Am really Scared!!
Discussion
"Being scared" can both be good and bad, depending on the interpretation of the words.
If you want to say you are very cautious when riding on the street - that is a good thing. Assumption is mother of all farkups, as the saying goes. Never assume anything on the street, be predictive, better be safe than sorry. The collisions where biker assumed the other road participants saw him (and they did not) - I have seen so many of these.
On the other hand if you are scared to lean in corners etc - courses help to build up confidence like nothing else. But again, street is not race track.
This is just my imho, probably talking more to myself. :-)
If you want to say you are very cautious when riding on the street - that is a good thing. Assumption is mother of all farkups, as the saying goes. Never assume anything on the street, be predictive, better be safe than sorry. The collisions where biker assumed the other road participants saw him (and they did not) - I have seen so many of these.
On the other hand if you are scared to lean in corners etc - courses help to build up confidence like nothing else. But again, street is not race track.
This is just my imho, probably talking more to myself. :-)
I had a 16 year break from road riding. I was somewhat nervous to start with. I joined the local AIM group, went on their Sunday ride outs, had some lessons and took the test. That was a good way back into riding and cost not much (£10 each lesson for the guys petrol and whatever the annual membership fee was).
Lovely looking bike 
I don't think there is anything you can do for nerves, you just need to get some practice in and see how you feel after a few weeks. As others have said these bikes tend to be very easy to ride at normal traffic speeds, even though they make ridiculous amounts of power.
I always feel slightly apprehensive if I haven't ridden for a while, but always get back into it pretty quickly. It's like riding a bike
I don't think there is anything you can do for nerves, you just need to get some practice in and see how you feel after a few weeks. As others have said these bikes tend to be very easy to ride at normal traffic speeds, even though they make ridiculous amounts of power.
I always feel slightly apprehensive if I haven't ridden for a while, but always get back into it pretty quickly. It's like riding a bike
Lovely bike. I know the fear. I had the same thing going straight from my DAS to a Street 765 RS. I think used rain mode for pretty much all of the first 500 miles to get used to the throttle.
While you're waiting for better weather/courage put on a tail tidy. I like the Evotech ones.
I don't think anyone else has mentioned Bikesafe. Only costs a tenner and you get one to one tuition from a police motorcyclist for an afternoon.
While you're waiting for better weather/courage put on a tail tidy. I like the Evotech ones.
I don't think anyone else has mentioned Bikesafe. Only costs a tenner and you get one to one tuition from a police motorcyclist for an afternoon.
join the local IAM group, do a bike safe, get a dirt bike and get good
modern bikes have all the tools to moderate the power ... but most of this game is in the head so highly recommend the mental side of doing the IAM test
I did my IAM test after having a brand new cbr600f for long enough to get cocky and ending up in hospital ... at that point it was scrap it or get training
modern bikes have all the tools to moderate the power ... but most of this game is in the head so highly recommend the mental side of doing the IAM test
I did my IAM test after having a brand new cbr600f for long enough to get cocky and ending up in hospital ... at that point it was scrap it or get training
Just remember YOU are in charge of the throttle, the bike will only go as fast as you want it to.
Personally, I am done with fast bikes, I've had my share over many years, (1000cc sports bikes etc), but I get more pleasure pottering about on my Royal Enfield.
Have fun and ride carefully.
Personally, I am done with fast bikes, I've had my share over many years, (1000cc sports bikes etc), but I get more pleasure pottering about on my Royal Enfield.
Have fun and ride carefully.
Just get on the thing and go for a ride, modern bikes are a pussy cat, if you want to no what all the fuss is about pin the throttle through 2nd 3rd and so on 
That's when my old eye sight gets a bit wonky, and to be honest the only thing you have to fear is unmarked police cars and hidden mobile camera vans
BN will be along shortly to post a picture of how a Honda rider should look and believe me that's more scary than your bike
That's when my old eye sight gets a bit wonky, and to be honest the only thing you have to fear is unmarked police cars and hidden mobile camera vans BN will be along shortly to post a picture of how a Honda rider should look and believe me that's more scary than your bike
I used to hate bikes where the front wheel would come up.
