I've hit a Wall of Terror...

[PrincessBandit]

So, do I lsten to the fear (have you been like that?) ..what do you all think? Have you felt this kind of fear? Is it 'kinda' normal? Does any of this make sense???

Makes complete sense to me. When I bought my current bike I had to spend about a week just sitting on it in the garage before I was able to take it on the road (waiting for that full licence). Everytime I thought about riding it I started to sweat, but I was told by someone not to make a big deal out of the first ride and that worked for me. I was lucky enough that it was a nice easy outing in the country; I've since done some slow traffic crawling on it and that was another matter entirely. By the time I got through the first gear crawl my hair was soaking inside my helmet and my heart rate was in the inverse proportion to my speedo! I have dropped it once (in our r.o.w. drive when neighbour appeared from nowhere in his car) - was gutted, but used my annoyance to get past the fear of doing it again.
I'm sure you will make a good choice, don't feel pressured to get anything bigger than you're sure you could handle comfortably. All the very best!
A little trepidation is healthy, but don't let it rule you - get out there on that road and let all the good memories come flooding back.

[beyond]

You said it. You've ridden already with no problems and it all came back to you. You've already done it, you've already mastered it. You are buying this bike because you already know it suits you and will do what you want it to do.

It's simply mind over matter because something went wrong. The thing is that you know where you went wrong and know what to do next time so the whole procesure is one of learning and doing. Don't accpet the knockback.

Ride it and make out it's a scooter. I was off bikes for nearly 25 years and when I got back into it 2 and half years ago I went in and brought a GSX1400. Man was that intimidation. To top it off I rode out for my first test ride with the missus on the back and nearly lost her when I opened it up in third getting on the North Western. I felt exposed, vulnerable and wondered of buying a 1400 was the right thing. A few weeks later I was riding it like a 250 and I just love every minute on it.

I have friends who ride Moto Guzzi 1100's and other large machines who won't go near it or give it a ride becuase it's a 1400 and that scares the crap out of them as they think it's too big and powerful.

It's really is simply mind over matter. A bit of positive thinking and common sense will not go amiss here. Just take care and believe in yourself.

[Ocean1]

The source of the fear is what?
Does any thought about riding make you worried?
Or just a certain combination?

Gravel?
Messing up your new bike?
The idea that it's heavy?
Having to fess up you've falled over again?
Does the idea of riding your wee scoot worry you now?

Real good to hear the shop is being so understanding, nice.
Your wee oops may have left you with an unreasonable legacy, but you can work through it, overcome it. At least the non-rational bits eh?

Oh, by the way, I felled over on my new Buell a week after I got it. Very very few of us are entirely without the odd embarrassing moment.

They're the ones that lie.

[MotoKuzzi]

When I bought the Guzzi I hadn't been on a bike for 15 yrs. Flew to ChCh and rode it back. I realised as soon as I rode out the driveway I was out of my depth. Rode all the way to Picton at 90k except for the brief period through Kaikoura when the throttle jammed open when I opened it up for the first time to pass a caravan, had to keep slipping the clutch and trying to wind it back while speed kept building and corner approaching fast, luckily it unjammed itself before i got into trouble. I was a bit shaken but just decided to keep riding and not wind it out that far again. Caught the overnight ferry and riding out of Wellington at 2am I saw a car in front veer slightly right I couldn't see why so kept on track and ran smack over a pushbike lying in the middle of the road. Knew i couldnt avoid it so I just sat upright hands off the brake etc and let it plough over it. Got off a few mtrs up the road stopped and checked to see if there was a body back there with the bike. Couldn't see anything so I checked my bike and couldn't even find a scratch. Decided there was nothing to be gained by standing there it was bloody cold and I wanted to get home so I just carried on riding until I got home about 6hrs later. It took me about another 2 months of riding to really get comfortable with the bike and I admit to being pretty uptight about being in traffic on it for quite awhile. Perserverance pays off in the end. I never had any throttle trouble the rest of the way home and I forgot to mention it when I took the bike in to be checked. When I went to pick it up they said the bike was fine but that the throttle had jammed open on the mechanic who test rode it. ( at full throttle ), apparently the guy had opened up full for a burst on a short street and couldnt stop it. They reckon the rev limiter kicked in but I don't know about that.

[WanderBird]

Great feedback! My feelings about this bike are so crazy - I probably need to remember I did jump on it and ride ..it was wonderful, so easy too ride. I knew I wasn't up to a U turn, to bring it home, even on the widened bit outside a country shop - so took it to a domain where there was acres of grass, no problem.

No-one is pressuring me about this bike at all, the reason I chose it is cos I want something that is OK on gravel, I love noodling up country roads etc, and also comfortable enough to tour on. Once I rode it, I was sold

I know this is all in my head What I fear is not the open rode, it is only slow riding. The experience of the first ride was awesome. I know why I dropped it, I know every thing I did wrong.

Ocean - I have no problems with saving face - or I wouldn't have fessed up to this in the first place. I don't think it is the weight that bothers me either. When I dropped it the other day, someone helped pick it up, and I know how to pick up a bike, but I would have been struggling with it - without the aid of adrenalin anyway. I
watched this technique http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/
and using that technique I have no doubt I could easily pick up the BMW. I have been on the scooter several times over the weekend - including riding it over a 8" wide footbridge across a creek, so no worries there (Was going to sell the DiBlasi, but it is such a hoot I don't think I want to part with it)

Sometime during the night I found what I think is a solution to my phobic attitude. I'm going to leave the decision for a few days, but in the meantime hire/beg/borrow a bike to do some slow speed riding - thats the bit I am anxious about with the BMW. There is a track down by the river here, lots of grass, hummocks, and the odd patch of gravel to practice on. I'm not sure that will be the answer tho - cos on any lesser sized bike, I know I would ride it confidently out of the shop and into the traffic.....

I'm sure I would feel differently had I not dropped the BMW first ride - but I also had that instinctive knowing that I was not ok, about doing a U turn on it (instincts are good - and that is a bit of my conflict as well, is this just fear, or are my instincts spot on? - )

I can imagine doing heaps of happy miles on the bike - I feel if I didn't have to do any slow riding, getting to Picton right now would be a breeze, I would love it. There is no fear of open road riding.

The height of it? I am just on the balls of my feet - not enough to actually move the bike, but just enough to hold it upright - on the flat, a dip in the road would be another matter. But I know how to swing my butt to lower a leg....
maybe I just need to practice.

Thanks for listening to all my waffle, and your comments.

I am ringing MCR this morning to let them know what I want to do. My new gear should be there, so I may go in and just sit on it etc...
Dang I hate feeling like a wus! But there you have it....

[yungatart]

See if there is a RRRS course in your area...it is all slow speed stuff, and lots of practice at it. Absolutely brilliant for instilling confidence.
Good luck!

[WanderBird]

I am going to do the next one, but it is not until Feb unfortunately

[MSTRS:Me]

Slow speed manouevring is the one thing that most have trouble with, yet is actually not difficult if you think about it from the angle of 'who is controlling who?'. I think what you need to do is a morning doing all the slow stuff on a lighter, lower bike to get the sense achievement of having done it. Then you won't find the BMW so off-putting.
Just remember that size doesn't matter, it's what you do with it that counts and the skills are the same regardless of bike.

[WanderBird]

MSTRS thanks for that - I think that is what I needed to hear. - 'the skills are the same' now THAT registers......
A friend has already offered her 250, so I will get a hold of that, and just practice.....

[Ocean1]

Sounds like you've got the makings of a solution.

Great idea to practice on a 250, especially if it's physically a bit smaller.

And yes, the skills and techniques are the same, but it's still a good idea to get some help from a suitable mentor. It's much easier if someone demonstrates some of those techniques and perhaps suggests some suitable practice routines. I’ve still got some self-taught bad habits, so ingrained from years of reinforcement that I’ll never change.

Good luck Ma’am, and don’t forget you can search here for specific advice, and if you can’t find it, (or it’s a bit contradictory ) post a new thread eh?

[WanderBird]

I really think, after a week on the new bike, I will be scratching my head wondering what this was all about!

Even the good folks from MCR have offered to ride with me. It is a good idea to knock out any bad habits before they become entrenched

[MSTRS:Me]

... it's still a good idea to get some help from a suitable mentor. It's much easier if someone demonstrates some of those techniques and perhaps suggests some suitable practice routines.....

Good advice. This is where an RRRS (or similar) course will be invaluable.

[Ocean1]

Good advice.

Ohyez.

I'm fill of it...

[Youngjim]

Did you buy the F650GS (dual purpose) or the F650 Scarver (road model) ?

You can also get a lower seat for these and also a lowering kit which would make you feel more comfortable with the height.

Anyway best of luck, just take it easy till you get more confidence and I am sure you will be OK.

[Joni]

It amazing how much riding takes place in the mind… I understand and appreciate your first post 100%. I am not going to get into all the ugly details, but I know from first hand experience what you are going though and know it is not pleasant. That something you love so much, can bring out some of the more negative emotions.

I have always been a confident rider, and never had an issue with it… however just under 2 years ago something happened which broke my confidence and more importantly broke my brains message to itself that its all good! In fact I never had to think about riding, it was just something I did… but now every time I get on it is a thought process, and not a pleasant one either…

It has taken some time for me to gain it back, in fact I’m still in the process… but I wont give up as this is something that has given me great joy in the past! Just pace yourself, and do things one step at a time… there is some great advice in this thread, which has helped me as well!

Good luck….