new "rider" in need of advice

[cantrideforsh]

Hi, I just joined and hopefully won't have to leave soon, I'm just getting into motorbikes as it's something I've always wanted to do since I was a kid and now I'm an adult I have a practical excuse to do it too. I'm looking forward to hopefully spending a lot of time on this forum, now time for a sob story so I can ask for some advice haha

 

(inb4 someone who was at my CBT is on this forum and figures out who I am. Pls don't dox me haha)

 

I was at my CBT the other day and to cut a long story short I had to leave before noon cause I couldn't handle the stress of trying to control a machine I had never been on before. Does anyone have any tips for staying calm and not getting too scared or stressed out? I'm sure I'm being laughed at but if someone can stop laughing and maybe give me some advice I'd really appreciate it.

 

Thank you very much for reading, hopefully one day I'll be able to return the favour and help someone else

[AstronautNinja]

31 minutes ago, cantrideforsh said:

Hi, I just joined and hopefully won't have to leave soon, I'm just getting into motorbikes as it's something I've always wanted to do since I was a kid and now I'm an adult I have a practical excuse to do it too. I'm looking forward to hopefully spending a lot of time on this forum, now time for a sob story so I can ask for some advice haha

 

(inb4 someone who was at my CBT is on this forum and figures out who I am. Pls don't dox me haha)

 

I was at my CBT the other day and to cut a long story short I had to leave before noon cause I couldn't handle the stress of trying to control a machine I had never been on before. Does anyone have any tips for staying calm and not getting too scared or stressed out? I'm sure I'm being laughed at but if someone can stop laughing and maybe give me some advice I'd really appreciate it.

 

Thank you very much for reading, hopefully one day I'll be able to return the favour and help someone else

Do you drive? Do you cycle? If not get yourself a push iron. If things get too much, pull it on the curb and chill for 5 mins, get yourself used to the traffic, junctions etc. 

 

It can be stressful for some. 

[cantrideforsh]

2 minutes ago, AstronautNinja said:

Do you drive? Do you cycle? If not get yourself a push iron. If things get too much, pull it on the curb and chill for 5 mins, get yourself used to the traffic, junctions etc. 

 

It can be stressful for some. 

I don't drive, I used to cycle quite a lot when I was younger but haven't for a while. I never got out on the road during my CBT and it's not something I'm particularly worried about, it was just getting used to the bike I was struggling with and getting used to being in charge of something that powerful

[AstronautNinja]

42 minutes ago, cantrideforsh said:

I don't drive, I used to cycle quite a lot when I was younger but haven't for a while. I never got out on the road during my CBT and it's not something I'm particularly worried about, it was just getting used to the bike I was struggling with and getting used to being in charge of something that powerful

Were you on a scootay or the geared bike? 

 

How old are you out of interest? 

 

The obvious advice is stay calm, all the bikes used for CBT training are very light and forgiving, non will accidentally blast off, all can be stopped from falling pretty easily. 

 

Maybe watching some CBT vids on YouTube may help? 

[cantrideforsh]

2 minutes ago, AstronautNinja said:

Were you on a scootay or the geared bike? 

 

How old are you out of interest? 

 

The obvious advice is stay calm, all the bikes used for CBT training are very light and forgiving, non will accidentally blast off, all can be stopped from falling pretty easily. 

 

Maybe watching some CBT vids on YouTube may help? 

I did both, definitely found the scooter physically easier and there was a brief moment I was able to relax and really enjoy it but still wasn't able to relax enough to keep going.

 

I'm 22

 

easier said than done, maybe it's just that the space was smaller than I'd be comfortable going any kind of speed in but even on the scooter it felt like it was way too easy to send it flying, maybe it was just the engine sounding like it's doing a lot more than it was tripping me up (going from basically idle to a little accelerator) but it felt like if I put any power into even with the clutch barely out it I'm immediately going way faster than I should. About the falling, is it normal to feel like you're going to fall over? Almost every time I turned I was putting my foot down even though I was barely leaning cause it felt like I was falling over.

 

I was watching a lot of CBT videos on youtube and they certainly helped me with what to expect but it didn't really calm my nerves when it comes to actually riding. Thank you so much for all your help, I really appreciate it

[AstronautNinja]

6 minutes ago, cantrideforsh said:

I did both, definitely found the scooter physically easier and there was a brief moment I was able to relax and really enjoy it but still wasn't able to relax enough to keep going.

 

I'm 22

 

easier said than done, maybe it's just that the space was smaller than I'd be comfortable going any kind of speed in but even on the scooter it felt like it was way too easy to send it flying, maybe it was just the engine sounding like it's doing a lot more than it was tripping me up (going from basically idle to a little accelerator) but it felt like if I put any power into even with the clutch barely out it I'm immediately going way faster than I should. About the falling, is it normal to feel like you're going to fall over? Almost every time I turned I was putting my foot down even though I was barely leaning cause it felt like I was falling over.

 

I was watching a lot of CBT videos on youtube and they certainly helped me with what to expect but it didn't really calm my nerves when it comes to actually riding. Thank you so much for all your help, I really appreciate it

Well to a degree you were falling I suppose, very slightly. This part comes with practice and balance hence my question about cycling. 

