Why I am still so nervous?

Flash · June 26, 2004, 11:57:38 PM

Quote from: EvilScooby...I do get nervous at speeds over 55+, and also when some jerk gets right on my tail when I am doing the speed limit. But I am sure thats everyones fear.

That's funny, I have the opposite problem. I get nervous when I drop below 55mph :lol: . Lately, I've been getting dangerously close to the "10 miles over the speedlimit" rule. If someone is on your tail, move over or get on the throttle and get down the road where you can safely maneuver. Trust no one and treat the cagers like the plague. Always keep an eye on your back for the A**holes who like to get right on top of you.

Quote from: EvilScoobyToday I went out pretty far. Staying on back roads. Went out on a back hiway, but when the speed limit went up to 55 it does seem a little intimidating, especially with some of the manhole covers and small bumps in the road. But I am getting more and more confident

Practice and exposure to the highway builds confidence and familiarity. Always try to look down the road for possible hazards so you can react and maneuver around potholes, etc. (or at the very least brace yourself.) Also, definitely keep your distance from the vehicle ahead of you to give you more reaction time and an avenue for escape. Your only nervous because your not comfortable with the situation. Heck, any new situation would make me nervous. Once you overcome it and know how to react to it will it become natural and second nature.

jgl323i · June 27, 2004, 07:42:57 AM

I agree with some of the previous posts in that its OK to be fearful to a certain extent, but you've also got to have faith that you can handle situations that come up. Besides taking the MSF course, read as much as you can about motorcycling. There are couple of good books I would highly recommend: Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough, Total Control by Lee Parks, and Ride Hard, Ride Smart by Pat Hahn.

I've only had my GS twin for a month. I'm still getting used to it myself, but I feel more confident having read these books. They ain't cheap, but the first two especially are worth the money and time.

I definately hear you on the 55+ mph issue. My problem isn't so much the speed, but the buffetting I'm getting from the wind and passing trucks.

Zarathustra · June 27, 2004, 07:47:45 AM

Quote from: jgl323iMy problem isn't so much the speed, but the buffetting I'm getting from the wind and passing trucks.

getting a windshield of any size, as well as replacing this suspension help with this feeling tremendously. i felt a whole lot better on the highway after i got those things taken care of.

kinetic_horse · June 27, 2004, 07:58:06 AM

Hi, just purchased a GS500F and have been riding for a week... I found some very useful tips in here. I still get a bit nervous but am loving it. I ride 50km to work and back each day, which helps.

EvilScooby · June 27, 2004, 09:21:11 AM

Well I ventured out this morning and did a small cruise on a back road about 50 miles into Southeastern Indiana. I was a little nervous at first but after a few miles into it, I was feeling really good about how I am progressing in the curves and moving over 50+mph

I have learned for me anyway that its seems easier to curve to the left than it is to the right. not sure why, maybe its just me.

But I'm getting there

mk1271 · June 27, 2004, 09:21:32 PM

when i travel trips I like to travel 75 to 80 but i am paranoid that i am going to have a blow out.

jake42 · June 27, 2004, 09:36:59 PM

overconfidence / lack of concentration is a bad thing. The other day i was coming home from work on one of my favorite stratches of road that i've ridden a thousand times and at speeds much faster than i was going this particular time. I had a bunch of stuff on my mind and lost my concentration for just a couple secs and pretty soon i realize i'm taking this sweeper way too wide and coming dangerously close to a nice big patch of gravel on the the edge of the road. I didn't panic just pushed down harder on the bar and tightened up my turn. I was kicking myself the rest of the way home for losing my concentration. I actually stopped a mile or so down the road and had a smoke and replayed it in my mind and the mistake was all mine.

moral of the story.... it's okay to be nervous, it's okay to e vigilant. I could have learned a hard lesson yesterday, but i utilized what i've learned from MSf andfrom reading and from this site.

