Suffered a bad day at the Office................

Steve - RS125 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Karma :

I finished work yesturday and decided the bike was coming out to play, I was rearing to go and got suited up for the occasion.

I was going to do my usual run from Halesowen over to Ludlow via Quatt.

I set off, fill up at the petrol station and I am really looking forward to some serious fast and aggresive riding (On my RS125cc)

The route I run is pure twistys which vary from 40's to full throttle and it is constant twistys on a tight narrow county lane which my bike loves and certainly eats up the road as quick as most bigger bikes do. (On this specific route - Kept level pegging with my mate on his Kwak 636 and he is a good rider!!)

So I set of in eager anticipation and enter my favourite bike road and pin the throttle back and set off on what I wanted to be one of my quickest times on the route I run.

I set off and the first few twistys I took were ok, but I found myself backing out and really slowing down for corners that I did not have to, I was riding like a big girls blouse to be completely honest.

My cornering was terrible (Lines into the corners and speed round / out of the corners)

My Breaking into corners was horrendous

My gear selection was terrible

My bottle was completely shot

I did not trust my tyres
(For no apparent reason at all, they're only 11 months old with less than 4k on them)

I was majorly diappointed at my riding last night, I just could not hit the nail on the head and I failed to keep the RS on the button.

The most disappointing thing is that I have done this route a million times, I know every crevis and crack in the road, every lump and bump, every corner speed and every corner I scrape my "Hero Blobs" on the ground.

Last night was not my night. Evil or Very Mad

Am I losing my edge? Rolling Eyes

Am I losing my balls? Sad

Or am I saving myself for a tremendous ride out with 4 lads on sixes tomorrow morning?? Twisted Evil

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Suzuki VL Intruder 125cc - September 2004 to July 2005
Aprilia RS 125cc - July 2005 to Present
Suzuki RF600RR - May 2006 to October 2006 (RIP RF600)

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Happens. However, if you're not trusting the tyres check the pressures are ok. It's surprising what a few psi difference (hi or low) can make to the feel.

Hope you have a better time Thumbs Up

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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger? Very Happy

Steve - RS125 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Karma :

The tyres were at the correct pressure, but they did not feel like they wanted to grip the road (Thats what I felt anyway) even though it was blatent to see they were in excellent condition and would have held the road like a demon. Rolling Eyes

I cant wait to get on those same roads tomorrow morning with me pals and blast the memories of last nights pussyfoot about out of ones mind.

I think tomorrow I will be aiming for ones knee down, on that same corner my foot and hero blob scrape. I think if I climb that slight bit more I will have me knee down???! Surely?? Twisted Evil

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Suzuki VL Intruder 125cc - September 2004 to July 2005
Aprilia RS 125cc - July 2005 to Present
Suzuki RF600RR - May 2006 to October 2006 (RIP RF600)

FreshAL · Sir Crashalot Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Karma :

hey, it happens.

at least you realised you were having a bad day and backed off. If you'd kept pushing you could have ended up a hood ornament on a Scania

Steve - RS125 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Karma :

Too right, not to sure about being a hood ornament on a scania as they are not allowed on this road but a Land rover maybe. Thumbs Up

Do you guys / gals have real bad off days and just know your riding is naff?

(P.s when I mean naff, I dont mean like your a danger to people, just not able to ride fast / as well as you usually would)
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Suzuki VL Intruder 125cc - September 2004 to July 2005
Aprilia RS 125cc - July 2005 to Present
Suzuki RF600RR - May 2006 to October 2006 (RIP RF600)

ZZR Girl · Trackday Trickster Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Karma :

Yep, it happens. I have good days when I'm really pleased with the way I've ridden. But much as I would love it to, it doesn't last. Some days are rubbish.
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Keep it shiny!

akaDAVE · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Karma :

I've been riding less than a year and I also have my favourite route which I stick to. It helps me experiment and see improvements in my riding and over the time I've learnt simply that some days are very good and others are shockers.
Like you, sometimes I'm uptight and scared to lean the bike, ragged on the clutch/throttle/brakes, feel jittery, unfocused, unsafe and bassically like a passneger on the bike. It seems to have no relation to my mood before getting on the bike. Like last night I decided just to go home! There's no point getting more aggressive with it.
On a good day I'm relaxed, much quicker, smoother and feeling safer and easily focused. It feels like I'm actually holding onto the front wheel rather than jsut sitting on top of the bike and hanging on.

I think it's because riding a bike is so physically and mentally involving that even subconcious stress or tiredness comes into effect when you go out.

Maybe you were so determined to ride quick that you tensed up and spoilt it.
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GSXR600

FreshAL · Sir Crashalot Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Karma :

Steve - RS125 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Karma :

I was after a new route record! Twisted Evil

I dont think that was why I was having a bad day at the office though, I do however completely agree with the physical and mental involvment and I was shattered yesturday, maybe this was the deciding factor?

Or the fact its the first time I have rode since last friday and have since gave up smoking? Shocked

Lets hope not or I will have to light up again.

Who gives a chuff, at least I did not throw it down the road ay! Thumbs Up

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Suzuki VL Intruder 125cc - September 2004 to July 2005
Aprilia RS 125cc - July 2005 to Present
Suzuki RF600RR - May 2006 to October 2006 (RIP RF600)

ncrn · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2006 Karma :

Steve - RS125 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Karma :

I have tried that aswell, however its not as though I am ever scared or nervous when riding my bike and need to pull over due to lack of confidence.

