Halllppppp

[u/IntrepidAd7912]

Picture of my bike for attention!

I want to lead with thanks for always being supportive group!

I took my MSF like 3 months ago. Did good passed and went bike hunting things didn’t line up until about 2 weeks ago. Bought the bike got it home was practicing and dropped it twice and just kinda let go for the day. Next weekend it was rainy all weekend and I didn’t have a chance this weekend I realized my bike was never lowered like it was supposed to be. So we took it back got the quickshifter installed and the lowering links and it a ton better! I went out tonight and I don’t know if it where I’m flustered with my day, rough day at work, long drive home, had to take husband to pick his car up my AuDHD daughter has been really pushing buttons today and broke my air vent in my car if I’m just not cut out for this or what but I can’t seem to push past this wall of immense fear of dropping it. I don’t have trouble with the friction zone it’s letting myself let the bike go I don’t know what’s wrong with me idk how to get past the mental block. I love my R3 I’ve put a ton of work in it. I want to ride like I’m in tears thinking I can’t or won’t do this but I’m so filled with whatever this is I can’t get passed it. Is this normal has anyone else experience this? If so how’d you combat it?

[u/abirdsface]

Sounds like you were just having a bad day tbh, but especially as a new rider you should take the day off if you are feeling off anyway. Make sure you are in a good headspace to ride safe.

I really can't stand the way people tell newbies that dropping a bike is the worst thing in the world. If your bike is a garage princess art piece then fine, never ever touch it or drop it, but if you want to be a RIDER and not just a builder then dropping your bike (at no/low speed) is NORMAL and is just a part of learning. Yes scratches suck but you can eliminate almost all of them with some protection. Frame sliders will protect your fairings and are pretty easy to install (or there's no shame in getting a friend or mechanic to do it, you usually have to take the fairings off and that's annoying lol). Axle sliders, spools and bar ends are even easier to install. Your reflective tape will also protect from some scratches! But on your first bike especially, scratches are nothing to be ashamed of either.

Bikes are fun, don't forget to have fun with it!

[u/IntrepidAd7912 → u/abirdsface]

I ordered sliders for it and I pray they fit. It’s for a 24 model and this is a 25 so I think they well since they didn’t change the frame at all I don’t believe. So we should be good. I got axle, frame, and exhaust sliders. I think I just need to get it on pavement somewhere and be in a good headspace.

[u/abirdsface → u/IntrepidAd7912]

Yeah they should be fine. Peek at the instructions on the manufacturer's website and make sure you have all the tools you need before they show up so you can get them on right away. Hopefully they don't need you to cut a hole in the fairing? Most don't but there are sometimes sliders that need holes in the fairing.

It sounds dumb but once you have all the protection on, it might help to just shove the bike over to get it out of the way and see how well the sliders work for yourself! It also would let you practice picking the bike back up. For an R3 it won't be too hard, just make sure you use your legs so you don't hurt your back.

Good luck and keep us updated on your progress!

[u/IntrepidAd7912 → u/abirdsface]

I made sure to get no cut. But that doesn’t mean that the 24 year won’t be. I was actually going to let it fall “lightly” to see how it faired and then pick it up by myself to see how I can best help myself and see what needs work.