How did you get over the fear?

I need some advice here... I'm still a fledgling rider. Got my bike up and running (finally) in November, and spent plenty of time practicing with my boyfriend in parking lots, etc.... (I completed my MSF last summer). My practice has been sporadic, though - he had wrist surgery so he couldn't ride for 6 weeks, then came the holidays, then when I finally hit the streets, I dropped the bike -- turned out it was faulty/dry rotted tires, so then I couldn't ride till I got new tires, then we moved, etc.... just one thing after another. So now I'm finally ready to hit the streets (got new tires on her over the weekend), and while I've got the basics/mechnical elements down, I still get gripped with this over-whelming fear as I'm gearing up to ride. I mean BAD. It gets to the point where I actually tense up physically, my back hurts, my breathing is labored. And I don't know WHY! Once I'm actually riding, I start to feel a bit better, but I've gotten myself so physically exhausted leading up TO the riding, that I don't ride for very long. My other concern is SPEED. This problem is two-fold, really. I have a problem getting UP to any decent amount of speed.... Even though I know the bike is MADE for that, and that it actually operates/handles BETTER with some speed, that my control will actually be easier/smoother, it's counter-intuitive to me. I FEEL like I actually have a LOSS of control at higher speeds. Add to that, my bike is super-duper loud (Full Yoshi exhaust), and I'm comparing RPM's to that of a car, so I THINK (based on sound and RPM's) that I'm going a whole lot faster than I actually am)... So my question is this... how did you finally get over the fear? I know SOME element of fear is good in that you have to respect the bike. But how can I get myself past this hurdle?

I know SOME element of fear is good in that you have to respect the bike. But how can I get myself past this hurdle? You said it right there. Fear will keep you moderately safe. Practice, practice, practice is the only way to get over it. Maybe you need to stay up late on weekends and keep ridding those mall parking lots till you get good and comfy on the bike. I hate to tell you tho. If you have to much fear. It can hurt you just as quick. You get so over whelmed with fear of falling. You miss the little things and get clobbered or screw up causing a crash. Keep it slow and ride at what ever pace is comfortable to you. You'll be buzzing those cages in no time and wont even realize it. :luck: and be safe!

:iagree: w/ jeeps. Take it slow. If it doesn't go away after a while maybe this just isn't for you. :luck:

:iagree: w/ jeeps. Take it slow. If it doesn't go away after a while maybe this just isn't for you. :luck: I asked myself that last night, but my boyfriend was quick to point out that as sporadic as my riding/practicing has been, I just haven't had a chance to build my confidence up -- and KEEP it up. *sigh*

I asked myself that last night, but my boyfriend was quick to point out that as sporadic as my riding/practicing has been, I just haven't had a chance to build my confidence up -- and KEEP it up. *sigh* That's what I told FierNIce when she started. Then she had her crash and basically had to start all over again. Don't give up just yet but, If it scares you that bad. You would be safer in parking lots till your ready to hit the road.

Just stay in that lot until you are comfortable enough to get out on the street. Work slow, don't rush.

I asked myself that last night, but my boyfriend was quick to point out that as sporadic as my riding/practicing has been, I just haven't had a chance to build my confidence up -- and KEEP it up. *sigh* don't give up quite yet! i still have the fear, but i think it is just a fear of the unknown. riding is risky, people are always out to get you on a bike. you can never be sure that when you leave the house, you will be returning safely later. but i also think that little bit of fear helps keep you alert. with some more miles under your belt you will feel better and the fear will begin to subside. however, if it is a complete body numbing, overwhelming kind of fear perhaps you should listen to your gut instincts. it may be fate trying to tell you something. so just keep trying and see if it gets better for you. if it doesn't, then you can go from there.