Had a few bikes including a nice heavy 1988 CBR1000.
I returned to biking via a 125 as I felt modern bikes were really bulky compared to older stuff. I now have an SV650S and even that seemed relatively huge but, once on, you get used to it quite quickly.
Not sure I would have chosen a Blade though, that's a bit mental. Like saying I used to quite like Queen so I'll buy this Electric Wizard album.
Had a few bikes including a nice heavy 1988 CBR1000.
I returned to biking via a 125 as I felt modern bikes were really bulky compared to older stuff. I now have an SV650S and even that seemed relatively huge but, once on, you get used to it quite quickly.
Not sure I would have chosen a Blade though, that's a bit mental. Like saying I used to quite like Queen so I'll buy this Electric Wizard album.
Like Tom said, the electronic aids and cornering ABS are so advanced on that bike, it's impossible for it to spit you off, like on big bikes of old, with crappy application of the throttle or a sudden snatch of the brakes
I've done a few laps around the track on the new Blade, and like the R1, BMW etc, with all the aids turned up, you can simply sit the throttle on the stop in any gear at any lean angle, and it won't either launch you into a high side or spit you onto your arse as the TC and Anti wheelie is superb when turned right up.
You best bet to explore the bike properly is taking it on the track when the weather improves, and you at least, then have a much safer environment than trying to see how hard you can gun it around a roundabout or down a country lane.
Personally, other that bumbling around just to get the run in miles done, I'd avoid it until the weather improves
I've done a few laps around the track on the new Blade, and like the R1, BMW etc, with all the aids turned up, you can simply sit the throttle on the stop in any gear at any lean angle, and it won't either launch you into a high side or spit you onto your arse as the TC and Anti wheelie is superb when turned right up.
You best bet to explore the bike properly is taking it on the track when the weather improves, and you at least, then have a much safer environment than trying to see how hard you can gun it around a roundabout or down a country lane.
Personally, other that bumbling around just to get the run in miles done, I'd avoid it until the weather improves
I'v returned home on more than one occasion having had a narrow 'squeak' and the reality of what could have happened really sinks in. Usually replayed in my head whilst lying in bed that night I have made all sorts of rash decisions....give up bikes/have a break..etc.
Come the morning I'm back on it but the lesson is learned until the next bellend gives me something else to think about.
With all the mobile using/ just rubbish/ Duke of Edinburgh type drivers around you have to decide if the risks outweigh the pure rush a Blade (I am an owner) will give you.
f
k yeah.
Come the morning I'm back on it but the lesson is learned until the next bellend gives me something else to think about.
With all the mobile using/ just rubbish/ Duke of Edinburgh type drivers around you have to decide if the risks outweigh the pure rush a Blade (I am an owner) will give you.
f
k yeah.
Thanks everyone, some really valuable advice
Will look into the local IAM this week & book onto a track related training day when available.
A few have mentioned getting a Tail Tidy, what exactly is this? A quick Google would suggest it's a new rear light & number plate holder, but i can't work out why it's needed or what benefit it gives? Also looks a little complicated & i'm guessing could impact on the bikes warranty?
Will look into the local IAM this week & book onto a track related training day when available.
A few have mentioned getting a Tail Tidy, what exactly is this? A quick Google would suggest it's a new rear light & number plate holder, but i can't work out why it's needed or what benefit it gives? Also looks a little complicated & i'm guessing could impact on the bikes warranty?
If you are coming back and worried about the bike, and went off biking when you lost 4 friends in one year, be a bit wary this time of year of having a matt black bike!! Not the most visible of things on a grey day, and doesn't help the SMIDSY scenarios. So presuming you may need some new kit, at least get yourself a flipping bight helmet to wear and maybe some bright kit, and this time of year maybe consider adding something bright sticker wise to the front of your bike.
