I've hit a Wall of Terror...

[WanderBird]

25 years ago, I rode bikes around both NZ, Tasmania, and 7 or so yrs ago all o9ver Bali, including Dempasar
Bali was my last 'real' ride- I have since been pootling around on a Di Blasi fold-up scooter.
The Bike Bug hit me again recently, and after a bit of searching, - accounting for my desire to do bits of gentle back country (read as gravel roads) and wanting the comfort to go to the other end of the country if I chose to, I settled on a BMW F650. (I'm short, so height is important) Took it for a test drive, and wooohoooo, it was like I had never been away from bikes, my first ride was wonderful. The BMW handled like a dream, I felt great on it, and all was very cool. Then I entered my graveled driveway, slight slope and I dropped it:( - my apologies to those who read my earlier threard, I felt like such a dork I was'nt ready to 'fess up to that!
Got over that, having identified what I did wrong...turned too tight, clutch only partially in, still in gear, AND did the unthinkable, tapped the rear brake as I was stopping....and dropped it (Dont be hard on me, it has been 25 years or so)

Got over that OK, - in fact appreciating that it would probably happen sooner or later, ...lesson learnt, and I won't repeat the same mistake
So, identifying what went wrong, and having learnt, I still really want this bike.....so I paid for the BMW....man. I did LOVE that ride

...on the way into the bike shop, a couple of days later a fear like I have never known hit me...I have had many occasions in which to test my courage, and I don't lack it, but the thought of riding this bike created such fear I thought I was gonna throw up, cold sweats, hot sweats....teeeth chatterintg (I'm not even riding the bike at this stage I am only *thinkin* about riding it) _ Hell, I have already ridden it! It was not the being on the open road, it was the slow speed stuff, my feet only just touch the ground on it) I had dropped it, one thought lead to another, and I am scared/terrified

I talked to the bike shop that I had bought it off, told them how I was feeling - they were amazing BTW, no pressure, every assistance possible, understanding...I could not have wished for more...and yes I want to give them a plug, ..if you are in Dunedin MCR are amazing to deal with...truly amazing.

So at MCR I expressed my fear/neurosis/trepidation and they heard me. I sat on it again , started it, knew I could walk away if it was not right for me...I could get my money back, get something smaller...ALL options are open, take something smaller, borrow it for a few days,..and if this one doesn't work we will (BIG yay for MCR here) Someone pointed out to me, while I was sitting on it' look at you, you have 1 foot on the ground, youre propped on your chin over the tank, you look compeletly relaxed.....I really think, when you are used to it, you will be fine)

I went and had lunch, at their suggestion and worked it thro, and thought "I'm just being a woos, big deal, you had a great ride, then dropped it, and lost confidence....but I'm gonna buy it anyway...becos I do know how to ride, I just need some confidence-building slow speed stuff before I really connect with this bike. Is not the speed, or torque, it's just the critical slow speed stuff, and that will come back...

Yesterday, I wanted nothing more than to have that bike here, get on it and ride. Confident.


Today, I am scared to death and think I should get somethng much smaller. Yet I know I would get bored to death with a 250cc... I'm not under any pressure at all...several people - including some really rugged looking guys, said to me in the shop, when I talked about my fears, said they had experienced it as well... either getting back into bikes after a long time, or even upgrading. One guy said he was so terrified on his first ride from a 400cc to a 750cc he clenched his butt so tight, he was still trying to get the peaks out of the seat....
This is what I know for sure
...On a bike that I was comfortable on. I wouldn't want to NOT ride it out of the shop, and into city traffic

I LOVED riding that BMW - it was so cool and easy on the road.....
Except I dropped it, first ride....


I would get bored beyond belief on a put-put kinda bike..
So, do I lsten to the fear (have you been like that?) ..what do you all think? Have you felt this kind of fear? Is it 'kinda' normal? Does any of this make sense???

[deanohit]

Just go easy, it'll all come back in no time once you are confident again.

[Steam]

If getting a 250 means you'll keep biking, get that. Don't get the big bike if you're going to be afraid of it all the time.
If you think you will get used to the bigger bike then get that.

In answer to your question "Have you felt this kind of fear? Is it 'kinda' normal?"
Your fear reaction sounds quite intense... "such fear I thought I was gonna throw up, cold sweats, hot sweats....teeeth chattering"...
that sounds fairly unusual to me. I have never heard of that kind of reaction apart from in life-threatening situations/near misses, or people who have some kind of mental illness.

Good luck regardless!
No doubt I'll meet you at some point, I've just come back to Dunedin and will be on some Kiwibiker rides at some stage.

Again, good luck! You'll get over the fear eventually, even if you have to spend a few months getting over the fear by riding a 250.

[crashe]

Get hold of one or two of the KB riders down your way......
and see if they will go out with you for a short run..... and maybe get them to do some slow riding with you in a car park etc.....
That way, they are there to boost your moral up, during the session on your bike.

A BMW is a huge bike and I am sure it is hard to move around at slow speed....
Can you by chance lift the bike up by yourself?

Also contact via pm (private message) Ixion as he rides a BMW, to get some tips off him.


Good luck....... and ride safe.

[The Pastor]

man up? give it a week of solid riding then see how you feel.

[Bonez]

A BMW is a huge bike and I am sure it is hard to move around at slow speed....
The BMW F650 isn't huge at all. Here's a site dedicated to them.

http://www.f650.com/

[McJim]

It's just one of those thngs about the 'unknown'.

I nearly shit a brick when I first got on a CB250 to sit my basic handling skills on.
I positively crapped myself when I first threw my leg over a VTR250.
A very good 'friend' of mine made me borrow his ZX6R for a track day at Pukekohe - I was in awe and fear of that bike.
I was struck dumb by the instant torque from a Ducati 600SS.
Every time I have moved to something new I have been terrified. You'll be fine - just perevere and you'll get through it...just be careful...that's all.

Best of luck.

[crashe]

The BMW F650 isn't huge at all. Here's a site dedicated to them.

http://www.f650.com/

All the BMW's that i have seen are huge or should I say very tall.

Maybe thats cos I am short....... :bleh:

[McJim]

All the BMW's that i have seen are huge or should I say very tall.

Maybe thats cos I am short....... :bleh:
Nah - it's just coz BMW don't make a Virago :rofl:

[crashe]

Nah - it's just coz BMW don't make a Virago :rofl:

smart arse......... :dodge: :blink:

:hug:

[kevfromcoro]

Riding back from Auckland, and one of mirrors flew off.
Went back to look for it,, and did a u turn on SH2.
And the Bemmer spat me off. right in the middle of the road.
Was only doing about 5 ks.
Did i feel like idiot......
Got the bike back up and kicked the back wheel
Then hoped on and gave it shit....
Take that i was saying to-myself.
It never did it again...
Who is controlling who here...the bike or u??
Think about it...

[slimyxylofone]

If you are scared and it is not going away I think you should reconsider taking up the BMW. You can always come back to it. I hope it all clicks into place for you.

Also wated to really second the plug for MCR. Rick and the crew have always been really really helpful for me. Wouldn't recomend anyone else (except maybe SPV, they have always given good customer service, no other dealers want to know you if you're young).

All the best

[YellowDog]

Thanks for the honest story. Confidence is a critical factor in safe riding. I have a similar sized bike to you and agree with you that riding slow is tough. A couple of years ago I had a issue with cornering. I couldn't work out how I got from A - B without remembering the tight bends. I then lost my confidence and struggled to get my line right and was cornering very badly. That was until a friend explained that you don't ride you bike by changing gears and taking bends, you travel from A-B and your body does what it needs to get you there. He told me to stop looking at the bends and instead focus on where I was going. All I did was to focus my view 50 metres further forward and that did iot for me.

