Born not to ride?

[FROSTY:Me]

Being a dad of a passle of kids im lucky enough to see the full spectrum of riding "skills" from newbee riders.
One lad doesn't have natural ability but he sees a problem with his riding and practices untill he gets it right.
Another lad has natural ability which gets him out of the trouble his overcooking matters gets him into.
The third boy doesnt listen doesnt have a lot of natural skill and has to win so he crashes A LOT
The youngest knows hes not all that flash at riding but he doesn't crash because he rides within his ability all the time

Im kinda hoping they get the crashing bit out of their system before old enough to go on the road

[DarkLord]

Yet another reason why the US needs a cc restriction rule when it comes to people buying their first bikes.

Indeed, this guy maybe a total moron, but he'd have much less of a chance of severely hurting himself if he started on a 250.

[Little Miss Trouble]

With experience and practise and training most people could become competent motorcyclists. With a learning period on a 250cc, followed by a couple of years on a 600cc, a good rider could go on to ride a 1000cc bike and not kill themselves. A newby on a GSXR1000 needs to be lucky to survive his first week of riding, NZ laws restricting the learner bike to 250cc may annoy some - but they beat US laws allowing someone to try to learn riding a bike on a 1000cc racer.

Have to disagree there, I've recently met a guy riding a shiny new ZX-10, which he rides very well, so well that I thought his mates were having me on when they said hes only been riding for 8 weeks

[DarkLord]

There are always going to be those with natural talent for riding who will just be able to get on a ZX-10 and not have any problems.

I'd be willing to bet that's not most of us though. I think the US should re-evaluate their laws when it comes to that sort of thing.

[Okey Dokey]

Just thought I'd mention that each of the USA's 50 states has it's own laws regarding licencing. Without researching, probably many of them DO have a graduated style system. Maybe someone on here knows for sure...

[MarkH]

Have to disagree there, I've recently met a guy riding a shiny new ZX-10, which he rides very well, so well that I thought his mates were having me on when they said hes only been riding for 8 weeks

Ahh, but there's the rub - the laws are set for average Joe, there will always be exceptions. But please tell me, if what I said isn't true then why were you surprised that this guy you met on the ZX-10 had only been riding 8 weeks? Could it be that you also find it rare that someone without much experience could handle a 1000cc bike?

I think that despite a few talented individuals that could go straight to a big bike, it is better to have a graduated system so that the other 99% don't kill themselves.

[Little Miss Trouble]

Ahh, but there's the rub - the laws are set for average Joe, there will always be exceptions. But please tell me, if what I said isn't true then why were you surprised that this guy you met on the ZX-10 had only been riding 8 weeks? Could it be that you also find it rare that someone without much experience could handle a 1000cc bike?

I think that despite a few talented individuals that could go straight to a big bike, it is better to have a graduated system so that the other 99% don't kill themselves.

When I said 'so well' I meant reasonably sensibly (sensible after all is a relative term depending on your views) and within his abilities.

If I'd had the money and didn't care about the other consequences of being caught riding outside license conditions would I have still been riding the GPX? hell no, would I still be here? probably, its all about controlling the right hand.

How about making it up to the individual to decide what they can and can't handle, and stop wrapping people in cotton wool. A moron is going to be a moron on a 250 or 1000cc

[MarkH]

How about making it up to the individual to decide what they can and can't handle, and stop wrapping people in cotton wool. A moron is going to be a moron on a 250 or 1000cc

I agree about morons being morons, and really morons shouldn't ride bikes at all. But if someone lacks experience and doesn't take enough care then the potential for disaster is greater on a thou than a too-fitty.

The big problem is that there are morons that would kill other people if we let them do what they want, the laws are not only for the protection of the moron riders (darwin bless 'em).

[Little Miss Trouble]

So why not turn our joke of a driver licensing system into an actual driver training programme so people learn in a safer environment rather than being thrown out on the road with 5 minutes experience and being expected to figure it out for themselves?

[Aaron_newrider]

Yep that's me, I had no problem riding a bike as a kid, it came pretty easy.



That's me too.
I realized while still at school that even while listening to a song on a walkman I couldn't carry a tune well enough to sing along to it. Of course I am smart enough to realise my limitations and have never tried to be a DJ.

Mate, your partner is lucky, I can't carry a tune to save myself but I still sing along at the top of my lungs! Should see me in the car with a broken stereo!

Some people just fall, fall and fall again. Some people can't drive, catch the bus, it'll save you life