Raindog--

I've been having the exact same feeling lately...it's really weird. Wide, sweeping turns (at any speed in either direction) that only a few months ago I wouldn't even have noticed making, now give me pause and I throttle back and sometimes just get convinced the bike is going over, when I KNOW damn well it isn't. My bike is perfectly sound mechanically, but the ONE thing that has changed in my life is my stress level.

Under A LOT of pressure at work as we're opening a brand new facility in less than two weeks, and a lot of the responsibility for making sure it goes right is on me. My stress level is 10 times what it was 6 months ago, and in that time I've noticed exactly the feeling you're talking about--almost to the point of micro panic attacks that last one or two seconds. More than anything, they really piss me off, because I KNOW how to ride and I KNOW my bike is fine. It's probably a good thing I have a full face shield on my helmet, otherwise the cagers would think I'm nuts as I actually yell at myself like "What the Hell's wrong with you? That's nothing! Stop it!"

Stress does really weird things to the mind AND the body. In my case, I can see NO reason for the doubt other than the stress increase in life is manifesting itself as a sense of being unsure. I still ride every day I can and I refuse to let it beat me... and I'm betting mine goes away after May 31st (opening day)...

Deep, huh? But stress is an evil bitch...and I can't wait to dump her.

Relax & enjoy the ride,

RK

try checking the steering it might be a bit loose.in the first stages it has a gostly feeling.very uneasy feeling.makes you back off.

Roadkill1962 wrote:
Raindog--

I've been having the exact same feeling lately...it's really weird. Wide, sweeping turns (at any speed in either direction) that only a few months ago I wouldn't even have noticed making, now give me pause and I throttle back and sometimes just get convinced the bike is going over, when I KNOW damn well it isn't. My bike is perfectly sound mechanically, but the ONE thing that has changed in my life is my stress level.

Under A LOT of pressure at work as we're opening a brand new facility in less than two weeks, and a lot of the responsibility for making sure it goes right is on me. My stress level is 10 times what it was 6 months ago, and in that time I've noticed exactly the feeling you're talking about--almost to the point of micro panic attacks that last one or two seconds. More than anything, they really piss me off, because I KNOW how to ride and I KNOW my bike is fine. It's probably a good thing I have a full face shield on my helmet, otherwise the cagers would think I'm nuts as I actually yell at myself like "What the Hell's wrong with you? That's nothing! Stop it!"

Stress does really weird things to the mind AND the body. In my case, I can see NO reason for the doubt other than the stress increase in life is manifesting itself as a sense of being unsure. I still ride every day I can and I refuse to let it beat me... and I'm betting mine goes away after May 31st (opening day)...

Deep, huh? But stress is an evil bitch...and I can't wait to dump her.

Relax & enjoy the ride,

RK

You nailed it! Not that I feel like I have a lot of stress, but the description of the micro panic attack is spot on...I guess I need to get my butt out to a parking lot and do some turns. Doesn't help that our roads are really sh*tty here which adds to the constant vigilance..probably making me hyper sensitive..

a good quality seat helps me to lean my bike in either direction much better than the stock one does..it is better to be wary and alert than to be cocky and not paying attention... i also slow down for sharp turns..

Ride like a Pro Video! Get it, watch it, and practice it. You'll learn so much about how to ride, things that even people who've ridden for years will learn from it. Google it, and watch some of the sample videos you will be amazed!

I was having some problems untill I put a new set of tires on. I didn't realize how bad they were untill I rode with the new ones. There was still plenty of tread on the old ones, and I think they harden with age. I also put in a set progressive front springs which made a HUGE difference in handling

Ride Like a Pro. Jerry Palladino, right? Seen him at a bike show doing seminars about 10 years ago. Dude knows how to street ride.

jd750ace wrote:
Ride Like a Pro. Jerry Palladino, right? Seen him at a bike show doing seminars about 10 years ago. Dude knows how to street ride.

Yep, and his video will show you all the maneuvers.

coot53 wrote:
I was having some problems untill I put a new set of tires on. I didn't realize how bad they were untill I rode with the new ones. There was still plenty of tread on the old ones, and I think they harden with age. I also put in a set progressive front springs which made a HUGE difference in handling I also had the tire problem. New ones made a big difference.

This guy hates right hand turns also!