Is it normal to be a little afraid as a beggining cyclist?

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jetmech727 · Mon May 02, 2005 5:49 am

I'm just about to by my first bike. A 1984 750 Nighthawk. I'm not sure if it's a fear I'm expieriencing or just some second guessing. But whatever it is would you say it's normal to be a little edgy about the whole idea in the beggining?

Just want some input from those with expierience and those who just started themselves

Thanks

stock28 · #2 Unread post by **stock28** » Mon May 02, 2005 6:15 am

Sure it is. Have you taken the MSF yet? If not, do so. That will help a little bit. I'm a new ridder myself and felt the same way. The class helped, but the main thing was just taking my time. I spent days just ridding the subdivision at 20 mph practicing stopping, starting, and turning. when I started to feel more comfortable with the bike, I went out on secondary roads early Sunday morning with no traffic and just took it easy.

#3 Unread post by **cb360** » Mon May 02, 2005 6:51 am

Hell yes it's normal... and healthy! I hadn't ridden in twenty years so I recently took the msf classes again and it did me a world of good. Almost all of the class riding is under 30 mph though so you are still gonna have some trepidation when you get on the big road. Until a few weeks ago 40MPH felt way too fast and dangerous to me. Now it doesn't. There is no substitute for experience. Take the MSF class and then spend a few sessions in a parking lot until you have enough mastery of the machine that the parking lot can't contain you any more and you get bored with it. Practice starting and stopping. Practice weaving. Practice getting out of first on an incline if you can. Really get to know your shifter and the friction zone of your clutch and the brakes and the turn signals, etc. It wilol come, faster for some than others, and you will enjoy it. But take it slow and make sure you are comfortable before you subject yourself to traffic. And have fun, ther'es nothing else like it!

longrider · #4 Unread post by **longrider** » Mon May 02, 2005 7:03 am

Yes it is normal to be a little edgy and that's a good thing. You need to be alert and careful, but don't let your fear over come your brain. I've been riding since 1968. I remember when I was learning I didn't like to lean the bike in a right hand turn. Left turns were ok but the right turns made me uneasy. Once on a two lane twisty road in a right turn I simi froze in the lean and went over into the oncoming lane. Luckly there was no traffic. I asked myself why I did that. I wasn't going too fast, there was no gravel, it wasn't wet. I think it was because leaning a bike felt unnatural to me. After that I used my brain to tell me what to do. Also when there is rocks, sand, trash, animals, etc. in the road don't stare at it. When you look at it you aim for it. Look at the open piece of road where you want your tires to go.
Welcome and have fun.

jetmech727 · Mon May 02, 2005 7:27 am

Thanks for the input. I feel more normal now. I am by the way tajing the MSF course this weekend.

stock28 · #6 Unread post by **stock28** » Mon May 02, 2005 7:37 am

Just relax and pay attention in class. Then when you get your bike, practice those same drills over and over until you can do them without even thinking about it. As was stated above, the hardest and most important thing is clutch control. If you can get the bike started smoothly, all the drills will be much easier. Don't be in ahurry to get out there into traffic before you're ready and you'll be fine. A little fear is good, it keeps you from being stupid

Scott58 · #7 Unread post by **Scott58** » Mon May 02, 2005 11:13 am

Not only is it normal it's necessary.Just don't let it control you. You'll be fine sooner then you think.

weekendbiker1214 · Mon May 02, 2005 2:47 pm

Hey,
I rode for 13 years, then had a 12 year break, and recently resumed riding as of Oct of last year. I started out just in the neighborhood, moved into town, then onto the highway, and finally out of town. Something that might help, is to take a basic motorcycle safety course. Even though I had ridden before, I re-took the class, so I could refreash my riding skills, and find out if there was any new rules of the road.

Mag7C · #9 Unread post by **Mag7C** » Wed May 04, 2005 4:27 pm

You'll be fine. When I first rode I took it up to a whopping 30mph. Fastest feeling ever!

Just take it smooth, practice, and enjoy.

oldnslo · #10 Unread post by **oldnslo** » Wed May 04, 2005 5:53 pm

I still remember the first time I got to 40mph--seemed like I was flying. It was wonderful......