Balance problem.

[gismo]

Ok... got my bike and now in the learning stage.

But i seem to be having a balance problem when taking off. :( I put it in first, slowly let the clutch out with a little bit of throttle and then it happens. Just now i nearly crashed into a hedge :doh: And then i nearly drop the bike.

Is there anything that anyone can suggest for me to overcome this? Training wheels are NOT an option :laugh:

Or anything anyone can suggest something i might be doing wrong?

[Katman]

Look into the distance. Don't look down at your front wheel.

[gismo]

Look into the distance. Don't look down at your front wheel.

Now you mention it.. i am doing that. Will give that a try. Cheers

[YellowDog]

It sounds like your bike is driving you rather than you driving the bike. You just need to feel a bit more comfortabe/confident with the bike. Try letting the clutch out a little faster, looking where you want to go, and you won't wobble.

[gismo]

It sounds like your bike is driving you rather than you driving the bike. You just need to feel a bit more comfortabe/confident with the bike. Try letting the clutch out a little faster, looking where you want to go, and you won't wobble.

I think you are right about my bike driving me..... because i havent ridden in a long time my confidence is about 2... but im determined not to give up!
Cheers

[YellowDog]

Good attitude. If you go to an empty car park and practice your stopping and moving off, plus manouvering figure 8s around obstacles; in a couple of weeks you will wonder what all the fuss was about.

The single biggest thing that helped me was learning how to ride at walking pace, without wobble. Try gently depressing the rear brake peddle at low speed. You will be amazed at the low speed control this will give you. You are then able to use the throttle brake and clutch to precisely control the low speed manouver. You will need to practice this to get it perfect (empty car park is best) but once you have mastered this level of control, you will feel a great deal more confident.

Good luck.

[gismo]

Good attitude. If you go to an empty car park and practice your stopping and moving off, plus manouvering figure 8s around obstacles; in a couple of weeks you will wonder what all the fuss was about.

The single biggest thing that helped me was learning how to ride at walking pace, without wobble. Try gently depressing the rear brake peddle at low speed. You will be amazed at the low speed control this will give you.

Good luck.

Thankyou heaps. I need all the help i can get. :yes:

[gismo]

Look into the distance. Don't look down at your front wheel.

I did what you said and it worked YAY!!! :2thumbsup
Bling given.

[WasPhantom]

Remember to keep your eyes up, and practice practice practice.

[WarlockNZ]

I think the best piece of advice i was ever given when i was learning was this.

"bikers are a snobbish breed of people, they always keep their chin up"

sounds funny, but it's true, keep you chin up and look where you're going, 1 third of the weight of your body is in your head, if you raise your chin and look where you're going you'll be fine.

[gismo]

Remember to keep your eyes up, and practice practice practice.


I think the best piece of advice i was ever given when i was learning was this.

"bikers are a snobbish breed of people, they always keep their chin up"

sounds funny, but it's true, keep you chin up and look where you're going, 1 third of the weight of your body is in your head, if you raise your chin and look where you're going you'll be fine.

Cheers for the advice guys.... it all helps. And one day i might see yas out on the road. Look for the chick waving like a waving thing. :wavey:

[Sofa]

:) I remember doing my basic handling, and yeah, the best thing is to keep your eyes up. Have you done your basic handling? Because pretty much, during the lesson, they just tell you to find two point (like chimneys or power poles) at opposite ends and focus on them going round and round in circles :) Just do that for say half an hour and you'll be sweet!! :2thumbsup

[gismo]

:) I remember doing my basic handling, and yeah, the best thing is to keep your eyes up. Have you done your basic handling? Because pretty much, during the lesson, they just tell you to find two point (like chimneys or power poles) at opposite ends and focus on them going round and round in circles :) Just do that for say half an hour and you'll be sweet!! :2thumbsup

No i havent done my basic handling yet. Am wanting to get the feel of the bike before i attempt it.

[WelshWizard]

When getting riders going I always look for an empty car park, maybe you have one at work at the weekends just ride figure of 8's from starting turning left to then starting turning right, learn slow speed handling and get some one to help by making you get used to sudden stops, just make sure he don't step out in front of you to do it, I know a driving tester back in the 50's in England who did that to some guy who had only got his bike that day, needless to say the driving tester ended up with a bang

[Upgrader]

what trhey said an may I suggest - a little bit of downhill slope on that carpark at the start will makes a lotta difference in keeping control easy. Lotsa covering the clutch and brake levers and be ready to pull them both in.

we're all been there some of us more'n halfa centeruy ago but we remember, and ya WILL get it sorted with practice and then you will have serious fun.

[oldrider]

Before you do anything get your ears checked and be sure that it is not a real personal health problem!

Once you are sure that "you" don't have a problem do as advised above and have more confidence in your self, be more aggressive in your take offs.

