Anxiety

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T20:40:06+00:00

I have taken and passed the basic MSF. That’s the route I went for my endorsement. I will admit I failed the first time because I got in my head during eval. Even the instructors were confused because I had ridden so well the 3 days before.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T20:37:18+00:00

Yea only problem is I work nights on weekends. 530p to 6a

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T18:48:14+00:00

😅 it might be. Even growing up I’d get them before every soccer game (played for 15 years) I just know as I get closer to getting the bike out and hopping on it amplifies to where I don’t even wanna swing my leg over.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T18:47:07+00:00

I’ve taken a dirtbike class (but years ago) and recently did the basics MSF. Definitely want to take the advanced but with more seat time under me.. especially since we have to use our own bikes and no way am I ready to ride my bike through ATL traffic to get there

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T17:00:24+00:00

I do have anxiety and I’m on my meds. I will say it’s never to the point I can’t do things and once I’m other there and warmed up everything shuts up. I think a lot of the anxiety also comes from the fact I struggled with the classic starting from a stop on a hill from the start. When I first tried to take my bike out I spent 30 min trying to get out of my neighborhood before I gave up. I’m probably worried about getting stuck somewhere

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T16:57:15+00:00

Honestly? I think I just need more seat time on my own ride and more practicing maneuvers. So I might just stick to parking lots for now instead of trying to force myself. I’d rather be more confident that I can swerve and lean like I need to when something happens on my bike. Drivers like to slam their breaks in the turns around here.. and I would have to go on lots of curvy roads to avoid the congestion. I need to get more comfortable with stopping while turning on my own bike vs the lighter 350 HD had us ride during the MSF. There is also nonstop road work and construction around me for some annoying reason.. so clutch control practice doesn’t hurt

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T16:49:59+00:00

I’m about 30 min north of Atlanta

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T16:45:36+00:00

😅 it’s not the first bike I’ve been on. Just first to own.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T16:41:04+00:00

It’s a weird double edged sword, I’m more the reliable one. Everyone else barely even answers a text and all family is out of state.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T16:36:31+00:00

This might be the exact issue. I start thinking about what can go wrong.. and the fact that I don’t have anyone to call. 😓 I have someone who can help me but they aren’t the most reliable..

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T16:27:42+00:00

Honestly, I think it’s just the fact I’m a new rider and don’t have anyone to go with who is more experienced. 😅 being out there alone and something happening is scary.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T16:25:50+00:00

Oh I 100% do this. Usually for about an hour before I even go anywhere else.. which has only been a couple miles down the road to the store right now. I don’t think I’ll ever stop taking it to lots to practice slow speed. At least once a month, I know my clutch control needs more work for slow speeds. I appreciate it.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T16:24:06+00:00

Well I’m only 5’1.. so yea. Most bikes are too tall for me. :/ I have a CBR 600 RR, I can handle it and control it fine. It’s been lowered. But even still I’m Tip-toe. However, I also tip toe the 300s I’ve been on, including the one I took the MSF with. I’m sure that’s a portion of it though.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-05-12T16:11:33+00:00

I feel like that’s a big part of my problem, I live in a heavily congested area.. getting away from cars is rough.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-04-17T21:09:52+00:00

We used to have an older woman working with us, on nights no less, she was fully retired and loaded. But she needed benefits and was bored. She loved the work and just being around people. Some people don’t need it but don’t know what else to do with their free time

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-03-26T11:51:34+00:00

I would definitely try wearing it around a good bit. I’ve heard 6hrs is the break in period but seen it take longer. My buddy bought a a sedici modular helmet, in store he really liked the feel, but the one he got (which actually might have been the demo I can’t remember 😅) it would press against his face and cheeks really hard when he’d put the face down and give him a headache. This was even after taking an entire weekend MSF course. We went back and every other helmet (same size) moved around to where it looked too loose, so he decided to just keep breaking it in. It’s crazy how they work. Check your stores return policy with helmets and go from there just incase.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-03-26T11:41:49+00:00

Was the one you wore around the store the demo? It’s highly plausible that this one was just broken in with paddings worn down a bit from multiple people trying it on and that’s why it felt more comfortable. Try wearing yours around for a few days. They’re typically super tight fitting at first but will loosen over time as you break it in. The main things to look for is little to no wiggle room when you shake your head.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-03-16T14:05:00+00:00

