THANK YOU for stopping by and checking out my video! We all experience different challenges as we learn to ride, and it only seemed fair to share mine. Drop a comment below about your experiences as a new rider. Anxiety related or otherwise.
I was super careful about my first rides too. Around the block, a mile long circle, into neighbors and school parking lots. Pretty normal for the 50ish crowd. 😎
Great Video. Nerves and anxiety will start to wane with confidence. a couple suggestions from a long time commuter in DC traffic. 1. yes, your are kind of invisible on a bike. you are on a dark bike in a black jacket with dark helmet. get a hi viz jacket or vest. It will help. 2. Some people do not believe in loud pipes saves lives. I would put a slip on muffler on that bike. when in traffic, if you think someone does not know you are there, blip the throttle, just to let them know that you are. 3. never ride directly beside a car. be in a position where if the car decides it wants to be in your lane, it won't hit you. 4. always assume someone is going to pull out in front of you. don't watch the car for movement, watch the front wheels for movement, and make eye contact with the driver if at all possible. just some things I've learned over the years that help keep me alive and upright. and never be afraid to pull over and let a tailgater pass. leave your ego at home :). Keep the videos coming. :) Duffy.
Thanks for all of the great advice, Duffy! I appreciate you watching and offering up suggestions based on your experience. That’s the good stuff. You are so right about leaving your ego at home too. There’s no room for that on a motorcycle.
I'm sorry, but I don't believe in that "Loud pipes saves lives" theory. I use to commute from my home in upstate NY to the city. One day I was going across the George Washington bridge. I was in the lane next to a motorist who had his window down. suddenly I noticed his front tire coming into my lane. I hit the horn and it startled him. He apologized and said that he didn't realize that I was next to him. I was riding a bike with aftermarket pipes. I eventually traded in that bike for a sport tourer, because I didn't want to annoy my neighbors. I agree with all the other stuff that you mention. I have extra lights on my bike and reflective tape on my bike that makes me more conspicuous. also, lane positioning is very important when stopping. make sure you have a way out, and check your rear view mirrors constantly. be safe
@@MrBikercat never be sorry about voicing an opinion. everyone has different experiences. we all go with what we think works for us. stay safe out there.
i wear very visible and very easy to put on and off reflective vest and my headlight is on a high beam every daylight. i noticed the improvements of getting noticed while im at it.
Ride anxiety can be a real thing especially hearing all of the nightmare stories about accidents. It's like a new job or hobby you suck at in the beginning or have zero confidence. Eventually it becomes second nature. I believe the risk is worth the reward though. No guts, no glory. :)
Just bought my first bike a month ago. I ride every chance I can get but would be lying if I said I don't get the hitters every time I swing a leg. They tend to go away once I lose myself in the ride but I think it's a healthy fear. Keeps me safe. And facing that fear every day helps me grow. Happy to have heard your story and wishing you many years of happy, safe riding!
I know exactly what you are talking about. I got my license at 49. I am 51 now. And sometimes I still am a little nervous sometimes. But when I ride everyday it fades away... Greetings from the Netherlands ✌🏻🏍💖
That’s awesome! I can imagine it’s harder to ride over your way all year round. While we can ride most of the year in Florida, it’s utterly miserable in Florida during the summertime. Thanks for the comment and greeting. 😊
I try to take everything in stride, I live in the NYC area and it is a very tough riding environment you really have to be ready for everything out there and be able to react properly , sometimes I think of myself as an RAF pilot in the middle of the battle of Britain it gets that wild out there especially after 2:P.M. the beginning of the rush hour.
Sounds like not only did you became a motorcyclist. You became a commuter! That's awesome. Not many motorcyclists are commuters. Commuting on bike makes me excited to go to work, even if its mostly for the ride. Not that I hate my job but it pales in comparison to the ride.
Hi Ginger As a bike instructor of trainees from complete beginner to advanced in the UK I have heard your story so many times. Believe me, your not alone. Your doing everything right; you seem to have this well sorted, great advice on your video too. Liked and subscribed and ride safe. Neil x
Anxiety is a real thing. Currently experiencing it, and it is comforting to know I'm not alone. Had my first motorcycle at the age of 13. No instructions. Learned from failures/crashes & close calls. All offroad. Didn't drive on the road at all. Drove it regularly until about age 25. Had been away from riding for the past 25 years. Now at age 50 I have recently purchased a used/powerful/heavy motorcycle. I seem to make many excuses why I shouldn't go out and ride. Problem is that I live in a heavy populated area. Cars are everywhere.
This video will help me help my wife. She's been on three wheels for years and just bought a Himalayan. She has lots of anxiety and sometimes makes excuses to take the trike and pass on practice on the Himi. I let her go at her own speed. You have helped me understand more of what she is experiencing. Thanks, S
Awww...I hope she gains her confidence. As long as she’s patient with herself, and “dusts herself off” after wobbling or experiencing those anxious feelings...she will get there. One ride at a time. Letting her go at her own pace is good. All the best to you both!
Same here.. at 50 I decided to do exactly the same thing. Bought a bike, signed up for a course, and first time putting a bike into gear was on the course.. Nice to know I wasn't the only one!
Me too, 44yo. However, 3 hours into the course I threw myself off the bike and landed on my right shoulder. Contusion and broken rib. I got back on and rode two more days of instruction. I'd never forgive myself if quit right then.
Put some crash bars and sliders on your bike . To make your bike more visible u can put a device on your bike that makes the headlights flash . My friend has this on his BMW RT and he says pe part like Moses parting the Red Sea. People think he’s a cop . Not a illegal device . Some driving lights mounted below your headlights and to the outer edges of the bike make your bike more visible and appear larger . 👍
I just bought my first motorcycle! Got trained, licensed, insured, the works...but a month ago I had never even sat in a motorcycle. The training course going into 2nd gear on a parking lot without traffic didn't fully prepare me! When I bought the bike and had to take it home on the street with stop lights and traffic was terrifying! I'm trying to take it out here and there for short trips (not during rush hour) on smaller roads and parking lots to master the "Not stalling" maneuver lol.
Seems nobody who commented here has really mentioned this point even the instructors, I have been riding for 40 years now, many thousands of miles on pretty much every make of bike there is and has been made since 1960 ish, I was a shop mechanic for many years, I raced track and road in the 80s, I instructed newbies on what we call CBT in the UK (basic bike control) and advanced training for experience motorcyclists and racetrack training days. I have never in my entire life got on a bike or a scooter and started it up without feeling anxiety and I personally think every biker has a little moment of reflection when starting up a bike but most will never admit it. The day I do not have that "moment" is the day I give up bikes. The learning anxiety should go away with experience but it should never go completely.
I think it's easier for some to fake it...as in hide any anxiety or concerns as it is seen as "weakness". I call rubbish on that. I'll take honestly over pretty fake words any day.
Been riding 40 years have multiple bikes and the day I dont have some anxiety and a little nervousness is the time I give up riding. You can never let your guard down..I tell people assume you are invisible and cars are out to get you. Be Safe
Around cars, yes. Always. There shouldn't be any anxiety on an empty road though. If there is, its probably because the rider is going too fast for their skill level.
I recently returned to riding after a 30 year layoff. Six months now on my new Harley I still have some anxiety, but my confidence increases with every ride and every parking lot practice session. Like any worthwhile activity, motorcycle riding requires a personal risk assessment and training. My friend says that if you catch or recognize 95% of your mistakes, you will also catch 100% of the cage drivers mistakes. Thank you for your video. Very good advice and information. Always ride safe.
I raced Mx when I was younger... 8-19 years old.. then I got into mountain biking and road cycling.... then I got a motorcycle again. I guess I'm used to riding a bicycle on the road with idiots that I actually feel safer on a motorcycle.
I didn’t get my MC license until I was 37 and I totally relate to those first few weeks of excitement and anxiety 😅 Glad I found your channel just subscribed
I was quite nervous and excited when I started at 15. My scooter was a 1 speed automatic. These days, after a 6 week winter layoff, same thing. Starting out on a trip with my friends? Yep! We all are. As the previous commenter said, the learning never stops. Be safe! Like your videos. 🙂
I bought before having my endorsement too, but the pandemic was already in full effect. It took me a MONTH to get into MSF and the DMV, so the day i got my license, I immediately rushed out on the new bike into rush hour traffic. I was so excited and nervous, I had the exact same shaking foot! 20 minutes later, a girl rear-ended me at a red light (just a mistake), knocking me off and banging up the bike. womp womp! I didn't have the motorcycle back until fall due to parts issues. The point of all this being...I too had "the shakes" on that first ride. I'm much more comfortable now, but I still have to psyche myself up every single time I ride. The anxiety builds until I get rolling...and then I feel better and better. Usually by the end of a ride I feel great--relaxed and happy. Thanks for another open and honest video!
Totally! I've probably psyched myself OUT of a few rides, but each time I go the "reward bucket" fills more. The risk is what it is. My respect for it will always be there, but my FEAR of it is fading.
