Discussion
My confidence has taken a battering.....to give some background I'm 57 and recently decided to go for my bike licence. So its about 38 years since I rode my little 125 to work on L plates, this was quickly ditched once I got my car licence and my first car. Fast forward to now and having the time and money I decide to do a DAS and try for my licence with the idea of a small bike just to keep in the garage to bimble around on when its sunny and polish when its raining. So I find a school locally, get my CBT and pass my theory and start my training for my MOD 1, everything's great until the day before my MOD 1 test during training I drop the bike doing the slow speed stuff....I'm OK...the bikes ok, its got lots of protection and the instructor assures me its fine, everyone does it, no harm done. So the day of the test...before setting off for the test centre a few minutes practising what we did the day before and I stall and drop it again and even though I was barely moving this time it tickled a bit and I ain't no spring chicken. Again my instructor reassures me and not wanting to throw the towel in I dust myself off and we head off to the test centre. Its around an hours run to the centre but fortunately we stopped for a break which to be honest I needed as my earlier tumble had knocked me a bit and the bikes we were using cripple me ( Z650 and I'm sure they are great for younger riders ) and I was beginning to seize up. We get to the test centre and grimacing I have my test and get through with one minor....great....we set off back home but we are doing it in one hit, no break. After about half an hour I'm beginning to seize up again, as I roll upto a give way I try to put my foot down and nothing happens......cramp....Wallop over I go like Del Boy at the bar. Again no harm done...just injured pride but that is three times in two days. We get back and I'm later reassured by the owner of the school that it's fine and MOD 2 will be ok but I am beginning to think that perhaps I have started this a bit late and physically biking maybe a bit beyond me now. Just to add the school and instructors I am with have been flawless and very supportive.
My advice would be to get a 125 you are comfortable on and get some miles on it.
At 51 I returned after a 20 year break (was one of the first DAS) and it is taking a while to be completely confident. I have a fairly light 400 (81 superdream) that I can get both feet comfortably to the floor and am glad I didn't jump straight on something bigger.
I get cramp in my hip first ride if I haven't been on it for a while.
At 51 I returned after a 20 year break (was one of the first DAS) and it is taking a while to be completely confident. I have a fairly light 400 (81 superdream) that I can get both feet comfortably to the floor and am glad I didn't jump straight on something bigger.
I get cramp in my hip first ride if I haven't been on it for a while.
How much riding/practice have you done? How much of that on the Z650? A Z650 isn't a huge, heavy or unwieldy bike although riding a bike after a long time not doing it will take some adjustment. And that takes time. You're probably getting pre-exam nerves too, which doesn't help things!
Don't beat yourself up over it.
What you are now realising is that learning to ride a motorbike is not only physically demanding but also mentally demanding. My mate much the same as you learnt to ride a couple of years ago at 52 having lusted after my bikes for a few years. I went out with him a few times when he was on L plates and he would admit that after an hour he was both physically but more importantly mentally drained after lessons and yes he dropped his bike a few times. Everyone is different and will learn and become confident at various speeds so please don't over think it all. It just means that you may take more lessons. a good instructor will not put you in for a test if they do not think you are ready, it's not in their best interest.
I'd say one last thing that the fact you are thinking about what you are doing and have the guts to come on here and talk about it should stand you in good steed going forward.
What you are now realising is that learning to ride a motorbike is not only physically demanding but also mentally demanding. My mate much the same as you learnt to ride a couple of years ago at 52 having lusted after my bikes for a few years. I went out with him a few times when he was on L plates and he would admit that after an hour he was both physically but more importantly mentally drained after lessons and yes he dropped his bike a few times. Everyone is different and will learn and become confident at various speeds so please don't over think it all. It just means that you may take more lessons. a good instructor will not put you in for a test if they do not think you are ready, it's not in their best interest.
I'd say one last thing that the fact you are thinking about what you are doing and have the guts to come on here and talk about it should stand you in good steed going forward.
Thanks for your replies, to be fair with the lessons I have had I've probably had around 9 or 10 hours on the bike....admittedly not a lot....it was apparent to me though after half an hour on it that this style of bike isn't comfortable for me. Now I have got this far I will persevere and get my MOD 2 done but I won't be sorry to see the back of the bike. I had grand ideas of a new bike once I got my licence, nice shiny T100 or similar as I like retro bikes, but after the last couple of days the reality is thats clearly not a good idea. Its difficult to find a bike thats comfortable as a novice as you can only sit on them, no test rides with dealers without 12 months experience ( fair enough if you have a habit of dropping them ), realistically if I do press on and get a bike it will be a used one .....suggestions for a used retro machine ?
