Riding skills

[Charlie Bravo_imp]

I started riding in 1969, took the 80's and 90's off when the kids arrived, but after they were grown I got back into it. I've had a few bikes, I'm on my 14th now, and thought I was pretty well schooled up. Then, I recently went on a multi-day group ride with my latest machine, a 2009 Yamaha V-Star 1300. We were headed for the Bikes, Blues, and BBQ rally in Rogers, AR, from our place in Azle, Texas. Riding with a group of ten bikes, two trucks, and a chase truck. I was the only non-Harley in the group. I don't like to ride at night, especially in the rain, especially going fast, 90+ in the relativity dry periods. Once we got there, it rained off and on, and we rode hither and yon, thru some really beautiful country, route 12 in AR. I was always tail-end Charlie and even then had a few Oh, sh!t moments when another rider cut me off. Two of the guys collided head-on in a parking lot and totaled one of the bikes when the goose-neck bent and broke, but, that which doesn't kill you.... Not sure if I'll ever ride with those guys again.

[KeepLeft]

My skills are down to nought. I clocked 20k miles before I turned 22 mostly on lightweight 2 stroke yamahas and I didnt get back on for 17 years. Done 50 miles so far and Im slowly nudging upwards. My first goal is to get rid off my awkwardness when I need to stop and stay before turning right

[The Gecko_imp]

Thanks for all these insights ... experience, group thinking, other factors. Still, there is something else on my mind.
Riding a powerful motorcycle has its own dynamic. If you ride the same bike and same roads again and again, you gain experience, go faster, gain experience.... go even faster. It feels all natural, even when you’re not a pro. What felt daring a few years or months ago now feels good. This “feeling good” is known in many areas, not just cars or planes. Its happening is part of how our brain works - we adapt to our environment. But in few other places is it so dangerous .... and same much fun.

I realize more then ever before that this is a risk one cannot reduce by being or becoming aware of. One cannot ride entirely avoiding it.

Another (hidden) reason why we ride.

[Nachodaddy]

My skills are down to nought. I clocked 20k miles before I turned 22 mostly on lightweight 2 stroke yamahas and I didnt get back on for 17 years. Done 50 miles so far and Im slowly nudging upwards. My first goal is to get rid off my awkwardness when I need to stop and stay before turning right

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago which severely effected my riding confidence. I bought a 2004 BMW R1150RT four miles from my house and, on the way home dropped it. I stopped at a four-way stop, and, while waiting my turn, the bike fell out from under me. I have never had that happen and it really surprised me. I don't know to this day what happened, but a nice young man helped me get it upright and I rode it home. After that, I went back to basics. Every day I rode it slowly around the neighborhood, just stopping and starting, making turns from starts and re-gaining my confidence. It is a very top-heavy bike and does not handle nearly as well as the CB1100, so I got rid of it, but not before I felt very confident on it once again. I reviewed all the YouTube videos on slow-riding skills and learned a lot that helped improve my riding, both slow and fast. I am 82 years old and suddenly realizing that I am no longer as strong as I have been accustomed to all my life. I love riding and hope I will be able to continue, but time will tell. I wish you all the best.

[The Gecko_imp]

My skills are down to nought. I clocked 20k miles before I turned 22 mostly on lightweight 2 stroke yamahas and I didnt get back on for 17 years. Done 50 miles so far and Im slowly nudging upwards. My first goal is to get rid off my awkwardness when I need to stop and stay before turning right

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago which severely effected my riding confidence. I bought a 2004 BMW R1150RT four miles from my house and, on the way home dropped it. I stopped at a four-way stop, and, while waiting my turn, the bike fell out from under me. I have never had that happen and it really surprised me. I don't know to this day what happened, but a nice young man helped me get it upright and I rode it home. After that, I went back to basics. Every day I rode it slowly around the neighborhood, just stopping and starting, making turns from starts and re-gaining my confidence. It is a very top-heavy bike and does not handle nearly as well as the CB1100, so I got rid of it, but not before I felt very confident on it once again. I reviewed all the YouTube videos on slow-riding skills and learned a lot that helped improve my riding, both slow and fast. I am 82 years old and suddenly realizing that I am no longer as strong as I have been accustomed to all my life. I love riding and hope I will be able to continue, but time will tell. I wish you all the best.

How old were you when the “standing” BMW drop from under you ?

[GoldOxide_imp]

My skills are down to nought. I clocked 20k miles before I turned 22 mostly on lightweight 2 stroke yamahas and I didnt get back on for 17 years. Done 50 miles so far and Im slowly nudging upwards. My first goal is to get rid off my awkwardness when I need to stop and stay before turning right

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago which severely effected my riding confidence. I bought a 2004 BMW R1150RT four miles from my house and, on the way home dropped it. I stopped at a four-way stop, and, while waiting my turn, the bike fell out from under me. I have never had that happen and it really surprised me. I don't know to this day what happened, but a nice young man helped me get it upright and I rode it home. After that, I went back to basics. Every day I rode it slowly around the neighborhood, just stopping and starting, making turns from starts and re-gaining my confidence. It is a very top-heavy bike and does not handle nearly as well as the CB1100, so I got rid of it, but not before I felt very confident on it once again. I reviewed all the YouTube videos on slow-riding skills and learned a lot that helped improve my riding, both slow and fast. I am 82 years old and suddenly realizing that I am no longer as strong as I have been accustomed to all my life. I love riding and hope I will be able to continue, but time will tell. I wish you all the best.

