[Bob_M]

Time in the dirt. I've found that most riders that start out doing dirt riding especially in their younger years make for the better street riders later in life.

I started when I was 14 years old with a lawnmower engine powered mini-bike and went up from there. I'm 55 years old now. I've had many dirt bikes before my first street bike.

I feel a lot more confident on a bike than I do driving a car because I feel I have more control with a bike. I never fear going out on the bike. I eagerly look forward to it.

 

[Jay V]

Time in the dirt. I've found that most riders that start out doing dirt riding especially in their younger years make for the better street riders later in life.
I started when I was 14 years old with a lawnmower engine powered mini-bike and went up from there. I'm 55 years old now. I've had many dirt bikes before my first street bike.

I feel a lot more confident on a bike than I do driving a car because I feel I have more control with a bike. I never fear going out on the bike. I eagerly look forward to it.

I agree. Riding a small bike that is sliding around and is in constant need of correction is very helpful anytime you are dealing with 2 wheels.

I started at about age 12 in '75, but I started my boys around 4.


Jay

 

[RedRaptor22]

+4 to dirt riding, started out on dirt when I was around 4-5, first bike was a honda mr40...i just remember being scared every time I got on it because it was super fast and put me into every tree and hurricane fence in the yard, luckily children are super flexible and sorta bouncy, that was the only bike aside from the cr500 that scared me.

 

[EvanS]

well unfortunately my childhood consisted of piano and painting as I didn't have a dad buying dirt bikes and fourweelers haha..

But Yes I did take MSF, 2nd weekend in May
It was worth every penny.. the skills and knowledge I took from MSF I use every time I ride

Unfortunately the day I graduated from MSF I was turning into a parking lot staying within my right of way and not breaking any laws and some ahole in a black cavalier was hauling it around the corner and I hit both brakes while in a tight turn and dropped my bike.

Mostly it was just embarrassing. I reacted appropriately because had I not stopped my bike would be under his car, it's just not a good situation..

Honestly I feel like I didn't let it get to me. I kept telling myself over and over that it wasn't my fault, fixed my bike in the parking lot and rode it home
So I'm not sure it really is the reason I fear it, if anything I think it's where I live.
I try to get out and ride as much as possible, usually just around the block, however
its out in the country so I can't go less than 50 without feeling like I'm putting myself
in a dangerous situation. and to get anywhere that the speed limit is less than 30 It's a 15 minute ride going 55 mph

Also I'm constantly concerned that someones driving behind me. I hate that

 

[jbswear]

Then get off the bike. You aren't ready for it. Might never be.

 

[EvanS]

why do you say that?

 

[jbswear]

Because of what you've written. You obviously (to me) aren't ready to ride. It scares you. It shouldn't. I'm not trying to be mean or insulting. If you are terrified of the ride, you can't enjoy it. If you can't enjoy it, wtf is the purpose of riding? Most of us ride because we enjoy it, not because we have to.

 

[EvanS]

well it's not that I don't enjoy it..
while I'm out I love the experience
It just takes some convincing sometime to hop on
I'm looking for some experienced riders to tell me
how they handled fear in the beginning, maybe find
out how long most people rode before riding didn't
require so much thought in whats not important

not whether or not I should be riding
the last thing I need is you telling me not to try

 

[jbswear]

Not true. You shouldn't try if you're scared of it. Doing that is a good way to get yourself (or worse) someone else killed.

Go to a parking lot and practice. Then get somebody to take you to some slow, open roads. Practice there.

 

[J-Dog]

+1-ing the more parking lot practice.
Passing the MSF doesn't mean you're ready to hit the mean streets. It means you're qualified to operate a motorcycle at low speeds in a parking lot with few other vehicles around. If you're scared, practice till you aren't scared anymore, and then take it up another level. Then do that till you aren't scared anymore, etc.

 

[Digasi]

Every motorcyclist knows them, the lesser moments:

wether it's after a crash or just starting out, I'm frequently terrified. Especialy before a ride, durring it's not as bad, but I almost have to push myself evrytime to get on the bike.

I don't want to be afriad, but I want to be safe. How many miles did it take before you didn't have to worry. The last thing I want to do is sell my bike because I'm too affriad.

How do you cope? You have to "get over it", But how do you do that? Is there such a thing as getting over your fear? If not, how to get rid of your fear?

Fear is just like any emotion. It can either work for you or work against you. It is up to you to decide what it does. Fear isn't bad or good, it is rather how we choose to deal with it that makes it so.

Personally, I do have a fear that some idiot cager is going to do something stupid again that I can't avoid. It doesn't help that it has happened once already. Instead of letting this fear make me not ride, I use it as a reminder to not get complacent and to keep a look out.

 

[Bob_M]

well unfortunately my childhood consisted of piano and painting as I didn't have a dad buying dirt bikes and fourweelers haha..

But Yes I did take MSF, 2nd weekend in May
It was worth every penny.. the skills and knowledge I took from MSF I use every time I ride

Unfortunately the day I graduated from MSF I was turning into a parking lot staying within my right of way and not breaking any laws and some ahole in a black cavalier was hauling it around the corner and I hit both brakes while in a tight turn and dropped my bike.

Mostly it was just embarrassing. I reacted appropriately because had I not stopped my bike would be under his car, it's just not a good situation..

Honestly I feel like I didn't let it get to me. I kept telling myself over and over that it wasn't my fault, fixed my bike in the parking lot and rode it home
So I'm not sure it really is the reason I fear it, if anything I think it's where I live.
I try to get out and ride as much as possible, usually just around the block, however
its out in the country so I can't go less than 50 without feeling like I'm putting myself
in a dangerous situation. and to get anywhere that the speed limit is less than 30 It's a 15 minute ride going 55 mph

Also I'm constantly concerned that someones driving behind me. I hate that

Evan, It's normal to have a bit of fear when doing something like this when your new to it. I have had similar experiences with drivers who in my opinion have no business driving any vehicle. It's scary to the point that some riders gave up and will only ride track.

