Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I was on a trip up to a wedding this weekend and got a rear flat at about 85-90mph. Back end was going all over the place but I was able to control it and come to a stop. After much hassle, I got my bike home.

Since the flat though, the 2 rides I've taken I'm all nervous about getting another flat and get uneasy over any little thing the back end does. Just sucks when you are scared to ride.

A warrior is involved in a battle in which he sees his best friend cut to pieces before his eyes. He is by no means a greenhorn. He has fought in many battles before, and never once felt true fear. But since he saw his friend die he was only able to think of this. He was unable to fight again because his fear was so great.
In the hopes of overcoming his fear and being able to again defend his nation he speaks to a priest. The priest thinks for a few minutes and then speaks. "You should climb the devil's horns and stand at the summit. Then leap from one to the next."
*aside* the devils horns is a natural structure that literally looks like a pair of horns sticking up from the ground. They are 50 meters tall and separated by about 2 meters at the narrowest point.
"When you have completed this jump you should sit and talk with the spirits about your fears and your life."
The warrior did this, climbing the peak and leaping from one to the other. He then sat and talked to the spirits for several hours. Upon rising he realized that he was no longer afraid of battle. Death held no more power over him...

The only way you'll ever get over your fear is to face it.
You were convinced that you were immortal, but have been forced to face the fact that you are not. The warrior in leaping the gap convinced himself again that he couldn't die. Your job is simpler, get out there and ride. Push it, but not to hard. You got a new tire, so it'll be slippery, but it'll take care of you. I promise. Scrub the tire for a couple hundred cliks and go riding every day. And don't stop a ride until you stop feeling apprehensive.
Stopping before you feel apprehensive is how you develop a fobia, but I'll get into that later. I've already ruined the story with this...

Well I'm sure glad you handles that OK, you obviously have the in built skills & reflexes then, that should give you some confidence.

If you have to blame something, blame the nail or whatever, that punctured your tire, not your bike. Seems like your bike did OK by you considering it didn't spit you off right away.

If you can, get out of traffic & go for a ride where there are few cars, say in the country & enjoy the cruise, re-bond with your machine & get back into the Zone.

You'll be right....

what brand of tire?
how many miles on it?
was it a blowout or a puncture?

Just try to focus on the good job you did getting your bike pulled over without dumping it. You did exactly what you were supposed to do, and you did it well. Of course it's a bit unnerving, but you managed to keep it all pulled together. Take a deep breath, and ride on!

Cheers,
Loonette

This is where the expression about getting back on the horse came from. The longer you take to re-bond, as centralozzy puts it, the harder it will be to get through the mental scar-tissue.

whats your fear?riding in genral or getting another puncture?if its riding get out and ride,take it steady build your confidence back slowly.if its another puncture,thats easy,fill your tyres with ultraseal or similar product,problem solved.xjrjohn

9000white wrote:what brand of tire?
how many miles on it?
was it a blowout or a puncture?

It's a battlax, can't remember who makes them but it was a puncture and they were able to patch it. My main issue is that right now the back end doesn't seem as solid as what it used to seem. I think I'm just concentrating too much on what the rear tire is doing so I feel every little thing. Went riding this morning and probably will tonight again, just need a couple days and I'm sure I'll be fine again.

red66stang wrote:My main issue is that right now the back end doesn't seem as solid as what it used to seem.

You did check the pressure after they sealed it, right?

If this problem with the 'rear-end' of the bike persists, take it to your preferred M/C shop & get the swingarm bearings & whatever else checked out.

Then you'll know for sure.