Moaning

So, on Sunday I went out for my first ever group ride. Initially it was just to be myself and my only biker mate (at least till I meet you lovely people), but she invited a couple of her mates, so there was four of us and a pillion - not a large group.

We went up to North Yorkshire, stopped for ice cream at Pateley Bridge, and drinks at Sun Inn. It was a really gorgeous day.

I loved having the company of fellow riders. I've been riding on my own since I passed my test, so being with like minded people was really great. The route was fantastic. All those lovely twisty lane were great ( though I struggled to keep up) and the views were panoramic. I was definitely pushed out of my comfort zone. I've not been one to weave between traffic but I felt confident enough to do so, despite stalling twice.

HOWEVER,

When I compared myself to the others (and I know I shouldn't), I realised I still have a way to go. MY left turns are dissmal, and I slow down far too much when turning, that I nearly lose control of the bike.

AND, one of the others notice that my brakes were making an odd sound through out the ride (I didn't notice it). On investigating, it seems I may have been riding my bike incorrectly all along!!
At the end of the ride the disc thingy on my back brake was red hot when everybody elses wasn't. So apparently I probably need new callipers( no idea what thats about).
This I'm told is caused by excessive use of the back brake!! I always use my back brake. My instructor taught me that I need to use less of the front and more of the back. I was also taught that I should only use the front to take the edge off my speed and then use both to come to a stop. I've also always used the back brake to control the bike at slow speeds as I was taught.
So do I now need to unlearn all this??

THEN,

My mate noticed that my chain was as dry as a bone, and I have been riding it all along blissfully unaware. So the ride was a bittersweet experience. AS much as I enjoyed the ride and company, I've started beating myself up about things. If I can't even diagnose a dry chain, what else could be fatally wrong with my bike that I am unaware of??

At the end of the day, my knowledge on bikes is ZERO, my riding is RUBBISH, my confidence is PLUMMETING and I'm feeling very sorry for myself.

And thats my moan for the day.

Melancholy Melody

PS I hate my job.

Originally Posted by melody

I was definitely pushed out of my comfort zone. I've not been one to weave between traffic but I felt confident enough to do so, despite stalling twice.

Dude at some point more or less someone will push you out of your comfort zone and u'll discover that the zone has just been extended.

Take your time though with things

HOWEVER,

When I compared myself to the others (and I know I shouldn't), I realised I still have a way to go. MY left turns are dissmal, and I slow down far too much when turning, that I nearly lose control of the bike.

OK CHILL!!!! noone was borne riding a bike. Some do it better than others but they certainly learned how to do it. I believe the error here is with your friend. She should have slowed down as she had an inexperienced rider in the group, and if she is that better tell you to follow her lines so that you learn yourself.

BRAKING THING - So do I now need to unlearn all this??

merely yes you need to unlearn it. Firstly when you start building up your speed you will realise that bikes don't stop just with the rear break you need to give some percentages here and personally I'd say 70%-80% use of the front break and the rest the rear. Always break in an upright position on a straight line (at least in the beginning so that you keep it shiny side up )

THEN,

CHAIN THING - again you will learn these things. I learned myself the same way, someone will tell you about it and if you can accept criticism then you will learn even more

There is absolutely no reason to think you are not fit for riding!!! By all means just go out and ride either by yourself OR with people that are willing to show you a couple of basic things. If you like these things do them if not do your own!

Personally, I started riding full time on the road on a big bike (i.e. not scooter and above 400cc) exactly 1 year ago! Within this time I believe I have improved especially in my cornering. There is still A LONG WAY to go but I certainly enjoy my riding a lot more now than before.

I was lucky though and had people show me. Next rideout come along, join us (the slower pack) and enjoy yourself. You will learn at your own pace

[fizzwheel]

Even using your back brake alot it shouldnt get that hot. Have you been resting your foot on it so that its dragging on the disk all the time. Alernatively your caliper is seized and thats why the pads are dragging.

If its got that hot, its not going to do it any good. It'll have at a minimum wrecked the pads and boiled the brake fluid. Take it somewhere and get it looked at by a mechanic before you ride it in anger again. Basically it shouldnt get that hot, so you might have a fault with your back brake.

IMHO your instructor has taught you wrongly. Front brake 70% and Back brake 30% unless its wet then use 50% front 50% rear.

This will vary, ride how you feel comfortable. I tend to ride 95% front brake and 5% back, I'll use the back brake just to settle the bike before I come to a stop, Or if I'm filtering through traffic as I find a dab on the back brake at slow speed doesnt unsettle the bike and make it bob on its suspension. Also it leaves your hands free for throttle / clutch.

As to how to unlearn it. Practice Practice Practice. When I started riding I never used my back brake at all. I just found it confused me. So I just used the front. Till I got good with that and then I started using the rear to.

