider after a 25 year + break and have been back on bikes about 15 months.
If I could see some video of me 15 months ago I was virtually at a standstill going round 90 corners, I was scared to take a hand off the bars to scratch an itch. Just keep riding lots. Practice in familiar roads - I found it helpful because I knew where the corners where and when to slow down, speed up, where a traffic signal is, and so on.
I still get days where I don't feel as confident as others. Sometimes this happens 300 miles from home and I've got no choice but to ride through the feelings. I helps me to sing loud if I'm feeling jittery and remind myself to breathe and relax my grip. The feelings do pass.
If I could see some video of me 15 months ago I was virtually at a standstill going round 90 corners, I was scared to take a hand off the bars to scratch an itch. Just keep riding lots. Practice in familiar roads - I found it helpful because I knew where the corners where and when to slow down, speed up, where a traffic signal is, and so on.
I still get days where I don't feel as confident as others. Sometimes this happens 300 miles from home and I've got no choice but to ride through the feelings. I helps me to sing loud if I'm feeling jittery and remind myself to breathe and relax my grip. The feelings do pass.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 653
Likes: 7
From: illinois
to the OP, I see your from the midwest. Watch the country intersections in the fall. The grain trucks have alot of spillage you cant see untill your in it. Its like hitting ice. But keep on riding and stay away from giving rides till your confident.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 603
Likes: 18
From: Akron
I just completed the Rider's Edge Course, and my confidence level has really increased. In fact, on the last day of the course, I rode my bike to the dealership (50 minutes each way...all highway). I literally felt more confident on the way home than I did on the way up to the dealership that morning and was applying some of the things I learned immediately.
The two most important things I learned...
1. Turn your head through turns
2. The bike will go where you're looking
I am so much more confident in turns than I was just a few weeks ago. It was $325.00 incredibly well-spent.
I think it's okay to have SOME anxiety before you get on the bike. You have to...just don't let it cripple you.
The two most important things I learned...
1. Turn your head through turns
2. The bike will go where you're looking
I am so much more confident in turns than I was just a few weeks ago. It was $325.00 incredibly well-spent.
I think it's okay to have SOME anxiety before you get on the bike. You have to...just don't let it cripple you.