Regaining confidence

[EatOrBeEaten]

*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!

[ManDownUnder]

Ride with people you enjoy riding and being with, take it slow, get some miles under your belt.

Accept you are going to cringe - that's not a bad thing... just keep at it.

[Maha]

Have you considered Mentoring?
Either of the two that gave life to your bike the first time could help in this dilemma. Having never been in the position you are in (and you are asking here) I can only suggest. There are a heap on here that are well quallified to offer you their advice on regaining confidence after binning. How about riding with people of your own ability/speed for a while? that may go some way to lessening the dread.

[EatOrBeEaten]

I have a mentor, but it's riding alone that really gets to me. I think the main issue is trusting the bike. If I'd binned due to Epic Rider Fail then I could at least trust myself not to be such an idiot again, but first the shitty suspension (mentor said it was some of the worst he'd ever seen, other riders have concurred) and THEN the brakes within weeks of each other? I guess I could sell it and start over, but financially it's not really an option

[MsKABC]

You may never have confidence in that bike again by the sounds of it. Get it checked over by someone to make sure it's in the best possible condition it can be. I see that White Trash is offering to help KBers with suspension set-up, so maybe drop in on him sometime.

Is the confidence issue with yourself or your bike? Perhaps get some professional rider training? There's a good school here in Auckland from what I hear.

[BMWST?]

Make sure the tyres are not too old.And check that the suspension works properly

[yungatart]

Been there, done that!
It is not the bike that is the issue, more your lack of confidence in THAT bike.
Sell it and buy something else...or HTFU, and keep at it....
Just accept that that is where you are right now and the only thing that will fix it is to keep riding.

[Maha]

I have a mentor, but it's riding alone that really gets to me. I think the main issue is trusting the bike. If I'd binned due to Epic Rider Fail then I could at least trust myself not to be such an idiot again, but first the shitty suspension (mentor said it was some of the worst he'd ever seen, other riders have concurred) and THEN the brakes within weeks of each other? I guess I could sell it and start over, but financially it's not really an option

Ok, forget the mentor thing, its a mind thing.
Te Stranger said in another thread (and i think its brilliant) that if you think you have problem, then most likely you do. Now I am not saying you have brain issues, but....

1....I think the main issue is trusting the bike..... it has let you down twice now, if it were me, it would be gone!
2...I don't trust my bike any more, or my ability to ride it. .... this validates the very reason why you should no longer own it.

Problem solved!!!

[Rosie]

Do regular basic maintenance checks on your bike, so you know that there isn't anything wrong with the bike (get someone to give you a hand, if you aren't sure what things you should be checking).

Go for short rides by yourself, practising some of the situations that make you nervous (45km corners, say). Have a positive 'coping thought' that you can repeat to yourself when you get nervous "the brakes work fine, I checked them this morning"; "I know I can trust my bike" etc - find something that works for you, and addresses your main fears.

Keep reminding yourself that even though you feel nervous, you can ride for 20 minutes (say) by yourself without incident. Keep aiming to ride for a little longer, or in more challenging situations, and keep reminding yourself that you can do these things, and you can trust the bike.

Good luck. Being nervous after a crash, or mechanical failure is no fun at all

[EatOrBeEaten]

Thanks for all the advice folks

Will take her out for a spin later, will see about selling her too.

What a start to living in NZ! Will definitely stick at biking though, will take more than a homocidal Kawasaki to get the better of me....

[PirateJafa]

Regaining confidence

Cake works.

[MSTRS:Me]

2 things need to happen...
1. Get someone who knows what they are doing to check out the bike with a fine tooth comb
2. Assuming it is all good, then ride it according to your ability level.

3/. (ha ha I can count) If the bike proves dodgy after the check...get rid of it.

[CookMySock]

Hrm thats a run of bad luck for you. What you need is time. I suggest you get off the bike, and stay of it for a few weeks, until you really really want to get back on it - not before!

If you are, or were going to sell it, then do so, and take a look at something a little more modern, and put some lovely sticky tyres on it that just lurrrrve to go around corners and hold you in their soft velvety palm "do not worry my dear" style. Yum. New(er) bike plus sticky tyres = "do not worry", and then slowly work back into it, taking care not to be hurried by anyone. But I think you need the time thing first - how much is up to you, but don't shortcut it.

Cough, if you are exploring the limits of your suspension, then you could possibly do a little slowing down too. Lecture ends!

I fell off my bike last year, and I forced myself to stay off ANY bike for a month. After that, I was still scared shitless to corner the thing, but I am quickly coming right now - some five months after the accident.

Get well soon!
Steve

[Mom]

I have a mentor, but it's riding alone that really gets to me. I think the main issue is trusting the bike. If I'd binned due to Epic Rider Fail then I could at least trust myself not to be such an idiot again, but first the shitty suspension (mentor said it was some of the worst he'd ever seen, other riders have concurred) and THEN the brakes within weeks of each other? I guess I could sell it and start over, but financially it's not really an option

If I know the guys that have worked on your bike as well as I do it is fine! Safe and sturdy This is a confidence thing mate, really it is. Take yourself along to NASS on a Wednesday and learn some good solid riding tips and then practice them. Take your time to build layer upon layer of confidence, you have had a couple of not so good experiences, no surprise that you feel tentative. The worst of that situation is the more tentative you feel the worse you will ride the more chance you have of making a mistake. If you cant change your bike, then you have to learn to love riding it with confidence or sell it and give up.

Been there, done that!
It is not the bike that is the issue, more your lack of confidence in THAT bike.
Sell it and buy something else...or HTFU, and keep at it....
Just accept that that is where you are right now and the only thing that will fix it is to keep riding.

Gee you say that well mate

Very true, time and practise are the key to rebuilding that confidence for sure.

[FROSTY:Me]

Serious offer here.
Give me your bike for half an hour. Ill take it out on my favorite little goat track.
I'm confident I'll come back grinning from ear to ear.
Then you follow me -me on Jorja's 250 you on yours. Again on said goat track.
Im pretty sure you'll come away a heck of a lot happier.