RIDING WITH EXPERIENCED RIDERS AND FEELING SO OUT OF PLACE

I just experienced a similar situation and I was glad to see that what I was feeling was correct.  I was in a group of 5 all experienced riders 15 or more years.  I rode 4 months last year for the first time ever being on anything  but a bicycle with two wheels.  The ride was about an hour and half long through back roads.  On the return and after the bikers had some fuel (drinks) it was a whole different story on the the return.  For one thing they wanted the busy memorial day highway which I mentally was not prepared.  They bounced in and out of traffic expecting me to do the same, rode at speeds of 80 - 85, smoking tires.

When we returned back to our starting place. It was jump on littlebit party; telling me your gonna have to twist that throttle and get out their keeping the traffic behind you.  I told them I was doing 70 and they said 70 is not really 70 on a motorcycle- do anybody know what the !$%^@ that means? One of the bikers was riding right to the right of my leg, I thought he was giving me a personal escort, he said he was trying to force me to ride faster - again why would you do that?  I will get to a high speed in my own good time.  

Bottom line I learned a value lesson, I will ride on my own terms and with the group that matches my skill level or understands I have only two seasons of riding (approx. 10 months) not 20 years.  I'm really feeling like riding may not be for me.  I never asked for the bike anyway my husband brought it in hopes to buy himself one, which he did.

This experience has taken the thrill I did have for riding. One of the riders kept asking what exactly do you want to do, if you don't want to ride the bike.  Was I not riding it at 70 mph?  

IF YOUR NOT RIDING MINIMUM 35 MPH OVER YOUR NOT REALLY RIDING...at least thats what the rest would have you think...if your not riding at a comfortable speed your not really ridings is really what it is...if you are going faster than you feel good doing...your going too fast.  anyone that tells you you need to speed up does not like you and is trying to kill you.  i have had that happen before.  one of my best friends bitched me out for going 50 in a 35 instead of 75...i dont ride with him anymore.  i hope this helps some...  

I've stated this on the forums before and I'll repeat it to you.  It's important to ride your own ride.  Too many accidents happen when riders go outside their skill level.  As fun as it is to ride with other people, if they are going to act as the people you described, they are not worth it.  

It's important to stay in your comfort zone.  Those guys obviously have no sense for safety, especially to a newish rider.  It's horribly irresponsible for them to get on your case for not riding dangerously.  That makes no sense to me.

Don't give up riding because those fools.  It's an amazing sport and something you can enjoy for a long time.  Ride your own ride!!  Have fun and be safe!  

you mean to tell me that it's not safe to ride so fast that all your thinking about is how scared you are, and not thinking about the bus that is stopped in front of you?  that makes no sense swiggs...*sarcasm*  

I dont know were you ride but take your car up on the back roads when you know alot of bikers are out and take a close look at the guy flopping around in the middle of the road with all his buddies flagging cars down to stop. Cant count how many times i have seen this. Dont be that guy. Getting pushed by another rider is bull chit.Find another crew dude. Ok heres my advice lol buy some gym equipment pump some iron when you stop for drinks. That guy that was pushing you do a reverse curl ending in his nose. You only die once.  

hey if your gonna do that might as well pay your 'friend', who is pushing you to speed up, for his assistance...in quarters! :P  

I had a similar experience.  My buddies had been bugging me to go out riding with them for weeks, but I told them that I wanted to finish the MSF course, then I wanted to take my bike around the parking lot a few times to get used to it.  They kept buggin, so I finally gave in.  When I went out with them, I told them ahead of time that I was going to take it easy, especially around curves, until I got comfortable.  They teased me quite a bit afterward, and told me to go back to my old 250.  Needless to say, they're not who I thought they were, and I don't go riding with them anymore.  I'd rather go out on my own and go at my own pace, rather than have a bunch of dudes tell me that I'm the reason that girls shouldn't ride motorcycles.

Some day I'll be able to keep up with them, but until that day comes, they can speed off in the distance for all I care.  It may take longer to catch up with them, but it will take a lot longer if I'm lying on the side of the road somewhere.  

holy crap i didnt even realize you were a girl!  thats pretty awesome...girls that ride are automatically awesome in my book!  

What’s up littlebits, glad to hear you’re committed to not riding over your head and beyond your abilities.  I would assume that when they told you 70 is not really 70 on a motorcycle that they’re meaning 70 doesn’t feel like 70, I know if my speedo is under 60 I feel like I’m crawling not saying I can’t or don’t ride at slower speeds when necessary, but I’m comfortable at higher speeds and only hit them when I feel it’s safe to do so (not weaving through traffic).

My recommendation read the articles on group riding in the riding skills series on this site and avoid situations where your not comfortable.

Ride safe and enjoy the ride!!  

What’s up AthenaM , what do you ride. I know a lot of girls who talk about riding and say they want to but only know a couple who do, they’re usually older and ride cruisers though I don’t know any girls who ride sportbikes, wish I did I think that would be a great date. I gotta agree with littleq624 I definitely dig chicks on bikes!  

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What’s up AthenaM , what do you ride. I know a lot of girls who talk about riding and say they want to but only know a couple who do, they’re usually older and ride cruisers though I don’t know any girls who ride sportbikes, wish I did I think that would be a great date. I gotta agree with littleq624 I definitely dig chicks on bikes!

I second that motion.  I wish I knew some girls that rode.  I'm trying to talk my fiance into it right now.  She wants to ride with me on my rocket, but I want her to get her own.  :P  

thats too bad about your experience. dont let it sway you out of riding though if you enjoy it. i thik riding with people who are better than you is a good thing cause you can learn something from them. if they  dont respect you and your learning curve though and try and push you out of your comfort zone then they arent that great of people and you wont learn a whole lot from them. i wouldnt ride with them anymore. its too bad people with that much experience are acting like one of the cocky newbies on a liter bike. they should know better.  

To littlebits, I hope those guys didn't discourage you too much.  If you haven't already, you may want to check out the MSF Experienced Rider Courses so that you can get more comfortable at higher speeds, but it seems like those guys were just driving like jerks.  Try to convince your husband to buy a bike sooner so you have someone beside you who you are more comfortable with

I have a 1999 Suzuki GSX600R, and I don't know any other girls who ride.  Most of the chicks I know would rather jump on the back of a bike than learn how to control one.  I just have too much fun with it, I don't think I could go back to being a passenger