when will I improve?

when will I improve?

by Denise
(Phoenix Az)

I'm a little frustrated today. I've clocked about 35 hours on my bike so I figured I could leave the parking lot and go out on the road. I was going up the road and the light had changed from green to yellow and it freaked me out! I stayed at that light for a little bit after it had changed back to green, just getting my courage up..When am I going to feel comfortable in traffic?

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when will I improve?

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Nov 15, 2011

Better with time
by: Anonymous

Its amazing...when you think you've got it all figured out...wrong. Just keep practicing, and practicing and then practice some more. I've been riding for 8 years and in some respects I'm still learning. Our house sits on 3 acres of land and when we first started riding we put about 50/75 miles on the bikes before we took them to the streets. Keep up the good work, it will all come together, there's nothing more exhilerating

Oct 23, 2011

YOU WILL
by: Katie

The more you ride the better you will get. I am now finally getting the hang of starting on a hill. BOY that was hard a first but it gets better everytime. I am a new rider and have 1300k's on my bike. Today I was out with a GF and we went for a great ride and icecream. It was so much fun! Everyone is afraid you just have to do it BUT when you are ready. It will come!

Enjoy
Katie

Oct 06, 2011

thanks
by: denise

Thanks for the encouragement...

Oct 03, 2011

Your very next ride!
by: Sandra

And the one after that, and after that. Learning is a process of surviving new experiences and adapting to new situations based on those prior experiences. EVERYTHING seemed "new" and "scary" for me at first...how many times have I pulled into a gas station in my car? A million?? But on a bike, that first time, it was something I literally "walked through" in my head before I left home that trip. When would I slow down? Which entrance would I use? What gear would I be in? Which PUMP and which SIDE???

Really "dumb stuff" for people more naturally able to pick up on new skills, but for me every "first" was a bit traumatic. I've ridden, short pleasure rides mainly, for 2 seasons now. I STILL put too much thought into turning left in traffic...or DO I? Do I race to beat that oncoming car? I would have gone had I been in my car! But what if I stalled???

Truthfully, most motorcycle accidents occur when turning left in traffic - so I don't beat myself up for the extra hesitation and caution. I'm 38 years confident in a car, and much more familiar with how my car responds than my bike. I'm MAYBE 12 MONTHS confident on my bike; and that's more once or twice per WEEK, compared to daily in that car of mine.

Allow yourself the time YOU need to improve your skills and build your confidence - it's not a RACE - it's a RIDE! Enjoy it.

Oct 03, 2011

Improve
by: Pam

It takes time. I have only been riding since august and I was out last weekend at a light I have been to at least 5 other times with no problems. It is on a small incline and for some reason when the light turned green I stalled and ended up sitting through the light with about 8 cars behind me. No one honked (which was nice) and even when it turned green the second time I didn't do so well with throttle and clutch but I made it through. I plan on going back to that light again once we get good weather (Syracuse,NY). Hang in there!

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