Advice for a newbie - nervous riding at 100km/h

[DJSin]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I might ignoring growing balls - for the reason you gave and I have more than enough in the chest area

I like the concept of going 200km/h to make 100 feel slow would that I could

I do think the scorpio being a lighter bike doesn't help - I do own a cagiva raptor, it's waiting for me to get my full licence - I reckon that going 100 on that would be easier

The bf has suggested we go out to the country and find some quiet roads to practice on

[rosie631]

I binned my bike at 100ks a few weeks again. I have been amazed at how much of a knock my confidence has taken. Find round town but as soon as I start to get up speed on the open road i get the sick nervous feeling. I am finding it is getting better each time I go out. Went for a spin on sunday and was able to get up speed and actually enjoy it. I think it's just a matter of practise and pushing through the fear.

[sinfull]

I have more than enough in the chest area

Pics or it didn't happen !! lol

I like the concept of going 200km/h to make 100 feel slow would that I could

I do think the scorpio being a lighter bike doesn't help - I do own a cagiva raptor, it's waiting for me to get my full licence - I reckon that going 100 on that would be easier

The bf has suggested we go out to the country and find some quiet roads to practice on

Track day is the go for you then ! Controlled environment, yet yaself a trailer load the raptor and the scorp on and you and yr BF do a dirty weekend (or whatever, i usually just drive up in the morning and home that night) in taupo, after booking into a motott day !
You will never look back having done that !!!
Take both the scorp and the raptor out on the track, do the 200 km and then learn to corner on the scorp !!!

[davebullet]

I'm guessing you are ringing the neck of the Scorpio approaching 100. A bike screaming under you must make it feel a bit more on the edge.

When I was born at a very young age, I recall it was the effect of the wind pushing against you and increase in noise. I wear ear plugs now (just so I can protect my hearing). If you have a noisy helmet (or the bike is revving it up a bit loud) that might help.

Just remember to relax your grip. The faster those wheels spin, the more the bike wants to keep upright so that's a good thing.

[robboh]

I would suggest incrementally speeding up. Try 80, and try it on a quieter stretch of motorway at a quieter time, or on a reasonably wide back road (narrower the road, the 'scarier' it is). Then try 90, then 100.

I dont know about Wellington, but certainly up here, doing 80 in the slow lane shouldnt be an issue.

However, I suspect your biggest problem will actually be speed perception. You are probably looking down at the road too close to the front wheel. The closer you look to the the bike, the faster you will seem to be going. Its not an issue in town usually, but it is once you get on the open road, and at faster speeds.

Try looking as far down the road as you can, not at the car in front of you. Obviously you still flick your vision back close to check the road surface etc, but try and keep your main focus down the road aways, not just in front of your front wheel. I will guarantee you that will reduce the speed sensation.

Also, try to have 'soft eyes', as opposed to 'hard eyes' (Im using a horsey term here, maybe you can relate?). In other words, dont focus on anything in particular, just take in the whole scene, and use your peripheral vision more to 'look at things' without actually moving your vision from towards the front, you can just move your concentration as opposed to your eyes.

EG Im sitting on the couch at the moment, and the TV is about 30 degrees off the computer screen, but Im still getting a good idea of whats happening on the TV without actually looking away from the computer. Doing this does takes a bit of practice, but it will also help reduce the sensation of speed.

Plus finally, are your tyres up to snuff?? Get a mate to check over the suspension and steering head bearings etc. It COULD be a bike issue, though I wouldnt suspect so given its only a year old or so (and a Honda).

[modboy]

Hey DJ, I'm jumping in late here and perhaps this has already been said.
(btw, I agree with above - relaxed grip, "soft eyes" (good phrase robboh!)

I rode a vespa for four years and the first few months I remember crapping myself riding on the motorway, haha. I used to use all the back roads to ride to work (Wellington, round the bays, old hutt road - I live in Seatoun and work in Petone, bike everyday).

Gradually as the confidence built I felt more comfortable. I found that I'd give it a bit of stick on the motorway with little or no traffic around. Find a nice quiet straight-ish good quality road and open it up a bit. Now I can't wait to get to the terrace tunnel haha.

