How can you build confidence?

Tango675 · Crazy Courier Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Karma :

I did my CBT with a mate in April as we both wanted to learn to ride motorbikes. We both didn't enjoy the CBT too much but in May I decided I would get a 125 and see how much fun it is when you don't have to worry about getting a PASS.

I haven't looked back since and passed my DAS in July.
After I passed my mate decided it was time to pull his finger out and booked his DAS for this week.

I ran up yesterday to see how he got on and he has decided he still does not enjoy it. His main issues are the feeling of speed, feeling vulnerable and that he is going to fall off all the time.

Any ideas on how I can persuade him that it is good fun and to give it another go?

PS. I tried to sell the 125 to him but he doesn't think its cool or something.
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Cigaro · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Karma :

I felt the same when I started, especially on the CBT, and to be honest I still do, although I'm gaining confidence.

I think that a certain amount of paranoia is perfectly healthy and will keep you safe on the road.

Just tell him to remember that you're not going to fall off as long as you ride the way you've been shown to.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

The only way he's ever going to get confident is by riding more.

It won't happen if he just sits at home.
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Dazbo666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Karma :

Maybe worth doing some extra training??
IMO, training and continued experience are the basics of building more confidence.
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keyser soze · Scooby Slapper Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Karma :

a healthy fear is a good thing as it helps to keep you alive. but to much takes the fun out of live! see if he'll go out for a short ride with you. some nice quiet roads where its moving all the time(no traffic lights). head to a pub or something as a goal! build up and he'll love it.

deanoet · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Karma :

You could take him out on the back of yours, if you are confident enough to do that.

That will get him used to the speed of things, plus will get him used to being on a bike, and he will see what you do when people do something stupid.

I personally dont feel any more at risk on a bike than in a car, but i ride a lot more cautiously, leave bigger gaps, and slow down near shopping places where people are likely to back out because they cant see me. Not cos they didnt. Also on a quiet road i did a couple of emergency stops from 30mph and 40mph, just to see how fast it pulls up, and how much grip there is. That helped my confidence a lot. Cos i didnt think the brakes were that good. It stops faster than it feels. Smile

I guess like everything though, some people just dont like it.
You shouldnt force him into trying it, as being overly nervous on the road can be dangerous to him and others

Edit
The most important thing to learning to drive or ride, is the desire to learn. If that isnt there, it isnt worth it. You need to want to learn
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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TheShaggyDA · Repost Police Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Take him for a bimble to the BMF this weekend. Forecast is good (rain Friday though) and it might up his enthusiasm a bit to see a wide range of bikes/bikers.
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[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

Tango675 · Crazy Courier Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Karma :

NSR Mick · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Karma :

Ben. · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Karma :

what a pansy Rolling Eyes

ive crashed 3 times and not one of them have put me off Rolling Eyes

although to be fair its probably why i fall off.
If he doesn't like it tell him to get a car.
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Kal · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Karma :

It's different as you get older half_lyfe, especially if you have a family depending on you. You get a greater appreciation of the odds and hopefully arrive at a point where you feel the fear but do it anyway.

The only way you build confidence is to ride and increase your skills through practice, practice and practice.

From time to time I still feel vulnerable like your friend and thats a good thing.
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Philious · Brolly Dolly Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Karma :

Tango675 · Crazy Courier Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Karma :

Right, just taken him for a "short" 45min hour or so ride on the back of my bike.

Took it extra extra slow (top speed recorded was about 53mph, on a dual carriageway). After a bit of inital nerves he enjoyed it.

Still didn't like the way I leant the bike over in the corners (I am sure I got to about 7 degrees at one point) but he begain to relax.

Think he needs time on a 125 to get used to things and build up confidence, so trying to convince him to beg/borrow/buy one and come out for a ride with me.

will let you know if his nads drop and he decided to become a man Smile

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rsooty · Spanner Monkey Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Karma :

If you know anybody with a motocross bike or any off-road bike it may be worth giving him a blast around a dirt track when its empty. I had a play on 1 a few weeks back for the first time and its good to feel how the bike reacts on different surfaces without the worry of cars and trucks. He could get used to being on a bike without the pressure of the road.

Johno · Derestricted Danger Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Karma :

I only have a moped but when I did my CBT I learnt, like with most things, if you concentrate too hard you screw up. Try drawing a perfectly straight line (free hand of course) then try a relativly straight one, it should turn out better. Obviously don't tell him to completly loose concentration though or he'll be missing junctions ect. Humming a tune helps a lot, it helped me pass my pilots licence too and that is a lot harder than riding a bike. Another thing I like to do is frustrate the car behind you, which is deliberatly getting right up your back, by taking him down a nice narrow, bendy, road where you can outstrip him even on my 49cc pug... it makes you feel good and makes you love having a bike.

Seb · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Karma :

Best roads I've found to practice on are quiet clear rolling countryside lanes with good visibility. Having little to no traffic to bug you helps a ton as you can just set your own pace and plod along enjoying the ride, clear visibility helps set you at ease knowing whats coming the other way.

Whilst its not much use to you, the roads around Dartmoor are perfect for this kind of thing, just keep an eye on the animals Wink

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