Yes, It's embarrassing to drop the bike. Don't let that bother you to much, just keep at it and learn from the experience.

I know how you feel about feeling like people are following too close to you. I have that same feeling myself at times. All of us do to a certain extent. The only thing I can think of is to go out on Sunday mornings when traffic is at it's least congested and stick to some familiar roads until you get more time in the saddle.

 

[LKB3rd]

I check my mirrors every stop to make sure the person behind is stopping. I guess that's fear of being rear ended keeping me alert.

 

[marlonjb007]

Read Total Control book. There's a part about FEAR. It's awesome but then read the part on track days. They are both related.

After seeing someone died two seasons ago on a group ride, I was scared every time I got on a bike. I couldn't get over it and I never got back to my "before limit."

It was only until recently when I did a track day that this fear is gone. You don't need to be in fear to respect a motorcycle.

But before that, practice and try not to go on too many group rides. It's a good way to crash when you are new to this activity. It's better to partner with someone who can follow you while you "train." Start with a parking lot and go to some back roads.

Also, is your fear out of the fact that you're new? You know in all reality, motorcycling is not for everyone. Perhaps, you will never get over it. But evaluate and see if it's a result of not enough seat time. I know people who wanted to do this, got on a bike and said, hell no, I am selling this thing.

 

[Biyatekeela]

For what it's worth, I feel like I'm going through exactly the same thing right now. I dropped my bike in the garage last year and had a quick ride afterward, then had to park it for several months afterward. Getting on again was terrifying. Not just because I dropped it. I think it was because the reality that something bad can happen really hit me. And I had months to think about it.

That said, my first ride was to a parking lot. Practiced the emergency maneuvers. I still am nervous putting my helmet on before a ride but I know I have the skills to keep myself safe. When you ride a perfect corner, give yourself a pat on the back. When you anticipate a car pulling out in front of you, and they do, give yourself another pat on the back. I think it is a slow process of gaining confidence in yourself.

This morning, I was debating whether to ride to work. I saw this thread at the top of the page. Some of these comments really helped me to LOGICALLY decide if I should ride this morning, temps were lower which attributed to me dropping the bike last fall. I rode this morning because this thread helped me realize its all my own head thats making me question this not my skills. It was one of my best rides on my bike.

I guess to wrap up this long rambling, just stick with it. No amount of time is going to cure that fear. You should always have a dose of it. I've ridden horses for years and years, same rule applies. Respect the power of the animal and odds are you'll be fine.

Keep riding. You'll get there. Just like I will too.

 

[Bobcharles]

Fear is bad, caution or being warry is good.

I had a little spill last year - was turning from a stop and didn't notice a bunch of sand and grit on the road. Rear wheel instantly slid out from under me and down I went about 5mph. Took me a while to get over the fear that I was always going to fall over on a turn. I also learned from this that I should always look through the turn and not just where I am or am going to be in a second, and to take better stock of my surroundings when I'm stopped.

Screwing up is often life's best teacher. You just need to have the mentality that mistakes are going to happen, and what you can learn from them.

Best way to conquer a fear is to face it. That doesn't mean jump on and ride like a crazed man. Get on, and ride a bit. Ride whenever you can, especially for short trips. The more times you 'mount and dismount' as it were, the more comfortable you'll feel actually going through the process of saddling up, as it were. Additionally, little trips give you the peace of mind that you're not going far; that safety, help, or whatever it may be is nearby.

 

[Jay V]

I posted this in another thread (EDIT: borrowed from Eckstream1's CL post). Fear obviously didn't cross this guy's mind until after the fact. If he had some fear he may not have gotten himself into this situation, for which he obviously wasn't prepared - mentally or physically.


"For sale is my 2007 GSX-R. I bought the bike 3 weeks ago (April 26 to be exact) after my friend taught me how to ride (2 days of learning) BIG MISTAKE. I crushed the bike on my 1st highway ride and it almost killed me on I-95, (Thanks GOD I wore all the protective’s). The bike runs and drives just as it did when I bought it but the Plastics are cracked and some are broke. I will not fix it and I don’t want the bike in my garage. First person with best offer takes it. I just left the hospital after 5 days of hell, getting my skin scrubbed off due to Road rush (thanks Nurse Judy) and two peace of metal put in my leg, SO I WILL NOT HELP LOADING THE BIKE. I DON’T NEED THE MONEY SO DON’T EMAIL ME WITH SOME STUPID OFFERS, Also if you have a family or you are new in riding “like I was” PLEASE stick with car or 4 wheels auto. BIKES ARE F*&^%#ing not worth it. (Just save your money and life). Lesson 101. I wish someone gave me that advice before."

Just thought it was a good example of how some amount of fear can be beneficial.


Jay

 

[Bob_M]

Agreed Jay, The fact that he fears and loves it and also wants to be safe tells me that after some experience he will REALLY love it. He just needs more time having just gotten on a bike after the MSF course. I feel that he'll be okay after more practice.

BTW, Some really good posts here.

 

[EvanS]

Hey thanks a lot

his thread was wayyy more helpful than I ever anticiapted. I was extremely hesitant that I would just get a lot of comments reguarding how I'm a p***y and need to grow a pair, but instead I've got nothing but really honestly good advice..

Thanks a lot everyone

 

[jbswear]

I hope you do get back into the saddle and get over the fear. It's just too much **** fun otherwise!