Confidence Building

I've found the more near misses i've had have contributed in improving my riding...

im not saying go out and try and have accidents though

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by Stig_Of_The_Dump

I would say not. I would say experience builds confidence. Confidence helps you to progress. I have seen plenty of riders with an abundance of confidence and had no ability at all.

Indeed.

I'd also like to add, that just because you can ride fast, doesn't mean you are any better at riding than captain slow, in fact captain slow may be a better rider all round. There are some fast and confident riders that have great ability and experince too.
I get the pee taken out of me regular for not riding fast in certain environments. That alone knocked my confidence no end, but everytime it did, why is that the oh so confident fast riders, were always sat at lights or a junction when I pootle up behind?
Ride for yourself and not for others, and be choosy over whose advice you decided to take on board.

see i've always been good on bikes from a young age, i can feel balance points and grip levels.

I started on dirt (both mtb and MX), then had a dirt bike on road, then a supermotard, then an assortment of GSXR, Hornet, r1, ZZR, and finally settle with the twin (had 3 now)

The good thing about an SV is your can go for a ride and really feel like you've taken the bike to its limit - throttle on the stops as you exit corners, rear going all sqiurly - I love it.

I never got back from a ride on a 600-il4 feeling - yeah I took it to the limit today, roads we'ren't long and free enough to do it safely. The SV's are just that bit slower and less powerful that it's like being back on the two stroke - actually working for speed, carrying it round corners.

Yes I continue to get better but I don't know where this gift for feel came from.

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

Ride for yourself and not for others, and be choosy over whose advice you decided to take on board.

I'd second this - I'd only ever give advice to people I had seen ride and then only if the asked for it.


I ride better in the wet than the dry as I get lazy moving my weight when its dry and let the michelins do the work!

Thanks all for the advise,

that's basically my point, if I'm not confident then this inhibits my ability so I don't feel I'm improving, I'm particulary less confident when cornering, I think that's where the ability comes into play, not really mastered leaning into it yet, it's even worse in the wet.

I will go at my own pace slow as it may seem, I like the idea of following a more experienced rider, tired this at our GM but far beyond my ability so backed off.

I don't necessarily wish to go super fast risking it all kind of thing, I wish to have the ability to be safer, I'm not saying I'm not safe now you understand.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by gerbrox

I like the idea of following a more experienced rider, tired this at our GM but far beyond my ability so backed off.

.

I never have followed the more experienced rider. I gave that up a long time ago. See my OH helped teach me to ride, along with a couple of mates that were ex instructors. Once I'd passed my DAS, my OH was just very irritatingly impatient with me, and used to assume that I should be keeping up. This is when accidents happen, and its usually you that ends up in a hedge.

Do the captain slow on your own terms, believe me, it works dividends, and also you end up being safer, and better, for not practicing other peoples techniques...as sometimes theres is not always the best. Once you are confident doing your thing, then its time to step up a gear and see if anyone can give you pointers for extending your experience. I have also found this out recently on a ride with a fellow orger. One thats never ridden with me before, but has bags of experience and ability. It was a day that gave me what I needed to hear, and what I secretly already knew, but lacked the confidence to believe in myself.

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

I never have followed the more experienced rider. I gave that up a long time ago. See my OH helped teach me to ride, along with a couple of mates that were ex instructors. Once I'd passed my DAS, my OH was just very irritatingly impatient with me, and used to assume that I should be keeping up. This is when accidents happen, and its usually you that ends up in a hedge.

Do the captain slow on your own terms, believe me, it works dividends, and also you end up being safer, and better, for not practicing other peoples techniques...as sometimes theres is not always the best.

I'd agree with that, just trying to follow a more capable rider without understanding what they are doing will at best disullusion you and at worst cause an off. This will be even harder to overcome.

I also find if you go out in a group the more riders present the worse they ride as they egg each other on. Quite often this endis in a spill too.

[Bibio]

1. concentration. let this slip and your in BIG trouble.
2. observation. look where you want to go not where you are going. pay attention for possible hazards. the further you look up the road the more time you have to react to a situation.
3. slow speed control. how can anyone expect to go fast if they cant control a bike going slow.
4. ability. know your limits and be happy with them.

Originally Posted by keith_d

IM....

I'll be among the slower riders on this year's AR ................... But it'll still be a good opportunity to see how other people ride and pick up a few tips.

Keith

Trouble with that is - are the riders you are aspiring to any good? They may be experienced but that may be all!

I would have long since given up if I hadn't gone to advanced training which initially gave me the confidence to keep riding and become a better rider, and I know I can trust that the advice I am getting at training is correct

You need the more experienced rider to follow you so they can look at your riding and critique it.

Way more value to you getting feedback from someone who's been watching you than you potentially crashing trying to keep up- thats worse for your confidence.


You'd be amazed what just standing on tip-toes on the pegs and pinting your elbow at the apex will do (the pointing of the elbow is to get the head in the right place - its a huge counterweight!!)