ride safe

jake

tt_four · June 27, 2004, 10:09:14 PM

being underconfident is a huge problem, somedays you just don't have it in you, i don't know why, there's days every turn feels perfect, and other days i seem to mess up every turn, you just have to know when to call it quits for a day, not stop riding, but don't try and lean it over like you usually do, just take it easy, just cause you've taken a turn a ton of times going 65, doesn't mean you can't mess it up going 45,

and evilscooby, something that's been helping me out a lot, is just sticking to the same few roads all the time, i do ride other ones, but if i wanna ride hard, i've got about 3 roads that are my favorite, that i know every single bump and patch of gravel, i used to ride with my friend all the time, we'd mostly just screw around on the highway and what not, and then he accidentally flipped his bike over :dunno: and me not wanting to screw around by myself, i started to spend all my time on back roads, and noticed i wasn't all that smooth at them, so i'm kinda trying to start from a clean slate, i noticed i was riding half way into the turn with my front brake on, that's a bad move, so anyway, yeah, just try to get comfortable with a few of your favorite roads, and any time you wanna try to practice riding, stick on those ones,

Hi-T · June 27, 2004, 10:40:08 PM

One- I had a huge boost in confidence when I upped the suspension. I switched out the rear shock to an '01 Katana, progessive fork springs and a set of radials. The bike was soooo much more commanding.

Also- read some good books. After poking through a couple, I prefer Total Control by Lee Parks. He mentions some interesting concepts about fear and pushing past your fears and finding new safe riding limits. I recommend you read it.

Being nervous is ok- as long as your not nervous about your ability to ride and control your bike. When you become nervous or scared, your brain has certain natural (almost programmed) responses- some of these responses can kill you on on a bike. Look deep into the source of your nervousness and if it lies with you, maybe you should do your kids a favor.

Ed_in_Az · June 28, 2004, 09:09:22 AM

As a long time rider I think you need to stay at orange alert. Red alert for me is no fun. You always need to be on alert for obstacles, cages, gravel, potholes, animals, Etc. scanning the road ahead. You can't let your mind wander and lose concentration, but you've got to have fun. With experience things should come more naturally. At three weeks, riding is still new to you. If you're still not having fun after riding for three months, and you're not feeling any safer out there, motorcycles might not be for you. I do hope you get to the fun zone of biking.

Ed_in_Az · June 28, 2004, 09:39:02 AM

Quote from: Flash
Quote from: EvilScooby...I do get nervous at speeds over 55+, and also when some jerk gets right on my tail when I am doing the speed limit. But I am sure thats everyones fear.

That's funny, I have the opposite problem. I get nervous when I drop below 55mph :lol: . Lately, I've been getting dangerously close to the "10 miles over the speedlimit" rule. If someone is on your tail, move over or get on the throttle and get down the road where you can safely maneuver. Trust no one and treat the cagers like the plague. Always keep an eye on your back for the A**holes who like to get right on top of you.

Sound's like the way I ride Flash.

I don't feel so much nervous under 55, just bored.

I've found an indicated 80-85mph is great on the open road. And, with speedo error that puts me about 10 over the 65mph limit.

I absolutely agree about the cages too.

Laura · June 28, 2004, 10:54:33 AM

Quotesomedays you just don't have it in you, i don't know why, there's days every turn feels perfect, and other days i seem to mess up every turn, you just have to know when to call it quits for a day, not stop riding, but don't try and lean it over like you usually do, just take it easy, just cause you've taken a turn a ton of times going 65, doesn't mean you can't mess it up going 45,

There are still some days when things just don't feel right, and I end up not going out at all. Then there are days, like this past Saturday, that it seems like a great day for riding, but aren't. I was really excited about going out, but then once I started riding I kept screwing up. Nothing bad happened, but I kept making little mistakes. I have no idea why. Plus it seems like everyone else on the road were driving like morons as well. So I cut my ride short. That was not fun. Most days things go well, but then there are off days. Maybe I was tired. I don't know. I don't know why I'm even sharing this!

