[Mike02048]

How does a new rider get over the highway jiters. I've only been riding for 3 weeks and have about 250 miles on my first bike-a Ninja 250. The bike feels stable on the highway, but the wind and all the cars going by is a bit unnerving to me. Is this a mcommon feeling for new riders?

BTW-As far as all other riding goes, I'm having a blast. The shifting is becoming 2nd nature, and the backroads in New England, especially this time of year, are awesome.

 

[Stick N Move]

You get used to it. After about 5-10 times it will feel perfectly normal and you wont worry about it all the time.

 

[NattyDrez]

Glad to hear your having a good time so far.

It depends on what makes you get the jitters, which you didnt really state..unless your just talking about highway in general.

As Stick stated, you will start to get less anxious as time goes on and you ride it more and more. Other than reckless and idiotic drivers, youll feel somewhat safer on the highway then on backroads with deer, blind turns, gravel etc etc. As you ride highway more frequently and gain more confidence, you will end up traveling a bit faster than the cagers and it will start to be 'normal'.R

Right now Im sure your in the slow lane getting passed by people traveling 20+mph over the speed limit, which is totally fine. You shouldnt be the them, as in speeding and whatnot. Take your time and let cars pass you, there is no rush. I understand its nerve-racking, but as you become a better rider and ride highway more. riding it will become second nature..

 

[Razr0_0]

Hang in there. It gets better with time. The more you ride the better you will feel and your comfort zone will come.

 

[Rhetorik]

I love riding on the highway for short distances (slabbing gets borign quick), always have.

Guess it's just something you have to get comfortable with.

 

[usernamedoug]

when you pass pickups or more so large trucks you get sucked into a small vacuum beside them then hit with a massive cross wind as you pass them. Its the same thing as if youre cornering at speed and hit a large pot hole or sewer grate. The bars might give you a nasty wiggle but the basic fact is the faster you're going the more the bike wants to stay upright, so as long as you stay steady on the throttle and let the handle bars do what they want to do you'll be fine.

 

[Scissors]

Familiarity breeds both confidence and carelessness. The jitters will go away with time. If anything, you should feel better knowing that limited access, high-speed roads are far safer than low-speed highways with lights, side-roads, and parking lots.

 

[blk89gti16v]

ear plugs

Mike,

Not sure if you already wear ear plugs or not (you should), but I find that wearing ear plugs reduces high level noise to the point where I am more comfortable. I can concentrate more and tend to ride faster since I am not focusing on the loud buzzing in my ears. It may help to calm down the noise from the trucks/cars blasting past you to the point where you are more comfortable. I run cheap soft foam throw-aways with a NRR of 33 and have done so for years with great results. As everyone else said though, it takes time to get there. Just stfu and :smilierr haha.

-Matt

 

[clockworkjon]

Are the cars going by you or are you going by the cars? If its the former, try the latter.

That way you won't have to worry about them blasting by from behind.

 

[cbrnub]

Are the cars going by you or are you going by the cars? If its the former, try the latter.

That way you won't have to worry about them blasting by from behind.

This is important. When you are going slightly faster than traffic you are also afforded more opportunities to change lanes or get out of weird situations. I would wager that the fact that you drive a smaller 250cc bike also contributes to the sketchiness on the highway. Investing in a steering damper and a double bubble could increase your confidence.

 

[mac 1]

Sir you are doing better then I would be doing, on a 250, I prefer to be moving faster then most of the traffic on the interstate. (not a lot more )(well not always) hang in there !!!

 

[F4sSprintST]

#1 - the bike is FAR more capable than you are

#2 - as such, it will handle emergency maneuvers beyond your capability

#3 - it's a lot more stable than you think it is

Once you get used to things, you will realize that a bit of a swerve, getting tossed back and forth, heavy side winds, etc... aren't going to crash you. You can even learn to anticipate some, such as heavy side winds going away when you are next to a truck, but blasting you when you leave his side. You can steer into them some to minimize the effect.

 

[RayOSV]

As was said, your confidence will grow with miles and hours on the bike.

Try "planting" yourself on the bike using your lower body. Balls of the feet on the pegs with your ankles pressed into the ankle guards. Lightly grip the tank with legs and knees.

Keep your arms loose and light on the grips. Random movements won't get translated into steering inputs. "Flap" your elbows once in a while to make sure that your upper body stays loose.

 

[cbrnub]

smoke weed before you ride. should get rid of those jitters

 

[Scissors]

A small amount of alcohol can calm the nerves and make you a better rider.

 

[usernamedoug]

smoke weed before you ride. should get rid of those jitters

i prefer crystal meth, to each their own tho, yuTT uGhh

 

[cbrnub]

i prefer crystal meth, to each their own tho, yuTT uGhh

a 4 pack of natty ice and a 5 rock and i'm set, IMHO.:banana

 

[fadlan12]

Just close your eyes.

I started out at less than peak times, and got used to it. Now I ride in stop and go rush hour with little stress. Helps to keep an eye on cars around you. Never know when some texted decides they want the fast lane ( I pressume that's were you are riding)

 

[Stick N Move]

A small amount of alcohol can calm the nerves and make you a better rider.

Yes, But only if it is between 2-6 beers. Anything more or less will result in a negative effect.

 

[JERSEYRIDER]

I learned on a 2k zx6r, and my first highway experience was nerve racking also. It does help alot to travel slightly faster than traffic, though my first Parkway ride this was not the case(as most people travel 80-90). Just be sure to observe EVERYTHING, and position yourself to maximize visibility and reaction time and you'll be fine.