If you don't use it you lose it.

JeffM · February 4th, 2010, 06:46 PM

I have not done a lot of riding this winter due to circumstances or, most often, icy roads. The times I have ridden I have noticed that my coordination suffers from both lack of practice and cold hands.

For instance, today on the way home from the office I wanted to accelerate ahead of traffic and in attempting to do that I popped a slight wheelie; oops, that was a first

.

I now see a good reason the take the ERC every year in the spring.

Do you feel your skills suffer that much due to lack of riding? Discuss.

Jeff.

wayanlam · February 4th, 2010, 07:21 PM

usually takes a day or so of riding after a long break to get back like 80% of my confidence. don't know about % of skill/ability. but i find that i normally take it easy until i get the groove back.

thinking back to it, i don't think i have ever had an accident right after getting back on the bike after a long break, because i am a lot more cautious.

its just like snowboarding, i only go once a year for about 2 weeks, and every time, it takes me about 3-4 days to get back to where i was when i stopped the year before, lol.

having cold fingers on the clutch cant be a good thing though, not something i experience here in the tropics, he he...

Snake · February 4th, 2010, 08:01 PM

It takes me about a day or so to clean out all the cobwebs. After that I am ok.

P1NDLESK1N · February 4th, 2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffM

I popped a slight wheelie; oops...

You might be the first to ever wheelie a 250 by mistake.

Even the youtube video people can't, they just crash and fall over.

edit: I usually ride on and off throughout the winter at times, so I'm never off the bike long enough to need to get used to riding again.

capt_bugaloo · February 4th, 2010, 08:09 PM

Nope - but I've been riding on the street pretty steady since 1992, so a gap of a few days here or there isn't much.
Posted via Mobile Device

min nin · February 4th, 2010, 08:48 PM

I took a ten year break. Its like starting over.

That's why I got a ninjette.

JeffM · February 4th, 2010, 10:28 PM

Quote:

You might be the first to ever wheelie a 250 by mistake.

It was an itty-bitty wheelie

Lots of rev and a bit less than smooth on the clutch. I kind of giggled when it happened

I just feel a little less sharp.

DarkNinja52 · February 4th, 2010, 11:53 PM

I agree. Although I have been riding for less than a year, when I would stop for a few days, the first time back on would be a little shaky. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle recovering from the winter break, im going to be pretty anxious but I'm going to have to take it slow. I still go over the motions of rolling on the throttle and letting out the clutch simultaneously in my head because I miss it so much, and a few other important functions that have become second nature in such short time. Can't help it, withdrawal symptoms haha

CZroe · February 5th, 2010, 02:08 AM

lose = to slip away or accidentally relinquish possession or ownership
loose = opposite of tight; easy to remove, not restrained or not attached firmly

I went over 5 months without riding when I needed my 7,500 mile service and couldn't yet afford it. I can't say it had a huge effect on me.

CC Cowboy · February 7th, 2010, 10:58 AM

The only thing I notice (after not riding for a time) I get cramps in my legs. A good stretch (and a few beers) usually gets rid of it though.

austexjg · February 7th, 2010, 11:06 AM

My problem is over confidence - I sometimes forget to take it slow after a slight gap in riding time.

2WheelGuy · February 7th, 2010, 11:13 AM

My problem is waking up. I'm just not all that alert in the morning. I take the first few laps really easy.

ERC??? Why do you put in racing fuel once I year in the spring?

JeffM · February 7th, 2010, 02:44 PM

Quote:

ERC??? Why do you put in racing fuel once I year in the spring?

ERC = Experienced Riders Course

Grn99Kawi · February 7th, 2010, 03:24 PM

Hopefull there will be riding weather within 3 weeks... can't take much more... lol

I had mine out 2 weeks ago just for a quick cruise to let the fuel stabilizer move around...

2WheelGuy · February 7th, 2010, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffM

ERC = Experienced Riders Course

Ohhh.

