Big Bike Super Anxiety?!

[ShizSammich]

I passed my test yesterday (Yayz, go yew! ^_^ Clevah!) and went for a ride to Kingsbridge with a couple of dudes. I took corners too wide and slow, I feel like the back keeps stepping out just because the suspension is so different from my 125 and I'm not keen on speeding... yet.

That's all very well and good. It's like going back to the start, to be honest. I was so confident on my 125 after four months. As confident as I think I could ever get. Knee dragging, no hands. I was super cool, that's for sure.

Now I'm a wibbly little monster but I'm aware that the risks are a lot higher than on the 125. I can't mess up.

Now that I've got you, who'd like to hear a good story about a bridge?

Point is, last night I kept having the same dream over and over again. Lots of big bikes, R6s, Ninjas... you know, just good sports bikes (actually, now I think about it, the same ones I rode with yesterday) and they were coming towards me and every one meant more danger. I was so small and my bike so tiny. I felt like a kid on a tricycle on a Moto GP racetrack with them all getting up my arse and freaking me out.

The idea of actually going out and riding isn't that shit scary. I'm worried about dropping it, corners, general traffic. Same kinda feeling as when you're first out on the road on your own after the CBT. But the anxiety is horrible. Kept waking up feeling sick and having to calm myself down.

Just thought I'd share. Matt says it's normal but I don't remember being this anxious on the 125. Wondered if anyone else felt like it was going right back to the start (if you started with a general feel for it and good clutch control...)

Oh yeah, saving grace is that I don't stall. What a weight off my mind, eh.

[DrDonnyBrago]

[killa]

[fiveus]

Might also be worth asking your training school for a bit of advanced training.I did and it helped my confidence a lot more

[ShizSammich]

Well, Matt's booking a track day in a month which is going to mean death for me. I might go and just take it slowly so I can see what the bike can handle.

I have to say, just been out again and now I think about the back and front tyre taking different lines when it feels like it's stepping out and I'm feeling a lot more confident! Nothing more worrying than a slippy back feeling, it's good to know what it might be!

Apart from a full blown tank slapper. That's probably more worrying...

[Chalky.]

Nice bikes are like new shoes, feel funny at first but as your use them they become second nature. It'll come with time.

[supZ]

if im honest.. i absolutely hated my 1st ride of my 600 when i passed.

passed my test, got home, insured the bike and spent all of 5 minutes out on it then came home.

front felt heavy, i was holding on too tight, everytime i throttled i felt like i was going to come off the back, couldnt turn it, was nasty.

next day i went out on it and loved it. within 2 weeks i was hooning around with a couple of friends having the time of my life.

you'll be nervous and unsure first time out on your own, just give it time an you'll start relaxing and then it'll feel a whole lot better.

good thing is this feeling is less when you change bikes again. the blade after hte 600 still made me feel like i was going to come off the back as i wasnt used to the power but i felt comfortable and relaxed on it virtually straight away and just got used to the power delivery after that.

in short, ride it, you'll feel better
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[duhawkz]

it takes a while to get used to a new bike.

I would suggest you take some time out on your own and go for a few rides to get used to how your bike feels, take it steady and aim to get your riding smooth.

Riding out with other people is fine but it can put unecessary presure on you to ride faster then your comfortable with.

also have look at this thread download the books and twist of the wrist dvd, they really explain a lot that is not covered in any of the cbt/test stuff

Also have a look at road craft the police riders hand book again its covers road riding way above anything in the test.

above all relax on the bike the more tense you are the worse the bike will feel
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"The guy is a worthless cunt and I honestly believe I would be a slightly happier person if he died." - Chris-Red

[DrDonnyBrago]

[Rogerborg]

I had a go on a mate's Bandit 650 while I was still riding my 125, and hated it. It felt like a bloody tank[1], I thought I was going to bin it every time it slowed below 10mph[2], the gearshift was ponderous, the clutch was awkward, the position felt precarious, and so on.

But thinking back, I felt exactly the same the first time I got on the CG125 during my CBT. My eyes reported "it's just a bicycle with a little engine", then I felt the weight of the bloody thing and was all like ZOMFG LULWOT?????!!!!11!!!?

Now? Heheh, my 125 feels like a toy. I move it around one handed, just lift up the back end and put it down where it's needed.

So I think it's all about experience and expectations. Next time I get on a Big Boy Bike, I know it's going to feel bigger and heavier than I need, but I'm also sure that it'll soon feel natural, given a little time., and I'm sure you'll get there too.

Also, Cool Story Bro/Sis.

[1] K8 650SA = 250kg wet!

[2] I eventually did drop it at 0mph.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
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

[ShizSammich]

[Bubbs]

Yeah I agree, the first big bike is weird. I took my SV650 out for the first time and it felt incredibly weird. Almost felt like I couldn't steer, and taking corners way too wide. You learn to relax into it though. I took some time by myself and found a nice stretch of road to re-practice counter steering and leaning. Eventually you build the confidence in your bike and it starts to flow a bit better. Just dont go out in a group for a while. May end up having an off which won't be fun.

Safe riding!
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[Robby]

Being a CBR400 its quite likely that the rear shock is knackered, unless its been replaced at some point.

Apart from that, man the fuck up.