Have you ever feared your bike?

cbrbikerchick · 03-25-2004, 10:58 PM

I just got my bike and I am a little short, on my tippie toes to be exact! I went to stop at a light and I was on a slant and I dropped my bike. I didn't really get hurt but my bike got a couple of scratches on it. Now today I got back on it for the first time and my whole body was shaking. I really want to be in control of my bike, but I fear that is in control of me. What should I do to get over my fear?

Bacchus · 03-25-2004, 11:11 PM

Bummer that you dropped your baby. I am also pretty much on tippy-toes if I put both feet down. Try just using one foot so that the bike is slightly tilted to one side - you may look like a dork at traffic signals, but who gives a ****?! At least your bike will not tip over. Just make sure that your balancing foot isn't resting in oil greeblies

.

Signed: sincerely, one with stubby legs

.

roadrunner954 · 03-25-2004, 11:12 PM

not sure how to respond to this....

is this your first bike?

cbrbikerchick · 03-25-2004, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bacchus

Bummer that you dropped your baby. I am also pretty much on tippy-toes if I put both feet down. Try just using one foot so that the bike is slightly tilted to one side - you may look like a dork at traffic signals, but who gives a ****?! At least your bike will not tip over. Just make sure that your balancing foot isn't resting in oil greeblies

.

Signed: sincerely, one with stubby legs

.

I wanted to cry when it hit the ground, but I am so nervous riding it around the block now. I want to lower it, but I have heard good and bad things about lowering it so I am really tossed on what I should do

bwhip · 03-25-2004, 11:14 PM

Not really fear - more of a very healthy respect for what I know it's capable of. Incredible things can happen with the slightest twist of the wrist, and it's definitely something to be very aware of, particularly under aggressive cornering.

cbrbikerchick · 03-25-2004, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadrunner954

not sure how to respond to this....

is this your first bike?

Yes this is my first bike. My parents both have bikes but they have Harleys! I have the passion to ride but now my passion seems to be the passenger now!

ConqSoft · 03-25-2004, 11:17 PM

Lower it so you'll feel more comfortable on it. You aren't going to be racing it in that condition, so the ground clearance shouldn't be an issue for you.

cbrbikerchick · 03-25-2004, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwhip

Not really fear - more of a very healthy respect for what I know it's capable of. Incredible things can happen with the slightest twist of the wrist, and it's definitely something to be very aware of, particularly under aggressive cornering.

I was even afraid to drive down my parents driveway today. I made my dad hold the back of the seat! I want to ride so bad, but the other hand I think about getting hurt!

cbrbikerchick · 03-25-2004, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

Lower it so you'll feel more comfortable on it. You aren't going to be racing it in that condition, so the ground clearance shouldn't be an issue for you.

I was looking on some prices today and I found a kit for 129.00 and I am seriously thinking about it.

roadrunner954 · 03-25-2004, 11:27 PM

I would think there are a few smaller bikes (an old FZR400) that would help you get comfortable first, then hop on the f4i...

I dont see how youre gonna learn to ride if your not comfortable first...

It not so much that your tip toes are holding the bike up, its the added concern that this is your first. An f4i is no whimpy bike...

alexandra · 03-25-2004, 11:31 PM

Reading your post brought that feeling of fear right back from the depths of me(even got me tearing). I know exactly....I mean exactly what you are feeling. I had a pretty rough start in the world of bikes. I dropped the bike the first day I was learning and I also eventually got into a tankslapper type (not 100% sure what happened) wreck and was thrown from the bike into a guard rail. I developed an emense fear of riding. I worked myself up so much that I was shakey and had high levels of anxiety. I mostly stared at the bike from my house. Then I moved to putting around the neighborhood street. My wreck occured while I was in a turn. So my biggest fear was turning. I soon got my 954 and had the same problem. I was soo scared of it, of dropping it, of not making it through a turn. I always was stiff and had a death grip. Only someone who is going or gone through that can understand what that feeling is. I ended up dropping her on a u-turn and I dropped her again at a stop sign. It got to the point where my fear and nervousness was so great we questioned whether I was a person who should be riding. I didn't want to give up. I hardly rode my first season and when I did it was just around town. I would slow down to almost a stop to go around turns. I began to finally relax by the end of the season. It was very frustrating.

My second season started off a little rusty and with that fear still in the back of my head for turns. I tried to put the last season out of my head and just kept talking to myself telling me its ok you just have to relax it will come. By the middle of the second season I was running with 3 ZX12's in the back country roads and drag racing my bike. It finally clicked!

I read that you just started out. Do you have someone there to help you and ride with that is experienced? I couldn't imagine doing this alone. You've got to keep telling yourself that its ok. You can't get stiff and shakey because that will make it worse. Just remember to breathe, the bike is an extension of your body and will do what you tell it to do. It's hard to write down what to do to get over it. Everyone around me kept telling me to relax and so on. But until you overcome it inside, nothing anyone can say will help. My heart truly goes out to you. If you need someone to talk to feel free to PM and I can give you my phone number.

