Regaining confidence

[EatOrBeEaten]

*quick recap for the unwary*

After failing my DAS test in the UK, I picked up a learner's licence and a 1994 ZZR250 to use as my primary means of transport in Auckland. I had had the bike about three weeks when a sharp corner, poor suspension and a bumpy road caused me to crash. It took about a month before the bike got fixed up (thanks again lads) and I was back on the road. In that time, I'd lost a bit of faith in the bike and it's ability to get me round corners at any speed. I was determined to stick at it, and was coming home from the Coro loop after a week back in the saddle when the brakes failed and I hit a car.

As before, both me and the bike escaped without serious damage. The bike was repaired (cheers mate- she looks awesome) and is now in better shape than ever. However, on riding it home from the garage it was not long before my reunion glee turned to fear.

I don't trust my bike any more, or my ability to ride it.

I know it'll come with time, and spending time on the back of Gremlins Hornet has helped me remember that bike are (relatively) safe, but on my own bike? I keep remembering that feeling of pulling the brake lever and getting nothing, or of leaning the bike to have it come away from underneath me. I'm sure if these crashes had happened further down the line then I'd feel better about it, but two so close to the start of my riding career has really shaken me.

How do I pull myself out of this? I never rode like a crazed lunatic before the bin, but the fact I now feel dread when I see a 45 corner rather than glee is not good! :no:

[ManDownUnder]

Ride with people you enjoy riding and being with, take it slow, get some miles under your belt.

Accept you are going to cringe - that's not a bad thing... just keep at it.

[Maha]

Have you considered Mentoring?
Either of the two that gave life to your bike the first time could help in this dilemma. Having never been in the position you are in (and you are asking here) I can only suggest. There are a heap on here that are well quallified to offer you their advice on regaining confidence after binning. How about riding with people of your own ability/speed for a while? that may go some way to lessening the dread.

[EatOrBeEaten]

I have a mentor, but it's riding alone that really gets to me. I think the main issue is trusting the bike. If I'd binned due to Epic Rider Fail then I could at least trust myself not to be such an idiot again, but first the shitty suspension (mentor said it was some of the worst he'd ever seen, other riders have concurred) and THEN the brakes within weeks of each other? I guess I could sell it and start over, but financially it's not really an option :(

[MsKABC]

You may never have confidence in that bike again by the sounds of it. Get it checked over by someone to make sure it's in the best possible condition it can be. I see that White Trash is offering to help KBers with suspension set-up, so maybe drop in on him sometime.

Is the confidence issue with yourself or your bike? Perhaps get some professional rider training? There's a good school here in Auckland from what I hear.

[BMWST?]

Make sure the tyres are not too old.And check that the suspension works properly

[yungatart]

Been there, done that!
It is not the bike that is the issue, more your lack of confidence in THAT bike.
Sell it and buy something else...or HTFU, and keep at it....
Just accept that that is where you are right now and the only thing that will fix it is to keep riding.

[Maha]

I have a mentor, but it's riding alone that really gets to me. I think the main issue is trusting the bike. If I'd binned due to Epic Rider Fail then I could at least trust myself not to be such an idiot again, but first the shitty suspension (mentor said it was some of the worst he'd ever seen, other riders have concurred) and THEN the brakes within weeks of each other? I guess I could sell it and start over, but financially it's not really an option :(


Ok, forget the mentor thing, its a mind thing.
Te Stranger said in another thread (and i think its brilliant) that if you think you have problem, then most likely you do. Now I am not saying you have brain issues, but....

1....I think the main issue is trusting the bike..... it has let you down twice now, if it were me, it would be gone!
2...I don't trust my bike any more, or my ability to ride it. .... this validates the very reason why you should no longer own it.

Problem solved!!!

[Rosie]

Do regular basic maintenance checks on your bike, so you know that there isn't anything wrong with the bike (get someone to give you a hand, if you aren't sure what things you should be checking).

Go for short rides by yourself, practising some of the situations that make you nervous (45km corners, say). Have a positive 'coping thought' that you can repeat to yourself when you get nervous "the brakes work fine, I checked them this morning"; "I know I can trust my bike" etc - find something that works for you, and addresses your main fears.

Keep reminding yourself that even though you feel nervous, you can ride for 20 minutes (say) by yourself without incident. Keep aiming to ride for a little longer, or in more challenging situations, and keep reminding yourself that you can do these things, and you can trust the bike.

Good luck. Being nervous after a crash, or mechanical failure is no fun at all :(

[EatOrBeEaten]

Thanks for all the advice folks :)

Will take her out for a spin later, will see about selling her too.

