This Happened To Me This Weekend: I Realized How Much More Advanced The Bike Is Than My Skill Level.

[40Yrold]

Hi,

I have about 2500 miles under my belt since i got my license.
I was enjoying the mild weather we have been having on my first motorcycle gs500F.

I am pretty sure my skill level with the bike hasn't outgrown it either, but i was maxing it out in 6th gear on the highway.

So as I had originally planned, I purchased an 06 GSXR-750.

This weekend, I rode the bike to our favorite motorcycle road: Brandywine Creek Rd.
Elevation changes, 20 miles of twists and turns.

After the first pass, my wrists were sore.

I have yet to do a track day yet, and I am looking forward to the learning I will get there.

But the stuff, that I read about, or watched youtube videos of superbike school, keith code etc, We are all just theory.

I didn't crash, or skid or lose traction.
But I found myself way more tense on this road than normal.
I crossed over the center line 2 times for pretty much the same reason.
Chopping the throttle instead of rolling it on evenly throughout the turn.
Survival reactions were kicking, in and it took a lot of energy to avoid target fixation, and other things that would get my bike wrecked.

one of the guys I was riding with was in my ear the whole time via the sena bluetooth, and he was coaching me from behind. Really cool experience, even telling me to hold wide longer, then duck into turns, then keeping my throttle even.

At the end of the 3 hours on the twisties. I was physically sore!
My forearms, wrists, lower back, thighs from gripping the tank.

I had fun, but also I felt sobering reminders of the level of my skill, and how much more I need to progress.

I know that a supersport is a technical bike meant for racing, whether its a 1999, or 2015.

I am happy that I was able to purchase mine for a great price, and honestly, I am considering keeping my GS500F as my around the town bike, or getting a naked street bike with a more relaxed seating position.

I am excited about continuously learning the skill of riding a motorcycle.
but I just felt overmatched.

And honestly to really enjoy a streetbike now... I feel that legally speeding 100mph+ on a controlled clean surface is now one of the only options.

Anyone ever been there?

I guess its part of the progression of being a rider.

 

[Pigs]

I definitely know what you are talking about. I have been riding for about a year and started on a 84 gpz 550 and at the current time, I was working for a farm in the mountains so everyday I had a ~1 hour commute through all these great roads and there was never any traffic. That is when I started to feel I was riding the bike hard, not to its limits but riding it aggressively to the point of scraping my pegs. About 3 months ago(7 months of riding at this point) I got my 08 zx6r and it made my morning commute just that much more fun than it already was. Took awhile for me to get used to the handling and riding position of the bike. I was tense just like you and some of the turns on my commute were just littered with bumps and that was absolutely terrible on the zx6r. But after a week of riding it, I got accustomed to it and got as good as I was on my gpz. Those youtube videos do help to some degree, but when riding through every corner, I like to remind myself the basics; counter steer and look through the corner. So just keep at it and you will get used to it and learn that whatever you do to it, the bike will probably be capable to do it just that much more.

I also have cynical views sometimes about supersports and agree that ss can be a complete overkill for the streets. Going the speed limit down the highway is by no means fun especially knowing that you can so easily go twice the speed limit. Accelerating isn't all that great either. Sure it can do a 1/4 mile under 11 seconds and all that, but whats the point if you can't have the plesure of shifting through all the gears. My zx6r will do 80mph in first and 100 something in second. But I love everything about the bike and i love all the ergonomics and suspension parts of the bike. All I can say is if honda does come out with the cbr350rr and it makes decent power, ill be all over that within seconds.

 

[SighBored]

You're just not used to the sport bike riding position. Get more riding time on the bike and your body will adapt to it, along with the proper riding position, you won't feel so easily sore/fatigued. I take it as my workout session. But if you don't want to deal with adapting to a sport bike riding, go with a naked bike.

I'm not sure about having someone talk into my ear while on the bike, personally I would find it distracting and I'd rather focus on riding, if you need advise, I'd say it's better to have a discussion when you've stopped for a rest/drink.

