Limiting cc's to newbies

[Vidrazor]

I vote yes. This country is so power-obsessed, people start geeking out anyone tries to do something like this. Not only should the bike size be restricted to under 250cc, but training should mandatory. Unfortunately we have a watered down MSF training system (thanks to the motorcycle manufacturers) , but even that is better than nothing.

One thing nobody is realizing here is that you're not just protecting someone from themselves, you're also protecting others from said bikers. A significant number of bystanders have been injured by untrained/irresponsible motorcyclist, typically doing stupid stunts like wheelies and stoppies, which are stock-in-trade for new squids with their Gixxers and what-not.

Passengers too get hurt when inexperienced riders react in a less-than-desirable fashion in any given situation. They rarely take the riders safety into consideration, much less their own. While we may love to see something like this:

what happens if he drops that bike? A waste of a beautiful girl, that's what. She'll be scarred for life. But both are clueless there, right?

So I vote for size restriction AND proper training.

[gsxr400 racer]

  Damn,At the age of 16,I was runningTT and flattrack on a Bultaco Astro. On a 1/2 mile oval,I was going into the turns @ probably 80-90 mph. If I had to drop to 35 top speed on the street,I'd just stay off of it.(started at the age of 5)
  On the road,my first bike was a 400 Suz.ST,or I'd take out my Dad's Triumph. Both around 50 hp I quess.  Dan

would have never known

[PitterB4]

Ugh - not to turn this political but this is the mentality that is going to get Hillary "it takes a village" Clinton elected.  We're so screwed!  Vid - did that guy hold a gun to the hottie's head to get her on there like that or does she bear some (most? all?) responsibility?  Will she loose any less skin when he dumps a 250?  (Freakin' great pic, though!)

[rkfire]

This country is so power-obsessed, people start geeking out anyone tries to do something like this. Not only should the bike size be restricted to under 250cc

Then crush your bike, and get a 250.

One thing nobody is realizing here is that you're not just protecting someone from themselves, you're also protecting others from said bikers. A significant number of bystanders have been injured by untrained/irresponsible motorcyclist, typically doing stupid stunts like wheelies and stoppies, which are stock-in-trade for new squids with their Gixxers and what-not.

Motorcycle vs pedestrian/bystander is rare. At the same time, what are those people thinking when they inch closer and closer to bike doing wheelies and stoppies.  

Passengers too get hurt when inexperienced riders react in a less-than-desirable fashion in any given situation. They rarely take the riders safety into consideration, much less their own. While we may love to see something like this:

what happens if he drops that bike? A waste of a beautiful girl, that's what. She'll be scarred for life. But both are clueless there, right?

I say new riders should need experience before taking a passenger, I saw no solution to that situation in your post, but if it is SIZE limitation as Pitter said "would she loose any less skin on a 250"

[Vidrazor]

>>Will she loose any less skin when he dumps a 250?<<

The point there wasn't about bike size, it was related to my comments on rider training and taking passenger safety into consideration.

[Heyu]

and that picture is taken from some european country(plate) where they have restricted licences so I guess in all reality should we be protecting others from their own stupidity or should it be survival of the fittest(luckiest)

[Bob Holland]

There are more people killed or injured while talking on a cell phone and driving than will ever be hurt on a motorcycle, so if we are really concerned about saving lives, then we should be talking about banning cell phone use while driving.

[Bob Holland]

And right after cell phones, there are radios, tape and cd players in cars, and they contribute to more accidents than new motorcycle riders, and we just want to protect people.
And besides, when someone wrecks because they were ajusting the radio, they are a lot more likely to injure or kill someone else.

[Red01]

DEMAND BICYCLE LICENSING!
>1000 people die every year in the US from bicycle accidents!

BAN SWIMMING POOLS!
More people die from accidental drownings in swimming pools than gun accidents.

While I think it is smart to start out small and work your way up, I am against the government always trying to save us from ourselves.
I started out small - on a 80cc trail bike, but then my next one was my first street bike, a 650 (back when a 650 was a big bike).

