Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Here's my scientific anecdote.

I took a few hours of private lessons at the local motorcycle school before taking my MSF course. The school and the instructor I had both had reputations for being tough and I didn't want my first time on a bike to be in the class.

The instructor I got for the private lessons was the opposite -- a very nice guy, but a new instructor. He had me practicing swerves after about an hour, and I wasn't ready for them, so I low-sided after braking in a turn (at about 7 mph).

A lot of my gear hadn't arrived yet (at this particular school they have minimal gear requirements) so I banged up my knee and nearly-but-not-quite broke my pinky (not exactly the badass motorcycle injury one hopes for).

It rattled me, and for about ten minutes I was sure I didn't want anything to do with bikes. Then I got back on and figured out what I did wrong.

Several weeks later, I'm now very glad that happened, because a low-side is not some nebulous awful thing that happens to you but an experience I've had -- they do say 'when' and not 'if.' I knew better than anyone else at my MSF course not to brake in a turn and I wore my low-side like a badge of honor.

I think most riders have an experience like that sooner or later, and I'd hardly call that a 'crash.'

Lyrics from Ra - Do you call my name (time to instill more fear )

Some people seem to think they always know what's best for you
Their little minds try to create a world to keep you still
The bolt is thrown, the cage is locked
You saw this, don't you lie
At first you cry and then you hate those people stole your will...

Do as you are told and maybe then they'll let you out
You might be dead and cold, you might be full of doubt
Don't try to escape cuz you don't have nowhere to go
If nothing is your fate... there's no scenario
No nothing

Do you call my name
Do you stain my brain
My eyes are blurry and I can't see you anymore
Do you call my name
Do you breed my pain
My heart is bloody and I can't take it anymore

So you just sit there, stuck, afraid to risk reality
Afraid to cause yourself more pain, to face insanity
But nothing ventured, nothing gained
You see... your fear's your cage
You beg for help but you're alone, stuck in a helpless rage

Do as you are told and maybe then they'll let you out
You might be dead and cold, you might be full of doubt
Don't try to escape cuz you don't have nowhere to go
If nothing is your fate... there's no scenario
(it's me.... I see, please... let me out I'm petrified)

Ra - The Only One

I sold my soul and bought my fear; my inner pains.

Without a clue I trust, I follow you with my eyes blind.
And what I cannot see, I need, I cannot leave behind.
With all those eyes on me, their hunger it's insanity.
I can see you standing there. Do you wanna be free? Do you wanna be me?

I don't wanna be the only One.
To see my name wrote upon the Sun.
I don't wanna be the only One.
To watch it fall into the Sea.

I don't wanna have to play the game.
Sell my soul betray my name.
I don't wanna be the only One.
To watch it fall into the Sea.

So you just sit there stuck, afraid to risk reality.
Those words are mine and you can find them deep inside of me.
You walk away somehow dismayed at what you may have done.
The lies, the dreams, the broken promises... the only One.

dr_bar wrote:loup001

It actually sounds like you've followed a lot of the advice on this board already. You've ridden your first year on a small bike, this is a good thing because that's where you'll learn most of your skills.

Moving up to an 800cc bike isn't out of the question unless you don't feel that you're ready for it.

Like jumping out of a plane, there are risks associated with riding, most of the info here will help reduce those risks if you take the free advice that's offered.

Now, if you're still hesitant to buy that bigger bike, just spend another season or half of one on your current ride, you will know when you're ready to move up.

+1 Dr bar. This is good advice.

Based on the comments and remarks on this site I am now afraid to buy a new bike. It sounds like everyone who gets a bike has an accident, drops the bike and gets hurt. You guys make riding bikes on the street sound like the #1 most dangerous activity anyone can undertake. I think I would be safer skydiving or mountain climbing.

Would you still feel the same way if you were buying a used, new-to-you 800cc bike??