Laura

scratch · June 28, 2004, 11:09:17 AM

Starting out, it is good to be scared, that's what keeps you alive. But, later you will gain confidence, and no longer be scared, then you will be experienced. It takes awhile. Took me one and a half years to become a knowledgibly decent motorcylist. Patience Grasshopper. There are old riders, and there are bad riders, but there are no old, bad riders. I'm 36 BTW.

Determination and the will to become a better rider will do you well. Pretend you are invisible, that is the key to survival. But suvival is not what riding a motorcycle is all about. It is the enjoyment of the experience. The wind in your hair and the bugs in your teeth...ok, well maybe not. But the freedom and exhiliration you experience is wonderful. As is the sensation of being closer to nature (rushing by you

); no doors or windows to seperate you from God's creation. Every bump, rock, car and fellow motorcyclist is in this wonderful interaction we call life. Be apart of it. Keep riding. You'll be fine.

patricia · June 28, 2004, 12:39:06 PM

Hey Evil Scooby,

Don't worry, you are right where you should be. Last summer I jumped on my boyfriends F4 for the first ride ever. I had no fear because I didn't understand the things I understand now.

About three months ago I got my GS and have put almost 3000 miles on it.!!!! I have fell over three times sitting still, and wrecked in the mountains three weeks ago going 25mph on a curve and almost got downned by a falling phone or powerline last weekend. NOW, I got butterflies everytime I even think of riding. My hands and legs shake
when I gear up , my breathing gets faster and I break out in a cold sweat. Until I get going anyway. I go through my neighbor hood once or twice to warm up my tires and shake the willies off.

I want to take the class as soon as I can afford it. I hear it is the best thing for a new rider to do. So if you haven't, do it.

My advice: Ride where you are comfortable. When you get the itch to go further then it is time , you just have to pick the safest time to do so. Like a Sunday morning for city and a weekday for mountains. That way there is less traffic for both of those situations.

And as far as speed goes, if you can do the speed limit, you are fine. Speed comes on it's own with time in. BEWARE of riding with others because it is natural to try to keep up even if you don't realize you are doing it.

Good luck and be cautious but have fun.

EvilScooby · June 28, 2004, 12:52:41 PM

Well, I'm glad I am not the only one, Just as everyone is saying it takes time.

Sunday I had a great ride, with only one issue: A harley rider came up behind me, I was doing the speed limit 45 and he was right on my tail, I had all my gear on and he had tanktop and shorts on, he starting beeping at me then passed me on a curve, which kinda pissed me off more than scaring me.

But otherwise it was awesome. I found this great stretch of road in SW Indiana that runs about 15 miles with very few cars on it. Its got the curves, hills straights.etc... All the things I need to practice on

tt_four · June 28, 2004, 08:37:18 PM

Quote from: EvilScoobySunday I had a great ride, with only one issue: A harley rider came up behind me, I was doing the speed limit 45 and he was right on my tail, I had all my gear on and he had tanktop and shorts on, he starting beeping at me then passed me on a curve, which kinda pissed me off more than scaring me.

i'll pass 3 tomorrow for you to even it out

jgl323i · June 29, 2004, 07:32:06 PM

Quote from: Zarathustragetting a windshield of any size, as well as replacing this suspension help with this feeling tremendously. i felt a whole lot better on the highway after i got those things taken care of.

I put on a little Givi screen and that does help if I get down behind it. But I can't ride for long crunched over in my aerostich like that.

How difficult is replacing the suspension? So far the most difficult thing I've done to the bike is adjust the rear wheel to get rid of a little brake pad scrap.

June 29, 2004, 07:54:11 PM

Fear is a good thing.... keeps you on your toes.... but you should feel comfortable on your bike before you venture to far out........... for your own safety and others.

Stay Safe

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Why I am still so nervous?