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.

oldNslow wrote on 04/30/14 at 05:18:55:


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

I missed this the first time I read the article. Looks like they're trying really hard to make sure nobody gets hurt.

Quote:

oldNslow wrote on 04/30/14 at 11:54:54:


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!

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.

Serowbot wrote on 04/30/14 at 12:05:11:


I'd be right behind you Serow  

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.