What a start to living in NZ! :doh: Will definitely stick at biking though, will take more than a homocidal Kawasaki to get the better of me....

[PirateJafa]

Regaining confidence

Cake works.

[MSTRS]

2 things need to happen...
1. Get someone who knows what they are doing to check out the bike with a fine tooth comb
2. Assuming it is all good, then ride it according to your ability level.

3/. (ha ha I can count) If the bike proves dodgy after the check...get rid of it.

[CookMySock]

Hrm thats a run of bad luck for you. What you need is time. I suggest you get off the bike, and stay of it for a few weeks, until you really really want to get back on it - not before!

If you are, or were going to sell it, then do so, and take a look at something a little more modern, and put some lovely sticky tyres on it that just lurrrrve to go around corners and hold you in their soft velvety palm "do not worry my dear" style. Yum. New(er) bike plus sticky tyres = "do not worry", and then slowly work back into it, taking care not to be hurried by anyone. But I think you need the time thing first - how much is up to you, but don't shortcut it.

Cough, if you are exploring the limits of your suspension, then you could possibly do a little slowing down too. Lecture ends!

I fell off my bike last year, and I forced myself to stay off ANY bike for a month. After that, I was still scared shitless to corner the thing, but I am quickly coming right now - some five months after the accident.

Get well soon!
Steve

[Mom]

I have a mentor, but it's riding alone that really gets to me. I think the main issue is trusting the bike. If I'd binned due to Epic Rider Fail then I could at least trust myself not to be such an idiot again, but first the shitty suspension (mentor said it was some of the worst he'd ever seen, other riders have concurred) and THEN the brakes within weeks of each other? I guess I could sell it and start over, but financially it's not really an option :(

If I know the guys that have worked on your bike as well as I do it is fine! Safe and sturdy :yes: This is a confidence thing mate, really it is. Take yourself along to NASS on a Wednesday and learn some good solid riding tips and then practice them. Take your time to build layer upon layer of confidence, you have had a couple of not so good experiences, no surprise that you feel tentative. The worst of that situation is the more tentative you feel the worse you will ride the more chance you have of making a mistake. If you cant change your bike, then you have to learn to love riding it with confidence or sell it and give up.


Been there, done that!
It is not the bike that is the issue, more your lack of confidence in THAT bike.
Sell it and buy something else...or HTFU, and keep at it....
Just accept that that is where you are right now and the only thing that will fix it is to keep riding.


Gee you say that well mate :yes:

Very true, time and practise are the key to rebuilding that confidence for sure.

[FROSTY]

Serious offer here.
Give me your bike for half an hour. Ill take it out on my favorite little goat track.
I'm confident I'll come back grinning from ear to ear.
Then you follow me -me on Jorja's 250 you on yours. Again on said goat track.
Im pretty sure you'll come away a heck of a lot happier.

[BMWST?]

at the risk of repeating myself...how old are the tyres!?

[davebullet]

Test the things you fear, in a safe environment. For example - the brakes. Go to a parking lot and test emergency braking until you a) confirm the brakes are working as they should and b) get the feel the front brakes now they've been re-done.

Same goes for cornering...

Part of the reason for your fear, is you are worried you won't be as good as you were before. This means you know you can do it and don't want to disappoint yourself that you aren't the rider you were before the crash. Know that you are STILL that rider, it is just your confidence to ride as you did. The two are separate.

Lots of good advice above too.

[Gubb]

Come down for a Track Day with me.

I'll drive the down with the bikes and Trailer, and you can have fun. I've already learned so much in such a short space, it's done wonders for my confidence, and skill levels.

[Mrs Busa Pete]

What about doing ride right ride safe with the stranger. Or get qchk to give you some lessons to gain some confidance.

[EatOrBeEaten]

Big thanks to everyone who's posted on here :)

BMWST: I'm not sure, they came with the bike but they're not the best by any stretch- could really stand to invest in some grippier beasts but I'm a bit brassic at the mo.

Frosty mate, I'm taking you up on that for sure :)

I'll update this thread as I do more training, as a couple of people have suggested it'd be a good thread to do for any n00bs who are having a crisis of confidence...

[MsKABC]

they came with the bike but they're not the best by any stretch- could really stand to invest in some grippier beasts but I'm a bit brassic at the mo.


Tyres are the number one priority for ensuring you stay rubber side down. Chances are they are sub-standard or old if they came with the bike. I'd be investing in a really good pair pronto, if I were you. It's your life we're talking about, after all!