Well....now everybody knows my story.

cbrbikerchick · 03-25-2004, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadrunner954

I would think there are a few smaller bikes (an old FZR400) that would help you get comfortable first, then hop on the f4i...

I dont see how youre gonna learn to ride if your not comfortable first...

It not so much that your tip toes are holding the bike up, its the added concern that this is your first. An f4i is no whimpy bike...

I understand what you are saying but what am I supposed to do about the bike I have now?

Bacchus · 03-25-2004, 11:37 PM

bikerchick, don't be freaked out over one, read: small incident. It happens to the best of us! How tall are you? What is your inseam? Are you really that short? Seriously, I feel your pain, 'cause I am short to begin with, and have even shorter legs to fit my torso (knock it the phuck off Chain

). With us short folk it's just a matter of adjusting to balance, etc. Don't give up on the F4i, just practice stopping in a parking lot or such and putting one foot down, learning balance. Stay with the .org, and let us know how it goes.

ND4SPD · 03-25-2004, 11:41 PM

There's nothing wrong with your bike as long as you know to respect it. Keep your bike, you already know the controls, you know how it turns, you know how it stops. Just hang on to it and take it day by day.

My first bike was a 600F2. I can't even tell you how many times I dropped that bike. First time it wasn't just a dropped. I wrecked it bad, probably a month after owning it. I consider myself very lucky to be alive and able to type this post. It took me a month to get back on her(partially because it took me that long to rebuild it), mostly because I was seriously reconsidering motorcycling. That wreck made me respect my bike that much more, and don't regret it.

Look at it this way, there are 2 types of riders. Ones that have wrecked, and ones that will wreck. Consider this your wreck, a big stepping stone. Your bike is truly broken in

Buy the lowering kit, and just get familiar with the bike. Stay in developments with lots of stopsigns or go into big empty parking lots and just puttz around at your pace. You'll be fine, just take it day by day

cbrbikerchick · 03-25-2004, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexandra

Reading your post brought that feeling of fear right back from the depths of me(even got me tearing). I know exactly....I mean exactly what you are feeling. I had a pretty rough start in the world of bikes. I dropped the bike the first day I was learning and I also eventually got into a tankslapper type (not 100% sure what happened) wreck and was thrown from the bike into a guard rail. I developed an emense fear of riding. I worked myself up so much that I was shakey and had high levels of anxiety. I mostly stared at the bike from my house. Then I moved to putting around the neighborhood street. My wreck occured while I was in a turn. So my biggest fear was turning. I soon got my 954 and had the same problem. I was soo scared of it, of dropping it, of not making it through a turn. I always was stiff and had a death grip. Only someone who is going or gone through that can understand what that feeling is. I ended up dropping her on a u-turn and I dropped her again at a stop sign. It got to the point where my fear and nervousness was so great we questioned whether I was a person who should be riding. I didn't want to give up. I hardly rode my first season and when I did it was just around town. I would slow down to almost a stop to go around turns. I began to finally relax by the end of the season. It was very frustrating.

My second season started off a little rusty and with that fear still in the back of my head for turns. I tried to put the last season out of my head and just kept talking to myself telling me its ok you just have to relax it will come. By the middle of the second season I was running with 3 ZX12's in the back country roads and drag racing my bike. It finally clicked!

I read that you just started out. Do you have someone there to help you and ride with that is experienced? I couldn't imagine doing this alone. You've got to keep telling yourself that its ok. You can't get stiff and shakey because that will make it worse. Just remember to breathe, the bike is an extension of your body and will do what you tell it to do. It's hard to write down what to do to get over it. Everyone around me kept telling me to relax and so on. But until you overcome it inside, nothing anyone can say will help. My heart truly goes out to you. If you need someone to talk to feel free to PM and I can give you my phone number.

Well....now everybody knows my story.

I thought it was going to be perfect when I got my bike, you know flawless no mistakes were going to happen. Now, seriously I think what have I done. The first night I got the bike I dropped it when I was practicing up and down the street trying to make a turn to. But I got back on, the next time is when I was at the stop light. I never thought that I would have this fear like I do. My parents both have bikes and they have been there both times I have dropped my bike. They keep on pushing this issue that I get a Harley and honestly my heart is not in a Harley.

I have bought everything for it my jacket, helmet, and gloves the main stuff and now I am afraid to ride. The day I bought my bike the salesperson told me that she has known a lot of women that want to get a bike and then when they do they would rather ride on the back. I dont want that no more. I want to be in control! Thanks for your support, it wasn't until I got on this site that I realized that I am not the only one with these problems.

I HATE BEING SHORT!!!!

maxib · 03-25-2004, 11:47 PM

I am very glad to hear that you didn't get hurt. In answer to your question about what to do...how about get back on the horse you rode in on? I mean, get on the bike and ride, forget about the tipover.

We all have done stupid stuff at one time or another. Don't think you'll ever ride into your parking spot and forget to put the kickstand down? Hehehee. Stuff happens! That's one I personally did!

