Another Newbie pestering you lot...
Discussion
Just sounds like you're a bit rusty which is to be expected after 4 years off a bike.
I get it even if I've just not been out in a week or 2, everything feels a bit off until I get back into it.
It's definitely worth chucking a few quid at a decent local instructor for an hour or 2 refresher if you feel it's a little more than just being rusty though.
I get it even if I've just not been out in a week or 2, everything feels a bit off until I get back into it.
It's definitely worth chucking a few quid at a decent local instructor for an hour or 2 refresher if you feel it's a little more than just being rusty though.
mckeann said:
.. get plenty of miles in
This is the obvious but often over looked answer to a lot of peoples issues IMO. They simply don't ride enough, or apply learning every time they go out. I have a mate who spends half his life on a ship, then comes home and feels rusty/lacks confidence when back on his bikes. He doesn't put in the hours when he gets back so his confidence never gets past "nervous" and by the time he starts to settle he's back on his ship again. Rinse and repeat.Obviously, this is assuming the bike is fine. It could just be a case of the tyres not giving you confidence, worth trying new ones if you haven't already.
Go out in the dry and don't ride around like a maniac.
It can be easy to over-think these things. I spent just over a year off bikes after an accident, and the concerns about riding are worse off the bike than on the bike. I would have been better off replacing the bike straight away.
Training is always good, so is reading road-craft. You wont really know how comfortable you are until you get back on it.
It can be easy to over-think these things. I spent just over a year off bikes after an accident, and the concerns about riding are worse off the bike than on the bike. I would have been better off replacing the bike straight away.
Training is always good, so is reading road-craft. You wont really know how comfortable you are until you get back on it.
Read road craft as a refresher, maybe join your local RoSPA group and/or go out for an assessment ride. Its not very expensive and will help get your confidence back sooner.
I had a 2 year break from riding and driving, following a bad accident. It was nearly 10 years ago now. I did the RoSPA thing to put the missus mind at rest really, but actually enjoyed it, met some nice people and have continued to do it to this day. Just did my 3 yr assessment again last month.
I had a 2 year break from riding and driving, following a bad accident. It was nearly 10 years ago now. I did the RoSPA thing to put the missus mind at rest really, but actually enjoyed it, met some nice people and have continued to do it to this day. Just did my 3 yr assessment again last month.
OP I remember the first year of ownership for my 1997 ZX6R was a real learning experience again this year was my first year riding a proper bike and I'd only ridden a hired 125cc to get my full license (in the days before DAS). I certainly did question my sanity buying that bike a number of times that first year while really learning post license and trying not to crash lol (didn't have any real accidents for 3 years until moving to London)
There was no substitute to getting out and doing the miles basically, I only really became confident after a number of years of riding. I owned that bike 3.5years and did 17500miles on it from brand new before selling it. In terms of my riding skills for me only really got truly better once I started riding all weathers all year once I'd moved to London and I threw in 3 weeks solid riding fun euro touring with mates each spring/summer. i.e. riding more helps basically. A number of car/driver interaction accidents with me also allowed me to improve my riding too sadly by learning the hard way.
There was no substitute to getting out and doing the miles basically, I only really became confident after a number of years of riding. I owned that bike 3.5years and did 17500miles on it from brand new before selling it. In terms of my riding skills for me only really got truly better once I started riding all weathers all year once I'd moved to London and I threw in 3 weeks solid riding fun euro touring with mates each spring/summer. i.e. riding more helps basically. A number of car/driver interaction accidents with me also allowed me to improve my riding too sadly by learning the hard way.
2 things that help with almost all facets of motorcycling imo:
1. Be positive, be firm with it, you're in charge. You're more likely to have a low speed topple or bin it when you're hesitant or a bit feeble with it. The clutch is your friend when going slow...slip it.
2. Head up and look where you want to go. It doesn't matter whether you're low speed manoeuvring, knee down through a great bend or jumping a dirt bike. Your subconscious has already mapped the immediate surrounding area/apex and all you need to do now is look to your outcome/exit. Look down and generally that's where you'll end up.
If I ever feel rusty I can usually attribute it to one or both of the above.
As has been said, go to an instructor and get a refresher. :-) Good luck.
1. Be positive, be firm with it, you're in charge. You're more likely to have a low speed topple or bin it when you're hesitant or a bit feeble with it. The clutch is your friend when going slow...slip it.
2. Head up and look where you want to go. It doesn't matter whether you're low speed manoeuvring, knee down through a great bend or jumping a dirt bike. Your subconscious has already mapped the immediate surrounding area/apex and all you need to do now is look to your outcome/exit. Look down and generally that's where you'll end up.
If I ever feel rusty I can usually attribute it to one or both of the above.
As has been said, go to an instructor and get a refresher. :-) Good luck.
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