[Katamaniac]

I am kind of torn between big brother telling us what to do and doing what I feel is the right thing. I would like to see some sort of restriction on riders who are new to motorcycling. I think the UK has the right idea, but they have taken it too far. I believe that training is our best resource. One of our stats prove that people need the training. 40% of all single vehicle accidents on motorcycles is running off the road in a curve.  If you give people the right information, most will make the correct decision.

I started on a 80cc dirt bike and then when I started on the street, I went to a Suz. GT550. All the bikes I owned up until four years ago were 600CC and less. I never felt like the 600s were too small for me.

I also teach the MSF Basic Rider Course, so I see a lot of new riders. There are people out there who have no business on a one litre sport bike. It take time to hone your skills. The R-1 doesn't handle any better than the R-6 does, it just has much more power. How fast do you need to go on the street?

[Snubnose]

So long as newbies CAN bite off more than they can chew...THEY WILL!.

Let me play Devils advocate a moment:

"Hey Kid!.. Do you want a beer?, Yes?"... Hmmm, Didn't see that one coming! Why don't we give them booze? Oh yeah, They're not MATURE enough, yet along capable of handling the stuff at that age.  Oh, yeah, there ARE laws that prevent under-age drinking, wonder why?...go figure!

"Hey Kid, On your FOURTEENTH birthday, heres your FULL license and the keys to a Mustang GT!", and BTW, I just put 3rd party coverage on your insurance, cause, well, ...Your trustworthy right? and its OPTIONAL to wear a seat belt!, so I'll let YOU decide!". hmmm, ...  Oh Yeah, there ARE laws provided for some mandatory training AND laws for Seatbelt usage too!..I wonder why, Go figure!

There are many instances and hypothetical scenarios we can run with here to give or take away the benefit of doubt to Newbies. However, when it comes down to it, we have two choices...

1, Maintain status quo and leave it to chance and random "evolutionary if you want to call it" selection to dictate how many unnecessary, avoidable deaths occur, whether those deaths are a result of plain idiocy on the road or just weak defensive riding skills.

2.  Implement some sort of graduated licensing system (CC's, HP, time, mandatory safety courses, IQ tests maybe LOL!?.. whatever!) for Newbies on Bikes, not just cars and inconvenience a few (those who don't see the value of some legislation), albeit for a short time, but save a few lives?.

JustMyTwoBits :)

[rkfire]

I don't think anyone is advocating that requiring better training for a license is bad. The area of disagreement is more the gov't controlling who gets to ride what bike, at what time. Certainly a kid could be an expert motorcyclist by 16 years old, if he has seat time off road.

I don't care for the alcohol analogy. Here's a different one, hey kid, you can't buy beer here. You're not 21 yet, but by the way good luck in Iraq/Afghanistan next week.

Another point not really addressed. I recall, without looking at the source at the moment, older riders are not fairing any better than the 16-21 group in accidents or fatalities. So there goes the teenager without training argument!

[Bob Holland]

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They should limit us over 30 crowd, and let the teenagers ride

[rkfire]

LMAO yeah....250cc limit for over 40!

[B6mick]

LMAO yeah....250cc limit for over 40!

Good point but,

Many riders of an age of 40 plus, ( We shall Call them born again riders for the point I'm making ) have not ridden since the 70's. Let thier licence slip. Hold a full car licence. Sit their learners permit, don't by a bike. ( to shyte scared to be seen by their so called mates on a wee 250cc) get their licence and sit on it till their off their restrictions. Yeh smart stuff, buy a 140hp plus rocket and legally ride it.

These riders and Newbies DO do count here as the greatest riders at risk. plain and simple fact.... So do we continue to let those who are to shyte scared to be seen on a LAM's bike or a 250 because their efen ego efen big. Or do we just sit back let Darwin's theory take its course. then jack up after governments have banned motorcycling altogether.