Being short is not your fault. Stopping where your down foot goes into a pothole, or where the road is so off camber that you cannot support the bike are examples of where it may be the rider's fault for not choosing a better spot to stop.

Bikes, just like cars or other possesions that we care about are going to get dinged, scratched, bird pooped upon, sun faded, knee abraded and just about anything else you can think, unless kept in a giant Tupperware container and never used in the manner it was intended to be used. Hermetical storage is not what we really want to do, right?

Here is what you need to do. You need to go out to your bike, grab the bars and swing your leg over the saddle, turn the key and fire it up, click it in gear and ride just like you did the ride before your tipover. You never thought about a tipover the ride before, right? Well dammit girl, don't think about it again, and just ride. You can do it!

To put it differently. You have the knowledge and skills to ride that bike. Don't let a minor oopsie scare you to the point that you are uncertain of riding again. We need women on bikes. It's an aesthetic thing.

ND4SPD · 03-25-2004, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrbikerchick

I thought it was going to be perfect when I got my bike, you know flawless no mistakes were going to happen. Now, seriously I think what have I done. The first night I got the bike I dropped it when I was practicing up and down the street trying to make a turn to. But I got back on, the next time is when I was at the stop light. I never thought that I would have this fear like I do. My parents both have bikes and they have been there both times I have dropped my bike. They keep on pushing this issue that I get a Harley and honestly my heart is not in a Harley.

I have bought everything for it my jacket, helmet, and gloves the main stuff and now I am afraid to ride. The day I bought my bike the salesperson told me that she has known a lot of women that want to get a bike and then when they do they would rather ride on the back. I dont want that no more. I want to be in control! Thanks for your support, it wasn't until I got on this site that I realized that I am not the only one with these problems.

I HATE BEING SHORT!!!!

There's nothing wrong with dropping it. Yeah it sucks 'cuz it's your baby, but it's gotta happen at least once. It's good for an ego check if nothing more. You did the right thing by buying all the gear. My gear already saved my life once. I learned from it and now I wear a back protector, gloves, jacket, boots, helmet every time I go somewhere. If I'm going out to just ride I automatically jump in the leather suit.

Stay the driver, no need for you to sit on the back. You have the willpower, I can tell, just keep working at it. It comes with babysteps. You don't become an AMA racer overnight

freq · 03-26-2004, 12:13 AM

did i miss something? has anybody mentioned a rider safety course? cuz that is probably one of the best places to learn the basics and then some. that is how the wife got her start.

cbrbikerchick · 03-26-2004, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freq

did i miss something? has anybody mentioned a rider safety course? cuz that is probably one of the best places to learn the basics and then some. that is how the wife got her start.

Yeah well did that! Not saying that it didn't help because it has helped me a lot but its hard to shake the fear!

Rios929 · 03-26-2004, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrbikerchick

I understand what you are saying but what am I supposed to do about the bike I have now?

just remember that the most important thing is your saftey. Things will work themself out with a bike.

Sounds to me like you are quite uncomfortable and overwhelmed with your bike. I think it would help you a lot if you could find a smaller bike, like roadrunner suggested. Maybe you could borrow one or something....After a few months on a smaller bike, you'll be able to hop on your 600 and, while you'll still need to be very careful, you won't be quite so overwhelmed. IMHO

that is a very fast bike....it can get you into a lot of trouble, you need to minimize the risks as much as possible.

deez · 03-26-2004, 1:25 AM

First treat it as a challenge, don't let this fear get you, overcome it. Go take the 2nd level MSF course ASAP. Don't give up.

stegen · 03-26-2004, 1:52 AM

Bacchus:

Quote:

I am also pretty much on tippy-toes if I put both feet down

Yup

Quote:

Signed: sincerely, one with stubby legs

and again

Quote:

'cause I am short to begin with, and have even shorter legs to fit my torso

once more

HondaGalToo · 03-26-2004, 7:59 AM

Good advice here. Please do take the MSF course again. I'm assuming you took the beginner course using the program's small bike? Take the next level where you use your bike. As others have said, that is a lot of bike to learn on. I'd at least consider picking up a cheap, smaller (250cc or so) bike to learn on for at least the beginning of this season, then sell it. You probably won't lose money on it. Learning to ride a bike doesn't happen overnight. You will drop it many times. You will be frustrated. It would be best to have something small to start on that isn't intimidating, and no, that wouldn't be a Harley. My first bike was tall and I dropped it a lot when I was learning. I had ridden around quite a bit on 175-250cc bikes before I bought my first...a 650cc...but it was an old, standard, underpowered (compared to yours) 650. I rode it around for 6 years before buying my first sportbike, an FZR600, and it was like learning all over again, since the power of the FZR (similar to your F4) was a lot more than my Yamaha 650 special.

Hang in there. I've been riding over 25 years and I'm still learning stuff.

CBRBob · 03-26-2004, 8:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

Good advice here. Please do take the MSF course again.

You beat me to it!