Anxiety fades away with time and confidence. But is mandatory keep your mind 100% alert and full respect for all circunstances (other drivers, road, your equipment...) although if you re riding is safer to have some attitude.
hey, I know this video was made 3 yrs ago but you perfectly described what I'm going through right now. I bought a xl1200c sportster in august 2023. I was so excited to get a motorcycle after a year of saving and working for it, but what experience I had was only a bicycle. I figured I could practice around my yard a couple of times then I would be ready. Even watched a good chunk of "how to ride a motorcycle" videos here on yt. Once I got it home, I managed to ride it around a couple of times got somewhat comfortable with the throttle. Dropped it a couple times in the yard, and that's where I think my new rider anxiety started. Thats when I decided to take the msf course, I passed np then I got on my sportster only then I dropped it one more time. One day I convinced my dad and I to ride to town, I was nervous af but I needed to do this. I did ok I even went jumped on the highway (I will admit probably not the brightest idea at my skill level) but I live down a quarter mile gravel road, I had no issues until I went to turn onto that road from a paved road. I had to stop for a car, by the time they went by I let the clutch out to fast I panicked and as soon as I hit that gravel, I fell hard on the right side. I got a little busted up on my knee and my pants got teared up the bike got a scratch on the engine guard, was bent a little too, and on the rear turn signal. That was my last ride of 2023 right before winter. Now that winter is over, I haven't ridden since. I know what to do in my head I know what I need to do, but jumping on the highway and crashing on my gravel road has gotten my anxiety way up. I say I'm going to ride and even see success, but the anxiety comes in and I think of every worst-case scenario that could happen on that bike to the point I sike myself out and I don't ride because of it. I know I just got to get some miles on it and practice but I'm having a hard time getting motivated.
I’m right there with you. I even Java a scooter that is automatic, Honda pcx 150. Beautiful pearl white bike! Dropped it once in my yard and hit the wood boards of my husband’s raised garden, bruised up my chest and ribs. 2. Days later crashed on the road in our neighborhood. Not going very fast, having trouble with the throttle and looking where I want the bike to go. I panic and make mistakes. I am still determined to overcome this. Just waiting for my bruises and rib pain to heal and I’ll try again on my driveway, I’m 65, and I’m going to beat the fear and panic! I’m praying hard anyhow!!
I'm currently 19 y/o. I own a RE Classic 350 which weighs around 200kg and considering my weight it's only 57kg it's pretty tough to believe that i can ride a motorcycle much heavier than me also considering my height isn't too impressive at the same time. I've always had this anxious thought that what if i fell, What if i hit someone and what if my sweet little motorcycle gets hurt. All these fears were stuck in my head and the reason was confidence. The more you ride the more you'll trust yourself and the more confident you'll get.
Just subscribed after watching two of your videos. There's much about you that resonates with me too. Live in Florida (panhandle). 50 years old. Bought my bike BEFORE going through MSF. Passed my MSF, nervous as hell, on a 500cc Harley. Attempted to ride my 250cc...and dumped it when the bike lurched forward, causing my wrist to turn which gave it even more throttle. Shot out from under me and dumped in the grass. Wall of fear shot up within me and I never rode again for a few years....until now. I refuse to let the fear conquer my desire to ride. I WILL learn this safely and respect that fear. Like you said before....if not now, then when? I'm not getting any younger. Your videos have given me inspiration. My apologies for the length of this post. Just wanted to thank you. 😊
That’s amazing, Scott! One of these days I’ll share my own history on motorcycles - even as a passenger things for wrong. I’m very happy to know I may have helped inspire you, even just a little. Best of luck to you! One ride at a time. 😊
I have been riding every type of motorcycle that you can think of for over 50 years. I also raced a couple of different types of bikes for several years. After all of that, the steering, braking, and throttle control come very naturally to me, and I don't have to continously think about those controls in an unexpected situation. People who have not had those experiences while growing up have to think through what to do in an emergency. That is the one thing that worries me about people who take up this wonderful hobby later in life. Just keep that in the back of your mind, and over time, it will all come more and more natural to you.
Hey James. Valid point, but I don’t think we lose the ability to gain muscle memory later in life. It may take a little longer, but it happens. It took me a few months to feel like I was in sync and didn’t have to think about my actions. The advantage people like me have when we start riding later in life is wisdom, patience, and self-awareness.
Thank you for your video. I’m a ginger also. I’m dealing with major anxiety and trying to overcome it. My boyfriend rides and says I’m riding fine but… still the anxiety. Thanks for your positive thoughts.
If i was in Florida i'd have anxiety too lol. Lived there for 15 miserable years and while i was there had absolutely zero desire to ride. I had bikes, just never rode them there, like ever. It was just depressing, riding straight on flat roads with no scenery from light to light past cookie cutter strip malls and the same fake gated 'community' over and over hoping Florida Man and his monster truck don't come out of nowhere high on bath salts and drive over me like a speedbump. Now i live on top of the continental divide almost two miles high and it's always a joy to go ride. No crowds, traffic lights, city streets, strip malls, suburbs, and crazies. Fun twisty roads to ride, mostly dirt, and it's always beautiful. Although now i often don't ride because i already live where i want to be, or i just ride around on the mountain and practice. The only 'anxiety' i really get is when i have to deal with others on the road, because i know they're mostly oblivious idiots. And it's not even really 'anxiety' it's more like frustration i have to do a chore, put in extra work to ride safely and track everything i can see and hear, use offensive and defensive strategies and keep my head on a swivel because others lack skills or sense. I work hard to perfect my skills, but no amount of skill will save you from some cartoon character type loony toon doing the equivalent of dropping a piano on your head. I mean i get the same anxiety from being out in public, bike or not, at any time some crazy nonsense could just start popping off even if you're just standing there minding your own business.
Nice. Confidence will come with experience. Riding skills and attitude is everything. The ultimate in defensive driving. It does not matter if you are in the right or wrong, the car, truck or whatever will win. I try not to ride with traffic, space myself and make eye contact with others around so they know you are there.
Yo Ginger, Every single person who rides is going to drop their Motorsickle, sooner or later, It is an unwritten law. Lol. Whether it be parking lot, driveway, front lawn, it doesn't matter it's going down eventually. I am binge watching your videos I am and number 3. Keep the shiny side up
When I was learning, back in my youth, I dropped my bike on about day three and was mortified :O. I had been trying to keep up with a couple of my mates on their Triumphs and I was on a little 125 ... heading into some S-bends I lost my nerve and sat up ... and so went straight on! I was so embarrassed but, after they stopped laughing, my mates gave a most valuable opinion - if you don't crash in your first week then you're going to kill yourself by over-reaching your skill limits.
Love the video! believe it or not, I have been riding for 3 years and still get rider anxiety every single time I am about to go for a ride. It is a combined mixture of maybe getting into an accident or my blood sugars dropping while on the road. Once I start riding however it all goes away. I think this is something quite common for motorcycle riders, especially riders like you and I that are somewhat new to riding. Be safe out there Gina! you earned my subscription! :-)
If a new rider is _not_ a little anxious out in traffic and so on, they're doing it wrong. It's overcoming the challenge that is part of the amazing experience of piloting a motorcycle.
Great quality videos, Gina. In case nobody has mentioned it yet, one of the best motorcycle training channels is MCrider. He does a terrific job of teaching riding skills and strategy that really helps new riders especially, but I have about 120,000 miles under my belt over the last 11 years (I’m 63 now) and I still learn things from him. He’s very low key, and produces great videos. Keep on practicing!
I have watched many of his vids. He’s super relatable and very knowledgeable. A great asset for a new rider. Thanks for thinking to mention his channel though. Much appreciated!
As I was just getting comfortable in traffic, I had a driver at a stop light (I had the green for 15 seconds or more) stop then pull in to the intersection right in front of me (as if it were an All Way stop). I avoided striking her, but she looked up from her cellphone to give ME a dirty look. 🤷🏻♂️
Like you, my very first experience on a motorcycle was at the local MSF Course and when I got out on the road by myself, I stuck to the small roads around my development doing 25mph. I rode for a couple of seasons and then got away from motorcycles for about 10 years. I started out the very same way when I came back (no MSF course due to the pandemic - unfortunately) but I took my newly purchased bike on small roads and slowly built my confidence.
I started riding again about a year ago after a 30 year break. Yep, I'm old. I'm really enjoying riding but was surprised at how nervous I was initially. I live near a big city and am always in heavy traffic and have to get on the freeway to go anywhere. There are so many distracted and just plain old bad drivers. Like you, I think about risk vs reward quite a bit. My family relies on me so that factors into my decisions. I'm slowly building my skills and confidence and the anxiety is fading. Riding is a ton of fun and a great activity during a pandemic. I'm already on motorcycle number two and find it hard to stop looking at and thinking about the next one.
That’s awesome! I honestly don’t think I would ride much if I had to deal with super heavy traffic and freeways. I’m a back roads kinda girl and that’s what I enjoy most. Kudos to you for returning to the two wheeled life after 30 years. Enjoy it!
