- Joined
- Feb 28, 2003
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- 51,246
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- Location
- Huntsville
- First Name
- Scott
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- Friday
Howdy,
Take a leak and grab a drink, this is going to be a long one!
So I was recently in my throne room perusing the latest copy of Cycle World and checking out all the amazing new bikes for 2004. While looking at all the new 1000cc class bikes, it hit me that these things are barely a hairs width away from being full blown race bikes, yet they are street legal. These are bikes designed for use by riders with skills that I believe far exceed the average street rider. It seems like things are getting a little out of hand.
Now before everyone starts in with the, "I have the right to buy anything I want..." responses, let me lay a little foundation. I am NOT in favor of any kind of legislative regulation of bike sales or tiered licensing procedures. If the manufacturers can afford to make these bikes and customers can afford to buy them, then I see no problem that requires the government to get involved. But let's be realistic here for a moment.
I think most people would agree that choosing a GSX-R1000, Hayabusa, R1, etc,... style bike as a first bike is not exactly prudent. It is true that such bikes don't have to be ridden like race bikes, and just because they CAN go so fast doesn't mean you HAVE to go that fast. Nonetheless, riding a bike is not like driving a car. To ride a bike well requires far more skill than to drive a car well. The simple fact that you have half the number of tires on the ground to maintain traction demands more careful control over said traction.
I see a lot of riders that mount up on a bike and they have done very little to educate themselves about what is involved with handling a motorcycle. The prevailing thought seems to be, "What's the big deal? You just get on and go!" I think any of you that have been riding for a while realize that this is not the case. Much of what is required to ride a bike proficiently is NOT intuitive and must be learned. As good as the MSF course is, it is just the first step in becoming a skilled motorcyclist.
We seem to live in a culture that no longer values sound judgment and careful consideration. Impulsiveness, brashness and bravado seem to rule the day. I realize that I am making generalizations and that there are plenty of responsible riders out there. It just seems that more and more, these people are becoming less visible in the public eye and the squidly types are becoming more visible. The combination of unbelievably awesome bikes and the squidly behaviour is not a good mix. It's continued presence in the public eye with freeway wheelies, spectacular accidents, police chases on TV, etc,... is likely to end in a manner that is unfavorable to us all as motorcyclists.
The general public and our legislatures tend not to be very discriminating when it comes to the motorcycling community at large. In their eyes, there are cruisers and crotch rockets. So you can imagine that if restrictive legislation is introduced it will be sweeping in nature and its' dragnet will catch all in its' path! We have already seen some of this in the Austin area recently as the result of the new Anti-Racing law that was passed not long ago.
Several group rides have been stopped and cited for racing. While it is true in once case that the entire group was speeding excessively, they were not having a speed contest. They were cited for 70 in a 50 zone. Given the capabilities of modern sportbikes, this can hardly be considered racing. Nonetheless, all were arrested, bikes impounded, bails paid, etc,... As word of this spread, it immediately became obvious that participants of legitimate group rides were growing concerned about being unfairly and arbitrarily pegged as racing and having to deal with the stiff consequences. I have read the new law and it is incredibly vague and broad sweeping, leaving a LOT to the discretion of the officer on the scene without providing much in the way of definitions of terms or scope of application. We all know who is going to be believed if it comes down to an arguement over interpretation of the facts. :|
So where am I going with all this? Good question, let me reread my stuff a minute and gather my thoughts. I'm sure I had a point in here somewhere.
Simply being a skilled rider is not enough. I think that skill and good judgement should go hand in hand. While some riders may truly have the skill to handle a 150 HP bike, few seem to have the judgement to restrain themselves from doing really stupid stuff. This is not to say you can't do stupid stuff on a 40 Hp bike, it is just that the smaller and less powerful bike does not make it as easy or tempting. When the public sees stupid stuff happening and they can't fathom any reasonalble need for such bikes, it doesn't take much to convince them that such bikes should not be allowed and that such behavior should be severly punished.
There are a lot of riders out there that have a "screw the public" attitude and they feel that they should be free to do whatever they like. This is understandable in our culture because the "do your own thing", "make your own rules", "be a rebel", etc... mentality is pushed in our media ll the time. So what should we expect? Exactly what we are seeing. However, such attitudes ignore the unavoidable reality of the need to coexist with other people. Frankly, when presented with a "screw you" mentality, most people respond with an "Oh yeah?? We'll see about that!"
There is little doubt that the political power of the motorcycling community is a very small voice in a large multitude of shouting voices. Our cries of injustice will fall on deaf ears. Most people will think we are just getting our just desserts and offer little sympathy. It will be hard to argue with them.
Don't expect the major manufacturers to step up to the plate to promote more responsible behavior. They are too interested in selling bikes and making a short term profit. If they could see down the road long term, perhaps they'd realize that it is in their best interest to do something now so that possible future legislation does not simply kill their market. Already the insurance rates have become so high on many sportbikes that the premiums are more than the cost of the bike. The cost of the premiums has become a major factor in a new bike purchase. Often times, the potential premiums for a sportbike will turn away a legitimate experienced and mature rider. This cannot be good for the manufacturers.
I don't expect that the general attitudes of many bikers will be changing any time soon. The Stunta craze seems to be growing like a wildfire, which in and of itself would be fine if more of these people exercised even a little reasonable judgment regarding the time and place of their exploits. I am not holding my breath for the collective motorcycling community to suddenly wake up and smell the proverbial roses. It almost seems like legislation will be the ugly and unavoidable end of the road...
So what can be done? Anyone got any good ideas? Should we start a huge media campiagn to edumacate the public? Should the manufactures launch a media campaign to promote more reasonable and mature attitudes? Should nothing be done? Let's hear it!
Adios,
Take a leak and grab a drink, this is going to be a long one!
So I was recently in my throne room perusing the latest copy of Cycle World and checking out all the amazing new bikes for 2004. While looking at all the new 1000cc class bikes, it hit me that these things are barely a hairs width away from being full blown race bikes, yet they are street legal. These are bikes designed for use by riders with skills that I believe far exceed the average street rider. It seems like things are getting a little out of hand.
Now before everyone starts in with the, "I have the right to buy anything I want..." responses, let me lay a little foundation. I am NOT in favor of any kind of legislative regulation of bike sales or tiered licensing procedures. If the manufacturers can afford to make these bikes and customers can afford to buy them, then I see no problem that requires the government to get involved. But let's be realistic here for a moment.
I think most people would agree that choosing a GSX-R1000, Hayabusa, R1, etc,... style bike as a first bike is not exactly prudent. It is true that such bikes don't have to be ridden like race bikes, and just because they CAN go so fast doesn't mean you HAVE to go that fast. Nonetheless, riding a bike is not like driving a car. To ride a bike well requires far more skill than to drive a car well. The simple fact that you have half the number of tires on the ground to maintain traction demands more careful control over said traction.
I see a lot of riders that mount up on a bike and they have done very little to educate themselves about what is involved with handling a motorcycle. The prevailing thought seems to be, "What's the big deal? You just get on and go!" I think any of you that have been riding for a while realize that this is not the case. Much of what is required to ride a bike proficiently is NOT intuitive and must be learned. As good as the MSF course is, it is just the first step in becoming a skilled motorcyclist.
We seem to live in a culture that no longer values sound judgment and careful consideration. Impulsiveness, brashness and bravado seem to rule the day. I realize that I am making generalizations and that there are plenty of responsible riders out there. It just seems that more and more, these people are becoming less visible in the public eye and the squidly types are becoming more visible. The combination of unbelievably awesome bikes and the squidly behaviour is not a good mix. It's continued presence in the public eye with freeway wheelies, spectacular accidents, police chases on TV, etc,... is likely to end in a manner that is unfavorable to us all as motorcyclists.
The general public and our legislatures tend not to be very discriminating when it comes to the motorcycling community at large. In their eyes, there are cruisers and crotch rockets. So you can imagine that if restrictive legislation is introduced it will be sweeping in nature and its' dragnet will catch all in its' path! We have already seen some of this in the Austin area recently as the result of the new Anti-Racing law that was passed not long ago.
Several group rides have been stopped and cited for racing. While it is true in once case that the entire group was speeding excessively, they were not having a speed contest. They were cited for 70 in a 50 zone. Given the capabilities of modern sportbikes, this can hardly be considered racing. Nonetheless, all were arrested, bikes impounded, bails paid, etc,... As word of this spread, it immediately became obvious that participants of legitimate group rides were growing concerned about being unfairly and arbitrarily pegged as racing and having to deal with the stiff consequences. I have read the new law and it is incredibly vague and broad sweeping, leaving a LOT to the discretion of the officer on the scene without providing much in the way of definitions of terms or scope of application. We all know who is going to be believed if it comes down to an arguement over interpretation of the facts. :|
So where am I going with all this? Good question, let me reread my stuff a minute and gather my thoughts. I'm sure I had a point in here somewhere.
Simply being a skilled rider is not enough. I think that skill and good judgement should go hand in hand. While some riders may truly have the skill to handle a 150 HP bike, few seem to have the judgement to restrain themselves from doing really stupid stuff. This is not to say you can't do stupid stuff on a 40 Hp bike, it is just that the smaller and less powerful bike does not make it as easy or tempting. When the public sees stupid stuff happening and they can't fathom any reasonalble need for such bikes, it doesn't take much to convince them that such bikes should not be allowed and that such behavior should be severly punished.
There are a lot of riders out there that have a "screw the public" attitude and they feel that they should be free to do whatever they like. This is understandable in our culture because the "do your own thing", "make your own rules", "be a rebel", etc... mentality is pushed in our media ll the time. So what should we expect? Exactly what we are seeing. However, such attitudes ignore the unavoidable reality of the need to coexist with other people. Frankly, when presented with a "screw you" mentality, most people respond with an "Oh yeah?? We'll see about that!"
There is little doubt that the political power of the motorcycling community is a very small voice in a large multitude of shouting voices. Our cries of injustice will fall on deaf ears. Most people will think we are just getting our just desserts and offer little sympathy. It will be hard to argue with them.
Don't expect the major manufacturers to step up to the plate to promote more responsible behavior. They are too interested in selling bikes and making a short term profit. If they could see down the road long term, perhaps they'd realize that it is in their best interest to do something now so that possible future legislation does not simply kill their market. Already the insurance rates have become so high on many sportbikes that the premiums are more than the cost of the bike. The cost of the premiums has become a major factor in a new bike purchase. Often times, the potential premiums for a sportbike will turn away a legitimate experienced and mature rider. This cannot be good for the manufacturers.
I don't expect that the general attitudes of many bikers will be changing any time soon. The Stunta craze seems to be growing like a wildfire, which in and of itself would be fine if more of these people exercised even a little reasonable judgment regarding the time and place of their exploits. I am not holding my breath for the collective motorcycling community to suddenly wake up and smell the proverbial roses. It almost seems like legislation will be the ugly and unavoidable end of the road...
So what can be done? Anyone got any good ideas? Should we start a huge media campiagn to edumacate the public? Should the manufactures launch a media campaign to promote more reasonable and mature attitudes? Should nothing be done? Let's hear it!
Adios,