Before you say this is all bks, do out in the car and keep an eye out for bikers and see how much easier it is to see the neon brigade vs the cool matt black guys! Based on the scientifically proven fact that every car driver is a tt who is more worried out their facebook status that what is going on outside their big steel box, the more visible you are, the better!!
Before you say this is all b
ks, do out in the car and keep an eye out for bikers and see how much easier it is to see the neon brigade vs the cool matt black guys! Based on the scientifically proven fact that every car driver is a tt who is more worried out their facebook status that what is going on outside their big steel box, the more visible you are, the better!! poo at Paul's said:
If you are coming back and worried about the bike, and went off biking when you lost 4 friends in one year, be a bit wary this time of year of having a matt black bike!! Not the most visible of things on a grey day, and doesn't help the SMIDSY scenarios. So presuming you may need some new kit, at least get yourself a flipping bight helmet to wear and maybe some bright kit, and this time of year maybe consider adding something bright sticker wise to the front of your bike.
Before you say this is all bks, do out in the car and keep an eye out for bikers and see how much easier it is to see the neon brigade vs the cool matt black guys! Based on the scientifically proven fact that every car driver is a tt who is more worried out their facebook status that what is going on outside their big steel box, the more visible you are, the better!!
Good points. From the front even being Matt back i'd say the bike's fairly visible as has twin DRL's (i'd have the headlights on anyway in murkier weather) & the wing mirrors house the LED indicators which stay on as fixed yellow strips when not being used so 4 distinctive lights on the front in 2 colours.Before you say this is all b
ks, do out in the car and keep an eye out for bikers and see how much easier it is to see the neon brigade vs the cool matt black guys! Based on the scientifically proven fact that every car driver is a tt who is more worried out their facebook status that what is going on outside their big steel box, the more visible you are, the better!! Didn't think through brightness as bought a helmet to match the bike so that's matt black too, but it does have some selective material on it. Leathers are also black but have red colouring along with reflective patches. That said a very good point & i have some high vis vests in the car for when on the Continent, so perhaps not a bad idea to don one for any out of Summer rides.
Will need to invest in an over jacket so will be more aware of visibility in my choice.
w8pmc said:
poo at Paul's said:
If you are coming back and worried about the bike, and went off biking when you lost 4 friends in one year, be a bit wary this time of year of having a matt black bike!! Not the most visible of things on a grey day, and doesn't help the SMIDSY scenarios. So presuming you may need some new kit, at least get yourself a flipping bight helmet to wear and maybe some bright kit, and this time of year maybe consider adding something bright sticker wise to the front of your bike.
Before you say this is all bks, do out in the car and keep an eye out for bikers and see how much easier it is to see the neon brigade vs the cool matt black guys! Based on the scientifically proven fact that every car driver is a tt who is more worried out their facebook status that what is going on outside their big steel box, the more visible you are, the better!!
Good points. From the front even being Matt back i'd say the bike's fairly visible as has twin DRL's (i'd have the headlights on anyway in murkier weather) & the wing mirrors house the LED indicators which stay on as fixed yellow strips when not being used so 4 distinctive lights on the front in 2 colours.Before you say this is all b
ks, do out in the car and keep an eye out for bikers and see how much easier it is to see the neon brigade vs the cool matt black guys! Based on the scientifically proven fact that every car driver is a tt who is more worried out their facebook status that what is going on outside their big steel box, the more visible you are, the better!! Didn't think through brightness as bought a helmet to match the bike so that's matt black too, but it does have some selective material on it. Leathers are also black but have red colouring along with reflective patches. That said a very good point & i have some high vis vests in the car for when on the Continent, so perhaps not a bad idea to don one for any out of Summer rides.
Will need to invest in an over jacket so will be more aware of visibility in my choice.
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