Love the channel. I’ve been riding for a year. Bought a Triumph T120. Great MC. For me, I hit the parking lots to improve my low speed skills, especially on a much heavier bike than I rode in the MSF course. Also riding all the back roads (still my preference) that eased my anxiety. I recently returned to the MSF site and rode “the box” the first try! I have enjoyed and learned from each of the 9000 miles I’ve ridden.
Congratulations for your good decision and have fun with your new bike. I have started again after more than 20 years break with 43 and now after 4 months I regret nothing. I can totally understand you. Wish you always a good ride. Many greetings from Germany.
Don't know how you suddenly popped up in my feeds but I'm glad you did. UK male rider here, 52 and loving every ride. Currently have a Kawasaki ZR900. Loved your vid and I've just subbed so I don't miss any more.
Another great video. we were all excited and nervous and happy at the same time when we start riding ,I go thru this every year when I take my bike out after a long winter in nyc but the anxiety leaves and the pleasure and happiness and fun stays throughout the riding season
Everyone seems to experience it at one time or another, so it seemed like a good thing to talk about. Then other new riders will know it IS perfectly normal.
Thank you, I'm a new rider, I haven't gotten my scout rougue, because I tore my bicep, recovering, and not because riding. Very anxious and excited to get it. I'm looking for anxiety relief from it. I heard alot of stories, like it will change your life.
It’s great hearing what you said about how you felt riding as a new rider, I felt pretty much the same way in the first year when I got on a bike, with no previous riding experience. I have now just been riding for about 2 years. Way to go Gina.
Well I was 19 when I got my license so was in that young and stupid age, but interstate riding in heavy traffic made me nervous and I do not like the rain either. Have fun and be safe.
Thanks I went through the same process & yes even though there are the changes. My heart is still determined to be a avid rider, because I like to explore & the bike gives new perspective on that. It’s a way different experiences riding in the mountains on the bike than being inclosed in a car. In the car you just want to hurry up & get to your destination. On a bike, it’s like your on another planet & you want to experience every curve & wilder flower on the landscape.
Great job Gina ! (Mainly because this is your third one) Thanks for sharing your experience as a new rider. I am sure it will be helpful for several inspiring riders out there.
You are a great encourager. It’s much appreciated. I’ve dropped my bike too while it was parked on a grass verge, in my case a steep hill. A cop helped me pick it up again. I count it as learning by experience.
Great topic! I definitely had anxiety before rides- sometimes intense, sometimes mild- depending on what I was doing or where I was going. It ended when I went away for the weekend on my bike. I took a trip 3 hours north and stayed 2 nights at a B&B. While there, I encountered all types of traffic situations, weather, and even bike issues (got a bad tank of gas that caused lurching and surging). Anxiety is definitely normal! lol Thanks for talking about this.
Ginger, Doodle, Meghan. Great to see women vloggers. You're humble and talk about the stuff the guys ( who I also appreciate) don't touch on. Like in this video, the head trash of pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. Have fun, be safe!
SEWING MACHINE LEG, it was what I had to teach my children to deal with as I taught them rock climbing. That tension should never go away as a rider. Traffic, road conditions, cell phones and your bikes internal conditions are all unknowns. I still look both ways when crossing one way streets. If you ride long enough, you will put a bike down. Pray it's never at high speed or by an inattentive cage driver. So glad to see such a beautiful person enjoying motorcycles without the hard exterior too many ( especially new) riders try to project. Be yourself and enjoy but do not stress putting a bike down. Just prepare yourself with constant training and conditioning. you all are in my prayers Hoka Hey
Fear and respect keep us alive. Learning basic road racing skills at low speeds in a parking lot can improve the safety of any beginner or advanced rider. Good Job!
I had some of the same anxieties as you. After a year, I feel so much more comfortable! It's exciting and fun to ride. I purchased a 2004 Honda Shadow 1100 and added a windshield and purchased a used Corbin saddle with rider backrest, and just installed 2 leather Viking bags this weekend. Love my bike! I also purchased a nice front opening helmet with mic and Bluetooth speakers and love it. The windshield allows me to ride with my helmet open and love that. Now I am working on camera and mounts so I can create my blog.
Hey Gina, each new bike I got I was nervous the first week or first few rides until I got the feel of it and that is normal, for a new rider it's even worst. You seem to do just fine and keep up riding dear.
Riding a motorcycle on the streets and highways is inherently risky relative to most other hobbies. No matter one's level of experience it is prudent to always pause before pulling away on the ride and be 'mindfully apprehensive', not anxious which would interfere with the task at hand, but focused on the reality of the activity.
4 stages of learning, it doesn't matter what it is you're learning... 1. Unconscious Incompetence. You don't know what you don't know. 2. Conscious Incompetence. You know what you don't know. 3. Conscious Competence. You know that you know. 4. Unconscious Competence. Knowing, and doing is instinctive. Your brain is now wired to automatically do what is required, memory recall for the learned skill is instant, second nature. Like riding a bike (not a motorbike) after you learn you instinctively know how to balance, and how to keep the bike moving, and how to stop it. It requires very little to no thought. Same with riding a motorbike, it will become instinctive, judging by your videos, it already is. I find that getting plenty of sleep, with no sleep deprivation at all, accelerates my learning ability, regardless of what the thing is that I'm trying to learn. During sleep the brain is actually more active than it is when it's awake. It's working out solutions to challenges, it's creating new neurological pathways for efficient memory recall, it's working out what's relevant, and what's not, it's regulating things like Cortisol which leads to stress, and when you awake, you're refreshed, ready to learn, and with a brain that's wired slightly better for the challenge facing you than it was the previous day. Each night, it wires itself better, until the skill is instinctive, it's instant, and it's easy.
I love the timeline of events. Bought mine on august 1st 2020, picked it up on the 3rd to bring it home on a trailer. Took my MSF on the 6&7 of August (passed) and got my endorsement on the 13th of August. Sadly it then took me 3300 miles through early November 2020 and three more months to edit vids to get them on CZcams. Yours are way better ;)
I know this video is a little old but I really appreciate it! I just got a bike and am experiencing that exact terrifying/anxious feeling. The road next to my house I and everyone else is regularly at 50-60. Riding down it to the church parking lot to practice I was having trouble getting past 35 because I swear I was going mach 9. I have done about 45 miles on the small neighborhood roads around my house and I have gotten much so much better but there's always a new experience each ride to get accustomed to. Random thing I don't think I have heard people mention is how scary oncoming cars are. Despite the fact I am sure I'm closer to them when in a car due to lane positioning they feel like they're right on me on the bike. I know it's getting easier every ride but It's just how different everything feels without a seatbelt, windshield and "cage"!
I felt completely at home at the MSF, even in the rain. Like the 30 years in between did not exist. When I do get my new ride, I am going up in displacement and will careful getting used to it. I never did do a lot of highway riding anyway but I'm looking to go on much longer rides in the future. I'm glad you had a friend to ride with, especially in those first weeks.
I also bought my motorcycle with 0 experience last spring. Since then I put on 8500 miles on it but I still get anxiety before I go out. But, after a bit on the bike it goes away.
I just got my motorcycle endorsement. I just bought a Harley Street Bob and rode for the first time on the test drive. I felt everything you talked about and I know moving forward I will feel the same for a while. Thank you for sharing.
This reminds me of everything I had gone through as a new reentering rider six years ago it is so much the same , now iv got 15,000 miles under me Iv been in just about every conceivable traffic and road situation riding in one of the most dangerous areas of the entire country "the NYC region" and the beginners anxiety is gone, motorcycling is a continuous learning experience I try to not think about the worst, like when I first began riding again id think to myself it is possible that I may not come back or this may happen or that may happen, I never feel that way any more, I live in the moment out there and riding my phantom comes naturally to me just like people that hop on there bicycles and go out for a ride .
Been riding for many years then stopped after raising a family and by sheer turn of life changing events, I got back into riding after 15 years of no riding . I last rode on a supersport Honda 750 and began riding again with a Suzuki GSX1100g sport touring motorcycle. To this day it still makes thrills and frightens me at the sheer power, freedom and potential dangerous vulnerability..... but .... I still love it!!! So I completely can understand you Gina! 👍🤗🥰
I feel the same things you are talking about. Experience will ease some of that tension. Are you wearing full gear? A "Ride like a Pro" course will help your confidence. Jerry Paladino holds his course in New Port Richey and there are franchises on the East Coast of Florida as well. Time in the saddle and going back and practicing on the MSF course has helped me calm down but a little anxiety is a good thing it keeps you focused.
I know what you have experienced. I have found my anxiety has helped me be a better rider. You have to assume cars on the road don't see you or respect you taking up the road they want for themselves. This means riders have to very aware of what is around them. I had a scary incident one time when a car almost pulled out in front of me, but stopped in time. My reaction was very good, since I suddenly came to a full stop in front of the car. This event proved to me that I was capable to doing the exact thing I needed to do. It was a reflex action that I performed without thinking. I amazed myself! I pointed my finger at the driver and said, Idiot. Then I rode away. Hope this helps and you stay safe on the road. I hope to be on a new ride because it is good feeling and fun.
