S
sportrider
in the U.S. (well California anyways) all that is required is 250cc or bigger with all the standard control to classify it as a "motorcycle" not a moped or scooter.
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Hi Mate, im not sure how they restrict the engine. Scorphonic, is (I beleive) the european rider on the restricted engine. If you PM him im sure he will give you the low down on it.This has been a very enlightening thread. Let' say you have bought a used Fz6 and after reading all this you think that maybe it would be wiser to not learn how to ride again on this powerful a bike. How can you actually restrict the engine power to avoid the "pothole" or bump situation described above where the bike suddenly jumps 4000+ rpm. Thanks for the advice.
I think the Fazer is very easy to ride around town and great on the highway
Well, I bought the FZ yesterday and didn't have it restricted. I got along much better on this bike as opposed to the first one I rode. I'll definitely take it easy - I have an 8 month old at home, and I'm not 25 anymore.
I bought a fz6 a week ago as my first street bike at 26 years old after riding dirt for more than half my life. I don't feel that I made a poor decision but I already knew how to ride on two wheels. I know I would have gotten bored very quickly on a gs500 or ninja 500 since they have less power to weight than the motocross bikes I have been on for years.
I think the vanity arguement is the one that gets it for most people or else bad advice saying that 600s are a good starter size. I have seen plenty of forums where riders have advised 600s as a good first bike. Mostly it's young guys that want something cool looking and they can't impress people with a rebel 250.
I guess this all reminds me of when i let a friend take my honda CR250 mx bike for a ride when we were both about 16. He might have made it 30 feet before the bike was doing a backflip and him landing on his butt. Come to think of it he still owes me for new handlebars. But after riding my new FZ I can imagine what this same scenario would play out like with someone accidentally grabbing a handfull of throttle in traffic on a sportbike.
Yes, I read the whole thing and to tell you the truth it is way to long. I would doubt there are too many new riders that would take the time to read it all. Why? It isn't what they want to read. To many people bikes are no different than cars and especially to those folks who are above around 40 who now have enough money to buy what they want. I can't tell you how many bikes sit on Craig's list or in the local paper simply because they got their dream bike and it was way too much for them so off on the block it goes.
HavBlue said:Personally, I like the European graduated systems where the rider must possess a defined skill but unfortunately we in the United States give out licenses with every box of Fruit Loops and there are no laws against stupidity.
It's a very good article, but yes, I agree...it's far too long for someone who doesn't want to hear the counter-arguments anyway. What might work better is to list the arguments for a sportbike as a first bike, with a link to the counter-argument....a "menu" if you will.
This was the case here in British Columbia until a few years ago. Had I taken my "test" 10 years ago, it would have involved wobbling around a few traffic cones in ICBC's licensing dept's parking lot in front of a bored individual looking at his watch lest he miss his coffee break.
Obtaining a full Class 6 bike license now is much more involved. It is a 'progression' system, beginning with a Knowledge Test, then (after a month) a Skills Test (the cones in the parking lot thing), followed by the Road Test, which takes about one hour and is very intense.
However, there is still no limit on the bike's capacity for learners...a kid can buy an R1 as his first bike if he/she can afford the insurance. I'd like to see some sort of capacity limitation (like the "old days" in England, when a Learner was limited to 250cc until he/she passed the Road Test.
I can say this with certainty: Had I purchased my FZ6 as my first bike back in Jan 07, it's quite probable that it would not have had a happy ending.
I like it this and I agree with the limitation issues in terms of cc's however, there are numerous riders who clearly possess skills even if they are dirt skills and that skill level should be allowed for in terms of some form of waiver system. In this manner their skill will go toward their license and allow those with skills to ride larger cc bikes. An example would be the 16 year old on a 450cc open class dirt bike. He as come from the off road world and now chooses to get some street time in. His skills should be moved over.
Good stuff OneTrack......
Charlie
Yes indeed, there are many young riders who possess amazing skills on dirt bikes. (I met one first hand when I buried myself and my XT at the bottom of a sand dune trying to follow him. He was about 8 years old. ) I guess the question is, how well do those skills migrate to the road? There's no doubt that all the skills to actually ride a bike would be there, but riding on the road is whole 'nuther thing. There would also be the issue of "proving" that you have skills to "move over". Interesting concept, though! :thumbup: