Quote:
Originally Posted by bennice
Trust me, I get what you're saying, and I get the whole other side of the argument. Road hazards, foolish riding, respect for the power of a sportbike, and discipline...those things are just part of the overall equation. Without knowing a person's skill or their exposure to motorcycles or even driving, how could you recommend a bike capable of the acceleration that all recent generations of supersports can deliver? Why recommend something that really does require additional skill above and beyond what a run-of-the-mill motorcycle needs in order to ride proficiently?
In your MSF class, they taught that a big part of riding successfully is about minimizing risks, right? Do you not agree that putting 100+ HP in an unskilled fist is an additional risk?
This doesn't mean that other bikes are somehow safer than others - I don't believe that. A safe bike is one that functions properly IMO. But the point is, until a newb has some context as to what riding a motorcycle is REALLY like, then they may be best off figuring out all that stuff on something less apt to put them on their back if they make a mistake.
There are a few Youtube videos out there of what I'm talking about. One in particular that I remember, this guy with a GSXR lets his buddy try his bike for the first time. His buddy obviously had never ridden before. He hops on the bike and pins the throttle back and takes off. Bike wheelies, dumps newb on the ground, bike crashes, newb says he "only gave it a little throttle," bike owner laughs and informs him that he had the throttle almost fully open, owner inspects totaled bike, video ends. I'll see if I can find it sometime and post the link.
BTW - glad you like your butterfly. ZZR's are one of my favorites. The shop owner that tried to sell you a 14 obviously cared nothing about your safety, and isn't paid to do so. I'd steer clear of that person if you ever go back there. Those are the kinds of people that would sell you something used as new, and then not refund your money when you brought it back.
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And that is where we find out about the newb before slammin' them into a bike they wont like.
I would have not liked the 250. Did I choose my bike on looks? Nahhh, not at all..... Did power have something to do with it? Sure did! But, I asked nobodys opinion, in fact, I went against what everyone but my Dad told me. You are an idiot to get that bike. Maybe I am! I do my best to keep everything as safe as I can, hence me doing 110 lol. You gotta test it tho.
Nobody rides like the MSF instructors say, they do to a point, but yeah. Minimize risk? Minimize it to your likings is more like it. I understand what they are saying and try to do that for the most part. There is a risk vs fun factor involved tho. So, do it as best you can eh!
A rider determines the bike. Should they? Not all, but there are those out there that can. The other ones we can watch on YouTube.