New Riders and Big Bikes?

[timwilky]

I read most of this with amusement. I have made my feelings on this plain. However, I cannot believe that some bikers want to place more restrictions on us.

I wonder just how much is based on the "It's not fair, I have a 33bhp restriction, yet being a riding god, I am far better than any Gixxer riding power ranger could ever be. Yet they can ride anything because of their age, income etc".

As I have previously said. We need to encourage more onto two wheels. Disparaging comments about anyone's bikers abilities, choice of bike and the fact they are sensible enough to wear decent leathers etc. makes me wonder if they are true bikers or just shallow imitations.

The governments of Europe are already scheming against motorcycle usage, lets not give them more ammunition under the guise of motorcycle interest groups are asking for phased progression to a full licence etc.

[fizzwheel]

As an aside, I'm a reasonable rider, I'm no Rossi and I never will be.

I took my GSXR out yesterday to give it a run, I havent ridden it since September last year. It was wet in places and slippery after the salt, my rear tyre is squared off and it makes the bike slow to turn.

I rode so slowly up a hill with a series of switch back corners in it I got caught up by a car I have pretty much forgotten how to ride and I'm really rusty, so I rode slowly because I was building my confidence back up again.

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

Nope totally disagree with anything that limits personal freedom.

Its up to ME to chose what bike I want to ride, what I wear when doing it.

Originally Posted by timwilky

Plus one on that. My licence says I can ride what I want. Why change it.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Yup, laws are changing to make it ridiculously hard to ride a bike legally.

Only 2 test centers in all of yorkshire when the latest batch of bull$hit arrives in a few months.

Originally Posted by timwilky

I read most of this with amusement. I have made my feelings on this plain. However, I cannot believe that some bikers want to place more restrictions on us.

All fair enough, these are your opinions. But whats the difference between a newbie 40 year old being restricted to 85bhp, if a 20 year old is restricted to 33, a 17 year old to 12.5, and a 16 year old to 3.5.

Are we saying therefore that under 21's should also be given freedom of choice to ride what they want? That the 16, 17 and 21 year old restrictions are a bad idea? After all they can drive a Ferrari at 17.

If you think thats acceptable then say so and don't read further, but if you don't think thats acceptable, then why do you think its acceptable for a 40 year old DAS graduate with the same level of biking experience to jump on a 180bhp Hayabusa?

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Yup, laws are changing to make it ridiculously hard to ride a bike legally.

Only 2 test centers in all of yorkshire when the latest batch of bull$hit arrives in a few months.

I don't disagree that the current changes are a bad thing for biking, I'm suggesting this as what I think is a better alternative to the new laws. And it doesn't stop people riding what they want. It just insists that if they are new to biking and have done DAS they take additional training first. Any rider who's ridden more than the two years would remain unaffected, which would also cover anyone who already been through the 33 bhp two years.

I can't get my head round the current situation where somebody who passed the test on a 500 is somehow deemed a more capable rider than somebody who passed the same test on a 125. It just doesn't make any sense.

The problem with restrictions in legislation is that it's done by non biking politicians, doesn't make any sense, is driven by various political agendas, and restricts freedom of choice, not just with the focus on improving safety.

Well I haven't read all 14 pages of this far too much to read, end of the day I should be able buy what I want.....everybody should. Why should bikes be restricted and not cars.

In fact I just saw a 0% finance deal for a new R6 07 for ?125/month which is what I'm paying for my SV. So hell same price I may just get one, why not its my choice!

I don't want people going oh you can't have that, why the hell not? I really belive that advanced training, riding you bikes as much possiable is what makes better riders. You know it should be a good thing more people than ever on bikes....

As I said I dislike people that show off as that is what casues problem, yes this leads to crashes and dead riders, riding too fast ect but we all know that.

Don't start asking to restricted, becasue you know the government will try that on, I want to left alone to enjoy my bike with friends.

TBH these restrictions will do nothing. most people ilegaly derestrict restricted bikes anyhow.. and if the governmant crack down on people who can buy what ever they want three things will happen..

1. The British biking scene will just dwindle and people will lose all interest in the end!
2.There will be a massive fleet of ghost rider type folks who will just mod what ever it is they own to the max and go mental to prove a point to the .Gov!
3. race tracks will get alot busier!

if it comes to this i will move to another country and let this one just get on with it.

but back to the topic this will effect any biker/commter/ Weekend warrior / moped / restricted etc . . regardless of their ability..

through the thread i have been all up for people to get what they want,..
untill today, my dads daytona 650 just keeps breaking so he is fixing it, selling it, and getting a GSXR 1000... over my dead body .... unless he packs in alot of advanced rider training he will get himself in so such trouble with that bike.. he was bad enough on that peice of crap triumph.. give him an extra load of BHP.... dont even want to think about it... but he rode bikes all his life.. had a break and came back after 10 years... rusty as muck.. but wont listen GRRR ! ! ! so without specific training and experience id say getting a massive bike might be a REALLY bad idea.. but it all comes down to the indevidual

OK, fair enough, it was only a "Maybe the answer is..." suggestion.

Looks like most folk are opposed to any further restriction, regardless of what it comprises or if it's sensible or not.

I suppose I'm not bothered. I wouldn't have bought anything more powerful than 85bhp after my DAS, 'cos I'd been away from biking for 12 years and didn't think anything bigger was a good idea. Hence I own an SV, and only something that big 'cos I thought it would keep me entertained for a couple of years, whereas I'd have been wanting to sell a 500 after six months. Maybe I'll change for something like an RSV or Falco this year if I'm in a dealership and get tempted for something, but I'm not actively looking and still quite happy with the SV.

And if some other fool like the guy at my work or the guy that broke his pelvis wants to go and kill themselves, it'll be no skin off my nose. My son'll be getting a 50cc at 16 and a 125 at 17 and doing it the hard way.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

OK, My son'll be getting a 50cc at 16 and a 125 at 17 and doing it the hard way.

thats the way i did it, helped me know end with road craft etc... my kids will do the same too

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

And if some other fool like the guy at my work or the guy that broke his pelvis wants to go and kill themselves, it'll be no skin off my nose. My son'll be getting a 50cc at 16 and a 125 at 17 and doing it the hard way.

Originally Posted by lylej

thats the way i did it, helped me know end with road craft etc... my kids will do the same too

Altho I did my DAS, I think it would prove sensible if riders were to go through a restricted system - as I also believe car drivers should too.

I dont like the idea that after a kids driving test - they can if they have the money, go out and buy what ever car they want and drive it like a loony. If these cars were restricted, I think drivers would be forced to learn how to drive outside of lessons, rather than automatically think they can just do what they like.

Passing your test is far from knowing how to drive/ride, its merely that you have achieved the minimum standard to use the public highways without supervision.

Like currently with motorbike tests - the system assumes that the older you are, the more sensible you'll be on the road.

Call me a killjoy - but I've seen enough stupid accidents that could have been avoided if someone didnt think they were a superhero when using their car or bike.

Originally Posted by Dualcyclone

I dont like the idea that after a kids driving test - they can if they have the money, go out and buy what ever car they want and drive it like a loony.

When the nights are light longest in the summer, a road around my village is closed practically every weekend due to a fatality. Always a 17 year old who has put his modified GTI hatchback through a wall or a tree. The fatality is usually the 14,15 or 16 year old who was sitting in the back without a seatbelt. I can think of 4 places within a 5 mile radius of my village where there is a roadside shrine to a young person who died in the last year. If they were all restricted to a 1.2 or less for two years that would drop significantly.