How old were you when the “standing” BMW drop from under you ?

How old were you when the “standing” BMW drop from under you ?
... I wasn't going to ask.

Now we wait.

[Nachodaddy]

My skills are down to nought. I clocked 20k miles before I turned 22 mostly on lightweight 2 stroke yamahas and I didnt get back on for 17 years. Done 50 miles so far and Im slowly nudging upwards. My first goal is to get rid off my awkwardness when I need to stop and stay before turning right

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago which severely effected my riding confidence. I bought a 2004 BMW R1150RT four miles from my house and, on the way home dropped it. I stopped at a four-way stop, and, while waiting my turn, the bike fell out from under me. I have never had that happen and it really surprised me. I don't know to this day what happened, but a nice young man helped me get it upright and I rode it home. After that, I went back to basics. Every day I rode it slowly around the neighborhood, just stopping and starting, making turns from starts and re-gaining my confidence. It is a very top-heavy bike and does not handle nearly as well as the CB1100, so I got rid of it, but not before I felt very confident on it once again. I reviewed all the YouTube videos on slow-riding skills and learned a lot that helped improve my riding, both slow and fast. I am 82 years old and suddenly realizing that I am no longer as strong as I have been accustomed to all my life. I love riding and hope I will be able to continue, but time will tell. I wish you all the best.

How old were you when the “standing” BMW drop from under you ?

How old were you when the “standing” BMW drop from under you ? Gecko, it wasn't that long ago. I was 81 and had only recently sold a red BMW K 1300GT, which I thoroughly enjoyed riding and had no problems with it falling. One of the things I didn't like about either BMW is the huge number of screws holding on the tupperware.

My skills are down to nought. I clocked 20k miles before I turned 22 mostly on lightweight 2 stroke yamahas and I didnt get back on for 17 years. Done 50 miles so far and Im slowly nudging upwards. My first goal is to get rid off my awkwardness when I need to stop and stay before turning right

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago which severely effected my riding confidence. I bought a 2004 BMW R1150RT four miles from my house and, on the way home dropped it. I stopped at a four-way stop, and, while waiting my turn, the bike fell out from under me. I have never had that happen and it really surprised me. I don't know to this day what happened, but a nice young man helped me get it upright and I rode it home. After that, I went back to basics. Every day I rode it slowly around the neighborhood, just stopping and starting, making turns from starts and re-gaining my confidence. It is a very top-heavy bike and does not handle nearly as well as the CB1100, so I got rid of it, but not before I felt very confident on it once again. I reviewed all the YouTube videos on slow-riding skills and learned a lot that helped improve my riding, both slow and fast. I am 82 years old and suddenly realizing that I am no longer as strong as I have been accustomed to all my life. I love riding and hope I will be able to continue, but time will tell. I wish you all the best.

How old were you when the “standing” BMW drop from under you ?

How old were you when the “standing” BMW drop from under you ?
... I wasn't going to ask.

Now we wait.

How old were you when the “standing” BMW drop from under you ?
... I wasn't going to ask.

Now we wait.
GO, I blame you. I never dropped a bike until you came to Phoenix.
Now I have to shop for training wheels.

[WhatYes_imp]

Interesting thread and I want to take a few minutes to highlight it with two things. First, this really good video, about 10 minutes long, discussing the best bikes for older riders and why they/we should consider downsizing:

https://youtu.be/WusDmPl2suo

(side note: for me personally, the CB1100 is a perfect size/weight and I feel immensely comfortable and confident on it. That being said, I am a careful rider and I think... not sure... the last time I laid a bike down was maybe in the 1980s?)

Part 2 is that I shared that video with a friend of mine, fellow rider in his early 70s, not in the greatest of shape. He's strictly a big, super heavy V-twin pseudo macho guy who has laid his bike over numerous times and can't pick it up. He's actually had to call AAA before to get someone to help pick his bike up.

