Hi guys, well the bike I should have had at the beginning of the month arrived yesterday having just had a full service, ultrasonic carb clean and Mot. It's the 2002 Bonnie with full history and just 3,900 miles on it, which I posted about before. Went for a very wobbly first ride down road last night...my first ride on a bike for 30 years....and boy am I rusty. I only went on our estate roads, so didn't get out of 2nd gear. I don't remember u turns and slow speed manoeuvres being so difficult in fact I don't recall riding as being difficult at all...will need to practice and get used to weight of bike...any tips welcome. I have booked on a bikesafe course for August...but feel like I am learning from scratch. Anyone else had similar experience. Think that I was expecting just to get on and ride. It did seem to start coming back, but it started raining so called it a day. Will be getting some practice in over this weekend.
Great to hear you've got her at last. Just get out and ride her, remember you're in control. I think the slow riding makes you too tense so try and do some mid speed stuff on roads youre familiar with so you can feel more relaxed.
Hi Jogler, as Crispey said if you go too slow you'll think too much. Go for a proper ride. The single best way to get your mojo back is to do miles and miles. Also think about doing ride outs with your local IAM group.
Thanks crispey and thebiglad. I can feel a Saturday morning ride coming on. Will have to think of a decent cafe to head for. Probably head for the north coast as that usually a bit quieter
yes you just need miles under your belt, try to relax and don't grip the bars hard,the more relaxed your arms are the better..i know you will look daft but if you can flap your arms like your'e doing the funky chicken whilst riding that's how relaxed you should be!
Thanks Dougie. Funky chicken...thats going back a few years. I'll have to stay relaxed. I need to get out on a proper road to see if I can remember how to go round bends. We have plenty of hills and bends in Cornwall so its pretty crucial as are hillstarts.
it will come back to you, and as they guys are saying once you are going a bit faster you will find it is easier
Been there about 6 yrs ago, I feel your pain. It does come back tho but dont expect to be the Mike Hailwood you were once. Just take your time and you will be fine. Good luck
Some good advice posted... Make up your mind where the destination will be, then set off. Theres enough to think about when riding without route planning at the same time. Don't wish to alarm you but if you assume everyone else is out to `get` you, you will ride defensively and stay sharp. If you feel like you need a break, take one. And for Gods sake remember to enjoy it! ATB Bob
Like the others, I feel it will come back quickly. I met a fella at on one of my first rides after returning to bikes a few weeks back... he suggested reading the Police biking handbook - Motorcycle Roadcraft, followed by watching the Mike Waite DVD on Advanced Techniques, followed by his course (as delivered by Swiftly Sorted). It has transformed my riding, feeling safer, smoother and much happier. And I am now registered with the DSA as an Advanced Rider and can qualify for insurance discounts. What's not to like?
Thanks guys for all the advice. I went out this evening for my second ride and took the advice to get out and do some mid speed stuff. Went out after 8pm so not that much traffic around down here and went right through the middle of Truro across a couple of roundabouts and junctions and out on the main road for about 12 miles. Felt much better than last night and a whole lot happier about it now as I think it will come back. Took it easy speed wise but kept up with the traffic. Its a work in progress - but am more comfortable about the whole thing now. Thanks again everyone.
That sounds good, try to do same ride out adding a bit more to the circuit each time to get a better feel of your lovely bike when you feel ready then contact an observer to go and ride with, always scan the roads you are using for potential hazards ie side roads, entrances and exits to properties,use mirrors and get a snap shoot in your head what's behind, hog the road to stop overtakers,ride within your known limits.
Thanks again guys. Stabilisers have been binned Wayne Taylor. I went to Portreath on Saturday and Sunday varying the route. Quite a few bikers meet at the car park on the sea front there on a Sunday, particularly the classic brigade - nice Matchless and AJS, plus a couple of BSA's their last Sunday. I plan to continue getting the miles in and varying the routes a bit. I may head down to Blackrock/Marazion next weekend weather permitting and maybe extend it down to Lands End. Plenty of nice cafe's around to stop for a brew. Things still catching me out, in particular there is one corner which is sharp left turn going uphill with an adverse camber - I just take it really steady but still seem to misjudge it and end up very close to the middle of the road/opposite carriageway. Still should get better with practice!!