New Riders and Big Bikes?

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by bluethunder

I could quite easily go out buy almost anything in the 600/750 range if I really wanted to but have no desire (fact is i have other plans) But I don't want one right now I want to learn my SV first I know for fact my bike has more to give and I have yet to ride it to its full potential so why do I need something faster and more powerful? I want to learn skill first, thats what make you a fast rider not the bike, that goes for anything to do with 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...

Originally Posted by neio79

He has passed his test and EARNT the right to buy and ride whatever he can afford and insure.

Like Kit Kat sad, there is such a thing as throtle control!

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 ).

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

Originally Posted by Daimo

Would you hand the keys to a Ferrari Enzo/Porsche Carrera GT/Lambo etc to your son/daughter who had just passed their driving test

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.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

A litre sportsbike has the POTENTIAL to get you into big trouble unintentionally.

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.

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

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.

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-"

[yorkie_chris]

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

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

[yorkie_chris]

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?

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

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

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