Discussion
It's one of the reasons I advise newbies to buy cheap bikes
The vast majority are going to drop a bike and it mostly happens at slow speeds, its very easy to loose balance particularly with tall adventure bikes
It's a lot easier to accept if you acknowledge it happens and don't care if it does because the bike's not perfect
My wife beats herself up over stuff like this whilst I just accept it happens and try not to make the same mistake twice
It's a lot easier being me
The vast majority are going to drop a bike and it mostly happens at slow speeds, its very easy to loose balance particularly with tall adventure bikes
It's a lot easier to accept if you acknowledge it happens and don't care if it does because the bike's not perfect
My wife beats herself up over stuff like this whilst I just accept it happens and try not to make the same mistake twice
It's a lot easier being me
Bob_Defly said:
Keep one finger over the front brake on the road, use it gently when you think you might need to stop, and then firmer when you actually do. Smoothness is key to braking safely. And use the rear for slow manoeuvring.
Don’t do this.Don’t cover the brake when riding and don’t use the front exclusively when you are stopping from low speed.
Do start leaving bigger gaps to the bikes in front on rides.
It s not about bigger gaps.
It s literally the slowing down and coming to a stop.
I get a panic that I m going to get too slow, start to wobble then fall off.
And the whole turning right from a junction thing has come back with avengance where I m now having to creep out until I m at a point where I m comfortable enough and straight enough to put the power on and go.
Plus, I can t sit at a junction where I m turning right and pull out with my right foot on the peg. I just feel like I m going to fall.
I’ve massively gone backwards and I don’t want this to be the reason my riding seasons ends.
It s literally the slowing down and coming to a stop.
I get a panic that I m going to get too slow, start to wobble then fall off.
And the whole turning right from a junction thing has come back with avengance where I m now having to creep out until I m at a point where I m comfortable enough and straight enough to put the power on and go.
Plus, I can t sit at a junction where I m turning right and pull out with my right foot on the peg. I just feel like I m going to fall.
I’ve massively gone backwards and I don’t want this to be the reason my riding seasons ends.
Edited by EmDubs on Sunday 6th September 07:29
EmDubs said:
It s not about bigger gaps.
It s literally the slowing down and coming to a stop.
I get a panic that I m going to get too slow, start to wobble then fall off.
And the whole turning right from a junction thing has come back with avengance where I m now having to creep out until I m at a point where I m comfortable enough and straight enough to put the power on and go.
Plus, I can t sit at a junction where I m turning right and pull out with my right foot on the peg. I just feel like I m going to fall.
I ve massively gone backwards and I don t want this to be the reason my riding seasons ends.
Ok right junctions are bike positioning.It s literally the slowing down and coming to a stop.
I get a panic that I m going to get too slow, start to wobble then fall off.
And the whole turning right from a junction thing has come back with avengance where I m now having to creep out until I m at a point where I m comfortable enough and straight enough to put the power on and go.
Plus, I can t sit at a junction where I m turning right and pull out with my right foot on the peg. I just feel like I m going to fall.
I ve massively gone backwards and I don t want this to be the reason my riding seasons ends.
Edited by EmDubs on Sunday 6th September 07:29
Front tyre as far right as you can get to the centre line.
Effectively rear tyre over to the left so that when you do go it's effectively a straight line and you don't really need to turn the bars.
Stopping, nothing wrong with GENTLY putting the rear on first then softly bringing the front in. If your nervous drop the speed your currently riding at by 10mph till you feel better.
I don't know what bike you ride. Do you need a smaller one as a newbie to gain confidence and experience on?
Right turns, I agree with the above. Always make sure the bike is angled to the right as you arrive at the junction so the turn isn't as sharp. Nervous about dropping it when you come to a halt suggests the bike is too big. Can you flat foot it?
Right turns, I agree with the above. Always make sure the bike is angled to the right as you arrive at the junction so the turn isn't as sharp. Nervous about dropping it when you come to a halt suggests the bike is too big. Can you flat foot it?
You need to find somewhere to do some slow maneuvers, practise gently using the rear brake while you're moving. The rear brake is brilliant at helping stability at slow speed.
I think some people see shame in using the rear brake to help riding. I rode and instructed at advanced level for my career and I never bought into the 'don't use the brakes' b
ks. If you need them, use them. Especially in some of the situations you describe.
On tighter junction turns when I'm pulling onto a new road I'll even use it occasionally. It's brilliant.
Find somewhere with loads of space, just do slow straight line stuff first, then do some turns as the confidence returns, this is head stuff so you need to gain confidence back. And don't forget to look where you want the bike to finish up, long way ahead.
Bikers rarely do enough slow speed riding practise.
I think some people see shame in using the rear brake to help riding. I rode and instructed at advanced level for my career and I never bought into the 'don't use the brakes' b
ks. If you need them, use them. Especially in some of the situations you describe.On tighter junction turns when I'm pulling onto a new road I'll even use it occasionally. It's brilliant.
Find somewhere with loads of space, just do slow straight line stuff first, then do some turns as the confidence returns, this is head stuff so you need to gain confidence back. And don't forget to look where you want the bike to finish up, long way ahead.
Bikers rarely do enough slow speed riding practise.
EmDubs said:
It s literally the slowing down and coming to a stop.
I get a panic that I m going to get too slow, start to wobble then fall off.
Take yourself to somewhere big and empty like a car park, then spend an hour or two practicing. It might be best if your other half rides the bike there so you don't start stressed out from the road riding bit.I get a panic that I m going to get too slow, start to wobble then fall off.
Edited by EmDubs on Sunday 6th September 07:29
If that doesn't do it give a riding school a call and do a 'returning rider' type lesson. They are familiar with situations like this, you're not the first and you definitely won't be the last.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff