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Gaining confidence. How?

by cindy
(Illinois, U.S.A.)

Hello ladies,
I'm so happy to have found a women's forum. I'm an "older" woman. Ok, I'm 56 yrs.old I took the MSF course last year. Loved it, passed it. This spring husband got me a Honda Rebel, just like the one I learned on. I'm 5'1 about 100lbs. so the little Reb fits me perfect.

I'm so comfortable at 35mph. Stopping, starting, shifting, cornering, all feel good. But,,, nudging that throttle up to 40+ and I feel the nerves kick in! Is it just a matter of miles and time on the bike? The husband on his Harley has been shepherding me around on the back roads, but the poor guy is just puttering while I feel like I'm zooming along.

Advice, words of wisdom?
Thanks,
Cindy

Comments for Gaining confidence. How?

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May 23, 2014
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great
by: Lois

So glad to hear you are enjoying the ride keep it up.

May 22, 2014
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I'm getting there!
by: Cindy

Hello again ladies
Thanks to the pep talk I've gotten here, I'm gaining some speed and confidence! 45mph is getting very comfortable, I've zoomed along at 50mph and even a little at 55mph!

My wonderful hubby and his patience at leading me around the back roads and small town intersections are really helping me along. He's been challenging me to keep up a little more, but if I hang back a bit to much, he pulls over to let me catch up. My next challenge is tackling the short jaunt back and forth to work,,solo!

May 12, 2014
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great
by: Lois

Good job keep it up

May 12, 2014
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YEA!!
by: Mari

Well done, Cindy!!

May 08, 2014
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Courage!
by: Cindy

Thanks for all of the responses. I went out on my own today. Up and down my country roads. Played with speeding up and slowing down. I hit 45mph.and a little bit at 50mph! When my husband came home, I followed him on his Harley on the back roads into town, made a stop at the tailors' to pick up his vest, thru town and several stoplights, stopped for gas, and then home. Going the speed limits, a little traffic, and real intersections. Reading all of the stories on this forum gave me the courage to push myself a bit, but stay within my comfort and safety zone.

May 08, 2014
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Gaining Confidence
by: Mari

One of the things that helped me gain confidence was simply going out on my own. Take a cell phone and tell someone the route your taking and when you'll be back. I always felt pressured riding with my well-experienced BF and feeling I was being watched for "mistakes". I needed time to make (and learn from) my own mistakes and enjoy my own successes (scraping pegs -- LOL) to give me the confidence I needed. Be careful, there is such a thing as going to slow. Just like the little old lady driving Sunday afternoon on the highway at 35 m.p.h. There's a difference between getting use to speed, and feeling like you don't have control. Its hard to ride really slow because the bike becomes more stable at a higher rpm. (That's why all the slow figure 8's in class figuring out the clutch!) Think of it like riding a bicycle slowly around a curve -- its easier when you peddle up some speed to get around without feeling tippy.

Check mechanics first -- could be the tires are old and don't "stick" to the road as they should. If there's something in your mind about how your bike handles or operates have it gone over. (Depite what anyone else may say). On the other hand it's possible you've outgrown your 250 and need a bit more oomph to feel like you have wheels under you at a higher speed. Don't be afraid to open the throttle on a straight road the bike becomes stable. You can always back it down and do it again. Try to figure out what causes any worry -- if wind on your face makes you nervous, wear a helmet with a shield. Maybe your afraid to have to brake sudden. Go into a parking lot and practice a few quick stops so you know what you need to do and how to do it. This is the bike to do it with!

May 07, 2014
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..
by: Lois

It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. Take your time don't be rushed, more people quit riding because they are pushed to progress at someone elses speed. Ride your own ride, you learned the basics in class now go out and build on that foundation. My husband took joy in watching me master the skills, he knew I would be a better rider and safer. When he wanted to speed up we set a meeting spot and ride to it at our own pace, that way we could each enjoy our ride. If he got worried he could follow my route and find me, usually having a great time just riding my style.
It's been years but I can keep up with him no problem even riding the dragon.

May 07, 2014
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I can relate.
by: Anonymous

I can relate so well. Just keep puttering and your confidence will grow in time. Give yourself time to get more comfortable with the feel of your bike and the roads before adding more speed. It will improve. For the longest time 45 mph was my comfort zone. The Rebel is a great bike to learn on and what I started out with. I moved up slightly to a Suzuki S40 once I gained more confidence. A small step, but one I can still feel comfortable on.

May 07, 2014
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rebel
by: Anonymous

I felt the same way when I was on a Vstar 650 and hubby was on a 1700 Roadstar. I felt my little 650 what screaming at 60 mph. And there was no changing that until I upgraded to an 1100. i guess those small cubic inch bikes just feel that way

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