Unshakable fear

[adorky]

Shoot, so if some of you have read I used to have a zx10r, and I also totaled that same bike, as well as breaking my wrist in the process. Every since then I have had a slight distrust in my tires as well as myself. I don't know what that could be. I felt before this incident I could have more trust in my bike, tires, and environment. I somehow feel a slight fear when cornering has anybody else felt like this and what have you all done to quell that fear that I have from time to time when cornering and turning? Shoot thanks.

[eddiekay]

What's more important to you....riding fast or riding ? Like the ol' song goes, If you cant be with the one you love, love the one youre with

[NevadaWolf]

After my wreck, I was really gun shy on cornering.

The only thing that helped, honestly, was getting back out there and cornering. On the street I managed to work through it on my own. But it took going back to the track and repeating that corner over and over to work through it fully.

Time and working through it. That's what got me comfortable again.

[Ducati999]

Anytime I corner at above necessary speed there is a fear--level dependent upon my speed. This is just natural survival instinct! Your brain has realized that you are not indestructable and is reminding you of this fact. I just overcome the fear (this is pushing your limits) and ride on. You stated you crashed which has caused this feeling, time will increase you trust in your ability and equipment back to your old limit and possible beyond. There is nothing unusual about hesitation after an accident. Just ride where you are comfortable till that level rises

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by Ducati999

Anytime I corner at above necessary speed there is a fear--level dependent upon my speed. This is just natural survival instinct! Your brain has realized that you are not indestructable and is reminding you of this fact. I just overcome the fear (this is pushing your limits) and ride on. You stated you crashed which has caused this feeling, time will increase you trust in your ability and equipment back to your old limit and possible beyond. There is nothing unusual about hesitation after an accident. Just ride where you are comfortable till that level rises

the only way to overcome a fear is to face it head on, preferably in a controlled environment. Have you tried taking any track schooling?

[alex.s]

ride some dirt

[snot]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

After my wreck, I was really gun shy on cornering.

The only thing that helped, honestly, was getting back out there and cornering. On the street I managed to work through it on my own. But it took going back to the track and repeating that corner over and over to work through it fully.

Time and working through it. That's what got me comfortable again.

Mine is very similar. It took re-reading twist of the wrist II, going back to the track (following someone I trust) and time on the street.
I was stiffening up and putting pressure on the bars a lot after mine.
Just keep riding and read twist of the wrist II.
Good luck.

[Hero Danny]

Whenever I start riding my bike I sway left to right, this is to help warm the tires, I'll do this along with moving slow through corners for about the first 5-10 minutes, then I know my tires are warmed up and I won't have to worry about falling in a corner because of tires being too cold.

Also, it may help to invest some cash into a better tire, I mean they're rather cheap for our ninjettes and stock kinda suck. So go ahead and spend like $300 and you'll get a very grippy set of tires.

I would consider buying some good gear, knowing your gear will protect you helps you as well, also I believe the track places offer lessons, they're a little steep i've seen them go for as high as $500 for 1 day! But it could vary greatly where you live.

Good luck man, sorry about your fall. Give it time, time heals all wounds.

[Bigballsofpaint]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

Whenever I start riding my bike I sway left to right, this is to help warm the tires, I'll do this along with moving slow through corners for about the first 5-10 minutes, then I know my tires are warmed up and I won't have to worry about falling in a corner because of tires being too cold.

I would just like to point out this is false, for bikes at least. Car tires will heat up with fast swerving due to sidewall flex, but bike tires wont. You cant get enough lean angle and speed to do this safely. Best way is hard acceleration and braking in a straight line. This will bring your tire to temp faster.

But for the OP, like Hero said, time heals all wounds. After my lowside i didnt have the confidence i had prior. But the more miles you put on the more you become comfortable with the bike in general again. Track did the most for my skillset and confidence in the bike, but i never plan on leaning that far on the street.

[psych0hans]

[Rifleman]

Look at your tires and check your tire pressure before each ride...

now, in your mind, you know they are nice and black, fresh, fully grippy, up to pressure... they will hold, they will work...

Know it, now believe it...


Ride a good road, you know the tarmac is good and grabby... make a pass and be sure there is no gravel or sand... it's clean, leaf free, clear...

now make a run on it with a bit more aggressive lean...

you know the road is good, you know the tires are good...




now believe.

[allanoue]

I had a rear tire blow-out at 70 MPH in rush hour traffic. It took a long time for me to trust my tires after that. But with time it came back.

Just take it easy at whatever speed you trust.

[Ninjinsky]

After my accident on the CB750 (not my fault) I went to collect the bike from repairs and I sort of hesitated but there was this whole workshop of guys watching me.
I couldn't lose face so I gritted my teeth snicked first and rode off
Within a mile it was as natural as using a knife and fork and I carried on riding like before.
Now the proviso was "someone else's fault." it was in the past
If I had made a bad error of judgement then the cause of the accident would be in my head, I would be riding with someone known to have screwed up and that would make me nervous of myself.
Rain makes me nervous though, always has, I think it was growing up with 1960's Japanese tyres, you can never quite overlearn that, those twitches burn deep.