If you have a big bike and you are not a big guy, you need to work out a system to make yourself comfortable. You are right that you would get bored with a small bike very quickly. I did my test in the UK and one of the disciplines was to ride at walking pace. I found this very difficult, as indeed I did the kerb to kerb controlled U-turns. If you use the same technique they teach you by controlling your pace with continuous pressure on the back brake, you can ride at any slow speed. I hated doing this and found it very difficult, I now enjoy it and use it moving slowly up to lights. So long as you keep the revs up and don't let the bike freewheel, you will always have control and will be able to ride as slow as you like and in perfect control (I needed a few lessons to be able to do this).

Do percevere because it will be worth it.

Good luck.

[madbikeboy]

I think it's refreshing to see someone being honest about fear for a change. I had a moment, a real moment of terror the other day - I was in the car and I changed the radio station and shit, it happened - country music. I've been unable to turn the frigging thing on since it happened.

It's about confidence. Confidence is built in ones, but lost in hundreds; dropping a bike, especially a new bike, can alter that feeling. I like sports bikes because they're low and light, the BMW's feel tall, you're upright and it takes time to get used to the bike. Keep the new bike, but spend time getting to know it, ride with some more experienced people, somehow shared activities reduce the pucker factor.

Fear is healthy, it's a natural reaction to stuff that's unknown - unhealthy fear stops you from functioning, it's like a weakness that needs to be eliminated.

Of course, fear of country music is rational, you start listening to it, your girlfriend leaves, and you end up driving a pick up and wearing a wife beater...

[speedpro]

I think you need to consider the reasons you are looking at the 650. Is there any peer pressure? You know, the sort of thing that makes people but Harleys. You need to be comfortable with the bike and you seem to be a Looooooong way from that. I've been feeling real queesy sometimes before riding as well but only at the track. It could be your subconscious trying to tell you something.

[PrincessBandit]

So, do I lsten to the fear (have you been like that?) ..what do you all think? Have you felt this kind of fear? Is it 'kinda' normal? Does any of this make sense???

Makes complete sense to me. When I bought my current bike I had to spend about a week just sitting on it in the garage before I was able to take it on the road (waiting for that full licence). Everytime I thought about riding it I started to sweat, but I was told by someone not to make a big deal out of the first ride and that worked for me. I was lucky enough that it was a nice easy outing in the country; I've since done some slow traffic crawling on it and that was another matter entirely. By the time I got through the first gear crawl my hair was soaking inside my helmet and my heart rate was in the inverse proportion to my speedo! I have dropped it once (in our r.o.w. drive when neighbour appeared from nowhere in his car) - was gutted, but used my annoyance to get past the fear of doing it again.
I'm sure you will make a good choice, don't feel pressured to get anything bigger than you're sure you could handle comfortably. All the very best!
A little trepidation is healthy, but don't let it rule you - get out there on that road and let all the good memories come flooding back.:sunny:

[beyond]

You said it. You've ridden already with no problems and it all came back to you. You've already done it, you've already mastered it. You are buying this bike because you already know it suits you and will do what you want it to do.

It's simply mind over matter because something went wrong. The thing is that you know where you went wrong and know what to do next time so the whole procesure is one of learning and doing. Don't accpet the knockback.

Ride it and make out it's a scooter. I was off bikes for nearly 25 years and when I got back into it 2 and half years ago I went in and brought a GSX1400. Man was that intimidation. To top it off I rode out for my first test ride with the missus on the back and nearly lost her when I opened it up in third getting on the North Western. I felt exposed, vulnerable and wondered of buying a 1400 was the right thing. A few weeks later I was riding it like a 250 and I just love every minute on it.

I have friends who ride Moto Guzzi 1100's and other large machines who won't go near it or give it a ride becuase it's a 1400 and that scares the crap out of them as they think it's too big and powerful.

