el_richo

I disagree. Most road riders of supersports bikes in the UK do not understand the limits of their bike or tyres. Many many many times i've seen people panic when they didn't need to. I would think many of those who don't make the corner due to excess speed would have done so had they known the bike and tyre capabilities and limits. That said, whether you hit dirt, gravel, liquid, roadkill, or a manhole cover leant over or under braking at 50mph or 100mph, you're probably going down the road.

The argument is that many road only users would ride the same way on a 600 whether they graduated from a 125 or not. Those without the experience could potentially fear the power at the wheel for a short while.

I still think the final part of a bike test is to spend a day on a race track understanding how a bike works at speed, under braking, and on slow and fast corners in a safer environment.



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el_richo

Yes but of all those i know who have been injured, killed, or just crashed without injury have been experienced riders (2+ years on sports bikes), including myself.

Again, i would think the young 'uns in cars are more likely to have an incident than those on a bike. The other issue is the car driver has more mass to cause damage and could easily have others in the vehicle with them.

If you legislate, you do so against both cars and bikes. Only problem with this is the user may have more road time under their belt but what's to stop them driving/riding like pillocks once they upgrade to huge power.


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R I C H

^ +1

It's the born-agains returning to biking after a layoff that seem least capable of appreciating modern machinery and it's capabilities.

elizabeth_action

Most riders will have learned their limitations, have a better respect for other road users and have their defensive riding habits better established. I'm not disputing that more accidents occur with older riders but it's a good idea to protect the vulnerable from their lack of experience and maturity.

My OH (also a biker of longstanding) agrees that there should be a limit on power, but not to have to make the riders sit more tests. Just that for consecutive periods, hp is banded.

R I C H

How does that help? I could have a monkey bike sat in the garage unused for 3 years, then splash out on a BMW S 1000RR. What proof is there that I've progressed to the point I can handle it?

Proper training from the outset makes more sense than relying on a rider developing skills with their own initiative, and assuming they've even been an active rider.

el_richo

Again, i'm sorry but i disagree with this. Limitations on a 33bhp bike and a 130bhp bike, for example, differ hugely. So the experienced rider will still have to adjust and that step up in power is huge. The temptation to open the throttle, i believe, is there more with the experienced rider due to their often false confidence.

I also don't believe riders learn their limitations. For example, if a rider is surprised when approaching a corner that tightens midway, how many (experienced and inexperienced) would panic and yank the brakes or at the very best end up on the wrong side of the road? I would say a large number. The truth is the bike would probably be able to make it in most cases.

Many of those i've ridden with and seen who ride quickly (and often close to or beyond their capabilities) have been experienced (2+ years road riding). Those who have just passed their test and opt for the supersports bike tend to ride much more sedately due to fear.

All of this is based on my own experience whereby the incidents involved the experienced people (+2 years road experience).



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el_richo

^^^^^
What RICH says

elizabeth_action

Mmmm, fair point.

Having said that, most people who have an interest in riding wouldn't pass the initial test and then languish as a car driver. They would be out there riding and improving.

triumphguy

Or - as a parent - you have the, "Not while you're living in my house!" talk. Or ride with them and train them off road- which is what I intend to do when they're a bit bigger.

After I've taught them to shoot a rifle.....

zebra1

is that 5.56 or 7.62?

Caitilin

That talk is why I have a tattoo and a snake.

R I C H

Swoon

triumphguy

For the kids I'll start with a single shot (bolt action) .22!