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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> Training "Wheels" /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1398826462 Message started by Paladin. on 04/29/14 at 19:54:22 |
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Title: Training "Wheels" Post by Paladin. on 04/29/14 at 19:54:22 Harley Davidson Riding Academy does their own MSF class, on Harley Davidson products. They used to use 500cc Buell Blasts, but they are getting old. They are now setting up new Harley Davidson 500 Street motorcycle for use in the Riding Academy -- Fall Proof!! http://andruschak.net/Scooters/TrainingWheels.jpg Ref: http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-mo-autos-harley-street-500-rider-training-programs-20140428,0,5291605.story#axzz30FxSOU8j |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by Dave on 04/30/14 at 04:13:38 It is a good marketing scheme for them to keep their training "all Harley all the time". It is a shame that Harley doesn't still make a really small bike like the old Hummer to use for their training. Teaching beginners to ride on a 500cc bike that weighs 480 pounds just seems like a really big bike for to take your first ride. |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by oldNslow on 04/30/14 at 05:18:55 They could have at least painted them things black. Holy cow! I think using those bikes is probably not a bad idea. It is a "Harley" riding school after all. They want those folks to graduate and then buy a Road glide or something. Going there from a 125cc two stroke would be a bit of an adjustment. I don't know if Harley actually gets the students out on the road. That I think is the real shortcoming of most basic rider training. Most folks - me included - take the MSF class mostly for the licence test waiver. Learning to ride in a parking lot teaches you to ride in a parking lot. It's a good start for someone who has never been on a bike, but a little real world experience wouldn't hut. |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by Dave on 04/30/14 at 06:11:29 5D63626E7C60610F0 wrote:
I believe training should be a bit more graduated....not jumping directly onto a 500cc and 480 pound motorcycle that can hurt you - or jumping on a Road Glide after riding a 50cc bike. The throttle/clutch/hand brake/foot brake thingy just doesn't come easily to a lot of folks (my wife included). Starting out on a 50cc bike and learning the controls and coordination seems like a good idea.....if you happen to crank on a bit too much throttle it won't bite you too badly. Then when that is coming along you can move up to a 250 for a bit more weight and power....then bring on the big boys. I just don't see how a 500cc bike is right for someone that has never been on a bike previously. We have all seen those videos where the first time riders just can't figure out that throttle/clutch coordination issue....and a 500cc bike could make that lesson painful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JkfXc_1dJg |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/30/14 at 07:37:59 Okay, allowing a novice rider to launch in the general direction of someone in a wheelchair is beyond stupid. That could have ended in tragedy, not embarrassment. I cant remember the feeling of NOT knowing how to handle a motorcycle clutch/throttle. But, then, I was able to get behind the wheel of a 3 speed standard pickup & drive it around in a field when I was just 7 or 8. I dunno, mita been younger,,I stood up & held onto the wheel & ran the pedals, & FWIW, OHH Boy I got hollered at,, I didnt get whooped, but my Gpaw was Ticked OFF,, I think the only reason I didnt get in trouble was that they were so amazed I could drive. I didnt kill it, make it buck & hop or scorch the clutch,,I parked it where I took it from, Anyway,, Ive heard of people getting killed taking the safety course. Thats a pretty good indicator the bikes are too big. |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by oldNslow on 04/30/14 at 11:54:54 I missed this the first time I read the article. Looks like they're trying really hard to make sure nobody gets hurt. Quote:
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by Serowbot on 04/30/14 at 12:05:11 I'd take the course,.. just to follow her around... :-?... |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by Dave on 04/30/14 at 12:06:31 6A5455594B5756380 wrote:
Ooops! I didn't know that there was an article attached. Limiting the power would go a long way toward helping the new rider not get a big surprise while learning to ride. Cutting the weight in half couldn't hurt either! |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by Dave on 04/30/14 at 12:10:35 1006110C14010C17630 wrote:
