This is for the not so newbies

[Tigadee]

Seems like everyone you talk to when you tell them you're learning was a natural, got on a bike for the first time and off they went, like they were born to ride, fearless. Well is there anyone who's now a confident rider that was never any of these things? Anyone who's scared? maybe wanted to crap their daks?

Are you kidding?! My first two weeks after getting my bike, all I did was practice in the car park next door. Didn't want to be anywhere near traffic.

My first time on the motorway shortly after venturing on the road, I was scared shitless going... 80kph. Second time I wasn't scraed at 80kph but was at 100kph.

Confidence comes gradually. For a long time, I had fears of skidding and falling. Never happened. You have to learn to trust that the bike is actually more capable than you, and more seat time will allay your fears and increase your confidence.

Anyone who says they were riding like a natural from the first ride either has bad memory or is just bragging.

The first time that I rode a motorbike, it was my mates FXR 150. I remember the feeling being overwhelming when trying to coordinate throttle, clutch, brakes and gears...so very different to a car! I felt like such an uncoordinated moron.

Wow, hard to believe that same scenario was only a year ago for me... and it hasn't been an incident-free 12 months either! But it's been super fun and educational.

[bosslady]

The first time that I rode a motorbike, it was my mates FXR 150. I remember the feeling being overwhelming when trying to coordinate throttle, clutch, brakes and gears...so very different to a car! I felt like such an uncoordinated moron. Fast forward a year or so and I bought my first bike, a ZXR250 and I distinctly remember that the first night I got it, before having had any real experience riding a motorbike, I decided to take it out for a ride at night in the country side. Well bugger me did I feel out of my depth, trying to get the hang of picking lines (made even harder with the ZXR's barely sufficient head light) and trying to get the bike through corners. The joke is, that I was riding at 100% of my ability at the time to keep it going and yet I was riding under the speed limit and at speeds that I would comfortably do now in the wet on slick tyres while riding one handed and eating a mince pie.

the point...it's like anything. take time, have patience and it will start to flow.

don't know how I missed this post, very cool, thanx for sharing!

[GrayWolf]

I have one. Problem isn't the instructor, problem was my first lesson incorporated the BHS so that was a bit of pressure on my shoulders. If I was smarter I would have done lesson one day, BHS another. Second "lesson" was with a friend of sorts, didn't want to piss them off and felt really stressed hense me losing control, going down small grassy bank and bike landing on my leg. Do not underestimate how uncoordinated I am... answer is VERY!

THere are VERY few 'natural riders' and then as any psychology teachings will tell you, a latent talent is never developed without practice and training. I'd agree with FJ, most guys it's an ego thing, to not admit they rode like a dick in the beginning.
I learnt to 'ride' in paddocks on old fucked scooters and automatic mopeds. My first attempt on a bike? Was a CB125 honda in 1974, A huge fistful of revs, dumped the clutch and instant wheelie heading straight for several parked cars. Only avoided by dropping the effin thing.
Yes you may read many of us crotchety old buggars jumped on and rode them.. there was NO requirement for basic skills back then. You bought the bike, slapped Loony plates on it, and you rode the ruddy thing, or at least attempted to. We somehow survived and develped the skills to ride, often more with a huge amount of luck avoiding serious injury. Did I drop a bike? As a learner? bloody stacks of times, and 90% of them through simple stupidity (over exuberance or lack of ability) The simple stupidity of youth? Is probably the only reason we werent scared shitless, if I was a learner today? It would also scare me somewhat more than back then. I now understand my mortality.
So moral is? You're just being human.. IF you find after a time that you are just not right on a bike? (unsure and unsettled, unrelaxed.) Then maybe a bike isnt for you, but allow yourself enough time to master the skills... thats the balance you need to find.

[arcane12]

I started riding about 9 months ago. I had a quick little tootle around some back streets, and then moved onto a carpark to practice. Nice big uni carpark. I first worked on cornering, then moved onto figure eights, weaving, and the walking pace balancing. (damn hard!)

The basics of balance came quickly to me (I have always had good balance) but co-ordinating indicating, gear changing, horn etc for the test was a challenge (on reflection I should have rung it out in first, silly me!)

Once I was out on the road going 80 was a bit worrying, and the first time at 100 quite a puckering event! Over time I have learnt to get used to all that - I am not fearless, I just save that fear for other times (god damned Hamilton fog! Visor fogged, glasses fogged, and cars with no lights jumping up out of nowhere.)

So I guess what I am saying is I think few people would jump on and be pure naturals, though some might have already developed skills that would help make the transition easier. Having already learnt the road rules and how to work a manual when I first started to drive (oh the stalls!) I had less to learn all at once. I still used to stall the bike the first few weeks all the time, and even stalled the new bike a couple of weeks ago (a not thinking moment, not a good idea on a bike).

Did you get your basic handling done? Or still need it? Being able to run around some quiet streets can be helpful (I know you could do that without, but one less thing to stress about is always good!). Or get a friend to ride it to a carpark so you can practice there can help.

Anyway, good luck, and it sounds like you have a sensible safe attitude!

