Lost my nerve to ride

[kels]

Hi
Approx 2 years ago I came off my Bike at a Roundabout (I had always feared of that happening) It was a slow speed but I ended up quite hurt.

Anyway the reason for my post is that I finally got the nerve to buy another Bike, I am really struggling with enjoying the ride. Here I have this beautiful RF400 and she is under cover because I don't have the courage to ride her. I have panic attacks everytime I get on her.

Can anyone offer any suggestions? It would be really appreciated.
Many thanks
Kel

[MSTRS:Me]

Have you been off bikes since, or pillioned? A few rides on the back should help with nerves, and to get your head in the right space.
Sit on your bike in the garage and visualise the choicest ride you can imagine.
Tell yourself that YOU are in charge, and the bike is simply a tool that will only do what you tell it.

[nudemetalz]

Try and see if you can get your bike to a deserted carpark and just do some slow safe riding without any dangers present. Build up slowly.
After you've done what MSTRS has suggested too

Then look at going on group rides where you will have support from other fellow riders.

[kels]

Thanks heaps for that : )
I have been for a couple of rides but I am so tense and corners scare the
@$#% out of me. Im going to take your advise of just sitting on my bike and getting comfortable and feeling in charge. Thanks so much! Amazing how a few encouraging words can help : )

[Colapop]

As said. Take everything a little slower than you would have. Not as in speed but as in the way you approach things. Sit on the bike for awhile. Get used to the feel of it. Take a small ride around familiar roads - around the block. Do these things til they become comfortable again. Then expand your horizons as you become more and more comfortable.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Hi
Approx 2 years ago I came off my Bike at a Roundabout (I had always feared of that happening) It was a slow speed but I ended up quite hurt.

Anyway the reason for my post is that I finally got the nerve to buy another Bike, I am really struggling with enjoying the ride. Here I have this beautiful RF400 and she is under cover because I don't have the courage to ride her. I have panic attacks everytime I get on her.

Can anyone offer any suggestions? It would be really appreciated.
Many thanks
Kel

• Relax... Find a mentor in your region... relax...
  
• Relax... RRRS may help
  
• Relax... and practise slow speed corning in a vacant car park or something
  
• Relax... being uptight and having your panic attacks is going to make things worse than they really are... Try to avoid the death grip on the bars...
  
• Relax... make sure your tyres are in good order, and then have a bit of faith in them to do their job.
  
• Relax... we have all come off or had a bin even the most experienced, the trick with round abouts (depending on how tight they are) is not to go to slow nor to fast, but try and find that sweet spot of a speed for it...
  
• With out knowing what went wrong the last time it is a bit difficult to help you, whether you under steer or overleaned or... however Kiwibiker has re-organised its Mentor program which may help you.
  
• Most of it is just gaining that confidence again... and with a bit of practise and mentoring you will...

enjoy

[fatzx10r]

maybe look at doing a rider traing corse

[sels1]

As the others have said...just build up slowly. Try and get out of town on some real quiet roads and enjoy pootling along on your own.
Or just go around your own suburb over and over - sticking with the familier.
One mature L plater down this way didnt go out of his suburb (Stokes Valley) until he had done 1000km in it.

[Rosie]

Positive thoughts, and gradual exposure to your fears.

Set yourself small manageable goals, and reward yourself when you achieve them (even if it's just a mental pat on the back).

Try going on lots of mini-rides - around the block a couple of times, say. This will help you get used to suiting up and going out for a ride, without the "OMG I'm going on such a big ride" apprehension.

Good luck.

[portokiwi]

What area are you in. I see Auckland. They have MAPs and the north shore one?
You have done the first step You brought a bike... Just go for rides around the block if your street is quiet.
I realy know how you feel... I was in your situation not to long ago. My future wife brought me another bike... i went out and brought a little 50cc to get my confidance back with the 750cc sitting gathering dust.
I found it much easer to get the nurve to ride again. My problem was the riding at night as that was when I was hit twice lol. (both times in ChCh). Both times by drunk drivers.
If you need someone to ride beside there are many KBers out here in Auckland that will go with you.
Hope this helps

[yungatart]

See if you can borrow a smaller bike to start with, a little, lightweght, flickable 250. It might help with those confidence issues.
Relax, take deep breaths, ride with someone you trust...the grin will soon come back.

[Dan Mapp]

Hi there. I can't offer much advise as I'm new to this bike riding thing. But I will offer new my best wishes and say keep at it and the enjoyment will come back. Cheers Dan

[NOMIS]

Thanks heaps for that : )
I have been for a couple of rides but I am so tense and corners scare the
@$#% out of me. Im going to take your advise of just sitting on my bike and getting comfortable and feeling in charge. Thanks so much! Amazing how a few encouraging words can help : )

to be honest this may sound rash but you gota get over it before u get on other wise you will be a danger to your self and to others..\

sorry be the one to say but get over it and toughen up, how you do that ebats me but you shouldnt ride ( i know you dont yet ) at all until you feel ok

[notme]

What were the circumstances of the crash? It might help with some ideas to get you out and about on the bike again if we can identify areas that you can address in order to feel comfortable on a bike again.....?

[vifferman]

I had a post all prepared, but it basically said everything that everyone else here has said. If corners scare you, you need to psyche yourself up: remember that the bike is designed to go around corners, the tyres have more grip than you think they do, and above all, remember to look through the corner, not at the corner.
Maybe some fun off-road riding might help, on a track, or in the dirt, if you know someone you can borrow a dirt bike from.

As for roundabouts, they're very tricky, as they're usually off-camber, and sometimes slippery and/or bumpy. But once again, the trick is to look through the corner. On a roundabout, this means you have to look over your right shoulder to get it right.