Now I'm on a much bigger bike (Triumph 900), much more power than the vespa - and once again I'm just going through the confidence building phase nice and easy. As I feel comfortable, in quiet controlled conditions just opening it up a little, get the feel of moving quicker and keep breathing.

Nothing wrong at all at knowing your limitations - it will keep you safe.

Practice practice practice - and yes, you do have to suck up the fear a little. It's good feeling scared a bit, it keeps you sharp.

Keep safe.

[vindy500]

just to make u feel better, if your scorpios anything like my gf's 07, your indicated 100 is actually only 90

[DJSin]

Thanks for continuing to make suggestions.

I am definitely keen to do a track day both for speed and cornering practice.

The idea of soft eyes makes sense and I'll make sure to do that next time.

Relaxed grip is also something I need to work on, along with relax Deb

Tires are sweeet - issue is definitely with the rider not the equipment!!!

The scorpio does have a bit of a speed gap so my speed estimations always takes that into account. It does feel like it's ringing its neck at speed.

[breakaway]

Just twist the fuckin throttle. When I went on the motorway first time with my RG150 (After about a month of inner city riding), I was expecting to be shitting bricks and trembling out of fear. But it was not scary at all.

It's the only way to do it. You'll be worried the first few times no doubt, but there is NO OTHER WAY to learn how to ride faster asides from doing it. No amount of people encouraging you to do it is going to help.

[Pegasus]

Thanks for continuing to make suggestions.

I am definitely keen to do a track day both for speed and cornering practice.

The idea of soft eyes makes sense and I'll make sure to do that next time.

Relaxed grip is also something I need to work on, along with relax Deb

Tires are sweeet - issue is definitely with the rider not the equipment!!!

The scorpio does have a bit of a speed gap so my speed estimations always takes that into account. It does feel like it's ringing its neck at speed.

Relaxing is the big thing. If you are tense, you are pulling back on the bars (or pushing forward). I got over it by getting bf to ride in front of me instead of behind. As soon as he did that I lost at least half of that tension. Then he just told me that it was unsafe for me to ride at 70 (first time on the open road)! He kept an eye on me in his mirrors, kept us on quiet back roads, and just let me do my thing.

My speedo reads 10% low, so 110 is 100 for me, so once you get up to the 100 milestone, it may pay to check against someone elses bike (if they are confident that their speedo is accurate) or a GPS

[PrincessBandit]

I still remember the first time I rode at 100. I was nervous about it and only lasted about 10 seconds at that speed. The other rider I was with (my brother, a very experienced rider) took off ahead of me on a long long straight stretch of quiet country road to get me to follow. He waited up ahead for me to catch up then asked me how I felt. I told him it was scary and he said that the first time is usually the worst (fear of the unknown).

The next time I was out on my own I found the same long stretch (familiarity!) and did it again and never looked back. Having that confidence in your bike and gear makes all the difference. Stick with doing it on a straight stretch for a few times to get the feel of the speed then with gentle corners. Ease into it - your bf if he's been riding a while should be able to "map out" some nice routes for you to gradually develop more confidence.

And as much as you can, ride with others so that you don't feel quite so vulnerable about the consequences of coming off all alone! Having others you feel safe with is a great way to start out - just one or two is all you need.


Good luck, and welcome to the joy of 2 wheels!!

[Maki]

The quick fang to 200 advice is spot on. After 200+, on a closed track of course, 100 will feel like you are semi stationary...
Find someone who will lend you a gixxer thou for a lap or two.

[LBD]

Stay within your comfort zone, ride at what you are comfortable/confident with and let it come naturally.

Don't be pressured into speeds that make you nervous...nervousness can lead to actions or reactions that may knock your confidence that can hold you back longer.

May help to find a quiet road and ride it several times to build your confidence.

If and when you reach 100km, on a quiet road, work on stops and lines around corners to improve and build your confidence and and ability.

All IMO with best intent and wishes....

[SMOKEU]

There is nothing to be scared of. Before I even had my 6L, I bought a CBR250 and on the test ride I got it up to 120kmh no problems. Now it's fun lane splitting at 160kmh; it's like anything, you'll get used to it. Practice makes perfect.

[kickin back]

Hey mate
soft eyes ,scanning,increase speed in own time .you wont enjoy untill you are comfortable with your bike and traffic and your own confidence increases.
Enjoy Ride Safe