Missing the nerve

[Eddie Hitler]

I've been thinking.. (dangerous, buckle yourselves in).

I haven't owned a motorcycle for 3 years (since I made love to the back of a van at 60mph ). I've owned 14 different bikes in the past, ridden through all weathers, and during that period I just didn't think about the danger side to it. Now I feel a little jaded, I'm actually pissed off that I will probably never own another road bike. It's so true that it brings something that cars and other forms of transport can't, sense of freedom, all that bullshit.

Was just staring at an Aprilia RSV the other day parked next to my push bike, wanting to jump onto it and ride like a c*&^, but I'm just so aware of my mortality.

Anyone else had these thoughts? How long does it take to move the fu** on? .

[G]

If you do get another, consider some advanced riding, so you can rationalise, understand and mitigate the risks.

Or; trackdays! (Plenty of potential to hurt yourself if you're silly, but more fun before you do so .)

[stinkwheel]

Stop looking at RSV death engines.

Don't give up, buy a tiddler and go out and wring it's neck. A grom or something. Find where the fun started before it became serious business.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Eddie Hitler]

[Eddie Hitler]

[MCN]

Could be a troll.

Get on a motorbike and take it easy.

You need rehab.
____________________
Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[asta1]

Based on my much, much less serious drop (which was entiely my own fault), I'd say the best thing is probably to get back on a bike asap and get on with it. You'll be a bit nervous and shit for a while, but it'll get better and bikes are fun, especially in the summer.

Grab something sensible, tiddler, 600, whatever and have a play. Buy second hand and choose wisely, you can go full fireblade in a couple months, no money lost.

It'll be reet.
____________________
CBT Acquired: 09/07/2015
A2 Licence Passed: 12/02/16
Current Bike: Yamaha MT-07 bought 02/07/16

[Dave70]

After my experience of discovering a load of black ice around Xmas time, which didn't end too well, I've had a really bad time confidence wise (was considering making a thread for advice but, was scared of being called a pussy ).

Even now if the roads are wet I tense up quite badly, which obviously makes things worse. I realise that I'm doing this and relax myself but, within a minute or two I've subconsciously stiffened up again (gigitty). Bends and roundabouts are where I bottle it mostly.

I use the bike for commuting and have no option but to ride it to work, so I ride most days and still find it an issue after almost 5 months.

Only over the past couple of weeks have I been feeling a bit more confident but, I suspect that may be down to the roads being drier as much as anything. Also, the state of the roads isn't helping, some of them look like they've been carpet bombed.

My theory is that if I stick with it long enough, I'll get through it but, it's taking so long to get there.

Strangely enough, after my first two crashes I never gave a second thought to hopping back on a bike again and did so without issue.
____________________
There ain't no devil, there's just god when he's drunk.

2012: R125 killed by white van. 2016 R125 killed by 30,000 miles of redline. Current: 2016 Kawasaki ER6f.

[chickenstrip]

Been through a few spills, some minor, some major. After my worst one back in '91, I had no qualms about getting back on and still giving it the beanz, I think because although permanently disabled (minor-ish), I could still ride, was still young, and still loved the speed, and perhaps crucially, had no memory of the accident itself.

Relatively recently, I had a year or so riding with mates or alone in Wales, and I probably got to be the fastest, but with it (usually) the smoothest I've ever been. I learned more about how to ride properly in that time than all the years before put together, having also settled on a bike, with the right mods, to feel happiest doing it.

Then another relatively minor spill, but with major repercussions - I injured my back. That injury has left me feeling a lot more fragile. Since then, I really have eased off. I still have some fun when the mood and conditions are right, but i'm never looking to see how fast I can tackle the twisty stuff anymore. I stay firmly within my comfort zone when I get on the bike now. Have fun, sure, but never really attacking it now.

Touring became more of a thing for me, and have enjoyed that more than anything else I've done bike-wise. This, for me, is where the strongest of that sense of 'freedom' came.

Still enjoy riding more than anything now, on the odd occasion I get out.

The fact that you thought about being on that Aprilia and going nuts at least means some of the enthusiasm probably still lingers. I'd suggest buying something engaging but not mad, and getting out on quieter roads for a bit. Don't go nuts, just ease back into it, and see where it goes from there.

I would also suggest that you don't have to ride in all weathers just because you can, or commute. If a bike makes commuting easier/cheaper/quicker, then sure, but in my mind, bikes are first and foremost about the sheer enjoyment.
____________________
Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[G]

[fireyphoenix1...]

i was considering packing it in.I just was not enjoying a ride unless i rode like a twat and i know my skill limit was going to get me hurt.I was the usual point and squirt superbike prick.

I bought a slower bike.Well i thought it was going to be slower, instead i found i am far more confident on this machine and i started riding with the aim of conserving speed.I am now much smoother and as a result consistently faster.I never realized this until a few weeks ago when a friend commented that he was having trouble staying with me and could i slow it down a bit.

Now as i am enjoying the ride more, i find myself going off on the bike at 7AM and getting home at 10PM most saturdays.
Taking only my phone, wallet and sat nav then just picking a direction and start exploring.

IMO pick up a mid range 400/750cc commuter / naked bike and re learn why you loved bikes in the first place.
____________________
2014 Aprillia dorsoduro 750 factory.

[Rogerborg]

[P.]

After my big crash I just played around on a field with a 125.

However, I'd suggest just grabbing a bandit or something and just going for a bimble.

Took me a good few weeks to build up confidence again.

[wristjob]

welcome to the modern world where risk is the enemy.
you lost.
lets face it we are all going to die.
why not have a little fun in the time you have left.
im not going to argue that getting killed doing something you love is better than getting killed by other stuff.
you still end up dead.
have fun in whatever way you can in the time you have.
if you are scared of bikes find something else,seriously if you are not having a good time at least some of the time you might as well punch your own ticket now.

[M.C]

[chickenstrip]

[Kentol750]

Scared another one off then!
____________________
Some bikes.

[M.C]

[Jayy]

I've had 3 crashes in 17 years of riding on the road. First was a woman who pulled out on me on my scooter 3 months after getting on the road.

Second was a woman on a push bike who flew in to the road and I hit her but didn't crash myself, she just fucked the nose cone up.

Third was quite recently, I was coming out the end of my street in November ish and still had racing scrubs on the RSV4. I throttled it and it just spat me off. I did over 2 grands worth of damage and it was only a 30-40mph spill.

I was quite apprehensive about riding it in the cold after that. I have not really ridden it much since fixing it and getting the Husqvarna 701. Went out on it last night and to be honest, it scared me a bit.

I don't think about it now but for a good month, I was quite scared of the tyres slipping from under me. Pal of mine did something similar over a year ago and it's still stuck in his head that he will come off on corners.

I have been absolutely nailing the husky's head in and it doesn't pop in to my head at all about the tyres / grip but soon as I jump on the RSV4, it kicks in.

[chickenstrip]

[Kentol750]

We're not trading scar stories. That's for Henry Cole. (Next time) but, it does hurt when you fall off. Look at who was/is to blame and if its YOU....walk....and if it's you... WALK
____________________
Some bikes.

[chickenstrip]

[Kentol750]

Beyond l plates....explain....
____________________
Some bikes.

[Teflon-Mike]

[chickenstrip]