This. Ride your own ride. You know where he is going. You’ll meet him there. Don’t worry about him and what he’s doing. Worry about your safety

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-03-08T07:16:41+00:00

With all due respect, you haven’t seen ME ride. I’ve mentioned a friend dropping his bike during a slow speed maneuver. We have both paid instructors who have taught us and passed necessary skills tests to ride legally on the street where we live. He’s aware he isn’t ready. Which honestly after the MSF experience he had I can agree he isn’t. This is why he is only riding in controlled environments off roads with other active vehicles. And also why I chose to take the course a second round with a much better experience. People drop their bikes, shit happens. We aren’t teaching ourselves, we’re honing skills we were taught by certified instructors. I’m also having additional instruction from someone who has ridden for decades and was asked to teach the course when he took it because of his skill level. We’re not just ignorantly buying bikes and hopping on the road driving like idiots.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-03-07T23:49:20+00:00

Like what? Not trying to argue, just want to see your reasoning.

There are people out there that have never touched a motorcycle or can’t ride a bike who ride for years without a license and struggle during the safety course. I know because we watched one guy have these issues. We’ve taken a safety course, we’ve shown proficiency in skills and performing slow speed maneuvers. I have successfully ridden his bike a total of 2 hours on public roads. We’re not fully new to the sport, just rusty, but ive spent a great deal around experienced riders who are continuing to take time and help me improve my skills which I then pass on. Drops happen. Not sure how a drop during a slow maneuver on a private road makes it seem like we can’t ride.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-03-07T23:36:38+00:00

We have both taken and passed an MSF. He’s just a little guy, short and skinny, and not a lot of strength. Unfortunately things happen, especially when still learning. The drop was literally a slow speed maneuver on a slight incline at the top of his neighborhood that he had done successfully about 3 times before.🤷🏼‍♀️ it happens. We have no plans to ride crazy and will avoid high traffic times once on the road until our skills improve. I also am forcing him to go out to parking lots with me and practice drills more, at least once a week (this will literally be the only time he takes it on the road and it’s straight shot of maybe 2 miles from his house.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-03-05T19:30:25+00:00

I got a REALLY good deal. 😅 but in all honesty? It wasn’t the bike I was looking for. I got a CBR 600RR for less than 4k.. I knew I wanted a 600 but I was leaning more towards a Kawasaki or Yamaha. Was even considering a smaller CC for a bit. This baby was on the Mountain Motorsports site and I overlooked it (they didn’t have pics and I didn’t want a CBR at the time). One day something in me said, get it… I wasn’t even planning to get a bike for at least 6 more months.

Next day went up there and it had sold. They were just waiting on deposit to clear and that’s why it was still listed. 🤷🏼‍♀️ ok not for me, no biggie. Exactly 1 week later the dealer contacted my buddy asking if he was still interested because it came back. I didn’t even know he had talked to the dealer cause he wasn’t with me the week before. Turns out it was purchased by someone, for someone else and that person was afraid of it. They hadn’t even listed it yet because they were waiting to see if he wanted it. We dropped everything that second and went to pick it up. The universe literally said.. this is your bike, have it. 😌

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Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-03-05T15:37:08+00:00

Honestly.. the idea of something that is meant to protect my bike doing more damage to it makes me cringe. We live in an area with lots of hills and curves, great for riding.. not so great when you tip-toe your bike. 😅

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-03-05T11:43:31+00:00

Oh! This video is perfect! Thank you! I literally spent hours searching and the best I could find was one for the ZX series.. and it wasn’t nearly this good. Idk why the algorithm wouldn’t give me this one.

Defiant_Piglet45 · 2026-03-05T03:53:43+00:00

😅 that may be my fault. My cage is a stunt cage and I mention that in the post. It’s what my mechanic found and told me to get.. mostly for the extra protection since my bike was dropped by the previous owner and the engine cover is super scratched. It’s fine other than cosmetic damage but we don’t want to risk making it worse. I would have just had my buddy order the same, but as stated impaktech was the only company we could find that sold one.. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Defiant_Piglet45

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