Help needed...

[stuartyboy]

Other than the first few days I got the new SV I've never had a buzz and I'm really not enjoying it as much as I hoped.

I crawl round junctions and roundabouts which frustrates anyone behind me (and flusters me). Leave my indicators on for 6 miles. I'm **** at leaning the bike and I slow up to bends like an old granny. Cars catch up. I'm not confident cranking it up (60mph feels like 260) My hands get really sore after 10 mins so I have to stop. I can't seem to get comfy on the bike and I can't seem to relax my arms enough which is making hands numb and throttle control jerky. I keep getting duff gear changes (although its always 2nd to 3rd strangely). All in all I'm more nervous than excited when I get on the bike.

By contrast I have a cbr125 which is virtually the same riding position yet I never get sore, I'm much more confident and have much more fun. (I've even had the knee down for a microsecond)

I'm not blaming the SV for a second but can anyone shed some light on my dip in confidence or suggest anything to overcome it?

Should the bike have been set up for me when I bought it or am I being stupid?

Bike's a K6 svs. Out every day since I got it. I'm 6 f 1/2 inch, 13 stone - maybe 14 with all the gear. Never been riding with anyone before. DAS pass 2 months ago.

Any advice is more than welcome.

[Quedos]

I'm assuming that you went straight out on the roads.

I've just picked my SV up and experiencing much the same (other bike cbf250 different riding position altogether) I understand the lot though what i'm doing is spending a lot of time going round industrial estate doing junctions, hill starts and basically trying to train myself all over again. Boring I know but I find that the confidence is staring to build and you can concentrate on the small things without worrying about the others around you. Once yu get really bored take the bike for a blast up a well known bit of road and then head back to the estate for a bit more training.

It sounds a durge but its given me more confidence (when the bikes running). I also go on the other one when the confidence is down as I can then show myself that I can ride and its just about time to get used to another bike.(it another learning curve remember the first day of sitting on a bike)

[northwind]

Yeah, I remember that feeling... You're tense because you're not confident, and you're sore because you're tense, and you're distracted because you're tense and not confident, and because you're distracted... You're tense and not confident! Its a vicious circle. But it should get better.

If I was you, I'd consider booking some post pass training from a good school. Just tell them what's up, be honest, and they'll probably be able to help. Probably the best way to break out of a loop. Riding with more experienced riders can help, but equally it can make you feel even worse, it doesn't help everyone.

Setup wise... You're a little heavy for perfection with the SV. But then, you were with the CBR too, they're both sprung a little light for you. But it's not so bad you should consider it a problem. You would, in teh long term, benefit from stiffer springs but it's not vital.

[Cam_73]

I here you!

Been there, confidence is growing.

I've been commuting Paisley-Newhouse all summer.

The M8 sucks, but as far as a wee boost to get used to the bike, great.

I have roundabouts galore on the way out of Paisley then the same at Eurocentral.

The best thing, just go ride. Screw the traffic. You have every right to be there.

Leaning over gets better, just gradually build up to it.

And remember we are all allowed off days!

Later

[independentphoto]

Don't worry too much Stuart. That's problem no 1- how can you relax if you're worried? I'd love to say "let's get out on WHATEVER night", but at this moment in time myself and Quedos are running around constantly.

Someone will almost certainly accompany you on a ride in the evening or whenever and help you out. I've had the bike for almost a year now and I'd say that I'm only just STARTING to get confident with it - still have those "look out of the corner, not at the tarmac!" moments, but hey I'll get there.

Keep at it and stay safe.

Garry :wink:

[Blue Flame]

Other than the first few days I got the new SV I've never had a buzz and I'm really not enjoying it as much as I hoped.......

Don't worry yourself its only been two months.

If you want to go out for a spin give me a shout and I will pop up and see if there is any tips I can give you. I'm only just down the road from you a wee bit I think.

[colinbal4]

Hey Stuart,

Your hands are getting sore because your gripping the bars too tight because your tense.

Get out there and do some serious mileage on wide easy flowing A roads, nothing too tight twisty or demanding. For you roads like the one to St Andrews, Dundee, or across to Dollar, etc.

Once you get out on the open road up to 60mph sit up slightly on the bike and let the wind on your chest take the weight off your hands and practice loosening your grip on the bars. Then try to sit in your seat, rest feet comfortably on your pegs, relax your whole body and just RIDE, RIDE, RIDE!! Do a couple of hundred miles in an evening a couple of evenings a week, commute to work on the bike if you can, and you'll be right as rain in no time.

As for cornering find an empty car park with decent surface, mark out a large imaginary roundabout with chalk, and just circle. Apply tiny amounts of power as you tip the bike in to lift the front of the bike very slightly until you feel you are balancing the bike evenly between front and back wheels, and increase speed and tip in further as you get more confident. Then do it again going the other way.

If you want company on a run give me a shout, I'm only 15 mins from Kincardine bridge so can meet you half way (say at Dollar) in about 1/2 hour.

As for your gears, from what you told me last week at the Balgedie, you might have a problem with the bike here, get somebody else to ride it and tell you if they get the same.

Cheers, Col.

[independentphoto]

As for your gears, you might have a problem with the bike here, get somebody else to ride it and tell you if they get the same.
Cheers, Col.

I get the same on mine sometimes (2nd to 3rd). I've put it down to the service coming up (hopefully fresh oil with assist), and perhaps a little laziness from me. It's just like the lever hasn't returned fully. Doesn't happen all the time and, surprise, surprise - it seems to be almost always when pressing on a bit.

