el burro rojo rolls again!

[boniface9491]

I could use some advise of some kind here. I took the MSF last summer. I bought a '94 Dr650 last summer, and first time on it I wrecked, tearing myself up pretty good. This was before taking the MSF. Before I could get back on the bike, it was stolen. This Spring I bought a "07 KLR 650. My second time on it, I hit a curb and went down, doing a number on my shoulder. Now, I'm really afraid of the bike. I'm 58 years old, and my previous riding experience was on an old Cushman Eagle back in the '60s. I'm wondering: Should I give up riding? Should I get a smaller bike? Should I get back on the bike I have, even if I might freeze up from fear when I'm on it? Any constructive input would be appreciated.

[Ernie Campbell]

You need a nice scooter. no, not a Hoveround no not a Rascal,not a Honda for you my freind, no sirree. You need a Suzuki 650 Burgman Ernie Campbell

----- Original Message ----- From: boniface9491 To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 11:26 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Afraid to Ride I could use some advise of some kind here. I took the MSF last summer. I bought a '94 Dr650 last summer, and first time on it I wrecked, tearing myself up pretty good. This was before taking the MSF. Before I could get back on the bike, it was stolen. This Spring I bought a "07 KLR 650. My second time on it, I hit a curb and went down, doing a number on my shoulder. Now, I'm really afraid of the bike. I'm 58 years old, and my previous riding experience was on an old Cushman Eagle back in the '60s. I'm wondering: Should I give up riding? Should I get a smaller bike? Should I get back on the bike I have, even if I might freeze up from fear when I'm on it? Any constructive input would be appreciated. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[James]

I suspect the right answer will be very personal to you. But I can share my own experience which might help. Many years ago I was a passenger in a car driven by my brother. He had just put some cheap tires on it. When we were on a highway doing 70 mph the tires blew out, car rolled upside down, skidded on the roof a long distance on the highway in the wrong lane while I hung upside down inside watching the sparks and glass come my way. The roof caved in on me and shaved off some of my scalp, and I went into shock. I need a little fixing in the hospital, but nothing serious. However, for three years after that accident, I would slip into an anxiety panic often when driving a car if I even thought about car accidents or oncoming traffic. I had to pull over to the side of the road because the panic attack would disable my reflexes somewhat. Gradually the intensity of those attacks softened and no longer bother me. Given that experience, I can imagine that such a panic attack or moments of unreasonable fear might badly affect your timing or proper reactions. But I also think these symptoms can go away if you persist at it and drive very safely. Good luck with your decision! James

On 5/21/07, boniface9491 wrote: > > I could use some advise of some kind here. I took the MSF last > summer. I bought a '94 Dr650 last summer, and first time on it I > wrecked, tearing myself up pretty good. This was before taking the > MSF. Before I could get back on the bike, it was stolen. This Spring > I bought a "07 KLR 650. My second time on it, I hit a curb and went > down, doing a number on my shoulder. Now, I'm really afraid of the > bike. I'm 58 years old, and my previous riding experience was on an > old Cushman Eagle back in the '60s. > I'm wondering: Should I give up riding? Should I get a smaller > bike? Should I get back on the bike I have, even if I might freeze up > from fear when I'm on it? Any constructive input would be appreciated. > > > > -- ------------------------------------- James Cook SireJames@... [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[David Sparks]

Fear is sometimes your worst enemy! I've had some VERY close calls and for weeks afterward, my riding was compromised due to fear that the same thing would happen again. Once I regained my confidence, the riding just seemed to flow like before. Getting older, we are more afraid of getting hurt and the embarrassment of explaining to our spouses the act that led up to the injury. We don't want someone else taking our choice or freedom away. I would recommend using a cheap small bike to get back into the balancing act of riding again. Once you relearn to ride and gain some confidence in your abilities, you'll be right-as-rain again. Be prepared that this could take a while since now you have a double issue to overcome. BB, David boniface9491 wrote: I could use some advise of some kind here. I took the MSF last summer. I bought a '94 Dr650 last summer, and first time on it I wrecked, tearing myself up pretty good. This was before taking the MSF. Before I could get back on the bike, it was stolen. This Spring I bought a "07 KLR 650. My second time on it, I hit a curb and went down, doing a number on my shoulder. Now, I'm really afraid of the bike. I'm 58 years old, and my previous riding experience was on an old Cushman Eagle back in the '60s. I'm wondering: Should I give up riding? Should I get a smaller bike? Should I get back on the bike I have, even if I might freeze up from fear when I'm on it? Any constructive input would be appreciated. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[tlh]