This is still my kind of ERC:

lunerkid · February 8th, 2010, 02:02 AM

Hehe living in CA I get to take my bike out at least twice a week in this rainy weather.

Yes, I remember when I first had my bike popping the small, but accidental wheelie xD.

sharky nrk · February 8th, 2010, 06:23 AM

I hate not riding in winter cause I feel so rusty come spring. I am so gun-ho about getting on the bike after being off of it for so long that I have to calm myself and get in the right mental state.

Talonne · February 8th, 2010, 08:27 AM

I'm a little worried, since I only started riding in August of last year, and winter here is long... So not much experience overall, and I tend to be slow on the uptake for most coordination-heavy things. :P It took me a few days to get back up to snuff with snowboarding.

I think I'll probably just stick to residentials and practicing slow maneuvers for a while before heading into heavy traffic.

250Rocket · February 8th, 2010, 09:07 AM

I'll get back to this thread come spring. I've been off the bike since the beginning of December 2009. I can't ride until at least march 15th.

tjkamper · February 8th, 2010, 10:17 AM

Anytime you take a break you're going to be a little bit rusty. But a few days and you're back on your feet. I'm just sure to be extra cautious during the winter months since cagers aren't looking for you, the cold slows your reaction time, and you may be out of the groove for not riding every day.

February 4th, 2010, 06:46 PM	#1
JeffM Mr. 988 Name: Jeff Location: Sandy, Utah Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	If you don't use it you lose it. I have not done a lot of riding this winter due to circumstances or, most often, icy roads. The times I have ridden I have noticed that my coordination suffers from both lack of practice and cold hands. For instance, today on the way home from the office I wanted to accelerate ahead of traffic and in attempting to do that I popped a slight wheelie; oops, that was a first . I now see a good reason the take the ERC every year in the spring. Do you feel your skills suffer that much due to lack of riding? Discuss. Jeff.

February 4th, 2010, 07:21 PM	#2
wayanlam ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Wayan Location: Bali - Indonesia Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Z250 Posts: A lot.	usually takes a day or so of riding after a long break to get back like 80% of my confidence. don't know about % of skill/ability. but i find that i normally take it easy until i get the groove back. thinking back to it, i don't think i have ever had an accident right after getting back on the bike after a long break, because i am a lot more cautious. its just like snowboarding, i only go once a year for about 2 weeks, and every time, it takes me about 3-4 days to get back to where i was when i stopped the year before, lol. having cold fingers on the clutch cant be a good thing though, not something i experience here in the tropics, he he... __________________________________________________ Kawasaki Z250, Bored up to 300cc with 12.8 CR, 41hp at wheel 27nm torque, Two bros full exhaust with DB killer Dynojet Power Commander V, KnN Open filter, intake and exhaust ported, Puig Windshield

February 4th, 2010, 11:53 PM	#8
DarkNinja52 ninjette.org sage Name: aj Location: New York / PA Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): Red 09 Ninja 250r aka Sheila (RIP), Red '10 Ninja 250r aka Sasha (Sold), White '13 Ninja 300 (To be Purchased) Posts: 855	I agree. Although I have been riding for less than a year, when I would stop for a few days, the first time back on would be a little shaky. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle recovering from the winter break, im going to be pretty anxious but I'm going to have to take it slow. I still go over the motions of rolling on the throttle and letting out the clutch simultaneously in my head because I miss it so much, and a few other important functions that have become second nature in such short time. Can't help it, withdrawal symptoms haha __________________________________________________

February 7th, 2010, 10:58 AM	#10
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	The only thing I notice (after not riding for a time) I get cramps in my legs. A good stretch (and a few beers) usually gets rid of it though. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

February 7th, 2010, 11:13 AM	#12
2WheelGuy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Craig Location: Silicon Valley, CA USA Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): '98 EX250, '02 EX250, '08 250r, '03 SV650, '98 GSXR750 '03 Hayabusa, '87 YSR50, '84 ZX900, +MORE Posts: A lot.	My problem is waking up. I'm just not all that alert in the morning. I take the first few laps really easy. ERC??? Why do you put in racing fuel once I year in the spring? __________________________________________________ CraigHarris.org Pacific Track Time CraigsWeb See you at 2014 MotoGP Laguna Seca! We'll be camping on Fox Hill. AFM #278

February 4th, 2010, 08:01 PM	#3
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	It takes me about a day or so to clean out all the cobwebs. After that I am ok.