Garry 8)

[stuartyboy]

I'm assuming that you went straight out on the roads. yeah - straight out :)

There's not many carparks with space out in the sticks but I'll make a point of it. I remember when I was practicing for my test I found a wee road for figure 8's and stuff.

Setup wise... You're a little heavy for perfection with the SV. But then, you were with the CBR too, they're both sprung a little light for you. But it's not so bad you should consider it a problem. You would, in teh long term, benefit from stiffer springs but it's not vital.

I did actually think this but i'll let the bike bed in with me for a few weeks then have a tweak with the preload and stuff. Look at stiffer springs maybe sometime later.

And remember we are all allowed off days!

Hopefully I've used my quota up for a long while

Someone will almost certainly accompany you on a ride in the evening or whenever and help you out.

Cheers Garry. Will look forward to many of these.

Met up with Colin tonight at Dollar. Complete turnaround for me and better than anything I've done before. Great ride tonight and learned a lot. Big cheers to Colin but I'll leave it to him to judge me on my riding skills. I did feel a whole lot better and and scrubbed an extra half inch off my strips. :takeabow: Did have the back end out on a right hander over some crappy surface which was a bit of a ooyah. Home safe and sound though.

I learned more in this one run than I did through my entire time out on my own so I aim to build on this. This biking malrkey's well braw!

On another note there were some SVs at the crieff petrol station tonight. A blue curvy half fairing with silver lowers. Colin told me it's an SV Ecosse member but not sure who. Was with a group of about 6 or 7 alongside the guy on the trike.

Thanks for all the advice guys and gal.

[peterco]

Hi Stuart,
Passed through crief this evening about 1030pm,had a good run from Killin to Aberfeldy and back to Stirling.

If you want to go out I am just down the road from you,I am in Alloa.

Most evening are free...

pete

[DAX]

yea stewart it was me. we had a blast lastnight that trike can realy fly round the corners and wasnt that slow on the open road eather. hope your confidance is picking up, ive been riding for a LOT of years :oops: and have never really been one for flying round the corners, the only thing i can say to you [that hasnt already been said] is my sv has inspired me to corner faster and lower than i have ever, they handel so good and are so forgiving if you get it wrong. dont get upset with your self i know someone else who dose and it just makes things worse. take care m8 8)

[colinbal4]

It was a good ride, enjoyed it. You were definately tipping the bike into those corners a lot more and were much swifter generally by the end of the ride, but I'm in no position to judge anybodies riding! I'm as much in need of advanced training as any newbie!

This is my first bike after an 11 year break!! Just following anybody who has a bit more experience than you is great, especially when they're on the same bike 'cos it give confidence to say "well if that SV can do it no problem, so can mine".

Does your DAS school do ride outs? Following a professional rider is great fun, these guys don't have chicken strips!! And they really show you what your bike can do and give you the confidence to have a go yourself.

[MattTheLoony]

I was about to suggest going out with a group of SVers. They'll all have the same bike and it would give you more confidence seeing what the bike can do and a bit of a challenge in keeping up with people.

It seems you've already come to this conclusion so stick with it and you'll get there.

[gavhogg]

Read this post earlier and thought feck it I'm off for a run.

I sometimes feel like you Stuartyboy, but as you go out more and more you gain confidence, I find its 50/50 these days I'll go for a run and its great :lol: , othertimes I'll make a little mistake and then its not so great :cry: (Its amazing how something trivial can knock your confidence)

I passed my DAS about two years ago but have been on only a couple of rideouts, and have only covered about 3500miles :shock: (Alot of the time I'm working which prevents me from going out)

The secret is to keep going out, keep practising and get as much time on the bike as possible.

Give me a shout and I'll go for a run with you, that'll definately get your confidence up :wink:

Oh and BTW tonight was a great run :lol: :wink:

[GDBD59]

I'm one of the oldest on here & I don't have these reservations that your talking about now.............. but before I bought my K1 I had a short test ride from a dealer (on a K2 demonstrator).
It was my 1st time on a bike in about 15 years, & I rode in traffic heading out of town for about a mile, & came to a roundabout. Took the inside lane intending to accelerate past traffic in outside lane of dual carriageway exiting roundabout. Bad idea.
I didn't have the confidence/familiarity with the bike to accelerate from being leant over (just a little :roll: ) on my right side on the r'bout to changing leaning left onto the dual carriageway. Result was I headed for the central reservation & got into the 'marbles' almost against the kerb. If I'd hit it I would have landed on top of armco in the central reservation :-dd

My opinion of the SVS is that partly because of the forward-leaning riding position & relatively narrow bars, it's a bike that responds far better with the throttle on as early as practical out of a corner or it understeers.
I suspect a naked would be the easier ride for the inexperienced. This sounds iffy,- Nutty Tart leave this alone. [-X [-o< Slowing down in plenty time for a corner & then getting on the gas asap is probably a confidence-building technique.

A minor factor in my incident may have been the O/E Metzelers that were on the bike.........dunno what the new bikes tyres are like...........someone like to say??

[l3xus01]

hi stuart just read ur post their...like a lot of riders when you pass you see plenty of bikes but tryin to get people out you no is a nightmare but it does get easier as u meet other people and through this you learn loads more.. after ur blast with colin you seem to be a lot happier and when you get out withj more experienced riders you will pick up confidence... there is a good website with experienced and less experienced riders called bikechatforums.com and a few of they guys go out a fair bit.... and most of all is enjoy it :D