It's really is simply mind over matter. A bit of positive thinking and common sense will not go amiss here. Just take care and believe in yourself.

[Ocean1]

The source of the fear is what?
Does any thought about riding make you worried?
Or just a certain combination?

Gravel?
Messing up your new bike?
The idea that it's heavy?
Having to fess up you've falled over again? :o
Does the idea of riding your wee scoot worry you now?

Real good to hear the shop is being so understanding, nice.
Your wee oops may have left you with an unreasonable legacy, but you can work through it, overcome it. At least the non-rational bits eh?

Oh, by the way, I felled over on my new Buell a week after I got it. :yes: Very very few of us are entirely without the odd embarrassing moment.

They're the ones that lie.

[MotoKuzzi]

When I bought the Guzzi I hadn't been on a bike for 15 yrs. Flew to ChCh and rode it back. I realised as soon as I rode out the driveway I was out of my depth. Rode all the way to Picton at 90k except for the brief period through Kaikoura when the throttle jammed open when I opened it up for the first time to pass a caravan, had to keep slipping the clutch and trying to wind it back while speed kept building and corner approaching fast, luckily it unjammed itself before i got into trouble. I was a bit shaken but just decided to keep riding and not wind it out that far again. Caught the overnight ferry and riding out of Wellington at 2am I saw a car in front veer slightly right I couldn't see why so kept on track and ran smack over a pushbike lying in the middle of the road. Knew i couldnt avoid it so I just sat upright hands off the brake etc and let it plough over it. Got off a few mtrs up the road stopped and checked to see if there was a body back there with the bike. Couldn't see anything so I checked my bike and couldn't even find a scratch. Decided there was nothing to be gained by standing there it was bloody cold and I wanted to get home so I just carried on riding until I got home about 6hrs later. It took me about another 2 months of riding to really get comfortable with the bike and I admit to being pretty uptight about being in traffic on it for quite awhile. Perserverance pays off in the end. I never had any throttle trouble the rest of the way home and I forgot to mention it when I took the bike in to be checked. When I went to pick it up they said the bike was fine but that the throttle had jammed open on the mechanic who test rode it. ( at full throttle ), apparently the guy had opened up full for a burst on a short street and couldnt stop it. They reckon the rev limiter kicked in but I don't know about that.

[WanderBird]

Great feedback! My feelings about this bike are so crazy - I probably need to remember I did jump on it and ride ..it was wonderful, so easy too ride. I knew I wasn't up to a U turn, to bring it home, even on the widened bit outside a country shop - so took it to a domain where there was acres of grass, no problem.

No-one is pressuring me about this bike at all, the reason I chose it is cos I want something that is OK on gravel, I love noodling up country roads etc, and also comfortable enough to tour on. Once I rode it, I was sold

I know this is all in my head:( What I fear is not the open rode, it is only slow riding. The experience of the first ride was awesome. I know why I dropped it, I know every thing I did wrong.

Ocean - I have no problems with saving face - or I wouldn't have fessed up to this in the first place. I don't think it is the weight that bothers me either. When I dropped it the other day, someone helped pick it up, and I know how to pick up a bike, but I would have been struggling with it - without the aid of adrenalin anyway. I
watched this technique http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/
and using that technique I have no doubt I could easily pick up the BMW. I have been on the scooter several times over the weekend - including riding it over a 8" wide footbridge across a creek, so no worries there (Was going to sell the DiBlasi, but it is such a hoot I don't think I want to part with it)

Sometime during the night I found what I think is a solution to my phobic attitude. I'm going to leave the decision for a few days, but in the meantime hire/beg/borrow a bike to do some slow speed riding - thats the bit I am anxious about with the BMW. There is a track down by the river here, lots of grass, hummocks, and the odd patch of gravel to practice on. I'm not sure that will be the answer tho - cos on any lesser sized bike, I know I would ride it confidently out of the shop and into the traffic.....

