Hello from a Scaredy Newbie

[MCW]

Hello, at the age of 50 I have just passed my CBT and bought my first bike, a Honda Varadero 125. The first time I took it out I dropped it, (no damage to me or bike, but I wasn't strong enough to pick it up on my own) and now I've lost all confidence. I have driven HGVs, vans and cars all over Europe for years and I really want to get my bike licence. I misspent my youth riding pillion, but had no fear at that age. Am unwilling to go on the road now for fear of keeling over at the first roundabout...

Am doing my best to overcome this mental block, but would be grateful for any thoughts as to how to build your confidence.

[waffles]

Build it up slowly. Go round the block a few times on your bike. Then go a little further, then a little further until you feel comfortable again. Or do you have any friends who ride? Maybe they could follow you around as a bit of an emotional boost?

Either way you need to get back in the saddle ASAP!
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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

[Nick 50]

Hi MCW,

Have you got a car-park or smallish off-road area close to you? If you have, try practicing on there a bit to build up your confidence.

Another option is, do you know any other bike riders who can spend a few hours with you to give you a boost?

Once you get over the first initial fright of being on the road it really doesn't take long to build up your confidence. In no time you will be looking back wondering what the fuss was about.

A more extreme option is changing bikes for a smaller 125cc machine. Varadero is a great 125 but is a big machine for its size.
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Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......

[ScaredyCat]

"Midlife Crisis Woman" - sounds like some sort of Super Hero

I just had a minor off (Sunday just gone) and although I crept home after it I did go to work on the bike this morning and obviously came back again. I was pretty unsure and to be honest not happy on it for the trip to work. It was better on the way home and everyone here has offered constructive criticism of my mistakes. Now it's time to move on.

I think the quicker you go out again the better you'll feel. Put it out of your mind if you can, just take it as a lesson.

Varadero is a beautiful but big bike for a 125 but I'm still very jealous of you.

Is there a car park you can practice on nearby? When I started I did that for hours on my own in a car park circling round, faking junctions doing u-turns. It helped, lots.

So, chin up and get out on your bike again. Would be a shame to just let it sit there. I've also found talking to my bike makes her feel a bit better about the crash.


Andy / ScaredyCat
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Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple

[Andy_Pagin]

There's a knack to getting a dropped bike upright and it doesn't take great strength, say its laying on its left side, just grab the bars and lean into the bike and push it forwards into a right turn, it'll roll forwards and upwards as if by magic.
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[chairmouse]

[Jodie]

Good evening and welcome Midlifer, well done on taking the plunge. I did the same thing 4 yrs ago at 36, buying a 125 then doing my A2 test on my own bike, just been informed my restriction is up today woo

On my cbt I fell off the bike while stood still to the amusement of the old man, have had a few more mishaps, fortunately going slow or stood still, thought I'd put my back out and ruptured my boobage on occasions . I probably would've thought sod it if it wasn't for him.
You just have to keep persevering as the rewards are plenty, I still get nervous 4 yrs on as I dropped the 650 a few weeks ago (again at a stand still) and I thought my 125 was heavy, jeez this beast weighs a ton .

Stick with it, you'll get plenty of support on here, your confidence will grow every time you ride as you learn more

[Craig321]

[harscot]

[ScaredyCat]

[MCW]

Thanks for all the replies, it's really nice to know I'm not alone ,

Everyone is right. I just need to get on with it, I know. I want to ride so much as well, just need not to freak out whenever I get on the bike.

[mic]

chatting to one of my local training schools about gaining experince with an instructor and he said i could tag along to a CBT day (assuming i wasnt breaching the number of students on such day) and only pay £65 rather than £120. Wouldnt get a CBT certificate, just a day with instructor to run thru bits again. Might be worth asking one of your locals?

[Nick 50]

[banditjohn]

Hello and welcome , I would echo what's been said and don't give up. It's like the old saying get strait back on and relax, this sort of thing does happen but as long you and the bike are ok at least it didn't cost a mint for any repairs, I hope your back on the two wheels soon and grab it by the horns.
All the best John

[thepuma]

I'm still very much a newbie so my advice probably isn't as worthy as the pros on here. But I would say just get back on the bike and keep practising. If you got through your CBT then you've proved you are worthy f riding a motorbike so just keep practising.

One thing I originally found myself doing was trying to avoid certain places,roundabouts,junctions cos I felt they were too busy or difficult so I'd initially go the long way round, but then I just thought 'stuff it, just do it cos otherwise ill never learn" and that's my attitude now....just get out on the bike and hit every/any situation head on cos that's the only way we learn.