Old trailbike adage: "When in doubt blast out" nine times out of ten you will succeed in what you were trying to do just by being more aggressive.

Taking the timid approach just confirms the impending disaster. :doh: John.

PS: Make take offs your friend. Go for it!

[Number One]

Hey Gizy - bummer but you got the right attitude - hang in there!

I have balance issues swinging my leg over my Bucket racer cos of it's height but once I have the leg over I'm ok :laugh:

Try practising riding slow, launching slowly and crawling along as if you were following a slow moving vehicles. It's great for your throttle & clutch control and smoothness + I found it a good way to suss my balance out. I have a twisted spine so sat a bit twisted on the bike and didn't feel 'in control' - had to train myself to sit straight and then adjust body position and weight in turns etc...car prks are great!Practise proctise, practise Good luck you'll suss it in no time :sunny:

[gismo]

When getting riders going I always look for an empty car park, maybe you have one at work at the weekends just ride figure of 8's from starting turning left to then starting turning right, learn slow speed handling and get some one to help by making you get used to sudden stops, just make sure he don't step out in front of you to do it, I know a driving tester back in the 50's in England who did that to some guy who had only got his bike that day, needless to say the driving tester ended up with a bang


what trhey said an may I suggest - a little bit of downhill slope on that carpark at the start will makes a lotta difference in keeping control easy. Lotsa covering the clutch and brake levers and be ready to pull them both in.

we're all been there some of us more'n halfa centeruy ago but we remember, and ya WILL get it sorted with practice and then you will have serious fun.


Before you do anything get your ears checked and be sure that it is not a real personal health problem!

Once you are sure that "you" don't have a problem do as advised above and have more confidence in your self, be more aggressive in your take offs.

Old trailbike adage: "When in doubt blast out" nine times out of ten you will succeed in what you were trying to do just by being more aggressive.

Taking the timid approach just confirms the impending disaster. :doh: John.

PS: Make take offs your friend. Go for it!

Cheers for all ya advice guys. Im taking it all in and did a bit of practice today and got the take offs down a bit better but still more practice is needed. As for the carpark idea... in Seddon we dont really have one but we are going to have a looksee tomorrow for a big area i can practice in. I think tho that im doing pretty well for only having actually jumped on the bike about 5 or 6 times. It will come to me... just have to be patient with myself and not get upset when im making mistakes.

[gismo]

Hey Gizy - bummer but you got the right attitude - hang in there!

I have balance issues swinging my leg over my Bucket racer cos of it's height but once I have the leg over I'm ok :laugh:

Try practising riding slow, launching slowly and crawling along as if you were following a slow moving vehicles. It's great for your throttle & clutch control and smoothness + I found it a good way to suss my balance out. I have a twisted spine so sat a bit twisted on the bike and didn't feel 'in control' - had to train myself to sit straight and then adjust body position and weight in turns etc...car prks are great!Practise proctise, practise Good luck you'll suss it in no time :sunny:

Cheers mate.. my balance isnt the best at times (i dont have to be drunk to fall over :doh:) But im determined not to let that stop me. I AM going to learn to ride and i AM going to get my licence and i AM going to have shit loads of fun on my bike. :2thumbsup :D

[gijoe1313]

:niceone: :rockon: ... don't forget to find literature about the art of motorcycling! Proficient Motorcycling by Mr Hough is a keen read indeed :yes:

[WelshWizard]

read the 50 tips at this link and learn them so they become second nature
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=1381761#post1381761

[Mikkel]

i dont have to be drunk to fall over :doh:

Cool, more blondes on bikes thank you very much :2thumbsup

Nah, the advice about keeping your eyes up is very important! :yes:
Also, just relax and 'tell' your bike where you want it to go and then let IT go there - the less control inputs from you the better! A motorcycle is a fairly stable piece of machinery as it is (when moving mind you). I would definately recommend some slow-speed exercises to get a good feel of the bike and to work your balance.

Another important point: Your clutch is not an on-off-switch, if you keep your revs up and ride on the friction-point you'll get a much smoother powerdelivery at slow speeds - combine that with a bit of rear-brake and you take all the jerkiness out of the equation. :yes:

[gismo]

:niceone: :rockon: ... don't forget to find literature about the art of motorcycling! Proficient Motorcycling by Mr Hough is a keen read indeed :yes:

Cheers mate... will look out for it.

[gismo]

read the 50 tips at this link and learn them so they become second nature
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=1381761#post1381761

Funny you should mention that... i found them the other day. Some really good advice. Will be making it a habbit to read it them everyweek. Cheers.

[gismo]

Cool, more blondes on bikes thank you very much :2thumbsup

Nah, the advice about keeping your eyes up is very important! :yes:
Also, just relax and 'tell' your bike where you want it to go and then let IT go there - the less control inputs from you the better! A motorcycle is a fairly stable piece of machinery as it is (when moving mind you). I would definately recommend some slow-speed exercises to get a good feel of the bike and to work your balance.

