Regaining confidence

[<G>]

Sorry to read about your misfortunes, I understand about having a lack of confidence in your bike. I bought a ER6N as my first "big" bike, had it lowered etc but after a couple of drops and one huge scare I realised that it was not worth my life. I was able to sell it and have bought a little cruiser. However, my confidence is still not at the level that it was before the ER6N.
I found that taking the bike out early in the morning before the traffic starts helped with getting to know my bike and building my confidence. And do the Right Right Ride Safe course.
All the best
G

[BMWST?]

would bnew fork oil and some spacers to preload the springs be an interim solution for the front end(and a new front tyre?)

[The Stranger:Me]

Is that it's big problem...the current ones are too soft?
A pair of custom springs are not that expensive. I know of others who have had a springmaker work his magic for around $150.

That is the biggest problem for sure. It would benefit from emulators, but the springs would be a good start. When last we spoke on this issue (prior to last little incident) EOBE was to email a certain web site enquiring about their springs. Possibly forgotten in all the excitement.

[EatOrBeEaten]

That is the biggest problem for sure. It would benefit from emulators, but the springs would be a good start. When last we spoke on this issue (prior to last little incident) EOBE was to email a certain web site enquiring about their springs. Possibly forgotten in all the excitement.

You speak truth, it got lost in amongst everything else (outside of biking someone has cleverly decided to change the entire NZ syllabus, which was good of them). I shall get onto it tonight after I've dangled off some things for fun.

[MadDuck]

For a bloody good laugh read back some of my race reports from a few years back --I would beat myself up bigtime so I know what you're thinking

Hmmm....ummmm.....yep!

[Chrislost]

*quick recap for the unwary*

After failing my DAS test in the UK, I picked up a learner's licence and a 1994 ZZR250 to use as my primary means of transport in Auckland. I had had the bike about three weeks when a sharp corner, poor suspension and a bumpy road caused me to crash. It took about a month before the bike got fixed up (thanks again lads) and I was back on the road. In that time, I'd lost a bit of faith in the bike and it's ability to get me round corners at any speed. I was determined to stick at it, and was coming home from the Coro loop after a week back in the saddle when the brakes failed and I hit a car.

As before, both me and the bike escaped without serious damage. The bike was repaired (cheers mate- she looks awesome) and is now in better shape than ever. However, on riding it home from the garage it was not long before my reunion glee turned to fear.

I don't trust my bike any more, or my ability to ride it.

I know it'll come with time, and spending time on the back of Gremlins Hornet has helped me remember that bike are (relatively) safe, but on my own bike? I keep remembering that feeling of pulling the brake lever and getting nothing, or of leaning the bike to have it come away from underneath me. I'm sure if these crashes had happened further down the line then I'd feel better about it, but two so close to the start of my riding career has really shaken me.

How do I pull myself out of this? I never rode like a crazed lunatic before the bin, but the fact I now feel dread when I see a 45 corner rather than glee is not good!

go to a track day. Preferably at taupo as its more like a road than pukekohe
RE-GET the feeling for the bike in a corner in a situation where there is nothing to hit.

[discotex]

This is an absolutely classic reason why the 250 learner laws need to be gone. By putting those least able to deal with crap like this on the worst bikes they are ensuring accidents like this happen.

I totally agree. While some of the new 250's have passable suspension they're substandard compared to the bikes learners can ride in aussie.

At the end of the day our learners would be much safer on an SV650 or ER6n with decent suspension and brakes than riding a 20 year old 250 or even a new GT250R or Ninja 250R.

[EatOrBeEaten]

Well, after reading this thread and taking on board the advice I took a detour home from the climbing centre and decided to pull some emergency stops. Nothing too major, just taking her up to 30/40kph and doing progressively harder and harder stops. She works fine. No bins, no nasty lock-ups, and the one time she did lock slightly it was no big deal. I even took a 30 corner at 40! (no traffic, quiet as all hell road, took a decent enough line through it too)

By no means over this at all, but I feel I've made a positive start on the road to mental recovery. The bike's setup does feel different now it's got different bars on it as well, perhaps I needed a visual cue that the suspension would feel different than before?

[FROSTY:Me]

Yep By using the bars that were used your C of G has shifted backwards a tadd. Remember too that the bar end weights arent needed on your bike.

[kevfromcoro]

Go with an experianced rider
You have had lots of offers here
iam sure they will.be very understanding and helpfull
as far as you riding goes
and how your bike is set up..
no matter what we ride
we all enjoy
frosty has given you some good advice..
Keep Biking

[piston broke]

*quick recap for the unwary*

After failing my DAS test in the UK, I picked up a learner's licence and a 1994 ZZR250 to use as my primary means of transport in Auckland. I had had the bike about three weeks when a sharp corner, poor suspension and a bumpy road caused me to crash. It took about a month before the bike got fixed up (thanks again lads) and I was back on the road. In that time, I'd lost a bit of faith in the bike and it's ability to get me round corners at any speed. I was determined to stick at it, and was coming home from the Coro loop after a week back in the saddle when the brakes failed and I hit a car.

As before, both me and the bike escaped without serious damage. The bike was repaired (cheers mate- she looks awesome) and is now in better shape than ever. However, on riding it home from the garage it was not long before my reunion glee turned to fear.

I don't trust my bike any more, or my ability to ride it.

I know it'll come with time, and spending time on the back of Gremlins Hornet has helped me remember that bike are (relatively) safe, but on my own bike? I keep remembering that feeling of pulling the brake lever and getting nothing, or of leaning the bike to have it come away from underneath me. I'm sure if these crashes had happened further down the line then I'd feel better about it, but two so close to the start of my riding career has really shaken me.

How do I pull myself out of this? I never rode like a crazed lunatic before the bin, but the fact I now feel dread when I see a 45 corner rather than glee is not good!

well,i haven't read more than this post,but,
you have 2 choices,
i have had more than 1 off at a ton+,got back on again asap.(young and really stupid when i did that)
or you can be like my lil brother,he had 1 off,broken ankle,and has never put a leg over a roadbike since,mind his wife has had a bit of a say in that.
if you really love it you will do whatever you need too,to get back on two wheels.
i reckon you will.
if you need a bit of confidance get down to mt welli bucket races,plenty of folk will let you have a spin.
go gal

[MadDuck]

By no means over this at all, but I feel I've made a positive start on the road to mental recovery. The bike's setup does feel different now it's got different bars on it as well, perhaps I needed a visual cue that the suspension would feel different than before?

I have followed the thread and read all the very helpful responses. One thing I have to ask is why do you ride a motorcycle? If it such a head fuck and you are not enjoying it why do it?

[Ragingrob]

Ah I can't believe about your brakes that day? The caliper fell off I heard?! You rode so well that day on the coro which was a big step in the right direction! It's all down to either getting your bike fully checked out so that you can have faith in the mechanics, or perhaps getting a new bike if you see this one as bad luck...

[EatOrBeEaten]

I have followed the thread and read all the very helpful responses. One thing I have to ask is why do you ride a motorcycle? If it such a head fuck and you are not enjoying it why do it?

Why do anything? I love bikes, always have. Compared to all the good times, giving up after a blip like this seems crazy!

[gijoe1313]

Remember, you can always join my fellow pootlers and I on our laid back and cruisy rides! I'll even bring out the lil'ol'hornet or Daisy so your 250 can feel at ease among the bigger beasties!