Total Motorcycle Community Forums

ceemes wrote:I find that nervousness never completely goes away, tho it does become muted over time as your saddle time and experience levels go up.

Agreed! It also turns into not-so-common sense. Half the time I still get pre-ride jitters. It all goes away once I start riding. Then it's durring ride caution. Are my tires warmed up? Is there going to be sand on this corner AGAIN? Is that an animal about to cross up there? Stuff that used to unnerve you, now becomes common place and you use that feeling as a warning.

Oh, and if you keep having to play catchup to your husband, don't. Ride at your own pace, you'll get to his speed eventually. Riding, like all good things, takes some time and practice to get good at. And as was suggested, try riding up front. Or ask him to slow down.

I'll include my thoughts that fear and caution go together. The key is to build your confidence slowly so that fear does not stop you from enjoying the ride. The day that your caution diminishes because of no fear is a bad day. With regard to keeping up with other riders; I find that the act of trying to keep up changes the focus of the ride and my enjoyment no longer is the point of the ride. I firmly believe that you should never-ever ride beyond your abilities; whether that relates to speed, handling, road conditions, or weather conditions. It's much better to get there safely than to get there with the group.

JR

tlwodse wrote:
Also it is also hard to try and follow the hubby. I feel like all I am doing is trying to catch up to him. I think it might be better to practice without him until I get a little more confident.

I believe even if the MSF safety book it says that new riders should not be at the back of the pack. Since there are only two of you I think you should lead

If he's not ok with that then yeah ride by yourself for a bit.

tlwodse wrote:I went for a ride around my neighborhood & put on about 50 miles so I am feeling much better. Or at least better than yesterday. Wind was not as bad & I thought hey, I can handle this.

Also it is also hard to try and follow the hubby. I feel like all I am doing is trying to catch up to him. I think it might be better to practice without him until I get a little more confident.

Thanks for all the positive comments. It has really helped alot so far!!!

IMO - I wouldn't practice with someone more advanced unless they are willing to ride at your level. It might be nice to ride with other people to get critiqued - if they are following you - but, I think it is more difficult to ride with other people than ride by myself.

Of course, I've put 2600 miles on my bike and I haven't ridden with anybody else... So, I'm probably a bit biased. I'm a little intimidated by riding with someone else - if I'm more advanced than them I'll feel responsible if something happens to them - if I'm less advanced than they are I'll feel like a burden.

And unless there is a way to communicate with each other - I'm not sure I'll be ok with it - so bluetooth or whatever bike to bike communication there is out there.

RhadamYgg

I'm nervous just taking a bike off its kickstand. LoL. Open road is always the best to build up your confidence.

I agree that you should switch places with your hubby. He can't point anything out if he is in front of you and you should be setting the pace if it is just the two of you. I have about 1500 miles on now and have usually lead on our small group rides. I have recieved constructive critisism from more experianced riders behind me and that has helped build confidence and skill that I might not have gained riding alone.

Josh

To the original poster, you are not alone. I think we just need to ride more and at our own pace and agree you should be leading. You'll feel much more confident every time you go out.

Tonight was my second time out on the road instead of a parking lot. got my license last fall and took the MSF course.

I had the jitters before I even left my driveway. My husband followed me in his car. I went out for over an hour. My fear is of taking off out of a side road onto a main road. I got more experience doing that tonight, but sometimes I feel the bike is top heavy for me so I am afraid to lean hard to stay in my lane and not turn wide into oncoming traffic. That's the only thing that really really scares me or having to stop really quickly.

I'm driving an 88 Shadow VT800, I wonder if a 600 would suit me better? I loved the 250 we learned on, but I felt like I was a bit too small, but I felt completey in control and handled it really well.

Any advice or suggestions?

I'd like to upgrade to a sport bike, so I think my nerves are for the most part gone. I started in April and have put 2700 km so far on my Suz 800 VL. Most of the roads around here are straight and flat, so that might have something to do with it. There's still a bit of a rush in a tight turn, but there's not many to be had. I'm just glad I didn't start on something smaller.

Thanks for all the helpful ideas!!!

Agree about having the most experienced rider to the rear in a two bike formation, but then being British I had all of my bike training like that.

As said already, the fear fades with experience.