If you can master using both at the same time you will IMHO stop faster, but on a dry road, you will get more braking power from the front than the rear on initial application of the brake.

If your really stuck, go and find a different riding school / instructor and get them to go over things with you.

As for the cornering, one simple tip, look where you want to go. Turn your head and look through the corner, it makes a big difference.

As for your chain, go and buy some chain lube, tuck it under your seat and give your chain a spray now and again. It'll depend how many miles and what sort of weather as to how often you'll need to do this. Your chain should look moist, or shiney. If you dont know get one of your mates who you've been out with today to show you want to do and what it should look like, Seriously ask them, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help you out.

If you're worried about your bike, like I said, pop it to a mechanic, that you trust, again ask your mates where they take their bikes.

Dont be put off, we all go through these periods when we start riding.

mate-

I am old.

been riding loooong time

still crap.!


ride it and enjoy it...///////// end of..

come to the meet- u will love it- dont be put off..

u will meet loads of folk who will gve u lots of advice and encouragement and u will have a ne lease of life and different out look on biking and on yerself.

keep yer chin up.

[dizzyblonde]

Don't worry we were all dizzyblondes at one time

You should really be using your front brake as said 70% ish.
In fact I very sparingly use the back in stopping

Keep you toe on the footpeg not hovering over the back brake and only use your back brake as a majority in such things as the dreaded U turn
As for the chain well silly billy you, but never mind, it must be a new biker thing as haven't we all done that too
I am the most poop rider in all the world, so theres hope for you yet. I regularly tell myself off for silly things..no one can hear you in a helmet
Stop bashing yourself up it does get better

Melody how old are you?????

Believe me it takes time to become accustomed to riding a motorbike. Ok, there are the odd few who seem to take to it like a duck to water however, for most it is just confidence and experience of riding. Dont try to run when you're still learing to walk. Just like the bike do its thing at a pace you want it to and forget those in front who are leaving you behind. One day you WILL be able to keep up with them, however just keep plugging away practicing until that happens.

Oh and there isnt a specific way to ride a bike. Do whatever you feel comfortable with!

Take it easy, and just ride as much as possible, i thought i was quick on a restricted sv, especially when i was out with people from here. got de restricted and started riding with some new friends who left me for dead.

You'll always be pushed out of your comfort zone if you try to improve, it's how far out of your comfort zone that your willin to go that matters.

Take things easy, but riding the back brake will not help you brake in the long run, as all have said, more front than back, but many people have no idea what the back brake is for, i use it in corners as it helps reduce running wide if you're going too fast and you don't wanna use the front, all personal preference really

on your first group ride though

[dizzyblonde]

The offer is still open to come up to the AR with us melody..
and it also extended to yorkie chris who passed his test recently..he only lives down the road from me.
So my bloke gets to guide his own gang of wobbly blondes to the AR.
p.s. by the time you get back from the AR you'll feel a lot more confident. I was up there last year and came back a lot better than I went

melody........... dont be too hard on yourself, just take it easy, confidance will come with experance, & you will learn a lot on here about riding & maintinace......... just ask

I can only really emphasise the above; the more you ride, the more comfortable you'll feel riding. Same as pushing the boundaries. It's concerning at first because you're pushing the boundaries. Then the boundaries are moved by positive renforcement (because nothing bad happens) so your comfort zone is extended.

It's the same as the reason that many people (like me) want to upgrade to a bike with more power, the adrenaline rush isn't as big as it first was, because you get used to it.

As said above, you need to get your brakes checked out. Even if it's just for peace of mind. A rear caliper shouldn't get red hot even when in constant use. The disc should be dissipating heat even when riding hard on the public road (track is a different thing though & could lead to hot calipers if riding wrongly).

About brake balance, I do whatever I feel like at the time. I've gone from almost all front brake, to almost back brake (because of an off when I grabbed too much front brake) then back to almost all front brake, then mix. It'll probably change again soon too.

Experience is earnt by miles on the road, yet some people think it's more to do with how long ago you passed the test. In the last 11months, I've done almost 20k miles. I'm always astonished by how many people riding supersports bikes are all over the brakes coming into bends when it's really not needed, but I have to remind myself that they could be the kind of rider that only does 3000miles a year.

If you have a break from riding for a while, you get rusty, so overall, you're far better toughing it out & putting the miles in IMO.

I'm a big fan of people not being pushed too hard when riding the bike, mainly as I helped load a guy into an ambulance after he was pushing his bike too hard on a road he clearly didn't know that well and hit a wall. Accidents happen if you're not riding for you. That said, if you come to the AR, I'm sure you'll have lots of people willing to sit at the back & bimble around. The AR is a social event, it's North/South that has the faster pace.