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Anyone experience intermittent "un-coordinated" handling (non-bike)???

2278 Views 23 Replies 17 Participants Last post by  Rodzilla6
Jumped on the Ultra for some around-town errands yesterday....noticed I seemed to have lost the feel for coordinated braking, stability when backing up into spaces, and similar experience-rated activities. Braking was "rookie-like" with poor front-brake/rear brake coordination, and some trail-offs at stops.

30 years riding experience, been riding regularly, no new meds, no apparent diseases, no relevant drugs/alcohol, etc. No reason I can think of. Was like someone just un-plugged the "experience module".

Opinions?

Thx!
Marc
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Bio-rhythms?

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See a doctor. I went through this and was diagnosed with parkinsons.
Hot girl must have been watching :)
Hot girl must have been watching :)
Sorry Pilot, but here we go! Hoping is not a medical issue...

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See a doctor. I went through this and was diagnosed with parkinsons.
Whoa! That's a sobering thought. Stuff just got real.

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There are times I will say to myself..."really, did you just do that?", like downshifting when I should have upshifted. I consider it a warning, to get my head in the game or get off the bike. I do see old bad habits try and revisit from time to time, but when I whip those, I pat myself on the back and say "good job".

You might have just had an off day, don't let it get in your head.
Once in a while I realize that I just went through a section of highway and don't have much recollection of the passage. I then spend a bit of time self-ass-kicking for not paying more attention. Some of it is getting older as those of us in that category can attest, but sometimes it scares me having endured Mom's Alzheimer's years ago. So far, it's a once in a great while event, but it does make me more prone to focus, and at least that's a plus.
If you find this type of event becomes more frequent and noticeable, by all means see the doc and get this checked out.
There are times I will say to myself..."really, did you just do that?", like downshifting when I should have upshifted. I consider it a warning, to get my head in the game or get off the bike. I do see old bad habits try and revisit from time to time, but when I whip those, I pat myself on the back and say "good job".

You might have just had an off day, don't let it get in your head.
Thx for the quick response. Experienced similar occurrences as you relate above, but these are quickly cured with the actions you describe. Thankfully!

Difference here is when noticed, and extra attention was applied, the result was only marginally better.....1st braking opportunity caused my little internal voice to say, "Hey, wow...that was pretty sloppy - get your sh-t together, pal". Then, with direct focus, "Hmmmm....what the heck is going on today?" Was under-loading the rear pedal and overloading the front front brake to compensate. Stayed tough throughout the morning. Again, sort of a rookie feel. Intellect: 100%. Execution: 75%.


20 years of H-D experience, with 6 years on this particular bike (stock Ultra) started feeling like "3rd session of the MSF Rider's Course".
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Once in a while I realize that I just went through a section of highway and don't have much recollection of the passage. I then spend a bit of time self-ass-kicking for not paying more attention. Some of it is getting older as those of us in that category can attest, but sometimes it scares me having endured Mom's Alzheimer's years ago. So far, it's a once in a great while event, but it does make me more prone to focus, and at least that's a plus.
If you find this type of event becomes more frequent and noticeable, by all means see the doc and get this checked out.
Thx for the comments......when I was in flight school (civilian), they taught a study done by the USAF in response to a chief pilot that was leading his squadron through some standard exercises...they were flying inverted. He ordered a coordinated roll and climb from 700 feet to 5,000 feet - then, according to the black box, he pulled BACK on the stick while still inverted. Rest of the flight watched him hit the ground. Study results spoke to your exact comments. Has mostly to do with one's selective focus, where learned tasks, once considered complex, are subordinated to focus on the ones commanding higher attention....they are sort of filed away while the brain works on other stuff.....some very key, and some that can wait (i.e., "what color should I paint the shed?". Difference in my performance yesterday was that I allocated strict concentration to the task (braking, parking) with only marginal improvement in results, mostly it seemed via lack of feel.
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Have some days like that . Cant hit turn just right, screw up shifting down instead of up, attention span not on riding. Time to get off the bike for the day. Getting good nights sleep fix's things like that for me. If it continues you may want to see your doctor. IMOP
Ride Safe
Damn, I have experienced all of these little blips mentioned above at one time or another, especially the downshift when I should have upshifted. Well the loss of balance or coordination when backing up happens a lot, mostly when people or watching and you feel like a novice. Glad to know I'm not alone.
Were you well rested or did you toss and turn all night? Had you worked.all day and.maybe just tired? Do you wake up with a headache and feel tired all day? I used to all the time but was diagnosed with sleep apnea, wake up after only a few minutes and you never reach rem sleep, so its like sleeping 15-20 minutes but took you 8 hrs... maybe just an off day... get some rest and try again tomorrow
If this was a random onetime event that could be lack of sleep or something like that l wouldn't worry about it. But if it happens again without being attributed to sleep or the like I would make an appointment with your Dr. This could be anything mentioned above or if you still fell the same today it could be a mild stroke or MSor Parkinson. Im not a Dr. But with what you explained and not being able to see you when it was happening it would lead me as an EMT to suspect some of these things.
If this was a random onetime event that could be lack of sleep or something like that l wouldn't worry about it. But if it happens again without being attributed to sleep or the like I would make an appointment with your Dr. This could be anything mentioned above or if you still fell the same today it could be a mild stroke or MSor Parkinson. Im not a Dr. But with what you explained and not being able to see you when it was happening it would lead me as an EMT to suspect some of these things.
Thx...have had similar training to yours, and thought the same things, each scary! Appt made with the doc for Thurs.....
M
Whatever you do, go get checked out! I was lucky back in 2007, never had a heart attack.....but after undergoing a heart scan, I ultimately had a 5way bypass. Every day since has been a wonderful gift.
If this was a random onetime event that could be lack of sleep or something like that l wouldn't worry about it. But if it happens again without being attributed to sleep or the like I would make an appointment with your Dr. This could be anything mentioned above or if you still fell the same today it could be a mild stroke or MSor Parkinson. Im not a Dr. But with what you explained and not being able to see you when it was happening it would lead me as an EMT to suspect some of these things.
Thx...have had similar training to yours, and thought the same things, each scary! Appt made with the doc for Thurs.....
M
Thx...have had similar training to yours, and thought the same things, each scary! Appt made with the doc for Thurs.....
M
Well, this has obviously gotten your full attention, and you certainly don't sound like a hypochondriac type, so you are doing the right thing by getting checked out. Eliminate the physical issues and then you'll have a better idea of what adjustments you need to make. You need to know--whether it's something or nothing.

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Sounds like a few things are in order:

1. By all means, get checked out at the doc (btw, did you pass your last flight physical?). And speaking ok checkups, you don't use the same doctor for your flight medical exam as a family doctor, right?

2. Do you have this problem when driving a car? I would likely guess not, otherwise you would've mentioned it in your post.

3. As others have mentioned, did you have enough sleep, any exceptional stress or other events going on?

4. You state you've been riding for a while, so my first guess is you're not 29 years old LOL. We all know, but hate to admit, that our ability to focus declines as we get older. Not that we can't do it, but sometimes it's harder to focus... Wait a minute - Silverback, what was I talking about? See, it happens to us all:)

5. Another thought occurred to me-had you eaten before your rode? Could be low blood sugar. Not saying you're diabetic, but you could've been slightly hypoglycemic which would affect your ability to focus and affect your coordination.

6. As another poster has said in this thread, there are days we just shouldn't ride. Doesn't mean you're getting old or losing your skill set, it's just a good adult decision.

I hope you come up with the answer. We're all pulling for you, bro. Ride safe!



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Good decision to see the doc. Hope all is found to be ok.
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