[EatOrBeEaten]

Tyres are the number one priority for ensuring you stay rubber side down. Chances are they are sub-standard or old if they came with the bike. I'd be investing in a really good pair pronto, if I were you. It's your life we're talking about, after all!
Aye, a good point :)

Still waiting to get paid properly, and the damage I did to the car I hit is not going to be pretty.... :no:

[mujambee]

Get to know your bike.

Even if it is not in the best shape, it works, so there must be a point in wich you can ride it safely and a point beyond which it turns dangerous. Just go and find it.

A good trick for that is,on a good dry and sunny day, convincing yourself that the road is wet. You'll ride on dry as if it where wet. As the day goes on, you'll get more confidence and your brain will go on automatic, constantly increasing your speed. Cut it off short; next day stay a bit longer, and after a time you'll find your point.

And, as said before, check your tires. Are those very old? May have gone crystall (don't know how to say that in english, when a tire is so old that rubber has hardened to the point it does not wear off but provides no grip).


When you find some spare money, do service it:

- Replace brake lines.
- Replace fork oil.
- New fork springs (or a couple of teflons if that is too expensive).
- New back absorber (is that it's name? )
- New sport-touring tyres

I've been expending just little money here and there and my old bike has been improving over the last 4 years. It's not exactly a circuit beast but I can safely have fun on mountain roads (and embarrass the occasional brand-new CBR/GSXR/R6 ;) )

[mujambee]

Tyres are the number one priority for ensuring you stay rubber side down. Chances are they are sub-standard or old if they came with the bike. I'd be investing in a really good pair pronto, if I were you. It's your life we're talking about, after all!

First thing to do on second hand bikes is check that tyres and brake lines are not too old.

Press your nail into each tyre. If the mark you leave on it is very slight, chances are that the tyre has gone crystall. For reference you can try on someone else's bike or on a car; if your mark is similar to that of a car, your tyre should go to the bin inmediately.

If a tyre has gone crystall, you should never ride that bike untill you replace it. Don't delay that.

[The Stranger]

You may never have confidence in that bike again by the sounds of it. Get it checked over by someone to make sure it's in the best possible condition it can be. I see that White Trash is offering to help KBers with suspension set-up, so maybe drop in on him sometime.


I gather the bars are a touch taller now, which will have moved some of the weight off the front suspension to the rear, it should be better, but it won't have corrected the problem.

Personally, I would quit the bike.
I must confess to some ignorance as to how bad the suspension on those things are prior to riding it. You out rode the bike, you weren't asking a lot of the bike and weren't pushing boundaries - had you been on almost any other bike.

That, or you could spend aprox $700.00 on front suspension upgrades.

Honestly, if you don't either quit it, or upgrade the front end it will let you down again. Just a question of when really.

This is an absolutely classic reason why the 250 learner laws need to be gone. By putting those least able to deal with crap like this on the worst bikes they are ensuring accidents like this happen.
This was a government mandated accident.

[The Stranger]

at the risk of repeating myself...how old are the tyres!?

Can't say for sure, but I can say that tyres played no part in either accident - other than the bike was rolling on them at the time.

[FROSTY]

Sorry Stranger I disagree with you. The ZZR/er250/gpx250 have an extremely soft front end -stupid soft.
But they sold in their thousands with this being the first time someones raised the issue
With the oli work you have done ,her bike is at the same softness as Jorjas 250.
Having ridden the bike breifly I think I could go out and deliberately ham fist a few corners and come out the other end fine.
Lets think this through. She did a full coro loop with no problems. So you have sorted the issue.
Higher bars are gonna take weight off of the front even more so demphasising its desighn flaws.
Im pretty confident its phsycocymatic (sp) Ie she thinks the bikes shite so shes stiff so the bike feels shite so shes stiffer so the bike feels worse.
Almost (and not that Id suggest this ever) a case of get her pissed so shes relaxed then go for a ride
I wonder if maybee a blast round my playground on a squidgy soft trailee would help.

[MSTRS]

This talk of baggy suspension...do we know whether this particular bike is worse than average? Non-performance 250s are renowned for soft suspension, and it's not necessarily a problem. Frosty will tell you how well a Spada handles and just how 'bad' their suspension is.
Personally, I think this is a case of rider lacking confidence and ability. (other than a failed front brake, if I understand correctly)

[The Pastor]

i'd have to agree with frosty here too, bikes and road conditions dont cause accidents, rider failure to adapt to the conditions causes accidents.

EOBE, either sell the bike or just take it relaxed, the goal in motorcyling is not travelling at speed, its about enjoyment and getting there alive.

While regaining your confidence allow for the worse case - i.e., brake failure etc. Increase the following distance. I used to ride a gpz1000 with bent forks, frame and discs - coupled with 260kg dry it was more than a handful in corners or under brakes. Basicly just ride to the conditions, which include your bike, your skill level and your confidence level.

