Triumphrat

Smoothlennie · 08-09-2007, 08:51 AM

Advice sought here from any other middle-aged (years, not outlook) bikers who have returned to the artform after many years. It was 20 years for me and I returned 3 months ago. ( I rode for about 12 years before giving up about '87.)

I used to love scratching around bends, but now, I seem to have lost my nerve - can't lean it so far anymore.
Do others find it took a while to get back into the groove, or is it simply an older mind causing too much timidness ? It doesn't seem to affect speed and these modern superbikes have so much grunt, I love to use it.

I started on a Firestorm/Firehawk and loved the V-twin grunt, but not the cheapo suspension. My Sprint is running in, so limited to 3500 revs - have only done 100 km on her, today and only had it on road from today.

All constructive comments gratefully sought.

(BTW - my 'smoothlennie' moniker might once have applied, but I use it as a reference to sailplanes and gliding, not my riding style.)

Dave

GeoDiablo · 08-09-2007, 10:00 AM

the older we get the more mortal we feel…

alfacliff · 08-09-2007, 10:04 AM

I just consider it "no longer young and stupid"
cliff

K8 · 08-09-2007, 10:24 AM

You'll be back at your finest soon , just give it time. I returned after some time and at first I was so good. I puttered around dreaming of BMW's and Goldwings with armchairs and ashtrays . No Tickets , no demerit points. I thought , yes , this is the way to gently ride into adulthood . For maybe 8 months I was so good I could have knitted a store but then , 11 demerit points later my respectable granny status was left at the bottom of the Black Spur , and as I descended down the reefton , The dark Angel came back home.

peterk · 08-09-2007, 11:01 AM

Yeah i went through that, off the bikes for 20+ yrs then picked up a cheap+old CBR1000. Threw it away once and have struggled ever since, though slowly getting competence/confidence back. the bikes are very different now, better but i think more complex with x number of suspension settings etc and if they are not set up right can make things a little difficult. i luv my Daytona and the more i am on it the better i feel. am thinking of doing one of those ride school thingies for some fine tuning of my skills, most people say they are definately worth it. my 2 cent worth, have fun...

kludge · 08-09-2007, 12:13 PM

Yes, the bikes have really changed so it will take a little while. IIWY I'd get rid of the stock BT-020 tires, they're junk. For me, the confidence came with new rubber and some 350km days in the Alps. Get better hoops, push when you feel good, back off when tired or distracted. It will come.

Will · 08-09-2007, 12:40 PM

Yep, we all go through it. It was ten years ago for me, and it took a while. It makes it fun to learn all over again.

dfbike · 08-09-2007, 12:59 PM

Sometimes I will feel that things aren't happening for me in the corners. Usually its because I am sitting far too upright, so by shifting position I get into it much better. So for me the problem is somewhere between the attitude of wanting to sit up and enjoy the ride on my Bonnie, and stiffness of the spine brought on by the years!

MVP44 · 08-09-2007, 01:05 PM

Your confidence will grow as you get more comfortable both with coming back to two wheels and getting to really explore what the ST is capable of.

trypcil · 08-09-2007, 01:29 PM

Take it easy, the bike is way more capable than what you used to ride and with modern tyres grip is not an issue. It's the old 'getting back on the horse' routine, where riding is more important than being the young punk - the trick is to stay alive and ride at your own pace - there are no old, bold riders just smart ones. Ride long and smile!