Need Encouragement!
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 76
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From: Edmonton, AB
Need Encouragement!
So I have a 2009 Harley Sportster 883 Custom that I have been riding for only about 1 month so far (started riding last summer). At the tail end of last year, I rode it a bit. So my hubby gets a Suzuki GFX1250 --- and I figure I should try and ride it (hindsight is 20/20). Everything was going well, until I stopped at a stop sign, wheel was turned, I panicked and over I went. Not hurt at all, I was able to get out of the way. The bike got hurt a bit, broke the bottom cowling and the signal light. Hubby was really good about, but man I feel terrible!!!!!!! He made me get back on the horse to get home, and it took everything in me to burst into tears (which happened later...LOL).
Question is this.....my confidence is shaken now.....how do I move past this?
Question is this.....my confidence is shaken now.....how do I move past this?
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 80
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From: Kearneysville, WV
First off...Glad you are okay! Now that you have your first "fall" over with, it shouldn't stress you out as much (after you get over this initial stress of doing it that is)......Not that big of a deal, ALMOST everybody does it. Most people really learn from these mistakes and they never happen again....unless you are a speed demon trick riding type....he.he.......Being a new rider, you'll probably be nervous every time you ride until you get some time logged in on the road......Just try to stay relaxed with it....try not to stress too hard, and get some good riding in......It gets way easier as you go........
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: virginia
So I have a 2009 Harley Sportster 883 Custom that I have been riding for only about 1 month so far (started riding last summer). At the tail end of last year, I rode it a bit. So my hubby gets a Suzuki GFX1250 --- and I figure I should try and ride it (hindsight is 20/20). Everything was going well, until I stopped at a stop sign, wheel was turned, I panicked and over I went. Not hurt at all, I was able to get out of the way. The bike got hurt a bit, broke the bottom cowling and the signal light. Hubby was really good about, but man I feel terrible!!!!!!! He made me get back on the horse to get home, and it took everything in me to burst into tears (which happened later...LOL).
Question is this.....my confidence is shaken now.....how do I move past this?
Question is this.....my confidence is shaken now.....how do I move past this?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
Welcome Aboard!
Welcome to the club! Sorry to say, not very exclusive. Get back on the horse and keep riding! Confidence comes with time - overconfidence is inevitable - a realization that there are inherent dangers will keep you alive.
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Edmonton, AB
I LOVE riding and I agree hockey8787 that there's nothing like it. Oddly enough, it's my stress relief - I think of nothing else but keeping myself upright, except in this instance...LOL. I did have a small tumble on my Sportster..."practicing" in a remote area doing low speed turns - turns out that you have to keep your head UP instead of looking at the ground when you turn -- who woulda thunk hey...LOL.
I think what I might do is take another one-on-one course with an instructor to gain some of my confidence.
Another question - do you think an engine guard would look stupid on my 883 Custom?
I think what I might do is take another one-on-one course with an instructor to gain some of my confidence.
Another question - do you think an engine guard would look stupid on my 883 Custom?
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 407
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From: San Francisco
So I have a 2009 Harley Sportster 883 Custom that I have been riding for only about 1 month so far (started riding last summer). At the tail end of last year, I rode it a bit. So my hubby gets a Suzuki GFX1250 --- and I figure I should try and ride it (hindsight is 20/20). Everything was going well, until I stopped at a stop sign, wheel was turned, I panicked and over I went. Not hurt at all, I was able to get out of the way. The bike got hurt a bit, broke the bottom cowling and the signal light. Hubby was really good about, but man I feel terrible!!!!!!! He made me get back on the horse to get home, and it took everything in me to burst into tears (which happened later...LOL).
Question is this.....my confidence is shaken now.....how do I move past this?
Question is this.....my confidence is shaken now.....how do I move past this?
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 21
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From: Lake Jackson, TX
Don't sweat it. My wife and I both got the exact same bike last spring. Hers was brought home on a trailer and sat in the garage for a couple of weeks. Her transformation has been a gradual progression. We started out with 10 minute rides around our neighborhood and now we go riding for a full day (with a few stops). She even rode to school last semester by herself (40 minutes away from home) and hit speeds around 80. We've learned that experience builds confidence and being confident yet safe is way more fun than riding scared. She has tipped her bike over a couple of times, but she always gets back on. And now we fiend to ride.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,408
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From: Vallejo, California
Start practicing again concentrating on the basics.. then explore more difficult skills (emergency stops, swerve to avoid obstacles, etc)... to regain confidence you need to feel that you are "in control" of your machine .... constantly improving your skills (which span from properly operating brakes in different situations to keeping proper distance from vehicles on the highway)... while you practice and improve your skills do a lot of research online on the different aspects of operating a motorcycle.. you will certainly have a lot of questions you can discuss with your hubby / instructor / other fellow riders ... you are never done learning about motorcycles / improving your skills.. you can never get too confident on a motorcycle.. I compare it to handling firearms.. in the beginning you are very cautious .. check the brakes / oil / tire pressure... you keep the distance between you and other vehicles on the road... but then you start getting too confident to the point of being sloppy... and then **** happens.. you shoot yourself in the leg ... or you rear end a car because you were distracted admiring a sunset... you get the point... love but also respect motorcycles..
Last edited by joebotics; May 19, 2011 at 03:02 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: virginia
I LOVE riding and I agree hockey8787 that there's nothing like it. Oddly enough, it's my stress relief - I think of nothing else but keeping myself upright, except in this instance...LOL. I did have a small tumble on my Sportster..."practicing" in a remote area doing low speed turns - turns out that you have to keep your head UP instead of looking at the ground when you turn -- who woulda thunk hey...LOL.
I think what I might do is take another one-on-one course with an instructor to gain some of my confidence.
Great idea!! And hit the parking lots if you can before you hit the open road everytime you go out!!
So i see you answered you own question about how to get past this!!
Another question - do you think an engine guard would look stupid on my 883Custom?
I think what I might do is take another one-on-one course with an instructor to gain some of my confidence.
Great idea!! And hit the parking lots if you can before you hit the open road everytime you go out!!
So i see you answered you own question about how to get past this!!
Another question - do you think an engine guard would look stupid on my 883Custom?
Good luck and wave when you go by!!
Last edited by hockey8787; May 19, 2011 at 03:10 PM.