I'm sure I would feel differently had I not dropped the BMW first ride - but I also had that instinctive knowing that I was not ok, about doing a U turn on it (instincts are good - and that is a bit of my conflict as well, is this just fear, or are my instincts spot on? - )

I can imagine doing heaps of happy miles on the bike - I feel if I didn't have to do any slow riding, getting to Picton right now would be a breeze, I would love it. There is no fear of open road riding.

The height of it? I am just on the balls of my feet - not enough to actually move the bike, but just enough to hold it upright - on the flat, a dip in the road would be another matter. But I know how to swing my butt to lower a leg....
maybe I just need to practice.

Thanks for listening to all my waffle, and your comments.

I am ringing MCR this morning to let them know what I want to do. My new gear should be there, so I may go in and just sit on it etc...
Dang I hate feeling like a wus! But there you have it....

[yungatart]

See if there is a RRRS course in your area...it is all slow speed stuff, and lots of practice at it. Absolutely brilliant for instilling confidence.
Good luck!

[WanderBird]

I am going to do the next one, but it is not until Feb unfortunately

[MSTRS]

Slow speed manouevring is the one thing that most have trouble with, yet is actually not difficult if you think about it from the angle of 'who is controlling who?'. I think what you need to do is a morning doing all the slow stuff on a lighter, lower bike to get the sense achievement of having done it. Then you won't find the BMW so off-putting.
Just remember that size doesn't matter, it's what you do with it that counts:devil2: and the skills are the same regardless of bike.

[WanderBird]

MSTRS thanks for that - I think that is what I needed to hear. - 'the skills are the same' now THAT registers......
A friend has already offered her 250, so I will get a hold of that, and just practice.....

[Ocean1]

Sounds like you've got the makings of a solution.

Great idea to practice on a 250, especially if it's physically a bit smaller.

And yes, the skills and techniques are the same, but it's still a good idea to get some help from a suitable mentor. It's much easier if someone demonstrates some of those techniques and perhaps suggests some suitable practice routines. I’ve still got some self-taught bad habits, so ingrained from years of reinforcement that I’ll never change.

Good luck Ma’am, and don’t forget you can search here for specific advice, and if you can’t find it, (or it’s a bit contradictory <_<) post a new thread eh?

[WanderBird]

I really think, after a week on the new bike, I will be scratching my head wondering what this was all about!

Even the good folks from MCR have offered to ride with me. It is a good idea to knock out any bad habits before they become entrenched

[MSTRS]

... it's still a good idea to get some help from a suitable mentor. It's much easier if someone demonstrates some of those techniques and perhaps suggests some suitable practice routines.....

Good advice. This is where an RRRS (or similar) course will be invaluable.

[Ocean1]

Good advice.

Ohyez.

I'm fill of it... <_<

[Youngjim]

Did you buy the F650GS (dual purpose) or the F650 Scarver (road model) ?

You can also get a lower seat for these and also a lowering kit which would make you feel more comfortable with the height.

Anyway best of luck, just take it easy till you get more confidence and I am sure you will be OK.

[Joni]

It amazing how much riding takes place in the mind… I understand and appreciate your first post 100%. I am not going to get into all the ugly details, but I know from first hand experience what you are going though and know it is not pleasant. That something you love so much, can bring out some of the more negative emotions.

I have always been a confident rider, and never had an issue with it… however just under 2 years ago something happened which broke my confidence and more importantly broke my brains message to itself that its all good! In fact I never had to think about riding, it was just something I did… but now every time I get on it is a thought process, and not a pleasant one either…

It has taken some time for me to gain it back, in fact I’m still in the process… but I wont give up as this is something that has given me great joy in the past! Just pace yourself, and do things one step at a time… there is some great advice in this thread, which has helped me as well!

Good luck….