I keep hammering on the parking lots...but if you do 200 to 300 miles in parking lots doing figure 8's and tight circles, your street confidence will improve dramatically. The fear NEVER goes away...you beat it down so you can get out and have fun, but the fear and the rush are why we ride... higher speeds will come as you get more seat time. I can remember when I was all white knuckles and purple fingertips when riding on the highway at today's interstate speeds. more seat time made it easier and easier... DO RELAX...being all tensed up while riding will cause you to to make a mistake that can hurt you...

first thing, identify what it is that fears you. if it's a combination of things, then work on them one at a time. i had a friend who was so fearfull of cars coming into her lane and hitting her. i had her focusing on what was ahead and not worry too much about the cars on either side. she eventually overcame her fear and was able to ride on the highways. it helps if other riders are with you. facing your fears alone is very hard. it's also about trust, you need to trust your equipment and also trust other drivers. without this trust, you will always ride in fear. to feel safe, i suggest full bodyarmour. -a|ex

full gear, head to toe, fingertip to everywhere else...... At least knowing u are protected with REAL riding pants and jacket, gloves and helmet, will help. I guess its weird, i never had any fear at all until cars dont see me or something like that. But ride parking lots, and when you do start, stick to 25mph zones with limited traffic. I've taught a couple of girls to ride on my old bike, and they both dropped it right away....But its a matter of trusting yourself on the bike. Go as slow as you need till you have that trust. And the idea of group riding is good.... its nice to be towards the back of a group that will ride slow for you so u can watch how they ride and learn form them too.

Do you think it would help if you went riding on your BF's bike (on the back) and he took you around showing you how much you can actually lean? You could also peek over his shoulder to check out his RPM's too. Just keep al over the parking lots, and watch out for oil stains from the sleds. My girl just completed the MSF last week. She wants a bike already, but I keep telling her it's totaly different on the street, than going 20 MPH in a parking lot. I'm not a controlling type a guy, but I don't think I'll let her get a bike any time soon. The people out here don't know how to drive. We'll see though. My decision is not concrete yet. So stick to the lots, gear up and breathe. The more you do it, the more you'll come over the fear.

Thanks all.... I'm sure eventually I'll be fine. I think (as with most everything) I'm over thinking things. It's just my nature... that, and I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so I'm probably a bit frustrated with myself that I'm not doing better yet. *shrug* I do definitely gear up fully - even for just tooling around the neighborhood or the park/parking lot. I did spend well over a year as a passenger, so the riding itself doesn't scare me (this was another point my bf was making to me last night -- that I was willing to put my safety in someone else's hands, so it should be easier for me to take responsibility for my own safety as a pilot). I guess I am just expecting too much progress out of myself too quickly. While it SEEMS like I've been riding long enough to have better skills, I guess since it's been so intermittent, I really don't have THAT many hours in the seat yet. I think it's just going to take biting the bullet and doing it, before I psyche myself out of it. As I said in my initial post, once I get MOVING, and I'm actually out there riding, I'm okay, and I really start to enjoy it... it's just getting TO that point where I freak out. Thanks for all the words of wisdom... keep 'em coming!! (and wish me luck tonight -- we're hitting the road -- or the parking lot -- as soon as we get home from work!):dthumb:

I guess I never really had the fear of speed on a motorcycle. The day I bought my first bike I didn't jump right on the throttle, but I would still get on it pretty good. Hell I even raced a new corvette on the way home. The confidence that I did have to concentrate on was the fear of flipping over backwards during a wheelie. As most things it takes a lot of practice, practice, practice until you've got it down and over come the fear. Keep it up and keep it going you will eventually get comfortable with the fear and it will just become natural.

I'm still learning and still have a bit of fear though with me I think the fear was what I craved... I guess I'm just an adrenalin junky:lol:

I don't really think I have a huge fear running 140+ for 10 miles on the interstate except the stupid cages in my way and they freak out and don't know what to do when a bike is rolling up on them and they feel like they are sitting still. Also a fear is semi trucks that simply can't see you in a lane and they proceed to change lanes....I've had that one happen more than a handful of times...so I cross into the emergency lane and proceed to pass.

