First crash, and not a great one!!

[crankflip1990]

I have been riding now for around 3 months. Earlier this week on the first day that the ice reared its ugly face I was on my way home from the girlfriends house. I took the same route that I always take and 2 munites from arriving safely at home disaster struck. There is one road on the way which has 150 yard straight then a light chicane (left turn into right turn) and a 200 yard stretch downhill.

Coming out of the second turn of this light chicane my back wheel hit a patch of ice and skidded out to the left. I managed to correct myself at that point and shift my back end back towards the central line but a split second after that my back wheel then skidded to the right and at that point a major "speed wobble" was set into motion. I say speed wobble but I was riding carefully and under the speed limit. I guess that just wasn't enough . Another 5 yards of speed wobble and my back slid out to the left far enough to put me on my side. I slid for 20 yards before coming to stop. I knew not to let go to save major injury to myself physically.

I picked up my bike and my right wing mirror was smashed, indicator gone and destroyed, and handle bar bent slightly inward. As I was only 2 minutes from home I decided to push my bike the rest of the way. Later that day it came to ride my bike down to the garrage and get a quote. While on the way there I was a bit jittery but I thought nothing of it as I put it down to being the fact that it was the still fresh in my mind. I got there and then made my way back home.

3 days later, my bike was ready. I made my way down there to pay for the repairs and ride it home. I have riden it only twice in the past 3 days and my confidence is completely shot. I am extremely nervous about riding in even a light frost. And even when there is no frost the nerves are up just like when I first started to ride.

What can I do??

I have to ride 21 miles to work at 4:30am and need my confidence back.

What tips have you got for riding in frost and ice??

How can I regain my confidence while the shit weather is still here??
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First bike: Honda CBR 125R - 26/08/11.
First off: 05/12/11
Don't start none, won't be none!

[kingley]

Well firstly at least you weren't seriously injured which is the main thing.

The best advice I can give you if you really have no option but to ride in the frost and ice, is to take it easy. Wear some hi-vis gear so that others can see you easily. Make sure you have plenty of layers on to keep warm. As being cold will affect your concentration and make you less aware of the road. Allow much longer for your journey and stay well under the speed limits in adverse conditions. Watch out for the road markings and grid covers as they can be treacherous in that kind of weather. Also keep an eye out for diesel patches as they can cause you to lose grip as well.

As for gaining back confidence. It'll take a little time. It's always knocked after an "off". Just keep riding and after a few days you'll be back to where you were confidence wise. You could try some short journeys as well to get back some confidence (to the shops, into town, to a mates house, etc).
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CB250 Nighthawk

[EazyDuz]

When i had my first off i found that throwing myself back in the deep end got my confidence back quick. That means just doing the regular trips i was doing before coming off the bike.
I wouldnt advise riding in the ice/frost but as said if you have to then slow right down and keep an eye on the road condition infront.
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To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

[dangerousdave]

Sorry to hear about the off. Not surprised you're shaken up.

It affects everybody when they come off. I knocked myself out and broke my foot when a car pulled out on me when i first started riding. I was off the bike for a while because my leg was plastered up, but got back on as soon as i could.

Look at it as a learning experience - its unpleasant, but you'll be a better rider because of it.

Like others have said, get back on the bike and take it really easy. Your confidence will come back.

You'll get to know how your bike reacts on different surfaces and different weathers. Main roads are usually gritted in icy weather but back roads seldom are - which is where the ice is often lurking.
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1988 Kawasaki KMX 200

Previous: Yamaha YZF1000, ZZR600, KMX200, DT50, KX80, CG125, PF50

[crankflip1990]

Thanks for all your help everyone . Even doing short journeys at the moment is a bit daunting. My main issue is that every time I take a corner, psychologically I can sense my back end slipping out, if that makes sense. It's that sort of extra sensory thing I really want to get out of my mind. My mate told me that it always feels like that anyway but its just not in the forefront of your mind. I can see the logic in that but it couldn't of happened at a worse point in my riding life. Being the very first day I had ever ridden in those conditions and I come off.

But you are all right, I guess its just like riding a bike eh
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First bike: Honda CBR 125R - 26/08/11.
First off: 05/12/11
Don't start none, won't be none!

[anthony_r6]

[Beelzebob]

[crankflip1990]

[_Chris_]

It's not great being on 4 wheels in the ice, nevermind 2.

I'd say get as much time on the road as you can, on quiet roads, that aren't icy (so not at 4.30am!), maybe after work when the weathers warmed up a bit have a slow potter around your local area on streets you know well while your confidence recovers.

At least you're not hurt mate.
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Just getting started

[Rogerborg]

[Conon]

[totalllama82]

[Griggs1988]

Get/watch twist of the wrist 2, am learning atm and its a really really useful dvd!!

[Gothtec]

Ok my 2 cents...

Firstly, get back on your bike asap. The more you back away the harder it is to get your confidence back.

Secondly, learn to do bike repairs yourself, how much to pay to get it fixed?

Thirdy, in winter there is a common reference to the "Winter Hack" - get one! Buy a cheap s/h bike and rat it... Take off what you don't need and paint it matt black... It doesn't matter if you drop it and if you do, jerry-rig it to work and another coat of matt-black!!!

Then make sure you wear the right gear, so if you go down you don't hurt yourself too much!

Crashing is part of the course, if you never have you never learn!

Your bikes OK and so are you, your on the win
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[ninja_butler]

[Mikey3]

My Grandad always used to say "you're not a real biker until you've fallen off" haha

Best thing to do in my opinion is like what's been said, get back on with it, the best way to get over your fear is to face it head on.
Be a bit cautious at first, but no need to fear it forever, use it as a learning curve and adapt your riding respectively.
all good to hear you're okay though, and glad the bikes mainly okay bar some minor scrapes.
and, you're a real biker now
water off a ducks' back dude
mike
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'04 Yamaha WR450F
'99 SV650 Streetfighter Project - mid build
'Motorcycling is about what you do; not about what you own, or how much you spend on it'