Reply #11: Too many people buying too much bike

[comrade snarky]

No new rider should be on anything over a 650cc engine. I'd recommend something in the 350cc range actually as the 650s today can be monsters compared to the bikes of the 70s. That's if you can find one of course.

Here in California I've seen way too many kids and adults (who should know better) that are obviously new on sport bikes. A 17 year old on a Ducatti or a Hayabusa. Only an irresponsible ass would sell a bike like that to a new rider. You also see it in the Harley crowd. A 55 year old dentist who's never ridden before buys into the marketing and gets himself a "bad boy" bike. Is he going to want the trainer? Hell no. He gets the 1600cc monster that weighs as much as a VW bug and the dealerships are happy to sell it to him.

You need to learn to handle the machine, reflexes have to be built up. It takes time and practice. The most dangerous time for a new rider is when you start to get confident. I sold my last bike about 4 years ago and I'm looking at buying another in the near future, no way in hell will I get a machine as powerful as my last one. I need to build the skills again myself and I've been riding for over 20 years.

I'd like to see a tiered licensing system. Get a motorcycle license and for the first year it restricts you to a less powerful machine. That's why the UK has a lower death rate. Lot's of lives would be saved.

:edited for splleng