First off, when I first started riding... I didn't have fear... I was too young and stupid. Fear is a great guide to keep yourself safe. Then lately (last year), I started to loose my fear for speed. Started to get too crazy in that sense...so I made the switch to slow down. You should get lots of advice here! :twfrox:

First off, when I first started riding... I didn't have fear... I was too young and stupid. Fear is a great guide to keep yourself safe. Then lately (last year), I started to loose my fear for speed. Started to get too crazy in that sense...so I made the switch to slow down. You should get lots of advice here! :twfrox: :scratch: :scratch: ok you said you didn't have fear starting out, then you went into you started to loose your fear for speed:scratch: sooooo ahh when did you get the fear?:skep:

First off, when I first started riding... I didn't have fear... I was too young and stupid. Fear is a great guide to keep yourself safe. Then lately (last year), I started to loose my fear for speed. Started to get too crazy in that sense...so I made the switch to slow down. You should get lots of advice here! :twfrox: :withstupi :iagree: When i got my first bike at 14 years old (suzuki gn125) i was pretty scared. But i got over it fairly quickly. Granted the first time i got on it i ran straight into a portable basket ball goal. :here: :bonk: well that put the fear in me, but i picked it up and went back at it. finally got the hang of things and became a better rider. Granted that was 9 years ago. BUT none the less it just took a little bit to get the hang of things. And yes gear up every time, when i learned to ride that was the last thing on my mind and i have paid the price by laying my old bike down 3 or so times in the rain and swerving from idiot cagers and sliding 30 to 40 feet in shorts and an t-shirt at least with a helmet. :bash: :bash: :bonk: :bslap: Just hang in there with it and you will do just fine.:luck: :twfrox: :beer2:

First off, when I first started riding... I didn't have fear... I was too young and stupid. It's funny you mention that.... I was saying just the other night "How come there's all these younger, stupid people who are just fearless and can just hop right on and speed off without so much as a second thought?" And it was pointed out that they're too STUPID to be afraid of it (and that lack of fear will probably bite them in the ass one day).

You said it right there. Fear will keep you moderately safe. Practice, practice, practice is the only way to get over it. Maybe you need to stay up late on weekends and keep ridding those mall parking lots till you get good and comfy on the bike. I hate to tell you tho. If you have to much fear. It can hurt you just as quick. You get so over whelmed with fear of falling. You miss the little things and get clobbered or screw up causing a crash. Keep it slow and ride at what ever pace is comfortable to you. You'll be buzzing those cages in no time and wont even realize it. :luck: and be safe! :iagree: I started out by riding the streets/highways during less traffic hours like early sunday mornings and having a few experience riders with you will help ease the tension of riding the streets/highways.

It's funny you mention that.... I was saying just the other night "How come there's all these younger, stupid people who are just fearless and can just hop right on and speed off without so much as a second thought?" And it was pointed out that they're too STUPID to be afraid of it (and that lack of fear will probably bite them in the ass one day). yes, young and stoopid... those were fun times there's also that adrenline addiction. when your body encounters fear, it will pump up adrenline and prepare the body for oncoming injury. the more the fear, the higher the adrenline. the body's energy (sugar) reserves are used up and after an exciting ride, one will feel drained and tired. Once the body gets used to riding hard, it becomes second nature and the need to do more stoopid things is the reaction of the body wanting it's adrenaline fix. but not everyone has the same tolerance level. no fear = experience or a high tolerance of adrenaline -a|ex

Well SV, Nee, and BM... you are all on the right track. When i was young and started riding... I was just stupid (like many others) and had no fear. **SV pay attention** Then I had a few situations that really puckered the brown hole and that put the fear of God in me. Then as BM says... you get more and more use to the speed and other aspects of the riding and you can start to loose that fear and never know it. I say you never know it cause you will still have fear of certain things. Like I never was somebody to wheelie. Sure a few here and there...but I couldn't over come the fear of looping it. That kept me in check for that and that alone. Does that make sense?

GM- i was the same when it was on the EX500 with wheelies...and the first few on the Z1000, but anymore you can learn so much control on em that flipping is never really gonan happen, unless your seein how high you can go..i have no clue where the balance point is, i just know soon as the front floats as high as a sedan, its time to put it back down. And FEAR.. i didnt have it when i started riding... but i didnt go ride stupid either. I guess having other experiance driving stupid in my truck from 16-19 got that outta the way first...i had two years of riding before i even started to learn to wheelie and i just did my first stoppies this year in my 4th year riding. Stupid, and riding well within your limits are two different things.. long as you dont over ride i think theres no reason to fear.

