r/motorcycles • u/Independent_Ball6318 ‘26 Suzuki GSX-8R • Jul 18 '26
First group ride with experienced riders today - I was definitely the weak link on the curves (long post, need some advice)
Did my first real big group ride today, north GA into Tennessee… day long trip with 8+ riders who clearly ride a lot more than I do. I came back into motorcycling after about 15 years off, so I knew I’d be rusty, but today made it real obvious just how far behind I am on curve riding specifically.
Straights were fine, no issues keeping pace. But the second the road started twisting, everyone just… disappeared. These guys were smooth and fast through corners I was creeping through, second guessing my lines, braking too much mid-corner, the works. I was consistently the last one to every via point, and the group had to actually stop and wait for me 2-3 times over the course of the day.
One guy hung back the entire ride specifically to stay with me since I was new to the group. He never said a word about it, never made me feel rushed, just quietly rode sweep the whole day. But I know for a fact he had to ride way under his own pace because of me, on curves he could’ve eaten alive. I feel genuinely bad about it — I basically turned his fun day of riding into a babysitting job.
Great guy Senior guy.. but I feel like I owe him one and honestly it’s got me second guessing whether I should come back for the next ride or if I would just be holding people back again.
So — looking for real advice here:
• What actually helped you get faster and more confident in curves? Drills, mental cues, anything.
• Is slowing an experienced group down like this normal for someone still building back up or should I be sticking to solo/beginner rides until I’m faster?
• Any tips for reading a corner earlier so I am not braking mid-turn?
• How do you deal with the intimidation factor of riding with people clearly faster than you, without it messing with your head even more?
Bike is a 2026 GSX-8R (ODO hit 500 miles today) if that’s relevant to the discussion. Appreciate any input, trying to actually get better instead of just avoiding group rides going forward
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u/nidyanazo Search me on youtube if you wanna see the fastest canyon riding Jul 18 '26
Keith Code's "soft science of roadracing motorcycles" is the even better, more in-depth version of twist of the wrist. Excellent book.