A little rant... - Page 2 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**inspiron** · 06-10-2009, 03:52 AM

The only comment I have is ...

Most people don't buy a Porsche or Ferrari as their first car, so why do they think that they can buy a race bike as their first ride?

Driving a Porsche/Ferrari/GT/whatever requires experience and maturity, otherwise you'll just wrap the car around a telephone poll in the first curve. I've seen this happen before ... I was at a dealership when they brought in banged up Honda S2000 on the back of a truck. The dealer just shook his head - the guy had just driven it off the lot, and made it about 500 feet to the first roundabout, where he lost control and slammed into the curb, doing significant damage to the frame and body. In this case, the driver was able to walk away ... but on a bike, the rider is often not that lucky.

It just shows - if you're sitting in or on a vehicle with a crazy thrust-to-weight ratio, you need to exercise control. And this control comes from experience and maturity. A newbie, regardless of age, doesn't have that experience. It only takes a second for a race bike to go from "lamb" to "lion". Crack the throttle just a little too far, and it will launch you into orbit.

Andy04180 · 06-10-2009, 09:59 AM

Wookie, I know for the military they have came up with a sportbike course more focused on Turning. It's a 4 hour class, 4 hour course ( If I am not mistaken ) Pretty fun from what I have heard.

Andy04180 · 06-10-2009, 10:01 AM

See link here for info about military sportbike course MSF Military SportBike Rider Course Maybe they will offer it to those not on active duty eventually, I am sure some people would pay for it..

Porcelina Goddess · 06-10-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhotoJoe

Nobody gonna touch this one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davecm203

That's what she said.

Well, either touch it... or keep your hands to yourself!

Quote:

Originally Posted by inspiron

The only comment I have is ...

Most people don't buy a Porsche or Ferrari as their first car, so why do they think that they can buy a race bike as their first ride?

Driving a Porsche/Ferrari/GT/whatever requires experience and maturity, otherwise you'll just wrap the car around a telephone poll in the first curve. I've seen this happen before ... I was at a dealership when they brought in banged up Honda S2000 on the back of a truck. The dealer just shook his head - the guy had just driven it off the lot, and made it about 500 feet to the first roundabout, where he lost control and slammed into the curb, doing significant damage to the frame and body. In this case, the driver was able to walk away ... but on a bike, the rider is often not that lucky.

It just shows - if you're sitting in or on a vehicle with a crazy thrust-to-weight ratio, you need to exercise control. And this control comes from experience and maturity. A newbie, regardless of age, doesn't have that experience. It only takes a second for a race bike to go from "lamb" to "lion". Crack the throttle just a little too far, and it will launch you into orbit.

Now, see, I have much more confidence in my driving skills. I owned a '87 Porsche 927s as my 3rd car, and loved pushing that lass around the roads. ($1500, salvaged title, located in Indiana, and bootlegged it across Indiana state line into Ohio...

). I also owned a Camaro, and a Mistubishi Eclipse... I love driving in sports cars with hearty engines. BUT, if it weren't for that POS Plymouth I first drove to hone my skills, I wouldn't have been able to handle all the speed the sports cars can dish out. This is a principle that's universal to every skill we all try to hone; bikes are no different.

But ya know I agree with you inspiron! We think alike on this issue.

Andy04180 · 06-10-2009, 08:58 PM

My first car was a '67 Mustang with a Hipo 289.... Can't say much.. Lol... I learned to drive a beast.. ( also drove our '68 Firebird with a built 400 in it.. )

TFee3 · 06-10-2009, 10:54 PM

I think there's a big difference between a crotch rocket and a cruiser when it comes to a person's first bike. I wouldn't recommend an extremely powerful crotch rocket to a newbie, but I would recommend a powerful cruiser to a newbie. The problem with most powerful cruisers is the weight factor. I think it's all a matter of getting accustomed to any bike you buy. Having said that, my niece's son goes down the road at over 150 mph. I wouldn't recommend any type of bike for that fool! It's all in the attitude of the rider, in my opinion.

**inspiron** · 06-11-2009, 02:34 AM

Hey, the same is true for aircraft.

You learn to fly in a single-engine propeller machine with visual flight rules. That's where you learn the basics. Then, after you demonstrate some basic proficiency, you can move up to instrument flight, multiple-engine machines, and finally, jet aircraft. I can't imagine that the military would sit a total newbie in a 10 million dollar fighter jet to learn the basics.

Andy04180 · 06-11-2009, 12:23 PM

They definatly don't lol.. Our pilots run the same routine for the most part.. Then they come to an FRS ( Fleet Replacement Squadron ) to learn to fly specific military aircraft.

wookie · 06-12-2009, 02:59 AM

The military (at least for USAF) no longer has $10 million fighter jets.

The minimum price tag is $50 million US.

