SV650.org - SV650 & Gladius 650 Forum



Bikes - Talk & Issues Newsworthy and topical general biking and bike related issues. No crapola!
Need Help: Try Searching before posting

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 23-04-07, 09:37 PM   #1
StreetHawk
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Been a few offs lately...

A few unlucky peeps on here have had 'off's' lately and it was playing on my mind earlier when I went for a quick spin, didn't really settle and enjoy it that much..

Only passed last weds so still gaining experience of the road at higher speeds you can do on your test. My cornering is quite slow, well tonight it was V slow as it had rained round here in the day. Coming up to a mini roundabout the road was clear ahead and I couldn't see anything coming from the right so I was winding it up and suddenly a car shot out of nowhere at speed and I had to put an emergency stop into practice!

Gonna put it down to experience and make sure 110% that there is nothing coming before twisting the throttle again. The old ticker was going a bit though esp as I was feeling a bit uneasy anyway. Suppose we all have days like that?
  Reply With Quote
Old 23-04-07, 09:54 PM   #2
Baph
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Been a few off's lately..

Yup, I know I have off days.

I was one of those that recently had an off. Mine was down to my own stupidity initially, but then my sensability after that. Locked the rear coming to a bend & decided to throw it on the floor rather than have a head on with a dry stone wall.

Because I know why my off happened, I know how to go about correcting it. I set off tonight on my way home, damp road, opened the throttle coming out the car park, straight over a manhole cover. Back end stepped out a little (more like a wiggle) & my reaction was simply ""

Take it easy on off days, and do whatever feels right the rest of the time.
  Reply With Quote
Old 23-04-07, 09:57 PM   #3
Luckypants
Moderator
Mega Poster
 
Luckypants's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Nr Ruthin
Posts: 7,079
Default Re: Been a few off's lately..

As long as you know you are having an off day, take it easy and bimble around. Concentrate on seeing everything and not on going fast.
__________________
"Your Viffer sounds like it is raising hell! Spot on." - Witchery 17/4/08
Snow Plough Appreciation Society - Member #3

Luckypants is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-04-07, 08:38 AM   #4
anna
Member
Mega Poster
 
anna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Tower Hamlets but with Shutters on the windows
Posts: 1,522
Default Re: Been a few off's lately..

speaking to lots of people it seems everyone has days when they feel like they cant ride for toffee... I call them my lego man days when I get on the bike and just look like I am a lego man on the bike!

It will take time to build confidence and speed isnt necessarsily the main objective out there! Just take your time and the rest will come.
anna is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-04-07, 08:46 AM   #5
rictus01
Member
Mega Poster
 
rictus01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: South London
Posts: 9,799
Default Re: Been a few off's lately..

Quote:
Originally Posted by anna View Post
speaking to lots of people it seems everyone has days when they feel like they cant ride for toffee... I call them my lego man days when I get on the bike and just look like I am a lego man on the bike!

It will take time to build confidence and speed isnt necessarsily the main objective out there! Just take your time and the rest will come.
Sage wisdom indeed from the one that rules

Cheers Mark.
__________________
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride!
rictus01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-04-07, 10:23 AM   #6
tricky
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Been a few off's lately..

Glad its not just me. Had a mega crap day yesterday.
As long as you acknowledge the mistakes you make and learn from them.

Mine was so bad I came to work in the car today. (Plus it was looking rather lonely and neglected as it had not moved for a fortnight).

Looking forward to getting back on the bike tommorow mind.

Lego man, I like that.
  Reply With Quote
Old 24-04-07, 11:19 AM   #7
Alpinestarhero
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Been a few off's lately..

Sometimes it feels right, sometimes it doesnt. When it dosnt, i back off and take it easy. When it does, i have a good enthusiastic go, but with a dash of caution always.

Offs happen, but if your protected you'll stand a good chance of walking away. Take it easy riding, and build yourself up slowly. Cornering is an artform that takes a few thousand miles to get the hang of, then the rest is spent perfecting it. You'll get there, Im slowly understanding what needs to be done to corner nicley.

Still a wobbler though!

Matt
  Reply With Quote
Old 24-04-07, 11:49 AM   #8
Stu
Trinity
Mega Poster
 
Stu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Guildford
Posts: 8,027
Default Re: Been a few off's lately..

As one of those making up the recent statistics...
My advice is it's all about observation. If you get that right you won't have a problem.

getting it to that high level is really difficult though.
Stu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-04-07, 01:16 PM   #9
anna
Member
Mega Poster
 
anna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Tower Hamlets but with Shutters on the windows
Posts: 1,522
Default Re: Been a few off's lately..

Quote:
Originally Posted by rictus01 View Post
Sage wisdom indeed from the one that rules
Glad that people are finally realising that I RULE!!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky View Post
Lego man, I like that.
.. but no pictures will be provided as evidence!!
anna is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-04-07, 01:58 PM   #10
bignev
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Been a few off's lately..

Like Baph - mine in October was hit a dry stone wall head on or drop it going round a right hander doing about 50mph. I dropped it. The bike skidded along and i hit the wall instead. Hurt like feck for a few days and my big toe is still black months later (my only scar).

Good thing for me I think was that i was about 20 miles from home and had no choice but to get straight back on and ride it home. I hated every second of it. The next day when it came to going to work i was just about to step on the bus when i changed my mind and got the bike out. Best thing I did. 2 new tyres gave me loads more confidence too.

When you get a scare like that "off days" come quite a lot but they do disappear. Not completely though.
  Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Naming Offs SoulKiss Idle Banter 69 27-08-09 08:03 AM
Write Offs lynw Bikes - Talk & Issues 26 01-05-07 01:34 PM
3 offs in 2 days.... not me kjames Bikes - Talk & Issues 3 09-11-05 10:24 PM
Offs - What's going on? jonboy Bikes - Talk & Issues 25 23-07-05 10:16 AM
Anyone use tear-offs? svpilot Bikes - Talk & Issues 3 11-01-05 11:24 AM


All times are GMT. The time now is 03:44 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® - Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.