You’ve heard all the benefits:
1. Better control of the bike (immediate).
2. Less fatigue during the ride (today).
3. Prevention of damage to your body (tomorrow).
Yet, still, when you do a posture check, you discover your elbows locked, your hands tight on the grips and your shoulders up around your ears.
Why can’t you remember to ‘stay loose on the bike’?
You know that for some reason the bike’s handling instantly improves with a slight bend in the elbows and an intentional decrease in tension.
Make a habit of consciously relaxing as you encounter any road conditions which seem to make you tense: poor road surface, a sharp turn, steep downhill. You can do it when you are aware you will become tense, and learn to predict when it is most severe (and most disadvantageous).
See a steep, downhill gravel section coming up?
You have three options:
…grit it out with a death grip on the bars, arms straight
…relax and ease through the section, keeping your eyes far ahead
…turn around.
Your choice partner.
Pete Tamblyn
Related posts:
18. September 2009 at 12:29 pm
Re–Riding Relaxed–You’re right…I am a new woman rider (licensed-60 yrs old) still practicing on a 250 Nighthawk and find my neck sticking out and my shoulders hunched like an old buzzard. Part of it is the size of the bike as I am taller (5’8″)–and part is just being tense!!
I feel also, speaking on another subject, exactly what the instructors always say….that women have to deal with (over?) solicitiousness and a slightly condescending attitude that their boyfriend, husband, brother, etc, might have if they are teaching. I find it makes me very selfconscious when riding and almost wish I could just go on my own…that will be soon. It’s not my bike (too poor ) so I have had no choice. Soon I will be able to afford my own…
I didn’t have the chance (and probably never will) to learn from a professional but I feel that it is the best road for a woman to take when at all possible. ..if not, be prepared to feel a little inadequate at times. Just persevere !
21. July 2010 at 12:46 pm
Beth,
If this is how you feel, you should really look into a MSF Beginner Rider Course (BRC). These courses are taught by fellow riders, they start out with a simple, “this is a motorcycle”, and build your skills step by step. starting with gross motor skills and finishing with your more refined fine motor skills. You may find that this allows you to be a little more comfortable in the saddle and it may just teach you to be a better rider than those who are looming over you and making you nervous!
27. August 2010 at 12:43 pm
I can’t stress enough the importance of taking the MSF course. One of the worst things a new rider can do is learn how to ride from their friends since you’ll learn all their bad habits. Take the course and learn how to be safe!
1. September 2010 at 9:12 pm
I took the BRC class here in NJ at the Mercer College and cannot stress enough how important it is to take this class. As I was getting my endorsement at the DMV, I saw a young man with a Kawasaki in the parking lot; half of the bike was crushed but ride-able. I asked him what happened and he said he made a turn and wasn’t paying attention and fell. I then asked if he’d taken the BRC class and he had NO idea what I was talking about! It scares me to know I’ll be riding with so many that haven’t taken this course, especially since a lot of them have bikes they can’t handle. ~ I unfortunately lost my fiance to a heart attack in Jan. ’07, and he left me with 3 beautiful bikes. I sold 2 (a Buell and a Suzuki), and kept the Harley, a ’95 FXD Dyna (I’m 5’11″ and a big girl, but this is still a big bike!). FINALLY got the courage/emotion to get my license this year and have only been riding the H-D for 2 weeks. The class was imperative! I have a ‘mentor’, a female that used to ride with us when my guy was alive and she’s great to learn from. That’s probably the second most important thing to do when learning to ride, find a good mentor. She’s patient, has 17 years’ experience, and keeps traffic at bay behind me! I ride alone in my little neighborhood at 25 miles and hour and will eventually venture out alone, but I’m in no rush. At 52 years old, I still have plenty of time to ride and want to stay as safe as possible. TAKE THE BRC CLASS!
2. September 2010 at 2:35 pm
@NJDreamgirl: Your points are well taken… motorcycle training is worth the effort. I have run across riders that ‘drew a blank’ when I mentioned countersteering. Not good. You are lucky to have found a mentor! Trust me, many readers here wish they had one!
PS. I’m sorry for your loss.
David
26. October 2010 at 10:10 pm
Just ran across this forum tonight in search of one just like it…I’m saving up the money (and testicular fortitude) to buy a bike, but not before I take the BRC at the local HD store in N. Georgia…I’m glad to see you guys endorsing it so much…makes this a much less scarier idea for me. I’m 28, married and childless and have wanted a bike since five of my older frat brothers in college got theirs…figured I’d get the bike now before little Junior comes around.
Glad to be able to find people of all walks of life (and ages) who were just as green as I now am.
10. December 2010 at 5:20 pm
I started riding again after a long absence. I was 69 when I took the BRC course and promptly failed it. Took it the following weekend and was much more relaxed. Passed it with only a -3 for putting my foot down in the box.
Rode for six months and took the ERC course and passed it. I am now teaching riding trikes and what a fun thing to do knowing I maybe helping a fellow rider become more profecient and have more fun at the same time.
I am now 72 and having the time of my life.
20. December 2010 at 8:43 am
@Larry: I think switching to a trike sounds just as fun. Glad you’re having the time of your life!