Last summer, on a big Kaw Vulcan that he had had for ONE WEEK, he slipped out in gravel, punctured a lung, broke his collarbone and found out a few months later he broke his neck!!! He has ridden one time since then for about 5 minutes, within the past year and yet still refuses to sell this 900 lb machine and consider downsizing. He 'teases' me about being on a 'little bike' and yet I remind him.... I'm still the one riding. :-)

[GoldOxide_imp]

My skills are down to nought. I clocked 20k miles before I turned 22 mostly on lightweight 2 stroke yamahas and I didnt get back on for 17 years. Done 50 miles so far and Im slowly nudging upwards. My first goal is to get rid off my awkwardness when I need to stop and stay before turning right

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago which severely effected my riding confidence. I bought a 2004 BMW R1150RT four miles from my house and, on the way home dropped it. I stopped at a four-way stop, and, while waiting my turn, the bike fell out from under me. I have never had that happen and it really surprised me. I don't know to this day what happened, but a nice young man helped me get it upright and I rode it home. After that, I went back to basics. Every day I rode it slowly around the neighborhood, just stopping and starting, making turns from starts and re-gaining my confidence. It is a very top-heavy bike and does not handle nearly as well as the CB1100, so I got rid of it, but not before I felt very confident on it once again. I reviewed all the YouTube videos on slow-riding skills and learned a lot that helped improve my riding, both slow and fast. I am 82 years old and suddenly realizing that I am no longer as strong as I have been accustomed to all my life. I love riding and hope I will be able to continue, but time will tell. I wish you all the best.

How old were you when the “standing” BMW drop from under you ?

How old were you when the “standing” BMW drop from under you ? Gecko, it wasn't that long ago. I was 81 and had only recently sold a red BMW K 1300GT, which I thoroughly enjoyed riding and had no problems with it falling. One of the things I didn't like about either BMW is the huge number of screws holding on the tupperware.

My skills are down to nought. I clocked 20k miles before I turned 22 mostly on lightweight 2 stroke yamahas and I didnt get back on for 17 years. Done 50 miles so far and Im slowly nudging upwards. My first goal is to get rid off my awkwardness when I need to stop and stay before turning right

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago which severely effected my riding confidence. I bought a 2004 BMW R1150RT four miles from my house and, on the way home dropped it. I stopped at a four-way stop, and, while waiting my turn, the bike fell out from under me. I have never had that happen and it really surprised me. I don't know to this day what happened, but a nice young man helped me get it upright and I rode it home. After that, I went back to basics. Every day I rode it slowly around the neighborhood, just stopping and starting, making turns from starts and re-gaining my confidence. It is a very top-heavy bike and does not handle nearly as well as the CB1100, so I got rid of it, but not before I felt very confident on it once again. I reviewed all the YouTube videos on slow-riding skills and learned a lot that helped improve my riding, both slow and fast. I am 82 years old and suddenly realizing that I am no longer as strong as I have been accustomed to all my life. I love riding and hope I will be able to continue, but time will tell. I wish you all the best.

How old were you when the “standing” BMW drop from under you ?

How old were you when the “standing” BMW drop from under you ?
... I wasn't going to ask.

Now we wait.

How old were you when the “standing” BMW drop from under you ?
... I wasn't going to ask.

Now we wait.
GO, I blame you. I never dropped a bike until you came to Phoenix.
Now I have to shop for training wheels.

[KeepLeft]

My skills are down to nought. I clocked 20k miles before I turned 22 mostly on lightweight 2 stroke yamahas and I didnt get back on for 17 years. Done 50 miles so far and Im slowly nudging upwards. My first goal is to get rid off my awkwardness when I need to stop and stay before turning right

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago which severely effected my riding confidence. I bought a 2004 BMW R1150RT four miles from my house and, on the way home dropped it. I stopped at a four-way stop, and, while waiting my turn, the bike fell out from under me. I have never had that happen and it really surprised me. I don't know to this day what happened, but a nice young man helped me get it upright and I rode it home. After that, I went back to basics. Every day I rode it slowly around the neighborhood, just stopping and starting, making turns from starts and re-gaining my confidence. It is a very top-heavy bike and does not handle nearly as well as the CB1100, so I got rid of it, but not before I felt very confident on it once again. I reviewed all the YouTube videos on slow-riding skills and learned a lot that helped improve my riding, both slow and fast. I am 82 years old and suddenly realizing that I am no longer as strong as I have been accustomed to all my life. I love riding and hope I will be able to continue, but time will tell. I wish you all the best.

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago which severely effected my riding confidence. I bought a 2004 BMW R1150RT four miles from my house and, on the way home dropped it. I stopped at a four-way stop, and, while waiting my turn, the bike fell out from under me. I have never had that happen and it really surprised me. I don't know to this day what happened, but a nice young man helped me get it upright and I rode it home. After that, I went back to basics. Every day I rode it slowly around the neighborhood, just stopping and starting, making turns from starts and re-gaining my confidence. It is a very top-heavy bike and does not handle nearly as well as the CB1100, so I got rid of it, but not before I felt very confident on it once again. I reviewed all the YouTube videos on slow-riding skills and learned a lot that helped improve my riding, both slow and fast. I am 82 years old and suddenly realizing that I am no longer as strong as I have been accustomed to all my life. I love riding and hope I will be able to continue, but time will tell. I wish you all the best.

Thank you Nachodaddy. Im doing pretty much the same thing. Getting it out on main avenues during commute hours and sliding myself in and out of traffic. Its the last week this season (im in new eng) so learning will resume in the spring.

I hope to get used to horn button placement soon. I scared myself a few times while looking for turn signal