I did similar at 48 (I'd got my licence at 19)
I jumped on a 450 EXC, joined the TRF to do some lanes - had a few near misses and lots of falls, off road
Three years later I was dealing in bikes
The more you do, the better you get
You know your limits and problems come once you exceed them - if you need to stop - stop
If you need a smaller / lighter / more relaxed bike - get one
Don't give up until you've tried everything
I jumped on a 450 EXC, joined the TRF to do some lanes - had a few near misses and lots of falls, off road
Three years later I was dealing in bikes
The more you do, the better you get
You know your limits and problems come once you exceed them - if you need to stop - stop
If you need a smaller / lighter / more relaxed bike - get one
Don't give up until you've tried everything
Let's be honest here, you've yet to have the freedom of just riding a bike. At the moment the only time you are riding is when you are being instructed or doing your test. All of that time you are being scrutinised and trying to do everything by the book.
It's all new, lots to take in, and you're probably over thinking things, being tense on the bike, this is all natural behaviour, but that additional strain physically and mentally is probably what's causing the cramp and ultimately causing you to drop the bike.
I'm 52, but I've been riding since I was 27, when I was younger I could go out all day, every day on a sportsbike and never feel a thing. I hate to admit that now a day out on a naked bike and I'm shattered in the evening and probably aching a bit the following day, OK I'm not hanging about and I'm hammering down some country lanes bouncing out of the seat at silly speeds, but I definitely feel it more now.
I remember passing my test, my instructor was great and as soon as we left the test centre with my pass certificate in my pocket he just said follow me I'll show you how you should ride now. He went off like a bat out of hell compared to what I had experienced up to that point and it was a great ride back and exactly what I was hoping (and still is) what biking is about.
As per my first line, once you get that license I'm sure everything will be forgotten.
It's all new, lots to take in, and you're probably over thinking things, being tense on the bike, this is all natural behaviour, but that additional strain physically and mentally is probably what's causing the cramp and ultimately causing you to drop the bike.
I'm 52, but I've been riding since I was 27, when I was younger I could go out all day, every day on a sportsbike and never feel a thing. I hate to admit that now a day out on a naked bike and I'm shattered in the evening and probably aching a bit the following day, OK I'm not hanging about and I'm hammering down some country lanes bouncing out of the seat at silly speeds, but I definitely feel it more now.
I remember passing my test, my instructor was great and as soon as we left the test centre with my pass certificate in my pocket he just said follow me I'll show you how you should ride now. He went off like a bat out of hell compared to what I had experienced up to that point and it was a great ride back and exactly what I was hoping (and still is) what biking is about.
As per my first line, once you get that license I'm sure everything will be forgotten.
Chippy 123 said:
Thanks for your replies, to be fair with the lessons I have had I've probably had around 9 or 10 hours on the bike....admittedly not a lot....it was apparent to me though after half an hour on it that this style of bike isn't comfortable for me. Now I have got this far I will persevere and get my MOD 2 done but I won't be sorry to see the back of the bike. I had grand ideas of a new bike once I got my licence, nice shiny T100 or similar as I like retro bikes, but after the last couple of days the reality is thats clearly not a good idea. Its difficult to find a bike thats comfortable as a novice as you can only sit on them, no test rides with dealers without 12 months experience ( fair enough if you have a habit of dropping them ), realistically if I do press on and get a bike it will be a used one .....suggestions for a used retro machine ?
The most important thing is to find a bike your'e comfortable on but also realise that what your'e doing now is not how YOU would normally ride a bike. Bimbling around is not riding for an hour to a test, doing a test, then riding an hour back. Bimbling around probably starts as a 20-30minute ride. When you get more experience or your'e body gets used to the riding position, bimbling around might increase to 30-60mins, but crucially on a comfortable bike for you and without the stress of a test hanging over you're head.Don't give up, get a bike that is comfortable for you and maybe see if you can get the instructor to deliver the bike to the test centre so that you don't have to do a lesson, ride to the centre and then do the test. You can have a 20minute run-around the area of the test and then straight into the test.
Some years ago I took my seventeen year old son for a mod 1. My wife took him there in a car and waited around for the day. At the end of the day he was a mess of sweat. he fell asleep in the car on the way home to the point where I had to leave him in the car because he couldn't be woken up when we got home.
All the cramping you are talking about, he had.