Well done Ginger going riding on your own straight after doing your bike course 👍 You look like a pro riding now 😀. Yes it is scary riding bikes out on the road for the first time and yes car peeps just don't seem to see you and sometimes move over on you 🙁. My very first time on the road I had a 175 cc road / trail bike with semi road tyres and it was wet on the roads in rush hour traffic & I slipped and crashed on the road. But got the bike fixed and got back on the bike. Just was a newbie rider and not enough experience in wet. Looked like a beautiful day riding there.
Thanks, Michael! At less that 2,000 miles on the bike and riding for less than a year, I feel like I’m progressing at a decent pace experience wise. I do stick to the back roads that are less populated, because I enjoy less traffic. At this point it’s less about fear and more about a more relaxed ride. Thanks for watching and for the continued encouragemeant.
I was a little bit nervous. Getting back on a bike after 30 odd years. I crashed my first bike and wrote it off. I walked away more shaken than hurt, still have a scar on my left knee. Fortunately although I was wearing jeans the rest of my gear was good. I still remember thinking “oh shit”. I couldn’t afford to. replace the bike, bought an old bike, but never felt comfortable on it. I quite ridding. This time, took a proper course, hopefully being 30 odd years older, I might be a bit smarter. So far so good, I was a bit anxious, I think a little bit of anxiety helps keep me from getting over confident and stupid again. Riding a bike you really are looking out for yourself.
I agree that some level of "fear" or a health respect for the danger you/we face on two-wheels keeps us sharp. Thanks for sharing, John. Stay safe out there!
You were wise to take it easy at first and build up your confidence. I started riding at 50:years also, on a Honda Elite 80 scooter and took it easy at first too. Since then I have owned a variety of scooters, trikes and motorcycles and each one brings a new round of excitement and the fun of dreaming of my next ride. The only time I get anxious is if I’m getting low on gas and don’t know where a gas station is. I also ride in Florida and in the hot Summer wear a cooling vest that gives me at least an hour of comfortable riding. Your videos are very well produced and I enjoy them.
The first time I rode my bike I tried to make a u-turn in gravel. Bad move. The front wheel turned and the rest of the bike didn't. I went head first over the bike. Luckily it was a private road that no one was on. Trying to lift the bike up on gravel was fun. Not to mention I bent the shifter and burned my leg on the exhaust. Let me tall ya. I really didn't want to get back on that bike but I had to get home. A week later I took my bike out on the road I hit a patch of sand in a left turn. I fishtailed but luckily the bike regained traction and I was able to control it before I flew off. Let me tell ya, my butt puckered so hard it hurt. I stayed off the bike for a bit after that but I'm back on. Some things you can avoid. Some things you can't but most motorcycle accidents can be avoided by just riding smart. Try to minimize your risks. Pretend you're invisible. Try to anticipate potential hazards. Have fun and be safe.
G'day GD. Glad that you're period of uncertaincy has passed. One thing you will notice is that your concentration level will increase ten fold whilst riding. This will also transfer itself to when you are driving a car. You will be so much more aware of riders on the roads. Love the videos, stay safe Ginger.
Currently in this position. Have managed to get out locally for an hour and I was so nervous my body ached after. Managed it OK but I keep making excuses not to go, and I'm just getting frustrated with myself
51 year old and just bought my first bike. I did my MSF course a decade ago, and never did a thing with the license, and moved to the other side of the world.... where a transferable license saved me from a far more extreme licensing course. So if course my first bike is not really a beginner bike in New Zealand. So yeah, first week in, and anxiety central. But I wish I had gotten to cross paths with you when I was in Florida last month and seven years ago).
Anxiety central is absolutely normal if you're only a week in to riding. In my experience, it took me 4-6 weeks of consistent riding - just an hour or so every or every other day - and my anxiety passed. Once muscle memory kicks in, you'll feel so much more confident. I firmly believe that anxiety serves a purpose. Without that anxiety, many of us would be more daring than we should be considering our skill level. Best of luck to you!
My first bike was a 1981 Kawasaki 440LTD that was 7 years old. I was so worried about dropping the bike that my father, who taught me to ride, wasn’t sure that I would ever learn to ride. Looks like you are off to a great start.
I like your perspective on this. There's someone in an online motorcycle group for new riders who was expressing her dismay over new-rider anxiety. I wish the group allowed links, else I'd definitely be posting this video there! I've been experiencing my own anxieties, being quite new, and I'm so glad to be getting better in the areas where I am most lacking.
I think that people may feel that this type of feeling is "weakness" and be unwilling to discuss it. Which is rubbish. But I hope you have advanced in your riding and enjoying it even more now than when you posted your comment.
Hi, I’m almost 53 and am looking to get my first bike 😳 I’ve never even learned to ride a push bike and I’m petrified but it’s something I really want to do. So far I’ve booked my CBT and theory test (have to do both here in the uk) and am trying to get as much pillion and push bike time as I can. Wish I had done this years ago when I wasn’t so scared of hurting myself. Really glad I found your channel 😊
Hey, Mandy! That’s fantastic. And honestly, you’ll end up with a lot more training than I received before I was turned loose on the roads. Best of luck to you. I’m sure you’ll find that you love it!
just discovered your videos today. you're never too old to ride a motorcycle as long as you don't have any medical or physical impairments. I started riding in my late 40's, now I'm in my early 60's. I believe that by riding when you're a little more mature, you won't be taking unnecessary risks. as far as your 250cc is concern, you made the right choice base on what you could afford ad the fact that you're a new rider, you'll learn the fundamentals and confidence to eventually graduate to a larger bike if you so desire. I started off on a cruiser, but have gone through several bikes to my recent bike which is a 400cc dual purpose bike, since I would like to do some camping with her. Good luck and be safe.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I do believe I started at the right one in my life, and on the right bike. So far, it’s been a great experience!
@@GingerDashMoto any time you spend on two wheels is good. I have to wait for the snow to stop before I can take my bike out. I've gone out to the garage a couple of times just to look at her, and start her up, so that I can listen to her.
I'm really enjoying your videos. You talked about riding being more dangerous than being in a car, which is absolutely true. As riders we have to constantly be if the defensive. A couple if suggestions I would make is when you're videoing and you come to an intersection of any kind, whether the crossroad goes across or is only from one side, stop talking as you go through, keep both hands on the bars and watch closely. You never know what someone in a car may do. Second suggestion is if you aren't already, watch some videos from MCrider. He has some really good safety content. Ride safe
THANK YOU for stopping by and checking out my video! We all experience different challenges as we learn to ride, and it only seemed fair to share mine. Drop a comment below about your experiences as a new rider. Anxiety related or otherwise.
I was super careful about my first rides too. Around the block, a mile long circle, into neighbors and school parking lots. Pretty normal for the 50ish crowd. 😎
i realize it's quite off topic but does anybody know of a good place to stream newly released series online?
@David Kenzo i would suggest FlixZone. Just google for it =)
@Sterling Zane Yea, been watching on FlixZone for years myself :)
@Sterling Zane thank you, signed up and it seems to work :D I really appreciate it !
Great Video. Nerves and anxiety will start to wane with confidence. a couple suggestions from a long time commuter in DC traffic. 1. yes, your are kind of invisible on a bike. you are on a dark bike in a black jacket with dark helmet. get a hi viz jacket or vest. It will help. 2. Some people do not believe in loud pipes saves lives. I would put a slip on muffler on that bike. when in traffic, if you think someone does not know you are there, blip the throttle, just to let them know that you are. 3. never ride directly beside a car. be in a position where if the car decides it wants to be in your lane, it won't hit you. 4. always assume someone is going to pull out in front of you. don't watch the car for movement, watch the front wheels for movement, and make eye contact with the driver if at all possible. just some things I've learned over the years that help keep me alive and upright. and never be afraid to pull over and let a tailgater pass. leave your ego at home :). Keep the videos coming. :) Duffy.
Thanks for all of the great advice, Duffy! I appreciate you watching and offering up suggestions based on your experience. That’s the good stuff. You are so right about leaving your ego at home too. There’s no room for that on a motorcycle.
I think on Duffys number 2 tip you could use the horn instead of revving up the throttle. X
I'm sorry, but I don't believe in that "Loud pipes saves lives" theory. I use to commute from my home in upstate NY to the city. One day I was going across the George Washington bridge. I was in the lane next to a motorist who had his window down. suddenly I noticed his front tire coming into my lane. I hit the horn and it startled him. He apologized and said that he didn't realize that I was next to him. I was riding a bike with aftermarket pipes. I eventually traded in that bike for a sport tourer, because I didn't want to annoy my neighbors. I agree with all the other stuff that you mention. I have extra lights on my bike and reflective tape on my bike that makes me more conspicuous. also, lane positioning is very important when stopping. make sure you have a way out, and check your rear view mirrors constantly. be safe
@@MrBikercat never be sorry about voicing an opinion. everyone has different experiences. we all go with what we think works for us. stay safe out there.
i wear very visible and very easy to put on and off reflective vest and my headlight is on a high beam every daylight. i noticed the improvements of getting noticed while im at it.
