How to ride faster than you ever have before

**slikchik** · 5th April 2007, 22:32

OK so the title was more of an appertiser than an advise column. What I really want to know is well I actually have a 250 thats parked in the shed and had been for a wee while and my partner who thinks hes a maverick wants me to drain the petrol out of it, and Im quite sad about that, so to help me get over the draining petrol state, I need to get my ass into gear and ride the bike (AND I really want to) um whats my motivation people???? Tell me what motivates you to get out and face the fear and just ride.

**Ixion** · 5th April 2007, 22:38

Fear ? why do you have to "face the fear" ? What is there to fear?

Do you think you are not competant to ride it? (I do not mean that in any derogatory way, at some stage we were all incompetant riders). If so, then take steps to acquire competance. Do a RRRS course. Go to a mentor evening. Ask for a mentor's help.

Do you fear you will embarrass yourself, by stalling and such like? That happens to all of us at the beginning the only way to overcome that is to practice.

What do you fear? Why? Do not say you fear crashing or getting hurt, thta just comes back to the competance thing. There is no reason to suppose that you must crash or get hurt.

Go out tomorrow morning. start the bike, and ride it down to the shops. Then ride it back. There, there was nothing to fear , was there? Then ride it a bit further. Rinse lather repeat.

**crashe** · 5th April 2007, 22:44

What motivates riders to ride?

I can not answer for anyone else but for myself...... as others will have their own reasons.

Mine: The freedom and the enjoyment of being out there on the bike.
The love of riding........

Thats what motivates me........

So tomorrow get your bike gear on...... start the bike up and take it just up and down your road.... get the feel of the bike......
It doesnt matter what your neighbours think of you doing that..... just do it.
Learn all the basic stuff...... and then venture further.... and the further....

One step at a time.
Good luck.

**Wasp** · 5th April 2007, 22:47

simple, crash the car - you'll soon realise riding the bike beats walking!

**dogsnbikes** · 5th April 2007, 22:47

freedom and being at one with my machine and its a great place to think and forget about the world and focus and its something a look forward too every day I'm not working

and thats 6 months a year but I am pushing for 7

**Ixion** · 5th April 2007, 22:48

What motivates riders to ride? It's rather a silly question isn't it? I ride because I am at place A and I need to get to place B. For all sorts of reasons.

As it isn't practical to stay home all the time, and I would not wish to anyway it is necessary for me to ride.

I ike to go to places, some places I have to go to like it or not. As the mountain (literally) will not come to Ixion , Ixion must go to the mountain.
So there is no question of "motivation". I ride because I must.

Do you (OP) stay home all day every day, then?

**aderino4** · 5th April 2007, 22:53

What motivates me to ride?

So I have reason to buy expensive race replica gear and feel fast.
To reduce the bug population in the world

LOL

**yod** · 5th April 2007, 22:58

1) line up corner
2) put bike into it
3) power out
4) repeat

doesnt get much better.....

**pevs** · 5th April 2007, 22:59

Every now and again I take my bike to work.. I get there wide eyed and bushy tailed!! It turns a commute into an event. And occaisionally.. when the moment grabs me.. I show the fat git in his 50 grand aussie V8 just how slow his car is with my affordable.. straight to the front of the lights.. sub 5 second nought to 60mph motorcycle is. Perhaps it's a boy thing.. but I love it!!

**chanceyy** · 5th April 2007, 23:42

I think i understand the fear feeling

I get a slightly apprehensive feeling ... that completely goes away once i am on the bike & on the road ..

I remember when i got my car licence & getting geared up for a long trip by myself .. same feeling that totally went once i was on the road ..

sometimes its the fear of what ifs .. but the sheer joy & feeling i get from riding the bike totally out weighs the fear .. also I mostly ride with three other great freinds that are aware of my limitations, & newbie status .. it gives me confidence when i am out there riding cause I know i am not alone ..

I have ridden short distances by myself & feel fine .. but still have a moments aghhhhh at the thought .. but still get out there cause I know once i am there its fine ...

get a mentor, or a freind to ride with, try short distances, & acknowledge how you feel but do it anyway ... but if your gut instinct tells you to not ride .. then listen to it

good luck

**cowboyz** · 6th April 2007, 00:08

sub 5 sec quarter? think you missed a 1 in there somewhere but hey, never let the facts get in the way of a good story. I cant relate to the fear thing. I ride because I find it relaxing and like having the illusion that I am in control. If you are not enjoying it... why are you doing it?

**White trash** · 6th April 2007, 08:35

If you're actually asking others for motivation, and don't posses it yourself, maybe you're just not that into bikes.

No big deal, take up knitting or hang gliding or bungey jumping or whatever else.