View Full Version : first time in 2 years - didnt like it
well after a long long time (2 years) I got back on the bike tonight:D. went for a wee jaunt round the local roads, bit of fast straight road, slow bendy road and town. Came home after about an hour. Didnt enjoy myself at all.:smt090 Kept thinking there was something wrong with bike but its just me. Was kangarooing all over the place:oops:, nearly popping wheelies in other bits,:shock: wobbling, in wrong gear. yuck yuck yuck
then came home to find Libby screaming the place down and she had been since I left.:smt101
so gutted I didnt enjoy myself.:(
:(
But not totally unsurprising. 2 years is a long time - will take awhile to get used to it again, if you want to.
I guess you just have to think back to when you were riding. Did you enjoy it? or were you just doing it for somebody else?
Was DD out with you? was this the 1st time you'd both left her?
Spiderman
30-07-09, 11:03 PM
I'd imagine your first few rides will be like this after a 2yr break Kitkat.
Saw a friend of mine today who used to ride an R6 but aint been on a bike in about 5yrs. He couldnt wait to just sit on my bike. Tried to stand it up and said "god i fogot how it feels to even be on a bike" and he said "i dont even know if i'd like to ride one again"
When i was leaving he said "bring me a lid next time and take me out, see if i crap myself" :lol:
Its a set of skills and sensations you aint had in 2yrs so it'll take time but i agree with Stu that the desire also has to be there without a nagging or niggling voice at the back of your mind distracting you.
my little voice, when we get on a bike together, is always saying "hell yeh, we're going for a ride. Fun, fun fun, excited", for example.
but thats just me, i'm sure :)
Shellywoozle
30-07-09, 11:18 PM
KK - this was me after 14 months off, hated it totally. I am a stubborn so and so and kept picking away at it bit at a time.
I still not 100% comfortable but 2000% better than I was when I first got back on, I couldnt even remember the gears and went up gears instead of down LOL
If you want to ride you will and in time you will feel more at ease with the miles you ride.
;) well done for getting back on xx
:(
But not totally unsurprising. 2 years is a long time - will take awhile to get used to it again, if you want to.
I guess you just have to think back to when you were riding. Did you enjoy it? or were you just doing it for somebody else?
Was DD out with you? was this the 1st time you'd both left her?
I used to love riding the bike. It was my escape (meant I could get out with ex for day but not have to talk to him).;) Covered 18k in first 2 years. used to go to IAM every wednesday and ecosse rideouts couple of times a month, went out no matter what the weather, wind, rain, snow (typical summer in scotland).:rolleyes:
DD was out with me, was scared I was going to drop bike or get lost (did neither).:) Libby was in bed when we left but yeah first time we have left her.:( Ill give it a few more tries to see if feelings change and some enjoyment comes back. If I give up now, I will never be on a bike again - certainly not going pillion with DD. :p
I couldnt even remember the gears and went up gears instead of down LOL
Nothing unusual about that 8-[ I ride a lot and sometimes do that, sometimes flick the kill switch instead of full beam etc. but :-$ don't tell anyone.
I used to love riding the bike. It was my escape (meant I could get out with ex for day but not have to talk to him).;) Covered 18k in first 2 years. used to go to IAM every wednesday and ecosse rideouts couple of times a month, went out no matter what the weather, wind, rain, snow (typical summer in scotland).:rolleyes:
DD was out with me, was scared I was going to drop bike or get lost (did neither).:) Libby was in bed when we left but yeah first time we have left her.:( Ill give it a few more tries to see if feelings change and some enjoyment comes back. If I give up now, I will never be on a bike again - certainly not going pillion with DD. :p
well keep feeling positive about how you used to enjoy it. I don't have experience of a Raptor but I'm guessing it wouldn't be the first choice for (effectively) a newbie so bear that in mind that it might be a bit harder to ride smoothly.
Hope you stick at it - but only do it for yourself. :cool:
Fizzy Fish
31-07-09, 07:56 AM
Hey KK don't beat yourself up about it - even those of us who ride quite a bit sometimes have off days!
Take it easy to start with and check that you're riding relaxed and not tensing your arms (should be able to wiggle your elbows chicken-style!). It's very easy to tense up with even just a week or two off the bike, and relaxing arms makes a big difference.
Also if I'm having an off day I tend to finds that stopping for a short break then carrying on really helps - may be worth a try?
Fingers crossed for you anyway!
tense was an understatement. Arms were locked, pins and needles in toes, sore back. Will try and get out on my own - maybe this afternoon. Need to practice slow control and pulling away as that was when I was at my worst. Kept forgetting how much torque the raptor has and scaring myself everytime I pulled away. It felt like it was going to stall so gave it a wee bit of a handful, front end goes light, shut off power. Repeat until bike moving. I was awful.
Noble Ox
31-07-09, 08:52 AM
Take it in for a service for piece of mind! I always feel something is wrong when I buy a 2nd hand bike, a good service, even if nothing much had to be done, always gives you that extra confidence!!
it has had a service and only recently passed MOT. Ive actually had the bike for 3 years. I know its not the bike, it is me, but looking for excuses. dont like to think its my fault - bad workman blaming his tools unfortunately
ArtyLady
31-07-09, 09:27 AM
KitKat - please don't worry - it will get better - first time back out after my illness and off the road for 18 months, I was a bundle of nerves and pretty useless! After two rideouts I was adamant that I wouldn't be riding again. A few months later OH persuaded me to ride with him down the road 5 miles and then home; the following weekend we went ten miles; the following week twenty; etc etc, until i gradually built my confidence and skill back up.
