Am I nuts?

[DragonGal]

Took the bike out Saturday, first time all year. (Had some things going on this summer) The bike has been maintained, started etc all summer but just didn't seem right Saturday. My son set the idling up and that helped. But since it was acting up my sons decided to follow me in case I had problems. What a ride.... Car pulled out in front of me, one thought he could pass me when the passing lane had ended, etc. When I stopped to turn around to go back was the fun part. I have turned around at this place many times. No traffic in sight when I went to pull out seemed like the throttle caught for a second. It took off with me... I was within inches of the guard rail, bike laid over where I was making the turn but I keep it up right and went on down the road giving my sons the thumbs up I made it. For whatever reason one of my sons was making video of bits and pieces of my ride on my phone. When I looked at the video of the guard rail event I paused it, then I realized how close I had been. I have highway bars but a few more inches they would have been touching it. I knew I had scared my kids (conversation on video confirmed that) The thing is... It didn't scare me. When I hit gravel before and it threw me out into a major roadway... it didn't scare me. I have panic and anxiety attacks. And no close call has scared me. I did take the msf class. I do watch for things riding. But when something happens. I wasn't scared. If I had freaked at the guard rail and pulled the bike up I would have gone over on the other side. This got me thinking. Yes I think too much. Should it scare me that it didn't scare me? This has really made me wonder was it a good thing or a bad thing that the things that have happened didn't bother me at all. I'm wondering if it is time to get off the bike. I know some fear is a good thing. It's just the things that could have killed me, didn't bother me..... Ok let me have it I know everyone is going to. It does concern me why I was totally freaked out.

[GPSchmidt]

You shouldn't have to ride in fear per se, and should develop a level of confidence. I believe you should always be alert and anticipating what other drivers may do. However, I'd be concerned about the fitness of your bike before you hit the streets. If the bike isn't running right, get it checked out. If you are new to riding, I'd suggest spending a some quality time in a parking lot improving on your skills. You should always have control over the bike and not the other way around.

I can tell you that when I have a hiatus from riding (Like over the winter months), it takes me a few rides before I settle back into riding. If you haven't ridden much this summer. Take it slow and get to know your bike again.

[fixjets]

No, you are not nuts. You handled it well under pressure. That is a gift you have that will keep you on 2 wheels.

As for the bike acting up, Ethanol sitting in a bike can be a dangerous thing. Consider draining the tank and refilling with some fresh fuel and see how it acts. Some Sta-bil Ethanol treatment should be added during storage (even if you don't ride for a few weeks or more) and keep the tank topped off.

[kacealraid]

That's probably the best mindset to have. A twinge of fear, but the main ingredient is control. You want just enough fear to realize you "don't" want the worst to happen. Sounds like you got your mixture figured out.

[BrianVT500C]

If you are already riding with anxiety and panic then you are expecting those bad things to happen, thats why you aren't surprised or afraid when they actually do happen - its the same as target fixation - your going to go where you look. The best bet is to fix the bike so that it's reliable and try to relax.

[93gc40]

Your not nuts, unless you let events like that scare you off the bike.

As for the bike, it sound like its just porotesting the neglect. Get it out on the highway, it will forgive you. When you were doing your periodic start.. Was the bike being fully warmed up and ridden. Because if you were just starting it and letting it idle a few minutes. You've been draining the battery, weakend battery will cause an off idle.

[dgraves49]

You see the results of people that let their fear override their comon sense hanging on the back of wreckers all the time. Anytime you panic you are going to make the situation worse.

[dernp]

Originally Posted by 93gc40

Your not nuts, unless you let events like that scare you off the bike.

As for the bike, it sound like its just porotesting the neglect. Get it out on the highway, it will forgive you. When you were doing your periodic start.. Was the bike being fully warmed up and ridden. Because if you were just starting it and letting it idle a few minutes. You've been draining the battery, weakend battery will cause an off idle.

+1.

It sounds like your bike is screaming for attention.

[MikeB]

There's nothing wrong with your reaction at all...just the opposite. A lot of single bike accidents -- probably most -- are caused when the rider panics in a tight spot and reacts inappropriately. Staying cool is the best defense.

You have a gift, there. For many riders it takes years of confidence-building experience to get to that point. Some never do.

[Cynthia-M]

Originally Posted by GPSchmidt

You shouldn't have to ride in fear per se, and should develop a level of confidence. I believe you should always be alert and anticipating what other drivers may do. However, I'd be concerned about the fitness of your bike before you hit the streets. If the bike isn't running right, get it checked out. If you are new to riding, I'd suggest spending a some quality time in a parking lot improving on your skills. You should always have control over the bike and not the other way around.

I can tell you that when I have a hiatus from riding (Like over the winter months), it takes me a few rides before I settle back into riding. If you haven't ridden much this summer. Take it slow and get to know your bike again.

Absolutely PERFECT advice!

Cynthia