Conquering your fear of being a pillion on a motorcycle. 

"It's not conscious. It's their nervous system." This is so true. Regardless of the pep talks you give or that we give ourselves... Regardless of the fact that you know your fear is 100% irrational and the bike cannot, CANNOT, just go boop and fall over while you're at speed, the brain's gonna brain. Something I've also noticed as a sporadically anxious passenger is, my brain sometimes confuses the signals my body is sending. It's like the brain picks up on a "symptom", thinks it missed a danger and goes full blown survival mode. If I'm cold+shivering, my brain thinks motorcycle+trembling = danger. Survival mode initiated! I've also noticed an empty belly sends the same signal as an anxious belly, which causes panic mode. The brain is dumb.... 😅 So when I start getting nervous, I have to remind myself to evaluate the situation. Am I actually scared or should we stop for lunch?

goodaye, I wanted to comment on your video, when riding home on the recent purchase of the xjr1300, I watched it on tv and for some reason, cant find it on the computer. You sound like the same guy, looks like the same bike. congratulations, great purchase imo. Ive been the owner of a 1998 xjr1200 for the past 24 years, looks identical to yours, except for a smooth seat, and black and chrome engine. Ive ridden the 1300, very little seat of pants difference, couple of hp I believe, anyway, great bikes, ive ridden mine from one side of oz to the other back when I bought it, then used it for daily commuting for about 10years to work. Its now one of six bikes since I retired 10 years ago, Ive always had a small screen[abt 15inches,] on the front to take wind off the chest, a rear carrier rack, and some engine protector bars. Last service was about 10 years ago, I change the oil every year or so, its only done about 8 thou kms since the last service and Ive just put it in recently for a current service. Its got about 75thou kms and never had an issue at all, but you may be interested to know that the dealers told me the cam chain needs replacing so Im glad I put it in, as if that went, it would be catastophic engine failure. Because its never given me any trouble I thought they were totally bulletproof, but everything needs maintenance. I tend to ride relatively normally nowadays on it, but years ago, I pretty much rode it as Hard as I could, (young and no speed cameras) and it took it well! Like u said in the video, the torque is incredible, Ive got a 1200cc bmw rt, and two harleys, sportster 1200 and a twin cam 103 ci electra glide, which on paper has way more torque than the xjr, but I swear the yam feels happier to pull away in those lower revs! Ive seen the torque chart and by seat of pants feel as well, its a waste of time to go much beyond 6 and a half thou revs to go as hard as you want! The engine was detuned by yamaha from the fj1200 in which form it had around 120 hp to the 100 ish in the xjr. Oh, the only other mod I did was a small bar riser, and back in the day, I drilled some holes around the back of the mufflers which luckily sounds great, just went up a couple decibels, and I swear felt more torquey! I agree with your thoughts that the carby models and twin exhausts and earlyier 'muscle bike' look was lost slightly with the later models.. anyway, enjoyed your video, hope you enjoy your bike, .. happy trails!