It's nice for the military to protect its investment by offering sportbike classes, seeing as many kids in the military have wads of cash and a "bullet-proof" mentality (judging by what I've seen in the Ducati and Gixxer boards). It takes a lot of money to train soldiers these days.

Andy04180 · 06-12-2009, 10:25 PM

Yeah i know the feeling wookie. I am working on the E/A-18G currently.. Not sure what the going rate is for those... Lol.

wookie · 06-12-2009, 10:45 PM

Last time I checked, it's $65 millions.

tricker · 06-12-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wookie

Last time I checked, it's $65 millions.

pfffttt pocket change..

wait... what type of currency are we talking.. Its not Zimbabwe is it.. yeah that's a crap ton of money.

wookie · 06-13-2009, 12:44 AM

At the rate Fed is printing money, there might not be much of a difference soon.

Aussie Steve · 06-15-2009, 09:24 AM

PG is correct to each their own and if some newbie insists on becoming a stastistic no one can stand in their way......lets face it... thats exactly why air forces the world over let new pilots loose with the latest go faster than thinking hardware!!!

Andy04180 · 06-15-2009, 09:39 AM

Tis true Aussie, people are going to do as they will. Still sucks for the rest of us having to pay for it in the end.

**inspiron** · 06-15-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy04180

Tis true Aussie, people are going to do as they will. Still sucks for the rest of us having to pay for it in the end.

In the end ... or through the nose.

Andy04180 · 06-15-2009, 03:01 PM

Seeing that brings BOHICA to mind

Glad to see that others out there think along those same lines...

**inspiron** · 06-16-2009, 05:38 AM

Ah, RITA.

Andy04180 · 06-16-2009, 09:28 AM

Hahaha..

06-10-2009, 03:52 AM	#21 (permalink)
inspiron Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 13,038	The only comment I have is ... Most people don't buy a Porsche or Ferrari as their first car, so why do they think that they can buy a race bike as their first ride? Driving a Porsche/Ferrari/GT/whatever requires experience and maturity, otherwise you'll just wrap the car around a telephone poll in the first curve. I've seen this happen before ... I was at a dealership when they brought in banged up Honda S2000 on the back of a truck. The dealer just shook his head - the guy had just driven it off the lot, and made it about 500 feet to the first roundabout, where he lost control and slammed into the curb, doing significant damage to the frame and body. In this case, the driver was able to walk away ... but on a bike, the rider is often not that lucky. It just shows - if you're sitting in or on a vehicle with a crazy thrust-to-weight ratio, you need to exercise control. And this control comes from experience and maturity. A newbie, regardless of age, doesn't have that experience. It only takes a second for a race bike to go from "lamb" to "lion". Crack the throttle just a little too far, and it will launch you into orbit. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

06-10-2009, 09:59 AM	#22 (permalink)
Andy04180 Seat Tester Join Date: Sep 2006 Bike: 2001 Gsxr 750 Location: Oak Harbor, Wa Posts: 92	Wookie, I know for the military they have came up with a sportbike course more focused on Turning. It's a 4 hour class, 4 hour course ( If I am not mistaken ) Pretty fun from what I have heard. __________________ Current Ride: 2001 GSXR 750 Past Rides: 1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 ( SOLD )

06-10-2009, 10:01 AM	#23 (permalink)
Andy04180 Seat Tester Join Date: Sep 2006 Bike: 2001 Gsxr 750 Location: Oak Harbor, Wa Posts: 92	See link here for info about military sportbike course MSF Military SportBike Rider Course Maybe they will offer it to those not on active duty eventually, I am sure some people would pay for it.. __________________ Current Ride: 2001 GSXR 750 Past Rides: 1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 ( SOLD )

06-10-2009, 08:58 PM	#25 (permalink)
Andy04180 Seat Tester Join Date: Sep 2006 Bike: 2001 Gsxr 750 Location: Oak Harbor, Wa Posts: 92	My first car was a '67 Mustang with a Hipo 289.... Can't say much.. Lol... I learned to drive a beast.. ( also drove our '68 Firebird with a built 400 in it.. ) __________________ Current Ride: 2001 GSXR 750 Past Rides: 1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 ( SOLD )

06-11-2009, 02:34 AM	#27 (permalink)
inspiron Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 13,038	Hey, the same is true for aircraft. You learn to fly in a single-engine propeller machine with visual flight rules. That's where you learn the basics. Then, after you demonstrate some basic proficiency, you can move up to instrument flight, multiple-engine machines, and finally, jet aircraft. I can't imagine that the military would sit a total newbie in a 10 million dollar fighter jet to learn the basics. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

06-10-2009, 10:54 PM	#26 (permalink)
TFee3 Clunked into first gear Join Date: Jul 2007 Bike: '07 C90T Location: Gravois Mills MO Posts: 208	I think there's a big difference between a crotch rocket and a cruiser when it comes to a person's first bike. I wouldn't recommend an extremely powerful crotch rocket to a newbie, but I would recommend a powerful cruiser to a newbie. The problem with most powerful cruisers is the weight factor. I think it's all a matter of getting accustomed to any bike you buy. Having said that, my niece's son goes down the road at over 150 mph. I wouldn't recommend any type of bike for that fool! It's all in the attitude of the rider, in my opinion.