Corner speed will increase with time, dont even worry about it.

[EatOrBeEaten]

Thanks again folks, it's fascinating seeing the opinionson this.

I commuted in to work today on the bike. Nothing terribly exciting, just a hop on/hop-off on the motorway. It felt OK I guess. Played it very gently. The new handlebar setup has made a difference to the handling and the suspension, and although I felt the need to check the brakes all the time (just a gentle squeeze every now and again) I didn't get that panicky feeling I had on Sunday. I think I'm going to take it easy this week, commute to and from work (like I have other options that don't involve lifts with other people O_o) and short runs out.

One of the interesting points raised here (and elsewhere) is that I have only been riding a couple of months and only have a few thousand K under my belt. I'm not trying to be a proper hooner, but I keep feeling like I should be better at this than I am, that I should have more experience. I guess it's a side effect of hanging about almost exclusively with experienced riders, it's sometimes easy to forget just how new I am sometimes (if that makes any sense!)

[FROSTY]

I would definitely recomend coming over and taking one of the trail bikes out. You will panic the first few times but slowly you will find your confidence increasing.

[The Pastor]

sounds like your on the right track.

Dont worry about not being good/ having enough experiance etc enough, and dont get caught up too much in all the kb bs. Just get out and ride - the rest will fall into place.

[MsKABC]

Here's another idea for you EOBE that's just occurred to me. Head down to the bucket racing next month on the Saturday (the practise day) and have a go at that. There will be a bike there that you can have a ride of, I'm sure. Speak to the guy who runs the show - he has a bike there to loan out. It will give you some time in the saddle in a safe environment on a small bike to build your confidence, and it's great fun. Who knows, you might like it so much you decide to take it up as a hobby! ;)

[R6_kid]

I think the best thing you can do is get your time on the bike up.

I had a similar incident on my R6, doing considerably more speed than you approaching a hairpin on a race track, quickly found myself with no front brakes just as I'd decided to leave my braking for the corner a tad later. Fortunately i got it under control and had a fair bit of runoff to use up and stop safely.

As soon as the problem was remedied, and and I was satisfied that it had been fixed, I tested it out and hit the track again.

The only way you are going to get over your two accidents is to have someone you trust check he bike over and make sure it's good to go. Then as frosty has said, ride it, but ride it relaxed.

What caused your brakes to fail is known, and has been sorted. And the suspension on your bike has been improved greatly. Now its a matter of getting more experience riding at 60-70% of your capability and slowly building that up, while staying within the limits of yourself and the bike. These limits can only be learnt with experience - there is no other way.

[zeocen]

Some people love motorcycling but don't take to it naturally like others do.

I love motorcycles and motorcycling but I was an absolute hazard when I first hopped on, when an angry car behind me decided I was going too slow he passed me and I had a panic and went into the curb.. at like.. 4kmph. It still scared the shit out of me, my old man told me to take a 2 week holiday off, sent me off to their beach house in Whangamata and the bike in the van for a 2 week holiday just for getting to know the bike.

It was awesome! Dead streets, wide streets, I even got confident enough to do a MIGHTY 50kmph!! Looking back I wonder how on earth I was so terrible, but we all were at one point, some worse than others (I would have to have been the absolute worst of the worst). I wasn't dangerous I was just absolutely lacking in confidence.

Now I'm having a blast on my Hornet, riding any conditions, it's my sole mode of transport and I wouldn't have it any other way! I tackle rain, hail, shine, wet roads, dry roads, roads that aren't even roads.. it's great!

All you need is time, this shit doesn't come naturally to everyone, but if you work at it you'll be rewarded with good times, I know I was.

Still reckon you should sell it though, I had a GPX250 and can attest to the "wtf" suspension you're talking about. Get a naked bike ;D

[MarkH]

and was coming home from the Coro loop after a week back in the saddle when the brakes failed and I hit a car.

Geez Roz, you are not having such a good run of it are you?

I think you need to do what you can to ensure the bike is safe & road worthy, there are people on this site that can carefully check your brakes and suspension for you and reassure you that they are safe. But if it were me I would take it easy and save my pennies for a better handling bike as soon as I could afford it.


One of the interesting points raised here (and elsewhere) is that I have only been riding a couple of months and only have a few thousand K under my belt. I'm not trying to be a proper hooner, but I keep feeling like I should be better at this than I am, that I should have more experience.

Don't be in such a hurry to be better, these things take time and a couple of negative experiences would dent anyone's confidence and increase the time it takes to become comfortable on the bike (except for me, cause I'm a natural - of course). Take your time and just remember - if you can stay alive on your piece of crap, think about how well you will do once you can afford to move to a bike that handles well.