I think its due to the amount of energy and concentration he was putting into something new. When we woke up he asked me how I manage it on a long drive, and I said its easy, like riding a bike.
I do think it'll settle with a bit of time.
All the cramping you are talking about, he had.
I think its due to the amount of energy and concentration he was putting into something new. When we woke up he asked me how I manage it on a long drive, and I said its easy, like riding a bike.
I do think it'll settle with a bit of time.
I wasn't going to comment, as I've little new to add... but...
I've been riding bikes for forty odd(?) years, started when I was sixteen. I am still looking for that elusive bike that I love, but is also comfortable. The lack of comfort never bothered me when I was young, I rode a hardtail Zed chop to Bonn and back one weekend, took a custom BSA to Scotland from N. Wilts, have owned ridiculous streetfighters and had bikes with metal seats... but I've also got a bit beat up over the years, one way or another.
Nowadays I'm not so young, I have an old Laverda that I love, but can't ride for more than about an hour under the best of conditions - so be it, if that's as far as I can go in one hit then that'll have to do. At the end of a longer ride, I can barely turn my head at junctions to look for traffic, so I keep my rides on it shorter - after all, they are just for fun mainly and are supposed to be enjoyed, not endured. I spend other times just enjoying spoodling it, or sitting in the bike shed with a bit of music and communing with it!
I'm pretty sure that with a bit more experience and the confidence gained, that you'll be more comfortable on a bike, but there's a lot of folk who will never ride any great distance, but wouldn't give up bikes... there's a lot of enjoyment to be had without emulating Euan and Charlie.
As for a comfy bike, the best compromise I've owned (around seventy bikes so far) was probably my 2001 Triumph Bonneville. Cheap, reliable, very easy to ride and very relaxed for "bimbling". My Guzzi California was probably the most comfortable, but considerably bigger and heavier feeling, and nowhere near as pleasant to ride.
Best of luck however it works out.
I've been riding bikes for forty odd(?) years, started when I was sixteen. I am still looking for that elusive bike that I love, but is also comfortable. The lack of comfort never bothered me when I was young, I rode a hardtail Zed chop to Bonn and back one weekend, took a custom BSA to Scotland from N. Wilts, have owned ridiculous streetfighters and had bikes with metal seats... but I've also got a bit beat up over the years, one way or another.
Nowadays I'm not so young, I have an old Laverda that I love, but can't ride for more than about an hour under the best of conditions - so be it, if that's as far as I can go in one hit then that'll have to do. At the end of a longer ride, I can barely turn my head at junctions to look for traffic, so I keep my rides on it shorter - after all, they are just for fun mainly and are supposed to be enjoyed, not endured. I spend other times just enjoying spoodling it, or sitting in the bike shed with a bit of music and communing with it!
I'm pretty sure that with a bit more experience and the confidence gained, that you'll be more comfortable on a bike, but there's a lot of folk who will never ride any great distance, but wouldn't give up bikes... there's a lot of enjoyment to be had without emulating Euan and Charlie.
As for a comfy bike, the best compromise I've owned (around seventy bikes so far) was probably my 2001 Triumph Bonneville. Cheap, reliable, very easy to ride and very relaxed for "bimbling". My Guzzi California was probably the most comfortable, but considerably bigger and heavier feeling, and nowhere near as pleasant to ride.
Best of luck however it works out.
If you haven't ridden a bike for that many years and are 57 years old your body is going to take some getting used to an unfamiliar position i.e. sitting on a bike instead of a car seat.
Slow speed manoeuvres are sometimes harder due to having to balance the bike. If you going too slow, this just makes it worse. Try not to get too hung up on this as the more you ride, the more confident you will become.
Slow speed manoeuvres are sometimes harder due to having to balance the bike. If you going too slow, this just makes it worse. Try not to get too hung up on this as the more you ride, the more confident you will become.
I'd recommend perservering and getting a smaller capacity bike that fits you size wise and seeing how that goes. If you chose well and buy luckily or wisely you may be able to get a bike that you'll lose not much on if you decide it's not for you.
While the Z650 may give you cramps, would the predessor ER-6N, the equivalent Versys 650 or a V-Strom 650? If you want small capacity but physically accommodating the Varadero 125 may suit.
I returned to motorcycling after years away and I wish I'd got back on them sooner. For me getting out on a motorcycle is a distraction, escape from everyday life BS.
While the Z650 may give you cramps, would the predessor ER-6N, the equivalent Versys 650 or a V-Strom 650? If you want small capacity but physically accommodating the Varadero 125 may suit.
