Thinking of hanging up the helmet

[echo_four_romeo]

First a little background...I've been riding for the past 4 years, I was a late bloomer. About to turn 30...yup I'm a youngin'. Started with a beat up old dirt bike, moved to a Harley sportster and hated every minute of that. Finally traded up to my dream bike, the Tenere. I have loved riding it for that last 2 years. I have done a little over 32k miles in those 2 years. Everything from pavement to dirt roads to off road trails...and the big girl took it all in stride.

Now on to my dilemma, I went riding with a friend on his KLR this past weekend. Two days of local riding near home, mixed pavement and trails. It has rained a decent amount lately so there was mud. I have been testing out the Shinko 804/805, so I had plenty of traction. First day out was pretty good. Only dropped the bike twice, both bonehead mistakes. Loose footing and just being tired at the end of the day. Second day was kinda rough. I felt sluggish all day. Nothing worked right. I couldn't choose the right lines and both of us suffered because of my choices. He has only been riding dirt for about 4 months, so I was taking point on the trails. I ended up dropping the big bike about 6 or 7 times that day. Three times on the same hill, one of which sandwiched me between the bike and a big oak tree. Have some bruises down my back and ribs. He seemed to fair better. After the day was over and I was home with my feet propped up and a glass of whiskey in my hand, I began thinking about the day's events. Where did I go wrong? Is this what I really want to do? Should I take a break from riding? Or just a break from off road riding?

I love riding. It has given me the solitude, peace and focus I need to deal with a crazy work schedule and some issues left over from my time in the Marines. I love being able to pack up the bike and point her in a direction, then go. Not having to worry about work or people or anything except what is right in front of me. Has anyone else gone through this? Is this the beginning of the end for me riding? Or maybe just part of the experience of riding? Or am I just whining too much and need to ::021::

 

[wessie]

A riding mojo comes and goes during one's life course.

I was also a latecomer to bikes, starting to ride at 30 years.

My mojo left after I was made redundant in 2002 and went to live in a city to go to university. I did about 2000 miles a year. It returned about 7 years later when I decided to live in a small town and commute by bike to the city. Riding in all weathers because I had to sharpened up my riding skills and I've ridden almost every month since. That was in 2009.

Sometimes a change of bike works. I loved my Super Tenere but an illness last autumn meant I found riding it hard going due to the weight. I changed it for a MT09 Tracer (FJ09) and have done 1500 miles in 5 weeks, riding nowhere in particular. Just having fun and looking forward to a trip to France in June with a few mates.

Change something. Maybe give up the off-roading. Plan a road trip.

 

[Koinz]

Sounds like you really love to ride, but the big beast is making you work too hard. Maybe with something lighter in the dirt you may enjoy more. Keep the Tenere for light off road and get something smaller to throw around.

Hope you didn't get beat up too badly. Heal well.

 

[echo_four_romeo]

Well glad to hear it isn't just me that has dealt with this and not being the only latecomer. Most of my friends that ride have been riding since they were kids, so they ride circles around me. I like Koinz idea about getting a lighter bike for off road. That will just have to come later, budget currently allows for just one motorcycle and one car. Guess I'll just have to ease back on the crazy off road rides and wait till I can afford a cheap dirt bike from craigslist.

Don't think I've broken anything, just some serious bruises along my ribs and my knee was swollen for a day or so. I visit the chiropractor on Wednesday for unrelated issues...so I will take full advantage of that.

 

[limey]

Sounds like you really love to ride, but the big beast is making you work too hard. Maybe with something lighter in the dirt you may enjoy more. Keep the Tenere for light off road and get something smaller to throw around.

Hope you didn't get beat up too badly. Heal well.

I'm in the market for something smaller like a DR650 . Back problems and sick of picking the bike beast up.

 

[Karson]

I went through the same "disappointment" process at the AR rally last year. Especially after going through what Bruce, Wayne and I went through the first day down by Frog Bayou. I was utterly shot, physically and mentally for most of the trip - it just wasn't the same. I think I dropped the bike 4 times in the hidden wet rocks & logs, then only have to turn around and do all the steep creek crossings after we dead ended. I know there's pictures/videos on someone's Nokia! But, to add insult to injury, while I was helping get Wayne out of the creek I had water BLASTED from his rear wheel all over my gear, under my jacket and helmet, etc...ugggh.

Everything predicated around NOT getting ourselves into that again the rest of the week, and honestly that mindset took away some of the "experience" for me for quite some time. That little stretch of ATV stuff Pete took us on Thursday gave me vivid deja vu of that day, despite not being nearly as bad!

Hindsight being 20/20, the best thing I did was take awhile off (luckily I had winter) and just clear the mind. You'll know when you're back into it mentally. The bruises recover faster than your thoughts. Once you start thinking about wrenching on the bike a little or something else that's minor, you'll know you're starting to get back into it. Just don't rush it, you might regret any quick decisions!