If you were able to get a bank loan I would suggest something like Toto's hornet - I have seen him ride it and know it goes fine, I would have confidence in how it rides!

Finally:
Remember - "this too shall pass"

[EatOrBeEaten]

I would definitely recomend coming over and taking one of the trail bikes out. You will panic the first few times but slowly you will find your confidence increasing.

:D Will do. PM sent!


sounds like your on the right track.

Dont worry about not being good/ having enough experiance etc enough, and dont get caught up too much in all the kb bs. Just get out and ride - the rest will fall into place.

I don't think it's so much the KB BS (though it is there). It's a personal thing. I'm not good at admitting to myself that I'm not as good at something as I feel I should be. So I've no problem admitting my knowledge of bike maintenance is minimal, but riding them? I think I should be better than I am, and I'm on a fine line between confidence and arrogance anyway, so to get on something I've wanted to own for a quarter of a century and be aftraid of it is extremely off-putting!


Here's another idea for you EOBE that's just occurred to me. Head down to the bucket racing next month on the Saturday (the practise day) and have a go at that. There will be a bike there that you can have a ride of, I'm sure. Speak to the guy who runs the show - he has a bike there to loan out. It will give you some time in the saddle in a safe environment on a small bike to build your confidence, and it's great fun. Who knows, you might like it so much you decide to take it up as a hobby! ;)

:D Great idea- the bucket track at Ellerslie isn't far from me anyway, and it looks great fun... :)

Thanks again to all the advice and thoughts on this. Like zeocen the bike is all I got in terms of transport, I can't have a holiday from it so I'm just going to have to suck it up and learn to love the headstrong bitch..

[MSTRS]

I don't think it's so much the KB BS (though it is there). It's a personal thing. I'm not good at admitting to myself that I'm not as good at something as I feel I should be. So I've no problem admitting my knowledge of bike maintenance is minimal, but riding them? I think I should be better than I am, and I'm on a fine line between confidence and arrogance anyway, so to get on something I've wanted to own for a quarter of a century and be aftraid of it is extremely off-putting!




There's your problem, right there.

As others have said, some of us are naturals and some are not. Either way, only saddle time will improve your skills. Get out with a mentor, have a go on Frosty's dirt bike, try the bucket thing...it will all help. And when (cos you will) you get something wrong, don't beat yourself up about it. Accept that you are still learning (aren't we all), work out what went wrong and how to avoid it in future, then get on with things.

[FROSTY]

One tiny bit of final advice for ya --JUST FOR RIGHT NOW.
STOP THINKING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This isnt a standard bit of advice but after talking to you for awhile you and I think alike. You are overthinking the problem.

For a bloody good laugh read back some of my race reports from a few years back --I would beat myself up bigtime so I know what you're thinking

[Headbanger]

Sell the bike, And buy another,

A bike that has tried to kill you twice doesn't deserve another chance.


And practise stopping without using your front brake, not wanting to be too blunt but you could have avoided your last accident (merely going by the post about the incident) by standing on the rear brake and down shifting to scrub off speed....Though if it had been me I would have picked a line and nailed it....

[MarkH]

Sell the bike, And buy another,

A bike that has tried to kill you twice doesn't deserve another chance.


And practise stopping without using your front brake, not wanting to be too blunt but you could have avoided your last accident (merely going by the post about the incident) by standing on the rear brake and down shifting to scrub off speed....Though if it had been me I would have picked a line and nailed it....

I agree with buying another bike, but am unsure about the rear brake thing. In my experience when you don't have enough time to take evasive action the rear brake wont stop you fast enough. I find that I can stop MUCH faster on front only than rear only brakes and even faster on both. If the front brakes aren't working then you have no way of stopping fast unless you hit something.

[The Stranger]

Sorry Stranger I disagree with you. The ZZR/er250/gpx250 have an extremely soft front end -stupid soft.

Hmm, sounds dangerously close to agreeing with me there Frosty.

Lets think this through. She did a full coro loop with no problems. So you have sorted the issue.

No sir, band aided it at best. It's sure as hell not right, significantly better perhaps - which given the starting point really isn't saying a lot.

Im pretty confident its phsycocymatic

Sure, I do agree here, but as a huge amount of riding is in the head, confidence in your bike and your gear is a huge part of it. Not happy with something - fix it. Which is what I am advocating, either by selling it or spending some money on it.