Ride anxiety can be a real thing especially hearing all of the nightmare stories about accidents. It's like a new job or hobby you suck at in the beginning or have zero confidence. Eventually it becomes second nature. I believe the risk is worth the reward though. No guts, no glory. :)
Just bought my first bike a month ago. I ride every chance I can get but would be lying if I said I don't get the hitters every time I swing a leg. They tend to go away once I lose myself in the ride but I think it's a healthy fear. Keeps me safe. And facing that fear every day helps me grow.
Happy to have heard your story and wishing you many years of happy, safe riding!
I know exactly what you are talking about.
I got my license at 49.
I am 51 now.
And sometimes I still am a little nervous sometimes. But when I ride everyday it fades away...
Greetings from the Netherlands ✌🏻🏍💖
That’s awesome! I can imagine it’s harder to ride over your way all year round. While we can ride most of the year in Florida, it’s utterly miserable in Florida during the summertime. Thanks for the comment and greeting. 😊
maybe all us senior people should organize a motorcycle club! we could call it "Senile seniors" MC 😁
I try to take everything in stride, I live in the NYC area and it is a very tough riding environment you really have to be ready for everything out there and be able to react properly , sometimes I think of myself as an RAF pilot in the middle of the battle of Britain it gets that wild out there especially after 2:P.M. the beginning of the rush hour.
@@MrBikercat I m 59. Actually my body is... My mind still in the twenties...
I learned to ride and bought a bike at 49. Hardly touched my car ever since. :)
Congratulations, Henry!
@@GingerDashMoto Thank you ma'am. It's my new found love. Haha. 😁😊
Sounds like not only did you became a motorcyclist. You became a commuter! That's awesome. Not many motorcyclists are commuters.
Commuting on bike makes me excited to go to work, even if its mostly for the ride. Not that I hate my job but it pales in comparison to the ride.
Hi Ginger
As a bike instructor of trainees from complete beginner to advanced in the UK I have heard your story so many times. Believe me, your not alone. Your doing everything right; you seem to have this well sorted, great advice on your video too.
Liked and subscribed and ride safe.
Neil x
Anxiety is a real thing. Currently experiencing it, and it is comforting to know I'm not alone. Had my first motorcycle at the age of 13. No instructions. Learned from failures/crashes & close calls. All offroad. Didn't drive on the road at all. Drove it regularly until about age 25. Had been away from riding for the past 25 years. Now at age 50 I have recently purchased a used/powerful/heavy motorcycle. I seem to make many excuses why I shouldn't go out and ride. Problem is that I live in a heavy populated area. Cars are everywhere.
simple...ride late at night or early hours of the morning in the streets and practice slow speed manoeuvres in empty parking lots ..
Normal and healthy. Fear is your friend unyil you develop the skills you need.
Never get too comfortable and aways keep a little fear!
There are real crazies out there.
This video will help me help my wife. She's been on three wheels for years and just bought a Himalayan. She has lots of anxiety and sometimes makes excuses to take the trike and pass on practice on the Himi.
I let her go at her own speed. You have helped me understand more of what she is experiencing.
Thanks,
S
Awww...I hope she gains her confidence. As long as she’s patient with herself, and “dusts herself off” after wobbling or experiencing those anxious feelings...she will get there. One ride at a time. Letting her go at her own pace is good. All the best to you both!
Same here.. at 50 I decided to do exactly the same thing. Bought a bike, signed up for a course, and first time putting a bike into gear was on the course.. Nice to know I wasn't the only one!
Me too, 44yo. However, 3 hours into the course I threw myself off the bike and landed on my right shoulder. Contusion and broken rib. I got back on and rode two more days of instruction. I'd never forgive myself if quit right then.
Put some crash bars and sliders on your bike . To make your bike more visible u can put a device on your bike that makes the headlights flash . My friend has this on his BMW RT and he says pe part like Moses parting the Red Sea. People think he’s a cop . Not a illegal device . Some driving lights mounted below your headlights and to the outer edges of the bike make your bike more visible and appear larger . 👍
I just bought my first motorcycle! Got trained, licensed, insured, the works...but a month ago I had never even sat in a motorcycle.
The training course going into 2nd gear on a parking lot without traffic didn't fully prepare me!
When I bought the bike and had to take it home on the street with stop lights and traffic was terrifying!
I'm trying to take it out here and there for short trips (not during rush hour) on smaller roads and parking lots to master the "Not stalling" maneuver lol.
Seems nobody who commented here has really mentioned this point even the instructors, I have been riding for 40 years now, many thousands of miles on pretty much every make of bike there is and has been made since 1960 ish, I was a shop mechanic for many years, I raced track and road in the 80s, I instructed newbies on what we call CBT in the UK (basic bike control) and advanced training for experience motorcyclists and racetrack training days. I have never in my entire life got on a bike or a scooter and started it up without feeling anxiety and I personally think every biker has a little moment of reflection when starting up a bike but most will never admit it. The day I do not have that "moment" is the day I give up bikes. The learning anxiety should go away with experience but it should never go completely.
I think it's easier for some to fake it...as in hide any anxiety or concerns as it is seen as "weakness". I call rubbish on that. I'll take honestly over pretty fake words any day.
Been riding 40 years have multiple bikes and the day I dont have some anxiety and a little nervousness is the time I give up riding. You can never let your guard down..I tell people assume you are invisible and cars are out to get you. Be Safe
Very, very true! I completely agree, Barry.
Around cars, yes. Always. There shouldn't be any anxiety on an empty road though. If there is, its probably because the rider is going too fast for their skill level.
I recently returned to riding after a 30 year layoff. Six months now on my new Harley I still have some anxiety, but my confidence increases with every ride and every parking lot practice session. Like any worthwhile activity, motorcycle riding requires a personal risk assessment and training. My friend says that if you catch or recognize 95% of your mistakes, you will also catch 100% of the cage drivers mistakes. Thank you for your video. Very good advice and information. Always ride safe.
I raced Mx when I was younger... 8-19 years old.. then I got into mountain biking and road cycling.... then I got a motorcycle again. I guess I'm used to riding a bicycle on the road with idiots that I actually feel safer on a motorcycle.
I didn’t get my MC license until I was 37 and I totally relate to those first few weeks of excitement and anxiety 😅 Glad I found your channel just subscribed
I was quite nervous and excited when I started at 15. My scooter was a 1 speed automatic.
These days, after a 6 week winter layoff, same thing.
Starting out on a trip with my friends? Yep! We all are.
As the previous commenter said, the learning never stops.
Be safe!
Like your videos. 🙂
Thanks, Chris!
I bought before having my endorsement too, but the pandemic was already in full effect. It took me a MONTH to get into MSF and the DMV, so the day i got my license, I immediately rushed out on the new bike into rush hour traffic. I was so excited and nervous, I had the exact same shaking foot! 20 minutes later, a girl rear-ended me at a red light (just a mistake), knocking me off and banging up the bike. womp womp! I didn't have the motorcycle back until fall due to parts issues. The point of all this being...I too had "the shakes" on that first ride. I'm much more comfortable now, but I still have to psyche myself up every single time I ride. The anxiety builds until I get rolling...and then I feel better and better. Usually by the end of a ride I feel great--relaxed and happy. Thanks for another open and honest video!
You described the feeling exactly. Sorry you had such an abrupt end to your first ride. Glad you’re back out there enjoying the roads now. Right?
Totally! I've probably psyched myself OUT of a few rides, but each time I go the "reward bucket" fills more. The risk is what it is. My respect for it will always be there, but my FEAR of it is fading.
Anxiety fades away with time and confidence. But is mandatory keep your mind 100% alert and full respect for all circunstances (other drivers, road, your equipment...) although if you re riding is safer to have some attitude.
Getting back into it myself at 50. Only on moped but love it. Remembering those teanage years. 😜
Nothing wrong with a moped. They're fun little runabouts.
hey, I know this video was made 3 yrs ago but you perfectly described what I'm going through right now. I bought a xl1200c sportster in august 2023. I was so excited to get a motorcycle after a year of saving and working for it, but what experience I had was only a bicycle. I figured I could practice around my yard a couple of times then I would be ready. Even watched a good chunk of "how to ride a motorcycle" videos here on yt. Once I got it home, I managed to ride it around a couple of times got somewhat comfortable with the throttle. Dropped it a couple times in the yard, and that's where I think my new rider anxiety started. Thats when I decided to take the msf course, I passed np then I got on my sportster only then I dropped it one more time. One day I convinced my dad and I to ride to town, I was nervous af but I needed to do this. I did ok I even went jumped on the highway (I will admit probably not the brightest idea at my skill level) but I live down a quarter mile gravel road, I had no issues until I went to turn onto that road from a paved road. I had to stop for a car, by the time they went by I let the clutch out to fast I panicked and as soon as I hit that gravel, I fell hard on the right side. I got a little busted up on my knee and my pants got teared up the bike got a scratch on the engine guard, was bent a little too, and on the rear turn signal. That was my last ride of 2023 right before winter. Now that winter is over, I haven't ridden since. I know what to do in my head I know what I need to do, but jumping on the highway and crashing on my gravel road has gotten my anxiety way up. I say I'm going to ride and even see success, but the anxiety comes in and I think of every worst-case scenario that could happen on that bike to the point I sike myself out and I don't ride because of it. I know I just got to get some miles on it and practice but I'm having a hard time getting motivated.
