? for those returning to riding after many years break

[William M]

I've recently returned to riding after...geeze, well, about a 15 year break (I'm 44 now).  I gotta confess my nerve ain't what it used to be.

Granted, I'm refreshing my skills and should take it easy. Granted, too, that my testosterone level isn't what it used to be  , but just riding at first has been a white knuckle experience! I've never had a wreck (well once I overshot a corner and dropped it into a ditch, but that was my own 19 year old fault. Anyway, I just picked it up, hopped on and drove off).  I didn't even have a car until I was 26 and rode in circumstances I wouldn't dream of now..all without incident. In short, I logged many miles on two wheels and my riding skills were (and hopefully will be again) quite good.

I've become more comfortable over the last few weeks. Certainly my new lack of fearlessness isn't such a bad thing, but any of you returning to riding after a prolonged break experienced the same thing? How long did it take to get comfortable again?

William

[Michael]

I don't know that it's necessarily the break from riding that is the whole reason for your apprehension.  If you rode a lot when you were younger the skills will come back pretty quickly.  I know I ride a lot better now than I did when I was 20.  Not always faster, but certainly better.
But with the maturity that (hopefully) has come with age (BTW I'm just about to turn 45) you realise there is more to lose by being stupid and by others' stupidity.  You are more aware of what can go wrong so tend to be more choosy in the chances you will take.  You may still do some pretty wild things but you'll make sure the gain is worth the pain, rather than just living on your brainstem like your hormones tend to make you do in youth.
Welcome back.  May you and your bike have a long and exciting relationship.

[Anonymous]

I'm in the same boat as you, rode as a kid, stopped, and now ride again.  When I was young, I got my MC license and rode nothing but my Honda XL350 and then GS750 for several years (50,000+ miles).  I then "settled down" for about 20 years and at 45 got my GS500.  I've put about 12,000 miles on it in the little more than 1 year I've been riding it.  I'm STILL not as comfortable riding as I was as a kid.  I guess we're just not as athletic as we once were.   But, I find it a blast and look forward to riding as much as possible.  Luckily where I live there are a lot of deserted county roads to ride.  You can ride for an hour and only see 20 cars.

I agree with everything Michael said in the post above.  You'll get used to it and feel more comfortable but don't expect to be doing the tricks those kids in the videos do!  I used to be able to come to a complete stop, sit for a few seconds and take off.  I can't seem to do that any more.  I have to put down my foot.  I used to feel very comfortable getting very low in the turns.  I scraped the center stand all the time.  Even got it caught on a manhole cover one time.  It was on my XL350 and luckily I was only doing about 10mph.  The bike caught the manhole cover and just stopped.  I kept going.

I was quite wobbly for about the first 1-2,000 miles.  Now I feel pretty good.  I do 35mph turns at 70+ no problem.  Now however, I find myself bailing (braking hard and slowing) instead of wailing through some tough spots.  I chicken out.

It probably is the fear of pain, permanent injury, or just being unsure of our abilities.

Remember, bikes these days handle MUCH better than what we rode way back when.  Also, the tires stick better.  So, try to convince yourself that nothing will go wrong, that you CAN make that turn.  It's all in your head!

Trust me...  You'll love riding again...

Welcome back!

[William M]

Nice responses!  Thanks.

Interesting that we are all about the same age. I agree that bikes today are a notch up the evolutionary ladder. To me the GS is a superbly handling machine, especially when the soft forks are stiffened a bit.

Also,...is it just me or have bikes gotten BIGGER? I'm not talking engine size. I was looking at the Ninja yesterday at the cycle shop and thought "humm,  500cc...seems bigger than a GS". Actually it was the 250!  

Thanks again for the responses. There's obviously a reason  why insurance is less over age 35!

-William

[weaselnoze]

omg the 250 is small!!  here, see?

ok so its not the greatest picture..

[William M]

Fair enough. Maybe the fairing and seeing the 250  indoors exagerated the size. Still, the thing looks bigger than my old Honda CB360 and 400F.

[Cal Price]

I too took a short break, 36 years I think it was. I started over as a novice and took all the courses and pro instruction I could get. I was amazed at how things had changed and I believe it was money well spent.

[yamahonkawazuki]

a bump for a worthy thread

[CasiUSA]

Woah, easy on the thread revivals, Yama

[yamahonkawazuki]

rofl indeed casi, but lately i revive long gone threads, for some odd reason. least its or theyre not political or tf worthy stuff tho 

[toyopete]

Hello you old men,
Ime driving the gs 500 e now, just 4 months ago I sold my SV 1000 N, a fantastic bike. if it wasn't for strick import regulations I would have taken the SV to my new Country Brasil.
the SV is definately not a bike for beginners or amateurs, its easy to underestimate your speed specially before curves.
but now Ime on the GS 500 and Ime happy with it. its easy to handle go's fast enough and does the curves not bad at all.
Ive been on and off bikes with some years intervals but I was happy as a child when the GS 500 from Rio arrived.
and Ime driving it in one of the most dangerous city's, DANGROUS according to robbery's they kick you of your bike with a 38 under your nose and traffic rules are far gone here, still I behave acordingly and having lots of fun,..and Ime 50 f years old.

[PuddleJumper]

I'm also 44 and came back two years ago after a 15 year break.
First month or so I was a little tense, then I started relaxing again.
I don't do the risky stuff I used to. I guess I'm all grown up and responsible now. LOL

Have fun and BeSafe.

[trumpetguy]

I went through my own revival of interest in motorcycling three years ago at age 47.  I took it easy as I regained skills, AND did some reading on riding and safety.

I highly recommend Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling, both by David Hough.  They are collections of columns written by Hough, each on a different subject.  There is some FANTASTIC advice for vets and newbs in those two books.

Also, take an MSF course if you're in the US.

[Dan02GS]

I rode a rebel when I was 19 around San Diego and Camp Pendleton, I am 39 now and quite happy with the GS. My motorcycle break lasted for about 16 yrs, I then took the MSF class and had so much fun I went out and bought my GS. It is perfect for now eventually I move up but at 39 I am in no hurry plus it is just as much fun as I can handle right now.

[reminor]

As the GS fella above I am in the boat (~same age, same situation starting with bikes at 37y.o) and I am having so much fun with my GS500 1999. It's such a great machine.

I would definetely recommend rejetting to add that little bit of power boost the stock GS500's miss. As soon as I've done that (after 1 year riding stock) I have no intention to 'move up' (at least one or two more seasons).

Happy GS riding everyone!