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Thread: Huge lack of confidence =( how do i get over it?

  1. #61
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    13th April 2006 - 20:38
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ixion
    What Mr Paul in NZ said. You say you are always wondering if you will fall off or crash? Have you fallen off or crashed yet? If not, why should you on this occasion?

    But do not try to overide that survival instinct. It is was will keep you alive and riding for years.

    There are two sorts of lack of confidence.

    There is lack of confidence of the "I don't know what to do" variety. and there is lack of confidence of the "Um, I know what to do, but I really don't fancy doing anything that could get me hurt or killed" variety.

    The first is dangerous. It is the lack of confidence that will cause you to do the wrong thing, or nothing, when you find that a corner is sharper than it looked, and crash.

    The second is safe. It is the lack of confidence that will cause you to back off and slow down round that corner because it is blind and you cannot see round it. So when it turns out sharper than expected, and there is a vehicle stopped on the other side, you do not crash. and ride on smiling.

    The first sort of lack of confidence should be eliminated, by tution. A ride safe couse, by advice from experienced BUT SAFE riders (be cautious of advice from fast riders - they may teach you how to ride fast, which is a different matter to riding safely. Check and see if the advisor has ever crashed. if so, think about that) .And time. Like all things practice makes perfect.

    The second sort of lack of confidence should be fostered. It will keep you alive.Do not be shy to ride the pace that YOU are comfortable with. Remember that even if you are not as fast as the other chap, you will catch up while they are loading him into the ambulance.

    In 40 years I have seen riders come. And go. Sometimes dead, sometimes smashed up, sometimes just blustering after a crash that "Bikes suck, get a car man". Sometimes lost lost interest, and the bike stayed in the shed for longer and longer. And I just ride on, because I am never confident. I always assume that something may go wrong.
    Oh how wise is those words, better late than never

  2. #62
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    26th April 2004 - 18:48
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    Talking

    Quote Originally Posted by Highlander
    Yeah right.
    heheheheeh

  3. #63
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    15th February 2003 - 10:49
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    Quote Originally Posted by Quartida
    Are you serious? That's not at all constructive.

    Every biker I've talked to has had their moments where their confidence has fallen short - even if just for a few seconds. I'd hate to see someone give up just because they're a little nervous.

    Everyone else has given awesome advice (...going to take some of it myself...), so I say good luck m00sie .
    What you need is a can of harden up.

    Moosie. There si no substitute for experience. Yes you will crash. So does everyone. Hell I crashed twice in the first 2 weeks of riding. Then once in the coromandel and once on my driveway when I was on my restricted so even though I could ride (waits for snarky reply) shit still happens. My folks got pretty harsh about the stuation at the beginning but they settled down soon enough. So just go do it. As Quartida says everyone looses thier confidence at some point hell I still do when the old bitch decides to slide all over the road but the only way to get over it is to take a few deep breaths and keep riding.Speed has nothing to do with how you ride. It's all about technique. If you develope a good technique you won't run into problems when applying a bit more speed as your confidence increases.

    Quote Originally Posted by 2much
    WTF? Unlike many believe, just because someone can ride fast it doesn't make them a good rider. The knowledge that there is a time and a place for such riding is a much more important measure of one's riding ability.

    Ofcourse I can ride slow.
    And still crash.
    Lump lingered last in line for brains,
    And the ones she got were sort of rotten and insane...

  4. #64
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    21st June 2005 - 20:11
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    I have no intention of crashing anytime soon.

  5. #65
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    15th February 2003 - 10:49
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    Quote Originally Posted by MrPeanut
    I have no intention of crashing anytime soon.
    And that is what your mindset should be. Nerves can make you freak out and do something rash (believe me) but in saying that they also make you more aware when riding so it's finding a good balance. Hahahaha be afraid.. but be blasei(sp) about it.
    Lump lingered last in line for brains,
    And the ones she got were sort of rotten and insane...

  6. #66
    Quote Originally Posted by aff-man
    And still crash.
    And I predict with a certanty that you will crash again - for your sake I hope you survive with minimum injuries.If you changed your mindset you may never crash again - take control,give yourself power....don't be the victim.

  7. #67
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    15th February 2003 - 10:49
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    Quote Originally Posted by Motu
    And I predict with a certanty that you will crash again - for your sake I hope you survive with minimum injuries.If you changed your mindset you may never crash again - take control,give yourself power....don't be the victim.
    hahaha that comment was a piss take at 2much... he knows what for.