I’m right there with you. I even Java a scooter that is automatic, Honda pcx 150. Beautiful pearl white bike! Dropped it once in my yard and hit the wood boards of my husband’s raised garden, bruised up my chest and ribs. 2. Days later crashed on the road in our neighborhood. Not going very fast, having trouble with the throttle and looking where I want the bike to go. I panic and make mistakes. I am still determined to overcome this. Just waiting for my bruises and rib pain to heal and I’ll try again on my driveway, I’m 65, and I’m going to beat the fear and panic! I’m praying hard anyhow!!
I'm currently 19 y/o. I own a RE Classic 350 which weighs around 200kg and considering my weight it's only 57kg it's pretty tough to believe that i can ride a motorcycle much heavier than me also considering my height isn't too impressive at the same time. I've always had this anxious thought that what if i fell, What if i hit someone and what if my sweet little motorcycle gets hurt. All these fears were stuck in my head and the reason was confidence. The more you ride the more you'll trust yourself and the more confident you'll get.
Dude i feel the same about my motorcycles weight all the time (155 kg) but reading your comment makes me feel much confident.
Just subscribed after watching two of your videos. There's much about you that resonates with me too. Live in Florida (panhandle). 50 years old. Bought my bike BEFORE going through MSF. Passed my MSF, nervous as hell, on a 500cc Harley. Attempted to ride my 250cc...and dumped it when the bike lurched forward, causing my wrist to turn which gave it even more throttle. Shot out from under me and dumped in the grass. Wall of fear shot up within me and I never rode again for a few years....until now. I refuse to let the fear conquer my desire to ride. I WILL learn this safely and respect that fear. Like you said before....if not now, then when? I'm not getting any younger. Your videos have given me inspiration. My apologies for the length of this post. Just wanted to thank you. 😊
That’s amazing, Scott! One of these days I’ll share my own history on motorcycles - even as a passenger things for wrong. I’m very happy to know I may have helped inspire you, even just a little. Best of luck to you! One ride at a time. 😊
I have been riding every type of motorcycle that you can think of for over 50 years. I also raced a couple of different types of bikes for several years.
After all of that, the steering, braking, and throttle control come very naturally to me, and I don't have to continously think about those controls in an unexpected situation.
People who have not had those experiences while growing up have to think through what to do in an emergency. That is the one thing that worries me about people who take up this wonderful hobby later in life.
Just keep that in the back of your mind, and over time, it will all come more and more natural to you.
Hey James. Valid point, but I don’t think we lose the ability to gain muscle memory later in life. It may take a little longer, but it happens. It took me a few months to feel like I was in sync and didn’t have to think about my actions. The advantage people like me have when we start riding later in life is wisdom, patience, and self-awareness.
@@GingerDashMoto Absolutely! And I hope that I didn't sound like I was being critical, or trying to discourage you or others like you.
@@justjames9775 What you said made sense. I think being realistic at any age - about our abilities or challenges - is important. 😊
Thank you for your video. I’m a ginger also. I’m dealing with major anxiety and trying to overcome it. My boyfriend rides and says I’m riding fine but… still the anxiety. Thanks for your positive thoughts.
Great channel for new bikers. Liked and subscribed. I am 58 and just started riding. I love it.
That's awesome! I hope you've enjoyed the new adventure.
Get edgy every summer ,I watch a lot of moto madness to keep me in check of what car drivers can do and believe me it helps
If i was in Florida i'd have anxiety too lol.
Lived there for 15 miserable years and while i was there had absolutely zero desire to ride. I had bikes, just never rode them there, like ever. It was just depressing, riding straight on flat roads with no scenery from light to light past cookie cutter strip malls and the same fake gated 'community' over and over hoping Florida Man and his monster truck don't come out of nowhere high on bath salts and drive over me like a speedbump.
Now i live on top of the continental divide almost two miles high and it's always a joy to go ride. No crowds, traffic lights, city streets, strip malls, suburbs, and crazies. Fun twisty roads to ride, mostly dirt, and it's always beautiful.
Although now i often don't ride because i already live where i want to be, or i just ride around on the mountain and practice.
The only 'anxiety' i really get is when i have to deal with others on the road, because i know they're mostly oblivious idiots. And it's not even really 'anxiety' it's more like frustration i have to do a chore, put in extra work to ride safely and track everything i can see and hear, use offensive and defensive strategies and keep my head on a swivel because others lack skills or sense.
I work hard to perfect my skills, but no amount of skill will save you from some cartoon character type loony toon doing the equivalent of dropping a piano on your head. I mean i get the same anxiety from being out in public, bike or not, at any time some crazy nonsense could just start popping off even if you're just standing there minding your own business.
Nice. Confidence will come with experience. Riding skills and attitude is everything. The ultimate in defensive driving. It does not matter if you are in the right or wrong, the car, truck or whatever will win. I try not to ride with traffic, space myself and make eye contact with others around so they know you are there.
Yes to ALL of that, CJ!
True!!
Yo Ginger, Every single person who rides is going to drop their Motorsickle, sooner or later, It is an unwritten law. Lol. Whether it be parking lot, driveway, front lawn, it doesn't matter it's going down eventually. I am binge watching your videos I am and number 3. Keep the shiny side up
When I was learning, back in my youth, I dropped my bike on about day three and was mortified :O. I had been trying to keep up with a couple of my mates on their Triumphs and I was on a little 125 ... heading into some S-bends I lost my nerve and sat up ... and so went straight on! I was so embarrassed but, after they stopped laughing, my mates gave a most valuable opinion - if you don't crash in your first week then you're going to kill yourself by over-reaching your skill limits.
Love the video! believe it or not, I have been riding for 3 years and still get rider anxiety every single time I am about to go for a ride. It is a combined mixture of maybe getting into an accident or my blood sugars dropping while on the road. Once I start riding however it all goes away. I think this is something quite common for motorcycle riders, especially riders like you and I that are somewhat new to riding. Be safe out there Gina! you earned my subscription! :-)
If a new rider is _not_ a little anxious out in traffic and so on, they're doing it wrong. It's overcoming the challenge that is part of the amazing experience of piloting a motorcycle.
Great quality videos, Gina. In case nobody has mentioned it yet, one of the best motorcycle training channels is MCrider. He does a terrific job of teaching riding skills and strategy that really helps new riders especially, but I have about 120,000 miles under my belt over the last 11 years (I’m 63 now) and I still learn things from him. He’s very low key, and produces great videos. Keep on practicing!
I have watched many of his vids. He’s super relatable and very knowledgeable. A great asset for a new rider. Thanks for thinking to mention his channel though. Much appreciated!
Great vid again, so much honesty from you and genuine words of encouragement for any rider. Well gone Gina. Sasha, uk. Xx
Motorbiking is addictive
I love riding
As I was just getting comfortable in traffic, I had a driver at a stop light (I had the green for 15 seconds or more) stop then pull in to the intersection right in front of me (as if it were an All Way stop). I avoided striking her, but she looked up from her cellphone to give ME a dirty look. 🤷🏻♂️
I see people on cell phones all day long. It’s crazy out there, William!
Like you, my very first experience on a motorcycle was at the local MSF Course and when I got out on the road by myself, I stuck to the small roads around my development doing 25mph.
I rode for a couple of seasons and then got away from motorcycles for about 10 years. I started out the very same way when I came back (no MSF course due to the pandemic - unfortunately) but I took my newly purchased bike on small roads and slowly built my confidence.
I started riding again about a year ago after a 30 year break. Yep, I'm old. I'm really enjoying riding but was surprised at how nervous I was initially. I live near a big city and am always in heavy traffic and have to get on the freeway to go anywhere. There are so many distracted and just plain old bad drivers. Like you, I think about risk vs reward quite a bit. My family relies on me so that factors into my decisions. I'm slowly building my skills and confidence and the anxiety is fading. Riding is a ton of fun and a great activity during a pandemic. I'm already on motorcycle number two and find it hard to stop looking at and thinking about the next one.
That’s awesome! I honestly don’t think I would ride much if I had to deal with super heavy traffic and freeways. I’m a back roads kinda girl and that’s what I enjoy most. Kudos to you for returning to the two wheeled life after 30 years. Enjoy it!
