X2 to all the above recommendations. They say if you get bucked off a horse, the best thing to do is get right back on. I think the same idea holds true with riding a bike. Don`t wait until next weekend to get back on your bike. It`s too late in MA to go back out today, but I suggest getting back on tomorrow and take a slow ride around your neighborhood, or an empty parking lot. The sooner you do it, the less time you have to think about falling down, and letting the fear build up.
When you read this try some "chair riding". Sit in a chair and hold your hands and feet in position, just as if you were actually on your bike. Close your eyes, visuallize and move your hands and feet, while going through all the motions of starting the engine, shoulder checking for traffic and moving off. Even make vrooom, vrooom motor noises if it helps make it more realistic for you. Do all the things that you do while riding; ie. shift gears, lean around corners and sweepers going both directions, slowing to a stop and moving off again.
Visualize the stop where you fell, and practice moving off and turning left again, doing everything right this time. Do it over again as many times as it takes for you to feel confident that you can do it for real the next time.
Make a few 3"X5" "positive affirmation cards", with things like:
"I am a confident, careful and proficient rider", or
"I can safely turn left, confidently easing the clutch out and gently rolling on the throttle", or
"I will feel confident of my riding ability as I approach, mount, start the engine and move off on my motorcycle."
Make up some more of your own, but remember they HAVE TO BE POSITIVE. Start with "I WILL", or "I CAN" or "I AM", never "I will not" or "I cannot", or "I am not".
Put these cards up where you will see them several times every day, and repeat the words out loud, with feeling and belief, every time you see it. Repeat them a few times just before going to sleep at night. You can literally reprogram your brain to believe these affirmations, and then act upon them when you ride. I know it sounds kind of crazy if you have never tried it, but it works. Even if you are skeptical of these methods, try them for 3 or 4 days or a week, before giving up. What have you got to lose, except for a little paper, ink and a few minutes of your time. Do the chair riding in private if you are afraid someone may laugh at you. Or do it where ever you want, and just tell them some crazy Kanuck from Alberta told you to do it!
Good luck Pam. Get back on that steel pony soon and ride. Life is too short to live in fear. You can ride a motorcycle, and keep it under control. You know it, and I know it. Now you just have get control of your subconcious mind by using these positive affirmations, and you will enjoy riding again, even more than you have in the past!!!
Let us know how things go tomorrow, after the ride around the neighborhood.