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Back in Dec after not riding for 15 or 20 years, i bought a new 05 Honda Shadow Spirit.

I thought i would have forgoten how to ride and was a little nervus when i first rode it in Feburary. But felt like i had never stopped riding. Yet i am still leaning after 2000 miles back in the saddle. The old timer says: "when your no longer afraid of the bike, park it"

Some days i feel like i have mastered the ride, other days i feel like i can barely ride.

I've done a couple of dumb things, but by the grace of God didn't hurt myself and learned from them.

I just hit 2006 miles. I guess i am an exprienced biker again, more or less

I don't think you should ever be "afraid" of the bike. Respect it, yes. But there's no reason to feel afraid of a motorcycle you intend to ride. Consistency comes with calculated practice. And with practice and respect, you'll minimize your risk and fear.

I follow this old Chinese proverb with everything I do in life: We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.

i take it the old timer meant "respect the bike and have your head in the ride", not take riding for granted, but take each ride seriously.

I prefer the one that says, "He who walks through airport turnstile sideways is going to Bangkok".

KeithB wrote:Back in Dec after not riding for 15 or 20 years, i bought a new 05 Honda Shadow Spirit.

I thought i would have forgoten how to ride and was a little nervus when i first rode it in Feburary. But felt like i had never stopped riding. Yet i am still leaning after 2000 miles back in the saddle. The old timer says: "when your no longer afraid of the bike, park it"

Some days i feel like i have mastered the ride, other days i feel like i can barely ride.

I've done a couple of dumb things, but by the grace of God didn't hurt myself and learned from them.

I just hit 2006 miles. I guess i am an exprienced biker again, more or less

There's no set mileage to becoming an experianced rider. One of the realizations that makes you an experianced rider is exactly what you said when some days you feel like you've mastered it only to realize the next day how much further you've got to go.

For a long time, I thought I was the greatest cause I could take a sharp curve by my house at around 60 rather than the suggested 25mph. Well, one day I sneezed while on the lean with my full face helmet lid closed and I learned just how much further I had to go!

I prefer the one that says, "He who walks through airport turnstile sideways is going to Bangkok".

WTF?!?! Haha

Welcome back...never ever fear your machine...instead, respect it. Over confidance kills a lot of bikers , fear makes a biker an easy target for the cagers.
Ride Smart

thanks, yeah, he means as in "the fear of God" we are not to fear (be in dread of) God but respect him

KeithB wrote:. I guess i am an exprienced biker again, more or less

If you have to "guess", your not. Just use common sense and ride defensively. Don't day dream and keep your wits about you.
You really never become a "experienced biker", only a better biker.
Ride smart.