I love it for what it is, but what it is isn't good enough
Discussion
Sorry, this is a bit long but anyone I could talk to wouldn't understand but maybe some of you will...
It was a nice sunny day today. Before winter if I'd looked out and it had been sunny, a smile would spread across my face and I'd be itching to get out on my bike. But today didn't feel the same, I thought about my bike and instead of happiness or eagerness, I felt a bit scared, nervous. I made myself go out anyway, it was a nice day, I was in on my own so I had nothing else to do.
It didn't start well. I didn't want to face the corner where I crashed, so took a half mile detour to avoid it. That did however give me the chance to warm the engine and tyres up before I got to some twisty roads. As I made my way down my favorite road, again, it didn't feel the same. I was taking corners slower, my eyes watching for wet patches or stones that might throw me off.
Anyway, skip forward a bit, I stopped for about 10 minutes to get an ice cream (bad idea, I was bloody freezing already and that didn't help
)and then started the ride back. I started thinking about my bike, knowing I've only got about 4 months left on two wheels. The first thing that came to mind was that, although other bikers are always nice, nod to me and some even chat to me if I stop near them, I always feel a bit embarrassed when around bigger bikes. All I can think is I'm sitting behind a big bike, and at 30mph his bike is making a nice burble, whereas mines screaming, sounding like a piece of shit, at 8-9k revs. Its trying to be something its not, it looks like a proper bike (if you can't see the "pea shooter" exhaust 
) but underneath its not.
Anyway, the bigger bike in front of me sped off into the distance, and I was left in a queue of traffic. I came back home along country roads, and started to realize why I can tell when the bikes nearing its limits until it’s on the limit. There’s so much feedback from the road that I can feel every single tiny bump and imperfection in the road surface. All this feedback just becomes noise, and I blank out the important things that would show me the bikes on edge. I can only tell that the bikes not happy when something goes, like the back wheel sliding on some stupid polished stones.
And it’s useless on the roads I like to ride on. They are all country lanes, which is what I try to stick to as I hate being on faster roads - being overtaken by a bus as twice your speed isn’t fun! Twisty roads are all fine and well, but since I crashed I have very little confidence when cornering, to the point that I'm leaning very little. But if I stick to straight roads, I'm stuck to 30mph.
My bike can't perform how it should as well - firstly it’s restricted to 30mph. I did a little test as well, while on a perfectly flat road, I hugged the bike and tucked everything in and fully opened the throttle. I got up to about 36mph (don't laugh, there’s a point to this...). That made me feel as if I was slowing the bike down, and it’s being held back a lot. The acceleration feels very...flat, restrained. The bike doesn't feel right. And if I get over 32mph, it "hits" the restrictor and kind of stutters, making a horrible sound and the bike feels rough.
I had to admit it was a town bike, a little commuter, but even as that it’s not much good in its current form. It needs to be derestricted, almost set free. But I'm not allowed to do this, my mums pissed of enough that I still ride it (keep asking when I'm going to sell it
) so it seems like a dead end.
I'm sure it’s great when it’s derestricted. I love the way it looks, the way people look at it and are interested in what it is, but that isn't good enough for me. It’s not what I want it to be, and now having crashed it I'm scared to push it.
I don't know what to do. I'm tempted to sell it now and keep the money to buy a car, and then I don't have to think about it anymore. But that could be a rash decision, which maybe I would regret come summer. So should I keep it, keep riding it and build my confidence back up or just cut my losses and sell it?
Carrera2, I don't care what you think of me, if you havn't got anything constructive to put then please don't put anything. I know it’s a scooter, but thats irrelevant to this thread.
It was a nice sunny day today. Before winter if I'd looked out and it had been sunny, a smile would spread across my face and I'd be itching to get out on my bike. But today didn't feel the same, I thought about my bike and instead of happiness or eagerness, I felt a bit scared, nervous. I made myself go out anyway, it was a nice day, I was in on my own so I had nothing else to do.