Love the channel. I’ve been riding for a year. Bought a Triumph T120. Great MC. For me, I hit the parking lots to improve my low speed skills, especially on a much heavier bike than I rode in the MSF course. Also riding all the back roads (still my preference) that eased my anxiety. I recently returned to the MSF site and rode “the box” the first try! I have enjoyed and learned from each of the 9000 miles I’ve ridden.
Wow! You’ve put a lot of miles in over a year. I’m only now approaching 2,000.
Congratulations for your good decision and have fun with your new bike. I have started again after more than 20 years break with 43 and now after 4 months I regret nothing. I can totally understand you.
Wish you always a good ride. Many greetings from Germany.
Don't know how you suddenly popped up in my feeds but I'm glad you did. UK male rider here, 52 and loving every ride. Currently have a Kawasaki ZR900. Loved your vid and I've just subbed so I don't miss any more.
And I've been gone from the channel for the last year...but thanks for stopping by! Cheers :)
Another great video. we were all excited and nervous and happy at the same time when we start riding ,I go thru this every year when I take my bike out after a long winter in nyc but the anxiety leaves and the pleasure and happiness and fun stays throughout the riding season
Everyone seems to experience it at one time or another, so it seemed like a good thing to talk about. Then other new riders will know it IS perfectly normal.
Congratulations, it’s really exciting being a new rider looking forward to watching your videos please be safe and enjoy riding . 😎👍
Thanks, Steve! Enjoy those two wheels. It’s a blast!
Thanks so much for this. I am going to make myself watch this very often! Haha.
Thank you, I'm a new rider, I haven't gotten my scout rougue, because I tore my bicep, recovering, and not because riding. Very anxious and excited to get it. I'm looking for anxiety relief from it. I heard alot of stories, like it will change your life.
It’s great hearing what you said about how you felt riding as a new rider, I felt pretty much the same way in the first year when I got on a bike, with no previous riding experience. I have now just been riding for about 2 years. Way to go Gina.
That’s great, Kevin. Congrats on 2 years riding!
Well I was 19 when I got my license so was in that young and stupid age, but interstate riding in heavy traffic made me nervous and I do not like the rain either. Have fun and be safe.
Thanks! Same to you.
Thanks
I went through the same process
& yes even though there are the changes. My heart is still determined to be a avid rider, because I like to explore & the bike gives new perspective on that.
It’s a way different experiences riding in the mountains on the bike than being inclosed in a car.
In the car you just want to hurry up & get to your destination. On a bike, it’s like your on another planet & you want to experience every curve & wilder flower on the landscape.
I know EXACTLY what you mean!!
Great job Gina ! (Mainly because this is your third one) Thanks for sharing your experience as a new rider. I am sure it will be helpful for several inspiring riders out there.
Thank you! I’m still working the bugs out of the process, but learning more as I go.
You are a great encourager. It’s much appreciated. I’ve dropped my bike too while it was parked on a grass verge, in my case a steep hill. A cop helped me pick it up again. I count it as learning by experience.
Yep! Totally with you on that experience. 😁
Great topic! I definitely had anxiety before rides- sometimes intense, sometimes mild- depending on what I was doing or where I was going. It ended when I went away for the weekend on my bike. I took a trip 3 hours north and stayed 2 nights at a B&B. While there, I encountered all types of traffic situations, weather, and even bike issues (got a bad tank of gas that caused lurching and surging). Anxiety is definitely normal! lol Thanks for talking about this.
Hey Ness. It sounds like you had a chance to “shake out the bugs” that weekend. Good stuff!
Ginger, Doodle, Meghan. Great to see women vloggers. You're humble and talk about the stuff the guys ( who I also appreciate) don't touch on. Like in this video, the head trash of pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. Have fun, be safe!
Thank you, Keith!
Welcome to the moto vlog community! keep up the good work!
Thank you!
SEWING MACHINE LEG, it was what I had to teach my children to deal with as I taught them rock climbing.
That tension should never go away as a rider. Traffic, road conditions, cell phones and your bikes internal conditions are all unknowns. I still look both ways when crossing one way streets. If you ride long enough, you will put a bike down. Pray it's never at high speed or by an inattentive cage driver.
So glad to see such a beautiful person enjoying motorcycles without the hard exterior too many ( especially new) riders try to project. Be yourself and enjoy but do not stress putting a bike down. Just prepare yourself with constant training and conditioning.
you all are in my prayers
Hoka Hey
Glad to see your back!
Thanks, Brent!
I miss being a new rider and the excitement about every ride .
After 50 years on bikes I still get excited with every ride.
Fear and respect keep us alive. Learning basic road racing skills at low speeds in a parking lot can improve the safety of any beginner or advanced rider. Good Job!
I have been riding for several years and that "leg shake" still happens every so often - especially at the beginning of riding season. : )
I’m sure I’d be the same after some time away from the bike, Jenny.
I had that yesterday I just couldn't stop it
I had some of the same anxieties as you. After a year, I feel so much more comfortable! It's exciting and fun to ride. I purchased a 2004 Honda Shadow 1100 and added a windshield and purchased a used Corbin saddle with rider backrest, and just installed 2 leather Viking bags this weekend. Love my bike! I also purchased a nice front opening helmet with mic and Bluetooth speakers and love it. The windshield allows me to ride with my helmet open and love that. Now I am working on camera and mounts so I can create my blog.
Hey Gina, each new bike I got I was nervous the first week or first few rides until I got the feel of it and that is normal, for a new rider it's even worst. You seem to do just fine and keep up riding dear.
Well explained. You make a good teacher.
You are doing it the right way girl.
Riding a motorcycle on the streets and highways is inherently risky relative to most other hobbies. No matter one's level of experience it is prudent to always pause before pulling away on the ride and be 'mindfully apprehensive', not anxious which would interfere with the task at hand, but focused on the reality of the activity.
4 stages of learning, it doesn't matter what it is you're learning...
1. Unconscious Incompetence. You don't know what you don't know.
2. Conscious Incompetence. You know what you don't know.
3. Conscious Competence. You know that you know.
4. Unconscious Competence. Knowing, and doing is instinctive. Your brain is now wired to automatically do what is required, memory recall for the learned skill is instant, second nature. Like riding a bike (not a motorbike) after you learn you instinctively know how to balance, and how to keep the bike moving, and how to stop it. It requires very little to no thought. Same with riding a motorbike, it will become instinctive, judging by your videos, it already is.
I find that getting plenty of sleep, with no sleep deprivation at all, accelerates my learning ability, regardless of what the thing is that I'm trying to learn. During sleep the brain is actually more active than it is when it's awake. It's working out solutions to challenges, it's creating new neurological pathways for efficient memory recall, it's working out what's relevant, and what's not, it's regulating things like Cortisol which leads to stress, and when you awake, you're refreshed, ready to learn, and with a brain that's wired slightly better for the challenge facing you than it was the previous day.
Each night, it wires itself better, until the skill is instinctive, it's instant, and it's easy.
I love the timeline of events. Bought mine on august 1st 2020, picked it up on the 3rd to bring it home on a trailer. Took my MSF on the 6&7 of August (passed) and got my endorsement on the 13th of August. Sadly it then took me 3300 miles through early November 2020 and three more months to edit vids to get them on CZcams. Yours are way better ;)
I know this video is a little old but I really appreciate it! I just got a bike and am experiencing that exact terrifying/anxious feeling. The road next to my house I and everyone else is regularly at 50-60. Riding down it to the church parking lot to practice I was having trouble getting past 35 because I swear I was going mach 9. I have done about 45 miles on the small neighborhood roads around my house and I have gotten much so much better but there's always a new experience each ride to get accustomed to. Random thing I don't think I have heard people mention is how scary oncoming cars are. Despite the fact I am sure I'm closer to them when in a car due to lane positioning they feel like they're right on me on the bike. I know it's getting easier every ride but It's just how different everything feels without a seatbelt, windshield and "cage"!
This is soooooooo me! Thanks for the pep talk! I needed this!
I’m happy to hear it may have helped, even just a little bit!
@@GingerDashMoto 😊
Much respect. Great videos
Thank you, Eddy!
I felt completely at home at the MSF, even in the rain. Like the 30 years in between did not exist. When I do get my new ride, I am going up in displacement and will careful getting used to it. I never did do a lot of highway riding anyway but I'm looking to go on much longer rides in the future. I'm glad you had a friend to ride with, especially in those first weeks.
You go girl
Still get it every spring when riding season starts up.
That makes perfect sense...I've heard others say the same thing, Joseph.
I also bought my motorcycle with 0 experience last spring. Since then I put on 8500 miles on it but I still get anxiety before I go out. But, after a bit on the bike it goes away.
That’s awesome! You’ve put on a lot more miles than me. 😊
Thanks! 😺
I just got my motorcycle endorsement. I just bought a Harley Street Bob and rode for the first time on the test drive. I felt everything you talked about and I know moving forward I will feel the same for a while. Thank you for sharing.