    I don't think I will crash because I have confidence in my ability to operate the 2 wheel machine under me. Now some people say that it's a "superman" think your invincible attitude. Well then sure I can live with that. The diffference is that even though I test them now and again I know where my limits are and when to back off. It's when you have the "i'm untouchable" attitude and don't know where your limits are then you can end up in a bit of and "interesting" situation.
    Lump lingered last in line for brains,
    And the ones she got were sort of rotten and insane...

  8. #68
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    19th January 2005 - 11:00
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    Quote Originally Posted by Highlander
    I remember reading (yes I can) a book where fighter pilots after the war got posted training newbies and when they got board they'd trail rolls of toilet paper out the window then grab the controls and double back chopping it up with the propellor.

    Can you imagine 2much trailing a roll of paper behind him down the road....
    Actually yes. Yes I can....

    Beside, one look at my bike will either scare Moosie off bikes forever or ride better.

    Sever
    Now and forever
    you're just another lost soul about to be mine again
    see her, you'll never free her
    you must surrender it all
    And give life to me again
    Disturbed - Inside the Fire


  9. #69
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    29th May 2006 - 14:49
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    Thanks for all the great advice =) and a huge thanks to those who PM'd me offering help with riding, i really appreciate it!

  10. #70
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    25th December 2003 - 20:57
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    Watch & Listen to Top Gun

    -Indy
    Hey, kids! Captain Hero here with Getting Laid Tip 213 - The Backrub Buddy!

    Find a chick who’s just been dumped and comfort her by massaging her shoulders, and soon, she’ll be massaging your prostate.


  11. #71
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    6th March 2006 - 20:41
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    Damn, I'm glad a found this thread..

    I've been having confidence issues too, mainly because I chose bike over car.. having never driven a manual the whole muscle memory and time to think about what I have to do takes a long while to get bashed into my head.

    I'm still just putting around during the day whenever I can, so the streets are pretty much empty and I can have time to change gears/ride clutch and whatnot.. it's the best way I've learnt so far.

    I've also found that confidence just comes with the territory, at first I wouldn't go more than 10kmph, then 20 was the absolute max! But around these streets, although they're not long I get up to the speed limit if only for a few seconds.. I find you just get used to the speed (maybe it seems faster because you see more of the road wizzing past you than a car, I dunno..).

    I have to say it sucks that your father is like that, my dad at first was all 'you're not getting a bike!' ..that's just basic overprotective fathers I think, but as soon as I got one HE's the one getting ME to go out there more! hehe

    Hope this helps, glad I didn't miss this thread! *soaks in all the advice*

    "And I'll make mistakes I've never made before, but at least I'm moving forward."

  12. #72
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    23rd May 2006 - 19:23
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    Ive only really been riding a few of months, I just jumped on and went for it, thats the way a lot of people learn best.

    But If you arnt too confident find a quiet street, or an industrial area on the weekend, or even a nice flat padock or something.
    Trailer your bike there, or get someone else to ride it there.
    Get on, and have some fun!

    Take the farings off if you are worried about damageing them and put cloth tape (duck tape) on the bits that poke out so they cant get scratched.

    If you are worried about hurting yourself, get the right gear, and relax - if it can save you at 100+ kms, you will be fine at 20

    Most of all, relax, go at your own pace and enjoy yourself
    Nobody will give you a hard time for being a learner, we all had to do it sometime

  13. #73
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    1st September 2004 - 12:38
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    Haven't read the whole thread, but can I ask what made you decide to get a bike in the first place? Had you done any riding at all before buying the bike- like off road or whatever? It must be quite daunting to have to learn to ride for the first time on the road, with no off road or track experience at all.

    He means well, but your dad is planting the seeds of doubt in your mind. If your dad can only be negative, then either have a serious discussion with him and ask him to stop, or failing that, just stop listening to him. Riding well is all about confidence and self belief. To ride safely you MUST have confidence in your abilities. If all you can think about while you are riding is dad saying that you're no good at it, you're going to fall off and hurt yourself etc, then that is exactly what will happen. Don't be too discouraged though, at least you are aware that there is some risk involved- heaps of young guys just go hard and find out the hard way that they don't have the skills, and that falling off can hurt both the body and the bank balance.

    As for advice, I reckon you need to do some off road riding.
    My daughter telling me like it is:
    "There is an old man in your face daddy!"

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