Related Posts
Sunday night to LGA, flying by Philly
Bowl Leader
Sharing is caring 🐾
When is external hire IBD recruiting season?
Conversation Starter
DM me for referrals!
Conversation Starter
Additional Posts in Motorcycle Riders
Any group rides in the Long Island NY area!
Hi vis? All the time? Only at night? Not at all?
Bowl Leader
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Do you have a powerful bike? How new are you to riding?
My first was a 250 ninja, and I too was scared at first, but after a few weeks I became much more comfortable. (I rode dirt bikes prior to the ninja).
First, I’m a short, semi lightweight female rider. I’ve been riding for over 5 years.
If you are afraid/anxious riding then maybe you shouldn’t be on a bike? (This is what an instructor taught us) My local community college has a motorcycle riding program that I took and it made me a much more confident rider - I highly suggest looking into it!
Are you more afraid in corners? My starter bike (Honda Rebel 250) didn’t have enough power so corners were interesting.
The most important is that you need to be focused on the road and your surroundings. You can afford to be focused on breaking and dropping your bike. Plus everybody drops their bike at some point.
Is there a local group of riders that you can join? You can learn from them and honestly you will feel safer in a group. But look up a motorcycle course. It’s a slow speed course with sharp corners, sweeping corners, 2x4s and etc. It really prepares you for a lot of road experiences. My first bike used to wobble in corners because it didn’t have enough power and that wasn’t fun.
ABATE has a great course. The best I have seen. Thorough, no judgement, they supply the 250ci bikes and the instructors are very good. One more suggestion; ride through neighborhoods were traffic is very minimal to get comfortable with speed, curves, tighter turns, etc. if none of that works you might consider leaving it alone.
Thanks, I am doing the ride through the neighborhood. I actually felt that having a bit more traffic was helpful. I was following the flow, speeding and reducing speed with the other cars. It felt more normal than starting at green light, trying to speed up to limit then reducing speed to stop at the red lights (which is not the way anyone really drives).
I’ll do that again this weekend and feel myself in traffic.
Get a crappy bike if you're just learning. Or put frame sliders or other crash protection on. You will get more comfortable with time!
I’m a woman who didn’t learn how to ride until my thirties. When I ride my mind set is this: there are two groups of people out there, those who can’t see you and those who are aiming for you. Not to increase any fear, but to help realize my control. It keeps me aware and has saved my ass more that once.
It won’t! Be safe out there 😊
Thanks Team. I got a used 250 and already dropped it (forgot the kick stand #lame). I’m less worried for the bike than for my physical safety. Falling -> being crushed by a car.
I don’t know if those are legitimate fears or just me overthinking
OP: no pressure at all. From my experience, really good groups will adjust their riding style if they have any newbies. Newbies ride in the back, but someone is always watching you; if you fall back the group falls back.
Everyone was new to riding at some point.
And when you are with a group; oddly you will feel more confident than just bring by yourself.