Ever think you should slow down?

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

Well I've been thinking back to how I am recently riding on the road and frankly I consider myself to be putting myself in danger of landing on my arse quite reguarly.

Thinking back to recent rideouts and just general riding I've been lucky not to end up on my arse or with injuries, taking every slight chance for an overtake which often leaves me scraping by much to the annoyance of the vehicle heading towards me or the person I just cut up to avoid hitting the oncoming vehicle.

Even pushing it too hard on roads I don't really know (the wales going up a kerb incident). The worrying bit is none of my close calls seem to phase me at all, I'm becoming really over confident.

So I sit there and think maybe I should slow down but the second I get back on the bike I'm riding just the same as I was before, does anyone else ever do/think this? Confused

yorkshirelad3 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Karma :

yes, full race leather come on and im a different rider to the commuter i am on the way to work.

Just be careful, no one can control your riding except yourself, do whatever you feel safe with

within the law (of course Surprised

)

chriscross · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Karma :

When you crash you will appreciate the limits of yourself.

I used to do the same thing. Overtake on blind bends, double white lines etc.

When my friend nearly killed himself doing a similar manoeuvre, I learned how to take it easy.

Enjoy your biking, but for fucks sake, keep it safe!

Chris

Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

After my 2nd off I slowed down a lot. Laughing

Hitting tarmac makes you think... Laughing

Take it easy Shaun. Thumbs Up

M1ke · Ped Boi Joined: 11 Jun 2002 Karma :

No not at all to be honest. I ride very much so within my limit on the road and have probably slowed down a fair bit since my younger days.

On the whole of the trip around Europe I had one 'oh shit' moment when I mistakingly misjudged an overtake with an oncoming van. The only other 'Oh shit' moment I had was when a Car hit me mid bend at 70mph, but that was his fault, not mine.

I think if you are having near crash incidents regularly then its an indication you are trying to push it too hard on the road... Take it to a track. Wink

One thing I have learned is that there is a time and a place to push a bike to its limit, and its never on the road. It's always nice to keep a bit in reserve anyway Cool

VFR400UK · Scooby Slapper Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Karma :

Your problem is that the fear element has been replaced by a feeling of invulnerability.
Thisdoes tend to change abruptly when you end up on your ass as from that point onwards you have no confidence and are scared of it happening again.

Sure thrash the bollocks off the thing now and then, but limit yourself to a few thrashings per week and don't be tempted to show off or give in to pressure to overtake or keep up. Thumbs Up

jimster · Spanner Monkey Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Karma :

Claud 14.7 to 1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2004 Karma :

Yes. Although in a group I'd ride a lot more gun-ho. On my own I prefer to plan ahead, and be smooth but still pretty swift in my riding. You can still set a decent pace both in corners and on the straights, but it's more planned and calculated, more in control. Not as much road "racing", more fast but planned road riding.

I've calmed down a lot, and very rarely fuck around with cars anymore, they just aren't worth it. Cars are too dodgy to have an off from.

Next time your out, just slow/smooth your actions and yourself down for the whole ride. Plan ahead. You will see you can plan and be control of all the road situations and still be going a decent pace (although would probably be slower than all-out riding).

Give that a go and see how you get on. I tend to do this now and I've cut down on a lot of near misses!

Probably say advanced training would help.

Wave2k · G's Stalker Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

same thing happends to me shaun although this happened
https://www.fazed.nildram.co.uk/oopsie/07082005.jpg

luck runs out sooner or later Sad

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Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Shaun. What you need is to fall off as soon as possible.

I don't mean this in a nasty way but as a lot of people have said on this thread already, nothing tells you to slow down quite like landing on your arse.

A mate of mine has this theory that you have a kind of 'crash quota'. You are due an expected amount of crashage per mile. This quota decreases with experience and increases with factors such as how powerful your bike is. Now his point was that having a crash resets your quota, so a small crash every six months when you are starting out gets the pain over in small manageable sections and calms your riding down accordingly. If you go a long time without a crash (or worse, have never had one), your confidence builds, your speed builds and the backlog of crash quota gets steadily higher. You start to take liberties, pull loads of wheelies, do dodgy overtakes because you feel invulnerable, Then when you have your crash, it is a big one.

I reckon there is some truth in this theory.
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White Noise · Mr Dudwee Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Karma :

of the two bikes i have owned i have come off them both, nothing to major but enough to do the reset as stinkwheel says. i don't feel truely comfortible on a bike i haven't come off! Laughing

WN
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Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

White Noise · Mr Dudwee Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Karma :

Claud 14.7 to 1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2004 Karma :

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

Spiral · Traffic Copper Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Karma :

Liverpoolrobb... · Crazy Courier Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Karma :

Dom_ · Points Mean Prizes Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

Whats your excuse for going slow to the wheel then? Razz

A lot of people push their own limits on the road, it's what gives them the buzz, it's stupid yeh, but irresistable sometimes.

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

I dont do the same kind of riding, dont have the same bike etc

but

I'd say the most dangerous thing you can do on the road is overtake. You could develop a little self control and and only do it when its safer than when you are doing it now...

OR

You could get a more powerful bike. This is not as daft as it sounds. I think having a more powerful bike will mean you can overtake quicker and more safely.

If you are on a 400, get a 600.

There is the world of difference between having a slide on a bend and ending up in a hedge, and misjudging an overtake and dieing in a head on collision.

My rs125 is great but I think I would be far safer on a bigger bike unless i never overtake on my rs125.
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Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

JonB · Afraid of Mileage Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

I need to fall off my bike as well.

I have another theory that the longer and longer it takes me to bin it, when I finally do bin it, it will probably be in spectacular style and I will end up in an early grave.
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McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

Get your ass to my house and borrow 'Motorcycle Roadcraft', or whatever its called. Have a read of that and try and actually take it in, it should help you calm down.
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.