Learning to ride after a crash

[Bounce]

There are no "winners" when riding on public roads turns to racing.

 

[lonerider]

Confidence will return as you rack up the miles. I usually ride alone but, if I'm with others and I find I'm not enjoying myself trying to keep up with them, I let them go ahead and slow to the point that the ride becomes enjoyable for me again. My last get off was Oct. 2010, but I still find myself scanning the sides of the road for forest rats more than I used to. You'll be fine.

 

[Bust-A-Cap]

I'm going to take a different route here because it sounds somewhat familiar. My dad, RIP got me started in motorcycling close to 30 years ago and he was one of the most skilled and fearless people I ever saw ride a motorcycle. However, in his later years of riding he didn't want to ride at night, get caught in the rain, or go much faster than 70 miles per hour. Now he never had an accident or anything like that but something was definitely missing from his desire to ride. When his beloved 76 Honda Gold Wing blew it's timing chain on our annual ride home back from lake George, NY. He never put an earnest effort into getting it repaired or had any interest in purchasing a new bike. I had a difficult time understanding this because he loved that bike and rode it fearlessly for more than 20 years. One day I decided to push him on the matter and he told me that he had grown too afraid to ride anymore. My dad was a NY City Police Officer and was absolutely fearless, but he simply realized that he wasn't the same rider anymore and felt it was time to get off of the bike. I realized that he was being honest with himself and realistic. I also learned that someday I may feel the same way and I hope to have the same courage to know when I'm done because of my dad's example. I don't believe you should ride a motorcycle scared and if the basic actions of riding a bike on the open road or on twisties cause you to "freak out" maybe it's time to simply step off and reassess your situation. No school can put that fearlessness back in you if your fear is greater than your desire to ride. Motorcycling is a fun and yet dangerous sport that should be respected and approached with a realistic self critique of what you can do and what you cannot do. If riding your own ride isn't enough for you then there is nothing wrong with deciding to call it a wrap and move on to the next great adventure. Just my two of three cents, hope it is useful.

 

[leclairk]

Thanks for all the tips guys. My hunch is that it was too much, too soon, and too fast. I did spend a good deal of time trying to keep up with my brothers. I will look into some riding classes. Sounds like I just need some more time. I can appreciate Bust-a-cap's advice as well. It may be that riding will never be the same for me. Time will tell.

 

[hppants]

Without a doubt - when's it no longer becomes fun, I'm done. I take this risk v/s reward crap seriously, no joke.

I've had a couple of rides where a few things happened to raise the pucker factor, I tapped out, and went straight home.

 

[killbilly]

Absolutely, 100%, look into taking the Lee Parks Total Control class.

The thing about that class is that it teaches you - under slow, controlled conditions, what is possible with your own motorcycle.

I had a get-off in '99 that resulted in me being banged up and the bike wrecked (and later stolen the same day - dumb luck.) And I was a timid rider for a loooong time. I'm still conservative, but the things I learned in the class allow me to manage typical fear reactions and to let the bike do its thing.

There were guys in the class riding giant bagger cruisers, Connie 14s, a few RTs and some other big bikes. And ALL of them were riding vastly better after a day of that course.

At the very least, pick up his book. I recommend reading it before the course anyway.

Without a doubt - when's it no longer becomes fun, I'm done. I take this risk v/s reward crap seriously, no joke.
I've had a couple of rides where a few things happened to raise the pucker factor, I tapped out, and went straight home.

This is also sage advice. It parallels the old aviator's maxim about deciding to fly given the weather conditions. "Tis far better to be on the ground wishing you were flying than to be flying and wishing you were on the ground."

 

[Tyler]

Thanks for all the tips guys. My hunch is that it was too much, too soon, and too fast. I did spend a good deal of time trying to keep up with my brothers. I will look into some riding classes. Sounds like I just need some more time. I can appreciate Bust-a-cap's advice as well. It may be that riding will never be the same for me. Time will tell.

Time does heal wounds - both mental and physical. After my accident, I was never going to ride again. Then I was. Then I thought I was crazy for even thinking about riding. Then I thought I was crazy for considering NOT ever riding again. And that was all in about the span of five minutes. Rinse. Repeat. For months. :lol: For me, I had to find a new way to ride because of the damage to my body so I opted for a Spyder for more stability. It's not the same as 2-wheels and I miss it but I'm still out on the road, spending time with beloved friends and meeting new ones, and enjoying this amazing thing we call life.

For you, take it back a notch. In addition to the training suggestions, maybe take some shorter rides with one or two trusted mentors who will let you take the reins and determine the pace. Remember why you ride in the first place and find that happy place again. Always, always, ALWAYS ride your own ride and don't ever feel bad for doing so. Wishing you peace of mind as you heal on all levels. B)

 

[art miller]

Many good suggestions here and interesting experiences. If I were to be in your situation, I would spend time riding alone and re-orienting yourself to the basics of safe riding techniques. Many riders with a fear syndrome tend to focus their eyes on the road just in front of the bike and tensely grip the bars especially when approaching turns. As suggested in earlier comments, you need to look ahead and through the turns. Make sure you enter turns at a speed you feel comfortable with. Having to brake in a turn can cause problems you can avoid. Always ride at your own pace!!!!

At 72 years old I enjoy riding as much as ever. I do not find a thrill in excessive speed and do not push my comfort zone in the twisties. It's kinda like an old guy riding a young horse. If you have good skills you can control the beast!!

 

[CA G-Man]

I usually ride alone...

You don't say... ;-)

 

[FJRay]

My wife got hit head on and run over by a pickup.( Still think I should have shot the *******). After healing a bit she tried riding again but it wasn't to be. She waited two years, took the course again and tried a Sportster cause her hip didn't heal right and the forward controls were needed . After a couple trips she decided to give up cause the confidence and joy just wasn't there.

Enter the Goldwing. She enjoys the ride and I get to have my best friend with me where I know she is safe. Bottom line is that everybody doesn't have to ride and if you do then do it on your schedule so it's fun and not terror.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Yes Ray you should have shot him, but then your wife wouldn't have you around to ride with, and people would be mighty hungry around Reuben Run time.

 

[BanjoBoy]

Wow interesting stories!!!

I dun tossed mah beloved black cherry down the road just about a year ago. A 60 mph git off left me banged up 'n in a ditch w/ a busted pinky finger. A good Samaritan helped me get the bike up 'n going so I could ride it away, and I did. (though it ended up be'in totaled.)

Fer 'bout 44 yrs I've been ride'in, (Addicted to.) bikes, so I never hesitated to get back on. After wad'in the FJR on a Saturday, I wuz ride'in mah FZ6 ta work on Monday. (With one glove, cuz I had a splint on the pinky.) After a month of that, I took the splint off, tuned up the FZ, and got a new rear tire. On mah way to work the next morn'in, w/ a fresh tune up, new tire, it be'in cold out, 'n a gimpy clutch hand, I accident spun up the rear, fish tailed, and bailed bust'in mah collar bone.

Once again a good Samaritan helped me get the bike up 'n I dun rode ta work. Butt, after 'bout 4 hrs the Advil 'n shock wore off, and the pain set in so I rode home. Caged it fer a week, then wuz back on the bike busted collar bone 'n all.

I could see where someone w/ a brain would be hesitant to get back on, butt that's never been my problem; stay'in off 'n heal'in up is hard fer me.

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.

^THIS^

There's lots of reasonably priced FZ6's, 09s, or even the new 07? The FZ6 is a great little reliable, do it all bike, and much mor "forgiving" in the twisties than a DL1000 or FJR.

 

[CA G-Man]

I gotta say, BanjoBoy, in that pic your poor ol' '07 looks like something out of that '80s movie "Short Circuit." Or maybe "wall-E" (although I haven't seen that one).

 

[NMRoadRunner]

No long story here. You'll be alright, take it at your onw pace. Be very happy you're riding again after the crash. You could be learning how to walk and feed yourself again instaed.

 

[20valves]

Another good school is the Yamaha Champions Riding School, in New Jersey now. I've done two of their courses and found them excellent. Street riding technique vs. dirt is VERY different too. Get some road bike instruction and you'll regain your confidence. Most who ride have taken a tumble and most keep riding.

 

[Yroundrdn]

I also agree an advanced course would help in many ways. Any get off shakes your confidence and breeds insecurities with your bike. The confidence you will gain from it will help you process that event and restore your confidence in riding

 

[Rain Dancer]

A lot of good advice here. I read this with a lot of interest. For me, if I can analyze what happened and I learned something, I am good to go. I feel I won't do THAT again! The last accident I had, I can't remember anything about it, and my wife was on the bike, which has made a huge impact on me. (Luckily, she made out better than I did) Over 10 months now, I still can't even drive. At the earliest, I will get on a bike next summer. I will take the advanced course again, maybe do some track time, and then decide if I will stay with it. Returning to riding, and finding what will help you can be very different for each person. I wish you luck, and let us know how it progresses for you.

 

[TXFJR]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread. BUST-A-CAP, your Dad's story really hits home with me. I rode a bike before I drove a car (15 yoa)(I'm 49 now) and for over 20 years rode a bike ALL the time. Other than a crash when I was 16 or 17, I have never again dropped a bike. Nothing traumatic happened to me, but for various life issues, I was away from a bike more and more. In the last 10 years, I have ridden, but very rarely, and went years without a bike.

Well, a couple of years ago, I got a brand new 2011 FJR, and although a part of me loves owning the bike...I don't know that I enjoy RIDING the bike...if that makes sense. After getting it, I realized that I was too "vertically challenged" to enjoy and have good control. So I experimented with the seat, taller boots, lowering links, etc. I finally got the bike to a seat height that I can live with. But, as you all well know, these are some top heavy *******!! I don't know exactly why, but I think I ride with apprehension and fear, and don't know how to shake it. I don't want to think that my riding is over for good....but I guess I have to find a way to find out. Although I do ride, it's NO WHERE as often as I would like to. I have had the bike for probably 3 1/2 years, and have 1,700 miles on it!

I have a (probably) illogical fear of taking turns and the rear wheel just slipping out under me, of taking a sweeping turn and not being able to stay in my lane, and to a lesser degree of strong cross winds on the interstate. I want to get over this, but don't know how. I am sure that as most of you know, lowering the bike tends to "slow" the steering response, but I imagine not to the point of making the bike un-rideable...just a little more sluggish. I don't know where all this came from....like I said...no wrecks or other ACTUAL incidents that I could blame for my apprehension.

This is really hard for me to write, and to admit. I have read the advice of taking an advanced riding course, but want to find one where I use THEIR bike, does anyone know of one in the San Antonio, TX area? Recently, my son got out of the Marines and lives in town, and just purchased a slightly used bike. I want to ride with him, but don't want to ride "white knuckle" instead of doing what I have been thoroughly enjoying most of my life...which was the freedom of riding a bike and REALLY enjoying it. I also want to start doing some moderate LD riding, but how can I do that when I am too apprehensive to even ride around here?

Any advice would be really appreciated..please don't bust my balls..I am being very sincere and it was tough to admit this!

 

[CA G-Man]

TX: I think it’s normal and healthy to have a little apprehension about straddling anything that weighs 700 lb+ loaded, and puts out 150hp of fun. Ideally, that apprehension gets converted into “respect” for the bike and you ride within your own skill level and find the right balance between challenging yourself and remaining comfortable on the bike.

You didn’t give the details of your vertical challenges; I have a 34-inch inseam and, while there are many who pull it off (more power to ‘em!), I don’t think I’d be riding this bike if I had anything less than a 30” inseam. It’s a lot of bulk to muscle around in parking lots and I don’t know that it would be worth the struggle (for me) without the leverage of longer legs. It doesn’t take a lot of gravel underfoot in a parking lot to make things interesting.

My advice: take whatever advanced courses you can find, and do it on your own bike. If you don’t ride your own bike you’ll always have those nagging thoughts – “Sure, I did it on the Bandit [or whatever…] that I rode for the course but I’m not sure I can do it on my FJR…” When I did a course this spring I was lucky to find one of the 2 instructors was riding an FJR. Good thing, too, because if I hadn’t seen him demonstrating the skills (tight slow-speed manoeuvres, mostly) right before I did them I wouldn’t have believed they could be done as tightly as he did them.

You’ll push yourself in the course but if your instructors are worth their salt they won’t let you try anything that might have seriously dangerous consequences. If you don’t gain sufficient confidence by the time you’ve done at least one course, maybe it’s time to consider a different bike. As you’ve suggested, the point of this hobby is to have fun!

After 15,000 km I’m at a point where I feel comfortable and confident when I get on the bike. I know there are hazards out there and I drive myself to remain alert to them and opportunities to avoid them. I do have that “respect” thing going too. If I’m driving my car I’ll allow myself one beer before driving; with the bike it’s zero. If I’m a little tired, rushed, or heading into sketchy weather or darkness, I’ll err on the side of caution and take the car instead. Riding isn’t a competitive sport for me so there’s no ego issues and I think that’s a good thing.

Sorry for rambling – hope this helps!

 

[TXFJR]

G-man , I'm 5',7", with 31 inseam. The height is now where I feel pretty good about, and can flat-foot it on both sides under most situations. Thanks for the advice, I think I need to really just ride by myself without any additional pressure of having to keep up and going at my own pace. I think the time I was away from a bike had more of an effect than I thought.