How do I work on overcoming my fear of getting back on my motorcycle? I laid it down and cracked my tibia.?

Question

I was only going about 20 mph, but the road was wet since I had gotten caught in the rain, and the bike slid out from underneath me. 3 months ago I went off a curve and broke my hand. Both times I was out alone, without my husband. I've been riding for a year. If I do get over it, I'll not be riding alone for a long time. I would like some suggestions on how to work through my jitters. Thanks!

Oh, I have taken the motorcycle safety course, and we do both wear the full face helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, jeans. I ride a Honda Rebel 250. The first incident was on my Buell Blast 500, but I sold her and decided to stick to the smaller bike for a while.

My bike is fine since I was going slow, and she landed on my leg. =) I had pulled over at a gas station until the rain let up, and was taking side roads to get back home instead of the main road. Yeah I actually had checked the weather radar and on this day they were WRONG! Someone tell me more about the difference in the front/rear brakes please. In the class they said 70% braking power comes from the front, and using too much rear can lock up your rear wheel. Should I brake differently in various road conditions?

Answer 1

You made a mistake, that's how you learn. Don't sweat it. You know the saying: The person who rides on two has either fell down already, or will eventually. I fell twenty years ago this coming September. Had a spiral fracture of the lower left leg bones. (Plus some other little junk. It was the leg that was lots of fun to deal with.)

Let me start my little sermon by telling you I still ride. I also ride a bike much larger than the one I had my little boo-boo on. I dropped mine when I hit a patch of sand that I did not see. (Actually, truth be told, I was not looking. I had been riding for about six months and thought I knew it all.) Mine also was while making a turn. I will get back to that later.

The fact that you were wearing all the "stuff" probably helped more than you know. Wearing all the "stuff" not only gives you confidence, but lets others know you are a responsible rider. If you take a quick peek at my "avatar" pic, you will see I am wearing "stuff". And my helmet is right there on my bars. I live in Florida. I don't own a car. I ride every day, weather is not a factor.

To continue my preaching, you can ride in just about any condition a plain cage can handle. Other than on ice, of course. (And even then, they ice race bikes up North with special tires.) It's good to get back on the horse as soon as possible after it throws you.

The most important thing I learned was that you need to be aware of the location your tires are going travel through. I live in a fairly large city (Sarasota, FL.) and it took me a while, but I can now watch traffic AND see where I'm gonna plant my size 13's and my tires when I stop. I try to keep to the left of the lane, stay off the big 'ol painted arrows, (Which are slippery as heck when it rains.) and avoid even the puddles from cage A/C when I can.

You can't just be aware of traffic, you need to be aware of conditions. Not to toot my own horn here, but I rode during the four hurricanes we had down here a few years back. I went to work the day after Katrina, and my boss was not even at work. And he had an SUV! The trick to riding in the rain is to take it easy.

OK, take it easy you say. What the heck do I mean by that. I call it the "take it easy" approach to riding in bad conditions or places I have not been before. "Takin' it Easy" is riding below the speed limit (Close, but below.) watching out for knuckleheads that will tailgate you through a construction zone, keeping far enough back from the cage in fron so you don't get a rock to the face, and always looking at your lane condition when you are turning.

And there is the catch. When turning. That is when a bike is most prone to go over. You can't brake when you are leaning (Well, you can. But you best be gentle!) and if you have the option to straighten up the bike and go for the sidewalk, damage to the bike is preferable. If you keep the road conditions in mind as a major factor of your ability to handle the bike, then you will have no problem in the future.

Like I said. I ride in the rain all time down here. It no longer causes a problem since I take my turns straight up (Almost straight up.) and at low speed. If the putz behind me in the cage don't like it, that's tough. If I see sand or small gravel in the road, I make like it's raining. Slow and steady. The hell with anyone else that is used to being smoked by a bike in dry weather. The cagers just put on the windshield wipers and drive like they always do.

Don't let a little accident turn you away from riding the bike you want. OK, so you are going to a smaller bike. No prob there, shows common sense, and not a small amount of guts, just to get back on. But, like I said, the sooner you get back on after you "get throwed", the easier it is.

By concentrating on the road surface (While paying attention to all the other stuff going on around you, of course!) you will forget all about having any "jitters". I got to the point where I could see a potential road hazard 100-150 feet away. (I actually got fixated at one point and was about run over by a bus!) Then I just put the new tool in the bag (The road check tool.) and rode like nothing ever happened.

Answer 2

Sorry to hear about your accident.
Slippery surfaces can be tough for the most experienced riders. You have to use the brakes sparingly - especially the front brake. Yes, the front brake provides most of your stopping power, but when you lose traction on your front tire it's a lot more difficult to control the bike than it is when you lose traction on the rear tire. Especially on a turn.
IMO it's best to slowly decelerate and gingerly apply the rear brake before entering the turn, then very slowly accelerate through the turn. And never use the front brake while in the turn.
To get over the fear, just get back on and take it slow until you regain your confidence. You'll be fine.
I hope the leg heals soon!
Ride safe

Answer 3

It sounds like you might be riding outside your comfort zone. Do you need a smaller bike maybe? If you havent already you should take a motorcycle riders safety class.

Also make sure you always have boots, gloves, a helmet and a jacket.

Wait an hour or so after a rain before you ride if you are in the hills or some place with heavy traffic. Rain and road oil = slippery. Waiting a bit gives the oils a chance to run off the road. Always use extra caution and ride slower in other than perfect conditions and in unfamiliar areas.

Answer 4

Riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous. Your skill, knowledge and experience are your best tools. Lots of factors go into having an accident, weather being one of them, braking is also a factor, holding the bike straight and upright when braking, making sure your tires are in good condition and using slower speeds in rain is vital, even your postition on the road (OILY AREAS), having some extra space and braking time may help, maintaining control and not panicking. Sometimes people fixate on a curb, car, etc. and. that can cause an accident (LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO). Sooo, just investigate what happened and what you could have changed and learn from it. Getting back on your bike should be a step by step process, go back to your basics, take your time. Part of your fear may be related to feeling loss of control in the accident. Sooo, sit on your bike, start it up, put your gear on and take your time and go slow, step by step. Hope this helps, I'm a women with a sportsbike. Oh and I also like to ride with husband but he encorages me to ride alone for short trips to build my confidence and test my decision making skills.

Answer 5

Had a buddie,his ole lady was same way. He trailered the bike's to a empty parking lot, often at night. They would maybe take a grill or something to do other than ride.
When she felt ready she she started riding. At first she she rode 3-4 time's but only for a few min's each time. She rode longer each time they went to the lot. Even practiced her wet riding there.
After a cple mths she felt comfortabe enough for a street ride. Then small group of us took a road trip over 4th of july wkend 3 day's. Didn't get far from home. just good ride country road's curve's ect....

Answer 6

as for the getting over your fear bit... do it when you are ready and take it slow... nothing wrong with just using parking lots for a while... gotta do whatever will keep you comfortable....

now for braking.... yes it is true 70% or more of your stopping power is in the front brake....

but there are times where you dont want to use the front or use very little little of it.... here are some examples....

sand, dirt, loose gravel, wet leafs, pine needles - if at all possible do not use the front brake....

broken pavement (ie the type where they chew up the road for repaving), metal grate bridges - just enough front so you dont lose control or lock up the wheel...

also another hazard those white stop lines painted on the road... one of those was my down fall the one time i went down.... got my bike up right, smoked a couple of cigs, looked at my friend and rode the 50miles back home... since then i have been a little more aware of the road conditions....

hopefully you will back on two wheels soon... just remember to ride your own speed and dont let the idiots in their cage get to you if you are going to slow for them.... they dont have to worry about balance and inattentive drivers that cant see us

Answer 7

Lots of good responses but I'll add my two cents.
There was an old saying "You don't really learn how to ride until you put it down". Sounds stupid but there is allot of truth to that. Not that you should do the slide, but that now you are much more aware of what can happen. You just have to get back up and do it. Just remember, stay loose don't try to over control the bike. Now that you know what a slide feels like you'll be able to sense it before you loose control. And stay aware of your surroundings, including the road conditions. It's not only wet pavement that will get you.

Answer 8

a) Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course again.
b) Make a vow not to ride in the rain again -- that you'll pull over, park the bike, and call home for a lift in a nice warm car.
c) Squid Jimmy would tell you to get a helmet whose color matches the paint on your Bike. Does wonders for the confidence.

Answer 9

Apply anyway because you never know just when you may be needed. I know what you mean because I am newly reinstated and I haven't volunteered for anything yet until I am considered in good standing. But don't let those feelings get to you. If you dwell on those feelings dear sister Satan will use that against you and make you feel bad and that could lead to worse things, such as your becoming discouraged and maybe missing a meeting or two. It doesn't happen instantly but over time it can affect you. I know you haven't had your district convention yet but on Saturday that is actually one of the things addressed. It is a trap Satan uses to "crush" us. Just remember that no matter how little or much you do Jehovah appreciates it all. Take care sister.

Answer 10

I hate the Rebel 250 no wonder you went down.. I had one and I took 3 falls on that piece of junk...Couldn't wait to sell it... Real squirrley and hard to handle. I felt like I was off balance...
Heather --- Need to ask yourself why the bike went down in the water??? The bike should be straight forward when braking... .... ..
Yamaha has a real nice 650cc--bags and wind shield included.($7000) . And or the Honda 600 ($5000))... ... I'm riding a Suzuki 1400 and I am gona down size... Wait till your bones have healed then just go out and go shopping for a larger bike. The larger bikes are so much easier to ride... . Your scared of the rain and should be,, so am I.... Watch the weather reports... The Rebel will sell fast... I had one and I bought it for $1100 an sold it for $1400...
One other thing I bought a Honda 600 when I was learning. It was used.. It has 80,000 miles and I drive it every day... Very durable. I love my Honda 50-60 mph and 50 mpg. Don't be affraid to buy a used one...