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I'm very new to riding (got my MSF training a month ago) and took my bike on the street a few times.  I'm still very nervous when I ride.  Did you girls feel like this when you first started out?  How long did it take before you've felt "really" comfortable?

Last night, I was riding downtown with my husband and this van with two idiots kept driving next to me and they were yelling out some nasty comments.  So I slowed down to let go by, but they slowed down too and were trying to cut me off... it was really annoying because I couldn't ride with my husband and my confidence just dropped

Anyone else had similar experience as a newbie?

*end of venting*

 

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My Ride: yellow 99 F4
Location: Toronto, Canada

Hey Girly,

 I also am a newbie. Bought my bike in March of 04. My b/f tried teaching me in the back lot of our apt. building. That didn't go so well. There was a gravel pot hole and I stalled in that scary little pot hole and dropped my bike, well, I let her down, very very very little damage done to my bike. Bruised my elbow though and hurt my pride.  A few weeks later we started going to bigger empty parking lots in industrial parks after buissnesses closed. I got the hang of riding a little more but still didn't feel good enough for street. Then winter came. :-(   

So, signed up for MSF for last April (05)   That course gave me the confidence to get back on my bike. ANd it gave me my bike endorsement. SPent a few nights in those empty parking lots getting used to the F2. Then one night said to my b/f 

"F this !!! I wanna ride! Let's go! " I was scared but we rode the 1 1/2 miles to Burger King and had dinner. A few nights later we went out again.... I think that was the ride to the beach.... a lot longer ride.

We went a few more places at night after traffic died down a little, all back roads, no highway. Still too scared to deal with crazy Mass-hole highway drivers. Long story shotened, I finally took my first solo ride to work on July 5th. Not too much traffic out and yes, I WAS SCARED! But I made it fine.
Do what I do, keep an eye on all the cagers, but other than seeing where they are, ignore them! ANd just keep telling yourself that you know what you are doing, keep a level head. I talked to myself almost the whole 13 miles to work that morning HAHA.

THe confidence will come to us in time, just keep your cool!  Good Luck and stay safe!

Camarogrl

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I JUST finished my MSF course two months ago too!  I think it was a lot different for me though because my first bike was an ex 250 and it's kind of like a dirt bike.  Even though I can manuever my little 250 so well, getting on my bf's f4i makes me EXTREMELY nervous.  I think it has a little to do with the fact that it's faster and heavy.  Honestly, though, don't worry about it.  Don't ever listen to music while you're riding, make sure to ALWAYS concentrate, because it's SO important.  I live in Los Angeles/Santa Monica and I ride every day to work, [by the way, Santa Monica Blvd. has traffic like you've never seen] and I've almost gotten hit a million times within two months time, but learn to enjoy the ride.  When I keep thinking that I'm probably going to get hit, I get very uncomfortable.

A really important thing to remember is that YOU control the bike, not the other way around.  Whenever I let the bike do what it wants, I end up getting really scared, but when I control it and push it aggresively, I feel so much more confident.

I used to get butterflies in my tummy before I rode, It wasn't a good feeling, it was more like I was going to vomit.  It stopped after about  6 months!  Now nearly four years later, they are the good butterflies!

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2008 Sexy Black Street Triple

I got my bike two summers ago and my license the summer before that.  Unfortunately, the weather around here doesn't allow for lots of riding in the summer, unless you like rain, thundestorms, or high heat and humidity.  Meh.  So we got in a good bit of occasional riding those first two summers, riding to work, etc.  I was scared out of my mind almost every time and I think it caused me to ride stiffer which made me feel more awkward, which made me even MORE nervous, etc.

For some reason, something changed the very first time I took it out this year.  I have no idea what, but it just sort of clicked and I became more relexed and MUCH more at ease with my bike.  It's amazing how much better riding is when you feel better like that.  :)  It's weird though - I still have this tendancy to get freaked out before riding until I remind myself that I don't have that problem anymore.  haha

This is my first season on my bike and I am absolutely in love!!! Despite a minor setback.

Story . . . I decided to skip work about a month ago and take care of some things around teh house and take the bike out for a couple of hours and enjoy the beautiful weather we were having. After about an hour I decided to stop, have a coffee and make some phone calls and relax a bit, all fine and dandy. As I headed back home I think I got a little TOO comfortable on the bike and decided to increase my speed a bit in an area that I wasn't all that familiar with. came up on a sudden turn, freaked out and . . . well . . . an ambulance ride and 11 stitches later I learned an important lesson. NEVER get comfortable. I have talked to a lot of experienced riders since this incident occurred and that have all told me this. Once you get comfortable with a bike you start to lose your respect for it and the harm that it can cause you. Understand it, love it, and always respect it.

I should have. . .not been going so fast in an unfamiliar area. . . NOT used my front brake, fought instinct and leaned into the turn . . .

I am so glad I had my leather jacket, gloves and boots with a FULL helmet. Now everytime I see some girl on the back of a bike with a tanktop and shorts on I want to strangle her and the guy that let her get on the bike like that.

Almost a month without riding finds me in the garage at night sitting on my bike pining for teh road, trying to bend my knee enough to set my foot on the beg and operate the clutch lever.

Sorry for the long read, but I hope someone else can learn from my mistake. Safe riding ladies! [8-|]

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omnia vincit amor
'05 600RR
'99 R6
'03 F4i (sold)
'00 F4 (sold)

This is my 2nd season, got my license last fall (took MSF course) and I know all about the bad butterflies...  I get them from time to time, but as you get on the bike more, get more riding experience, you will gain confidence and improve your skills.  Each time you suit up it gets easier.  It helps to have supportive people riding with you too, my dad and bro have been awesome.  I talked to a girl a couple of weeks ago who said she doesn't get out much, as each time her b'f takes her out, he dusts her.  Positive reinforcement is a big bonus! 

HANG IN THERE, it will get better!  If ANY of you were closer, I'd ride with you in a heart beat! 

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"Life's too short to be a passenger!"
1991 CBR 600 F2, dropped 3" in the rear, 2" in the front

I'm glad there is this thread because I'm a new rider too!

I think i'm most nervous about corners. I haven't ridden much yet... plan on getting my liscense next Spring because Winter is here now.

All good advice in here... Thanks!

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*Newbie*