Hope this makes you feel better Cocopop.
Bit of a story.lol
Aint no shame in it... I am a newby and I've done it twice... This isn't any expert advice, but it has worked for me and built my confidence.
1st time was the worst.
I dropped mine, not even 5mins from picking it up, only 6kms on the clock. Didnt want to head straight out on the main road and I was really bloody nervous, so took it down a back street and went to go around a col-da-sac, did not realise I was in 2cnd gear, going way too slow, LOOKED AT THE GROUND and down she went... I had my Shadow with me and I think it scared him more than me.lol (Shadow picked it up)lol had no time to show me how to pick it up as I was blocking traffic in an industrial estate. No one stopped to help "Didnt flash my legs" lol
2cnd time..
Practicing U turns on a slight hill, not enuf revs, going too slow and LOOKED AT THE GROUND AGAIN!!! Friend who was helping me to practice panicked and came running over and he picked it up.lol I have yet to learn how to pick it up as well. Desmogod, put in a great link, wish I had of read it earlier.
Both times really shook me up too and I still have a habit of looking at the GROUND, dont know if this helps, but for me the best thing to do was get straight back on it, Focus on taking off verrry slowly, (sure reved her quite a bit)lol Definitely not look at anything or anyone else around and keep thinking/telling myself "I can do this".
Once you know "what it is" your doing, you might not stop doing it straight away, (well I haven't, everynow and then I still look at a kerb either going straight or around a corner/roundabout) or pothole on the road and then something kicks in and you realise "what your doing" and correct it! and then HEELLOOO you get this real U BEAUT sense of achievement and confidence. I'v still got heaps more to learn and I am in no doubt I may do it again, but I try not to think about it.
Goodluck, Go on a newby friendly ride, C ya out there
