Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

I spent two years of everyday all weather riding on my SV before I got my GSXR, I reckon you'll get alot more out a bigger bike by putting in time on your SV before moving onto something else. You'll be a confident rider and you'll be able to get much more from a bigger bike, no matter what people say about it, IMHO the SV really does teach you how to ride and more importantly the art of throttle control.

I definately think the time I spent on my SV before I moved on was well spent.

Like I said before though its idiots on everytype of bike that give us a bad name, you dont have to ride a GSXR thou to ride like a pratt...

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

Hmm, not sure you've earnt anything by passing DAS other than a pass certificate. You can do a lot of damage with a bike license yet you can get one in 4 days training. Judge that against some other things that require you pass some kind of test or exam(s). A degree for instance, 4 years, not 4 days, that is something that has to be earned (even if thats getting easier too :rolleyes:).

Anyway, throttle control, leads nicely into the next quote....

No most folk wouldn't give their 17 year old a Ferrari, nor a Fireblade for that matter. But why not give a 40 year old DAS "graduate" a Fireblade? Have never ridden one but all the mags say they are are a light and manageable chassis and they only go as fast as you twist the throttle. I think there are valid arguments for and against...

If the person has the maturity and self control not to ride outside of their ability why shouldn't they have a litre sportsbike? This isn't always related to age mind you, I have a 40 year work colleague who wants to pass his DAS this year and has his eyes on a new fireblade. His wife also works in the same office and I've told her to get the anchors on him or start planning his funeral. He's a nut job and he only wants a fireblade 'cos it's the quickest bike he can get that wins all the magazine group tests. Mention bikes and speed in the same sentence and the guys grin is uncontrollable. I refuse to take him pillion 'cos he openly admits that he wants me to go as fast as possible.

The flip side of the argument is even when a person does have the necessary self control , they don't have the necessary experience and hence judgement to see a bad situation developing. A litre sportsbike has the POTENTIAL to get you into big trouble unintentionally. This is statisticallly proven and it's one of the reasons why insurance for a DAS "graduate" with no no claims is three times more for a fireblade than for an SV. The majority of bike accidents are loss of control on a country road. Whichever way you cut it that accident is more likely to happen on a fireblade with a inexperienced rider than on a 70bhp SV. The potential for entering a corner faster than you were expecting and standing the bike upright, overwhelming the rear grip, possibly followed by a highside, tankslappers, etc are all greater with a litre sportsbike and in the hands of a novice unlikely to be controllable/recoverable.

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

And bloody quickly to and I've only got a 750 and I was amazed at just how quickly the thing takes off, its really deceptive the first few times I looked down and had to do a double take at the speedo and I had 3 years riding experience under my belt by the time I got my GSXR, I've had it two years nearly and the thing still amazes me at how quickly it accelerates.

I damn well know that if I had got one after I passed my DAS, I'd have written the bike off, bust myself up badly or I'd be dead. I just didnt have the skills or the self restraint after I passed my DAS.

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

As said above its the corners/bends in the road that seem casue problems, I have learnt very quickly to look through bends advanced vision is a must, when I drop mine somethind distracts me, thats when it can go wrong.

Target fixation and I can't think of the name, but its when you spend your time dealing with a simple problem, rather than dealing with the entire situation Is what casuse things go wrong.....I try to picture the lines I will take plan them, but I tend to think of serval lines at once when I get in the zone so if that one doesn't work I have another to fall back on ect, don't know how to explain what goes on but I just need more praticse, how long till summer:cool:

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

Whats the new limit when the new test comes in? Its a power limit isnt it? I havent really took much notice as Ive been telling everyone to get their test passed before November.

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

Think I possibly agree that you learn more if you start out on a small bike for a bit. Conservation of momentum thing - still to each there own - dipping the clutch on a gsxr1000 on a roundabout can't be anymore risky than doing the same on a CB250.

How 'bout some sort of personality test?
"Just got your license sir? Just fill in this questionaire - hmm I see you border 'bit of a tit' and 'Adrenaline junkie' I'm afraid that limits you to-" :albino:

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

But a CB250 isn't likely to plant you in a wall at 140mph

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

Neither is a GSXR if you're dipping a clutch tottering around a roundabout...

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

No but that's not the point of the conversation, a new rider flopping a gixxer onto a roundabout is amusing, but if so useless at basic control how bad would he be at higher speeds?

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

My offs that caused injury were all at < 10mph

One broken collar bone and little finger and a dislocated thumb resulting.

When it comes down to it, I thought that the DAS then onto a 'Busa option was dumb before I got my License, I still do to a large degree, but surely its down to an individuals CHOICE and the FREEDOM of that choice.

Gov.uk seems to be trying to make it impossible to do anything these days - lets stop knife crime by banning knives (I have 3 expensive Leatherman Multi-tools that I dont dare carry anymore) instead of looking at WHY people carry knives and dealing with the cause rather than the symptom.

Should someone pass a DAS then ride out of the test center on a Hayabusa?

No

Should they be allowed to do it

Yes

Simple really