06-11-2009, 12:23 PM	#28 (permalink)
Andy04180 Seat Tester Join Date: Sep 2006 Bike: 2001 Gsxr 750 Location: Oak Harbor, Wa Posts: 92	They definatly don't lol.. Our pilots run the same routine for the most part.. Then they come to an FRS ( Fleet Replacement Squadron ) to learn to fly specific military aircraft. __________________ Current Ride: 2001 GSXR 750 Past Rides: 1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 ( SOLD )

06-12-2009, 02:59 AM	#29 (permalink)
wookie Fifth gear streak Join Date: Apr 2005 Bike: '05 SV650S; '05 GSX-R600;'04 749S Location: 20 Miles East of LA Posts: 1,386	The military (at least for USAF) no longer has $10 million fighter jets. The minimum price tag is $50 million US. It's nice for the military to protect its investment by offering sportbike classes, seeing as many kids in the military have wads of cash and a "bullet-proof" mentality (judging by what I've seen in the Ducati and Gixxer boards). It takes a lot of money to train soldiers these days. __________________ "Don't wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pigs love it." "Don't argue with idiots. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." "The Universe is a contest between engineers making things idiot-proof and God making bigger idiots. So far, God is winning by a wide margin."

06-12-2009, 10:25 PM	#30 (permalink)
Andy04180 Seat Tester Join Date: Sep 2006 Bike: 2001 Gsxr 750 Location: Oak Harbor, Wa Posts: 92	Yeah i know the feeling wookie. I am working on the E/A-18G currently.. Not sure what the going rate is for those... Lol. __________________ Current Ride: 2001 GSXR 750 Past Rides: 1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 ( SOLD )

06-12-2009, 10:45 PM	#31 (permalink)
wookie Fifth gear streak Join Date: Apr 2005 Bike: '05 SV650S; '05 GSX-R600;'04 749S Location: 20 Miles East of LA Posts: 1,386	Last time I checked, it's $65 millions. __________________ "Don't wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pigs love it." "Don't argue with idiots. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." "The Universe is a contest between engineers making things idiot-proof and God making bigger idiots. So far, God is winning by a wide margin."

06-13-2009, 12:44 AM	#33 (permalink)
wookie Fifth gear streak Join Date: Apr 2005 Bike: '05 SV650S; '05 GSX-R600;'04 749S Location: 20 Miles East of LA Posts: 1,386	At the rate Fed is printing money, there might not be much of a difference soon. __________________ "Don't wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pigs love it." "Don't argue with idiots. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." "The Universe is a contest between engineers making things idiot-proof and God making bigger idiots. So far, God is winning by a wide margin."

06-15-2009, 09:24 AM	#34 (permalink)
Aussie Steve In The Zone Join Date: Jan 2007 Bike: 02 1200 Bandit Location: Western Australia Posts: 2,779	PG is correct to each their own and if some newbie insists on becoming a stastistic no one can stand in their way......lets face it... thats exactly why air forces the world over let new pilots loose with the latest go faster than thinking hardware!!! __________________ Just remember you ARE entitled to my opinion!!!!

06-15-2009, 09:39 AM	#35 (permalink)
Andy04180 Seat Tester Join Date: Sep 2006 Bike: 2001 Gsxr 750 Location: Oak Harbor, Wa Posts: 92	Tis true Aussie, people are going to do as they will. Still sucks for the rest of us having to pay for it in the end. __________________ Current Ride: 2001 GSXR 750 Past Rides: 1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 ( SOLD )

06-15-2009, 03:01 PM	#37 (permalink)
Andy04180 Seat Tester Join Date: Sep 2006 Bike: 2001 Gsxr 750 Location: Oak Harbor, Wa Posts: 92	Seeing that brings BOHICA to mind Glad to see that others out there think along those same lines... __________________ Current Ride: 2001 GSXR 750 Past Rides: 1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 ( SOLD )

06-16-2009, 05:38 AM	#38 (permalink)
inspiron Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 13,038	Ah, RITA. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

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06-16-2009, 09:28 AM	#39 (permalink)
Andy04180 Seat Tester Join Date: Sep 2006 Bike: 2001 Gsxr 750 Location: Oak Harbor, Wa Posts: 92	Hahaha.. __________________ Current Ride: 2001 GSXR 750 Past Rides: 1981 Yamaha Maxim 550 ( SOLD )

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