Went for a ride--Got VERY nervous
#22
08-08-2010 | 08:00 AM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
I have a feeling that this kind of thing has happened to others.
I started to ride about 35 years ago and then didn't do a lot of riding for the last 25 years. Finally retired from being an LEO and bought myself an Electra-Classic in 2005. I thought I was an OK rider and things would be good.
A friend and I planned a trip to the All Harley drag races in Reynolds Georgia. We left Toronto and all was good. I never realized that I had gotten in a VERY bad habit, that is, looking down to my front tire during corners.
It came to be a real problem when we started riding through Atlanta Georgia. We were southbound and all seemed well. Then we started into the section of the highway where the roadway wa surrounded by very large concrete walls. I started getting the feeling of being "surrounded" by these walls.
Anyway, we were just starting though the Atlanta section and I was riding in the very right lane (either 4 or 5 full lanes of south-bound traffic) Sure enough, I starting taking the turns while looking down at the front tire of my bike. At one point I actually slowed down and started dragging my right foot and I gradually moved accross all 4-5 lanes of the traffic. I managed to get my bearings and finally made the right turn (it was only about a 30% turn to the left. I found myself in the fast lane and as luck would have it, the traffic was light and no-one hit me.
That scared the crap out of me!!!!!!
My buddy had pulled over about a mile up the road and at first he was giving me the gears for not being able to ride. I took off my helmut and saw the look on my face.
I told him what happened and after making sure I was ok, he gave me the biggest lecture about not looking down EVER. He told me that if was having a front tire go down, he would Fu@@ing tell me about it.
It cured a lot but I still get the "nerves" when heading throught the concrete mazing of interstates.
The moral, DON'T start staring at the front tire, look ahead and all will be well. It has gotten me through a lot of this type of highway even though I still get the nerves in those tunnel-like areas of city roads.
1HarleyGuy!
I started to ride about 35 years ago and then didn't do a lot of riding for the last 25 years. Finally retired from being an LEO and bought myself an Electra-Classic in 2005. I thought I was an OK rider and things would be good.
A friend and I planned a trip to the All Harley drag races in Reynolds Georgia. We left Toronto and all was good. I never realized that I had gotten in a VERY bad habit, that is, looking down to my front tire during corners.
It came to be a real problem when we started riding through Atlanta Georgia. We were southbound and all seemed well. Then we started into the section of the highway where the roadway wa surrounded by very large concrete walls. I started getting the feeling of being "surrounded" by these walls.
Anyway, we were just starting though the Atlanta section and I was riding in the very right lane (either 4 or 5 full lanes of south-bound traffic) Sure enough, I starting taking the turns while looking down at the front tire of my bike. At one point I actually slowed down and started dragging my right foot and I gradually moved accross all 4-5 lanes of the traffic. I managed to get my bearings and finally made the right turn (it was only about a 30% turn to the left. I found myself in the fast lane and as luck would have it, the traffic was light and no-one hit me.
That scared the crap out of me!!!!!!
My buddy had pulled over about a mile up the road and at first he was giving me the gears for not being able to ride. I took off my helmut and saw the look on my face.
I told him what happened and after making sure I was ok, he gave me the biggest lecture about not looking down EVER. He told me that if was having a front tire go down, he would Fu@@ing tell me about it.
It cured a lot but I still get the "nerves" when heading throught the concrete mazing of interstates.
The moral, DON'T start staring at the front tire, look ahead and all will be well. It has gotten me through a lot of this type of highway even though I still get the nerves in those tunnel-like areas of city roads.
1HarleyGuy!
Don't let it discourage you and I appreciate your being honest about an almost bad experience.
#23
08-08-2010 | 08:03 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,884
Likes: 74
From: Goldsboro, NC
I had rode for years before I took the MSF course. I learned something there, that I wasn't looking FAR enough ahead in the corners! After I started applying that info, my cornering is better yet. If anything I find myself getting too tight to the inside of the corner, not going wide!
So looking too close infront even, let alone your front tire! will cause you trouble in the corners...
Glad you made it ok, and lived to learn from your "Mistake"
God Bless!
I plan on taking the Experienced rider course this summer, and see what I can learn. (The Guard pays for it, so I may as well)
So looking too close infront even, let alone your front tire! will cause you trouble in the corners...
Glad you made it ok, and lived to learn from your "Mistake"
God Bless!
I plan on taking the Experienced rider course this summer, and see what I can learn. (The Guard pays for it, so I may as well)
#24
08-08-2010 | 08:12 AM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
I had rode for years before I took the MSF course. I learned something there, that I wasn't looking FAR enough ahead in the corners! After I started applying that info, my cornering is better yet. If anything I find myself getting too tight to the inside of the corner, not going wide!
So looking too close infront even, let alone your front tire! will cause you trouble in the corners...
Glad you made it ok, and lived to learn from your "Mistake"
God Bless!
I plan on taking the Experienced rider course this summer, and see what I can learn. (The Guard pays for it, so I may as well)
So looking too close infront even, let alone your front tire! will cause you trouble in the corners...
Glad you made it ok, and lived to learn from your "Mistake"
God Bless!
I plan on taking the Experienced rider course this summer, and see what I can learn. (The Guard pays for it, so I may as well)
You will benefit taking the MSF course. Thanks for making the right choice.
#25
08-08-2010 | 08:22 AM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 34
From: ST. Louis
#26
08-08-2010 | 08:59 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 6
From: Kingman, AZ
+20 or whatever on the Experienced Rider Course. I took it 10 years ago and they found a couple of bad habits, relearned some I knew but was getting lax about.
I have been thinking it is time to go again especially now that the wife has 6 years of riding. I figure if I go she will too and you know it is always better to have a 3rd party direct the wife where possible.
I have been thinking it is time to go again especially now that the wife has 6 years of riding. I figure if I go she will too and you know it is always better to have a 3rd party direct the wife where possible.
#27
08-08-2010 | 11:55 AM
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area, CA
10 different bikes and I still practice figure 8's before every ride - especially on my Harley which is the least nimble of all the ones I've owned.
High speed/twisties/back roads - no problem - but I'll be damned if a slow speed/parking lot/tight U-turn doesn't jump up and bite me once in a while when I get lazy with the basics, and, yep, I have the video.
#28
08-08-2010 | 12:44 PM
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
It takes a strong individual to write about a mistake that he made in order to help those who could be making that same mistake.
Let me tell all youall a story about me.
I joined a poular riding group and they normally ask your milage on your bike before you ride with them and from what i understand before every ride with that group. I only had 200 miles on my motorcycle and they were testing me to see if i fit in with their group. After the ride the person who was behind me told me that I needed to practice riding more and that he thought i shouldnt be riding in a group as i was too slow in the corners and switch backs.
I called him an *** hole and left.
You know i practiced after reviewing the ride like a pro videos and other videos and read all that i could about riding and the styles and whatever I could.
I even took and paid for a LEO course that my older son got me into.
Today I ride thousands of times better than before and all because of an *******.
Let me tell all youall a story about me.
I joined a poular riding group and they normally ask your milage on your bike before you ride with them and from what i understand before every ride with that group. I only had 200 miles on my motorcycle and they were testing me to see if i fit in with their group. After the ride the person who was behind me told me that I needed to practice riding more and that he thought i shouldnt be riding in a group as i was too slow in the corners and switch backs.
I called him an *** hole and left.
You know i practiced after reviewing the ride like a pro videos and other videos and read all that i could about riding and the styles and whatever I could.
I even took and paid for a LEO course that my older son got me into.
Today I ride thousands of times better than before and all because of an *******.
Last edited by Feedsack; 08-08-2010 at 12:45 PM. Reason: no reason
