Help me get over the jitters

[paintedlady]

I first learned to ride on a 650 BSA, then I got a Hond750, this was in the late 70's, bought a 650 Vstar last year, rode it once and sold it. Now, I have bought a 2010 RTS, I find that I am very nervous with this bike, as the throttle is so quick, not the cable that I am used to , it will take off in a minute. After, 30 years of not riding, can I get back in the saddle, or have I spent all this money for nothing?

 

[DynamoBT]

Don't overface yourself too quickly by thinking you can just get on and ryde. Find a big empty parking lot and do the exercises in the owner's manual. Don't do them once or twice. Do quite a few separate sessions doing them.

Then, ryde back road with very little or no traffic. Go slowly like you would if you were first learning. Because in essence, you are just learning.

Many people here are ryding the Spyder as their very first motorcycle period. Granted, I've never ridden the RT so don't know how different the throttle by wire is vs. a cable. But surely, if you go very slowly and don't push yourself, you can do this. It kind of depends just how badly you want to ryde.

 

[VaughnCat]

:congrats: Don't worry . . . . be happy!!!
Buying a Spyder was one of the best decisions we've ever made . . . so much so that we did it twice!

It had been 30 years for me too, and it actually made it easier than going directly from 2 wheels (IMHO).

Relax, get to know your Spyder. Spend a lot of time with it, cruising around parking lots (I preferred empty ones) and just starting off slow. If you're like me, you'll fall in love with it over and over again.

We've got over 10,000 combined miles on our RT & RS and it just keeps getting better.

hyea::yes::clap::yes:hyea:

Cat

 

[pjp623]

:congrats: My situation is not all that different, after a crash about 30 years ago I was done with motorcycles, needless to say, It was always in the back of my mind to ride again--then along came :spyder2: and I was hooked. I retook the motorcycle safety course and that wasn't bad, then took the spyder out on the open road.
Follow the advise already given, start slow and push youself a bit more each time. Once it "clicks" you'll love it, and if you never take it out on the Interstate, who really cares--it's all about having some fun. Good luck! :2thumbs:

 

[pierrelogic]

Give it time. I was comfortable because I ride snowmobiles so the transition was fairly easy. But it still took time for me to r-e-l-a-x and enjoy the ryde. It's different for everyone. The comfort level will come for you in your own time. Don't give up the ghost. You made a wise and safe decision. Trust that decision. This machine will become so easy to ride...in time.

The others suggestions to do what the manual says...practice in an empty lot and find a road without much traffic is exactly what I did. Gradually you'll "become one" with your ryde. From that point forward you'll enjoy each ride better than the last.

 

[paintedlady]

Thanks to all of you that answered. My plans are to do exactly what each of you mentioned. It has been too hot down here in NC to go to the school parking lot to practice. I hope it cools off before school starts again, then that will mean Sat and Sun practice only. My boyfriend is my driver right now, fwhich is nice, at least I get some idea of how the bike works.:spyder2:

 

[GI Jane]

Painted Lady: You can do it; I did. 90% attitude

 

[ARtraveler]

My spouse had similar reaction to her first riding experiance with the :spyder2:. I agree with previous posts. Do some parking lot time. Practice starting & stopping in first gear at first. Once you get used to the throttle response, take it up to 2nd & 3rd gear. Practice turns left & right and maybe even some parking in spaces. Go on short rides, on lesser traveled streets and roads. Build your confidence a little bit at a time. Review of the video disk concerning riding in general is good. We did not set up or use practice cones as shown on the video and suggested in the manual. It took an hour or so of parking lot time, and about 250 miles of driving and spouse was well on her way to driving the machine. She ended up putting 10,000 miles on her :spyder2: in her rookie year. Good luck with your efforts. Hope you have many miles of enjoyable riding.

 

[kman]

Thanks to all of you that answered. My plans are to do exactly what each of you mentioned. It has been too hot down here in NC to go to the school parking lot to practice. I hope it cools off before school starts again, then that will mean Sat and Sun practice only. My boyfriend is my driver right now, fwhich is nice, at least I get some idea of how the bike works.:spyder2:

Hmmmm,your boyfriend might not want you to drive it.He might fall in love with it like we all did.Listen to the rest of the suggestions and put your (Big Girl Panties on) and deal wit it!:roflblack: welcomehyea:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I say just go for it. Don't let yourself be afraid it won't do you any good. Understand your limitations and keep out of situations that will test those limits. Woman up and go for it!

