Best friend having confidence issues

killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

One of my best friends started his biking life on a XR125. After a couple years pottering about on the L’s he decided after seeing my 7R he wanted to continue the journey and pass the full test.
A couple years on and he’s had a DRZ400, then around 3-4 months later, he bought a Ninja 250R and now he’s just got his hands on a CBR600F. It’s been a nice progression in my opinion but there’s been a problem throughout all of the ownership that may stop him biking.
The DRZ was stolen, sadly it was a very desirable looking supermoto. He wasn’t all too sad about it though, as the bike was useless for his longer distance riding.
Then there was the Ninja 250. All seemed sweet with that bike, it was exactly what he had in mind. He’s not into speed as such, just wanted something capable of motorway journeys and bigger trips. After a couple of months the bike started to show signs of corrosion and the performance was starting to become an issue, it was underpowered and didn’t feel as planted as the DRZ.
He’s been on the CBR for about two months now after selling the 250. He’s had a issues with his confidence/riding ever since the DRZ. I’m not sure how to help him over this hurdle as i know the CBR is a top bike and very capable. He mentioned he was having problems with roundabouts and then last week when i met him he had a little scare whilst over taking.
He described it as almost a tank slapper but I very much doubt it was. As he went to overtake, he accelerated past and the bikes front end wobbled which he said could have almost thrown him off.
Now I’m not saying it wasn’t bad but to me it sounded more like rider error, perhaps he got cocky and yanked the throttle hand, resulting in a little wobble while the front wheel was light.

He’s asked me if i had any experiences like that. To be honest i have had so many little moments like that, I’ve lost count, mind you, i know the difference between a little blip and a full scale ‘OMG’ moment. Often it’s not worth worrying about.
He’s not happy at the moment with riding the CBR, says he misses the XR for its ride-ability.
I mentioned to him he should do some long distance fun riding through the welsh valleys. I think riding for extended periods of time brings out your limits/capabilities. When you jump back on the bike after a full days biking you feel you’ve gained an awful lot of experience, i know it’s worked for me in the past.
I’d like him to continue biking, so what do you guys think??
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Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

I'd say you might want to get hold of a copy of 'a Twist Of The Wrist' DVD. Its really really good.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

Paulington · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Karma :

He needs to fork out some cash for some post-test training, he's obviously got some bad habits and isn't very well informed on some parts of riding a more powerful bike.

I'd just say to him that the confidence will come with time and advise him to get a couple days of proper training with an approved instructor as that will do a world of good in terms of bike control, the majority of us bikers have picked up bad habits that we don't notice but actually affect our control of the motorcycle. It's better that he learns from an approved instructor and then has a chance to pick up bad habits from a bigger learning base on the bigger bike than someone else teaches him their own bad habits.

You could offer to follow him/take him pillion so you could watch him and advise him or he could watch you and learn, go to a quiet roundabout and talk him through it, then do it, and just teach him for a bit, but I'd go with a proper instructor as they will spend all day teaching him how to navigate roundabouts if they have to.

TL;DR: Teach him a bit if you want, but tell him to get some proper training. Thumbs Up

!
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"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
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Hetzer · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Karma :

Might be an idea to look his bike over and make sure it's actually mechanically sound, like head-stock bearings for example.
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

multijoy · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2008 Karma :

duhawkz · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Karma :

It sounds like he would benefit from doing something like IAM, I would point him in the direction of your local group

It will improve his road sense and hazard perception and help his riding become smoother

iirc It costs about £120 - 130ish

Edit

Also get him to pick up a copy of road craft a police riders handbook it cost about 9 quid of amazon, its a bit dull but its full of really good info road riding and IAM etc is pretty much based around it.
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pinkyfloyd · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Karma :

I've a copy of Twist of the wrist 1 and 2 on PDF book format if he's interested. PM me an email addy and I will send it on.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

duhawkz · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Karma :

fliolly · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

pinkyfloyd · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Karma :

I also have Full Control which is pretty good.

Also have a couple of others:

Proficient motorcycling and Sport Riding Techniques but are too large to send via Gmail and have a pdf version of Zen. Laughing

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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

While I agree with all of the above, I feel compelled to throw some alternative views out there.

If he likes just tooling around (some of us do), then maybe he'd enjoy something like a Triumph or BMW more than the CBR.

or

Maybe he's just not a very good rider, and never will be, and he should knock it on the head before he hurts himself.

You know him better than us. Any chance that you're pushing him to do something that he either won't enjoy, or that might be hazardous?
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GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

njd27 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 14 May 2007 Karma :

killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

I'm not verbally forcing him to do anything, i did mention that he didn't need to be stuck in between the cars for all that time, it just seemed pointless. That's when he mentioned this time when he had a speed wobble moment overtaking.

When i take him out on a longer ride out i won't be pushing him then either, i just think he needs to eat some road on this CBR so it can show him it's a solid machine. Thanks for all the input guys Thumbs Up

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Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

fliolly · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Karma :

i soon learnt that if you twist the thing in your right hand too much you will end up on your arse, pull the shinney thing (also on the right from memory) too hard and you will end up on your arse. And if you go for an overtake thinking you have room and you end up on the bonnet of a Range Rover, you proberly didn't.

Jim Mc · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Karma :

I have problems with my CBR on roundabouts unless it's a roasting hot day, it just feels like there's no grip. In the rain it feels like you can't do more than 10mph tootling over them.

I put it down to the stock tyres, Dunlop Qualifiers, they only get 3/5 stars on most reviews, and from what I've read they're more suited to higher temps of Europe than the UK.

Perhaps he has something wrong with his suspension setup though if the front twitches?

yambabe · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

rac3r · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Could be that a Sportsbike isn't for him? I know that I have more confidence on my Monster than I did on the ZX6. Could also be suspension set up?
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

fliolly · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Karma :

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

yambabe · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

Depends on the CBR really. The first ones were heavy and didn't handle. the mid 90's ones were good all rounders, the newer ones are a pretty focused sports bike.

I had a friend who managed to work his way up to a 600 despite the fact he could barely ride. He tried to ride the bike like he was driving a car and used the handlebars like a steering wheel Confused

I made a point of having him follow me on a ride and made going a lot faster than him look easy. After that i followed him for a bit and he took my comments and suggestions on his riding seriously and tried a few things out. I think the biggest one was counter steering, after i explained that to him he was taking every roundabout at frightening speed Laughing