[Banditbandit]

Seems like everyone you talk to when you tell them you're learning was a natural, got on a bike for the first time and off they went, like they were born to ride, fearless. Well is there anyone who's now a confident rider that was never any of these things? Anyone who's scared? maybe wanted to crap their daks? I never went into it thinking I was all that and a bag of chips, thought I might struggle and gosh darn was I right! I don't even know how to drive a manual so not a great start lol. Want to have hopefully a couple more lessons with an instructor before I go out on the road and despite dropping my bike multiple times (have the bruises and achey legs to show for it!) I sure as heck don't want to give up! Tell me I'm not a lost cause!

Fuck me .. I've been riding for 39 years .. and I would not describe myself as a "confident" rider ... sure I hung it out on the way to work this morning and scrapped my boot on the road ... Probably to younger or newer riders I look confident and ride super confident ... I'm inclined to be a little risky over taking cages.

But before long trips I worry - Will I make it back? Will I be the new hood ornament on a high speed truck? Will I finally fuck it up and chuck it down the road and kill myself?

And the number of times I've freaked out in a corner - WHOA WHOA WHOA TOO HOT PUSH DOWN ON THAT BAR AND PRAY - is a little scarey. The bike is better in corners than I am - thank god.

Now I recent;y dropped a bike (some dipshit stopped dead in front of me at very low speed, I locked the front wheeel and the bike fell sideways) but I have not had a major off since I dropped a Honda at more than 100 klicks in the mid 1990s and hit a car with a BMW (dipstick went through a giveway sigh) in 1990.

So I suppose, what I am trying to say, is that older and experienced riders can and do worry about such things - and I suppose that worry is what actually keeps us alive and riding ...

Don't lose that fear - it's healthy.

[bosslady]

I started riding about 9 months ago. I had a quick little tootle around some back streets, and then moved onto a carpark to practice. Nice big uni carpark. I first worked on cornering, then moved onto figure eights, weaving, and the walking pace balancing. (damn hard!)

The basics of balance came quickly to me (I have always had good balance) but co-ordinating indicating, gear changing, horn etc for the test was a challenge (on reflection I should have rung it out in first, silly me!)

Once I was out on the road going 80 was a bit worrying, and the first time at 100 quite a puckering event! Over time I have learnt to get used to all that - I am not fearless, I just save that fear for other times (god damned Hamilton fog! Visor fogged, glasses fogged, and cars with no lights jumping up out of nowhere.)

So I guess what I am saying is I think few people would jump on and be pure naturals, though some might have already developed skills that would help make the transition easier. Having already learnt the road rules and how to work a manual when I first started to drive (oh the stalls!) I had less to learn all at once. I still used to stall the bike the first few weeks all the time, and even stalled the new bike a couple of weeks ago (a not thinking moment, not a good idea on a bike).

Did you get your basic handling done? Or still need it? Being able to run around some quiet streets can be helpful (I know you could do that without, but one less thing to stress about is always good!). Or get a friend to ride it to a carpark so you can practice there can help.

Anyway, good luck, and it sounds like you have a sensible safe attitude!

Yup sat and passed my BHS on 24/11, also the same day I got on a bike for the first time, ever... Did my learners test Friday just been and passed, so got my bit of paper until my new licence arrives. Thinking I might get a secondhand helmet (yes, yes I know!) until my gear comes so I can practice.. I don't know...

[arcane12]

Yup sat and passed my BHS on 24/11, also the same day I got on a bike for the first time, ever... Did my learners test Friday just been and passed, so got my bit of paper until my new licence arrives. Thinking I might get a secondhand helmet (yes, yes I know!) until my gear comes so I can practice.. I don't know...

Sounds like your helmet is not too far away (reading your gear thread some more). If that's the case, maybe wait for that. A second helmet won't do you much good as you won't be taking passengers for a couple of years yet! If your boots ans gloves are going to be delayed, do you have something else suitable? For low speed training I would think a range of stuff could do, though I am sure some ATGATT guys will make anrgy faces over that!

[george formby]

Seems like everyone you talk to when you tell them you're learning was a natural, got on a bike for the first time and off they went, like they were born to ride, fearless. Well is there anyone who's now a confident rider that was never any of these things? Anyone who's scared? maybe wanted to crap their daks? I never went into it thinking I was all that and a bag of chips, thought I might struggle and gosh darn was I right! I don't even know how to drive a manual so not a great start lol. Want to have hopefully a couple more lessons with an instructor before I go out on the road and despite dropping my bike multiple times (have the bruises and achey legs to show for it!) I sure as heck don't want to give up! Tell me I'm not a lost cause!

