Chrisrp

Again, very very helpful responses. Thanks all, what a lovely forum! Went out today with a few friends - me at the back obviously. Being out with others, following their lines, and taking it easy I felt nearly at one again with my bike (excuse the terminology).When I posted my initial thread, I'd just got back from a solo ride and was just so angry with how s**t I was and needed some sort of validation and encouragement which you've all 100% delivered. Thanks again. Chris.

Fantastic replies. Thank you, very inspiring.

This is the exact course of action I was thinking about taking. Thank you for taking your time to reply

Firstly, hi. First post here. I've recently returned to riding after an 8 year hiatus, with a previous 8 years experience before that. Kids, mortgage, missus, an off -usual stuff made me hang my lid up when I was 30. Anyway, convinced my wife that it's time to get back on two wheels. A friend of mine had his 2002, one owner, absolutely mint R1 5PW for sale at a price I couldn't turn down. It's now been in my ownership for a month but tbh... It scares the absolute s**t out of me. My last bike before stopping was a TL1000R, previous to that a Speed triple. I rode them shall we say "enthusiastically", no fear, like a bit of a tool in all honesty. I'm absolutely no Rossi, at all, but was a relatively competent rider back then. Now, I'm frozen, target fixation, lines are terrible, FEAR. I did not expect this one bit. I'm not sure a smaller bike will remedy this. Is it my age? More to lose? Kids? Guilt? I'm not sure I'm even after any advice. I'm just venting as it's upset me! I think I would just like some validation/gratification for my fragile ego Thanks for reading. Chris.