Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

+ 1 totaly agree that people should have the choice

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

My Gixer thou was bought by me as physiotherapy for my brain after I'd suffered a mild stroke. Sounds stupid but it worked.

When I had the stroke I owned a ZX-9R, it was a really forgiving and capable bike but too easy to ride fast. I needed something that made me think, and think fast. What better bike than a Gixer thou.

I bought my bike off a mate who lived in Holywood just outside Belfast, my only real option was to fly there to collect it and ride back. It took a couple of weeks for my doctor to sign me as fit to fly, I daren't tell him why I needed to go to Belfast so urgently. Anyway, bike collected, paid for and I'm shown the route I need to Dublin for the ferry - off I go.

Have you ever been so scared of a bike that you need to stop in a layby to gather your thoughts and calm down? I'd been riding 27 odd years when I bought that bike and nothing had ever really scared me (except a nitrous Z1R in 1982). Before I got on the motorway to Dublin I'd stopped twice, both times shaking like a leaf. By the time I got to the ferry port I was a nervous wreck and slept the entire crossing. Off the boat and a short ride to a mate's house just outside Llandudno. There he calmed me down, made me dinner and suggested he rode the bike back to my gaff near Bedford with me as pillion and then him take a train back home. I refused his offer saying I needed to get my head together, stubborn I know. It took me about 5 hours to get home from his place, by which time I was physically and mentally exhausted and almost in tears. I must have been riding like a complete noob all the way home.

When I finally woke up the next day I was full of thoughts of selling the bike, it was evil., but I was talked into giving it a go by my housemate. I got better fairly quickly by telling myself that if I didn't learn to ride it I was going to die on it.

Point of my story is, not everyone riding shakily is a complete newbie, some people are recovering from illness and some are getting used to a completely different bike to the one they owned before. Could be that the owner of that Gixer had graduated from a Dullville or similar after seeing the light... or he could just as easily have been a complete moron with all the gear and no idea - we'll probably never know.

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

Yeah that's about my thoughts on the matter too.

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

Yep, well summed up Soulkiss

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

I apologise if this has been said but I haven't read every post.
Having ridden many bikes and quite a few new ones since I was 16 over 34yrs ago.You have to get used to any bike especially as you mention 'on his new GSXR1000'.There could be any number of factors that could have caused said incident.Unfortunately some people have more to learn than others.No one was born with these skills.His style of riding could of been he's just realised he's not in control of the bike.I think judging someone from one short observation is a bit harsh.Whatever the circumstances.

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

no i would say you have earnt the right to ride what you like, you have paid your money to be taught how to ride,yes belive it or not some schools teach that rather than just to pass. Most people on here must have been taught on a learn at home type thing then as they reckon you are taught to pass. Where as i was taught things like counter steering and cornering while out on rides with my instructor.

Why have you or anyone on here earnt the right to ride an SV but because someone better off and who can afford to get a GSXR hassent earnt it?? Is it because you all reckon you should have small bikes to start. If that is the case has anyone argued the case for EVERYONE to be restriccted to 33BHP for two years no!!

70BHP wil top a ton ans put you in a wall just as easilly as 150BHP will. and i would argue its eaiser to tie the SV in knotts than the latest sports bike with beter handaling and brakes!

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

He's right you know

Possibly, I'd argue that its much much easier to get into trouble due to speed and corner approach speed on a GSXR Thou, also it was the brakes and handling that I found took just as much getting used to as the throttle when I got my 750. I had to ride in a different way, and it took time to get used to it, so I supposed you could say that without the SV experience I'd have had no pre-conceived ideas as to how to ride and I could have started from scratch...

I do agree though, DAS gives you the right to buy and ride what you like, whether you should or not is a different matter and thats down to each individual to make that choice isnt it.

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

loved that, what a great story i could imagine it now! saying that my friend bought gsxr 600 for his first bike but that is off the scale :D

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

yes but if i get into a corner a bit to quick on the ZX i know i can virtually throw it on its side and it will stay balck hoops down , and get around beter than the SV would have.

Re: New Riders and Big Bikes?
 

True but that takes confidence and experience to know that and to know what to do in that kind of situation. Which you've obviously already got.

You reckon after 1 x CBT and then 4 x days DAS tuition you'd be able to do that if your first bike is a GSXR Thou and you approach a corner on a road you dont know and warp speed because your brain is not accustomed to doing said warp speed as the fastest thing you've previously ridden is the training schools GS500.