Do you get a bit rusty if you don't ride often enough?

kyrider · September 27th, 2011, 06:03 PM

Weather and work has kept me off my bike for the longest stretch since I got my license and I honestly felt a lil rusty. The instructor at the MSF class I took said he gets rusty with to many days off, so is this common?

setasai · September 27th, 2011, 06:05 PM

A little bit. I dont think its any different than driving a car. If I ride the bike for a month and then get in a car for a day, the first few minutes feel awkward. I usually have more trouble remembering to fit the whole car in the lane though.

choneofakind · September 27th, 2011, 06:32 PM

It's very common. Just like mountain biking or running, or doing math. If you don't do it for long enough, it feels incredibly weird when you get back into it.

to get back into it, find an empty parking lot and practice u-turns and quick stops and basics like that. That's what I did in the spring after getting the bike back out and it really helped a ton

Skippii · September 27th, 2011, 06:56 PM

Absolutely. I took about a year and a half off from doing track days after the engine blew on my first 250. When I got back on a CBR600, I was definately going slower than I had been on the 250. It comes back pretty quickly, though.

bluepoof · September 27th, 2011, 07:18 PM

I took about a year off from riding completely with my back injury, plus about another year of very short rides (under 40 miles). I found that the mechanics of riding weren't really rusty at all (i.e. muscle memory about how to use the clutch, throttle, brakes, etc) but that my "riding sense" took a little while to come back. You know, the sixth sense that says "that guy is about to pull out of the driveway" or "that guy's gonna change lanes without signaling". I agree that it comes back pretty quickly, though.

Heed · September 27th, 2011, 07:25 PM

Yea, that's why I wanna get my bike soon. It's been a long time since I took the BRC.

Firehorse · September 28th, 2011, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heed

Yea, that's why I wanna get my bike soon. It's been a long time since I took the BRC.

I was in the same position and trailered the bike to a parking lot when I bought it.
Braking, steering came back nicely but had to relearn sportbike type clutchwork since I took my course on a dirtbike that needed almost no clutch at all

Give yourself the whole day to play when you get it. Bring water and snacks and make a big deal out of it. Don't forget the camera! I picked mine up on a Sunday so all the really big parking lots were empty.
You've waiting this long so no rush and ride safe, you have your whole life to hone your skills. Enjoy the journey!

squaregamer476 · September 28th, 2011, 12:28 AM

i get a bit rusty. work too, has kept me off.

backinthesaddleagain · September 28th, 2011, 08:55 AM

yes, so does the bike

nit8690 · September 28th, 2011, 09:12 AM

I feel akward for a moment but as soon as I get moving I feel right as rain lol. I dont have a bike yet but I take every chance I can to ride. weathers its a day a month or a few years I always feel fine once I get back on

September 27th, 2011, 06:03 PM	#1
kyrider ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bobbert Location: Russell Springs, KY Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Do you get a bit rusty if you don't ride often enough? Weather and work has kept me off my bike for the longest stretch since I got my license and I honestly felt a lil rusty. The instructor at the MSF class I took said he gets rusty with to many days off, so is this common?

September 27th, 2011, 06:56 PM	#4
Skippii Milkshake Drinker Name: Skippii Location: Richmond, Va Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Orange DRZ400-S, 2005 Ninja 250 & Custom Thundercunt Dirt Chopper Posts: A lot.	Absolutely. I took about a year and a half off from doing track days after the engine blew on my first 250. When I got back on a CBR600, I was definately going slower than I had been on the 250. It comes back pretty quickly, though. __________________________________________________ "What a sweetheart."- ninja_sleeper to me

September 27th, 2011, 07:18 PM	#5
bluepoof ninjette.org sage Name: Carolyn Location: San Carlos, CA Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250, 2002 Yamaha XT225 Posts: 597	I took about a year off from riding completely with my back injury, plus about another year of very short rides (under 40 miles). I found that the mechanics of riding weren't really rusty at all (i.e. muscle memory about how to use the clutch, throttle, brakes, etc) but that my "riding sense" took a little while to come back. You know, the sixth sense that says "that guy is about to pull out of the driveway" or "that guy's gonna change lanes without signaling". I agree that it comes back pretty quickly, though. __________________________________________________ www.bluepoof.com

September 27th, 2011, 07:25 PM	#6
Heed ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: John Location: Illinois Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): None yet, yet. Posts: A lot.	Yea, that's why I wanna get my bike soon. It's been a long time since I took the BRC. __________________________________________________ The Rush is Addictive

September 28th, 2011, 09:12 AM	#10
nit8690 ninjette.org member Name: Aaron Location: Oregon Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r soon Posts: 75	I feel akward for a moment but as soon as I get moving I feel right as rain lol. I dont have a bike yet but I take every chance I can to ride. weathers its a day a month or a few years I always feel fine once I get back on __________________________________________________ Getting a ninja 250 asap

September 27th, 2011, 06:05 PM	#2
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	A little bit. I dont think its any different than driving a car. If I ride the bike for a month and then get in a car for a day, the first few minutes feel awkward. I usually have more trouble remembering to fit the whole car in the lane though.

September 27th, 2011, 06:32 PM	#3
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	It's very common. Just like mountain biking or running, or doing math. If you don't do it for long enough, it feels incredibly weird when you get back into it. to get back into it, find an empty parking lot and practice u-turns and quick stops and basics like that. That's what I did in the spring after getting the bike back out and it really helped a ton

September 28th, 2011, 12:28 AM	#8
squaregamer476 learning stages Name: M Location: ummmm Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): black 09 kawasaki ninja 250 Posts: 284	i get a bit rusty. work too, has kept me off.

September 28th, 2011, 08:55 AM	#9
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	yes, so does the bike

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