Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Pittance wrote:

Big B wrote:

Pittance wrote:I'd recommend a sticky that only deals with discussion between people who have/or will be buying way above their skill level. That way the experienced riders can give them as many tips to be safe as possible on their crotch rocket.

there is a sticky like that already the "want a 600cc sportbike? read this!" one

Yeah, but that mostly tells you not to buy one. Doesnt offer any help to those who find this site after buying a new GSXR. They may have realized they are in over their heads, but are too stubborn or whatever to size down. They need tips on how to ride a twitchy bike as safely as possible, reminders about gear, etc.

I think the message here is that the "tips" these people would be looking for can be taught rather it just comes from experience.

Thanks, Brackstone & Big B, for clarifying the internet critters. (The wikipedia lines about squids coming to a dead stop to change direction was particularly good! )

You certainly have grounds for frustration--I just wondered, actually just wanted to point out, that you have a lot more patience with us newbs that are still askiing the same questions, except when it pertains to the 600+ sport bikes. I mean, really, the new riders section alway repeats the same questions, doesn't it?
What kind of bike is good? How about this one?
What kind of helmet should I get? How do I tell if it fits?
Is a Rebel a good bike? I weigh _____ and I'm ____tall.
I want to learn more, where do I start? etc, etc. You know those questions better than I do. And you repeatedly, and patiently, answer them, usually with the little tweaking that pertains to each specific individual. THIS IS GREAT! I APPLAUD YOU ALL FOR THIS! And I am grateful to have a live group that I can read and learn from and talk to, rather than being out here on my own after the MSF. Thank you.

But if you are wondering why the "young, dumb, and full of c___(make it rhyme)" as my husband might say, are not sticking around, it is because they are not welcome, after a while.

So, now my question is, what do you want to do with them? Encourage them to stay and maybe learn something, or encourage them to leave the site? If that's the case, maybe just say so. Nicely, of course. Or ask them to post their routes & times so that everyone on the road can stay away. 'Cuz I'm guessing they are still going to be out there, and I for one don't want to get between them and their destiny.

Yeah, I know. I'm wordy. Thanx for listening.

Hey, I was all set to buy a 600 after not riding for years. Figured it's the smallest "beginner" bike they sell in this country, so why not? I didn't want to get a "tiny" 250 and start over from scratch only to sell it a year later. Then after getting warned by everyone here, I saw a few videos on YouTube showing how powerful the bike really was and all those warnings started to sink in. Not being a completely stupid person, I started considering the 250 again. In a wonderful display of kismet, Kawasaki completely redesigned the Ninja 250 for 2008 and made it big enough to fit my 6' frame. They also redesigned the engine with more mid-range power, so it reminded me a lot of my old 400 the first time I rode it.
There are still a lot of beginners that ride 250s, as I found out on the Ninja forums I visited. Not every beginning biker wants an R6 or a 600RR. I hope with the new Ninja's enormous popularity, Yamaha and Honda will want to get a piece of the action too and smaller bikes will make a comeback in the US. Perhaps the gas situation will aid that also. With the recession we're heading into, do you want a smaller bike that retails for $3500, or an R6 that costs almost 3 times as much?
The biggest problem is the marketing of these overpowered bikes to young people. All you see in the ads is pure power and never a mention of being a responsible rider. The question of weather you can actually handle all that power is never asked. Peer pressure is huge also, but with this new Ninja selling like hotcakes, maybe it will become "cool" to ride a smaller bike again.

Did I say I was wordy? Okay, I'm back already.

I was reading the most recent Ducky post, and saw Skier's reply:
My posts have been pointing out your "just get over my bike choice" attitude sets a poor example for new and upcoming riders. The stance of starting with a proper motorcycle develops proper skills can't be ignored or skipped. When fundamentals are thrown out the window, our advice loses a significant amount of value. If a rider doesn't want to properly understand how their bike balances at low speeds from fear of a drop, advice for higher speeds becomes less relevant: we can explain until we're blue in the face but until the rider experiences it they will not understand it.

So, maybe that is the best answer. Maybe your response could be something like: We disagree entirely, we've told you and others that we cannot in any way condone or support you in your choice. This site won't suit you, good luck in finding one that does.

Perhaps that will shorten the posts and, if Mr. Shakes is right, cut down on energy spent on trolls?

Pittance wrote:

Big B wrote:

Pittance wrote:I'd recommend a sticky that only deals with discussion between people who have/or will be buying way above their skill level. That way the experienced riders can give them as many tips to be safe as possible on their crotch rocket.

there is a sticky like that already the "want a 600cc sportbike? read this!" one

Yeah, but that mostly tells you not to buy one. Doesnt offer any help to those who find this site after buying a new GSXR. They may have realized they are in over their heads, but are too stubborn or whatever to size down. They need tips on how to ride a twitchy bike as safely as possible, reminders about gear, etc.

Sounds like a pretty good idea. If the objective is to save lives (or at the very least, keep people out of trouble as much as possible), offering sensible advice would help way more than alienating people and having them end up getting info from a forum full of squids.

I'd like to think most big first bike choices aren't made out of arrogance or stupidity, just a lack of information. The only reason I didn't get one was because it wouldn't be practical for most of my riding (work commute) and I wanted ABS for the monsoon rains here. I didn't realize they were more likely to get a noob in trouble until I stumbled onto this site, after I'd bought the bike.

MZ33 wrote: On the other hand, look at what you all accomplished with Power! He wanted a 1300 'busa. You saved at least one life, IMO.

~~MZ

Glad I can be of service.

Oh yeah, I'm have less than a month to I get my bike (Probably a Ninja 250/500) and take my MSF course.

Glad I can be of service.

And I'm glad you'll still be around! Let us know how class goes, okay?

MZ33 wrote:

Glad I can be of service.

And I'm glad you'll still be around! Let us know how class goes, okay?

Alrighty.