 

[Poenster]

When I started riding again in 2007 with a GSXR-750, it was a lot of fun. For 3 months. I got so bored with the bike - Lack of power, no fun roads to ride close to home etc. I got invited for a weekend away with a bunch of people and the roads there were amazing. Alos learnt so much about the bike and myself, that I realized the 750 was more bike than I would ever need. Took it to a track a while later and managed to pass a few 1000's and even a Hayabusa.

Once you realize that you can learn so much on what you have, it becomes much more fun!

 

[40Yrold]

You're just not used to the sport bike riding position. Get more riding time on the bike and your body will adapt to it, along with the proper riding position, you won't feel so easily sore/fatigued. I take it as my workout session. But if you don't want to deal with adapting to a sport bike riding, go with a naked bike.

Yeah
i remember when I first started riding the GS500F, my arms were sore, I wasn't used to the wind buffeting yet. Then I got more comfortable.

I'm not sure about having someone talk into my ear while on the bike, personally I would find it distracting and I'd rather focus on riding, if you need advise, I'd say it's better to have a discussion when you've stopped for a rest/drink.

I wasn't chatter all the time, just before the turns.

I am still a relatively new rider, i prefer having the intercom for group rides, because we also alert each other to road gravel, sand, and other hazards.

 

[Raven]

This is normal. I just finished my first year on a bike and racked up just over 12,000 miles. And the longer rides were workouts. I am not on a sport bike, but the upright style of mine has me gripping the tank with the knees just the same. I wish I could say I lost weight (maybe a few pounds) but I know I am able to ride longer now and be less tired.

As to chatter in the earpiece during rides, personally I hate it. We use foot and hand signals. For making sure everyone keeps up, we follow the "keep the guy/gal's headlight behind you in your mirror" so no one gets left behind or lost. That really only comes up when it comes to turning off the current road. But, to each their own. I ride with mostly with older bikes (vintage japanese and such) and the ADV style bikes. Only a couple guys who ride with some of us regularly have sport bikes. Also have to say we average between 3 and 10 in a group.

 

[Lurch]

You're not used to the position, you're not used to the bike.

For the first reason you're going to create fatigue. For the second reason you're tense. For the second reason, you create the symptoms of the first reason.

To mitigate the first, do shorter trips, and don't do anything demanding, or if you do, read the second reason response.

Second reason - you've stepped up, you'll have in your mind what trouble the extra power can get you in to, therefore you will naturally tense up, causing more fatigue (see 1). So back it off, go slower, don't play catch up. If you're with others, agree to meet up at the next turn with someone, or you lead at your pace. Plan your bends (Google bend planning), track day won't help you with road bends per se (it will help your confidence in the bike), you need to assess the bend and go in to it slow and wind it on once you can see the exit.

Don't look at track videos to sort out your road skills, not yet anyway, get the road skills down regards to bend planning, and build it from there. I couldn't do bends on my low power Deauville, I started to advanced riding tuition and they got me to back off, read the bend and have slight positive throttle through the bend. They teach you to not brake for bends, use the engine to slow you. Now not saying you shouldn't use brakes, but if you're not going to use brakes, it makes you think a lot more about slowing enough for the bend.

There's plenty on this on the internet. Search for Survival Skills on Facebook, or look in the blog section and look at my last blog entry, it has links. Kevin talks common sense about the best way to approach all riding tasks. It's all about you thinking and your planning more than it is about your skill or experience.

Hopefully before too long you'll be wondering what all the fuss was about

 

[dandoolittle]

You don't know a bike until you worn the tires out from new


I've skim read the post but using track videos to read the road while open you up to one thing..The floor


I do tracks, a lot and I'd guess I'm not classed a novice, we use tracks totally different to the road. You can tell off the bat when a road rider joins a session etc.

 

[SighBored]

I wasn't chatter all the time, just before the turns.

I am still a relatively new rider, i prefer having the intercom for group rides, because we also alert each other to road gravel, sand, and other hazards.

Well honestly I never used intercom, so I can't comment how useful they are. When we do group rides, as mentioned by @Raven, using hand and foot signals do the job, as for not getting lost, that comes down to the briefing before the ride starts, and indicating where would be the next regroup point.

