I'm Back.. Finally

[Villager]

Howdy. Don't know if anyone remembers me, but I'm back...

After well over a year out of the saddle after some cretin stole my beloved GS, I have finally given in to the itch and I am a biker once more. I bought a very-low mileage Kawasaki ZR7.



I have a couple of issues with it. The fairing on the front is a mod and it vibrates loudly at times.

The main issue though, is that after not riding for so long, and having a massive car crash (see below) a month ago, I have no confidence on the bike. The back end feels unstable to me, and my sphincter turns into a nutcracker every time I try to lean even slightly into a corner, and obviously you can't corner if you're not relaxed. It's worse than when I sat on a bike for the very first time. Does anyone have any experiences that might help me? How do I relax and trust the bike?

[JAY W]

Hi,can you fit rubber spacers to fairing bolts and mounts?I`d spend a day on an old airfield or maybe a slowish trackday to ease your confidence.I reckon a car roll is worse than a bike spill,done both but passenger in car.Stick to bikes.Combo Jay

[tt_four]

Welcome back, that's awesome you're at least trying to ride again after what happened. Have you considered trying to take the motorcycle safety course again? A couple hours in a parking lot with a 250cc bike might help you a bit. Otherwise my only advice would be to spend a while in the city and on the highway just cruising so you're mostly going in a straight line, and over time you'll get more comfortable with leaning more and more. I'd definitely try to come up with a plan and stick to it instead of just riding when you're scared. Maybe try another break in period like you would with a new bike. Don't go over 4krpm for the first 300 miles, then don't let it go over 6k rpm for the next 300 miles.

Love the bike by the way. I really like the ZR7, prefer the naked one though. If your fairing is rattling too much you could always pull it off. When I decided I wanted to ride again after a couple years that was actually the first bike I thought I wanted to buy, but the longer I waited the longer the list of bikes became.

[Villager]

Some interesting ideas there chaps, thanks.

I have been riding it: I took it to work (70 mile round trip) every day last week. It's mostly motorway, so not very challenging, but on medium speed, sweeping corners, and roundabouts, my confidence deserts me. I'm sure it will, eventually, get better just by practice, but I want to get back to how comfortable I was on the GS - quickly.

[dauphinc]

Glad to see you're ok man. Is that a Volkswagen that's flipped over??

[Villager]

God no, it's an MG TF

[dauphinc]

Jeeeez..how much are those things? The front looks like the mark5 golf is why I asked.

[Villager]

New, around £13,000. I got that one for £2,600. Fantastic little things.

[johnny ro]

On the buzzy fairing. Think rubber grommets for each mounting fastener. Also adhesive foam strips, weatherstripping, wherever it touches anything.

On the fear of death. Your fear is in vain. Live with some gusto while you are still alive.

If its not fear of death, never mind the previous comment. Then its just fear of injury, right. We all have this.  Go for a long run in springtime mountains and afterwards keep that high oxygen feel in mind at all times. Or ride drunk.  

Oh and nice choice. I almost bought one but it had too much power for me. I want to go full throttle more of the time than you can do on that bike.

[ohgood]

Some interesting ideas there chaps, thanks.

I have been riding it: I took it to work (70 mile round trip) every day last week. It's mostly motorway, so not very challenging, but on medium speed, sweeping corners, and roundabouts, my confidence deserts me. I'm sure it will, eventually, get better just by practice, but I want to get back to how comfortable I was on the GS - quickly.

try throwing you bike down in a parking lot. you'll hear those terrible familiar sounds, touch ground, break a couple of things that shouldn't be hanging out anyway, and get over it. 

hope you get the confidence back with some practice. it's good to be paranoid. it keeps you alive.

ride safe man

[tt_four]

I forgot, on the buzzyness of the fairing, my last bike had a little flyscreen that screwed together from 2 pieces, and always buzzed at certain RPMS, drove me nuts. I went to Michaels(craft store) and got some of that thin foam rubber that you use for kids projects. It's pretty much like cork only a big spongier, and comes in a variety of colors. I stuck that between the two pieces of plastic and it fixed my problem, plus the sheets are only 99cents a piece.

[Villager]

I shall take it apart and see what I can do! Thanks for the tips.

Some "safe" practice does seem like the best idea - I don't fear coming off exactly - I've done that a few times without injury - so much as being squashed by a passing truck as I do so.

I must admit, the car accident shook me up. I had a little baby girl two weeks before the accident, and whereas my attitude previously was "you've gotta die of something", I'm feeling much more risk averse now. Still, I've already racked up 350 miles on the thing, so I guess I'm not doing too badly.

[ohgood]

I shall take it apart and see what I can do! Thanks for the tips.

Some "safe" practice does seem like the best idea - I don't fear coming off exactly - I've done that a few times without injury - so much as being squashed by a passing truck as I do so.

I must admit, the car accident shook me up. I had a little baby girl two weeks before the accident, and whereas my attitude previously was "you've gotta die of something", I'm feeling much more risk averse now. Still, I've already racked up 350 miles on the thing, so I guess I'm not doing too badly.

Ya, id say you're doing very well. The new little girl definitely helped to ground you, and the car crash a reminder of mortality.

I hear you guys have much better motorcycle safety courses over there. Maybe enroll for the confidence and refresh ? And congrats on the wee one - ain't it fun !

[Villager]

I hear you guys have much better motorcycle safety courses over there. Maybe enroll for the confidence and refresh ? And congrats on the wee one - ain't it fun !

Yeah - and if I crash their bike I won't have to worry!

Fatherhood is a pretty special experience, no doubt. Hard, but I've never been happier.