Seems that have a place to write your name on the bike you are riding. From what I can see......her name is Aiesta. |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by jcstokes on 04/30/14 at 12:38:14 I don't know if there is any satisfactory way of matching bikes to new riders. In my country you could ride anything as a novice. This changed in the '90's when a capacity limit of 250cc was introduced for learners. This was changed to some sort of horsepower formula last year or thereabouts. The S40/Savage complies with this formula so dealers emphasise this as a selling tool. Some months ago I was in a Hyosung dealership and was shown a 650cc sport road bike capable of about 112 mph. you can get your learner licence on this, you can then remove a throttle stop by removing two bolts and you have 124 mph on tap. I wonder at the logic of this. The bike was priced at just under $10000 NZ, so it's affordable to many. A capacity limit of about 650cc still applies, so a learner is still unable to ride an Ariel Square Four or a mid 'twenties Harley or Indian. |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by jcstokes on 04/30/14 at 12:48:05 That '57 Hummer looks a lot like a BSA Bantam |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by v-pilot on 04/30/14 at 17:16:47 4157405D45505D46320 wrote:
I'd be right behind you Serow :o |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by Serowbot on 04/30/14 at 18:08:13 3E65382124273C480 wrote:
I'd be right behind you Serow :o [/quote] I don't think that'll work, V-pilot... :-?... Differn't view... ;D... |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by iamgodzi1la on 04/30/14 at 19:18:22 I think I'm the wary wannabe they describe. I've hardly ridden a motorcycle in my life, and I only bought my Savage because I figured it'd be cheaper than a car. I'm going to be signing up for a safety course here soon (waiting on another paycheck), and these safety bars and power limiters sound great to me. My very first ride ever was on a friend's Honda somethin' somethin' street bike about a week ago, and I thought it was going to leap out from under me, or leap and drag me along into someone's parked car, or something else youtube-worthy. I feel comfortable enough on my Savage to learn on it even if it is a 650. It's torquey, but I'm not worried about it flipping over on me or throwing me off. |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by Serowbot on 04/30/14 at 19:33:19 Be safe, Godzilla... ;)... |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by iamgodzi1la on 04/30/14 at 20:44:16 Oh, yes. An abundance of caution. I'm old enough to be scared of dying, and I've been riding a bicycle long enough, almost exclusively for the last 7 years, that my head is used to swiveling and I'm accustomed to drivers actively trying to murder me. I even insisted on wearing a helmet when I rode my buddy's Honda in the parking lot, because not a month ago one of his other friends broke a femur, several ribs, an orbit, a cheekbone, and his jaw test riding a 125cc dirt bike in a parking lot. That guy was an experienced motorcyclist, just testing the bike to see if it worked, and 125 ccs smashed him like the Hulk. |
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Title: Re: Training "Wheels" Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/02/14 at 10:35:43 Dirt bikes come up "On the Pipe" w/o notice. They go from comfortable acceleration to "OHH Mu Gawd!" & when they do, its in the blink of an eye. Dirt tires arent safe on asphalt, either, so, an experienced rider, who isnt experienced on THAT model dirt bike & onasphalt is a disaster waiting to happen. Sounds like it didnt wait long. Disaster is often impatient. All that said, people with experience on dirt bikes tend to not fall as much on street bikes. Your bicycle experience, IF youve ridden hard in turns & felt it slide & had to adjust your body position to save it, then youre already ahead. But, if you have a friend w/ a dirt bike & you can get some seat time & play a little "on the edge" in corners, youll learn how to shift your butt from side to side, working core muscles, & what to do with the handlebars. Ive felt mine slip in an intersection, you know, that kinda "No mans land" spot out in the middle of a big intersection,, Thats a great place to slip down on sand or pick up something for a flat,, I learned to not go thru those areas, right then, but the dirt bike experience kicked in. My butt shifted right, I turned right a hair, shoved down on the right peg & eased back enough on the gas so I wasnt accelerating, but wasnt slowing enough to make it want to throw me off to the right. Its not stuff ya have time to think about. Its gotta be reflex. |
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