Why sportbikes are NOT beginner bikes 1 - Revision history

Bokonon: /* Decision Justification Arguments */

2011-04-11T21:02:50Z

Decision Justification Arguments

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:02, 11 April 2011
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	It is interesting to point out that only one manufacturer, Suzuki, explicitly states in their promotional material that their GSX-R family of sportbikes are intended for experienced riders. This also applies to several of their larger, more powerful machines (such as a GSX-1300R Hayabusa). If Suzuki issues such a warning for its top-flight sport machines, it is reasonable to say that the same warning would apply equally to similar machines from other manufacturers.		It is interesting to point out that only one manufacturer, Suzuki, explicitly states in their promotional material that their GSX-R family of sportbikes are intended for experienced riders. This also applies to several of their larger, more powerful machines (such as a GSX-1300R Hayabusa). If Suzuki issues such a warning for its top-flight sport machines, it is reasonable to say that the same warning would apply equally to similar machines from other manufacturers.

			Continued in [[Why sportbikes are NOT beginner bikes 2]]

Bokonon at 05:51, 24 October 2009

2009-10-24T05:51:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:51, 24 October 2009
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	Article originally written by '''Matt Pickering''' for [http://www.beginnerbikers.org Beginner Bikers]		Article originally written by '''Matt Pickering''' for [http://www.beginnerbikers.org Beginner Bikers]

	~~====Introduction ====~~

	Well, another riding season is upon us and as it always happens, we get lots of inquiries from potential new riders on how to get into the sport, what's a good first ride, where to take safety classes and so on. One particular type of inquiry that pops up with almost clockwork frequency is from a small number of new riders who wish to buy 600cc and up sportbikes as their first ride.		Well, another riding season is upon us and as it always happens, we get lots of inquiries from potential new riders on how to get into the sport, what's a good first ride, where to take safety classes and so on. One particular type of inquiry that pops up with almost clockwork frequency is from a small number of new riders who wish to buy 600cc and up sportbikes as their first ride.
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	This column is split into two parts. First, I would like to address the common arguments we see here as to why a 600cc sportbike simply must be a first ride along with rebuttals. Second, I want to cover the rationale behind why the BB community-at-large steers new riders away from these machines.		This column is split into two parts. First, I would like to address the common arguments we see here as to why a 600cc sportbike simply must be a first ride along with rebuttals. Second, I want to cover the rationale behind why the BB community-at-large steers new riders away from these machines.

	====False Logic ====		==False Logic ==

	On about a three month interval, a whole slew of questions pop up on the BB forum from potential riders trying to convince the community that a 600cc sportbike is a suitable first ride and then proceed to explain to us why they are the exception. I can almost set my clock to this pattern of behavior since it is almost swarm-like. I guess the newbies figure by swamping the forum with the same questions in lots of places we might trip up and endorse such a machine. Hasn't happened yet but they keep on trying.		On about a three month interval, a whole slew of questions pop up on the BB forum from potential riders trying to convince the community that a 600cc sportbike is a suitable first ride and then proceed to explain to us why they are the exception. I can almost set my clock to this pattern of behavior since it is almost swarm-like. I guess the newbies figure by swamping the forum with the same questions in lots of places we might trip up and endorse such a machine. Hasn't happened yet but they keep on trying.
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	And look at it this way: For those one or two seasons of riding using the above example, excluding maintenance costs which you have no matter what, you will have paid a net cost of $200 to ride that Ninja. That is extremely cheap for what is basically a bike rental for a year or two. Considering it can cost $300 or more just to rent a 600cc sportbike for a weekend (not including the $1500-$2000 security deposit), that is economic value that you simply cannot argue with.		And look at it this way: For those one or two seasons of riding using the above example, excluding maintenance costs which you have no matter what, you will have paid a net cost of $200 to ride that Ninja. That is extremely cheap for what is basically a bike rental for a year or two. Considering it can cost $300 or more just to rent a 600cc sportbike for a weekend (not including the $1500-$2000 security deposit), that is economic value that you simply cannot argue with.

	====Vanity Arguments====		==Vanity Arguments==

	*The beginner bikes you recommend are dated and ugly looking.		*The beginner bikes you recommend are dated and ugly looking.
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	The population at large may think you're cool and look great on that brand new sportbike and ohh-and-ahh at you. The ohhs can quickly turn to screams of horror should, in your efforts to impress the masses, you wind up dumping your bike and surfing the asphalt. Will you still look cool with thousands of dollars in damage to that once-beautiful sportbike and with the signatures and well-wishes of your friends on the various casts you'll be wearing months afterwards?		The population at large may think you're cool and look great on that brand new sportbike and ohh-and-ahh at you. The ohhs can quickly turn to screams of horror should, in your efforts to impress the masses, you wind up dumping your bike and surfing the asphalt. Will you still look cool with thousands of dollars in damage to that once-beautiful sportbike and with the signatures and well-wishes of your friends on the various casts you'll be wearing months afterwards?

	====You Be The Judge====		==You Be The Judge==

	*I'm a big rider so I need a bigger bike to get me around.		*I'm a big rider so I need a bigger bike to get me around.
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	If your friends can't deal with your decisions, you're probably better off looking for new friends. And if you can't deal with the peer pressure, then you are putting your own safety at risk solely because of what others think. Revisit the vanity arguments above and think about why you want to ride.		If your friends can't deal with your decisions, you're probably better off looking for new friends. And if you can't deal with the peer pressure, then you are putting your own safety at risk solely because of what others think. Revisit the vanity arguments above and think about why you want to ride.

	====Decision Justification Arguments====		==Decision Justification Arguments==

	*I'll take it easy and grow into the bike.		*I'll take it easy and grow into the bike.

Bokonon: Why sportbikes are NOT beginner bikes moved to Why sportbikes are NOT beginner bikes 1: Split into 3 articles

2008-02-24T05:11:41Z

Why sportbikes are NOT beginner bikes moved to Why sportbikes are NOT beginner bikes 1: Split into 3 articles

← Older revision	Revision as of 01:11, 24 February 2008
(No difference)

Bokonon at 05:00, 24 February 2008

2008-02-24T05:00:20Z

Show changes

Bokonon at 18:23, 11 November 2007

2007-11-11T18:23:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:23, 11 November 2007
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	[[Category:New Riders]]		[[Category:New Riders]]
	Article originally written by		Article originally written by '''Matt Pickering'''

	'''Matt Pickering'''

	for [http://www.beginnerbikers.org Beginner Bikers] forum		for [http://www.beginnerbikers.org Beginner Bikers] forum



	==Form Equals Function: Sportbikes are Not Beginner Bikes ==		==Form Equals Function: Sportbikes are Not Beginner Bikes ==

			====Introduction ====
	===Introduction ===

	Well, another riding season is upon us and as it always happens, we get lots of inquiries from potential new riders on how to get into the sport, what's a good first ride, where to take safety classes and so on. One particular type of inquiry that pops up with almost clockwork frequency is from a small number of new riders who wish to buy 600cc and up sportbikes as their first ride.		Well, another riding season is upon us and as it always happens, we get lots of inquiries from potential new riders on how to get into the sport, what's a good first ride, where to take safety classes and so on. One particular type of inquiry that pops up with almost clockwork frequency is from a small number of new riders who wish to buy 600cc and up sportbikes as their first ride.
Line 21:		Line 16:
	This column is split into two parts. First, I would like to address the common arguments we see here as to why a 600cc sportbike simply must be a first ride along with rebuttals. Second, I want to cover the rationale behind why the BB community-at-large steers new riders away from these machines.		This column is split into two parts. First, I would like to address the common arguments we see here as to why a 600cc sportbike simply must be a first ride along with rebuttals. Second, I want to cover the rationale behind why the BB community-at-large steers new riders away from these machines.

			====False Logic ====
	False Logic

	On about a three month interval, a whole slew of questions pop up on the BB forum from potential riders trying to convince the community that a 600cc sportbike is a suitable first ride and then proceed to explain to us why they are the exception. I can almost set my clock to this pattern of behavior since it is almost swarm-like. I guess the newbies figure by swamping the forum with the same questions in lots of places we might trip up and endorse such a machine. Hasn't happened yet but they keep on trying.		On about a three month interval, a whole slew of questions pop up on the BB forum from potential riders trying to convince the community that a 600cc sportbike is a suitable first ride and then proceed to explain to us why they are the exception. I can almost set my clock to this pattern of behavior since it is almost swarm-like. I guess the newbies figure by swamping the forum with the same questions in lots of places we might trip up and endorse such a machine. Hasn't happened yet but they keep on trying.

	For those of you that come to Beginner Bikes trying to convince us to endorse a 600cc sportbike, I offer you the following responses to your arguments.		For those of you that come to Beginner Bikes trying to convince us to endorse a 600cc sportbike, I offer you the following responses to your arguments.
	~~I can only afford to get one bike so it might as be the one that I want.~~

	I don't want to go through the hassle of buying and selling a used bike to learn on.		*I can only afford to get one bike, so it might as well be the one that I want.

			*I don't want to go through the hassle of buying and selling a used bike to learn on.

	These two lines of reasoning pop up as one of the more common arguments. I am going to offer first a piece of wisdom which is stated with great regularity on the forums:		These two lines of reasoning pop up as one of the more common arguments. I am going to offer first a piece of wisdom which is stated with great regularity on the forums:
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	And look at it this way: For those one or two seasons of riding using the above example, excluding maintenance costs which you have no matter what, you will have paid a net cost of $200 to ride that Ninja. That is extremely cheap for what is basically a bike rental for a year or two. Considering it can cost $300 or more just to rent a 600cc sportbike for a weekend (not including the $1500-$2000 security deposit), that is economic value that you simply cannot argue with.		And look at it this way: For those one or two seasons of riding using the above example, excluding maintenance costs which you have no matter what, you will have paid a net cost of $200 to ride that Ninja. That is extremely cheap for what is basically a bike rental for a year or two. Considering it can cost $300 or more just to rent a 600cc sportbike for a weekend (not including the $1500-$2000 security deposit), that is economic value that you simply cannot argue with.

	Vanity Arguments		====Vanity Arguments====

	The beginner bikes you recommend are dated and ugly looking.		*The beginner bikes you recommend are dated and ugly looking.

	I want something that's modern and stylish.		*I want something that's modern and stylish.

	I want a bike that looks good and that I look good on.		*I want a bike that looks good and that I look good on.

	I call these the vanity arguments. These are probably the worst reasons you can have for wanting a particular bike.		I call these the vanity arguments. These are probably the worst reasons you can have for wanting a particular bike.
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	The population at large may think you're cool and look great on that brand new sportbike and ohh-and-ahh at you. The ohhs can quickly turn to screams of horror should, in your efforts to impress the masses, you wind up dumping your bike and surfing the asphalt. Will you still look cool with thousands of dollars in damage to that once-beautiful sportbike and with the signatures and well-wishes of your friends on the various casts you'll be wearing months afterwards?		The population at large may think you're cool and look great on that brand new sportbike and ohh-and-ahh at you. The ohhs can quickly turn to screams of horror should, in your efforts to impress the masses, you wind up dumping your bike and surfing the asphalt. Will you still look cool with thousands of dollars in damage to that once-beautiful sportbike and with the signatures and well-wishes of your friends on the various casts you'll be wearing months afterwards?

	You Be The Judge		====You Be The Judge====

	I'm a big rider so I need a bigger bike to get me around.		*I'm a big rider so I need a bigger bike to get me around.

	I'm a tall rider and all of those beginner bikes just don't fit me the way the sportbike does.		*I'm a tall rider and all of those beginner bikes just don't fit me the way the sportbike does.

	I'll look huge and foolish riding on such a small bike.		*I'll look huge and foolish riding on such a small bike.

	My friends will laugh at me for riding something so small.		*My friends will laugh at me for riding something so small.

	These arguments are almost as bad as the vanity arguments. The difference being is they simply show a lack of motorcycle knowledge for the most part.		These arguments are almost as bad as the vanity arguments. The difference being is they simply show a lack of motorcycle knowledge for the most part.
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	If your friends can't deal with your decisions, you're probably better off looking for new friends. And if you can't deal with the peer pressure, then you are putting your own safety at risk solely because of what others think. Revisit the vanity arguments above and think about why you want to ride.		If your friends can't deal with your decisions, you're probably better off looking for new friends. And if you can't deal with the peer pressure, then you are putting your own safety at risk solely because of what others think. Revisit the vanity arguments above and think about why you want to ride.

	Decision Justification Arguments		====Decision Justification Arguments====

	I'll take it easy and grow into the bike.		*I'll take it easy and grow into the bike.

	I'm a careful driver so I'll be a careful rider and not get into trouble.		*I'm a careful driver so I'll be a careful rider and not get into trouble.

	I drive a fast car so I'll be able to handle a fast bike.		*I drive a fast car so I'll be able to handle a fast bike.

	Other people have started on a 600cc sportbike and didn't get hurt. So why can't I?		*Other people have started on a 600cc sportbike and didn't get hurt. So why can't I?

	These arguments are the most common ones put forth and the ones that are hardest to deal with. These are the arguments that start flame wars. Because it is on these arguments that you have to convince someone the idea of what a beginner bike is over their preconceived notions.		These arguments are the most common ones put forth and the ones that are hardest to deal with. These are the arguments that start flame wars. Because it is on these arguments that you have to convince someone the idea of what a beginner bike is over their preconceived notions.
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	It is interesting to point out that only one manufacturer, Suzuki, explicitly states in their promotional material that their GSX-R family of sportbikes are intended for experienced riders. This also applies to several of their larger, more powerful machines (such as a GSX-1300R Hayabusa). If Suzuki issues such a warning for its top-flight sport machines, it is reasonable to say that the same warning would apply equally to similar machines from other manufacturers.		It is interesting to point out that only one manufacturer, Suzuki, explicitly states in their promotional material that their GSX-R family of sportbikes are intended for experienced riders. This also applies to several of their larger, more powerful machines (such as a GSX-1300R Hayabusa). If Suzuki issues such a warning for its top-flight sport machines, it is reasonable to say that the same warning would apply equally to similar machines from other manufacturers.

	===Form Equals Function: Part Two ===		==Form Equals Function: Part Two==

	In Part One of this article, we covered a lot of the excuses that new riders give for wanting to start on a 600cc sportbike. This second half finishes off our discussion of this reasoning and discusses why high-powered sport machines are not the ideal beginner machine.		In Part One of this article, we covered a lot of the excuses that new riders give for wanting to start on a 600cc sportbike. This second half finishes off our discussion of this reasoning and discusses why high-powered sport machines are not the ideal beginner machine.

	False Logic Completed		====False Logic Completed====

	Last month, we covered many of the reasons new riders give to justify why they want or should get a 600cc sportbike. Now we finish with the last and most common excuses given.		Last month, we covered many of the reasons new riders give to justify why they want or should get a 600cc sportbike. Now we finish with the last and most common excuses given.

	I'm a careful driver so I'll be a careful rider and not get into trouble.		I'm a careful driver so I'll be a careful rider and not get into trouble.

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	Be honest with yourself. Very honest. Take the advice and wisdom of others more experienced than you and consider what they are saying. They may have a point. But if you opt for that 600cc sportbike, be assured you will still be accepted as a rider and still encouraged to act as safely as possible at all times.		Be honest with yourself. Very honest. Take the advice and wisdom of others more experienced than you and consider what they are saying. They may have a point. But if you opt for that 600cc sportbike, be assured you will still be accepted as a rider and still encouraged to act as safely as possible at all times.

	The Final Equation		====The Final Equation====

	We've covered the reasons why people justify or want to get a 600cc sportbike. But we have one more thing to answer and it is simple: What makes these bad bikes to start on?		We've covered the reasons why people justify or want to get a 600cc sportbike. But we have one more thing to answer and it is simple: What makes these bad bikes to start on?

Bokonon at 00:39, 24 August 2006

2006-08-24T00:39:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:39, 23 August 2006
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			[[Category:New Riders]]
	Article originally written by		Article originally written by

Bokonon: Why sportbikes are NOT beginner bikes? moved to Why sportbikes are NOT beginner bikes

2006-08-24T00:33:56Z

Why sportbikes are NOT beginner bikes? moved to Why sportbikes are NOT beginner bikes

← Older revision	Revision as of 20:33, 23 August 2006
(No difference)

TZ at 20:05, 21 August 2006

2006-08-21T20:05:35Z

Show changes