Apprehensive to ride

[Grom]

Hi all,

 

I’ve wanted to do my motorbike license for a few years now and I’ve passed my theory test and completed my CBT and I’m looking to complete my DAS.
 

Although Im planning my DAS I’ve wanted to buy a Honda Grom because it looks fun and suits my needs for urban riding and the odd station commute, I won’t need to take it on a dual carriageway etc. Then once I have my DAS I was thinking about a royal Enfield or moto guzzi while keeping the grom.
 

But I’m apprehensive to buy the bike and ride on the road incase I’m injured.  I was fine on my CBT and I had no difficulties riding or completing the manoeuvres and it’s not like I’m not afraid of risk, i’ve been in the army and tried lots of things etc.  I also don’t bat an eyelid riding my cycle bike in traffic or on fast roads. I don’t know if it’s from years of people talking about the dangers of motorbikes??

 

Is it normal to have apprehension and did you?
 

 

 

 

[Bender]

Everyone is different I don't really do pushbikes so going from car to bike was interesting but I had no apprehension. 

 

You obviously have road sense and on a motorbike will be wearing way more protection, you can very easily get up to speeds that are life threatening on a pedal thingy, least with motorbike you have the ability of instant forward momentum to get you out of trouble if you spot it early. 

 

Grom is a very well regarded small bike, I know a few with big bikes that have them for fun. 

[S-Westerly]

I guess apprehension is normal but to be honest not something I can really remember experiencing. That's not to say I haven't experienced gut churning fear just after I've had a near miss usually as a result of my riding excessively enthusiastically. You get over it.

[husoi]

Fear is the survival instinct that keeps you alive.

Instead of getting frozen by it you need to control it knowing that as long you are in charge and minimise the risks you will be as safe as you can.

Starting slowly and steady will take you far and will build on your confidence and add skills to your riding style.

One thing I would strongly suggest is that you start riding alone or with someone that is not a speed maniac.

Also experimenting with what you can get from the bike, things like braking, turning and very importantly, although frequently oversighted, slow speed control.

One "trick" that have help me in many occasions is to be able to predict what is coming.

Trust nobody and ride always as if someone is going to try to kill you

 

More you ride better you will get and more confident you will get.

The second danger comes when/if you get overconfident and screwup...  

[dynax]

You won't know till you do it, and small bikes are easy to missed by other road users you need to make yourself noticed so wear bright colours, another thing you can do is keep changing your lane position don't stay on the same line, move around within your lane and I don't mean weaving around like a slalom but just occasionally every few hundred yards or so

[Pie man]

It probably is normal, as funky as the Grom maybe, I don't think it would be my bike of choice to enhance my riding confidence. 

[Gerontious]

Personally..  I wouldn't consider the order laid out. Grom first then a bigger bike.  I would do it the other way round.

[bonio]

Nervous? Never. Well, perhaps on the second day of my DAS, when my instructor asked me why my hands were shaking. I looked and sure enough, I was trembling like a leaf in the wind, and I hadn't even realised it. But the more you ride, the more you build your confidence up, and the nerves disappear. 

I've never ridden a grom, but I'd expect you'd find a full sized bike a lot easier to learn on. Smaller bikes are less stable, and smaller wheels are harder to steer on. 

[fullscreenaging]

I’ve loved every second being on the bike through my riding life. 
Except when I get caught in extreme unfavourable weather. It then becomes ‘interesting’. Makes you a better rider and also makes you appreciate the nice weather. 

[JustinW]

If you have a tendency to be a bit of a risk taker/adrenaline junky you are right to be apprehensive, you are at risk. If you are mature and level headed you should be fine. You are largely in control of your own safety...ride cautiously, but if that's not your nature, look out.

[Trooper74]

When i first saw the post my reaction was “Really ! “ 

But it’s a human factors thing, most of us have minor issues when riding a bike after a period off it ... it takes a few miles to “ get back in the groove “ .

But at least most of have a groove to get back into ....

As a new rider that groove will be established and the anxiety will disappear.

I have to fully agree with the previous posting, “ I’ve loved every second being on the bike through my riding life.  “.

All 50 years of it ...

Edited July 14, 2021 by Trooper74

[ttxela]

Certainly I can relate a bit to this, it's probably why I never learnt to ride when I was younger. I think it's remarkably honest to admit to a bit of apprehension. I certainly had a bit of apprehension when I did my CBT, my 125 was delivered the next day though and I was straight out on it, I think like everything else the longer you wait the worse the apprehension will be. I did my CBT on a bone dry day and was worried for a while after about riding in the rain. If I'm honest I'm still a little worried about doing the DAS and having to ride a bigger, more powerful bike. My plan is to ride the 125 on L plates for a year or so first.

 

It is very enjoyable though and despite still feeling a little of that fear, as soon as I put the bike away from one ride I'm looking forward to getting back out on it again.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

A certain amount of apprehension when undertaking potentially dangerous activities is probably a healthy thing. I was at our sailing club yesterday in pretty strong winds and it was interesting how many very good sailors were openly nervous taking to the water. 

 

Taking stock of the risks before setting off can be a good way to focus on riding safely. In my experience over-confidence is a dangerous thing 

[S-Westerly]

24 minutes ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

A certain amount of apprehension when undertaking potentially dangerous activities is probably a healthy thing. I was at our sailing club yesterday in pretty strong winds and it was interesting how many very good sailors were openly nervous taking to the water. 

 

Taking stock of the risks before setting off can be a good way to focus on riding safely. In my experience over-confidence is a dangerous thing 

Over confidence is pretty dangerous in just about any endeavour and particular one with the potential for mayhem.

[Grom]

Hi all,

 

thanks for your replies oddly enough it’s passed now and I’m looking forward to riding.  
 

There’s too many nice bikes out there! I like the cafe racer style or modern classics.  Westerly, sailing is fantastic, hopefully in the near future I’ll be able to have my own boat, in the mean time I’ll just be crew for people

[NeilM]

First thing to recognise is we all need a certain amount of stress to survive. 

It's how you learn to use it.

Riding a bike is same as everything else.

If you didn't care and zero stress and anxiety I imagine it would be a dangerous hobby.

Bit of stress equals alertness and respect of the machine and its capabilities. 

[Jerry1111]

I remember my first day of DAS. A little apprehensive, but ok. There was an overwhelming feeling that I don't have seatbelts on - I only got rid of it 2 months into riding.

Go figure...