 

The delicate aspect of balance is minor adjustment despite it feeling like your past the point of no return. This obviously depends on ability and experience wether that's on a bicycle or motorbike. 

 

I don't know if your familiar with the film Taladaga Nights? It sounds like you need a little more "stupid cowboy"

 

It is indeed easier said than done but at some point the doing needs to be done.

 

Your a young guy, throw caution to the wind, jump on that scootay, humm a stupid song to yourself and embrace the joys of full throttle, whizzing round on one of the most mellow machines you could possibly ride. 

[AstronautNinja]

https://youtu.be/YZtiDJqVYwk?si=UtBeSBXUSc_3R7hV

[cantrideforsh]

1 hour ago, AstronautNinja said:

Well to a degree you were falling I suppose, very slightly. This part comes with practice and balance hence my question about cycling. 

 

The delicate aspect of balance is minor adjustment despite it feeling like your past the point of no return. This obviously depends on ability and experience wether that's on a bicycle or motorbike. 

 

I don't know if your familiar with the film Taladaga Nights? It sounds like you need a little more "stupid cowboy"

 

It is indeed easier said than done but at some point the doing needs to be done.

 

Your a young guy, throw caution to the wind, jump on that scootay, humm a stupid song to yourself and embrace the joys of full throttle, whizzing round on one of the most mellow machines you could possibly ride. 

haha, thanks for the clip, I'll probably be more comfortable throwing caution to the wind when it my own bike but I'll try to just relax and enjoy riding instead of getting in my head about everything. Thank you so much for all your help

[Fiddlesticks]

If I can offer any reassurance it's to say that it all very quickly becomes second nature. Give it time, and try to take the pressure off.

 

A CBT is not the only way to start. Bike schools will offer one-on-one taster sessions - just for a couple of hours. There's no pressure to "pass" anything, just the fun of starting from scratch and building up the skills.

[Shepherd]

It can be daunting when you first start. The sound of the engine seems like it's going way faster than you are.

It's not going to help you at the moment, but turning is easier/ more stable with a little bit more speed. Remember how hard your pushbike was to ride slowly around a corner?

 

Have a read through some of the cbt threads on here, it can take a few days to get to the point where you are allowed out on your own. It's only then that you start to learn and get experience and roadcraft.

The cbt instructors are getting paid each time - they dont care if it takes a few days. Stick with it.

 

In the meantime, get out on a pushbike as much as possible to remind yourself just how much you lean in to a corner.

 

Good luck.

[RideWithStyles]

If the sound of being so close to the engine and the thought of it going faster as a bike rev faster and higher than cars is something of a difference.

I suggest wearing ear plugs will dampen out the sound of the bike to be less distracting.

I also suspect riding the bike wont be difficult for you but your hypertension looking into things that are out of the comfort zone you’ll have to work hard on, bit like a ADHD like thought and trying to avoid danger fixation…

see the danger- turn /ride into the danger seen and crash into the danger, Rather than look at something else as a focus point and really focus on where you NEED to go ie further up the road….

it can be changed but you’ll have to work at it till it’s second nature of not doing it.

[bud]

It really just is practice and patience. Don't feel you have to rush anything. It will put pressure on yourself.

With a small bike, or especially a scooter. The rear brake will over power the engine. So even with the throttle full on. It would still stop.

A couple of one to one sessions should see you good to go.

[Mold]

I wouldn't worry about it. Nobody gets on a motorcycle and is perfect - although some think they are! If they laugh just take it in good fun because you know for sure they've done something similar at some time. Nothing beats practice so if you can, find a car park or a big empty space near you and practice. It might seem odd but slow speed manoeuvres are essential and so are emergency stops, never grab your brakes. There's plenty of videos on YouTube but I recommend Motojitsu and  Moto Control. As for keeping calm it's easier said than done but just try to blank everything out except for the bike and your surroundings, it'll take time but soon you'll be getting on your bike and riding without giving it a second thought. When you get to that stage, which doesn't take long, you'll realise how much you'll look forward to getting on your bike everyday. Don't despair or give up or you'll regret it.

[Dombo]

Don’t worry. I was also sent home at noon last year for not being able to control a geared bike on my CBT. The other two learners were a pizza guy on his 4th renewal so aced all the figure 8s , U turns etc, and a young woman who was doing ok as well. I, aged 60 at the time, kept over revving, stalling, couldn’t turn for toffee, which was annoying as I have ridden and raced mountain bikes for 30 years, and had a driving licence since 1980. I then changed schools, everything suddenly clicked - which may have been due to different, better handling bikes (Honda Grom instead of the standard CBF 125 at the previous school), and nicer weather, sunny instead of pouring rain. Since then my only riding has been a week rental here of a 125, another week touring Vietnam on a small dual sport, and in June this year did my DAS.
Practice does help massively as since doing my DAS all I’ve done is a day touring off road on green lanes on a 250 dual sport bike and I found my slow speed stuff had deteriorated somewhat. 
However the best bit of advice I was given was to look where you want to go, really turn your head, and the bike will follow.

[cantrideforsh]

Thank you all so much for all your help, I was going to do a training day last week but managed to get ill a few days before so I've had to delay it. Hopefully this will go better and I'll get my CBT and get out on the road sooner rather than later. Thank you all again

[Tigs]

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