 

[klunsford]

Not telling you to do this.... But after riding since I was a kid off 6', I took a break from riding my personal bikes. Not that I didn't enjoy riding, but after spending 10-12 hours a day on a police bike, I was kind of burned out on riding. I actually took a 14 year break. One day I woke up and realized I was missing something in my life. I bought another bike in 2007 and haven't looked back. Sometimes when I have a day when I felt like I had a target on my back, I have considered selling. I park it and in a day or two find myself right back on it. Don't make a rash decision and give it a few days. I'm 56 now and after all these years it is the thing that fills the gaps in my life.

 

[Hungry Tiger]

"E4R": Just dial back on the terrain a bit. At your age, you've got a long long way to go. Pace yourself. Not good to have a loaded S10 falling on you. Have a great riding season!

 

[88millimeter]

Been riding dirtbikes and sportbikes off and on since i was 13. Kept most bikes about 6 months and sold them (sportbikes and dirtbikes are cheap and feel almost disposable). Never felt like i had found the right bike. When i stumbled across the tenere i liked it but didnt like the price. I purchased a used tenere from a former forum member at a great price (but still the most expensive vehicle i own). 5 days after the purchase i had my first street get off ever. It was low speed and mostly my fault (rumbux and lowered suspension) but i managed to tear a ligament in my foot. It took 7 months to heal and it was very painful because i had to have a screw in my foot. On top of that i did a lot of cosmetic damage to the bike. Needless to say my confidence for riding in general was shaken and my confidence for the tenere was almost zero. I thougt about selling the tenere and moving on but it felt too much like giving up without giving the bike a chance. I started riding again a month after my recovery and slowly built back my confidence. I am so glad i stuck with the tenere. It does so many things well i am amazed how capable the bike is every time i ride it hard. Currently i dont think there is any other bike quite like it. Since getting back on the s10 ive managed to put more miles on this bike than all my previous bikes combined.

 

[snakebitten]

Transporting from one place to another on 2-wheels has been the ORDINARY means of doing so, for 45 of my nearly 60 years on the planet.

It's just my preference. Especially if I'm the sole transport-ee.

But, it is NOT a rare thing when I suddenly get a "sense" that I need a break from it. It's almost like I can feel a loss of attentiveness, if that makes sense.
I feel strongly that I should not ride if I'm not VERY engaged. I demand a level of intensity.

Staying off 2-wheels is the only cure, for me. It might take just 1 day. But it has taken a few months before, as well.

I realize its not an apples-apples comparison, but I guess I'm saying that NOT riding shouldn't be automatically seen as a negative. In fact, it might be the only thing that leads to an answer.

 

[markjenn]

Sounds like WAY too much bike for the terrain and your skills. It takes a really good dirt rider to ride this bike in tough terrain, especially if you're doing mud and hill climbs. The S10 is a truly awful trail bike.

Nine drops in two days! I can't imagine. You've got to either dial back the terrain or get a much lighter bike (e.g., a WR250 or DRZ). Maybe over time work up to tougher terrain on the big beast.

- Mark

 

[Bushyar15]

I got a late start not riding till my early 20s as a matter of necessity. Couldn't afford a car, but could afford a motorcycle. I'm now in my 50s… In that time I've probably gone less than 6 months without a bike.

BUT, and a big BUT here. I go in phases. I always rode "sportbike/streetbikes" and have easily gone through over 2 dozen different ones. Sometimes I loved riding and put over 15k miles over a summer… Other times for whatever reason, I just didn't feel like riding and put less than 1k miles in a year.

The S10 has re-ignited my desire to ride. While not a lot by other peoples standard I've put more miles on the S10 than I have on any recent bike I've owned.

And I hear ya about the off-road part. Again, up until the S10 I've never ridden off-road. I've dropped it a few times and even tweaked an ankle falling off of it. That kind of brought me back to reality that this isn't a dirt bike or a light bike. It has made me a bit wary about riding off-road or more like degree of difficulty. That "maybe" I should stick to easier roads until my skills improve… If Yamaha brings out a smaller CC version of the S10 and lighter, I may jump ship….

 

[patrickg450]

Great thread.

Look man, there are great answer's here from a lot of years of experience. Here is my response, I hit on you are still "new at it" (from you post).

Look man, the ST is a great bike and there are lots of other GREAT bikes out there. Why/what makes them so great.......knowing their (the bike) and your limits. As for the Frog Bayou thing, man I told you so. I avoided it on a DR 650 with 30 years of experience and 15 of that is AR time. So you had a bad day, learn from it and move on man, this is a great community to be in and you are not ready to leave.


It is OK to turn around, all part of the ADV, picking up any bike sucks.

 

[bloodline]

S10 is like a 2 wheel drive pickup truck.

Get something lighter and smaller (and cheaper).