I rode to work for the first time this morning and was a little apprehensive because I feared that the traffic would be mental, everyone would be in a rush and I'd make a mistake if I got flustered etc etc.......soon as I got out on the road all those negative thoughts disappeared and I thought "what the hell was I worried for".

Just keep riding and the hard things get easier and the easy things become second nature.
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YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[dungbug]

Welcome to BCF, as others have said the best way forward is to ride. You've completed the CBT so you can obviously hold your own on a bike. Short trips out for a bit, just around the block sort of thing to get the feel of the clutch,gears, brakes, indicators etc. The Vara is a lovely bike and will serve you well, don't be afraid of it though. It's a machine & will do what you 'tell' it to do, maybe consider a ride out at the weekend if there are any quiet roads nearby. Just build up gradually and you're confidence will build up with it.
The first time I rode my 125 solo was the day I did my CBT (a Saturday), I poodled around locally for an hour or so just getting the feel of the bike. Did the same the following day then used it for commuting on the Monday, a couple of reasonably long rides made everything comfortable & I had no real issues riding to work & back from there on. It just takes a bit of time to be confident and building up the miles is the best way, ride safe.
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CBT: Pass 25/06/2011 Theory Test: Pass12/06/2012 Mod 1: Fail 08/07/2012
Mod 1 Retest: Pass 15/0702012 Mod 2: Pass 03/08/2012
Suzuki GN125 (Sold) ~ Current bike: Yamaha YZF 600R Thundercat

[MCW]

[Rogerborg]

A Verydearo is bigger than my 500, and I can't be doing with tippy-toeing bikes. Unless you've got long legs, you might be as well considering something a bit neater. The good news is that Verydearos hold their value well, so you're unlikely to lose any money if you sell it.

+1 on the "bum lift" in ScaredyCat's link above. TV totty approved (1:56 if it doesn't start at the right point).
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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

[kotachi]

[MCW]

[thepuma]

Oh..another little tip is what I'm doing at the moment.

Get up mega early Sunday morning and have a good long ride out for an hour or two, the roads will be mega mega quiet so you can concentrate on your riding rather than be worrying about encountering too much traffic.

Last Sunday I went out at 6.30am for two hours, just randomly went to little villages, country lanes and tried to drive like I was doing my test, doing all the observations and going through everything slowly in my head so it becomes second nature.

I also found a quiet car park so I could practice some slow riding and some of the things that are on the mod1. I've found these last 2 Sunday morning ride outs to be invaluable in getting used to the bike and riding whilst the roads are empty.
____________________
YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

[Joncrete Cungle]

Your nearest supermarket car park early Sunday morning should be pretty quiet and give you a couple of hours to practice the basics. Failing that you could always find an instructor in your area and ask about a days 'refersher' course.

Remember to practice your observations on the road, try not to ride like a scaredy cat as arseholes on 4 wheels will pick up on it and treat you with contempt.

Good luck

[Rogerborg]

Well, they crash well, so that's something.

[Islander]

Chalk it up to experience - it happens to most of us when we're learning. You'll feel a lot more comfortable once the controls become more automatic and you can concentrate on the road and other road users more clearly. It just takes time and practice

Picking a bike up can be daunting but it's not that hard once you know how. The easiest way to do it is to use your legs to do most of the work. Take the bike to an empty car park with someone to help you, lay it on its side and practice this technique until you're confident with it. Use the car park to practice your riding technique too.

https://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html

[psychodame]

Hiya, I have nothing to add to all the advice given to you as it's all sound. I am the same age as you, and have struggled similarly. You just need to take it slowly and try to learn to relax when you're on the bike. I know it sounds impossible, but if you tell your self "RELAX" and really try to loosen up your shoulders and general posture, you will find that your bike suddenly starts to behave itself, and that taking it out for a run will become a pleasure, and not something that you have to talk yourself into.
I started to learn to ride a bit about 30 years ago, totally lost my nerve after too may spills in central London while commuting and stopped. I've regretted it ever since, and now I wish that I'd perservered and got sorted sooner, but back in "those days" there was nobody around me to offer advice & support.
Belive me, one day it will all come together and you'll be sooooo pleased that you didn't give up. Just get out there and ride it - I PROMISE you'll have fun!!. If you're based anywhere near Grantham I'd gladly come over & go for a ride-ette with you?
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Motorcycling is not, of itself, inherently dangerous. It is, however, extremely unforgiving of inattention, ignorance, incompetence or stupidity.
-Anonymous