Posted on 04/07/2011 10:58:19 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
My comments on helmet laws are above - there are specific folks for whom it makes sense, but to save those folks, the law is blanket applied to everyone.
Someday I'm going to break down and get something with an electric start and maybe a swingarm suspension. I'm getting a mite gray around the muzzle for a kicker and a hardtail. (8^D)
But then, I'd get soft...
I had an electric start and kicker on my last bike — have you ever checked out “Royal enfield bullets” — but never used the electric start. What was glorious about this bike was that it was open to tinkering. Though parts kept braking — you learnt how to handle things if your brakes failed, or the clutch wire broke (pulling on the clutch wire ;-P) or how to drive the bike without an accelerator!
I'm 80 years old and I can remember that cars and motorcycles that I drove and rode in the 40's, were different than today's. I was driving tractors when I eight/nine in the 30's on the farm...all of those vehicles were kinda primitive, but they got the jobs done.
Here is a pic from the late 40's of my first bike, it was a Harley 45 flat head:
Really? A 250? My baby girl, all 4’11” of her started on a Honda Rebel. She wants a Wideglide for her 18th. She dreams a lot.
Well, that’s your opinion, my opinion is that a 250 has too much power for a beginner who may not be able to handle it. Anything lighter than a 150 doesn’t have the power and weight to get you out of trouble, but imho, a 250 cc with that much power can be stupid if you don’t know how to handle it.
Ah, I just read that you’re in Poland. I should have realized I was talking to a European. I see the disconnection now. I was having a real hard time wrapping my head around a 250cc motorcycle being too big. Some explanation is in order.
We don’t even have 150cc (or lower) street bikes here. Bikes like the CBR125, Vadero, Marauder 125, Van Van etc, etc, aren’t available in America. They’re for European consumption only. Even dual sports are 250cc and up this side of the pond. The only 125cc class bikes here would be off-road, and with the different gearing and powerband, they’d be even more likely to get away from a beginner.
In America, the 250cc Rebel is a favorite of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the group that teaches more beginners than anyone. The only 150cc vehicles here are scooters with automatic transmissions and little 12” wheels.
gaaah, no, I’m not European. I’m from DE, I moved here last year (with the wife!)
People forget too easily that most motorcycle accidents are the fault of the automobile driver.
We all have to remember that Obama and his communists want to outlaw ALL personal vehicles. They don’t like it when people have freedom of movement.
motocycle accidents besides being the fault of the car driver, trend to new riders of less than 6 months and DO NOT HAVE A motorcycle endorsement on their license.
IOW unlicensed newbie killed by little old lady going to jail for vehicular manslaughter.
PS so the woman who is texting, putting on makeup, eating a sandwich, changing shoes, all at the same time as driving with her knees to free her hands is more responsible?
Then you should know that there are no 125cc street bikes offered by any major manufacturer. Or 150cc, or 200cc, just to be clear. Back in the day, I had a Honda Twinstar 185, but no one is making anything like that anymore, and haven’t for a long time. Road machines start at 250cc these days.
Sorry, did I make any sort of comparison with a distracted driver? You’re picking a fight where none exists - your example doesn’t make my observation any less valid, does it?
Colonel, USAFR
“my opinion is that a 250 has too much power for a beginner who may not be able to handle it. “
Well, ABATE and other motorcycle training programs use those and larger, so I don’t think a 250 is too much. In fact, it is too little. A 250 must be expertly handled if trying to go above 45mph. Saying a 250 is too much is like saying a new driver should stick to Geo Metros.
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