I mean like under 250#.

KTM 300 or less.

Used Husky.

Beta.

Something light you can put a tag on. Save that kind of riding for that bike.

I found a brand new Husky Wr144 for under $4K and have a tag on it.

 

[Derekj]

Only you can tell when you have had enough , but sounds like you were trying to use a large screwdriver on a small screw. Imagine how you would have felt at the end of each day had you been able to conquer your challengers . Using the right tool for the right job is what it is all about. Get yourself a smaller bike for dirt or practise on lesser challenging terrain until you develope the skills needed . Just remember , when in doubt ..... kick it out.

 

[jbjke]

First of all - "THANK YOU" for serving our country and protecting our freedoms. I appreciate your sacrifice as well as many others that have been where you have been. My wife's grandpa was in World War II and he rarely talks about some of the stories but when he does I enjoy the wisdom he has taught me.
2nd is that I have learned from a few other friends that I've ridden with is that sometimes you just have the wrong tools for the job. Like someone not having a hammer within reach so they grab an adjustable wrench or a pipe wrench to use the weight that it has. Still the wrong tool and if you use it all day like that, you'll become frustrated and will wear on your nerves. I've tried to get the 600 S10 through some trails like I used to on a smaller motocross bike ..... and can be done ......but takes a lot more thinking and time (for me anyway). Eemsreno just rode with me on Saturday has over 96k on his '12 Tenere. On Monday I found out after riding with me he was on his wr250 riding in the timber with his son. He loves to ride ......so much that he grabs the right tool to do what he enjoys.

I personally have found using the Tenere on trails wide enough a jeep can get through - I usually fair pretty well at the end of the day. Sounds like you were wore out from the day before and then going back the second day for more punishment. Your still young (don't listen to the 20 yr olds anymore), rest a bit and train for what task you want to accomplish and then find the right tools as you can afford. Can a man really have to many tools? Good luck and hope to see you on the Tenere someday.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[patrickg450]

First of all - "THANK YOU" for serving our country and protecting our freedoms. I appreciate your sacrifice as well as many others................

Crap I forgot that, thanks. A Marine never quits.

 

[Dogdaze]

I'll take a different view, play devil's advocate! STOP riding, get rid of the bike, if only for a while. You may realise that you have something missing from your life, and that void can only be filled with a bike. That's when you know you need to get it or one again. They do say you miss things when they are gone...........
BTW, the duration of time can be from one month to ten years, that will all depend on you. I too feel like stopping riding, but for different reasons, but at the brink, I realise that I need this in my life, if only for the 'risk' that is involved. You'll know what is right for you, your gut will tell you.

 

[Bug Dr.]

I don't see it as much as a "should I quit riding" question at all. It sounds to me like you need to assess what type of riding you enjoy the most. If you are primarily going to be riding single track with a buddy then the Tenere is waaaaaaay too much bike. If you don't mind trailering your bike to a location to ride dirt then the Tenere is waaaaaaaaay too much bike. Get a 250 and be very happy.

If you like riding to your destination with the occasional "let's see what's down this dirt road" then the Tenere is the perfect bike. I can't fathom putting my bike on a trailer or in the back of the truck and take it somewhere (that's just me). I would happily give up the functionality of a smaller bike on tough terrain for comfort in riding there. There are too many paved and gravel roads in this country to explore for me to feel the need to venture down some holler where the sun doesn't shine (again, that's just me). I personally don't think there is anything wrong with pavement riding and quite enjoy it.

I was at the Hub this last weekend and saw many trucks and trailers and wondered what they thought when driving on all of those good motorcycle roads. To me they are missing out.

I hope you find your answer and come to peace with whatever decision you make. Like others, thank you for your service so we can continue to have the freedom to ride.
Mike

 

[echo_four_romeo]

I appreciate all the replies. I am still thinking this over. I rarely do very technical off road trails. Almost never on single track. it just isn't something I look forward to doing on any bike. The area we were riding in has become a local spot for the trucks and jeeps to play. It was never planned out to go find this gnarly off road and try to break the bike. We just kind of ended up in a corner and only had two options up and out to the road or back down the trail we had taken which took us about 30 minutes to navigate...mostly due to helping each other spot difficult situations. It seemed the easier route, well much shorter route.

I feel as though I am more at ease on the road altogether. I actually feel right at home navigating traffic on the bike cause I've done it almost daily for the last 3 years. I had started to get that level of comfort on dirt roads. So I think ultimately I'm giving up the off road riding I've done and stick to the pavement/groomed dirt roads. I had a chance to demo the new Indian Chief Dark Horse and that was a fun bike. Super comfortable and it's got my attention, just don't think I'm ready to give up the versatility of the Tenere for a dedicated cruiser again. If I did make a move like that, I would most likely end up with a dual sport like a WR250 and then tackle more trails and dirt roads.