I never have or had fear when riding, even as a beginner. What are you thinking about as you are gearing up that frightens you? An indecisive and timid rider can be as dangerous to themselves and others as a careless rider who has no respect for the machine or those around them. When it comes time to ride, I'm ready to ride. I don't think about what might happen or the dangers that exist. If these fears follow you while you are actually riding the bike, maybe you should think about ending your motorcycling lifestyle. I'm not trying to be mean, but some people aren't meant to ride. Just like I'm not meant to play golf. Now that scares the hell out of me.:willy:

What are you thinking about as you are gearing up that frightens you? An indecisive and timid rider can be as dangerous to themselves and others as a careless rider who has no respect for the machine or those around them. If these fears follow you while you are actually riding the bike, maybe you should think about ending your motorcycling lifestyle. Fear can be conquered. I've always been afraid of the fast guys running into me on the race track. but when they did, that fear went away. i was actually proud to be clipped by scott rousel. The first step in conquering your fear is to identify it. then you can work on it. -a|ex

wut kind of bike are you riding? dont be discouraged by all these guys who were never scared. guys are dumb, and love to do dumb ****. girls think about things a lot in their heads, and run thru all the possible outcomes that could occur. yes a crash or accident is possible, but you just have to learn to control your machine well so you can handle it in any situation. practice practice practice. and just relax. YOU CAN DO IT!! :cheers:

What are you thinking about as you are gearing up that frightens you? I'm not even sure specifically what it is I'm scared of. Getting hit/hurt/going down, probably. *shrug* And as I said, once I'm MOVING, actually riding, the fear dissipates for the most part. I'm just trying to figure out how to conquer it (or most of it) so I don't GET so worked up prior to the ride. And overwhelmingly, it sounds like time (and more hours in the seat) will probably get me over this hurdle. P.S. And golf clubs won't hurtcha. Not much, anyway. ;) (now the mosquitoes on the course? That's something to be skeered of!)

hey crashing isnt that bad.. look at the videos section of my website below. video - adam crashing. that got me over my fear of looping wheelies. tuck and roll tuck and roll. haha.:dthumb:

wut kind of bike are you riding? dont be discouraged by all these guys who were never scared. guys are dumb, and love to do dumb ****. girls think about things a lot in their heads, and run thru all the possible outcomes that could occur. yes a crash or accident is possible, but you just have to learn to control your machine well so you can handle it in any situation. practice practice practice. and just relax. YOU CAN DO IT!! :cheers: I'm on a '95 ZX6R. We intentionally went with a "project" bike for my first, so "Oh no, I scratched/hurt/maimed my pretty new bike" wouldn't be one of the things rattling around in my head (and, if God forbid, something WERE to happen to it, I'm not out a ton of money!) I've dropped it once already (at a stop, about to make a right - dry rotted tires, slippery crosswalk - you do the math), so my friends tell me, "Hey, everyone drops it once, and you've already gotten it out of the way, so you're good to go!" I'm just going to keep plugging away... in the 'hood, in the parking lot, late at night (no traffic), whatever. I'm determined to get over this fear somehow. And it's funny... the fear isn't even consistent. There are some days I'm all balls, and I'm like, "Shoot, I'm ready to go... let's ride out to the beach!" (luckily my boyfriend talks me out of it, so I don't get myself into a situation I'm not ready for). And then there are other days (like Monday night) I get all worked up. Ah well, we're heading out for a good ride again tonight as soon as we get home from work tonight. Just gonna DO it before I give myself a chance to flip out. I'll letcha know if I make any progress!

Sounds to me like you have the determination to concur your fears.:dthumb:

Just stay in that lot until you are comfortable enough to get out on the street. Work slow, don't rush. :iagree: I don't think you every get over being completly comfortable. Just take your time until "you" feel ready.

maybe you and your man should have sex on the bike, so when your thinking about going riding your thinking about doing it and get ...happy instead of nervous. lol. :cheers:

maybe you and your man should have sex on the bike, so when your thinking about going riding your thinking about doing it and get ...happy instead of nervous. lol. :cheers: :wink: You're assuming we haven't done that already?

:wink: You're assuming we haven't done that already? :rofl:

I think you should do a riding school/track day! Join the Beginner group!

hahhaa. i guess i was assuming. and pickle is probably right, a track day would def. give you some confidence.