Anyways, being new to the bike, and to riding, my personal thought would be to actually not join any group rides, but instead find an experienced riding buddy or two, and go enjoy the ride. This way you don't need to be burdened by group dynamics/punctuality/pace/etc. All you need is to focus on riding, learning how to handle your bike, and you have a buddy with you just in case something happens (accident/crash/breakdown/etc), your buddy has your back or vice versa.

Ride safe, safe ride!

 

[40Yrold]

First off, I want to thank y'all for your helpful comments and tips.

The largest group I ever rode in was 3 people.
I haven't participated in those huge meetups because usually they are organized by cruiser guys.

I have been riding with one guy is a track day guy the most. And during most rides, when we are getting hydrated, or he is taking a smoke, we talk. I get feedback about riding errors etc.

I look forward to progressing in skill with the sportsbike, and really enjoying the power and engineering.

Overall, not a bad day on the motorcycle yet!
Doing my best to keep it that way for sure!

 

[Raven]

I stay away from the cruiser meets, or poker runs. I did one, and it degenerated into a a bunch of guys and their mates being half (or full in some cased) drunk and barely able to ride their straight line. Nope, no more poker runs for me.

I like riding in smaller groups, or just solo (most of the time). And generally with people on the same style of bike as mine on as twisty a road as possible. Some ride BMW F800, V-Stroms, Super Tenere's and a good number on vintage Japanese bikes. There are a few who have moved into the new Ducati Scramblers, and what a fun bike that is.

 

[Lurch]

Small groups of like-minded people are better to go with. I meet some Deauville owners every month or so. We do about 100 miles within a short day, have a late breakfast and an afternoon cuppa and enjoy some nice country roads. No egos, no messing, just a day out enjoying biking. Stick with people who want to have the day out rather than a day maxing out the bike, and you'll find things get more comfortable quickly.

 

[40Yrold]

1. I'm not into poker runs and harleys etc.
2. I'm not into hooliganism either, though, I think I would enjoy some wheelies once in a while.

I know i like twists and turns. but also not looking try and take track day stuff onto a public road and get killed either.

 

[Runnin1ife]

Get used to the bike and you should be alright. I re-introduced myself to a 09 honda shadow about 18 months ago after a few years of not riding. Then after about 6 months I went to a ninja 650. I had a dual sport for a while too and so far the ergos for the ninja 650 are best for me. I cant do the track/ ss/ sport bikes. If I am in the fetal position by back makes my toes and fingers goes numb. I have to sit more upright.
But after the switch I found since I was no longer in a recliner I had to engage my core alot more to keep pressure off my wrists.

 

[HappyRider]

I know the feel. Started riding this year on a Ninja 300....Put around 10000 km on it and felt like I needed something bigger for highway riding.Got a good deal on brand new Gixxer 750 and could not say no. As soon as I sat on the bike and I started it I was like holly s^%*. This is a completely different game. The only thing I can compare the adrenaline I got from it is to the first time I had sex.I rode around town for almost 8 hours straight and honestly could not sleep that night, thinking of the ride I was going to have the next day.
So far I put around 8000 kms on it, mostly twisties and loved every minute. It scares the hell out of me every now and then but I guess that is a good thing. What I learned is just ride with people that do not push you to go over your limit on the road and with people that help you find your limit on the track. You will get those random urges to go fast or to do stupid stuff every now and then, like any other sportbike rider does I assume. What I realized is every time I have a close call on the road I tend to learn from it and instinctively do everything I can not to put myself in that situation again. So you become a better rider by making mistakes and training your brain to avoid those mistakes to survive. Hopefully those mistakes do not end with you on the tarmac.

 

[jthomas]

Every bike is different. You will become comfortable with it and get to know it better. They need lots of foreplay before getting down to business. Once your more comfortable, you will sit better and wont be as nervous and stop getting fatigued. A tense riding position and a death grip on the handles quickly wears you out. Learn her limits, run her in and then take her for a thrashing. Have fun and stay safe!