Hey guys,

So after getting my now-beloved Suzuki Marauder just over a week ago, I've been getting out on my local suburban roads as much as I can, to build up my riding skills and confidence. It's been going really well - yesterday I even braved a 30-minute ride in late-afternoon traffic, which did wonders for my confidence: I've been really feeling like I'm getting the hang of this!

BUT! Today, with the sun shining and a great afternoon for riding, I got out on the road on my bike and my brain just turned to mush! Everything was clunky and I was suddenly really conscious of everything I was doing. I was more hesitant at junctions and stuck to going round the block, as opposed to the bigger circuit of the suburbs I've been doing. Basically my brain was just completely not in gear (let alone the bike!). In the end, I just rode the bike back into the garage, dispirited that after progressing so well I was suddenly really crap again.

Is this normal?? Are there some days when it just doesn't come together in the brain department? Is this a newbie thing? Or do all motorcyclists have "off days" (I don't mean falling off the bike, psychologically "off"!). And is there anything you can do to overcome this mental block - or did I do the right thing by just giving up and coming home? :confused1:

I'm quickly realising that motorcycling is 10 per cent operating the bike and 90 per cent a state of mind!! (feel free to dispute those figures, it's just a newbie's perspective...)

Jeanie