The moment you become one

[wantser]

Hi Guys,

I was riding home from work yesterday enjoying the dry tarmac, not worrying too much about leaning the big old CX into the corners and a thought struck me.

I passed my test back in February and this was the first time I had felt completely confident and at ease in what me and my bike could do. Knowing how she handles, accelerates, brakes, everything seemed to come together along with the realisation that I was in complete control, almost harmony with my machine.

Has anyone else had this/or can remember when you first had this first diffining moment of clarity when you suddenly realise that you are a confident and in total control rider?


Now I am not saying that I have rode like a spaz for the last few months, but the old saying "after you pass your test is when you really learn how to ride/drive" comes aparent (to me at least) once that examiner gives you the good news.

Obviously I am aware that getting too confident can lead to arrogance and the beleif that you are indestructable, but it is a good feeling to know how your bike reacts and performs with you at the helm which must help your decision making and reaction time if something were to happen.

Did this make sense? Just a thought I wanted to share.

Anyone remeber when everything just clicked for them? Either the first time or after purchasing a new bike? I imagen that once you get to the stage where you are a confident rider this time to "jel" with a new machine does not take too long, but I am sure you still get the 'click' moment when out riding where you think "yeah, I feel completely at ease with this bike!"

To new riders out there, the time will come, but dont push it. I am also aware that there is still plenty to learn and improve on within my own riding.

Wantser
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An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field

[paulthewitt]

nope, but i keep crashing!

i hope to acheive this with my next bike! glad you have.

[Walloper]

Oh shit! Another accident in the making.
Proverb: Over confidence comes before a bish.
Hope you wear decent kit
Rein in that enthusiasm.
It feels good to feel good and a little fear helps to keep us alive. Or at least keeps the machine on the road.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[killa]

I know exactly what you mean Wanster, I think a factor of this also is when you find the right bike for you.
It could be that you are more suited to a tourer, off roader, or sport bike for general use but you want know unless you try many.
Because of my size, build and riding style, the NC30 goes with me well, I’ve owned the bike for less time than my last two sport styled bikes and they didn’t fit me like this bike. I know the rev’s tones inside and out like you should, the tyres are brilliant and the brakes I’ve set for my style.
I have sat on for example a ZX9 and TBH it was a little bit oversized for me and the feel of it was not ‘me’, many bikes to try still but the NC30 is going to have a good life because of this.
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Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[bazza]

[stinkwheel]

Yup, I had that moment on the road between Tongue and Lairg up in the Highlands. Seems ideally suited for a GPZ500s, hit every corner bang in the sweet-spot on the revs and the road just flows under you. You look down at the speedo and realise you are doing three figure speeds on a single tracker and aren't bothered.

My best mate found exactly the same thing on the same bike, on the same road. I was following him and saw it happen, he went from a somewhat underconfident, overcautious rider (about two years experience) to a hooligan in the course of 15 minutes. I had a hard time keeping up with him on my supermoto and when we stopped about an hour later with both bikes absolutely red hot his only comment was "Oh, I see what you mean now about keeping the revs up.".
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“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.

[Barry_M2]

I dont remember when, but it just comes with time and experience.

I dont even think about what I'm doing on the bike (control wise etc..) its just automatic. It give you alot more time to concerntrate on the road and the situations around you.

[Walloper]

Complacency leads to ignorance so be on guard.
Don't think that MotoGP riders forget and lapse into habitual riding. They stay alive/in the race by being on their wits 100%.
Confidence comes to us all but caution should temper it. Always.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[craigie b]

When the summer turned up this year and the roads began to be dry all the time was when I fel tmy confidence grow on the bike, until one morning I got hte sensation driving to my mates house. The bike would just go where I waned it to, I knew my braking distances, filteing gaps, speeds to nip in/out and to filter.
Its a great feeling but one that left me curious as to whether or no I was becoming over confident and one slight mistake would have seen me in hospital