Slower And Smaller Is Better For Beginners

[Rocky]

In the current issue of Cycle World is an article aimed at new riders. The main theme is that new riders should start out with smaller bikes that are less likely to get them into trouble, etc.
The cartoon that accompanied the article was quite amusing I thought.
It makes me shudder in dismay every time I see a young person dressed like that on a powerful sport bike.

 

[SarahP]

That is a funny picture! Hell, sometimes I feel like that flip-flopped rider, barely hanging on, when I'm out on my 234cc Honda dual sports bike.

 

[harper6t]

I am facing this very question at home at the moment with my son just starting out on his road riding, so far he has only ridden my 1950 Thunderbird on the road, but he is on the net all the time to see what the young'uns are riding. Here in Aus we has a Learner Approved Motorcycle scheme (LAMs) where new riders are restricted to bikes of a specific size and power to weight ratio. basically up to 660cc and around 50 BHP but there are a number of bikes that you would think would qualify but don't as they need to be restricted. Anyway he seems to be set on a Honda CBR250RR - 4 cylinder fully faired bike, while I would prefer a simple single or twin maybe up to 500cc giving smooth and torquey power rather than having to rev to 18,000rpm. But the bikes I like are not cool enough although he does like the T'Bird because it is cool.

Its a bit different to when I got my L's and could go straight out and get a Z1 Kawasaki or worse still a 750 H2 Kawasaki.
Back then the riding exam was to ride up the end of the street and do a U turn without footing and return, exam passed.