I think you should do a riding school/track day! Join the Beginner group! Eeeeeek.... ya think? Oh I soooooo think I'm miles and miles away from being ready for something like that. I was thinking MAYBE I'd try to do Femmoto next fall, but even that's kind of a longshot.

Yeah, I think that would be the safest place to build some great confidence. Especially at a track school. You live near Jennings, right? They have tons of stuff there. I wish I would've as a beginner rider.

Yeah, I think that would be the safest place to build some great confidence. Especially at a track school. You live near Jennings, right? They have tons of stuff there. I wish I would've as a beginner rider. Yeah we're about 2, 2.5 hours from Jennings. We've got friends that are out there at least once a month (sometimes more). Hmmmm........ I might look into that. Here I thought that was the LAST thing I needed.

Just think, if you DO crash... the track is the safest place to do it!

Just think, if you DO crash... the track is the safest place to do it! :withstupi True that!

Just think, if you DO crash... the track is the safest place to do it! :lol: That's not much of a silver lining..... (but I see your point!)

:dthumb: Hey, out of all of us the one that knows about you the best and cares about you the most is your boy friend. Listen to him and stick with it. He will help you and in time you will relax. Stay in the parking lots for a little longer, just do what you're comfortable doing. Remember that this is suppose to be fun. Maybe if you have the cash get a little dirt bike because an hour in the dirt is worth 10 on the street until it comes to traffic. Definitely get a hold of Kieth Code's Twist of the wrist DVD. The books are cool but the DVD rocks. Make sure you always ride with great gear and take your time before you get into heavy traffic and you'll do fine with your boy friend there to give you encouragement. A note for your boy friend though,, don't push. Just let her go at her own pace even if that is getting off the bike for a while. As long as you're there to support her she will feel comfortable getting back on when she's ready.

Maybe if you have the cash get a little dirt bike because an hour in the dirt is worth 10 on the street until it comes to traffic.... Deffenatly get a hold of Kieth Code's Twist of the wrist DVD. The books are cool but the DVD rocks. ....A note for your boy fried though,, don't push. Just let her go at her own pase even if that is getting off the bike for a while. As long as you're there to support her she will feel comfortable getting back on when she's ready. We are actually contemplating adding some dirtbikes to the stable eventually. I've gone out dirt riding once, a few months ago, and had a BLAST. Oh sure, I decided to re-landscape the track, and ran over some small trees, landing with the bike (still running) on top of me, and had (even with gear) some lovely bruises and scrapes, but I've never laughed so hard in my life. :lol: I keep meaning to get back out there and get some more dirt experience under my belt; guess I ought to make that a priority, if it's going to help my streed riding. I'll look for that DVD... .we did just pick up a great book the other night by the author of "Proficient Motorcycling" that is like short little snippets/lessons on very specific situations one can encounter in street riding, so I want to try to read up on that as well. :lol: Heh, as for the BF pushing me... we've had that discussion. He doesn't do it anymore, but did (briefly) for a bit. He meant well... it was just a matter of finding the happy medium between silent support and being pushy. ;)

The books on riding are cool and you can get a lot out of them but to watch what he's talking about on your TV is much better. Remember that riding in the dirt won't get you ready to deal with traffic at all so don't get to be a pro off road and think you'll just be the shiznit on the street too. Traffic is a whole other skill to learn but if you don't have to learn control of the motorcycle AND traffic at the same time you might feel a little better about getting out there.:luck:

I didnt really read alot of the replies, mostly because they started pissing me off. FEAR is not real. It is a false emotion appering real....It is just hormone your body creates to help deal with stresses. Norepinephrine is the name of it. This by itself triggers the flight in a person, mix it with a short from the adrenale glad and thats where the flight turns into the fight. Now you know how the so-called FEAR works. So what you want to do is start off slow. Parking lots, back streets, places where you cant get in trouble. And think of something that pumps you up, like a song or sothing like that. If it is song than listen to it before you ride. To beat the fear you have to find a way to get fight going inside you. Once you get that back in you, everything is down hill from there.

