Need Encouragement!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 47
From: Cle Elum, WA
Here is what an 2007 883 Custom looks like with an engine guard. One other thing is that with the engine guard you can get soft lowers that go onto your engine guard. They make it a little warmer when riding in cold weather.
Don't worry about dropping the bike. My wife dropped her Sporty 3 times last year. It was her first year riding too. It happens as others have said and no matter how much experiance you have it can just happen. There is nothing wrong with taking more training if you feel it will help. I have been riding for 15+ years and took the expert MSF course a few years ago and it helped me to remember stuff I had forgotten.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, AB
Hey Wildman....question for you. Since I'm relatively new to this whole motorcycle lifestyle, and given that disposable cash to "bling" out my 883 is not much of an option, would you suggest waiting until I'm more comfortable on the 883, then moving up to a bigger bike and blinging that one out? We do plan on going for longer rides, hence need a windshield for sure and more comfortable seat (sundowner bucket), but I don't really wanna lay out the cash if at the end of next year, I'm moving up. Suggestions?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
It's like flying RC aircraft, once you plow one into the ground you pick up the pieces and head home and fix it then take it back out again until you get it right or fix it again.
The thing is don't give up on something you enjoy doing even if you do go over a few speed bumps in life.
The thing is don't give up on something you enjoy doing even if you do go over a few speed bumps in life.
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
An Intensely focused relaxed state of mind.
jalo,,definatly get back out there asap..
Try for longer rides but stop If ya get tired. and If a 20 minute rest
don't fix ya up,,head home.
"An Intensely focused relaxed state of mind",,wow what the hell Izzat ?
Think back when you were a kid, alert, reactive, quick,,,
Ever play with a puppy or a kitten and notice the Intense focus they
have with the simplest things?
A dog and a rope,,a cat and catnip,,lol
Thats gotta be you and the bike. You have to make all control Inputs
second nature and all visual Inputs must be Interpreted Instantly and naturally.
Talk to your self Inside your helmet,,,things like, " Front end ain't straight
so my hand stays off the front brake lever",,
Next time you stop straighten the front end up and say to yourself,
"Front Is lined up so hold the bike with the front brake"
You Gotta do the drill's,,
It's a known fact that for an action to become second nature a person
must repeat the same action about 3,000 times the same way.
That makes It become Instinctive, This you must work for If you Intend
to survive the ride,,every ride.
It's common for new riders to get In too deep with traffic and all.
Ride early AM and the roads will be yours.
Remember the MSF course and go find a parking lot and Drill,,,
Hold the bars with a light grip like your holding a dove In each hand and you
want them to be able to breathe,,,This reduces fatigue and lets your hands move much much faster.
I walked away from street bikes over 20 years ago,,I'm back, I love It
and only had my bike for two years,,,
Guess what,,,,,,I still start every ride with a few braking drills,,
Gives my tires time to warm up XD
Try for longer rides but stop If ya get tired. and If a 20 minute rest
don't fix ya up,,head home.
"An Intensely focused relaxed state of mind",,wow what the hell Izzat ?
Think back when you were a kid, alert, reactive, quick,,,
Ever play with a puppy or a kitten and notice the Intense focus they
have with the simplest things?
A dog and a rope,,a cat and catnip,,lol
Thats gotta be you and the bike. You have to make all control Inputs
second nature and all visual Inputs must be Interpreted Instantly and naturally.
Talk to your self Inside your helmet,,,things like, " Front end ain't straight
so my hand stays off the front brake lever",,
Next time you stop straighten the front end up and say to yourself,
"Front Is lined up so hold the bike with the front brake"
You Gotta do the drill's,,
It's a known fact that for an action to become second nature a person
must repeat the same action about 3,000 times the same way.
That makes It become Instinctive, This you must work for If you Intend
to survive the ride,,every ride.
It's common for new riders to get In too deep with traffic and all.
Ride early AM and the roads will be yours.
Remember the MSF course and go find a parking lot and Drill,,,
Hold the bars with a light grip like your holding a dove In each hand and you
want them to be able to breathe,,,This reduces fatigue and lets your hands move much much faster.
I walked away from street bikes over 20 years ago,,I'm back, I love It
and only had my bike for two years,,,
Guess what,,,,,,I still start every ride with a few braking drills,,
Gives my tires time to warm up XD
Last edited by Osco; May 19, 2011 at 04:58 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Take a deep breath and smile. So you dropped the bike. Most of us have or will do that ROTFL. Go easy on yourself and recognize that it takes time and practice to build confidence and skills. I'm in St Albert, stones throw from you- and a woman rider as well. I put engine guards on my 11 Superlow and they look fine. I only care what it looks like and feels like to me anyway ROTFL. I like the bike so I probably won't "move up" to anything bigger but even if you do, a windshield and some storage options will still make your current bike more comfortable now. You may not get your money back on it if you trade soon but it sure makes a different on highway rides. Lots of great advice here about parking lot practice etc - that will bring back your confidence and make you a better rider.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Wylie, TX
my future mother in law just got her license and bought a 1200 custom up in PA. She was riding with her husband and hit a patch of mud in a turn and the back end slid out, the bike and her went down. She got back up, made sure the bike was ridable, and just kept cruising on.
its just one of those things we will all have to experience at one point in time or another.
its just one of those things we will all have to experience at one point in time or another.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 0
From: Great Falls, Va.
What everyone has said here is spot on. It happens to the best of us. It is a learning experience and, you already know what ya did wrong. Now that you have gotton that out of the way, have fun riding for the next 50 years or so, lol.