[WanderBird]

They managed to lower the front forks 10mm - not much different. I'm not sure what a lowering kit is?
I'm feeling better about it all the time, thanks for all the input

Joni - you are spot on with the riding being in the mind. Like you, I was completely confident riding, it was something I never even thought about - just something I did.

I'm happy to say the fear is starting to dissapate, a healthy caution will remain - heck there is even an underlaying excitement now!

[James Deuce]

I'm petrified every time I get on a bike. "Feel the fear and do it anyway."

I find the "fear' quite useful as a mobile counseling tool. Is the "fear" screaming at me? Well stop doing what's making it scream then!

I guess what I mean is, some fear is healthy. Your goal shouldn't be to "ride without fear" , but to explore your limits and discover those that need extending to make riding safer and more pleasurable, and those that really don't need to be extended at all.

[Blueskies]

Joni is so right. there is some great advise in this thread.
You sound to be sorted now wanderbird, but here's my 2 cents worth.
I rode a 250cc for a bit then bought a Vulcan 900. Like you I knew I would pretty soon be bored with a smaller bike.

It was the right choice for me. Can't say I have ever been bored with the Vn.
But it did take me a while to master and feel at home on it.
Yes. I dropped it. 2nd time out. Managed to keep it on the footboard and thankfully on the side away from the pipes.
Yes. I managed to lift it. Adrenaline, I would think because it is not a little bike and I am not exactly a young Amazon. No to both in fact.
I was thoroughly intimidated, to say the least, but following often repeated advise from this site I finally rode thru my fear.
Went thru all the stages first - including " I should never have bought this thing - I'm terrified ".

Now I happily ride it anywhere.
It gives me great joy and buying it is probably one of the very BEST things I ever did for myself.

With your past experience you are way ahead of me . . . and will soon be back to your old level of confidence whichever way you choose to do it.

Cheers.

[Ocean1]

They managed to lower the front forks 10mm - not much different. I'm not sure what a lowering kit is?

Usually a replacement linkage arm for the rearset. It's needed if the basic adjustments, (sliding forks up in the clamps and lowering the rear on spring pre-load) aren't enough. Be a bit careful dropping just one end, it can screw up the geometry.


I'm petrified every time I get on a bike. "Feel the fear and do it anyway."

I find the "fear' quite useful as a mobile counseling tool. Is the "fear" screaming at me? Well stop doing what's making it scream then!

I guess what I mean is, some fear is healthy. Your goal shouldn't be to "ride without fear" , but to explore your limits and discover those that need extending to make riding safer and more pleasurable, and those that really don't need to be extended at all.

Guess that's it's natural purpose eh?

Still, never ceases to amaze me how a sudden loss of confidence can re-write the laws of physics. A panic attack at a critical point seems capable of putting you on yer arse at a speed you might normally consider quite mundane for that corner/surface. More than once I've frozen up entering a corner, and fucked up what should have been a perfectly straight-forward piece of riding. Some days you just know you shouldn't orta have gotten outa bed eh?

[SDU]

Some great advice on here
I'm constantly worried about slow riding on my bike & have to always think about where I put can my foot down when I stop & where & what angle it is best to park to make it easier for me- I'm a hobbit & I have just had to get over it & do the best I can. Confidence is building up all the time & I'm sure it will for you too.
Go forth & you shall learn to adapt.






PS Yes I did drop the V11 on a very slow manuvoure when I rode it for the first time:shutup:

[jonbuoy]

A bike won't rip your head off if you don't ask it too. Midrange vtwin - SV650? Those hand shaking, stomach churning moments are part of the fun - makes you feel alive :eek:

[Youngjim]

A lowering kit like has been suggested is a linkage to lower the rear suspension.
I know that Mount Motorcycles had one in some time ago in their specials bin but it may be long gone now, but could be worth a try.
For any information on these bikes try the chaingang listed below as there is a wealth of information there.

http://www.f650.com/

You could also try the BMW Owners Register website at

http://www.bmwor.org.nz/

and try the For Sale and Wanted forum as someone may have a low seat and lowering kit for sale.
The annual BMW Rally is also on in Alexander from 4th Jan next year so there will be lots of Beemer people to talk too there who could give you advice.

