New Riders and Big Bikes?

Originally Posted by Stradders

Here's hoping you see and old guy on a GSX-R1000, just to prove we are not as bad as we think we are.

Yep, I know an old chap who rides a GSX-R1000. He's a good rider and fairly quick, but I've yet to see him do go/accelerate any faster than he could on a 750. That said, I've never seen him do anything dickish/unsafe to other people when riding and that is most peoples' main gripe with power rangers.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

A wee bit harsh ejohnh.

I'm going to fall somewhere in the middle on this one. Other peoples choices on their own safety are nobody elses business. If I want to ride in shorts and a T-shirt I bloody well will. It only affects me so we don't need a law which says I must wear protective gear.

However when a safety issue starts to have an impact on the wider society, I think society has a right to demand laws be made. Speak to the parent of the 14 year old who was killed when the 17 year old parked his car in a wall whlist "cruising" on a Saturday night, and they will think they have a right to be concerned about what other peoples 17 year olds can and cannot drive. I happen to agree.

I think this is the point I originally tried to make - so what if someone endangers their own life; its when it endangers others that I struggle to understand the comprehension behind it.

When I passed my car driving test back in the day, I used to drive like a wally on my own, but when I had other people in my car it would be like driving miss daisy - but I think thats because my experience at that time saw a lot of crashes by young drivers killing occupants in their cars due to their own pride getting in the way of general courtesy and logic.

Dragging this kicking and screaming back to the original topic....

I'm a (40 this year) novice biker ( 1.5 years now riding, passed DAS test in June 07). Went from CG125 to SV650S, use both for my commute to work, and not much else.

Never once crashes/dropped/pranged my CG125. Bought SV650S in September, fallen off it twice since then, both times at less than 15 mph.
Once I braked in wet (and I now know this is what happened since the 2nd off) and I slid straight off the wet seat over the handlebars, slow speed as I had turned right out of college on a mini-roundabout main road, 50 feet to next mini-roundabout where car was pulling out, so hadn't accelerated at all from 1st). Went splat, but NO skidding at all, just flump onto road. 2nd time, also in wet, slowed to nearly stopped at roundabout, nothing coming, slowly accelerate away (traffic at standstill 100 yds ahead, so not very fast at all) and backwheel goes sideways from under the bike (I assume diesel or something on road), wheee splat and a foot of skidding.

Sooo since I moved to a big bike 2 crashes in 4 months as opposed to none in the year before, but neither linked to it being a bigger bike (as far as I can tell anyway)

And the reason for a bigger bike? The CG125 loses all grunt at 50, have to be going downhill to get to 60, and on my work commute traffic averages 55 (in a 50 limit) on a 2 lane a-road, so continually being passed was scary. The cost for a 250/500 (which would have suited me fine for commute) was just about the same as the 650, with the caveat the bike magazines all say would get bored of it and trade it in within a year. As I can't afford to trade bikes in all the time, and there was a 0% offer on, I bought a bike I intend to stick with for a long time.


Do I need a 650? No. Would a 250 be happy on a motorway? No. Magazines all saying 500 nice learner bike that will be traded in within the year. So I'm left with 600/650 as lowest powered bikes worth getting.

[G]

The post above leaves me wondering what defines a 'big bike'?

I dont consider the SV650 to be a 'big bike' for a newbie.

I have alway just assumed that in dicussions like this people defined a 'big bike' by its power and engine size?

Therefore meaning that most 1000cc bikes are considered big bikes and the majority of bikes with over 80-90bhp, so most 600SS bikes as big bikes.

I have not read through all 16 pages so if I'm missing the point the I apologies.

Its my opinion that people can ride what they can afford and what they want, yes they may be putting themselves at more risk but its their choice. People can ride like idiots and give bike riders a bad name on any sized bike.

Originally Posted by graemepaterson

The post above leaves me wondering what defines a 'big bike'?

I dont consider the SV650 to be a 'big bike' for a newbie.

Tis if you're vertically challenged...


<runs away with coat>

Originally Posted by graemepaterson

The post above leaves me wondering what defines a 'big bike'?

I dont consider the SV650 to be a 'big bike' for a newbie.

I have alway just assumed that in dicussions like this people defined a 'big bike' by its power and engine size?

Its in the most expensive road tax class for bikes, along with the 1400cc monsters, so it must be a big bike. At least according to our elected officials.

Originally Posted by AndyW

Its in the most expensive road tax class for bikes, along with the 1400cc monsters, so it must be a big bike. At least according to our elected officials.

Before the advent of the superbike in the late 50's early 60's, a 650 was considered a big bike. eg Triumph Tiger 110, BSA Road Rocket etc. A triumph tiger 500 was also considered a powerful bike. Below that you had 350's 250's and 125's. The only bigger bikes, as far as I recall, were things like an Ariel square 4 and of course the Vincents. What was the bhp of the original Bonnevilles? Probably less than 70. In comparison to the high HP bikes the sv650 is considered a comparatively 'small' bike. (It beats the pants off the AMC CSR 600cc Sportstwin I had back then). I still think it's bloody big though.

As for your offs, I was wondering if you were still leaning over when you applied the front brake. If you were then the bike would stand up very quickly and possible tip you off. You second slide could be something to do with your rare tyre being cold, not much tread, bad tyre?

John

Originally Posted by ejohnh

As for your offs, I was wondering if you were still leaning over when you applied the front brake. If you were then the bike would stand up very quickly and possible tip you off.
John

*Shrug* Wish I _knew absolutely_ what happened then it wouldn't happen again.

Originally Posted by ejohnh

You second slide could be something to do with your rare tyre being cold, not much tread, bad tyre?

Just done 16 miles back from Preston, within 1/4 mile of home, 50+ most of the way, so tyre not cold, tread is fine, I wouldn't know a bad tyre aside from that if it bit me. Same tyre as was on bike from new in September, around 2.5k miles done on it so only just worn off the shine.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by AndyW

Its in the most expensive road tax class for bikes, along with the 1400cc monsters, so it must be a big bike. At least according to our elected officials.

Dizzyblondes feller has an SRX6, which being 608cc is a "big" bike, it does 80mpg and is the size of a 125 (makes them a hoot to ride), there's 250's faster.

Obviously those "elected officials" know best