Discussion
I'll say thank you in advance for any advice anyone is willing to offer.
Been riding for around a month now, I'm 24 and have always had cars but been curious about whether I could ride bikes. So, to figure it out I booked a CBT and loved it, a couple of weeks later, my bike was getting delivered and I was geared to start riding.
My question is, how can I become more confident? Obviously a lot has to do with spending more time on the bike. I'm slowing down way too much in the corners, not leaning enough, and mainly riding like a bit of a wimp.
I'm not afraid of asking for a bit of help. But is there anything that can help me or anyone out, other then spending more time out riding. I'm still learning, and I'm all ears.
Been riding for around a month now, I'm 24 and have always had cars but been curious about whether I could ride bikes. So, to figure it out I booked a CBT and loved it, a couple of weeks later, my bike was getting delivered and I was geared to start riding.
My question is, how can I become more confident? Obviously a lot has to do with spending more time on the bike. I'm slowing down way too much in the corners, not leaning enough, and mainly riding like a bit of a wimp.
I'm not afraid of asking for a bit of help. But is there anything that can help me or anyone out, other then spending more time out riding. I'm still learning, and I'm all ears.
like any skill...just practice....a lot ..and eventually the basics will become second nature
so get out and ride...as much as you can....maybe join RoSPA and work towards passing an advanced test, its also a good way to get out with other riders on scheduled practice each week
or if you dont feel ready for that, get on a bikesafe course for a taster
and read some books to get the theory into your head of how a bike works
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Total-Control-Performance-...
riding a couple of thousand miles on sunny days wont turn you into Rossi...but with some training you should be able to make it from A to B in a safe manner
so get out and ride...as much as you can....maybe join RoSPA and work towards passing an advanced test, its also a good way to get out with other riders on scheduled practice each week
or if you dont feel ready for that, get on a bikesafe course for a taster
and read some books to get the theory into your head of how a bike works
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Total-Control-Performance-...
riding a couple of thousand miles on sunny days wont turn you into Rossi...but with some training you should be able to make it from A to B in a safe manner
I would have thought that some kind of extra training would be beneficial.
I recently did my CBT and wasn't told anything about where my body weight should be when cornering, counter steering, etc. Started learning that stuff in my first lesson on the big bikes.
CBT teaches you the basics of bike control and road safety but that really is it.
I recently did my CBT and wasn't told anything about where my body weight should be when cornering, counter steering, etc. Started learning that stuff in my first lesson on the big bikes.
CBT teaches you the basics of bike control and road safety but that really is it.
Edited by skahigh on Monday 1st September 21:12
Doing some lessons will be a help. If you're old enough, consider doing your DAS. Other than that, getting the seat time in will help, but if you're not confident and every ride feels a bit hairy and has a few wobbly moments, doing some more lessons before going out on your own again might help to build your confidence.
Just get your head up and look where you want to go, not at the scenery, kerb, hedge, or whatever else is worrying you, as you'll definitely hit them.
k, here we go again. You can't ride a bike without counter steering, end of discussion. It's not a magic art, it's not something you've just learned, it's just something you've been made aware of. If you didn't counter steer you'd have crashed at the first corner every single time you went above walking pace.
skahigh said:
I would have thought that some kind of extra training would be beneficial.
I recently did my CBT and wasn't told anything about where my body weight should be when cornering, counter steering, etc. Started learning that stuff in my first lesson on the big bikes.
CBT teaches you the basics of bike control and road safety but that really is it.
Oh fI recently did my CBT and wasn't told anything about where my body weight should be when cornering, counter steering, etc. Started learning that stuff in my first lesson on the big bikes.
CBT teaches you the basics of bike control and road safety but that really is it.
k, here we go again. You can't ride a bike without counter steering, end of discussion. It's not a magic art, it's not something you've just learned, it's just something you've been made aware of. If you didn't counter steer you'd have crashed at the first corner every single time you went above walking pace. Edited by LoonR1 on Monday 1st September 21:34
LoonR1 said:
Just get your head up amd look where you want to go, not at the scenery, kerb, hedge, or whatever else is worrying you, as you'll define Italy hit them.
k, here we go again. You can't ride a bike without counter steering, end of discussion. It's not a magic art, it's not something you've just learned, it's just something you've been made aware of. If you didn't counter steer you'd have crashed at the first corner every single time you went above walking pace.
Oh dear, you are an angry chappy aren't you?skahigh said:
I would have thought that some kind of extra training would be beneficial.
I recently did my CBT and wasn't told anything about where my body weight should be when cornering, counter steering, etc. Started learning that stuff in my first lesson on the big bikes.
CBT teaches you the basics of bike control and road safety but that really is it.
