Getting a bit bored now...

[veeeffarr]

Bought the GS in September, had a few small blasts on it but nothing major, mainly using it to go to work and to my girlfriends and back.

So obviously I'm getting a little bored.

The roads around where I live are pretty shite and even after 16 months of riding I still get a little nervous when thinking of deviating off of my normal commuting route.

When I do... I kind of think "Well what do I do now?" and end up concentrating on the new roads so much I forget to enjoy myself.

I used to think it was just the CG125 that I was getting bored of, but it's what I do...

I don't ride weekends apart from on the very rare occasion on a pre planned ride, and I get in from work about 7pm during the week so I'm knackered.

Any suggestions? I want to enjoy my bike rather than just use it as a tool.

I went to the Scotch Piper a couple of times, but it's well out of the way and 50% of the journey is awful (town centre riding and REALLY badly surfaced roads) and then a few twisties with fucking mental boy racers on. Came round a bend on my CG to find a Saxo embedded into a tree on the opposite side of the road on a blind bend, and then nearly got hit by a yellow SV650 riding the centreline around another blind bend.

[danzai66]

sounds like you need to face the fear there old boy...

do a slightly different route everyday until you're comfortable being outside your comfort zone then give yourself a weekend away, somewhere not too far away where you know there's good roads, and just spend some hours going up and down them...

learn to love motorcycling and why you liked the idea of it in the first place i guess...

.oo2 pounds worth.
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Ridey, riding a Black '08 CBR600RR

[Ste]

Go on rideouts with other people from BCF who're vaguelly nearby?

[Davo]

Track Day?

As Ste said go and meet some of your local BCF'ers, or failing that fill the tank, then go and get lost for the day.

[Dischord]

Go out in the evenings with a digi cam/video recorder and take some nice pictures/film some wheelies.

Sundays are usually a good time to go out, it's generally less busy. Me and my mate used to go out every sunday, even though we where on 125's it was incredibly fun. Just head out of the cities and find a nice route through the countryside

Stab a few holes in the exhaust and have some fun scaring people I don't think I could ever get bored on 2 wheelies I was always bouncing up kerbs and exploring places.
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2012 KTM EXC 250

Check out my vids - https://www.youtube.com/user/KTMSparky/videos

[iCraig]

Well for one Toby, you've picked the wrong time of year to want to build confidence and make your bike more fun.

This time of year is horrid, and I should know, this is my 6th winter riding!

Like has been said meet up with a few local BCF'ers me, Babyyam and Itchy etc along with a few others aren't that far away.

Also next year I highly recommend you go along to say the Stormy Petrel, its a good bike meet and there are decent roads beforehand too.

[JonB]

Stop posting on BCF about it and actually ride it.

As a side note I've never found riding my bike boring.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[TheShaggyDA]

Stick a tent and sleeping bag on the back, point the bike in a random direction and explore for at least a week. If you're feeling flush, do B&Bs.
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[Mark_petty]

[veeeffarr]

I think it's mainly a confidence thing! I don't have the guts to go and do it!

[byke95]

You're doing pretty well in the scheme of things: I'd imagine that only riding the same uninspiring route all the time (and in winter) means you're only getting the down sides of biking, not the fun side.

As mentioned, getting out and meeting a few other bikers would be a good start (advice I need to take myself to be honest). This will not only allow you to go on a route you've never been on before but, through watching others, you'll be able to learn some new skills. Just don't feel pressured to 'keep up'.

Secondly (and if possible) try and not use the bike as just a work horse. Taking the bus some days/getting a lift in/cycling if it's not to far might make the bike seem 'fresh' and a treat.

[TheShaggyDA]

[yambabe]

We keep inviting you on rideouts, and you keep making excuses......

The only way you're going to get out of this rut is to make yourself, as others have said. I know it's hard for you to get out at weekends because you like to spend time with your girlfriend, maybe you need to try and compromise with her a bit more? You can go out for a few hours on Sunday and you'll come over and stay with her an extra night in the week or something? Or get her some gear, plonk her on the back and just be a bit masterful lol!

danzai's suggestion of a different route each day is a good one too. The problem is, you're in the same boat as us in that you need to do at least 15-20 miles of crap urban riding to get to any decent roads so you HAVE to make time to get some rides under your belt that are purely for the sake of riding.
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[kawashima]

[Pete.]

It's great fun just gettin gon the bike and getting yourself lost, just ride, ride, ride until you either

a) end up in a field down some farm track with grass in the middle

or

b) break out into a road with signs to a place you recognise.

"If all else fails ride towards the sun"
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Method]

Toby, i dont know where you are apart from london area.

But if you want to piss off for a few days but are too scared to do it on your own, let me know.

We can arange something, i have 7 days holiday to do something with before the end of december!

And trust me, theres nothing to worry about

A) You get lost...
So ride around a bit and find the nearest town and ask or just enjoy it

B) You run out of petrol, well you should have noticed when you hit reserve and made it back to the nearest town - but hey, watcha gona do? No point in crying about it, get on your mobile or get your skinny ass pushing that baby

C) You get lost AND you run out of petrol...
Same again realy, get yo' ass pushing and hope for the best Get on that mobile and they can trace you if need be

D) You get lost AND you run out of petrol AND you have no phone...
...
Plonker!



Trust me, ill show you what you can realy do on a GS
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CBT Aug '03 ... Gilera GSM 50 ... Honda NSR 125 Aug '04 ...
Full Test Dec 04... Suzuki GS500 Jan 05... Suzuki SV650 Mar 07... Gixxer 6 K5 May 08... Oh and my 'Rado
My Bikepics.com - No Brakes, No Gears... No Fear.

[johnsilva]

go to the Isle of Man
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Current Bikes: ZX7R P5; KR1S C2; GPX250R F3
Previously: CBR400RR-R; YQ50 Aerox

[veeeffarr]

[mr.z]

I like to get to the peak district, ride 50miles in one direction and then find my way home witht he gps (works equally well without, just look for the signs) find some very entertaining roads that way
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[veeeffarr]

[cestrian]

It seems theres a bunch of people in the North West who could have a meet up some night in the week. TobyR, Myself, Rich, Mandy, Cath and Co. How about a meet up?
Gordy

[trevoriv]

Get a 600 sports and head over to snake pass

I think snake pass is fun on any bike though to be fair

[lozzypop1]

NOTE: DOING ITCHY A GOOD DEED:

[veeeffarr]

Well I'm going on a 20 mile blat to meet a mate in the pub tonight, lets see how that goes!