February 4th, 2010, 08:09 PM	#5
capt_bugaloo motorcycle rider Name: Bruce Location: Victoria, BC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) Posts: A lot.	Nope - but I've been riding on the street pretty steady since 1992, so a gap of a few days here or there isn't much. Posted via Mobile Device

February 4th, 2010, 08:48 PM	#6
min nin ninjette.org member Name: terry Location: SW fla Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 250r Posts: 94	I took a ten year break. Its like starting over. That's why I got a ninjette.

February 5th, 2010, 02:08 AM	#9
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	lose = to slip away or accidentally relinquish possession or ownership loose = opposite of tight; easy to remove, not restrained or not attached firmly I went over 5 months without riding when I needed my 7,500 mile service and couldn't yet afford it. I can't say it had a huge effect on me.

February 7th, 2010, 11:06 AM	#11
austexjg ninjette.org sage Name: J.G. Location: Austin Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 zx6r Green/Black, (ex-)Diablo Black '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 959	My problem is over confidence - I sometimes forget to take it slow after a slight gap in riding time.

February 7th, 2010, 03:24 PM	#14
Grn99Kawi ninjette.org sage Name: A Location: Long Island, NY Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Honda CBR600F4 (sold) 1999 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 586	Hopefull there will be riding weather within 3 weeks... can't take much more... lol I had mine out 2 weeks ago just for a quick cruise to let the fuel stabilizer move around... __________________________________________________ 2000 Honda CBR600F4 Silver and Red 1999 Kawi Racing Green Ninja 250 sold

February 8th, 2010, 02:02 AM	#16
lunerkid ninjette.org member Name: Ed Location: East Bay Area Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250 Posts: 36	Hehe living in CA I get to take my bike out at least twice a week in this rainy weather. Yes, I remember when I first had my bike popping the small, but accidental wheelie xD.

February 8th, 2010, 06:23 AM	#17
sharky nrk Fighting Texas Aggie '05 Name: Neil Location: Hutto, TX Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.	I hate not riding in winter cause I feel so rusty come spring. I am so gun-ho about getting on the bike after being off of it for so long that I have to calm myself and get in the right mental state.

February 8th, 2010, 08:27 AM	#18
Talonne ninjette.org guru Name: Jessica Location: Calgary, Canada Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Metallic Diablo Black Posts: 298	I'm a little worried, since I only started riding in August of last year, and winter here is long... So not much experience overall, and I tend to be slow on the uptake for most coordination-heavy things. :P It took me a few days to get back up to snuff with snowboarding. I think I'll probably just stick to residentials and practicing slow maneuvers for a while before heading into heavy traffic.

February 8th, 2010, 09:07 AM	#19
250Rocket ninjette.org member Name: Rob Location: Montreal, Canada Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 171	I'll get back to this thread come spring. I've been off the bike since the beginning of December 2009. I can't ride until at least march 15th. __________________________________________________ Back on the road again Season 2010 Dam it feels good!

February 8th, 2010, 10:17 AM	#20
tjkamper ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Travis Location: Warwick, RI Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Anytime you take a break you're going to be a little bit rusty. But a few days and you're back on your feet. I'm just sure to be extra cautious during the winter months since cagers aren't looking for you, the cold slows your reaction time, and you may be out of the groove for not riding every day. __________________________________________________ Addicted to anything that has an engine and rolls.

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