Oh fI recently did my CBT and wasn't told anything about where my body weight should be when cornering, counter steering, etc. Started learning that stuff in my first lesson on the big bikes.
CBT teaches you the basics of bike control and road safety but that really is it.
k, here we go again. You can't ride a bike without counter steering, end of discussion. It's not a magic art, it's not something you've just learned, it's just something you've been made aware of. If you didn't counter steer you'd have crashed at the first corner every single time you went above walking pace. My point was not whether or not counter steering is required but, that once you're aware of it it becomes easier to control the bike as you know what you are trying to do in leaning the bike.
skahigh said:
Oh dear, you are an angry chappy aren't you?
My point was not whether or not counter steering is required but, that once you're aware of it it becomes easier to control the bike as you know what you are trying to do in leaning the bike.
No I'm not at all angry, maybe try reading my posts without shouting it in your head. My point was not whether or not counter steering is required but, that once you're aware of it it becomes easier to control the bike as you know what you are trying to do in leaning the bike.
Interesting that you think it does that though.
JmeSwaz said:
Cheers everyone.
Confidence is definately growing, just wanted to make sure it wasn't just me being too scared to go for it and it would come in time.
The CBT is not enough training, I'm pretty sensible, but it's by far not enough to allow people on the road IMHO.
As Loon says, one the main things you must force yourself to do is to look exactly where you need to go. Don't concentrate on the ground 5 feet in front of the bike looking for slippery bits of road and don't get fixated on danger items such as oncoming vehicles, hedges etc. Sooner or later you will encounter a situation that presents some danger, and it's extremely common for a novice to freeze up, concentrating on the thing that is causing danger which greatly increases the chance of hitting it (known as 'target fixation').Confidence is definately growing, just wanted to make sure it wasn't just me being too scared to go for it and it would come in time.
The CBT is not enough training, I'm pretty sensible, but it's by far not enough to allow people on the road IMHO.
A common scenario is going into a bend and having it tighten up more than you expect, and then switching your concentration to the rapidly approaching hedge. Instead you should continue looking at the exit and lean the bike over further. Do not jam the brakes on if this happen; either the bike will suddenly sit up and direct you into the hedge or you risk locking the front and binning it. This takes practice as it goes against your natural instincts - you have to force yourself to do this until it becomes second nature.
Posture is very important as well. Relax your arms as much as possible (they shouldn't be taking any of your body weight) and make absolutely sure you elbows are not locked out i.e. keep them bent. Relax you hands, avoid giving the bars a death grip. Grip the tank with your knees.
Mr2Mike said:
A common scenario is going into a bend and having it tighten up more than you expect, and then switching your concentration to the rapidly approaching hedge. Instead you should continue looking at the exit and lean the bike over further. Do not jam the brakes on if this happen; either the bike will suddenly sit up and direct you into the hedge or you risk locking the front and binning it. This takes practice as it goes against your natural instincts - you have to force yourself to do this until it becomes second nature.
I know this one all too well! (except I just slid into the ditch at low speed) Time and practice is what's working for me. Find a few nice roads and keep riding them until you know the corners and can concentrate on being smooth. I'm currently at this stage, but feel like I'm improving every day. I'm definitely not fast, but I'd rather be smooth. One piece of advice which has stuck with me is "chin up".skahigh said:
I would have thought that some kind of extra training would be beneficial.
I recently did my CBT and wasn't told anything about where my body weight should be when cornering, counter steering, etc. Started learning that stuff in my first lesson on the big bikes.
CBT teaches you the basics of bike control and road safety but that really is it.
IMO you shouldn't be even thinking about shifting body weight when cornering while so new to riding.I recently did my CBT and wasn't told anything about where my body weight should be when cornering, counter steering, etc. Started learning that stuff in my first lesson on the big bikes.
CBT teaches you the basics of bike control and road safety but that really is it.
Edited by skahigh on Monday 1st September 21:12
First, concentrate on reading the road ahead, looking our for hazards, getting smoother and more familiar with your bike.
dapearson said:
IMO you shouldn't be even thinking about shifting body weight when cornering while so new to riding.
First, concentrate on reading the road ahead, looking our for hazards, getting smoother and more familiar with your bike.
I'm not talking about hanging off the bike, more just lifting one bum cheek slightly to keep your body centered as you lean the bike.First, concentrate on reading the road ahead, looking our for hazards, getting smoother and more familiar with your bike.
skahigh said:
dapearson said:
IMO you shouldn't be even thinking about shifting body weight when cornering while so new to riding.
First, concentrate on reading the road ahead, looking our for hazards, getting smoother and more familiar with your bike.
I'm not talking about hanging off the bike, more just lifting one bum cheek slightly to keep your body centered as you lean the bike.First, concentrate on reading the road ahead, looking our for hazards, getting smoother and more familiar with your bike.
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