It didn't start well. I didn't want to face the corner where I crashed, so took a half mile detour to avoid it. That did however give me the chance to warm the engine and tyres up before I got to some twisty roads. As I made my way down my favorite road, again, it didn't feel the same. I was taking corners slower, my eyes watching for wet patches or stones that might throw me off.
Anyway, skip forward a bit, I stopped for about 10 minutes to get an ice cream (bad idea, I was bloody freezing already and that didn't help
)and then started the ride back. I started thinking about my bike, knowing I've only got about 4 months left on two wheels. The first thing that came to mind was that, although other bikers are always nice, nod to me and some even chat to me if I stop near them, I always feel a bit embarrassed when around bigger bikes. All I can think is I'm sitting behind a big bike, and at 30mph his bike is making a nice burble, whereas mines screaming, sounding like a piece of shit, at 8-9k revs. Its trying to be something its not, it looks like a proper bike (if you can't see the "pea shooter" exhaust ) but underneath its not. Anyway, the bigger bike in front of me sped off into the distance, and I was left in a queue of traffic. I came back home along country roads, and started to realize why I can tell when the bikes nearing its limits until it’s on the limit. There’s so much feedback from the road that I can feel every single tiny bump and imperfection in the road surface. All this feedback just becomes noise, and I blank out the important things that would show me the bikes on edge. I can only tell that the bikes not happy when something goes, like the back wheel sliding on some stupid polished stones.
And it’s useless on the roads I like to ride on. They are all country lanes, which is what I try to stick to as I hate being on faster roads - being overtaken by a bus as twice your speed isn’t fun! Twisty roads are all fine and well, but since I crashed I have very little confidence when cornering, to the point that I'm leaning very little. But if I stick to straight roads, I'm stuck to 30mph.
My bike can't perform how it should as well - firstly it’s restricted to 30mph. I did a little test as well, while on a perfectly flat road, I hugged the bike and tucked everything in and fully opened the throttle. I got up to about 36mph (don't laugh, there’s a point to this...). That made me feel as if I was slowing the bike down, and it’s being held back a lot. The acceleration feels very...flat, restrained. The bike doesn't feel right. And if I get over 32mph, it "hits" the restrictor and kind of stutters, making a horrible sound and the bike feels rough.
I had to admit it was a town bike, a little commuter, but even as that it’s not much good in its current form. It needs to be derestricted, almost set free. But I'm not allowed to do this, my mums pissed of enough that I still ride it (keep asking when I'm going to sell it
) so it seems like a dead end. I'm sure it’s great when it’s derestricted. I love the way it looks, the way people look at it and are interested in what it is, but that isn't good enough for me. It’s not what I want it to be, and now having crashed it I'm scared to push it.
I don't know what to do. I'm tempted to sell it now and keep the money to buy a car, and then I don't have to think about it anymore. But that could be a rash decision, which maybe I would regret come summer. So should I keep it, keep riding it and build my confidence back up or just cut my losses and sell it?
Carrera2, I don't care what you think of me, if you havn't got anything constructive to put then please don't put anything. I know it’s a scooter, but thats irrelevant to this thread.
Christian, when are you (legally ) allowed to derestrict it?
You seem to have the two wheel bug - I'm sure todays feelings were probably just because you are a bit nervous after your 'off'
It's a shame you can't upgrade a little bit cos I'm sure biking is for you but I know your parents aren't too keen
I love the different senses you get on a bike, the smells and all the feedback that being in a car dulls out...
If you are thinking of selling, then keeping it for a few months and warmer weather won't lose you anything.
Depends whether your heart is in biking?
Paul
) allowed to derestrict it? You seem to have the two wheel bug - I'm sure todays feelings were probably just because you are a bit nervous after your 'off'
It's a shame you can't upgrade a little bit cos I'm sure biking is for you but I know your parents aren't too keen
I love the different senses you get on a bike, the smells and all the feedback that being in a car dulls out...