Another important point: Your clutch is not an on-off-switch, if you keep your revs up and ride on the friction-point you'll get a much smoother powerdelivery at slow speeds - combine that with a bit of rear-brake and you take all the jerkiness out of the equation. :yes:

Thanks heaps for the advice. Its all going to be put into practice. :niceone:

[sinfull]

I have balance issues

Yeah saw ya falling off TWICE there last week !


but once I have the leg over I'm ok :laugh:


Awwww thought you were talking about bikes there for a minute hehe

[McJim]

Cheers for the advice guys.... it all helps. And one day i might see yas out on the road. Look for the chick waving like a waving thing. :wavey:

Aaaaargh - No more waving!

[BiK3RChiK]

This probably sounds a bit lame, but if you are still having problems with balance, try getting out the push bike and doing some slow speed work on it until you feel totally in control. Now try it on the motorcycle.... see how you go. And definitely do not look directly in front of the bike but keep the head up and looking where you want to go as the others said.

You'll get there with plenty of practice! In next to no time, you'll be looking like a pro, I'm sure!:rockon:

[Number One]

Yeah saw ya falling off TWICE there last week !

OI cheeky bum! Those 'fall offs' weren't caused through having balance issues...lack of traction was the issue...

...farken useless tyres...good of hubby to tell me that after I'd crashed eh?! :laugh: O and then to tell me to change them so he could go out and ride it! I am a very good wife!!!!!

[CB ARGH]

I've only ridden off road, but I'm sure things are generally the same. The saying practise makes perfect comes into play here. Just keep trying man, head over to an empty car park and just keep trying, you'll get it sooner or later!

[CookMySock]

Go Gizy ! The most important part for right now, will most likely be how you are feeling. If you are stressing, then you won't learn much, and you might drop it and break it, and next time you won't want to get back on it. :crybaby:

See if you can find a nice grassy domain where you can putter around as slow as you can go. Get some helpful person to double you there, and then leave you to it. Putter, putter, and putter some more until your feelings begin to subside. Don't go anywhere else, or do anything new until you are completely bored with the previous exercise. Try some basic "make a really really straight line" stuff, then some simple stops, starts and turns.

Now use the above methodology for each step in your training. Go slow. Take each baby-step on at a time. Relax. Drop your shoulders. Breathe. Sigh. Don't do the next step until you are bored and really excited about the next step. Listen to those who are helping, then shoo them off. "leave me to practice now pls. kthx."

One you are a master on the grass, adopt a really big supermarket carpark or similar, and get a double down there, and rinse-and-repeat. It's like a mini-city there, complete with all the things you need to practice with. Stop signs, giveway signs, angle parking, give-way rules (for when other cars start to turn up). Everything is smaller, and no one is going faster than 20k's. Putter, putter, and putter some more, until you find it completely boring and then move up to a quiet street or back road. Rinse and repeat! Work your way up.

And remember, don't proceed until you are quite happy and relaxed.

DB

[gismo]

Go Gizy ! The most important part for right now, will most likely be how you are feeling. If you are stressing, then you won't learn much, and you might drop it and break it, and next time you won't want to get back on it. :crybaby:

See if you can find a nice grassy domain where you can putter around as slow as you can go. Get some helpful person to double you there, and then leave you to it. Putter, putter, and putter some more until your feelings begin to subside. Don't go anywhere else, or do anything new until you are completely bored with the previous exercise. Try some basic "make a really really straight line" stuff, then some simple stops, starts and turns.

Now use the above methodology for each step in your training. Go slow. Take each baby-step on at a time. Relax. Drop your shoulders. Breathe. Sigh. Don't do the next step until you are bored and really excited about the next step. Listen to those who are helping, then shoo them off. "leave me to practice now pls. kthx."

One you are a master on the grass, adopt a really big supermarket carpark or similar, and get a double down there, and rinse-and-repeat. It's like a mini-city there, complete with all the things you need to practice with. Stop signs, giveway signs, angle parking, give-way rules (for when other cars start to turn up). Everything is smaller, and no one is going faster than 20k's. Putter, putter, and putter some more, until you find it completely boring and then move up to a quiet street or back road. Rinse and repeat! Work your way up.

And remember, don't proceed until you are quite happy and relaxed.

DB

I totally know what you are saying. The other day i stalled the bike 3 times in a row. I had to have some 'time out' because i was getting upset with myself because i couldnt do it. I sat down with a coffee and a cigy and then i gave it another go when i was less stressed. And it worked.

The biggest thing i have to overcome is not blaming myself for mistakes. I'm learning therefore im going to make mistakes.

Cheers for ya advice.... its so good to see that even tho people on KB dont know me.. they are so willing to help a person out. Im so greatful for that.