Learning to ride after a crash

[leclairk]

I have only been riding a bike on the street for about 5 years. Growing up I rode dirt bikes and quads off and on but never on the street. Both of my brothers have been riding street bikes for a good 15 years and 5 years ago I thought it would be fun to join them. Each year we do a week long ride in S Oregon and N Cali. Last summer I had my first real get-off. It was an off camber, 15mph, downhill corner, and I took it too fast. Ended up in a dirt bank doing about 20mph. I was very lucky. Fortunately I walked away with only a few bruises and a sore neck thanks to my gear, especially my full face helmet. I totaled my V-Strom 1000 and found my way to the FJR. Since the crash I have only ridden about 2000 miles on the FJR and never really pushed it. I just got back from this years trip and I actually came back 2 days early just because I was not feeling good in the corners at all. I always enjoyed twisties but now they freak me out. After 5 straight days of corners I was done. I still love riding but I'm a little worried my career may be over. What has your experience been after a crash? Does it take some time to get used to corners again or is it over? The obvious answer is to slow down in the corners, which I did, but even then, when I start to feel the bike really start to lean it freaked me out. Maybe try an advanced rider coarse (I've done the intermediate) or a track day? Given the knowledge of this forum I would be interested to hear other people's experiences.

 

[TomInPA]

I think ride coaching, and perhaps the advanced rider course can give you tactics and help you build your confidence. You can learn methods that work, but time in the saddle and mastering those techniques is the only way to make the voices in your head go away. For me, the biggest change in my riding came from extending my vision down the road and learning to look through turns. The body and the bike followed. You can "know" what to do, but it is only time in the saddle that will make those tactics an automatic part of your ride.

It sounds like you are on the right path to defeat your demons, but this injury to your confidence may take longer to heal than the physical injuries.

 

[Chiefblueman]

When you're riding with your brothers, are you riding your own ride or trying to stay with them? Your pace is likely not what it used to be after your get off, but it is what it is now. Find that pace where you can be comfortable and stay there, no hurry. There's plenty to enjoy riding your FJR besides railing twisties. Use the tools you acquired from the courses you've taken, another course might be good.

I have a younger (by 11 yrs) brother who is a far superior rider than I. At the age of 52 I reentered the dirt bike world after a 20 year absence and spent a lot of time riding with him. As my confidence and abilities grew I began to try and keep pace with my bro and his buds and was able to for short periods. But, brothers being competitive sorts, he could always outpace me and would. This led to some pretty spectacular get offs, the last one 3 years ago being my last ride on a dirt bike. My modded WR450 could get me into trouble fast and cracked my ribs and injured my neck. At 60, I'm considering a dual sport and taking it easy off road.

I also have ridden the street with my bro, both of us on FZ1's. I do NOT try to keep up with him. I learned that in the dirt the hard way.

Whatever you do, I hope there are many enjoyable miles ahead for you.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I just takes time...and in my case, following a few of my buddies. Slow in, fast out until you feel your groove come back.

It was probably more than a season for me, cuz I'm such a pussy.

 

[03silverbullet]

I recommend training. There are courses to can take such as:

CLASS taught by Reg Pridmore

Star school taught by Jason Pridmore - Reg's son

California Superbike school. - Kieth Code.

Total Control - Lee Parks.

There are other courses as well. I have taken all of these courses and have found them helpful.

 

[Goodman4]

Sounds like you are on the road to being a better rider to me. In most skill based endeavors, when you start to reach a new plateau of skill, the awareness of what you can't do almost sucks the life out of your hobby / talent / career. I teach music on the side and this plateau is the time when people either give up or begin to step up to a whole new level. If you think of it like you are seeing what you need to do to step up a level, you are just improving though it won't feel like it at first.

Motorcycling is a little more complicated because the fear usually causes our bodies to do the opposite of what we need to do on the bike. And the fear is logical. We really can get hurt or even killed out there. But we can get hurt physically or emotionally from everything worth doing. We just need to make the best choices and be prepared to manage risk.

I took the Lee Parks (fixed, thanks) Total Control Riding Class last year and was surprised to find that it was a lot about managing fear. We have to understand more about the mechanics of riding so we know what inputs to give and how to deal with the counterintuitive nature of riding.

I did a track day after that, but I'm not sure I would have benefited from it as much without the class. I remember one time in the afternoon that my brain became aware of what I was doing and I got really scared in the middle of a session. It was kind of a mini panic attack except I was actually thinking rationally at that moment. I realized I was flying around a track at 90% of my ability and could make the smallest mistake and end up in the hospital, proving to my friends that I'm an idiot. I toughed it out for a couple laps and conquered my fear.

I mentioned that to the championship racer that was by my stall and he pretty much yelled at me. He said having the panic was normal but I shouldn't have toughed it out. That's what the pit is for. He said even the best racers have moments when they are afraid, and they need a break. Anyway, I tell that story because I don't think you should push yourself through fear. You need to heal. A class like Total Control could help, but the mind still has to have time to heal.

Good luck getting the enjoyment back from this HOBBY. We ride for fun.

 

[03silverbullet]

I took the Lee Evans Total Control Riding Class

It's Lee Parks and it is an excellent class.

 

[SacramentoMike]

The best course I've tried--for me--is Lee Parks' "Total Control." I did it in San Mateo (SF Bay Area) but they offer it all over the country. They really teach you bike control in the turns, and give you specific things you can begin to practice on every turn you make from then on. "Streetmasters" was also good, but I think just one location in southern CA (south of Bakersfield). That had good information about how to choose the line entering and exiting turns, how to determine the apex, etc. This was also good information that could be applied immediately and from then on. You don't want to learn how to race, just how to feel confident on the bike.

I like the advice about staying inside your comfort zone, and not trying to keep up with somebody else. That can get scary. Lots of the folks I've ridden with are much better riders than I am, and I know it. If they lose you in the turns, sooner or later they'll slow down or pull over for you to catch up.

 

[JamesW]

Give it time, and do not push yourself, if something is not enjoyable to me I do not do it.

 

[MCRIDER007]

Give it time, and do not push yourself, if something is not enjoyable to me I do not do it.

^^^^^^^^What he said......

 

[Fred W]

You don't have to ride fast. You know... you can just ride, if you want to.

I know a lot of MC folks, both here and all over the 'net, seem to stress how great it is to be able to ride fast, like that is the end goal.

Here's a secret for you: It isn't important. It doesn't matter one bit how fast you are going, just as long as you are enjoying yourself. That is all it is really about.

 

[dcarver]

Slow n easy.. Time.. Your pace. Your ride. Your body. Your life. You decide.

 

[Twigg]

I think ride coaching, and perhaps the advanced rider course can give you tactics and help you build your confidence. You can learn methods that work, but time in the saddle and mastering those techniques is the only way to make the voices in your head go away. For me, the biggest change in my riding came from extending my vision down the road and learning to look through turns. The body and the bike followed. You can "know" what to do, but it is only time in the saddle that will make those tactics an automatic part of your ride.
It sounds like you are on the right path to defeat your demons, but this injury to your confidence may take longer to heal than the physical injuries.

This answer ^^^^^^

wins the internet today.

Advanced rider training is worth at least double its weight in gold. You will also learn that few among us are actually capable of "pushing the FJR hard", and I include myself in those who cannot.

 

[DezzertRider]

I just took my first ride yesterday after 1.5 years of not having bike. I just took ownership of a 2004 FJR yesterday. I didn't ride for the past 1.5 years because of an accident. I have a prosthetic left shoulder as a result of the accident. You got some good advice in this thread already about riding you own ride. Take your time and go at your own pace. A lot of people have been hurt trying to keep up with someone else. Personally, I don't like to ride with others as it always seems to end up in a speed contest of some sort.

I was really apprehensive when I took that first ride yesterday on the my FJR, but as soon as I let out the clutch and got underway, I felt like I never left. The FJR certainly helps because it is an easy bike to ride. I went on a 150 mile ride this morning to get more familiar with the FJR. I came away really impressed how easy it steers and handles. I already feel comfortable on it. I just look where I want to go and it just goes there almost by itself. Good luck to you and hope that you restore your confidence.

Regards,

John

DezzertRider

 

[UberKul]

Unless you need the big FJR for 2 up or touring you should think about downsizing. A light bike is so much more fun in most situations other than big miles. A DR 350 got me back to riding after an off that almost killed me a year earlier.

 

[hppants]

Although I decided to keep riding relatively soon after the crash, it took a long time to re-gain any kind of confidence. Even to this day (3 years post crash), I still creep out in certain situations, like wet road riding - leaves, etc.

Once I accepted the fact that I'm not as good a rider as I thought I was, and that it was truly OK to "ride my own ride" without pride or prejudice, things got better.

 

[Bounce]

When you're riding with your brothers, are you riding your own ride or trying to stay with them? Your pace is likely not what it used to be after your get off, but it is what it is now. Find that pace where you can be comfortable and stay there, no hurry. There's plenty to enjoy riding your FJR besides railing twisties. Use the tools you acquired from the courses you've taken, another course might be good.

You don't have to ride fast. You know... you can just ride, if you want to.

^^^These

 

[gregory]

Took me almost 3 years after my get off to get back to where I was, and that was riding 2-3 months after my off. I have not yet taken an advanced course, but it is high on my list as I have gone as far as I can by myself reading anything I can get my hands on.

Don't give up yet, lots of useful help already listed.

 

[Twigg]

Advanced training is, as I said earlier, priceless.

The other comments I wholly endorse are those who are saying "Ride your own ride". Never feel pressured to "keep up". This is a recipe for disaster, but it's worse than that because when you are trying to ride with faster riders, the entire experience becomes dominated by anxiety, further reducing the skills you already have.

It's supposed to be fun, people. If it's not fun, find your happy place and let the others go.