Scared to death, well almost. I must from the beginning. This may be a little long. I started riding many years ago. In 1998 I had a real bad wreck I come very close to dyeing (sp) so it has been 16 years sense I have ridden a bike. I thought it was time to get back on. I thought it would be easy. So I went and bought a 2013 roadking. and now I am scared to death to ride it. I have been out a few times with some friends who are very understanding and helpful. when I am not riding I feel good and want to go. but when I an out there I am so scared I know I sound like a puss but I want to do it so bad. I just don't know how to get over my fear. I ride real slow and I think I drive my friends nut although they say I don't. I want to ride so bad and feel comfy doing it. I really don't know what to do about my fear. And when I said I almost died I mean the Dr's were surprised I lived. Any advise, word of courage, or any that would help is appreciated. Thanks

 

I had a horrible crash myself in 2006. I totaled out a brand new Electra Glide Classic. I swore I'd never ride again. During my 12 weeks of rehab I walked around my block a lot in order to rebuild the strength in my legs. Every time I heard a bike go by, I got excited. A week after I went back to work I bought another bike. That was in October and here in Wisconsin, that means riding season is just about over. The following Spring, I signed up for the Motorcycle Safety Course even though I had been riding for 30 plus years. I learned a lot and it gave me new confidence. Been going strong since.

 

thanks Izzo I may take a course in the spring man its sucks to take a bad spill but I miss it so much I only had my RK for a week it must take more time. I guess a week in 16 years. well I am just scared but cowboys always get back on right?

 

BTW Izzo that's a sweet bike

 

If you've not ridden in 15ish years, a '13 RK is a lot of bike to start back with.

I think it would be harder to regain your confidence on a large scoot. If you had the confidence, I'd say the RK would work.

It sounds like you need to be comfortable riding. I'd suggest renting a mid size metric for a week, and getting that feel back.

Good luck.

 

I've never had a bad wreck on one, but I was off two wheels for 29 years and when I test rode a 05 Ultra back in 2010, I looked like a cat stuck to the ceiling holding on to the grips so tight!!. bought my 2000 just a month later and it took me several months to get back into the swing of things.

 

thanks eyeball but I have the RK and must work with it its do or die I guess. big boys don't cry or do they? its a whole lotta bike but I will have to do it eventually right. I really don't know what to say so I should just shut up and do it.

 

Thanks Zute, I am white knuckle every minute. holy crap I feel like a newbee well I guess I am after 16 years

 

Somehow, you gotta get through this. I'd LOVE to see you comfortable on your scoot again. Not sure what I can do to help, aside from some encouragement.

For what it's worth, I'll share my experience. I had one hell of a bad accident around 12 years ago. Money was stupid tight, and I was trying like crazy to restore an old Kawasaki 454 Ltd. My buddy and I had just done some engine work, and I wanted to take it out for a short test loop, park it while I went offshore to work for a couple of weeks, then come back and work on the suspension.

We were coming around a 40mph right hand corner at about 35 or 40, when the right fork seal blew, locking the right fork about an inch or so short of the left one. The speed wobble that resulted was horrible. The bike tried to low end, I pulled that out, and ultimately it high ended and I was ejected. The first two steps (and about 15 yards) was fine, but the third, I caught my toe, slammed my right knee into the pavement, and rolled.

I almost tore my leg off at the knee (hanging by threads, honestly), ground off half of the kneecap, cracked my hip, fractured my wrist, and hammered my shoulder into the pavement. I wound up at the hospital via pickup truck bed down a bumpy, long country road. It took a TON of morphine to stop the screaming once I got there.

Due to some fantastic orthopedic surgery, I still have all of my parts. Like the patch on my buddy's vest says, "If you don't limp, you ain't s#it." - there's a little hitch in my get-along now. It doesn't slow me down...

It took a little while, but I got back on. I'm glad I did, 'cause it's a huge part of who I am. Now, I'm an officer in our MC, and my social circle pretty much is a bunch of bikers. (I say that, not because being in a club makes you better or worse than anyone, just saying how much a part of my life my bikes and riding are...)

Now, I ride everywhere, in about any weather but ice/snow. Getting in a cage just makes me a grumpy guy, and winter is torture.

Izzo's advice is solid, and I'll repeat it - take a course. It'll help you build confidence and skills again in a safe environment.

Another thing that may help could be to see a psychologist to discuss your phobia. Going to a shrink doesn't make you weak, and it shouldn't be a big deal. Your fear/concern is founded, based on personal past traumatic experience. You DON'T need to get on a bunch of meds to get over your fear, but talking it through with someone trained to deal with people's psychological stuff may be part of a solution. It's all good...

The Road King is a hell of a nice bike. (I've got a RK Classic in the stable.) It's also a big bike. Is the size/power of it intimidating to you? The classes put you on a relatively tiny, light bike, and, if anyone has a smaller scoot you could use for a little while, maybe that would be helpful for a short time?

Best of luck! You deserve to have this: instead of this:

 

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