 

[DSQUARE]

mY wife had never RIDDEN before in her life. Got her a :spyder2:She is now confident and rides well. I attribute it to making her take a "MOTORCYCLE SAFETY COURSE". Find one in your area and take it. You will after 2 days of class room and riding instruction come out knowledgeable and confident. There are now trike courses being offered at locations across the USA.
Look into it:2thumbs:

 

[SpyderSteve]

I first learned to ride on a 650 BSA, then I got a Hond750, this was in the late 70's, bought a 650 Vstar last year, rode it once and sold it. Now, I have bought a 2010 RTS, I find that I am very nervous with this bike, as the throttle is so quick, not the cable that I am used to , it will take off in a minute. After, 30 years of not riding, can I get back in the saddle, or have I spent all this money for nothing?

I went through the same thing, I haven't been on a bike in over 20 yrs. test rode a :spyder2: and loved it. Then i started to ride highways and it scared me and i thought about selling also, but every chance i got i rode a little further down the highway. Now after about a year i have been to Chicago, Green Bay Wi. and Lansing Mi. Buffalo Ny. twice, and next trip is Tennessee in Sept. Just give it a chance:2thumbs:

 

[mindman]

Whenever I'm reluctant to take something on I have a conversation with myself that goes something like this: "Are you going to let this beat you? Who is in charge here....fear (or uncertainty, or doubt) or you? Don't let this rule you!"

A previous poster wrote to take it slow, and I agree. You don't need to go screaming down the highway, or drifting around corners. Get to a parking lot close by and practice. then move out a little farther, and farther, and farther as your skills and your confidence builds. YOU are the one in control here. And always remember: "Whether you think you can, or think you can't....YOU'RE RIGHT!"

 

[Pincushion]

Nothing beats the jitter more than practice....You can do it!
Parking-lot time will help.

 

[canam9]

:congrats: Don't worry . . . . be happy!!!
Buying a Spyder was one of the best decisions we've ever made . . . so much so that we did it twice!

It had been 30 years for me too, and it actually made it easier than going directly from 2 wheels (IMHO).

Relax, get to know your Spyder. Spend a lot of time with it, cruising around parking lots (I preferred empty ones) and just starting off slow. If you're like me, you'll fall in love with it over and over again.

We've got over 10,000 combined miles on our RT & RS and it just keeps getting better.

hyea::yes::clap::yes:hyea:

Cat

:agree::agree::agree::ani29:

 

[dadof4]

I had not driven a motorcycle for about 35 years. After the first couple of hundred miles on the RT, like you, I was questioning my decision to purchase the Spyder. I had the feeling I was going to lose it on every curve. I could not even imagine going over 55 mph.

With ~2700 miles on the Spyder all of my concerns are a thing of the past. Went on a 180 mile ride last week with a couple of aggressive Harley riders. I had no problem keeping up with them. Be patient and eventually you will consider the RT a great (and fun!) ride.

 

[2Gunns]

Welcome fellow North Carolina welcome

It really looks like all have given you very good advice. I had 20+ years on 2 wheels but had never even riden a ATV before the Spyder.
The Spyder did feel a little unnerving at first..... just relax and have fun with it. IT"S A BLAST ! Since the RT purchace, my other bikes have only been riden to get inspected...seriously!

 

[C3517C]

All good advice. Experience is everything when riding, and there is no substitute. Get on that Spyder as often as you possibly can and you'll probably pull through this. After logging a few months you'll at least be able to know where you stand, and can make an informed decision. Don't go into situations you feel might be beyond your skill level. Soon you'll be cool as a cucumber. :doorag:

 

[SpyderRider]

Been riding minibikes and motorcycles for 45+ years now and still have my 2001 Honda Valkyrie Interstate...a big bike. Just got my RT-S last Thursday and this past week (roughly 500 miles ridden) I thought what have I done??? This machine IS NOT A MOTORCYCLE...it is a Roadster and rydes and handles differently. :shocked: But now that I have relaxed and let the Spyder "lead" me I am becoming much more comfortable and I figure after a month or so I won't give it any further thought! I love my new RYDE! :doorag:

Practice makes perfect!!! :2thumbs:

 

[rogerb]

Jitters I bought my RT June 6. Two dealers would not let me try the bike out just because my right ankle was broken. Dumb excuse I think. I bought the bike and had to trailer it home. My son unloaded it for me. The next I started riding it. After he unloaded it it started to rain of course. Within a week I had ordered a hand brake for it. Sometimes I'd apply the brakes and nothing would happen because the boot wasn't touching the peddle. Since then I have been on three trips and put on 4600 miles. My advice Go For It just slowly at first and work-up your nerve and skills. The Spyder will prove to be your most fun machine you have ever owned. Good luck and good riding.:2thumbs: