Grn, Rook, Cooter:

Focus...forget trying to 'be like someone else".....focus on his abilities and learning.

What I need to do...is cut the fast shit that gets me there in that position for one...and secondly....THINK.And KEEP THINKING.And focusing on being one with my bike...

I can't really say how all this stuff works...you know...the overriding of instincts.You practice(hoping it'll be like muscle memory)...you read...you ride....

The higher the velocity...the more everything controllable diminishes.I HAVE to restart my riding experience again with my new bike differently.That's just me.I'm not actually 'afraid' of riding...now...but things are certainly not the same as before...You think you're in control....then you realize...it's one of those "OH SHIT" moments!

I believe through focus and practice (both of which involve strategically planning and executing maneuvers in a deliberate, step by step manner), behaviors become automatic.... IDK what I was doing. Looking at other vehicles, the sky....IDK?? I was not paying attention to the road as much as I should have been... It was not a difficult turn. I could make it pretty easy at over 120mph if properly executed... and made a steep quick bank a quarter of the way into the turn and right on track without leaving my lane. That was pure instinct... I was impressed with the automatic reaction. Few years back I would have not been up to it. Glad I was a careful beginner.

... it sounds like your major problem is fear and the only way to get over your fear is to get out and ride!! Just be smart and as smooth as possible the more you ride the more natural it will become!

I re-read this a few times, over a few days, to let it really sink in.

I think I owe all ya'all a major debt of gratitude, you've probably saved my life out there.

I've been beginning to make serious Rookie errors in judgement, such as speed in excess of visibility (I've got "street" riding in view).

These ideas, above, will help "ground" me as I continue on my Super Sport journey (quest?).

FOCUS. PRACTICE. LEARNING (ie: SCHOOL, both reading and riding / track school). and a bit of SLOW DOWN when conditions are not conducive to SPEED.

Gentlemen, Thank You. Happy Thanksgiving to You and your families (who love you very much, dont forget).

Bob.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!This whole riding the 14 deal....it becomes work if ya put too much into it...just do what you know is right for you...no one else.Your abilities(if you think you're lacking...I don't think you are)will naturally be there...just be comfortable and relax...enjoy...countersteer...lean a little...and watch the hairpins!This bike is amazingly user friendly....practice...every ride...practice.Have fun and don't push too hard...until you feel you want to.You're doing fine.I read those books religiously before I got my first 14.They definitely opened my thoughts about riding a sportbike...and you have the best!
She's a big pretty well forgiving bike....lots of mass...good brakes...great power.Just remember...BEFORE ya get in TOO HOT...she takes off way faster that she stops....set yer entrance speed well ahead of your corner...and maintain mild throttle input till ya pass that apex and start headin for that exit!Light front brake will settle the chassis as you approach the turn in.Everything smooth...brake application,throttle app.,body positioning...all smooth and one with the bike.

THINK...(anticipate)WHAT yo're gonna do before ya get to yer turn...how you're gonna do it...and just carry it out as the road dictates...if ya have to...tell yourself as you're rolling in..."push right,go right"...or whichever way yer turning.Your body and all will follow.
Amazing how many times I still have to tell myself those basic things...but doing will create the confidence you want to truly enjoy the 14.Sometimes ya need to tell yourself this stuff to get your mind back in focus as you're riding.Easy to 'forget'...sometimes.For me anyway.Glad you're here Meb...

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/21/2012 @ 2:11 PM *

Hope you had a great holiday Bob and everyone. I am thankful for many things. Family is a big one. Motorcycles is on the list for sure. most of all constant protection of God.

Thanks Rookster....hope yours was good also.

That's very kind of you, Rook. Yup, I did have a great hoilday with my family.

I also got to enjoy a ride up 'n down the mountain, safely. There were many bicyclists on the twisty road. Thanks to the sage advice I got here, I was ready for them. We shared the road in peace, and enjoyment.

Focus kept me on the ball thru the hairpins, Grn!

The chicken strips are long gone!

I think yer BS'n us here...you're probably a road racer with trophys all over the place;)

What, you think you're the only one allowed to do that BS'n stuff 'round these parts? <grinning>.

Anyway, half my head wishes it were true about the trophys. The other half smacks that side and says "Dummy Up! You got it good, dont mess it up..."

Glad ya had a good time rollin on yer time machine....I hate hairpins.Come closer to FALLING OVER in those than going 'off road'as it were.Not easy(for me) to slow down to like 5-8 mph and then turn in a hairpin...

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/24/2012 @ 11:10 PM *

The really tight turns (i.e.: the ones that are marked 20-25 mph and you really better not even think of trying to go faster..) those are the ones where i had the rear end skid out on me. Just enough to wake me up. I think a smaller bike might just stick better in those cases because of less weight/less centrifugal force. I also went across the the oncomming lane a couple times in the same situation. No traffic, thank GOD!

"I also went across the the oncomming lane a couple times in the same situation. No traffic, thank GOD!"...tell me about it....sheesh...you aint alone there Rookster.I swear,I've been REALLY lucky a few times...and probably plenty I didn't realize.That's why I say...with the new bike...things are gonna be a tad different from now on.