If you are thinking of selling, then keeping it for a few months and warmer weather won't lose you anything.
Depends whether your heart is in biking?
Paul
Mate,
Get those negative thoughts outta your head! Find someone with a "big" bike, get on the back and get that feeling that you will never get in a car. Just think, you'll be able to develop your skills on the smaller bike, and take that experience with you onto a biggar bike when you're old enough.
As for the "scary" corner...Of course it will be on your mind, it has a lot of bad memories...but there's only one way to deal with that, and that's is to get straight back around it. Walk if first if you have to, but get it done!
Keep the bike....chop it in for a bigger one when you can, but don't be in too much of a hurry. Enjoy this one first, gain the experience (cause there's absolutley no substitute) then come and teach me how to ride properly in a few years!!
Good luck!
Cheers.
ps - I'm sure C2's only having a laugh!!
Get those negative thoughts outta your head! Find someone with a "big" bike, get on the back and get that feeling that you will never get in a car. Just think, you'll be able to develop your skills on the smaller bike, and take that experience with you onto a biggar bike when you're old enough.
As for the "scary" corner...Of course it will be on your mind, it has a lot of bad memories...but there's only one way to deal with that, and that's is to get straight back around it. Walk if first if you have to, but get it done!
Keep the bike....chop it in for a bigger one when you can, but don't be in too much of a hurry. Enjoy this one first, gain the experience (cause there's absolutley no substitute) then come and teach me how to ride properly in a few years!!
Good luck!
Cheers.
ps - I'm sure C2's only having a laugh!!
I wouldn’t worry too much about your attitude towards biking at the moment. Given the fact that if you sell the bike tomorrow, you can’t do anything with the money (vehicle wise) for the next couple of months, then why not simply ignore the issue? (At least for now) Use the bike as a means of transport when needed and don’t bother taking out “just for a run” unless you really want too.
This may sound like a strange thing to say but it will remove the self imposed pressure to “enjoy” riding thus allowing you to relax. Likewise, you’ll stop pushing yourself to go fast (within the limits of the bike) and so reduce the number of occasions when scare yourself. It will also help you with the limitations of the bike in that you’ll stop hoping/expecting/wishing that your bike did so much more as it will simply be a method of getting from A to B.
By the time you get to the stage where you could either get a bigger bike or a car, you will be in a better position to understand if you truly enjoy riding or would rather jack it all in and get a car. (I would put money – though only a small amount – on it being the former!)
Let us all know how you get on.
David
This may sound like a strange thing to say but it will remove the self imposed pressure to “enjoy” riding thus allowing you to relax. Likewise, you’ll stop pushing yourself to go fast (within the limits of the bike) and so reduce the number of occasions when scare yourself. It will also help you with the limitations of the bike in that you’ll stop hoping/expecting/wishing that your bike did so much more as it will simply be a method of getting from A to B.
By the time you get to the stage where you could either get a bigger bike or a car, you will be in a better position to understand if you truly enjoy riding or would rather jack it all in and get a car. (I would put money – though only a small amount
– on it being the former!) Let us all know how you get on.
David
This sounds like a 'Confidence' issue mixed with frustration.
We've all had accidents/offs, call them what you want. As already mentioned, the best thing is to ride the corner/roundabout where you came off asap. You cannot let it manifest..or it will only affect your confidence more.
As for the restricted 30mph thing...that's the way it has to be for now, it's the law!
We've all been there, the guy you mentioned on the big bike...he wasn't born with the entitlement. He had to go through the same process as you...as all of us.
Be patient, and you too will be riding a big bike..sports or whatever. Don't just give up...as it really does get better & better.
We've all had accidents/offs, call them what you want. As already mentioned, the best thing is to ride the corner/roundabout where you came off asap. You cannot let it manifest..or it will only affect your confidence more.
As for the restricted 30mph thing...that's the way it has to be for now, it's the law!
We've all been there, the guy you mentioned on the big bike...he wasn't born with the entitlement. He had to go through the same process as you...as all of us.
Be patient, and you too will be riding a big bike..sports or whatever. Don't just give up...as it really does get better & better.
It's a painful lesson, but what you are learning is "experience" which no amount of instruction can teach. You've had an off, but you'll get over it and your confidence will return. At the back of your mind there will probably always be a slight niggle about the crash when you're in similar circumstances in the future. That niggle will help keep you safe.
Waynester said:
the guy you mentioned on the big bike...he wasn't born with the entitlement. He had to go through the same process as you...as all of us.
Unless he was 'a certain age'
- it was easier when I were a lad, no CBT, 250cc on a provisional, any bike on a full licence. But I agree, stick with it a 50 may not be very exiting to ride but the next step up is much better and in the long run patience & experience will make you a better rider. 
momentofmadness said:
Christian, when are you (legally
I could legally derestrict it this summer in August when I'm 17. It will apparently do 55 on the flat when derestricted, but seeing as my whole family is very anti-bike I doubt I'll ever get it to do that. I was initially told that I could keep it after I was 17 and derestrict it, but since I came off my mum sees it as the death machine thats trying to kill me. She came home yesterday as I was putting it away and I got "oh, so you've been out on THAT then have you?".
And of course, if I want a decent car then I'll have to sell it. Seems such a waste, I'm sure it would be good fun if I kept it but I just don't know how to persuade people to let me keep it.
On the confidence front, you've just got to keep riding. At least you found out how easy it is to come of a bike at relatively low speed. It's a bit of a blow all the same, but that's the way it goes.
As far as pressure not to ride, you're always going to have that. My wife still hates me biking and we've had some proper strops when a new one appears. I tried to not have a bike for a few years, but I always missed it and had to go back to riding in the end.
Sometimes I wonder if my wife would prefer me having a mistress to a motorcycle, but I'm not going to put that theory to the test or I'll get
You've not got too long before being able to derestrict or get another bike. I had to ride old nail bikes for years, but they were all still fun. I'd rather be a good rider on a crap bike than a crap rider on a good bike...
As far as pressure not to ride, you're always going to have that. My wife still hates me biking and we've had some proper strops when a new one appears. I tried to not have a bike for a few years, but I always missed it and had to go back to riding in the end.
Sometimes I wonder if my wife would prefer me having a mistress to a motorcycle, but I'm not going to put that theory to the test or I'll get
You've not got too long before being able to derestrict or get another bike. I had to ride old nail bikes for years, but they were all still fun. I'd rather be a good rider on a crap bike than a crap rider on a good bike...
You are getting a car anyway so perhaps sell the bike and buy a 125/250 motocrosser..that way you still ride..and learn confidence fast!! 250 crossers have a similar power 2 weight as a 600cc sportsbike..You can then renter the road bike scene on something a bit more long term..I would derestrict it though on the side..
Keep riding. It sounds like your confidence has taken a big hit. Get yourself round that corner a few times, even if you do it at 7 mph (make sure there's nobody coming up behind you).
As for feeling every hole & stone on the road, sounds like you're too tense. You're probably gripping the bars too tight and tensing every muscle you have, so you feel everything. You need to relax on the bike, flap your elbows, breathe deep, enjoy the good weather and don't worry about what might happen if.....
As for following other bikers and what they think, let them worry about that.
In a few years you'll look back on this 'blip' and shake your head, then climb on to your V5 Honda megasportsbike and wheelie off into the sunset, relaxed and smiling.
Biking's a journey, even the bad bits build good memories eventually. You're just building future experience,that's all.
Enjoy
As for feeling every hole & stone on the road, sounds like you're too tense. You're probably gripping the bars too tight and tensing every muscle you have, so you feel everything. You need to relax on the bike, flap your elbows, breathe deep, enjoy the good weather and don't worry about what might happen if.....
As for following other bikers and what they think, let them worry about that.
In a few years you'll look back on this 'blip' and shake your head, then climb on to your V5 Honda megasportsbike and wheelie off into the sunset, relaxed and smiling.
Biking's a journey, even the bad bits build good memories eventually. You're just building future experience,that's all.
Enjoy
catso said:
the guy you mentioned on the big bike...he wasn't born with the entitlement. He had to go through the same process as you...as all of us.
Unless he was 'a certain age'
I had as much fun on my XLR 125 and KLX250 as soon as i could i dropped the KLX to buy the ninja and i miss the KLX all bikes are fun just wait i think trail bikes take some beating to be honest.
Some good comments here, Chilli is right, go and walk around 'that' corner, take a good look. Don't worry too much, but treat with respect. Some fool drove went through a red light and hit me at 60, pushing me into head on traffic. Destroyed a large 6 month old estate car, scared me to death as the floor nearly touched the roof and I had wife and 3 kids with me. I took the replacement hire car through the same junction a few times the next week, didn't like it all but it got it out of my system (and I'm nearly treble your age. So, check it out carefully!
Black k1's advice is also sound, don't be too hasty. My son was brought off his sports bike by someone who thought it funny to throw a football at a passing biker. It shook him up, but he's really enjoying the bike again. 17 may seem a long way off, stick with it and consider training for the next test. Good luck, but above all be safe.
PS, who cares about riding a 'scooter' if it's what you like that's all that matters! Don't be put off.
Black k1's advice is also sound, don't be too hasty. My son was brought off his sports bike by someone who thought it funny to throw a football at a passing biker. It shook him up, but he's really enjoying the bike again. 17 may seem a long way off, stick with it and consider training for the next test. Good luck, but above all be safe.
PS, who cares about riding a 'scooter' if it's what you like that's all that matters! Don't be put off.
As you've already fallen off and it's still restricted I wouldn't be in too much of a rush to de-restrict if I were you - it'll only make your next off quicker and hurtier. Follow the sound advice given above and keep practicing; if you're able to afford some trackday tuition to learn about counter-steering, cornering, lean angles etc go for it - it'll do you and your confidence the world of good.
Fear is a great life-preserver. Evolution has built this in to our genes because it helps keep us alive to spread those genes.
There's nothing wrong with having a lightweight bike. A long time ago nearly all bikes WERE lightweight anyway because that's the way personal transport evolved. There are lots of very good reasons for this so I'd advise you to enjoy your modestly priced mobility. Looking at what you say objectivly, I'd suggest you're doing very well with your biking. That geezer on the big bike probably has all sorts of problems he'd gladly swap with you.
I presume you don't have to replace expensive chains, tyres and brakes very often. Your insurance will be lower, and it will be valid...if you fiddle with the bike and make unauthorised modifications your cover won't be valid anyway. Fuel costs won't be too bad, although a highly stressed screamer won't be terribly efficient.
There's some brilliant advice in this thread...do walk your bend...do get further training...more than that, though, do try to avoid developing an inferiority complex...
Turn your anxieties around and look at all the brilliant things you've told us you DO have. Blimey, at least you HAVE a bike.
Your self-esteem might get eroded by comparison with macho fashion accessories, but that doesn't equate to your value as a person.
I'd advise you to try and think of the lust for a bigger, better, faster bike as the product of capitalist advertising trickery. A big, badass bike will come eventually, if that's what you really want. Imagine someone of your age trying to cope with a long-term relationship with Pamela Anderson...it will all end in tears. You can laugh, but it ain't natural, it ain't big and it ain't clever.
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Take it easy and enjoy the 'here and now.' I think that lower powered machines can help turn you into a better rider, or driver. It can make you smoother and mechanically sympathetic. You could consider getting an alternative bike which isn't a wannabe race replica.
Alternatively, I wonder whether you might really want to be a racer. Maybe you should look around for a low cost race series and forget the romance and danger of the open road.
