Celebrating Positives (offset of the Gripes Thread)

[Litespeed]

Here in OZ, the Lams system is a winner.

 

Basically a  sensible power  to weight ratio, tat ,eams a large selection of motorcycles are approved if under 47hp and up to 210kg approx. Max capacity is 650cc.

 

This allows  a  large range of small to medium size bikes that are adequate even to tour on and certainly enough to ride for many years and not get bored or suddenly find yourself moving up to a bike that far exceeds your ability.

 

My Twin has just bought a new Truimph speed 400 for his partner for her brithday. Lovely bike and small enough for a small framed lady but big enough for fun and safe open road riding.

 

Triumph have just released a recall for the timing chain and stopped sales until the bike is retrofitted. So it will be delivered with the change next week.

 

We had to wait for a red tanked one, red is faster...

[facthunter]

Red or yellow easier to see. Not that tin top drivers actually LOOK. Nev

[onetrack]

Headlights on at all times is the go. I do it, even in my car, utes and truck. Anything that advances your visibility is a plus for crash avoidance. Even the W.A. Police advise keeping your headlights on at all times. I get thoroughly sick of people in dark grey cars driving in gloomy weather and after sunset, with no lighting.

 

I started to pull into a roundabout that runs around an unlit underpass several months ago, it was at least an hour after dark. As I started to move, a black car with not single light on it anywhere, flashed an indicator as it swapped lanes in the roundabout, just 30M to my right. Then he turned his headlights on. I don't know how he could even see where he was going prior to switching his lights on - and if that indicator hadn't flashed, I would've pulled straight into his path, as there was no indication of any kind that there was a vehicle there. Idiot!

 

Edited 2 hours ago by onetrack

[Jerry_Atrick]

When I first got my motorcycle learners permit in Vic in the early 90's, there was a blanket 250cc limit for learners. Given the nanny state Victoria is, I was surprised to see what the current rules are with repect to LAMS. I am not entirely convinced it is applicable here for a few reasons:

 

• I am not convinced sticking a 16 year old (that is the age you can get a learner permit here) on a heavier machine even if limited to 46bhp is a great idea. Many of their bodies, although better than mine no doubt will not be used to hurtling a biogger machine in traffic, pedestrians, etc. They are basically expected to come off their bikes and handling the heavier machines to me sounds not like a great idea.
• There are plently of low top-end (bhp) bikes with ooldes of bottom end (torque). Yeah, they may not be able to get to 100mph, but they can get to speeds awfully quickly. Do they have enough experience to manage twitchy throttles and not cause mayhem.
• The UK ia 1/33rd the size of Australia with over twice the population. Outside of dual lane A roads and motorways (of which learners are not allowed on the latter), the streets and ropads are crowded, congested and claustraphobic - often with not enough room for two cars to pass when there is a parked car. In the cities, having rvrn 45bhp is not really required, but providing the power in the hands of inexperienced is a recipe for disaster. 
• Most of the fast food delivery is done on motorbikes/scooters and by perpetual learners. Imagine if they were allowed to race around the streets on much more powerful bikes...
• I agree that for touring, even for learners, it is a better idea to have a more powerful bike. But even in Aus, what is the proportion of learners that tour or go on longer rides? Certainly in the UK, it insn't many that would go for a ride greater than a couple of hours. But if you think you can't tour comportably on a 125 - and a lower powered 125 (this is 11hp as opposed to the 14.6hp), then check this playlist out:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbYb-grfUfY&list=PLgGFg0Z6OmSj6FhGj7POJUnHAoY_RbyNr

 

I think it is horses for courses. In Australia, it makes eminent sense to have more power options open to the learner rider. In the UK, I think it should be 250CC and maybe a max of 33hp or something like it, because of the different environment inexperienced riders operate in. And lets be honest, most young make riders, especially those buying bikes like my son, are going to be boy racers. 

 

But also over here, licensing is different. It is almost as complicated as flying licenses, but generally:

• From age 17, you can get an A1 license. You are fully licensed and can ride anywhere - including motorways - but are still restricted to 125cc and 14.6 max bhp. My son's Yamaha R125 will comfortably do 70mph, hand has a top speed of 80. 
• From age 19, you can get an A2 licence. Again, you are fully licensed, but restricted to a bike with a max of 46bhp. It can be a bike with a max of 92bhp with a restrcitor kit fitted that takes it down to 46bhp. 
• From age 24, you can have an A licence - full licence; no restrictions. 

For the A2 and A licence, you have to have achieved your CBT (learners) and do the test on a bike that is rated at 46bhp (or greater for the A licence) as well as meet the age requirement. There is no other experience requirement. Most schools will run a zero to hero course to get you your CBT and test ready for the A2 or A depending oin your age and then you will do the test. 

 

My son is 10 months from being able to get an A licence, but he has not indicated a desire to get a bike bigger than 92bhp. He doesn't want to move to Australia without having his A licence for some reason (Australian states recognise the A2 and I think will put him on a P plate if I recall correctly). We have no concept of probationary drivers/riders here. My understanding is the test requirements are virtually the same for the A2 and A, and if you have an A2, you have to do another test for your A to mke sure you haven't developed bad habits.

 

Some if it is clearly nuts, some if it makes sense. 

 

 

[onetrack]

It always staggers me to see the number of bike riders who either ride with their feet down, or who hang their feet out well prior to stopping, or who hang their feet out, long after taking off. 

Seems to me that a lot of bike riders have either had bugger-all training, or they had dodgy instructors.

Riding trail bikes around farms and bush soon educates you about keeping your feet on the pegs at all times, except when you're stopped. Seen more than one bike rider with a broken ankle, thanks to poor riding skills.