I returned to motorcycling after years away and I wish I'd got back on them sooner. For me getting out on a motorcycle is a distraction, escape from everyday life BS.
Many thanks for all your replies.....its interesting to hear your thoughts and advice and great pic Spoodler.
I will stick at it as I only need to do my MOD 2 , it wouldn't make sense to throw the towel in now. I'll see how the rest of my lessons/test go before I make a decision bikewise. If I do get a bike I'm beginning to think to just get something second hand around the 250cc to 500cc mark that won't matter to much if it gets the odd bash and try get some miles under my belt and get some confidence.
I will stick at it as I only need to do my MOD 2 , it wouldn't make sense to throw the towel in now. I'll see how the rest of my lessons/test go before I make a decision bikewise. If I do get a bike I'm beginning to think to just get something second hand around the 250cc to 500cc mark that won't matter to much if it gets the odd bash and try get some miles under my belt and get some confidence.
Like you I was 57 when I started to learn. I did the CBT on a Yamaha MT-07, then had a day of instruction. By then I knew what to do but had to get better at doing it so I started hiring a Honda CB125F for the day. I would do about 100 miles in little chunks each time. In all I hired that bike five times before my Mod1.
I failed Mod1 twice (“overthinking” it my instructor said. I passed on the third attempt, passed Mod2 two days later and took delivery of a new BWM G310R nine days after that.and no ever looked back. The practice on the 125 was vital to my progress.
I failed Mod1 twice (“overthinking” it my instructor said. I passed on the third attempt, passed Mod2 two days later and took delivery of a new BWM G310R nine days after that.and no ever looked back. The practice on the 125 was vital to my progress.
It happens to all of us at one time or another. I'm only 32 but have an old hand injury that makes certain riding situations very, very painful. I had to get off of the (actually VERY good) Look, Lean, Roll course with TVAM a few weeks ago as my hand was cramping so badly. When I came back from Scotland in February I was in AGONY on my VFR, the middle part of my back was absolutely screaming after having done about 1200 miles over 4 or 5 days.
Basically, the more you get used to it the less painful it will become (OK, there may be exceptions here). You're likely using muscles you don't usually use or sat in a position you don't usually sit in and the stress of the test won't be helping either.
Basically, the more you get used to it the less painful it will become (OK, there may be exceptions here). You're likely using muscles you don't usually use or sat in a position you don't usually sit in and the stress of the test won't be helping either.
I've ridden since I was 17, now 60. I'm back on a big naked after 7 years of maxi scooters.
After the first service I was heading back at many leptons, some triple figures.
Big bad biker I was, but I got home and I was so knackered that I had to go to bed, at 4pm in the afternoon
Need to get fit to ride it
After the first service I was heading back at many leptons, some triple figures.
Big bad biker I was, but I got home and I was so knackered that I had to go to bed, at 4pm in the afternoon
Need to get fit to ride it
OP, firstly well done on your progress so far, given the falls to get back up, dust yourself off and pass your mod 1 first time is a great job. Make sure you take the positives from what you've achieved so far.
As others have said alot of what your experiencing is pretty normal, it's very hard not to be tense on the bike until you get out on your own rides and get some miles under your belt. I think it's easy to underestimate/overlook how physical riding a bike is.
As Croyde touched on above fitness is important imo, I've no idea of your level of fitness currently, but I'd definitely recommend doing some exercise off the bike to help you when you're riding. I'm no gym goer but I do cycle/run/do bodyweight exercises purposely to keep myself sharp when i'm on the bike, physically and mentally, as I love riding I use that as the motivation for exercising.
As others have said alot of what your experiencing is pretty normal, it's very hard not to be tense on the bike until you get out on your own rides and get some miles under your belt. I think it's easy to underestimate/overlook how physical riding a bike is.
As Croyde touched on above fitness is important imo, I've no idea of your level of fitness currently, but I'd definitely recommend doing some exercise off the bike to help you when you're riding. I'm no gym goer but I do cycle/run/do bodyweight exercises purposely to keep myself sharp when i'm on the bike, physically and mentally, as I love riding I use that as the motivation for exercising.
Thanks to all for your advice and encouragement.....its a good point regarding fitness and riding, I do feel worn out after an hour on a bike and thats probably down to my fitness levels. Having had a physical job for forty years its fair to say I am a bit worn out ( not ready for the scrap heap yet ) but I probably could improve with more exercise.
Its encouraging to hear from some others who are more senior and hanging in there with their bikes.....
Its encouraging to hear from some others who are more senior and hanging in there with their bikes.....
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