I am absolutely certain you could ride around most any problem you are likely to encounter, but that is my point. You have the experience necessary to ride around the problems.
Did you practise and emergency stop on the bike?
Not only is the suspension soft as shit, but the hydraulic control is useless.
I found as soon as the forks bottomed the front wheel locked up. This can be done quite safely from as little as 15kph, at 40kph it's real doodle to bottom the forks and lock the front wheel. It is the first bike I have ridden where I could do this at will. It's not a problem for me or you to do this, however, I wonder at it being acceptable to have a noob doing that, yet that is exactly what is going to happen if she has to do an emergency stop - like it or not!

The oil level was at 150mm and according to the manual should have been 135mm. This wouldn't have help matters for the first bin. I upped the oil grade by 2.5w, lengthened the spring spacers by 10mm and set the oil level to 130mm in the end. We could do more still, but without the correct springs and possibly emulators I sure as hell wouldn't trust it.

Anyway, that's my rant over. As always love you Frosty.

[Headbanger]

I agree with buying another bike, but am unsure about the rear brake thing. In my experience when you don't have enough time to take evasive action the rear brake wont stop you fast enough. I find that I can stop MUCH faster on front only than rear only brakes and even faster on both. If the front brakes aren't working then you have no way of stopping fast unless you hit something.


I was suggesting she practice it in the event she needs it, Not make a habit of it. Ignoring a functioning brake when you really really really need one could be a tragic mistake.

[MSTRS]

Not only is the suspension soft as shit, but the hydraulic control is useless.
I found as soon as the forks bottomed the front wheel locked up.
The oil level was at 150mm and according to the manual should have been 135mm. This wouldn't have help matters for the first bin. I upped the oil grade by 2.5w, lengthened the spring spacers by 10mm and set the oil level to 130mm in the end. We could do more still, but without the correct springs and possibly emulators I sure as hell wouldn't trust it.


Is that it's big problem...the current ones are too soft?
A pair of custom springs are not that expensive. I know of others who have had a springmaker work his magic for around $150.

[FROSTY]

Mstrs--the ZZR/gpz just seems to have a generic shit front end.
I remember one of the first Wensday night mentor rides telling a lady with a brand new GPX that her front was orrible.
EXACTLY the same symptom you describe stranger.
I even suggested to Shaun that he do an aftermarket suspension kit

[<G>]

Sorry to read about your misfortunes, I understand about having a lack of confidence in your bike. I bought a ER6N as my first "big" bike, had it lowered etc but after a couple of drops and one huge scare I realised that it was not worth my life. I was able to sell it and have bought a little cruiser. However, my confidence is still not at the level that it was before the ER6N.
I found that taking the bike out early in the morning before the traffic starts helped with getting to know my bike and building my confidence. And do the Right Right Ride Safe course.
All the best
G

[BMWST?]

would bnew fork oil and some spacers to preload the springs be an interim solution for the front end(and a new front tyre?)

[The Stranger]

Is that it's big problem...the current ones are too soft?
A pair of custom springs are not that expensive. I know of others who have had a springmaker work his magic for around $150.

That is the biggest problem for sure. It would benefit from emulators, but the springs would be a good start. When last we spoke on this issue (prior to last little incident) EOBE was to email a certain web site enquiring about their springs. Possibly forgotten in all the excitement.

[EatOrBeEaten]

That is the biggest problem for sure. It would benefit from emulators, but the springs would be a good start. When last we spoke on this issue (prior to last little incident) EOBE was to email a certain web site enquiring about their springs. Possibly forgotten in all the excitement.
You speak truth, it got lost in amongst everything else (outside of biking someone has cleverly decided to change the entire NZ syllabus, which was good of them). I shall get onto it tonight after I've dangled off some things for fun.

[MadDuck]

For a bloody good laugh read back some of my race reports from a few years back --I would beat myself up bigtime so I know what you're thinking

Hmmm....ummmm.....yep!

[Chrislost]

*quick recap for the unwary*

After failing my DAS test in the UK, I picked up a learner's licence and a 1994 ZZR250 to use as my primary means of transport in Auckland. I had had the bike about three weeks when a sharp corner, poor suspension and a bumpy road caused me to crash. It took about a month before the bike got fixed up (thanks again lads) and I was back on the road. In that time, I'd lost a bit of faith in the bike and it's ability to get me round corners at any speed. I was determined to stick at it, and was coming home from the Coro loop after a week back in the saddle when the brakes failed and I hit a car.

As before, both me and the bike escaped without serious damage. The bike was repaired (cheers mate- she looks awesome) and is now in better shape than ever. However, on riding it home from the garage it was not long before my reunion glee turned to fear.

I don't trust my bike any more, or my ability to ride it.

I know it'll come with time, and spending time on the back of Gremlins Hornet has helped me remember that bike are (relatively) safe, but on my own bike? I keep remembering that feeling of pulling the brake lever and getting nothing, or of leaning the bike to have it come away from underneath me. I'm sure if these crashes had happened further down the line then I'd feel better about it, but two so close to the start of my riding career has really shaken me.

How do I pull myself out of this? I never rode like a crazed lunatic before the bin, but the fact I now feel dread when I see a 45 corner rather than glee is not good! :no:


go to a track day. Preferably at taupo as its more like a road than pukekohe
RE-GET the feeling for the bike in a corner in a situation where there is nothing to hit.

[discotex]

This is an absolutely classic reason why the 250 learner laws need to be gone. By putting those least able to deal with crap like this on the worst bikes they are ensuring accidents like this happen.

I totally agree. While some of the new 250's have passable suspension they're substandard compared to the bikes learners can ride in aussie.

At the end of the day our learners would be much safer on an SV650 or ER6n with decent suspension and brakes than riding a 20 year old 250 or even a new GT250R or Ninja 250R.

[EatOrBeEaten]

Well, after reading this thread and taking on board the advice I took a detour home from the climbing centre and decided to pull some emergency stops. Nothing too major, just taking her up to 30/40kph and doing progressively harder and harder stops. She works fine. No bins, no nasty lock-ups, and the one time she did lock slightly it was no big deal. I even took a 30 corner at 40! (no traffic, quiet as all hell road, took a decent enough line through it too)

By no means over this at all, but I feel I've made a positive start on the road to mental recovery. The bike's setup does feel different now it's got different bars on it as well, perhaps I needed a visual cue that the suspension would feel different than before?

[FROSTY]

Yep By using the bars that were used your C of G has shifted backwards a tadd. Remember too that the bar end weights arent needed on your bike.

[kevfromcoro]

Go with an experianced rider
You have had lots of offers here
iam sure they will.be very understanding and helpfull
as far as you riding goes
and how your bike is set up..
no matter what we ride
we all enjoy
frosty has given you some good advice..
Keep Biking

[piston broke]

*quick recap for the unwary*

After failing my DAS test in the UK, I picked up a learner's licence and a 1994 ZZR250 to use as my primary means of transport in Auckland. I had had the bike about three weeks when a sharp corner, poor suspension and a bumpy road caused me to crash. It took about a month before the bike got fixed up (thanks again lads) and I was back on the road. In that time, I'd lost a bit of faith in the bike and it's ability to get me round corners at any speed. I was determined to stick at it, and was coming home from the Coro loop after a week back in the saddle when the brakes failed and I hit a car.

As before, both me and the bike escaped without serious damage. The bike was repaired (cheers mate- she looks awesome) and is now in better shape than ever. However, on riding it home from the garage it was not long before my reunion glee turned to fear.

I don't trust my bike any more, or my ability to ride it.

I know it'll come with time, and spending time on the back of Gremlins Hornet has helped me remember that bike are (relatively) safe, but on my own bike? I keep remembering that feeling of pulling the brake lever and getting nothing, or of leaning the bike to have it come away from underneath me. I'm sure if these crashes had happened further down the line then I'd feel better about it, but two so close to the start of my riding career has really shaken me.

How do I pull myself out of this? I never rode like a crazed lunatic before the bin, but the fact I now feel dread when I see a 45 corner rather than glee is not good! :no:

well,i haven't read more than this post,but,
you have 2 choices,
i have had more than 1 off at a ton+,got back on again asap.(young and really stupid when i did that)
or you can be like my lil brother,he had 1 off,broken ankle,and has never put a leg over a roadbike since,mind his wife has had a bit of a say in that.
if you really love it you will do whatever you need too,to get back on two wheels.
i reckon you will.
if you need a bit of confidance get down to mt welli bucket races,plenty of folk will let you have a spin.
go gal:2thumbsup

[MadDuck]

By no means over this at all, but I feel I've made a positive start on the road to mental recovery. The bike's setup does feel different now it's got different bars on it as well, perhaps I needed a visual cue that the suspension would feel different than before?

I have followed the thread and read all the very helpful responses. One thing I have to ask is why do you ride a motorcycle? If it such a head fuck and you are not enjoying it why do it?

[Ragingrob]

Ah I can't believe about your brakes that day? The caliper fell off I heard?! You rode so well that day on the coro which was a big step in the right direction! It's all down to either getting your bike fully checked out so that you can have faith in the mechanics, or perhaps getting a new bike if you see this one as bad luck...