Just showed my G/F your post & asked her onion on it. She was in the same boat until recently. We have spent many hours practicing in a safe area, no, well, hardly any traffic.
She said... Take your time & practice the basic controls first, clutch, throttle, brakes, gears. Getting into 3rd was a big day for her. Worry about corners when you have the control. She also suggested practicing braking & coming to a stop. She is a bit short in the leg so keeping her balance & looking where she is going to put her feet is a big thing. Looking where you want to go is a biggie. After more than 30 years riding an instructor recently left a wee note on my handle bars.... "lift your head" The shear embarrassment of it did the trick for me.
Every time the G/F has had a wee off she has learned from it, turning a negative into positive & actually increased her confidence knowing it was her fault & not the bikes. Trusting the bike is a biggie too. The more you practice the better.
My G/F did not feel she was making any improvement, after an hour on the bike she would be mentally & physically knackered. Reviewing videos of practice over a few months told the true story, huge improvements but incremental so she did not notice.
You want to see the wee bugger now. I have already had to tell her too save it for the track....
Another point she made, having somebody patient to answer dumb questions & encourage you to keep practising is a huge help. Keep your instructor close..

[bosslady]

Sounds like your helmet is not too far away (reading your gear thread some more). If that's the case, maybe wait for that. A second helmet won't do you much good as you won't be taking passengers for a couple of years yet! If your boots ans gloves are going to be delayed, do you have something else suitable? For low speed training I would think a range of stuff could do, though I am sure some ATGATT guys will make anrgy faces over that!

I think they are going to wait till they have the gloves and boots they're waiting on before they send it, so I prob won't get it for another 2-3 weeks, so prob won't get on my bike again till Jan, don't wanna wait that long and lose some of the new skills I've learned

Just showed my G/F your post & asked her onion on it. She was in the same boat until recently. We have spent many hours practicing in a safe area, no, well, hardly any traffic.
She said... Take your time & practice the basic controls first, clutch, throttle, brakes, gears. Getting into 3rd was a big day for her. Worry about corners when you have the control. She also suggested practicing braking & coming to a stop. She is a bit short in the leg so keeping her balance & looking where she is going to put her feet is a big thing. Looking where you want to go is a biggie. After more than 30 years riding an instructor recently left a wee note on my handle bars.... "lift your head" The shear embarrassment of it did the trick for me.
Every time the G/F has had a wee off she has learned from it, turning a negative into positive & actually increased her confidence knowing it was her fault & not the bikes. Trusting the bike is a biggie too. The more you practice the better.
My G/F did not feel she was making any improvement, after an hour on the bike she would be mentally & physically knackered. Reviewing videos of practice over a few months told the true story, huge improvements but incremental so she did not notice.
You want to see the wee bugger now. I have already had to tell her too save it for the track....
Another point she made, having somebody patient to answer dumb questions & encourage you to keep practising is a huge help. Keep your instructor close..

Practice, practice, practice... I was practicing my braking last night a fair bit, I panic when I know I have to break and all of a sudden "forget" how, was getting much better last night, still need to practice though - instructor making sure I use my rear brake too, I notice a lot of people don't bother with it... to each their own I guess, generally speaking I'm a bit of a stickler for doing things the right way any way. Luckily for me at 5ft 8, I don't have any trouble touching the ground, so that's something I guess!

[george formby]

Practice, practice, practice... I was practicing my braking last night a fair bit, I panic when I know I have to break and all of a sudden "forget" how, was getting much better last night, still need to practice though - instructor making sure I use my rear brake too, I notice a lot of people don't bother with it... to each their own I guess, generally speaking I'm a bit of a stickler for doing things the right way any way. Luckily for me at 5ft 8, I don't have any trouble touching the ground, so that's something I guess!

You have a great approach to learning. Riding a bike is not the most natural thing in the world & only with practice do the techniques become second nature. We practice "correct" braking every time we ride, both brakes.. Good on ya.

HERE is Jas a few months ago practising for her BHS.
She cringes watching this now.

[bosslady]

You have a great approach to learning. Riding a bike is not the most natural thing in the world & only with practice do the techniques become second nature. We practice "correct" braking every time we ride, both brakes.. Good on ya.

HERE is Jas a few months ago practising for her BHS.
She cringes watching this now.

hah! Very cool

[ducatilover]

I started off confident, now I shit myself thinking of my incredible ability to crash bikes

I think I went backwards?

[Drew]

Get a Volvo then Doug...Wait...What?

[ducatilover]

Get a Volvo then Doug...Wait...What?

Oh fuck.

[bosslady]

Fuck me .. I've been riding for 39 years .. and I would not describe myself as a "confident" rider ... sure I hung it out on the way to work this morning and scrapped my boot on the road ... Probably to younger or newer riders I look confident and ride super confident ... I'm inclined to be a little risky over taking cages.

But before long trips I worry - Will I make it back? Will I be the new hood ornament on a high speed truck? Will I finally fuck it up and chuck it down the road and kill myself?

And the number of times I've freaked out in a corner - WHOA WHOA WHOA TOO HOT PUSH DOWN ON THAT BAR AND PRAY - is a little scarey. The bike is better in corners than I am - thank god.

Now I recent;y dropped a bike (some dipshit stopped dead in front of me at very low speed, I locked the front wheeel and the bike fell sideways) but I have not had a major off since I dropped a Honda at more than 100 klicks in the mid 1990s and hit a car with a BMW (dipstick went through a giveway sigh) in 1990.

So I suppose, what I am trying to say, is that older and experienced riders can and do worry about such things - and I suppose that worry is what actually keeps us alive and riding ...

Don't lose that fear - it's healthy.

seems like I missed this post too, good reading