FEAR is not real. It is a false emotion appering real....It is just hormone your body creates to help deal with stresses. Norepinephrine is the name of it. This by itself triggers the flight in a person, mix it with a short from the adrenale glad and thats where the flight turns into the fight. Now you know how the so-called FEAR works. :withstupi EXACTLY... honestly fear is more of a driving force for me... with the exception of it being idiotic... the more I fear something... the more I wanna do it... yup adrenaline junky:lol:

I didnt really read alot of the replies, mostly because they started pissing me off. FEAR is not real. It is a false emotion appering real....It is just hormone your body creates to help deal with stresses. Norepinephrine is the name of it. This by itself triggers the flight in a person, mix it with a short from the adrenale glad and thats where the flight turns into the fight. Now you know how the so-called FEAR works. Nervermind. Edited to avoid drama.

Well a motorcycle is not for eveyone... Pocketbikes are cheap...

I didnt really read alot of the replies, mostly because they started pissing me off.... Well a motorcycle is not for eveyone... Pocketbikes are cheap....... If the thread pisses you off so much, then stop reading it. Your condescension and flippant attitude aren't contributing anything of value. :disapp: Thank you, however, to those who actually did have something of substance to add. Your experiences and advice are very much appreciated. :dthumb: :twfrox:

Now now people... :tt:

Great thread Thanks, I am still dealing with some of these issues.

To beat the fear you have to find a way to get fight going inside you. Once you get that back in you, everything is down hill from ther That's the hard part.

Now now people... :tt: Sorry man, but seriously.... there was nothing of any helpfulness or substance there, and it detracted from those who DID have sage advice to offer up. I shall go return to playing nice now.... :sorry:

I understand Nee... I was enjoying the thread as well.

Read it agiain Neebelung, and don't look at it as a dig. Twisty is explaining that all fear really is is a chemical in your brain, and to achieve a lot of things, you need to learn how to deal with it. Turning the fear into fight, into aggression, into RAGE is where that adrenaline rush comes from . Where that "I can do anything" feeling you get right before you jump out of an airplane comes from. Welcome the fear, embrace it, and then own it. Turn it to energy, turn it to anger, turn it to inner rage, that fire that burns inside you allowing you to do what needs to be done in the face of danger.

At least someone around here can read.

twisty, i think the 2nd half of your response was rather insightful, but i can see where the 1st half may have left neebelung a bit bewildered. we must remember that we are not all on the same skill level here and be respectful of that. i applaud you for being so in touch with yourself and self-confident with your abilities, but remember people process and handle fear differently. we should be allowed to own and express those feelings without fear of being judged. i think all would have gone better if you would have just omitted your first sentence from your response to neebelung. we must all keep an open mind when dealing with one another here, and when you are dealing with ladies you must always be cautious of how you word things. we take everything to heart. :dthumb:

twisty, i think the 2nd half of your response was rather insightful, but i can see where the 1st half may have left neebelung a bit bewildered. we must remember that we are not all on the same skill level here and be respectful of that. i applaud you for being so in touch with yourself and self-confident with your abilities, but remember people process and handle fear differently. we should be allowed to own and express those feelings without fear of being judged. i think all would have gone better if you would have just omitted your first sentence from your response to neebelung. we must all keep an open mind when dealing with one another here, and when you are dealing with ladies you must always be cautious of how you word things. we take everything to heart. :dthumb: Exaaaaactly. I understood what he was saying in the second half, and I was well aware of the physiological causes of what we call "fear." It was the tone and smart-assed followups that torqued me off. At least someone around here can read. :disapp: Prime example of something that didn't need to be said, and added nothing of substance to the discussion.

boys are mean. :nonod:

It was the tone and smart-assed followups that torqued me off. Thank you...

twisty, i think the 2nd half of your response was rather insightful, but i can see where the 1st half may have left neebelung a bit bewildered. we must remember that we are not all on the same skill level here and be respectful of that. i applaud you for being so in touch with yourself and self-confident with your abilities, but remember people process and handle fear differently. we should be allowed to own and express those feelings without fear of being judged. i think all would have gone better if you would have just omitted your first sentence from your response to neebelung. we must all keep an open mind when dealing with one another here, and when you are dealing with ladies you must always be cautious of how you word things. we take everything to heart. :dthumb: Yeah...he is touched alright...:lol:...sometimes himself...:rofl3:

Yeah...he is touched alright...:lol:...sometimes himself...:rofl3: In touch with my manhood:lol:

boys are mean. :nonod: :lol: I'm leavin' that one alone!!

