Scared of riding motorcycle

[guywiththegun]

Hi, I have been fixing up a motorbike for a while now(1981 50cc something), it was finally time to start it, started at first try.

Thing is, I'm terrified of just riding it, I keep thinking the clutch will lock up and I will go into an uncontrolled youtube fail compilation worthy crash...

I don't have problems with balance or anything like that, I used to race when I was 12, even had a couple of crashes, but back then I used to think less, I also ride mountainbikes competitively(but these are lighter and smaller, thus easier to control)

Really considering selling it, I can't afford a car, and I desperately need transportation to try and find a job(I'm 19).

I'm also scared of other drivers on the road, I knew plenty of people that lost their lives like that, and even my own dad lost an arm and leg from a motorbike crash.

So I'm really looking forwards to riding it, but I don't trust the bike, nor myself, nor other drivers, really not sure what to do.

Any tips?

I'd feel safer in a car, but it costs a lot more than a bike...

[DrDonnyBrago]

Man up .


It is a 50cc ped, it weighs nothing and doesn't move very quickly. Just keep the speed down on the first few trips, most faults will make themselves apparent fairly quickly. Get it MOT'd and stop being a pussy .

[Drake]

do a cbt that will help
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was: derbi senda, aprilia sx125, nsr250 mc16, cagiva mito, cb600 hornet now: mk1 bandit, KR1S, landrover series 3 light weight 2.5 petrol, 5speed box

[guywiththegun]

it weighs 80Kg, I'm only at 65Kg

[Drake]

book a cbt and ride it, it will only go as fast as you tell it
____________________
was: derbi senda, aprilia sx125, nsr250 mc16, cagiva mito, cb600 hornet now: mk1 bandit, KR1S, landrover series 3 light weight 2.5 petrol, 5speed box

[waffles]

If you have rebuilt this bike and you don't trust it, why are you contemplating selling it on to someone else? Have faith in your own work, take it somewhere quiet and isolated and take it slowly. The fact that you know people who have been injured or killed is not helping you out but you have to try these things for yourself. I have fixed or fettled things on every bike I have owned and rebuilt one from scratch, the first ride was a little nervy thinking that something was going to lock up or fall off but I knew I had done everything properly. Confidence!

Oh, and man up!
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[lihp]

Do a CBT see how you feel. if you still have that mindset, then I doubt that biking is the thing for you

[Drake]

^^^ thats coming from a woman
____________________
was: derbi senda, aprilia sx125, nsr250 mc16, cagiva mito, cb600 hornet now: mk1 bandit, KR1S, landrover series 3 light weight 2.5 petrol, 5speed box

[guywiththegun]

[lihp]

[waffles]

[Drake]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Time for some hairs to sprout on your balls


Please doublecheck everything as you wouldn't want a nut to be missing from the gear linkage whilst downshifting for a corner..leading to much leg flapping and that horrid feeling of coasting around the corner( managed a false neutral)
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[guywiththegun]

I was going to take a CBT 4 years ago, but turns out the CBT place doesn't own any motorbikes, so I couldn't do it, even though I paid for it...

[Drake]

how the hell can a riding school that does cbt's not have any bikes :S thats the main component
____________________
was: derbi senda, aprilia sx125, nsr250 mc16, cagiva mito, cb600 hornet now: mk1 bandit, KR1S, landrover series 3 light weight 2.5 petrol, 5speed box

[Quornholio]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

My CBT instructor didn't have any bikes either...
I rode down to a deserted carpark and went from there.

He's not in business now.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[hedgehugger]

You wouldn't have been old enough to do a CBT 4 years ago.
19-4=15
CBT = 16+

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Well spotted hedgehugger..i do believe we have a cad amongst us.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Dan_Davies]

[EazyDuz]

I wouldnt say to man up, some people just dont want to or cant do things. Some might love to skydive for the thrill, others would rather eat dog poo than do that, each to their own imo.

[guywiththegun]

[Tenko]

If it makes you feel uncomfortable, don't do it and do something else with your time instead...

[rtho782]

It's a 50cc.

It's older than you, half it's hp have probably leaked out by now.

If you fall off, you carry on walking!!

Honestly, it's top speed is probably around 35mph, you could hit 30 on a pushbike downhill.

Wear a helmet and a decent jacket. I came off at 80mph on the motorway recently, my only real injury was a dislocated shoulder, because I was wearing gear.

Lots of things can kill you. Motorbikes are one. So can cars. I ride motorbikes because it's fun, although it MIGHT kill me.

Smoking WILL kill me, and is less fun, yet I do that as well. If I were to give up one because it is stupid, it would be the smoking!!

[Clanger]

If you are that confident with your mechanic skills, then I think it's time to quit now. Hand the thing over to a trained mechanic and then try riding it...you might feel better if a pro has fastened the nuts and bolts.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss