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So, the last couple rides I've been recognizing in myself some overconfidence. Both times I hadn't ridden for a maybe three or four days and getting on the bike, my ummm "exuberance" at being back on the machine translated to some questionable judgement and actions on my part. The last time put me into a situation that scared me a little bit and forced me to cut my ride short and go home earlier than I had planned.

I've ridden aproximatley 5000kms in this, my maiden riding season. These last two weeks I didn't ride much at all and both situations arose during this two week period. I'm wondering if I should ride more or ride less to keep from getting reckless.

Does anyone have any tips about this? Any recomendations? Thanks in advance.

Keep riding but make better decisions.

I've found it helpful to go back to a parking lot and review the slow speed maneuvers--because going down the highway in a straight line at higher speeds gives me false confidence. Slow speeds remind me of how much I have to learn about balancing the weight of the bike, and how clumsy I still am with the clutch, brakes, and throttle. It's not enough to just get through the exercises, now I want to be as smooth as possible, and make these turns tighter and tighter, and go slower and slower.

Usually has two benefits: gets my head back into being present and aware, and replaces my "confidence" with real skill-building.

Now, if I would only do it more often.

Studies on the human brain have identified that if you stop doing something for a period of time as short as two weeks - you lose some of that capability and have to re-learn it.

I suspect this is related to the beginning of the riding season problems that are encountered both by motorcyclists and car drivers dealing with motorcyclists.

I should find some more information on this. It was really interesting stuff.

So, to me, that means ride as often as possible and know that even after only two weeks your skills may not match what you remember doing last time you were on a bike.

RhadamYgg

Gurgus wrote:So, the last couple rides I've been recognizing in myself some overconfidence. Both times I hadn't ridden for a maybe three or four days and getting on the bike, my ummm "exuberance" at being back on the machine translated to some questionable judgement and actions on my part. The last time put me into a situation that scared me a little bit and forced me to cut my ride short and go home earlier than I had planned.

I've ridden aproximatley 5000kms in this, my maiden riding season. These last two weeks I didn't ride much at all and both situations arose during this two week period. I'm wondering if I should ride more or ride less to keep from getting reckless.

Does anyone have any tips about this? Any recomendations? Thanks in advance.

Even after many years riding, one serious accident, a couple of offs and a truck load of near misses

I can at any given point in time, usually just out of know where, ride like a complete juiced-up, testosterone injected, suicide machine. It can last just a few seconds or even minutes until I realise what im doing and shut it down.

Now i have been lucky, im still alive, LUCKY


But the urge never goes, the trick for me is to know when im doing it, and to stop it ASAP.



Recap:

You never age on a bike, we are all capable, and most will admit, to riding like a no-fear 17yr old well into your 50 & 60's. Look OUT

Shane-O is right(I'm sure he loves hearing that )

I think it's impossible to prevent altogether except for the most strict and straight minded people. It is "Fun" to do some "Bad" things once in a while but you just need to make sure you stop yourself before.

It's all about self control really.

Sometimes I get too cocky and start cutting peopel off and tailgating too much. I don't realise what I'm doing untill I almost hit someone or vice versa.

I just got a 600cc inline 4, and haven't even done anything remotely bad ever since I had it. Mainly because I revert back to my less cocky self whenever I hop on my less manageable bike vs the Ninja 250 I whipped around like an A hole.

The David Hough book he did show some statistics that accidents actually go up when people have 2 to 3 year experience and attributes it to overconfidence.

Give the amount of miles/kms on your bike, you and I might both be at that point at an accelerated rate - since the average motorcyclist puts relatively few miles on their bikes on an annual basis.

But I still take some ramps like a wuss.

RhadamYgg

ChemicalTaste wrote:Sometimes I get too cocky and start cutting peopel off and tailgating too much. I don't realise what I'm doing untill I almost hit someone or vice versa.

I just got a 600cc inline 4, and haven't even done anything remotely bad ever since I had it. Mainly because I revert back to my less cocky self whenever I hop on my less manageable bike vs the Ninja 250 I whipped around like an A hole.

You know, I should try that argument on my wife and see if I can get a CBR600RR....

Oh, wait, I can't afford the insurance or the payments. Nevermind. Maybe a used VFR, Interceptor or something.

RhadamYgg