:lol: I'm leavin' that one alone!! SEE!! you aren't afraid anymore...:dthumb:

Thanks to me!!!

Thanks to me!!! Don't break your arm...:whistle: :lol:

SEE!! you aren't afraid anymore...:dthumb: :lol:

Don't break your arm...:whistle: :lol: then he wouldn't be able to touch his manhood anymore!

That would be bummer...

:flush: that was the sound of this thread going down the toilet. :lol:

:flush: that was the sound of this thread going down the toilet. :lol: Quick! Quick! Get the net... let's rescue it!!!! That said, we're heading out for a good ride this evening. Boyfriend has the whole itinerary planned. We're working on bridges tonight (since there's a HUGE, 2.5 mile long bridge on my commute to work... need to get used to the wind at the top when it's NOT during rush hour). We're not tackling THAT bridge, but a shorter one just to get me used to it. Wish me luck!! :dthumb:

good luck. :cheers:

what i fear are street tires riding @ 45-50 degree weather (morning)... that little slide around a 15mph bend makes me feel like a noob. letting out some tire pressure will heat it up but the afternoon temp is over 70 degrees and low tire pressure will cook them tires. after seeing that hamburger knee, i don't dare stick mine out anymore. i'm hugging that tank with my knees. i've crashed before doing clover leaves once, but i wasn't sticking my knees out. it was actually on top of the tank because there was no gound clearance left. the bike just tipped all the way over and the bike was sliding with me surfing ontop of it. i guess crashing will overcome your fear because you find the limitations of yourself and the bike. so i recommend crashing to improve your skills... -a|ex

Time and miles will always help. Know your bounderies, push them enough to not break them but to push them back to expand your capabilities!!

:yikes: My addition to the unusual yet profound advice below - track time. Great way to explore the limits with no oncoming traffic, gravel, or hard objects to hit (usually). i guess crashing will overcome your fear because you find the limitations of yourself and the bike. so i recommend crashing to improve your skills... -a|ex

Well last night's ride was freakin' awesome. Took off right after work.... just before sunset, low 70's, perfect sunny weather (God I love Florida!). Got a nice two hour ride in.... tackled a couple of the bigger bridges, some moderate traffic, and one highway where I could get up some good speed. Had an absolutely AMAZING time.... Seriously, looking back, I have NO idea what got me so freaked out last week. We had the route mapped out, with two stops planned for water (it was still warm out) and to rest my hand (I still have death-grip, so my hands tire out quickly, but I'm getting better about it). We got to the first stop, and I was still a bit tense, and said I didn't know if I wanted to take the whole long route. My boyfriend just said don't worry about that part of it, concentrate on what I'm doing NOW. So I did... and it was all fine. I didn't chicken out, I didn't stall even once (did miss a gear once or twice... D'oh!). As we're on the last leg of the ride, coming over the intraocoastal bridge, and I got up some speed finally, it all just clicked and I started giggling like a FIEND. The fear had finally been washed away by the sheer joy of the ride. According to my tires (which are only a week and a half old) I'm doing pretty good on my turns (meant to take a picture of them this morning, just so I can track my progress :lol: ) And I got snubbed by a couple of Harley riders (I still don't understand why they refuse to acknowlege sportbike riders *shrug*), so now I really feel like I'm part of the 'club.' :lol: Tonight I'm riding to my first bike night (as a Pilot, rather than a passenger, or a cager), then we're going to get some more riding in later on tonight, tackle the big bridge that's on my commute to work, etc..... WHOO HOOOOOO!!!