Don't expect to particularly enjoy it atm, but if you gently keep at it - you will eventually :D
gerbrox
31-07-09, 10:12 AM
who was watching junior?
who was watching junior?
Either Libby was crying because No.1 son wouldn't give her a go on the Xbox :-k or No. 1 Daughter I guess ;)
If you still have the desire to get out on the bike the rest is just getting your muscles to remember what they need to do :)
Forget about worrying about dropping the bike or getting lost, there are enough org people in the local area that we can arrange a search party if needs be :D
who was watching junior?
why? :confused: I had put her into her cot asleep as I do every night at 7pm. she doesnt normally wake until 7 am (or 10am yesterday). I was not worried about her or thinking about her. Im a mum first and biker second. She was at home safe and sound with her big brother and sister.
Rigor - search party in cars I presume. May hold you to that ;)
dirtydog
31-07-09, 03:19 PM
Was DD out with you? was this the 1st time you'd both left her?
I was and yes it was.
I'd my little voice, when we get on a bike together, is always saying "hell yeh, we're going for a ride. Fun, fun fun, excited", for example.
but thats just me, i'm sure :)
My little voice just keeps reminding me that I have 9 points on my licence!
was scared I was going to drop bike or get lost (did neither). If I give up now, I will never be on a bike again - certainly not going pillion with DD. :p
If you drop it you drop it, it can be fixed. Wouldn't be the GM if you didnt get lost :rolleyes:
Nowt wrong with going pillion with me, it's cheaper than Thorpe Park!
Nothing unusual about that 8-[ I ride a lot and sometimes do that, sometimes flick the kill switch instead of full beam etc. but :-$ don't tell anyone.
well keep feeling positive about how you used to enjoy it. I don't have experience of a Raptor but I'm guessing it wouldn't be the first choice for (effectively) a newbie so bear that in mind that it might be a bit harder to ride smoothly.
Hope you stick at it - but only do it for yourself. :cool:
The Raptor is pretty smooth to ride but does have a big dollop of torque to deal with.
Hey KK don't beat yourself up about it - even those of us who ride quite a bit sometimes have off days!
Completely agree, used to ave them all the time. not so much now as i don't ride that often nowadays
Take it in for a service for piece of mind! I always feel something is wrong when I buy a 2nd hand bike, a good service, even if nothing much had to be done, always gives you that extra confidence!!
The Raptor wants for nothing in the service dept thanks!
If you still have the desire to get out on the bike the rest is just getting your muscles to remember what they need to do :)
Forget about worrying about dropping the bike or getting lost, there are enough org people in the local area that we can arrange a search party if needs be :D
Rigor - search party in cars I presume. May hold you to that ;)
Harsh but true :D
DanAbnormal
31-07-09, 03:44 PM
Thought you were going to say something else...............:p
dirtydog
31-07-09, 03:58 PM
Thought you were going to say something else...............:p
Like what :confused:
eviltwin
31-07-09, 06:29 PM
Kitkat, I'm out and about on the bike tomorrow. Could meet up for a cuppa at Newlands if you want a reason to go out on the Raptor.
dont know where Newlands is. went out on my own for a wee run. did the route I have been doing for last few weeks taking bex to work so didnt have to worry about getting lost. It was much better. actually felt like I was in control. even chewed up and spat out a car of chavs ;-)
dont know where Newlands is.
it's next to guildford, on the a25.
first time in 2 years - didnt like it
Thought you were going to say something else...............:p
Like what :confused:
How could you not know what was on Dan's Dirty mind :roll:
:lol:
dirtydog
02-08-09, 02:49 PM
but it doesn't work out though does it...
Libby is 7 months old and pregnancy is 9 months so that doesn't even make a year and a half ;-)
but it doesn't work out though does it...
Libby is 7 months old and pregnancy is 9 months so that doesn't even make a year and a half ;-)
which only proves Ive had it ;)
Von Teese
02-08-09, 10:26 PM
Glad the second run was better for you KK, it will feel more natural each time.
Ive made a promise that now I'm able to ride the bike more, Im making the effort! I think nothing can replace the experience and once you get going again there will be no stopping you :)
on no missus - you ain't giving up - if it means coming down there and plonking you on and you go out with me!
There's blood sweat tears and a lot of laughter in that paintwork of yours Its a great colour get out there and show it off.
seriously - take it in small bites and don't expect to be as good as your were that takes time. Short familar routes to build up confidence then longer routes to practice what you know. remember - sacrifice position for safety. and once you have your position sorted everything else will slot in.
You'll get there i know you will and with Lib she'll get used to you going out but it will take time - she used to you being there 24/7 - esp at night when she wakes up
dirtydog
04-08-09, 07:43 AM
You'll get there i know you will and with Lib she'll get used to you going out but it will take time - she used to you being there 24/7 - esp at night when she wakes up
That's the thing, she doesn't normally wake up at night
DanAbnormal
04-08-09, 09:48 AM
which only proves Ive had it ;)
Jeez you lot are slow.
Immaculate conception.......?
Never mind, I'll just move along. :rolleyes:
That's the thing, she doesn't normally wake up at night
which will guarantee that soons as you do go out she will. - sods law
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