There's nothing wrong with having a lightweight bike. A long time ago nearly all bikes WERE lightweight anyway because that's the way personal transport evolved. There are lots of very good reasons for this so I'd advise you to enjoy your modestly priced mobility. Looking at what you say objectivly, I'd suggest you're doing very well with your biking. That geezer on the big bike probably has all sorts of problems he'd gladly swap with you.
I presume you don't have to replace expensive chains, tyres and brakes very often. Your insurance will be lower, and it will be valid...if you fiddle with the bike and make unauthorised modifications your cover won't be valid anyway. Fuel costs won't be too bad, although a highly stressed screamer won't be terribly efficient.
There's some brilliant advice in this thread...do walk your bend...do get further training...more than that, though, do try to avoid developing an inferiority complex...
Turn your anxieties around and look at all the brilliant things you've told us you DO have. Blimey, at least you HAVE a bike.
Your self-esteem might get eroded by comparison with macho fashion accessories, but that doesn't equate to your value as a person.
I'd advise you to try and think of the lust for a bigger, better, faster bike as the product of capitalist advertising trickery. A big, badass bike will come eventually, if that's what you really want. Imagine someone of your age trying to cope with a long-term relationship with Pamela Anderson...it will all end in tears. You can laugh, but it ain't natural, it ain't big and it ain't clever.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take it easy and enjoy the 'here and now.' I think that lower powered machines can help turn you into a better rider, or driver. It can make you smoother and mechanically sympathetic. You could consider getting an alternative bike which isn't a wannabe race replica.
Alternatively, I wonder whether you might really want to be a racer. Maybe you should look around for a low cost race series and forget the romance and danger of the open road.
huckster6 said:
Alternatively, I wonder whether you might really want to be a racer.
I went out on Saturday for a 200 mile drive with a friend (I wasn't driving btw) and I saw LOADS of bikes, including a few 125's. I now keep looking at NSR125's on ebay 
Even my instructor on my CBT told me that as soon as I'm 17 I should go back there and get onto a bigger bike as she thought I was a pretty good rider (well, at CBT level anyway ) I am actually planning to get a bigger bike is a year or so's time when I go to Uni. Maybe even get rid of my car - a bike would be easier to run, and far cheaper, easier to park etc etc. And it seems such a waste of a years NCB.
Another problem is I'm going to be getting a car this summer, and I'm not allowed a kit car (too unsafe or some bollox like that
yeh, its fine for my mum to go and thrash CSR's and Ariel Atoms round a track but theres no way I'm allowed to drive one...) so I've been looking at cars like MX-5's and Smart Roadsters. But insurance alone is going to bankrupt me 
Thanks for the advice guys
m1spw said:
Another problem is I'm going to be getting a car this summer, and I'm not allowed a kit car (too unsafe or some bollox like that
To be fair on your mum old bean, it's probably safer thrashing a CSR or Ariel around a track than it is on the road. When I first picked up my Seven from Caterham's dealership I had to drive it back through the rush hour on the M25. When your head isn't even half way up the wheel of the artic next to you, it makes your realise just how small the Caterham is. I felt safer on my bike!
m1spw said:
so I've been looking at cars like MX-5's and Smart Roadsters. But insurance alone is going to bankrupt me
Be happy with a crap car until you've got some more bonus! Why give all your budget to insurance companies when you could spend it on a bike? And I'm not saying that just because I had to drive a variety of sheds until I was nearly 30
I re-read your first post and then I just read your more recent contributions.
My advice:
Sod the big bike; are you doing 'A' Level English...you write very well..? If you are work hard. Carry on like this and you'll get fees.
Can your mum take me when she does her next track day, please?
[you're not making any of this up, are you?]
My advice:
Sod the big bike; are you doing 'A' Level English...you write very well..? If you are work hard. Carry on like this and you'll get fees.
Can your mum take me when she does her next track day, please?
[you're not making any of this up, are you?]
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