Some reassuring words please...

[maysmor]

Hi there,

Ive been reading this website nearly every day for the last few months, soaking it all in, asking questions, reading peoples adventures, and its been great. My partner and I are embarking on a 4/5 month trip from Vancouver to hopefully Costa Rica on his 750 Tenere. My parter as the driver, myself as the passenger.
Now this is all very exciting for us both, the thought of going where we want to, miles of beaches etc etc, but one thought is still in my mind. Im really scared *?#*less of being on the back of a motorcycle on highway speeds, on middle of nowhere pot holed dirt roads, and sharing roads with maybe crazy drivers, and for long distances! Ive never been on the back of anything more powerful than a 125cc scooter on little island roads in Europe. And to make things worse, the first time I will be getting on this bike is only 3 weeks before we leave for the trip because right now its in another country. Which doesnt leave me much time to get aqquainted with the machine.
I have complete faith in my partner for keeping our safety as number one, and i trust his riding skills, but every so often I hear a story of someone losing a limb in a motorcycle accident, or a life, and the thoughts of the white sand beaches dont seem so exciting anymore...
If anyone can lend me some words of encouragement and advice, or fill me in on some of the dangers that I should really be aware of when riding a motorcycle, or some tips for first time passenger, I would be greatly thankful.
cm