:dthumb: Good Job!!!! Keep at it....it only gets better. :dthumb: :twfrox:

:yikes: My addition to the unusual yet profound advice below - track time. Great way to explore the limits with no oncoming traffic, gravel, or hard objects to hit (usually). i agree, track time should be a requirement for getting your MC endorsement. i've had a good 6 years of racing experience which caused me to file bankruptcy (max'd out 20 credit cards)... twas well worth it. -a|ex

Don't break your arm...:whistle: :lol: if you're riding correctly, it's the collar bone... -a|ex

Seen on the back doors of a race trailer: "Behind these doors is an illness no doctor can cure" i've had a good 6 years of racing experience which caused me to file bankruptcy

Congrats Nee!! That is awesome that ya'll are getting out like that! I can totally relate to your thoughts on the fear thing, My first bike was a 600 and after getting on it a few times I decided that it was too much for me to start (scared myself just a teensy bit!!) so I got a 250, gave my hubby the 600 (he wasnt really interested in riding back then! but he wasnt going to turn it down!) I started in the 'hood, riding late at night, and early early in the morning before I actually got on the road with real traffic, that helped me alot... I have a friend that got her bike the same day I got mine, same bike different color and riding together has really helped both of us to get a good grip on the butterflies...i was starting to feel pretty confident till I had a few close calls and that put the fear of god in me...and now when i start to get on it I get a little nervous but every day that I get on it and just go I get a little closer to never wanting to get off...and riding as much as I possibly can seems to be the best remedy for me...:sorry: i am rambling... BUT, word to the wise, dont EVER ride past your comfort zone!! All our friends (cept the one with the 250) have much bigger, more powerful bikes (i get teased for my little "2 man lift") and just watching them do crazy stuff really hits home for me when i try to keep up, and makes me remember all the advice I get on here about not riding past your zone, especially after I see some of the near misses they have that THEY DONT NOTICE :bonk: cuz they think they're cool! So get out there, and :luck: !!

it seems like you're doing a lot better nee. Thats great!! :dthumb: What a lucky girl you are to have a man that'll take his time with you, never making you feel inadequate or belittling you for not riding like a expert by now. Make sure you give your guy a big ol' fat smooch. You take your time and do what makes you feel comfortable. Never ride outside your limits, even if you wish sometimes that you could keep up with the "big boys". Just remember, you ride because you love it not because you want to participate in a penis touching contest with the boys.

Just remember, you ride because you love it not because you want to participate in a penis touching contest with the boys. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Thank you..... yes I am doing better *phew.* Didn't ride down to Daytona last weekend (need to get my chain and sprocket done this week), but planning my first long-ish roadtrip weekend after next. (YAY!) I am indeed lucky I have such a patient coach... I'd never have come this far without him. :dthumb:

:wink: You're assuming we haven't done that already? :whistle: :lol: After my crash, it scared the hell out of me to get back on but I did. I will never be as fast as jeeps. Its just not in my blood. I rode real slow for a long while and made sure I stayed well within my personal limits. Still learning every ride too. Haven't scared my self in a while but can out run the cars in the twisties with out much effort again.

Seen on the back doors of a race trailer: "Behind these doors is an illness no doctor can cure" I love it!:dthumb: :whistle: :lol: After my crash, it scared the hell out of me to get back on but I did. I will never be as fast as jeeps. Its just not in my blood. I rode real slow for a long while and made sure I stayed well within my personal limits. Still learning every ride too. Haven't scared my self in a while but can out run the cars in the twisties with out much effort again. Just shows that practice and patients work.:dthumb:

Plus many women don't have the crazy male hormones that drive us to do stupid things like go too fast. Its a guy thing...

Plus many women don't have the crazy male hormones that drive us to do stupid things like go too fast. Its a guy thing... You haven't seen her drive a sports car.:yikes: I cant believe she rides as slow as she does on a bike.

You haven't seen her drive a sports car.:yikes: I cant believe she rides as slow as she does on a bike. ya know, my hubby said the same thing about me...:lol: in my car, dont get in my way...on my bike i can go all out, but he is always teasing me to really get down on the 600 and feel what "real" power is,lol...

he is always teasing me to really get down on the 600 and feel what "real" power is,lol... Just ride at your pace.:dthumb:

You haven't seen her drive a sports car.:yikes: I cant believe she rides as slow as she does on a bike. This is what all my friends say about me http://forums.corvetteforum.com/images/smilies/blush2.gif

ya know, my hubby said the same thing about me...:lol: This is what all my friends say about me http://forums.corvetteforum.com/images/smilies/blush2.gif Must be a girl thing.:crazy: