HarveyBlue Posted June 15, 2014 Posted June 15, 2014 im panicking for some reason when i reach junctions! how do i best set myself up on approach?! because im panicking i either wobble to a stop or end up stopping way behind the line! im also coasting to the line in first gear if i think i may stop. really getting me down and its making me nervous everytime i sit on the bike.over thinking it i guess. help!! Quote
wannars125 Posted June 15, 2014 Posted June 15, 2014 Hi HarveyNot sure how much road experience you have (if you drive a car) but if you're nervous approaching and dealing with junctions my recommendation would be to come to a stop every time until your confidence picks up. Yes, some people don't stop at junctions if they're able to control their bike (or car) confidently but whilst it still sounds like you're in the learning stage it is safer to stop, make sure you've got the correct gear selected, check for traffic then pull away. There's no harm in slowing it all down and if you have impatient people behind just ignore them. Remember, there's a lot that you need to concentrate on when you're on the bike and both your hands and feet will be working to do different jobs (brakes, clutch, gears, control the bike, indicators!) and it takes time to learn all of this.Maybe you might find it useful to take some time out each day and practice on a side road your approach. It will come naturally eventually! Quote
bex Posted June 15, 2014 Posted June 15, 2014 i agree with wannars, take your time, we are not in a rush to hurt ourselves. your best bet is to find a quiet road and practice junctions. that way you will be unlikely to feel pressured into acting by other users. if you are turning right indicate and move to the right of the lane on approach, slow to 1st, stop, neutral, look, 1st, look again then pull away. if you are able to angle the bike to the right a little too as this will help when you pull away. for the left pretty much the same but move to the left of the lane. this also gives users an indication of where you want to go if they are not paying attention to your indicators. Quote
littlecat Posted June 15, 2014 Posted June 15, 2014 drop to 1st on the approach, then you have the option to stop or not, and use back brake to stabilise the bike, then if you are stopping you should eliminate the wobble.as the others have said, just take your time , and stop if your more comfortable that way while you build confidence Quote
banditjohn Posted June 15, 2014 Posted June 15, 2014 They've all hit the nail on the head and take yourself of to a big car park and practise slow manoeuvre's and gain your confidence and transfer that on the road, imo I think with safety in mind try not to over complicate the turn and don't be afraid to stop if someone is behind you, take your time, be aware of what is around you, take a deep breath and try not to get flustered. The old saying that practise make's perfect does apply so try and relax and enjoy your time out on two wheels All the bestJohn Quote
HarveyBlue Posted June 15, 2014 Author Posted June 15, 2014 Thanks very much for the advice guys!much appreciated! will be on the bike most days now, so hopefully riding time will help with confidence too. will keep you updated on my form! Quote
klingelton Posted June 16, 2014 Posted June 16, 2014 keep that head up! approach every junction as though you're going to stop. slow down, slip into first. use a combination of front and back brake (ratios are what's comfortable to you, but generally a lot more front) until you reach walking speed, then use almost exclusively rear.take a look at your junction and decide if it's clear. once your decide it's clear to go, have the confidence to look exactly where you're going and let the clutch out smoothly. the bike will go in that direction!if you need to stop, have a little look over your shoulder before you set off to make sure no lemon is trying to sneak past you!As said - go to a quiet car park to practice. I went around the block near my house about 20 times until I was confident doing it, but then it's quiet around by me! Quote
Guest Posted June 16, 2014 Posted June 16, 2014 Best advice I can give is get yourself somewhere out in the open and totally nail the biting point on your bike, most anxiety at junctions is due to worrying you will stall or kangaroo off the line. I had the same issue with doing hill starts Quote
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