[sharky nrk]

Originally Posted by alex.s

ride some dirt

this really can help make you more comfortable with low grip situations

in the case of regular riding on good tires and good pavement, its not really a low grip situation and its all mental

take your time, take it easy, ramp up incrementally

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

I would just like to point out this is false, for bikes at least. Car tires will heat up with fast swerving due to sidewall flex, but bike tires wont. You cant get enough lean angle and speed to do this safely. Best way is hard acceleration and braking in a straight line. This will bring your tire to temp faster.

Huh, you learn something new every day. I never researched it before, I just saw some comments on youtube someone wrote and they suggested that and I figured (can't hurt) lol. Good to know though. Thank you

[csmith12]

It's all good Danny!

[EsrTek]

It can be fun to sway back and forth in lane, but doesn't actually help anything bike wise.
Does help build trust in tires though...and is good way to create space behind you I notice.....

[Finesse]

to the OP... I feel this way too. a lot better now that I have a bike I trust. I've ridden only about 3,000 miles since I lowsided my ninja 250 and I don't have a lot of confidence especially in slow sharp turns (where I crashed) but I am just going slow enough to feel comfortable. I don't like that 'oh **** moment'

I think it would be a good idea to practice whatever is making you nervous in a parking lot with a friend nearby. I know I feel safer when another rider is around, if for no other reason than I know if I wreck the bike I will have help immediately.

good luck

[Bigballsofpaint]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

Huh, you learn something new every day. I never researched it before, I just saw some comments on youtube someone wrote and they suggested that and I figured (can't hurt) lol. Good to know though. Thank you

No worries, i thought the same thing when i was new. Just like people still think that you need to take it easy on new tires because of the mold release agent they or something. Thats all old school stuff. Pirelli has come out and said they havent used that in their molds in a long time.

Its still a good practice, people think new tires so lets go hog wild, they have to blame something if they go down. Tires just need a few heat cycles in them when new, its not that they have slippery goo on them haha. Thats why racers have brand new tires on the warmers, im sure you know they dont take it easy once the rubber hits the pavement.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

Thats why racers have brand new tires on the warmers, im sure you know they dont take it easy once the rubber hits the pavement.

"Where do I leave the stickers that peel off new tires? Normally in turn 3." - csmith

[Bigballsofpaint]

Originally Posted by csmith12

"Where do I leave the stickers that peel off new tires? Normally in turn 3." - csmith

Psh, i usually do a rolling burnout the second i leave the pit and thats when they come off, why wait until turn 3.

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

No worries, i thought the same thing when i was new. Just like people still think that you need to take it easy on new tires because of the mold release agent they or something. Thats all old school stuff. Pirelli has come out and said they havent used that in their molds in a long time.

Its still a good practice, people think new tires so lets go hog wild, they have to blame something if they go down. Tires just need a few heat cycles in them when new, its not that they have slippery goo on them haha. Thats why racers have brand new tires on the warmers, im sure you know they dont take it easy once the rubber hits the pavement.

I'm still going to sway back and forth just for fun lol

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

Psh, i usually do a rolling burnout the second i leave the pit and thats when they come off, why wait until turn 3.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Bigballsofpaint

Psh, i usually do a rolling burnout the second i leave the pit and thats when they come off, why wait until turn 3.

the funny part is, the burnout isn't ever intentional. just forgot the rubbers covered in stickers and hit the gas...

[ally99]

Crashing sucks.
Realizing your fear is in your head and CAN be overcome with experience is the best way to beat it.
Read others' experiences, read books from professionals (Twist of the Wrist 2 and Total Control are good choices), and start slowly. Confidence can be rebuilt, but it won't happen overnight. GOod luck!

[verboten1]

I guess I've been down enough off road, that when my bike slid out last year on the street, I did what I always do, pick it up and keep going!

[GearMonkey]

Practice. Practice. Practice. After taking the MSF I still felt a bit unsure on the 250 (it's my first bike). It's a small bike, but bigger and heavier than the CR250 I used for the MSF. After practicing slow and medium speed handling around an abandoned mall parking lot, I felt better about my handling.

I felt pretty comfortable, but not yet on twisty mountain roads. On my first group mountain ride, with experienced riders, I went down on literally the 2nd corner. What really helped me was the rider who lead my through corners, warning me to slow down, or speed up and push it. He taught me and gave me pointers during breaks. If you don't have a friend or riding buddy like this, FIND ONE! He helped me immensely.

Still not pushing it hard, or having full trust in the tires, I took it to the track and that really opened my eyes to how far you can take a stock 250 with stock tires. That really boosted my confidence in myself, my bike, and the tires.

To me, riding a motorcycle is like flying an airplane. A brand new student won't have confidence or the ability to just hop in and go. It takes learning, instruction, and experience before you have a mastery of the machine. Confidence comes with experience, a healthy lack of confidence is your mind telling you not to push that limit. However, sometimes you have to push a limit to break through your fear. I think the best place to do that is a controlled, as safe as possible environment, with good instruction. Reading stories and learning about other peoples mistakes always helps, and Twist of the Wrist is a great, educational read.

Good luck and remember to always have fun with it!

[cookiebug79]

Get a 2-up ride at a racetrack from a Pro like Jason Pridemore. It really helps you understand how far away you are from pushing the limits of the motorcycle and the tires.

[Ninjinsky]

^^^ What he said
The other thing that will amaze you will be how incredibly late he seems to leave braking