Do you realise how lucky you are?

[McJim]

To live in New Zealand where they allow you to get a learner's licence at 15?
Where they allow you to ride bikes with a whopping 250cc?

Just took a trip down memory lane and took a look at www.ebay.co.uk where they are selling 125cc bikes aimed as learner bikes ideal for 17 year olds that have just got their first licence.

I urge yo to have a look at some of the shite available to us Brits for learner machines.

Have fun.

[Daffyd]

You should be taking a trip down the Catlins, instead of memory lane.

[rainman]

I grew up in SA (yes, another one...) an when I was young you could get a bike license at 16. To ride a 50cc, only. At 18 you could ride what you wanted, after getting the full license, of course.

I wonder if it is still like that... bloody stupid system.

[JimO]

when i got mine a learner could ride a 1000cc bike

[McJim]

when i got mine a learner could ride a 1000cc bike

Yeah, but when you got your learner licence a 1,000cc bike only put out about 40hp!

[Ixion]

Lies. All lies. 40 bhp indeed! The Squariel produced no less than 45bhp. *And* only weighed 450 lb.

[98tls]

Lies. All lies. 40 bhp indeed! The Squariel produced no less than 45bhp. *And* only weighed 450 lb.

Any idea what HP figure for an old Vincent was?Black Shadow etc

[JimO]

Yeah, but when you got your learner licence a 1,000cc bike only put out about 40hp!

no no no komeandsukme 900s/1000s and suz gt750 waterbuses were about in 1975

[98tls]

no no no komeandsukme 900s/1000s and suz gt750 waterbuses were about in 1975

Remember Stone?watched it the other night,hadnt seen it for years,acting was shite but wonderful seeing all those Z1s in a line

[Ixion]

Any idea what HP figure for an old Vincent was?Black Shadow etc

52bhp to 55 bhp depending on model.

Always puzzled me how those old bikes with around 50bhp got to 125mph (true spped readings avergaed in both directions , too) . T120 Bonnie , 46 bhp, 110-112 mph. Modern Bonniville 62bhp , top speed (according to Cycle world ) 105mph. Other mags give it 110mph. Still slower than the t120 despite an extra 150cc and 50% more power. What gives?

The Velo Venom , with only 500cc and 41bhp was faster than that, exceeding 105mph FOR 24 HOURS CONTINUOUS. Non stop (except for fuel) average .

Are modern Jap horses raised in the Shetlands ?

[JimO]

Remember Stone?watched it the other night,hadnt seen it for years,acting was shite but wonderful seeing all those Z1s in a line

i got it great movie the boys love it as well as mad max1 with the goose on the z1

[98tls]

52bhp to 55 bhp depending on model.

Always puzzled me how those old bikes with around 50bhp got to 125mph (true spped readings avergaed in both directions , too) . T120 Bonnie , 46 bhp, 110-112 mph. Modern Bonniville 62bhp , top speed (according to Cycle world ) 105mph. Other mags give it 110mph. Still slower than the t120 despite an extra 150cc and 50% more power. What gives?

The Velo Venom , with only 500cc and 41bhp was faster than that, exceeding 105mph FOR 24 HOURS CONTINUOUS. Non stop (except for fuel) average .

Are modern Jap horses raised in the Shetlands ?

Interesting stuff.

[McJim]

Are modern Jap horses raised in the Shetlands ?

I suspect all the original hp readings were accurate and not measured from an unmeasurable point for the benefit of the marketing brochures.

My bike has a claimed 53hp at the back wheel coupled with a flat torque curve that tops out at a round 50 Newton Metres. It can get up around the 120mph mark (205kph displayed).

I wonder what my wee bike produces at the crank though.....shame it can't be measured eh?

[TOTO]

French Learners are more Lucky...

Learner Licence ...allowed 600cc.

[98tls]

French Learners are more Lucky...

Learner Licence ...allowed 600cc.

Yea but they have to shag chicks with hairy armpitskind of balances it out.