I agree, once upon a time, not that long ago, we could argue that our little 250's could cut it with just about anything on the road, but these new 1000's (and as mentioned, even 600's) are ridiculous!
Whilst MOTing my MC21 on Monday Steve pointed out that a 2006 GSX-R1000 is actually lighter than my 250, and he dyno'd a bog stock one at near 170hp recently! How can it be a good thing that you can jump from a CG125 onto one of those with 3 days intensive training?!
Remember the days of riding your RD125 round the block and an emergency stop when the guy by the side of the road put his hand up and walked out into your path? Remember too those few guys in every town not long after on crutches or in wheel chairs, victims of 350LC's and GSX-R750's as they'd gone striaght out after their tests and got the biggest most powerful bike they could find? We're only talking of a jump from 12~15hp to 50~70hp in those days, but with shocking tyres and chassis admittedly, but today we are talking about a jump of 150hp in some cases - no chassis can compensate for that!!
I'm not saying it doesn't happen now, but I know there is a distinct lack of wheelchair bound 18~20 year olds in my town these days, and the stricter licensing and harder persuit test surely has something to do with that?
I'm with Colin, if it increases safety and awareness, then why is it bad? And why can't they do the same for 17 year olds and cars? What really concerns me is why they can't stop targeting motorcyclists as the scum of the highways! Sure, we like a bit of speed and adrenaline, but I don't think there are nearly so many of us trying to do it in town centres, outside schools, or in housing estates!!
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Andy.
NSR-WORLD.COM
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