[Youngjim]

Lots of good information on lowering your bike on this site as under.

http://faq.f650.com/GSFAQs/Lowering_Kit_FAQ_GS.htm

Cheers

[WanderBird]

Cheers, thanks for that YoungJim - I will check out those sites. Unfortunately I won't be able to make that rally *grumble*

[avgas]

to be 100% honest - you never get bored to death on a 250.
you actually get to reckless, and have to get some more weight to calm you down.
Most fun i have ever had on a bike has been in sub-250 levels. But i wouldn't be alive if i stayed in that class.

[GaZBur]

Sounds to me like you can probably ride ok - its just a mind thing. Do you have a friend who you can just follow, not think about anything just follow behind and do what they do. Somebody trustworthy obviously!

Congrats on having the guts to fess up, not many would!

[Mike748]

Two thumbs up for committing to a bike that is physically challenging for you, if you were truely afraid you would opt for something that you could plant two fat flat on the deck and throw around with your knees. Your confidence will return - your determination to have the bike will see to that.

[WanderBird]

I am really happy to say that whatever untoward & excessive fear had me in it's grip has now diminished to a pretty normal level of minor, and intermittent anxiety toward the new bike. It all feels a bit crazy now, but I had to go thro it, it seems...funny thing fear......

I was in MCR today, picked up my gear, the bike will be out here within a few days and I feel EXCITED about it. Can't wait to get on it now.

This thread has been a huge help, so thank you everyone for your input, I feel really supported. and understood by a community of like-minded people. Invaluable. (OK, most of you are not wuses?wooses? (sp? - how DO you spell that word?) but no-one hassled me for admitting it - and if you had, I am way too old to care anyway:)

When I get it, I am going to enjoy a wee cruise, and probably NOT enjoy some slow speed practice, ..and just get intimate with the bike.

Anyway in Otago up for some mentoring? I have good coffee:)

[Rosie]

You go girl! :wari:

[wingnutt]

gidday,

I have started riding again after 25 years, and I stepped straight up to a GL1200 goldwing. a mechanic went a bit white when I told him how long it had been lol

the terror thing really is quite normal, its also an age thing, you are a lot more aware of hurty stuff. the thought of riding a wing scared the hell out of me when I first saw it, I thought I had really stuffed it up this time. in the first two days I came really close twice, to a slow drop, but was lucky to just get away with it. my first open road ride, was incrediably nerve wracking it almost started me smoking again! lol

expect to be really rusty, take things slowly dont rush, the big beasts are prone to slow speed drops, because the rider doesn't quite get it right at lights, driveways etc. so practice slow speeds and get the feel of the bike first. (I spent the first week, on 200 metre concrete square riding up and down in first gear.) you may find slow speed turns on these big bikes are a sort of half steer, half lean affair. get your feet up, the big bikes balance better with feet up.

think about removing a bit of padding from the seat to allow for more foot down.

your confidence will return, slowly, its been a year for me, and I love riding, but there is still that what if thing hanging around, I just ignore it, carry on and it gets better all the time.

I hope this has helped you a wee bit, I wish you well.

good luck,

Robbie

[WanderBird]

Hi Robbie

I take my hat off to you starting back on an 1100!

I think you are spot on with the age and hurty thing! I am so aware of the consequences of smashes, and what recovery can take - this as a result of a nasty horse accident some years ago.

Where I live, there is just no-where to access anything like a carpark or whatever for practicing on - lots of paddocks but likely to be slippery? Great tip about the way you handle yours in a turn half steer/lean and feet up. Makes a lot of sense

I'm sure I will get a handle on it all - it's reassuring to know others have been thro it and continue to ride.

I'm hoping the bike will be out tonight - :)