This reminds me of everything I had gone through as a new reentering rider six years ago it is so much the same , now iv got 15,000 miles under me Iv been in just about every conceivable traffic and road situation riding in one of the most dangerous areas of the entire country "the NYC region" and the beginners anxiety is gone, motorcycling is a continuous learning experience I try to not think about the worst, like when I first began riding again id think to myself it is possible that I may not come back or this may happen or that may happen, I never feel that way any more, I live in the moment out there and riding my phantom comes naturally to me just like people that hop on there bicycles and go out for a ride .
A crushed pop can works as a good footing for your side stand on loose ground. :)
I’ve heard that. Need to bring one along. Note to self.
Been riding for many years then stopped after raising a family and by sheer turn of life changing events, I got back into riding after 15 years of no riding . I last rode on a supersport Honda 750 and began riding again with a Suzuki GSX1100g sport touring motorcycle. To this day it still makes thrills and frightens me at the sheer power, freedom and potential dangerous vulnerability..... but .... I still love it!!! So I completely can understand you Gina! 👍🤗🥰
I feel the same things you are talking about. Experience will ease some of that tension. Are you wearing full gear? A "Ride like a Pro" course will help your confidence. Jerry Paladino holds his course in New Port Richey and there are franchises on the East Coast of Florida as well. Time in the saddle and going back and practicing on the MSF course has helped me calm down but a little anxiety is a good thing it keeps you focused.
I know what you have experienced. I have found my anxiety has helped me be a better rider. You have to assume cars on the road don't see you or respect you taking up the road they want for themselves. This means riders have to very aware of what is around them.
I had a scary incident one time when a car almost pulled out in front of me, but stopped in time. My reaction was very good, since I suddenly came to a full stop in front of the car. This event proved to me that I was capable to doing the exact thing I needed to do. It was a reflex action that I performed without thinking. I amazed myself! I pointed my finger at the driver and said, Idiot. Then I rode away.
Hope this helps and you stay safe on the road. I hope to be on a new ride because it is good feeling and fun.
Good video!! Subbed love your content! Thanks for sharing this
Thanks! I’ll come by and check out your content too. Appreciate the sub and comments. 😊
Well done Ginger going riding on your own straight after doing your bike course 👍 You look like a pro riding now 😀. Yes it is scary riding bikes out on the road for the first time and yes car peeps just don't seem to see you and sometimes move over on you 🙁. My very first time on the road I had a 175 cc road / trail bike with semi road tyres and it was wet on the roads in rush hour traffic & I slipped and crashed on the road. But got the bike fixed and got back on the bike. Just was a newbie rider and not enough experience in wet. Looked like a beautiful day riding there.
Thanks, Michael! At less that 2,000 miles on the bike and riding for less than a year, I feel like I’m progressing at a decent pace experience wise. I do stick to the back roads that are less populated, because I enjoy less traffic. At this point it’s less about fear and more about a more relaxed ride. Thanks for watching and for the continued encouragemeant.
Good video, you have insightful thoughts.
I appreciate that!
I was a little bit nervous. Getting back on a bike after 30 odd years.
I crashed my first bike and wrote it off. I walked away more shaken than hurt, still have a scar on my left knee. Fortunately although I was wearing jeans the rest of my gear was good.
I still remember thinking “oh shit”.
I couldn’t afford to. replace the bike, bought an old bike, but never felt comfortable on it. I quite ridding.
This time, took a proper course, hopefully being 30 odd years older, I might be a bit smarter.
So far so good,
I was a bit anxious, I think a little bit of anxiety helps keep me from getting over confident and stupid again.
Riding a bike you really are looking out for yourself.
I agree that some level of "fear" or a health respect for the danger you/we face on two-wheels keeps us sharp. Thanks for sharing, John. Stay safe out there!
New rider here! Thank you so much for your words!!
Congratulations on the new adventure!
You were wise to take it easy at first and build up your confidence. I started riding at 50:years also, on a Honda Elite 80 scooter and took it easy at first too.
Since then I have owned a variety of scooters, trikes and motorcycles and each one brings a new round of excitement and the fun of dreaming of my next ride. The only time I get anxious is if I’m getting low on gas and don’t know where a gas station is. I also ride in Florida and in the hot Summer wear a cooling vest that gives me at least an hour of comfortable riding. Your videos are very well produced and I enjoy them.
Thanks a lot, John. Summer is not my favorite riding season here in Florida. Prepare for whining.
The first time I rode my bike I tried to make a u-turn in gravel. Bad move. The front wheel turned and the rest of the bike didn't. I went head first over the bike. Luckily it was a private road that no one was on. Trying to lift the bike up on gravel was fun. Not to mention I bent the shifter and burned my leg on the exhaust. Let me tall ya. I really didn't want to get back on that bike but I had to get home. A week later I took my bike out on the road I hit a patch of sand in a left turn. I fishtailed but luckily the bike regained traction and I was able to control it before I flew off. Let me tell ya, my butt puckered so hard it hurt. I stayed off the bike for a bit after that but I'm back on. Some things you can avoid. Some things you can't but most motorcycle accidents can be avoided by just riding smart. Try to minimize your risks. Pretend you're invisible. Try to anticipate potential hazards. Have fun and be safe.
G'day GD. Glad that you're period of uncertaincy has passed. One thing you will notice is that your concentration level will increase ten fold whilst riding. This will also transfer itself to when you are driving a car. You will be so much more aware of riders on the roads. Love the videos, stay safe Ginger.
Thanks, Andrew!
In my next life I will ride a bike!
Great job!!
Thank you!
Love your video
Currently in this position. Have managed to get out locally for an hour and I was so nervous my body ached after. Managed it OK but I keep making excuses not to go, and I'm just getting frustrated with myself
51 year old and just bought my first bike.
I did my MSF course a decade ago, and never did a thing with the license, and moved to the other side of the world.... where a transferable license saved me from a far more extreme licensing course.
So if course my first bike is not really a beginner bike in New Zealand.
So yeah, first week in, and anxiety central.
But I wish I had gotten to cross paths with you when I was in Florida last month and seven years ago).
Anxiety central is absolutely normal if you're only a week in to riding. In my experience, it took me 4-6 weeks of consistent riding - just an hour or so every or every other day - and my anxiety passed. Once muscle memory kicks in, you'll feel so much more confident. I firmly believe that anxiety serves a purpose. Without that anxiety, many of us would be more daring than we should be considering our skill level. Best of luck to you!
My first bike was a 1981 Kawasaki 440LTD that was 7 years old. I was so worried about dropping the bike that my father, who taught me to ride, wasn’t sure that I would ever learn to ride. Looks like you are off to a great start.
I hear that! Thanks for stopping by!
I like your perspective on this. There's someone in an online motorcycle group for new riders who was expressing her dismay over new-rider anxiety. I wish the group allowed links, else I'd definitely be posting this video there!
I've been experiencing my own anxieties, being quite new, and I'm so glad to be getting better in the areas where I am most lacking.
I think that people may feel that this type of feeling is "weakness" and be unwilling to discuss it. Which is rubbish. But I hope you have advanced in your riding and enjoying it even more now than when you posted your comment.
Hi, I’m almost 53 and am looking to get my first bike 😳 I’ve never even learned to ride a push bike and I’m petrified but it’s something I really want to do. So far I’ve booked my CBT and theory test (have to do both here in the uk) and am trying to get as much pillion and push bike time as I can. Wish I had done this years ago when I wasn’t so scared of hurting myself. Really glad I found your channel 😊
Hey, Mandy! That’s fantastic. And honestly, you’ll end up with a lot more training than I received before I was turned loose on the roads. Best of luck to you. I’m sure you’ll find that you love it!
Your doing. A great job.
just discovered your videos today. you're never too old to ride a motorcycle as long as you don't have any medical or physical impairments. I started riding in my late 40's, now I'm in my early 60's. I believe that by riding when you're a little more mature, you won't be taking unnecessary risks. as far as your 250cc is concern, you made the right choice base on what you could afford ad the fact that you're a new rider, you'll learn the fundamentals and confidence to eventually graduate to a larger bike if you so desire. I started off on a cruiser, but have gone through several bikes to my recent bike which is a 400cc dual purpose bike, since I would like to do some camping with her. Good luck and be safe.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I do believe I started at the right one in my life, and on the right bike. So far, it’s been a great experience!
@@GingerDashMoto any time you spend on two wheels is good. I have to wait for the snow to stop before I can take my bike out. I've gone out to the garage a couple of times just to look at her, and start her up, so that I can listen to her.
I'm really enjoying your videos. You talked about riding being more dangerous than being in a car, which is absolutely true. As riders we have to constantly be if the defensive. A couple if suggestions I would make is when you're videoing and you come to an intersection of any kind, whether the crossroad goes across or is only from one side, stop talking as you go through, keep both hands on the bars and watch closely. You never know what someone in a car may do. Second suggestion is if you aren't already, watch some videos from MCrider. He has some really good safety content. Ride safe
Thanks for the suggestions. Much appreciated!