Getting back on the road after a spill

[Rambler1982]

About a month ago, I dumped my brand new M696 due to slippery conditions. It's my first bike and I only had 300 miles on it.

Now that the bike is fixed up, it was about 35* today and the roads were relatively dry. So I thought it'd be a good time to take the bike for a short ride. I got out there and had ZERO confidence. I felt so timid in everything that I did. I took turns super slowly, and just felt really nervous the whole time.

So I ask those of you that have dropped your bike, what did you do to get your confidence back up?

Hopefully it'll just take some time.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Time. Mostly more time on the bike.


Parking lot practice helps too.


Did you post up in crash analysis about the wreck? Always good to at least prevent the same mistake.

[Spidey]

So I ask those of you that have dropped your bike, what did you do to get your confidence back up?

1)  Seat time.
2)  Seat time.
3)  Seat time.
4)  Ride the same route for a while.  Getting used to the road and repeating the same turn over and over is a good way to rebuild confidence.
5)  Follow a friend for a few rides.  Make sure that he/she goes really slow.  It's nice to be able to just settle in and follow someone, but only if they're leading at a comfy pace.  (Michael Moore is the bestest for this.  Consider flying him out to where ever you live.   )
6)  Have realistic expectations.  You're not going to be able to rebuild your confidence when it's 35 degrees out.  The roads are crappy and cold, traction is limited, and it'll be hard to relax in the cold.  Just try to get some upright miles under your belt.  Don't worry about confidence or speed.  It'll come back.  You're not going to be nervous forever.  

[Grampa]

I found it vey usefull to ride past the spot where I crashed and flip it off.

[jdubbs32584]

I dumped Mothers bike back in September in a low speed gravel crash.

It took me several weeks to get back on but when I did, I just went out to a parking lot and worked on some of the basics to get some confidence back.

I still hate gravel though.

[Rambler1982]

Did you post up in crash analysis about the wreck? Always good to at least prevent the same mistake.

I didn't post it there. But I did start a thread about it here.... http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=17093.msg300729#msg300729

And got lots of helpful advise.

[superjohn]

Just go back to basics and run through all the stuff you did when you were learning. Do some more parking lot practice and just focus.

It's OK to be a little timid as long as you're not scared shitless and making mistakes.

[ducpainter]

If you wait till it's a bit warmer it will be more fun...which might help you loosen up.

It would for me.

[Statler]

track class in the spring.

[Privateer]

Time. Mostly more time on the bike.


Parking lot practice helps too.

agree on both points.  I felt the same way after I lowsided due to a pedestrian in the road, so what you're feeling is pretty normal.  I had trouble leaning into left turns after it because that's the direction I fell.  So I had to work on left turns for a while before I got back to competence.


good luck
Andy

[Cucciolo]

track class in the spring.

mmm.. track class will be way too advance for him yet and will scare the crap out of him.. I would say MSF advanced class will build your confidence up and also reading a riding book or two. I would hit the track after having 1 year of experience minimum. my .2

[Popeye the Sailor]

I think a track class would help out with confidence.


Here's a place to work on the technique over and over with
1) no cars
2) people watching for you and helping you improve
3) no cars
4) clean pavement
5) no cars

etc.

[Jobu]

Well, I jammed mine under a guard rail in the mountains and that was my first real accident after riding for about a year or so.  After some friends helped me drag it out from under the gaurdrail I quickly regained confidence by riding it down the mountain with the clip-ons jammed almost completely against the tank, so I had to use my body to turn.     That was until I realized the tank was make the beast with two backsed anyway and just beat the bars against the tank until they were about back to normal. 

Then I rode for about three hours back home with zip ties and duct tape holding parts on.     The immediate ride home definite helped me.  If anything, the wreck made me respect gravel in the rode and riding in general a little more.  Probably gave me more confidence in the long run.

As many have said, time in the saddle and practice is the only way to gain the confidence and skills that you need.

[w7ck7d]

Ride it like you stole it...

Just kidding...

[ducnymph]

I've been fortunate enough to have had only a couple of crashes (one minor) and each time the same rule applied for building back my confidence.

Don't. Stop. Riding.

Good for you getting back on!     It'll get easier over time. So many people would put it down after that and that's such a shame.