Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Ok I have to ask:

Just who decided what size bike a beginner was to start on. I sometimes wonder if it was some 100lb guy who is 5’2” foot tall trying to get on a Harley Electra Glide and fell over so they ended up putting him on a little 250 so he would not himself. How about the guy they decided to put on a 250 that is 6 foot tall and weighs in at 300 lbs. Is it any easier for the 300 pound guy to control a bike that has the fenders riding into the tires? Oh lets not forget the classes taken to make them feel safer on the road after a weeks worth of parking lot riding. I think what really burns my butt is they say not to take lessons from anyone with experience but it is ok to shell out your hard earned money to a guy who has less time then you on a bike. So he made 10 trips to 7 eleven and now he is and experienced rider, or was it because he rode once to another state (once.) What I find even funnier is how most of the new riders get to theses classes, I bet they did not trailer or walk there. (Well maybe if they had a Harley) I found one teacher who had three yes three dui’s in his car but none on his bike teaching new riders, how he did that one I don’t know. How do they classify experience by the number of years you have your license or the photos of you standing next to a bike by a river? Has it occurred to anyone that the dealers sell you a small bike and then in a year you want- what was that a BIGGER bike? I am sure he well say no you should not buy that $ 10,000 bike. What ever…………….



tobe

tobe wrote:Ok I have to ask:

Just who decided what size bike a beginner was to start on.

How about this: The Beginner. Since they're the ones shelling out the cash, they're the ones who decide what Bike to get. Or maybe it's a big conspiracy...

Oh lets not forget the classes taken to make them feel safer on the road after a weeks worth of parking lot riding.

Better than no experience at all...

... silly rant about training course

Many of these guys are volunteers ... or make very little money trying to train beginners. Please, If you feel you can do better - do it. Go out and become a trainer.

Has it occurred to anyone that the dealers sell you a small bike and then in a year you want- what was that a BIGGER bike? I am sure he well say no you should not buy that $ 10,000 bike. What ever…………….

Has it occured to you that you can buy beginners bikes from somewhere other than a dealership? Many folks on this forum have paid about $1000 for a beginner bike that they are still riding. When they sell their beginner bikes (For the same $1000 they paid for it) they can go out and get a shiny new bike from a dealership.. Imagine that !

Not sure where you live, Tobe, but most folks in the US who do take a class are taking it with the MSF program. The MSF program provides the bikes so that nobody is riding a bike to and from the class. I'm not sure about other programs, but that's how the MSF program works. It's recommended to not learn from friend simply because they may have bad riding habits despite the amount of time in the saddle. Just a suggestion though - you can still learn any 'ole way you want. It's a free country.

Judging by this post and your other post, you seem to have a lot of issues with the riding world in general. It's sad that so many things are upsetting you. And it's very difficult to determine the main points in your posts due to your poor communication skills (at least in print it's hard to read the point that you're intending to make). I can't tell if you're griping because members here on TotalMotorcycle recommend 250 bikes or if your aggravation stems from recommendations offered by people outside of this website. On this website, we generally recommend nothing higher that a 600 (especially if it's a sports bike that is desired). In any case, they are only general recommendations.

So in answer to your most direct question, I don't know who made up the recommended starting size for a beginner. Some people just have different suggestions. And if you want to know the qualifications of an MSF instructor, they might list them at their website. I believe it's a minimum of two-years' riding time, and they have to be trained during class time with other MSF instructors. As far as DUI's and such, you'd have to ask the MSF people about that.

I'm not sure if this helped with any of your inquiries. You seem so angry about a lot of things - not sure if anything can help you out. Good luck though... I hope that you at least enjoy motorcycling.

Cheers,
Loonette

TechBMW
DA

I don't know about the DUI comment, but I think there might be a PUI being committed here somewhere (Posting Under the Influence for you folks in Rio Linda).

Loonette Judging by this post and your other post, you seem to have a lot of issues with the riding world in general.
me -- Not really.
Loonette it's hard to read the point that you're intending to make me--- No point just wondered why.
Loonette I can't tell if you're griping because members here on TotalMotorcycle recommend 250 bikes me --Did not know they did.
Loonette bad riding habits despite the amount of time in the saddle. me---Hay I don't pick my nose any more.

Loonette hope that you at least enjoy motorcycling.
ME ---are you kidding?
Just one thing I don't know how to prove it but 30 plus years on the road and NO tickets NO accidents, never been down never dropped my bike.
Wish I could say the same about car but 16 one accident and I still say the fire plug jumped out and hit me. 17 One speeding ticket 30 in a 25.
I don't just ride around the block. Closer to home these days but still ride a few huundred miles a week. I taught my son (23) and he passed his motorcycle test 100% and I still work with him every week. I taught him to drive truck 5 speed and he had one accident not my fault I told him not to drive when sleepy. Thank God know one hurt. To date no tickets.
I can send you a copy of my insurance rates My bike $145.00 a year. I think it shows how long I have been riding? Wife takes care of that stuff.
There are various classes here from privet to MFS. The one I went to see for a friend was privet and told him to go to MFS or he was welcome to ride with me and others I know. Old timers with a lot of miles and a few tricks they don’t teach in a class.
I want you to know I take what I teach my son very seriously and never give advice to any one if I don’t know for sure. I would have to live with the fact if I was wrong and they got hurt or God forbid died from and accident.

tobe
or not to be