[EatOrBeEaten]

I have followed the thread and read all the very helpful responses. One thing I have to ask is why do you ride a motorcycle? If it such a head fuck and you are not enjoying it why do it?
Why do anything? I love bikes, always have. Compared to all the good times, giving up after a blip like this seems crazy!

[gijoe1313]

Remember, you can always join my fellow pootlers and I on our laid back and cruisy rides! I'll even bring out the lil'ol'hornet or Daisy so your 250 can feel at ease among the bigger beasties! :yes:

[EatOrBeEaten]

That'd be awesome J, thank you :)

Just need to find enough hours in the day to do all this stuff now! O_o

[gijoe1313]

That'd be awesome J, thank you :)

Just need to find enough hours in the day to do all this stuff now! O_o

Just go to sleep later, like me! :msn-wink:

[EatOrBeEaten]

Another update :)

Gremlin and I decided to go for a spin up Old North Road, and then out to Albany to meet up with the NASS lot. I led coming out of Westgate, and it was awesome. I'm still riding like a 'nana, but I'm definitely getting over the initial "WTF?!?" feeling every time I see a corner. The bike feels smoother on the throttle (from tightening the chain I think) and it all just seems to making a bit more sense. There were a couple of occasions when I had an eeep moment, but I did my best to remember that the bike could do it (honestly, it could!) so I could too :)

Gremlin said I was riding pretty well, but he's biased. Looking forward to a proper ride out :)

[Number One]

This talk of baggy suspension...do we know whether this particular bike is worse than average? Non-performance 250s are renowned for soft suspension, and it's not necessarily a problem. Frosty will tell you how well a Spada handles and just how 'bad' their suspension is.
Personally, I think this is a case of rider lacking confidence and ability. (other than a failed front brake, if I understand correctly)
Spadas :yes: wicked fun and though it might not feel like it you can bang them into corners and flick em round so easily...mm loved the soft front ends on my 250s - in fact I think that's why I struggled a bit with the zxr as it was sooo tight and true.

You'll come right just keep at it but don't push yourself. Each time you go out concentrate on being smooth instead of worrying about being fast. In no time you will be feeling much better about things. Good luck

[MSTRS]

Each time you go out concentrate on being smooth instead of worrying about being fast.

GOOD ADVICE!!! 'Fast' will come from 'smooth and consistent'. And you'll achieve that better if you are looking well ahead. Give yourself time to manouevre and control the situation, instead of reacting to the situation.

[hedcase07]

I have a mentor, but it's riding alone that really gets to me. I think the main issue is trusting the bike. If I'd binned due to Epic Rider Fail then I could at least trust myself not to be such an idiot again, but first the shitty suspension (mentor said it was some of the worst he'd ever seen, other riders have concurred) and THEN the brakes within weeks of each other? I guess I could sell it and start over, but financially it's not really an option :(

:dodge: Mate i know exactly how you feel.

after a recent drop on grit my ride spent 2 mnths in the shop and when i got it back i had lost alot of confidence especially when cornering the same way. Anyhow after taking it for a short slow ride i got home to discover that the pinch bolts were gone of my forks (Thank the lord to be here) Upon returning to the shop i discovered that the whole front end was loose as. so now i have tha same dilemma as you, keep riding or throw in the towell?

It was something i enjoyed imensley but seem to be shit scared of it now..
had a mate take it for a ride and he thinks it corners great so maybe it is just me.. the paranoia has set in.

[vifferman]

I did my best to remember that the bike could do it (honestly, it could!) so I could too
:niceone:

That's a very important point!
I've been riding for 35 years now, and still sometimes have to remind myself of that, especially in wet conditions.

As MSTRS said, look well ahead. The problem with many noobies, or with riders who've had a knock to their confidence is that they become much more short-sighted - shifting where they're looking to a point just in front of their bike. That just doesn't work! If you've had problems falling off on a corner, I bet you're spending too much time looking AT the corner, instead of through it. When you do that, your cornering technique turns to shit, and that further impacts your riding confidence.

You're making GOOD progress. :niceone:
Build on it, be positive about it!

[Candle]

come to the nass ride on Wednesday and try and look further forward wen your cornering but just try to relax more and have a bit more faith in your bike and abilities or you can sell it and never ride again your choice. Just gotta keep riding crashes hap[p[en just learn from it and grow as a biker easy

[retro asian]

Another update :)

Gremlin and I decided to go for a spin up Old North Road, and then out to Albany to meet up with the NASS lot.

Gremlin said I was riding pretty well, but he's biased. Looking forward to a proper ride out :)

Hope Gremlin doesn't mind me saying that you looked pretty sweet from behind... (I'm talking about the way you rode of course!)

- a first-time-to-see-you-ride-non-biased opinion :niceone: