cagie

Thanks for sharing that.

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Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

Causeless

MyMidLifeRebel, I'm glad that you survived that accident, or we would not have been able to welcome you to the forum. Thank you for facing your fears, both in getting getting back on your iron horse and in writing about your experiences, for your courage is inspiring and your tale a sobering reminder of how fragile we are. Proud to meet you!

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aka_steven

When I first started riding, one of my Cheifs (I was on a FD) told me something that sticks with me to this day.... He told me...
"Are you afraid of riding that thing? You shold be. You sholud be afraid every time you get on it. If your afraid, you'll be careful. The day you get on it and your NOT afraid, you should get back off and never get on again." He made me promise that.
Thats stuck with me for 20 years now. And I tell it to everynew rider that'll listen.

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Current ride: 87 Rebel
Previous rides: 91 Radian
87 GSXR 750
86 Magna
81 GS550L
81 KZ440 ltd

EUS

That is so true AKA, I always feel a little nervouse just before I ride, not enough to stay home, but just enough to keep sharp.

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Keep the Shiny Side up
Be Safe Be Seen

bronco0023

ASE-TECH sorry for the loss of your family. i totaly understand your fears i was in a very close to being a bad accident and quit riding for about 10 years until i got on one and the free spirit revived we also lost 2 riders localy here a few weeks ago to a young boy pulling out and hitting them head on im a single dad raising 2 kids on my own and with my daughters mom passed it makes me be more awars understanding im all she has left and she rides with me i try to remember this not that i want to die in a motorcycle accident but when the Good Lord says its my time to go it will happen regardless of what im riding or doing at that time one thing i do everydayfor me and my brother both who also rides is i ask God everyday to apply the Blood Of Christ to me and my bike and put angels around to protect me and my bike from all harm. Sure does give you a good feeling knowing God is along on the ride then soon the scareness turns into awareness and alot of joy from riding. Be safe all and many safe miles ahead

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ASE-Tech

Thank You bronco for sharing one of your stories, and for your condolences. Its hard to think past what has happened. I honestly didn't think I was gonna ride again. It has been about a month and a half since the accident, I am riding as much as I used to and my daughter has started riding with me again. But now I have that extra sense of awareness everytime I do go out and about.

Just yesterday I was on my way home from work... I took the highway, and alls I wanted to do was come home, pack up my back pack, and just go... Some other time cuz I have alot goin on right now. Family first is what I say, then I will have my time. Take care of your little ones as I'm sure you do already, ride safe, and maybe we can all meet up somewhere someday.

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I know stuff, it just doesn't come out when I need it to.

93 Shadow 1100

Rustybux

I feel it's always good to have a fear when riding. It's the ones that have NO FEAR at all that start showing off and getting into accidents. My wife is a little nervous evertime she rides her bike. I tell her it's OK to be a little nervous and scared because your more cautious that way.

I'm 60 years old and have been riding bikes since I was 6 years old. I rode my first Moped to school in the 1st grade. The teacher sure lit into my dad for letting me do that. I have never dumped any motorcycle for as long as I have been riding (knock on wood). I'm always very cautious, looking both ways at every intersection and keeping my distance from the guy in front of me.
When riding on the highway, I ride close to the fog line on the right side. If someone comes over into my lane, I'm already over on the side of the road. Many people hug the center line.... Not a good thing.
Anyway, Just giving my 2 cents worth.

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I have leaned motorcycles over so far in the turns...I've drug the key.

denise04

hi everyone, im wanting to get me a honda rebel, right now im trying to sell my honda 250 nitehawk, im a beginner but ive dropped it and now t b honest im afraid to ride it at all, i want to ride but evertime i do im afraid. last yr i was thrown off a bike and got hurt bad. i love riding but i dont no how to overcome this fear! i drop the bike when im turning. a honda rebel is a lot smallermabey ican handleit any sugestions how tovercome my fear. icant go to a class dont have money to pay

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Guba

The day you conquer your fear is the day you set yourself up for bad things in the future! Embrace the fear and put it in the back of your head. Now that my work schedule has changed I've been doing almost 50% of my riding at night. I ride slower than the posted speed limit, I wear protective gear including a helmet (by Ohio law I'm exempt from mandatory helmets now) and I scan the sides of the road as much as looking forward. If a car comes up behind me I either slow way down and waive them by or I'll maintain my speed at my comfort zone, but I don't let them pressure me into going faster.

Since I live in the country there's all kinds of wild critters out there! So far I've only had to avoid one animal at night this summer, since I was riding slower I had more reaction time. I'm talking from experience here not just hot air. If you haven't read my previous post on this subject, I hit a deer. The fear is there for me, but not any anxiety.

As for riding tips, until you get more experience, make sure the engine is warmed up before you start out. It sounds from your description "dropping while turning", that the engine isn't quite warm yet. They call that a "low side drop". Usually happens in first gear going really slow and then the engine stalls out in the middle of the turn. As you approach the turn pull in the clutch and give the engine a little throttle so you know the engine wont stall. Then as your going through the turn, slowly, gently release the clutch enough to keep the bike moving at the speed you desire. The term for that is "slipping the clutch". Don't be afraid to put your foot down at this point to keep the bike up, but it's a skill that your going to have master without feet down to get an endorsement. One of the first things they teach you in motorcycle courses is USE THE CLUTCH.

Practise makes perfect as they say, so take the bike to an empty parking lot and play. Experience is the teacher.

Glad you came through from your accident, sounds like it knocked some sense into ya.

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Some days beer tastes good...other days beer tastes better!

'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles

denise04

i fearful ihavea honda nitehawk i wanna sell it and get a honda rebel im a beginner and tired ofdropping itanyoeno of a place insouthcrolina i couldge t cheaper honda rebel

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