I was thinking back on my twenties as I rode back from work this evening. I’ve ridden the bike every day for the last two weeks and there has been something just nagging at me throughout this time. So I got to thinking, what was I like this time on a day like this 20 years ago? back then I was 72 kg, and had a 30 inch waist, I would have thrown on my P102 jeans, and my dainese armoured body suit and chucked a sweatshirt over the top - it was too hot for all that one piece malarky and besides, I didn’t intend on hooning, this was just carving through traffic and some b roads. I suppose I never thought of coming off, I thought to ride safe and not take risks on commute days and more importantly I had faith in my SS and my ability. In short I had confidence. It would be two years later when I got a GSXR 750 SRAD that I became a hooligan! Today I’m 30 kg heavier and what was a gap between bum pad and tank is a nice interference fit. I had my jacket thats too big because it fits around the chest, and my knee and shin armour under my jeans, of which my back protector pops out of the back when I’m riding like a tortoise builders crack. In truth its the riding equivalent of fatties wearing sports clothing - because its the only thing thats comfortable. But that’s an issue that can be remedied by getting off my great fat arse and exercising. Now, this year has been pretty difficult for me, I’ve had to struggle with quite a lot, and in many ways the bike is the one thing that can still put a smile on my face, because I’ve owned it for so long that there is now a silly sentimental attachment to the lump of metal, because I cannot allow my mind to wander and have to concentrate one hundred percent when I ride it, and the by product of that is a clear and empty mind which is filled only by an awareness of the moment and the sound of the bike cancelling out every other thing out there. So why the questioning, why the ruminating? What’s been bugging me? Well its like this, fat or not, I feel like a learner again, like I’ve just passed my test and got my first big cc bike. My horizon line of sight is back to being between me and the car in front instead of an awareness that stretches for my whole vision. I come up to a curve in the road, not even a bend and I’m fearful as to whether I’ll get around it or run wide. I do get round it, but I almost wobble round it in second or third. At junctions I ride the clutch heavily and a could of times was worried I’d run into the kerb, and the bike sits upright in that way our ducati’s do when we the rider are scared of commitment. I always committed myself under power to such actions. I ride roads I know like the back of my hand, and even on straights the bike feels like i’m on a thin film of diesel, drifting and swaying even though I know that the wheels are inline and the bearings are new and the axles straight. If any of you know the roads around new lands corner to box hill and surrounds, I grew up on those roads, now I went down from new lands and on the last S before it opens up to dual carriage way I actually went round it on the brakes in second. Then it hit me, I realised as I turned into the village of Albury that I was gripping the throttle like I was trying to strangle it. And I realised that the only reason the bike seemed not to accelerate very well was because I was hardly turning the throttle. I never used to be a great rider, nor an exemplary rider, but I used to pride myself on being smooth and quick as a result as I’d be planning a good distance ahead and setting myself up. I’d commit to bends and corners and I felt confidence as I rode. Don’t get me wrong, I knew when I was being a twat and had to throttle back and have a word with myself, but as a rider I was safe within my own ability. I get into the car park at work, probably a full two good lane turning circle. back then I’d have just swung into it and rolled into a space. now I ride the clutch covering the brake with both my feet hanging like stabilisers incase I over balance. the bike has a new clutch but at this rate I’ll be needing another one before the year’s out. I used to tell those just learning to ride or had never ridden a ducati before to always look at where they wanted to go, and that the bike would always sit bolt upright in bends if you didn’t commit yourself. Now I look where I’m going - the trees bang opposite, and the bike sits bolt upright as I fight to get it round the offending bend. So I suppose the question is where’s my confidence disappeared to and how to get it back. If anyone has been through similar or has any ideas feel free.
Its because you now think about the consequences and that makes you think about what can go wrong Divorce the missus, sack the kids, junk the job. Confidence restored
It's called 'getting old' and it happens to everyone. Twenty years ago I was a grade A hooligan on a bike, now it's all a bit Driving Miss Daisy. But do I care..? Not a jot mate. I'm about ready for that Harley now... (Joke, joke...please don't hurt me)
I noticed this the other week. I was working near where my dad's family are from in Wandsworth, so I thought feck it I will commute on the fugly from Leicestershire . In my youth I did 12 months despatching mainly on an xt500 (sacrilege ) up n down the country mainly in brum or London . I was fearless confident and comfortable, this time feckin ell I was worrying about the gaps I was going for, braking when I didn't need too, generally not v comfortable. Out of practice and 45 yrs old with a wife, son and a mortgage. I'm ok on local roads just struggled with the traffic. I reckon if I did it more I would probably get more confident. The biggest thing for me is relaxing, I found I was clenching my teeth, I now previously when I got like this I needed to breathe and just relax
Exactly right Baldy, the reason we slow up is because we don't ride as often as we used to. That's all.
I ride quicker now, even on roads I don't know, than I ever have through the twisty bits. Not so on the straights. And traffic filtering is more considerate
rule of thumb = never filter more than 5mph faster than very slow or static traffic. i let faster filterers pass. I've seen too many lane changers take out filterers. The last on a gsx1400 on the m25. I let him pass only 60s or so previously and a girl in a punto took him down. I also go full beam when filtering and blip my throttle to wake people up. Also filter on motorways between 2nd and 3rd lane. Never between 1st and 2nd. People expect you on the 2/3 not on the 1/2. when I was young, i bounced. Nowadays I break. Pain and its memory tempers my riding.
I'm currently getting told off on my newbie post for going to fast. Advice is slow down and do an advanced course. Good advice. I know exactly what you are saying. Its just a natural survival instinct. How many gp riders are 45
Best thing to do in my opinion to boost your confidence quickly on the bike and in its capabilities is to do a race school day - OK won't be be riding your own bike, but the confidence you gain will be transferable to your own bike afterwards. You'll rediscover just how much grip you have, where you need to position yourself, the fact that you can chuck the bike about, your stopping distances, holding a line, when to gas it and all the things you are currently having a mental issue with. Probably the best £200 you can spend to improve your survival chances by restoring your confidence
To repeat what I said in Evoarrow's newby thread; it isn't (just) about bike control it is about interacting with other road users (and the environment). If you are on the road on racing line, you are on the wrong line. Bikesafe is a good starting point but on its own it is far too short. What it does is open your eyes to the possibilities, the rest is up to you. I would bet that most real world KSI situations are covered in Roadcraft.
Mmmm I have been riding for nearly 40 yrs I have held a bike licence since I was 16 and have had road bikes since nearly 30 years ago. I am a trained response police driver( road craft principles etc and my confidence on a bike is not the same as when I was 25. My responses are not as good, however my experience makes up for the slightly degradation in my response times. Attitude is not going to make any difference in my opinion.
Maybe we use the word attitude differently ? For me attitude is about how you approach a problem and what skills and knowledge you bring to bear, getting older is part of that problem and yes allowances must be made because we are very different from who we were at age 25. What I don't mean is aggressive in yer face attitude.
