Quote from: bbanjo on May 25, 2006, 07:22:30 AM

Quote from: ajgs500 on May 24, 2006, 08:02:52 PM

Quote from: TragicImage on May 24, 2006, 08:00:22 PM

Quote from: bbanjo on May 24, 2006, 05:54:00 PM

Quote from: ajgs500 on May 24, 2006, 05:28:01 PM
Practice and..... the only way you will ever get used to it. 

The man's right.

uhhh... you mean "Lady"....


I use the term "Lady" loosely.

You ass!!!

I guess I missed all of the posts concerning genitalia. For that, I apologize 

I like your avatar............

(quietly backs away from the computer to think of new screen name)

It really is ok.....

Quote from: GS Jenn on May 24, 2006, 03:37:22 PM
Hello all,

I am looking for some suggestions of how to increase my confidence on the bike. I am very new to this, had my licence less than a month, and I'm a cautious personality in general (the slowest snowboarder on the hill, etc). I know taking it slow at first is good, but I am afraid I'm actually taking things too slow... 

I think you absolutely must ride at prevailing traffic speeds or you are asking to get hit (or at least treated very badly by drivers).   I am a new rider too, had never ridden before my MSF class at the end of April and I was very worried about the transition from parking lot speeds to road speeds.  5 mins from my house is a 60mph (100kph) limit road where most traffic moves at 70-80.  I was very nervous about this.

Luckily I had time off the week I bought my bike and rode around my neighborhood (40mph) for a couple of days and then an experienced friend mentioned that it was time to spread my wings and that gave me the push I needed to get out on the "big" road.  It turned out to be a lot easier than I thought, though 70 felt like about 120 in a car.  Remember: due to the gyroscopic effect of the turning front wheel, motorcycles are generally more stable at higher speeds. 

Quote
I am reasonably comfortable in the city but highway speeds, at this time, scare me... and I want to be able to use the bike to get to my work, which involves a long spell of highway.

You are far more at risk of an accident at city speeds than highway due to the density of traffic and the number of manoevers and lane changes etc., obstructions.

Quote
  I can handle up to about 70 kilometres per hour before I start to feel afraid, but I need to be able to go faster than that.

I really do love riding and I want to get over this nervousness... any help appreciated.

It's just my opinion and I know not everyone will agree, but I think you have to push yourself a little bit.  I think you might want to go out on your own without your boyfriend.  Sometimes anohter person can add pressure to a situation even if they don't mean to.  You do need to pick a quiet time (early morning is my recommendation) and just get out there and do it.  It will be easier than you think.  If you can handle a bike at 40mph, you can handle it at 70.

Good luck,

C.

The freeway is super-frightening at first, but you get used to it pretty easily.  Having all the big cars so close to you moving so fast still makes me a little nervous, but on the other hand, I think I have better visibility (me seeing other cars-wise) on my bike than I do in my car, and I know I'm more manouverable.  And like I said, you get used to the speed pretty quickly. 

As for the twisties, I don't know, I'm still a pretty nervous rider.  One thing I find helps (don't laugh), I sing to myself.  Loudly.  I figure I can't hear much of anyone else, and no one else can hear much of me (hopefully), and the singing helps me relax.

Quote from: aaronstj on May 25, 2006, 01:48:16 PM
One thing I find helps (don't laugh), I sing to myself.  Loudly.  I figure I can't hear much of anyone else, and no one else can hear much of me (hopefully), and the singing helps me relax.

Don't we all sing in the privacy of our helmets?

C.

Quote from: aaronstj on May 25, 2006, 01:48:16 PM
As for the twisties, I don't know, I'm still a pretty nervous rider.  One thing I find helps (don't laugh), I sing to myself.  Loudly.  I figure I can't hear much of anyone else, and no one else can hear much of me (hopefully), and the singing helps me relax.

Wasn't there some movie with Sly Stallone doing something like that.  I feel like I don't remember for a reason. 

Quote from: chrisalberts on May 25, 2006, 01:52:15 PM

Quote from: aaronstj on May 25, 2006, 01:48:16 PM
One thing I find helps (don't laugh), I sing to myself.  Loudly.  I figure I can't hear much of anyone else, and no one else can hear much of me (hopefully), and the singing helps me relax.

Don't we all sing in the privacy of our helmets?

C.

I knew I wasn't the only one. 

everytime I get on the highway.....Life is a highwaaaay I wanna ride it all night long... 

Have you taken any formal training yet?  I found a night and day difference after the 22 hour course that they offer here in Ontario.  If not, sign up.... it'll be well worth every penny.  The $350 I paid for the course took $500 off my first year's insurance permium too!

One thing you'll realize about the highway.... in some ways it's quite a bit easier than in the city.  At least everyone is going in the same direction!!

Going too slowly can be hazardous, because that's when car drivers start to do retarded things to get around you, or tailgate mercilessly.

Keep riding.... you'll get it 

h5