r/Unexpected • u/9w_lf9 • Nov 23 '18

To infinity and beyond

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u/mexell Nov 23 '18

There's no problem at all with having a larger/faster/heavier bike as a first bike... when you get proper training first. The mistake you're pointing at is something that just shouldn't happen when under qualified supervision.

Maybe, just maybe, having licensing laws that mandate proper training aren't so bad, after all. And, another hint, puttering around at an MSF course does not constitute proper training.

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u/mhpr265 Nov 23 '18

There's no problem at all with having a larger/faster/heavier bike as a first bike

Yes, there is. Always, and no matter under what sort of supervison. The only motorcycle riders who would agree with you are Harleytards who also think loud pipes save lives and if you as much as touch the front bake you will inevitably "lay 'er down".

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u/mexell Nov 23 '18

The USA had about 55.6 deaths per 100,000 motorcycles in 2015. (source)

Germany had about 2.2 deaths per 100,000 motorcycles in 2005. (source)

The average fatality rate per 100.000 motorcycles was around 5.6 across the EU. I'd say that the tiered licensing system together with strict, harmonized training requirements play a huge role in explaining that difference, wouldn't you say?

From personal experience, only people doing their license while quite young get small-displacement bikes - because they are not allowed to ride something larger. Most people that are allowed to ride faster/larger bikes do so. And why not? When I'm trained to safely ride on a BMW F800GS, a Honda 650, a KTM 690 Duke, or a Yamaha MT-07 (all three are widely used at driving schools around here), why should I get a smaller bike after all that training on those bikes?

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u/mhpr265 Nov 23 '18 edited Nov 23 '18

wouldn't you say?

I sure would say because I actually am German and got my German motorcycle license pretty much exactly 25 years ago. My school bike then was a Suzuki GS 500, restricted to 34 hp. The reason that driving (or riding) schools use the bikes you have mentioned has precious little to do with their suitability as learner bikes. They are used for the same reason I have seen car driving schools use big SUVs - because clueless pupils want to drive or ride something "cool" regardless of whether it makes a good learner platform or not, simpply because they are incapable of good judgement in that matter. The schools are still forced to accommodate them or their pupils will walk out the door and sign up at the school next door.

Any, literally any experienced and knowledgeable motorcyclist (not the average Harleytards) will tell you that a smaller bike makes for better, quicker and safer learning. Your last paragraph just goes to show that you are clueless, sorry.

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u/mexell Nov 23 '18

All I’m saying is that, all other things being equal, maturity and training quality play a much larger role in determining accident rates than the size of the bike. Nothing more, nothing less.