shaky confidence?

[mohawk miss]

This is kinda odd, but..

got myself some leather pants a little while ago. Prior to this I had only ever ridden in draggins. Have worn the leathers around the house etc to break them in a bit, and have ridden in them several times.

What I'm finding is, I don't seem to have any confidence when riding in the leathers. Its weird but its like I have lost the "feel" of the bike through the seat. (Yeah, I'm an ex- dressage rider). Kinda like I cant hang on in them or something.

Has this happened to anyone else? Any tips?

thanks

[Saki]

how do you lose confidence, as in you just get nervous and start doing weird stuff ? I guess just jump on the bike in your pants before you ride, leave it off, have a moment to gather your thoughts, take a deep breath, you obviously know how to ride and relax

I must definately be something your thinking though, because same happens to me just in reverse, as soon as the leather pants go on, i get into race mode an get a little too-confident!

[dilligaf]

tank grips might help?

http://www.techspec-aus.com.au/

[Naked Twin]

As Dilligaf has said, you will most likely find you have lost grip. Either get some tank grips or stop polishing the bike.

Nick

[Tinman]

It's probably that you not use to wearing leathers and need to get use to it.....

e.g. I use to wear no gloves when I ride cause I felt that they were restrictive but now I can't ride with out them, same with my boots

[mohawk miss]

Like I said, its weird and hard to explain...

As a dressage rider, you "connect" with the horse thru your seat and legs. I guess I unconsciously do this now on the bike instead, and can't seem to get the same "feel" thru the leather, and this feels wrong somehow.

Tinman is most probably right, and I will have to try and ride more in them.

[hoffy]

How are you ever going to get your knee down if you cant "connect" with the bike !!

[Ali600+150]

I always feel like I ride better in Draggins because I can move around more....but I love my skin wayyyy too much not to wear leathers. Wearing Skins under the leathers has helped.

[SoundGuy]

You just have to get used to riding in them, thats all. Once you do, you wont ride without your leathers

[Stereo]

I feel MORE confident in leathers...

[hoffy]

I feel MORE confident in leathers...

Yes, BUT, are you an ex-dressage rider ?? ....I rest my case.

[lifeofcrimeguy]

I feel MORE confident in leathers...

Yeah, but that's probably got more to do with previous employment .
But i found I have more confidence in leather because even though I loose the feel, I have WAY more grip on the tank. In my draggins when it's wet, I'll slide of the damn bike with too much acceleration if it weren't for the pillion seat.

[Stereo]

I feel MORE confident in leathers...

Yes, BUT, are you an ex-dressage rider ?? ....I rest my case.

yes

[robracer]

Kathy........ you saw it here HTFU!
I think you will need to just do a heap of riding & get used to the new feel & try not to let it bother you...... cant be any worse than... lets say getting used to a new bike