first time in 2 years - didnt like it

well after a long long time (2 years) I got back on the bike tonight. 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. Kept thinking there was something wrong with bike but its just me. Was kangarooing all over the place, nearly popping wheelies in other bits, wobbling, in wrong gear. yuck yuck yuck

then came home to find Libby screaming the place down and she had been since I left.

so gutted I didnt enjoy myself.

[Stu]

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]

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"

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]

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

Originally Posted by Stu

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).

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.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Shellywoozle

I couldnt even remember the gears and went up gears instead of down LOL

Nothing unusual about that I ride a lot and sometimes do that, sometimes flick the kill switch instead of full beam etc. but don't tell anyone.

Originally Posted by kitkat

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).

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.

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.

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.

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!!