Power-to-weight ratio law and bikes

**GOONR** · 30th September 2010, 16:11

Originally Posted by chasio

I think your hopes of making that work are, sadly, slim. They will most likely sheepily follow the NSW list in Goonr's post.

Have they bothered making that clear anywhere yet, or just blurted a general statement?

Nope no specifics, it's not hard to see what is coming though. They love Aus and why reinvent the wheel so to speak.

**bogan** · 30th September 2010, 16:12

Originally Posted by Infamy

This is the worst news all year, well after the $1000 fix up shock my mechanic advised me of. I ride an 1990 RGV VJ21. I did a rough calculation based on a few estimations on weight and exact power of my bike. As follows:
RGV
@ 50 HP =33.55 kW
@ 140kg dry weight
=(33.55/140)x1000
=239kW per tonne.

or a more realistic figure:

@50hp
@ 140kg dry weight + me (80kg) + 20liters of fuel =240kg
=(33.55/240kg)x 1000
=139.79

Which is just under!
I am wondering if I should bring it up to scratch then pay for rego+wof or just scrap it as I will be riding out side of the law again.
This law will probably go through this time, they can't keep holding back. They should implement something like this for cars as well in the interest of 'safety'

When you say scrap it, I hope you don't mean wreck the bike, mind you I also hope you don't mean ride with a fucked shock, can't you find something on ebay for cheap?

**slofox** · 30th September 2010, 16:16

Rules schmules...I've had a full for forty-two years...

Just go get ya full before the law changes.

**davereid** · 30th September 2010, 16:18

Originally Posted by chasio

IThey will most likely sheepily follow the NSW list in Goonr's post.

We have until 2012. If BRONZ or MAG are worth anything, they will be heavily lobbying LTNZ or whatever they currently call themselves for input.

I'll cheerfully volunteer to be on any committee or representative group we come up with for either group.

My personal view ?

This will be good for motorcycling, especially if it can be made a realistic limit. Thats got to be worth lobbying for, especially of they dont apply similar limits to learner car drivers.

The Moped law will mean that those wishing to have a moped need a moped OR motorcycle licence. It should be easy for motorcycle shops to steer new moped riders to a motorcycle licence.

**scumdog** · 30th September 2010, 16:22

Originally Posted by rgv250

hey guys iv got a 91 rgv250 and the factory spec ratings on my model from what i can find is 63hp @ 11000rpm and dry weight of 139,

Hell, my 1450cc Harley only makes 65hp at 4,700rpm

nd I can live with its performance.

If I HAD to ride a 250cc because I was starting out it wouldn't worry me a jot.

It's not like it's FOREVER dude..

**rgv250** · 30th September 2010, 16:50

ill probly just sit on it until the law comes into affect and if it means i cant have my bike then il store it or sell it and wait out til my full (only 2 years away) i can stil hav the sneaky ride tho as they gota catch me and prove it

**chasio** · 30th September 2010, 17:20

Originally Posted by davereid

We have until 2012. If BRONZ or MAG are worth anything, they will be heavily lobbying LTNZ or whatever they currently call themselves for input.

I'll cheerfully volunteer to be on any committee or representative group we come up with for either group.

I think you'll see that happening...

And I'd be very happy too see you on it

**davereid** · 30th September 2010, 17:26

Originally Posted by rgv250

ill probly just sit on it until the law comes into affect and if it means i cant have my bike then il store it or sell it and wait out til my full (only 2 years away) i can stil hav the sneaky ride tho as they gota catch me and prove it

You could of course just get your full licence if capable. And if not capable, why not contact one of the KB mentors to up-skill?

**Jantar** · 30th September 2010, 17:44

Originally Posted by rgv250

..... but if its comes to it i think il just have to put on some weight to try make it legal

....

That won't work. It is the power to weight ratio of the bike alone, not bike and rider.

**rgv250** · 30th September 2010, 17:51

yea im pretty sure im just going to sell it. im 25 in 2 years so can get my full then. maybe with the law changing like this i mite b able to ride something slightly bigger and quicker maybe with the rite tune... im happy with the rgv and handling and performance but something bit bigger i wouldnt complain... im just pissed i took ages to find a 91 vj22 rgv250 for my learners and now it looks like it was waste of time. its my only transport so i cant really afford to not being able to ride it either atm

**riffer** · 30th September 2010, 18:13

Originally Posted by davereid

We have until 2012. If BRONZ or MAG are worth anything, they will be heavily lobbying LTNZ or whatever they currently call themselves for input.

I'll cheerfully volunteer to be on any committee or representative group we come up with for either group.

My personal view ?

This will be good for motorcycling, especially if it can be made a realistic limit. Thats got to be worth lobbying for, especially of they dont apply similar limits to learner car drivers.

The Moped law will mean that those wishing to have a moped need a moped OR motorcycle licence. It should be easy for motorcycle shops to steer new moped riders to a motorcycle licence.

Yeah, it's happening Dave. I think moped sales will fall through the floor more likely though...

As for a realistic limit, like everything else to do with road safety (sic) look to Victoria as a start point.

And those who think it's just for bikes, I believe you may be surprised. I'm sure (although I have NO information to prove it) that bikes will be the start. If this is proven to work they'll try it on car licenses. And I couldn't be happier about that. Let them start to drive at 16, and kw/tonne ratios until at least age 18.

I'd like to see defensive riding course better tailored towards motorcyclists, unlike the car based ones we have at present. I'd like to see much more difficult driving and riding tests.

How about a basic handling skills test like this:

**GOONR** · 30th September 2010, 18:34

Originally Posted by riffer

....

And those who think it's just for bikes, I believe you may be surprised. I'm sure (although I have NO information to prove it) that bikes will be the start. If this is proven to work they'll try it on car licenses. And I couldn't be happier about that. Let them start to drive at 16, and kw/tonne ratios until at least age 18.

riffer, I think you are right, I'm sure that I read somewhere today that they are looking at power restrictions for learner / young car drivers.