I have been riding for 2 years and have loads of confidence in the bikes ability to help me do what I want it to - Last night it was as though I have only had a bike for a few weeks and I am still a complete newb learning the ropes???! (Of which I know I still sort of am)

I am adament it was a one off and I know tomorrow I will be like a Demon on heat with the throttle. Twisted Evil

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Suzuki VL Intruder 125cc - September 2004 to July 2005
Aprilia RS 125cc - July 2005 to Present
Suzuki RF600RR - May 2006 to October 2006 (RIP RF600)

JBurrows88 · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 May 2006 Karma :

I've had a REALLY SH!TE DAY!! Brick Wall

All started this morning on the way to college.. I felt like a liability to myself and actually ended up slowly down on a 125 (also there was a very strong head on wind Thumbs Down

)

Then at college someone parked in front of my bike so i was stuck while trying to find the owner (what a n0b) who then told me to wait a full hour because he had a lesson!! Evil or Very Mad

Then i ride down to morrisions to get some food and when i get back someone has stolen my tax disk (try reporting a lost tax disk to west/north yorkshire police; it took almost 2hours and at the end of it the woman said that she would not give me a crime ref. number... so now i have to fork out 15 quid + the cost of a new holder and try repair the straches on the ares where the holder was attached Mad

)

YOU just know when you're going to have a bad day Neutral

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Dave
XJR400 Kenney Roberts Paint Job

THCi · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Its true we all have off days, it tends to be related to tiredness for me. The more alert I am, the better I ride.

I work a shift pattern that includes one late night, at least, a week. I get up at 8 for the late nights, and have a complete and utter blast riding to work. Shite on the way back though Rolling Eyes

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Past: GZ 125 K4 Marauder, VL 125 LC Intruder, FZS 600 Fazer. Present: GSF 600 N K3 Bandit, GSX-R 600 X(soon)
"We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

syl · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Karma :

BanditBitch · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Karma :

I have some days when I am really chuffed with myself... then others when I am a gibbering wreck.....usually when my bike conks out, but thats another story.

I am learning that its not a good idea to go out riding, if I have had a bad day, or am tired etc.

My OH has been riding for 22 years and he says he has crap days sometimes too.

Phil_G · Traffic Copper Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Karma :

heh.

I dont even have my full licence and I still had a bad day today on my lesson :S

My instructor said to me "leave your mistakes where you made them, and concentrate on getting the next move right"

If one thing goes wrong, and you start worrying about it then it takes your mind off the rest of the ride, and then more stuff goes wrong and its a vicious circle. Learn from the mistake and move on.

Phil
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1997 Kawasaki ER 500 A1:- Once again, Its merely crap Smile

Huambo81a · Brolly Dolly Joined: 16 Apr 2005 Karma :

I have had some days where i`ve felt ok beforehand, but after getting on the bike found myself to be impatient (almost angry) at other road users for holding me up and getting in my way. These are the times i decide to knock it on the head and go home.

I think it is related to how you are feeling on some subconcious level, tiredness certainly cant help. I missed a nights sleep last week and rode home at midday, i was all over the shop.
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Present: 2017 KTM Super Adventure S
Past: 97 Bandit 600 / 05 Bandit 1200 / 03 ZX6-R / 2006 Tuono R / 2001 VFR 800 / 2010 Street Triple R / 2013 Speed Triple S / 2017 S1000XR

sunbear · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Karma :

IMO i think life is crap full stop Rolling Eyes

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Bikes had : BMW F650, suzuki tr50, gt125, SV400, GSXR600 SRAD. Honda CBR900RRP, CBR600FX, CBR1000F, VT600, Transalp 600, mtx125, nsr125r, CB500T, Yamaha fy50, tzr125, tdr125, XV535, Diversion 600, Fazer 600, TDM850 MK1 & MK2, Majesty 400, XV 1100. Cagiva mito evolution, Aprilia rs125, Piaggio x9 125. DNA 125 . Suzuki Bandit 600, GZ125 Marauder, RF600 , RF900RS2, Kawasaki ZZR400, ZX6R Ninja, ZZR600 . Ducati 750 Sport . Triumph Tiger 955i. CURRENT : 2004 Kawasaki Z750 and LOVIN IT !

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

i disagree. You are a long time dead, so best to find lots of fun things to do before you die.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

sunbear · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Karma :

Yeah thats what i think about sleeping...........do enough of that when youre dead (i have to get up at 6 even on the weekends, not wasting my time from crappy work being asleep). Nice change of a thread there Very Happy

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Bikes had : BMW F650, suzuki tr50, gt125, SV400, GSXR600 SRAD. Honda CBR900RRP, CBR600FX, CBR1000F, VT600, Transalp 600, mtx125, nsr125r, CB500T, Yamaha fy50, tzr125, tdr125, XV535, Diversion 600, Fazer 600, TDM850 MK1 & MK2, Majesty 400, XV 1100. Cagiva mito evolution, Aprilia rs125, Piaggio x9 125. DNA 125 . Suzuki Bandit 600, GZ125 Marauder, RF600 , RF900RS2, Kawasaki ZZR400, ZX6R Ninja, ZZR600 . Ducati 750 Sport . Triumph Tiger 955i. CURRENT : 2004 Kawasaki Z750 and LOVIN IT !