How do I get back my biking mojo?

**Motu** · 13th November 2006, 14:13

It can happen even if you don't stop riding.I spent 10 years on Waiheke Island,there was nowhere you could exceed 150kph and you could ride every road there was in an hour.But I still rode my bikes,ranging from FA50 scooters to CB750's on the seal and gravel roads,I did lots of off road riding and raced bikes on the local dirt track,even a rally sprint on the bike.

But coming back to Auckland I was like a new rider,I really couldn't cope with the pace of the city traffic,and out on the open road I seemed to be out of my depth too....I just wasn't used to the speed.

**Shadows** · 13th November 2006, 19:38

Mmmmm..... it's just like riding a bike!

Just get into it. It'll all come back to you.

**The_Dover** · 13th November 2006, 19:41

wheelies, lots of big dirty minging wheelies.

**Silverfern** · 13th November 2006, 20:11

You guys are fantastic, thanks for all your support. Yes, I have already tried to put my name down for the RRRS course, still waiting for a reply but it will happen. May take the bike into my friendly MRS and see about bars/clutch adjustment. I can reach the ground okay, not feet fully flat but close. Have only ridden with other half once, he was great but I felt I was holding him back, so I may go solo this weekend, if it gets above 10 degrees! Thanks again and I'll keep you posted on progress.

**Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)** · 14th November 2006, 13:12

If you have trouble reaching the clutch - you will feel uncomfortable and insecure - get a bike more suitable for you and you will wonder why you ever had doubts about not being able to ride again.

I had a beemer which was quite a high bike and I'm tall - I could just touch the ground with my feet but never felt very confident until one day, I was too lazy to put my bike boots on and wore heavy thick high heeled boots - had far more stability and heaps more confidence.

I'd had a 13 year break from riding - it does take time to get back into the groove.

**ManDownUnder** · 14th November 2006, 13:18

Originally Posted by The_Dover

wheelies, lots of big dirty minging wheelies.

Just remember to keep at least one wheel on the ground aye Dover...

**The_Dover** · 14th November 2006, 13:22

wotchoo talkin bout willis?

**Roj** · 16th November 2006, 11:19

Take the time and practise, I had a break of 10 years or so and now find I don't feel the need to go as fast as I used to, the joy of riding is the ride, go on the courses offered and see if you can get the clutch altered to suit, with time and practise you will become confident.

You probably also have a different view on life compared to your earlier riding days.

**slimjim** · 16th November 2006, 12:24

hay, your family got any friend's with dirt bikes, nothing big, but one that you can stand feet down easly, practise on one of the dirt tracks, this is fun and you don't have to worry to much about cars ,giveways etc......but gee """in time""" it will all come back, just don't think,(wow a male thing ..hahaha) see we do come in handed for some thoughts, all the best , and yup and both wheels down, No Dover you gota be nice!!!!

**yungatart** · 16th November 2006, 15:00

Hey, after that long off bikes, do you think that it is unreasonable to be a little more cautious, slow and not to mention , rusty, than you used to be.
I started riding 16+ years ago, but oly did about 500ks in total, then when I got back on a bike I was worse than any brand new newby!
Take yur time, go for frequent short rides along quiet roads and learn to relax and control the "voices" in your head.
Don't give up, there is loads of fun waiting out there for you!
Good luck!

**XP@** · 16th November 2006, 15:31

Seems like ou filtered out the good advice :-)

Take it easy, take some lessons and you won't have any problems :-)

**trumpy** · 17th November 2006, 08:01

Back on two wheels a year now after 27 years away and believe me the memory of what I used to be is way better than the reality probably was! As the saying goes "the older I get the faster I was".
Last bike was a 70's CB 750/4. Bigger, heavier and only half the performance and handling of my current 600.
After scaring my self witless in the first couple of days of ownership (that faulty memory thing again) I decided to treat myself as a newbie and am slowly (some might say pathetically slowly!) building up the skills again. Seems to me to be better to do it slowly right side up and enjoyably than than to be spending time sliding down the tarmac and saying hello to the nurses in A+E (however nice they may be).
My 2c worth anyway.

**woodybee** · 29th November 2006, 20:29

Originally Posted by Silverfern

Hi biker angels, I need some advice please. In my happily mis-spent youth, I rode with passion, and recklessly. I did Brisbane to Melbourne by myself on a SR250, did trip around NZ on 400/4, rode all day every day, you get the pic? Then at 8 months pregnant I gave up for safety reasons. The years went by, the kids have almost grown up and my wonderful partner has an RF900. I very quickly got bored on the back and 2 months ago bought a golden oldie Suzuki 550 with the hope of getting used to riding again before upgrading. To my shock and horror, I find myself riding like an old grandad, I have trouble reaching the clutch, I'm terrified of being hit or falling off cornering. I'm seriously thinking of selling it and have given myself a hundred reasons, (from helmet hair to wanting to live to a ripe old age) for doing so. Any ideas/thoughts very welcome. Should I go back to a smaller bike? I have booked in for the next Ride Right course but I don' think I can even get myself there on the day! I feel absolutely pathetic, has my mojo gone for good?

Hi Silverfern,

Firstly, I live in Dunedin too, so thats a coincidence.

To let you know I jumped back on my bike after having a zippy 500cc Honda CBZ Custom Bike about 8 years ago. I sold that went to a clowns Bike (suzuki street magic 50CC), and now own a Vesper 125, but also own a Triumph T100 Bonneville, which I have been playing around on. I went
on a little trip to Nelson as a first ride and survived that, but still found the corners a bit intimidating, but was encouraged all the way there, and also congratulated to get to Nelson.

All I will say, is the corners still get to me, and I guess that will get easier with time.

If you want to go for a bit of ride round here some day, with someone who doesnt go at breakneck speeds then let me know. My email is Bromsgrovejan@hotmail.com if you want to arrange something anyway.

Anyway, coi for now dudess, and catcha soon.Jan AKA Woodybee

**chic 'n' charge** · 4th December 2006, 21:57

The biggest thing my Pop always did for me and my sister when we were learning to ride was getting us to set off first and then he would always catch us up. Ride at your own limit and level....your riding pals will respect what it was like - we don't all get up one day & become truly confident at riding. I remember having my first biff on the road and it took ages before I got on again - but ya know what my Pop did - he started my bike in garage one day & said I needed to take it for ride to keep oil moving around in it - then he came riding with me & it was great.....small steps one after the other - little bit longer rides and then it was all back to normal. You will get there - just don't ride to anyone elses limits.....hook up with other female riders for a day trip - you'll be great. Stick with it.

**buellbabe** · 7th December 2006, 12:00

Firstly I reckon you need to change bikes if you are not comfortable with your current ride.
Then do a Ride safe course
and get out there on roads you know well and just enjoy.
Ride at speeds you are comfortable with, don't feel pressured to ride 'hell for leather'.
If you REALLY wanna get your mojo back it WILL happen for you ;-)