Advice please

[heavenlees]

Hi everyone I turned forty last month decided to do my CBT passed in the snow Have since had several lessons on 125 and have just moved up to 500 only had one lesson on that Passed my theory too, what I'm after is when does it all click into place !! I still feel like a wet wellie (or dare I say a feeble female) most people have told me it gets easier on big bike but I still went on my lesson like a startled rabbit. I have been a pillion on a very fast bike for 5 years so don't know where this fear comes from do you think I'm wasting my time or keep at it cheers for any replys

[Bill CBF1000]

hi heavenlees n welcome

Its like anything else, practise and experience make it easier and less frightening, but the buzz never gets any less .... not for me anyway

And .... its better to be like a frightened rabbit and alive than over cocky n arrogrant n dead

[druidsam]

riding a bike is like everything else in life,the more you do it ,the better you get,keep practicing and everything will fall into place eventually



.........................................Sam

[lady clara]

Originally Posted by heavenlees

Hi everyone I turned forty last month decided to do my CBT passed in the snow Have since had several lessons on 125 and have just moved up to 500 only had one lesson on that Passed my theory too, what I'm after is when does it all click into place !! I still feel like a wet wellie (or dare I say a feeble female) most people have told me it gets easier on big bike but I still went on my lesson like a startled rabbit. I have been a pillion on a very fast bike for 5 years so don't know where this fear comes from do you think I'm wasting my time or keep at it cheers for any replys

I know exactly what you mean. After I went up the the big bike from the 125 the transition seemed huge at first and I wondered if I should just swallow my pride and go back the 125 as it seemd so much smaller and lighter.
Everyone is different of course but I'd say stick with it for a while and if it's not working there's no shame in going back to the 125. It just means you'll be restricted for 2 years but so what?
Everyone is wobbly for a while and even after you pass you'll still have many moments. Hopefully you'll have one lesson soon when it suddenly feels easier and obviously when your anxiety reduces, your balance and riding will naturally improve as you'll be more relaxed.
I'd say give yourself time; I took the view that I didn't have to do this so if it took forever it didn't matter. You're not one of the blokes so don't feel you have to be. Don't feel pressured to move too quickly.
And pillion is a whole different matter than actually doing the riding; I too was pillion for around 5 years. Sitting admiring the scenery and and letting someone else worry about the mad other road users is nothing at all like doing it yourself is it? Ultimately, if you find it's not for you then a least you've had a go. Better to go back to pillion than to ride in a state of anxiety forever, you'll be much more likely to fall off if you're terrified.
BUT...the weather is getting warmer and believe me the confidence that comes with dry roads and hands that aren't numb is great. I learned and passed during last winter and have only just started to experience warm riding. It's another world...so hang in there for a while and see what happens is my advice. Good luck.

[Shamblatron]

I trained on a Susuki GS500 and when I first got on it I was petrified! I was nervous of just about everything, cornering, changing gear and giving it to many beans, the first time I did a u-turn in the road I damn nearly shat myself.

That was the first day, the second the bike got used to me and things started to come together although corners at anything over 40 still unnerved me a little but I think that was just lack of time on that bike.

Third day I was dying for the instructor to hit a dual carriageway so I could open the throttle, this made me feel like I had won the battle!

The up shot of all this waffle is that hour by hour I gained a bit more confidence in the bike and myself, so stick with it and I wish you all the best.

[grotbag]

Greetings heavenlees and welcome to the forum

Originally Posted by heavenlees

Hi everyone I turned forty last month decided to do my CBT passed in the snow Have since had several lessons on 125 and have just moved up to 500 only had one lesson on that Passed my theory too,

Same here only I'd turned 51 but when I moved onto a 500 I wasn't happy at all both with the bike and my frame of mind so I sacked my lessons as I had visions of not seeing tomorrow

Originally Posted by heavenlees

what I'm after is when does it all click into place !!

I bought a 125 and went out on very quiet road's and a small car park, I found that without the constant instructions etc from the instructor that there was no pressure or time limit to get the hang of it all and I was able to relax.

Originally Posted by heavenlees

most people have told me it gets easier on big bike but I still went on my lesson like a startled rabbit

Your not most people - your YOU it's about how you feel, no one else. Seems to me that your feeling a little pressured into staying with a bigger bike that you dont feel comfy with

Originally Posted by heavenlees

I have been a pillion on a very fast bike for 5 years

I agree with clara. From my experience, being a pillion and sitting at the front are two completely different things!! I never paid attention to anything 'bikie' when sat on the back

I would advise you to reflect on your feelings about riding, about the size of bike your learning on and your reason for wanting to ride in the first place.

[heavenlees]

Thanks for all your very wellcomed advice it is good to know that bikers aren't born and that I'm not the only one who's been frightened by this but I really am fighting demons here (I think now I may win) I do seem to be doing most things right mechanically under instruction I might add and talking to other learners at the riding school seems to elleviate some of my self doubts whilst I'm there but I work permanent nights and it's at this time I start beating myself up over it, I went up to a 500 last week and it was a lowered bike supposedly to give me confidence but I've got quite long legs and found the seating position uncomfortable so I'm gonna ask if I can ride one of the normal ones (there's not that much difference) to see if that feels any more comfortable I don't really have a problem with speed just wish I could relax and enjoy it more. I did hire a 125 for a week and did hundreds of quiet miles and tesco car parks which did build my confidence up no end but I seem to have lost that now. once again thanks for your good advice and I'll keep you all informed of my progress good or bad

[heavenlees]

Hiya lady Cara just realised your from Co Durham, me too but moved to Cleveland 5 years ago still go back all the time though

[grotbag]

nice to see you back, hope it works out the way you want it to

[Bill CBF1000]

For a realy comfy big bike - try the CBF500 or CBF600 if you can. I know Im prejudiced but Ive always found CB's to be stable n easy to ride