Fear is the mind killer. NEVER be embarrased, learn how something happened and take steps not do it again. AND, these are my opinions only and please consider that I may have lost my sensibilities years ago. Preparation for your NEXT ride is very important. 1. Go to a Doc and get your reflexes and reaction times checked (I am also of an age where my reaction time is not what it was 40 years ago) 2. Buy good armor; good boots, good brain bucket, good jacket & pants. 3. At home go out and stand beside the bike, kick the side stand up and lay the bike down on the left side; then pick it back up. DO this 3 times. 4. Understand these things: -- My reaction time is slower so I must be alert, focused and prepared to act. -- I will fall off this thing; if not today, sometime soon. -- It is going to hurt when I fall off 5. If you cannot come to grips with # 4, sell your bike. 6. If you can come to grips with # 4, start out riding in low traffic areas (early AM big box store parking lots). 7. Do # 6 until you can feel the bike and know how it behaves. 8. Remember all the numbers that precede 8. 9. Go out and put smiles on the bike and your face. AND, remember 1 last thing..... keep the rubber side down. albatross more broken bones, asphalt rash and sand burns than I will freely admit

----- Original Message ----- From: David Sparks To: boniface9491 ; DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 6:39 AM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Afraid to Ride Fear is sometimes your worst enemy! I've had some VERY close calls and for weeks afterward, my riding was compromised due to fear that the same thing would happen again. Once I regained my confidence, the riding just seemed to flow like before. Getting older, we are more afraid of getting hurt and the embarrassment of explaining to our spouses the act that led up to the injury. We don't want someone else taking our choice or freedom away. I would recommend using a cheap small bike to get back into the balancing act of riding again. Once you relearn to ride and gain some confidence in your abilities, you'll be right-as-rain again. Be prepared that this could take a while since now you have a double issue to overcome. BB, David boniface9491 wrote: I could use some advise of some kind here. I took the MSF last summer. I bought a '94 Dr650 last summer, and first time on it I wrecked, tearing myself up pretty good. This was before taking the MSF. Before I could get back on the bike, it was stolen. This Spring I bought a "07 KLR 650. My second time on it, I hit a curb and went down, doing a number on my shoulder. Now, I'm really afraid of the bike. I'm 58 years old, and my previous riding experience was on an old Cushman Eagle back in the '60s. I'm wondering: Should I give up riding? Should I get a smaller bike? Should I get back on the bike I have, even if I might freeze up from fear when I'm on it? Any constructive input would be appreciated. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Ross Lindberg]

I know the feeling of fear on a bike. I too had a bad accident many years ago involving a deer. It took a long time for the fear of a repeat to go away. My advice to you is this. If you really want to keep riding, hang on to your KLR and get a smaller bike to practice on. Something small that you really feel comfortable on. Get something used so your cash outlay isn't real big. Maybe you can even borrow one from a friend. Then practice, practice, practice. Once you get comfortable on the smaller bike, you can switch back to the KLR. I tipped my KLR over on the way home from the dealer. Dropped into a washout hidden in long grass. Goofed up my shoulder too. Even after I healed up, the bike still made me nervous, especially on gravel roads. Last winter I changed to a different rear tire, put in Progressive fork springs, and set up the preload on the rear shock. It's like riding a different machine. I feel much more in control and the bike feels like a trusted friend rather than a bucking bronco looking for an opportunity to throw me off. Proper set-up for your size and weight will make an amazing difference. Finally, find a friend to ride with and head out to the country where there aren't any curbs and not much traffic and go riding where it's nice and quiet.. I think it's important to have a friend with just in case something happens. Riding a motorcycle is a skill, and it needs to be developed with practice. Just be careful. We want you to be here for a long time! Let us now what you decide. Ross Lindberg Fertile, MN --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "boniface9491" wrote:

> > I could use some advise of some kind here. I took the MSF last > summer. I bought a '94 Dr650 last summer, and first time on it I > wrecked, tearing myself up pretty good. This was before taking the > MSF. Before I could get back on the bike, it was stolen. This

Spring

> I bought a "07 KLR 650. My second time on it, I hit a curb and went > down, doing a number on my shoulder. Now, I'm really afraid of the > bike. I'm 58 years old, and my previous riding experience was on

an

> old Cushman Eagle back in the '60s. > I'm wondering: Should I give up riding? Should I get a smaller > bike? Should I get back on the bike I have, even if I might freeze

up

> from fear when I'm on it? Any constructive input would be

appreciated.

>

[Jim Priest]

On 5/21/07, boniface9491 wrote:

> wrecked, tearing myself up pretty good. This was before taking the > MSF. Before I could get back on the bike, it was stolen. This Spring > I'm wondering: Should I give up riding? Should I get a smaller > bike? Should I get back on the bike I have, even if I might freeze up

Lots of good advice here... I'd just add: Have you considered taking the MSF course again? It's the best way to safely practice and get great advice on your riding skills. And I'd agree with the other comments regarding bike size - I don't think it matters what size bike you ride - if you are riding with any trepidation - then you are going to have problems. It's a big decision but if you are riding and not having fun - than what's the point? Jim

[Chris Norloff]

You should be a little scared everytime you ride, because that means you realize how serious it is. But you shouldn't be afraid of it. If I were you, I'd look very closely at why I wrecked. What did I do wrong, what should I have done, what did I learn in the MSF course to prevent it. Hitting a curb sounds like not negotiating a curve correctly, possibly due to not using counter-steering. Also possibly related to target-fixation (looking at the hazard instead of looking where you need to go). This is something you can fix. It may be a good idea to take personal, one-on-one training to get pointers on your riding technique - with specific emphasis on preventing the types of wrecks that have occurred. Then ride only when there's no traffic, and if you find your mind drifting away from riding, then pull it back. Do this until you feel comfortable again, then ride in more challenging environments. Listen to your fears, and adjust the situation to remove the fear. If you can't control the situation to your satisfaction, then you have to stop doing what your fears tell you you shouldn't do. best wishes, Chris ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "boniface9491" Date: Tue, 22 May 2007 03:26:11 -0000

>I could use some advise of some kind here. I took the MSF last >summer. I bought a '94 Dr650 last summer, and first time on it I >wrecked, tearing myself up pretty good. This was before taking the >MSF. Before I could get back on the bike, it was stolen. This Spring >I bought a "07 KLR 650. My second time on it, I hit a curb and went >down, doing a number on my shoulder. Now, I'm really afraid of the >bike. I'm 58 years old, and my previous riding experience was on an >old Cushman Eagle back in the '60s. > I'm wondering: Should I give up riding? Should I get a smaller >bike? Should I get back on the bike I have, even if I might freeze up >from fear when I'm on it? Any constructive input would be appreciated. >

[grufrude]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "boniface9491" wrote: I bought a '94 Dr650 last summer, and first time on it I

> wrecked, tearing myself up pretty good. SNIP This Spring > I bought a "07 KLR 650. My second time on it, I hit a curb and went > down, doing a number on my shoulder. SNIP I'm wondering: Should I

give up riding? Should I get a smaller bike? As others have mentioned, the decision to ride is a VERY personal one. However, you have crashed hard twice in three rides. Motorcyling is dangerous and it seems EXTREMELY dangerous for you. I don't think it helps that you have chosen tall, awkward dual-sport bikes for your return to motorcyling after a 40 year lay-off. IF you wish to continue (and I would rate that as a BIG "IF"), I would be looking at a smaller, lower, lighter bike with less power and better brakes for your beginner bike. Just my opinion, but one based on 42 years in the saddle.

[mbetcher]

It's hard to offer advice on your situation because two vital pieces of information are missing: why you crashed on those two occasions; and why you want to keep riding even though your discomfort apparently outweighs any pleasure you currently get from it. If your reflexes or balance or motor skills are not adequate for safe riding then it is manifestly obvious that you should not be on a bike. If it's a confidence issue -- that you tend to freeze up or get confused in certain situations, causing you to lose control -- that can be overcome by experience and practice, preferably graduated and under supervision. But in this latter case you've got to ask yourself if there's anything so attractive to you about riding that you are willing to endure the period of discomfort necessary during the learning phase. Since you used the word fear, I'd say that this discomfort is such that it's not worth the effort. A little healthy paranoia is normal for any beginning rider or for someone after a crash, but outright fear strikes me as an indicator of excessive anxiety. A few months ago I t-boned a car which pulled out from a stop sign in front of me, doing a flying Superman act over his hood. When I got back on a bike again after recovery I went through a period where any car approaching from the side caused me to involuntarily slow down, and even sometimes to start braking even though there was no apparent danger. I assumed that after 30+ years of riding old habits would soon reassert themselves and I was right -- but if my psychological discomfort had continued even for a couple of months I would have unhesitatingly given up motorcycles and bought a Miata. If you don't enjoy it, why bother? There's nothing so sacred or wonderful about motorcycling that you need it in your life. -- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "boniface9491" wrote:

> > I could use some advise of some kind here. I took the MSF last > summer. I bought a '94 Dr650 last summer, and first time on it I > wrecked, tearing myself up pretty good. This was before taking the > MSF. Before I could get back on the bike, it was stolen. This Spring > I bought a "07 KLR 650. My second time on it, I hit a curb and went > down, doing a number on my shoulder. Now, I'm really afraid of the > bike. I'm 58 years old, and my previous riding experience was on an > old Cushman Eagle back in the '60s. > I'm wondering: Should I give up riding? Should I get a smaller > bike? Should I get back on the bike I have, even if I might freeze up > from fear when I'm on it? Any constructive input would be appreciated. >