The Scout was my first motorcycle ever. I hadn't ever been on a motorcycle or anything powered on 2 wheels. I scheduled my 2 day safety course, bought a motorcycle that day. The scout was delivered and sat in my garage for a week an a half until I took the safety course. I got home from the course with my new full endorsement...took the bike out of the garage to take it around the block and stalled it like 5 times the first go-around. (clutch was alot different than unstallable 1984 beaten to death honda's the course provided). Looking back I'm just glad I lucked out on a good decision on the motorcycle I chose. No advice from anyone lol. I bought a bike I saw in a picture. Was 40 at the time 2 years ago.
Thanks for the shout out. I'd love if our extortionate road tax fees actually went to improving the roads in the UK. As for insurance, it's the wild west here in the UK. The last unregulated financial institution. They (the insurance firms) can pretty much behave how they like. There are some good ones (BikeSure for example) but some won't even insure a relatively standard bike like a Suzuki V-Strom 250 because it's not on their database! You definitely have more personal freedom in the US than us in the Europe though I don't see that we will gain any further freedom once we (the UK) have left the EU.
I'm pretty much against the idea. Rider maturity and attitude has a lot more to do with it than anything. It may be easier to act stupid on a larger, more powerful bike, but a little bike doesn't fix stupid. I also think that the time it takes to learn to handle a bike safely is pretty short. If someone just takes it easy and keeps thing sane, they can pretty quickly get enough experience to handle a larger bike, no reason to force them to pay for some very expensive training wills starting out.
People should always be allowed to purchase what they want. I view those who make the argument of newer riders having no business on bigger bikes as authoritative, controlling, and someone who believes they know what's best for everyone else. It's just as ridiculous as making the argument that new homeowners should be restricted to a certain square footage, or newer drivers being restricted to certain cars. If I have the money, I should always be able to purchase what I want. It's the individual's responsibility to weigh out any risks or consequences that come with their choices. With that said, I do like how Connecticut does their licensing. You have to take the MSF course in order to get your endorsement which later allows you to ride whatever you want.
I'd prefer the MSF course be mandatory as well. It teaches skills you wouldn't otherwise learn in day to day traffic that are essential to your survival.
In the UK, we've had a cc graded licence system for as long as I can remember (which is a long time!). I take your point about individual choice, freedom and responsibility for your own actions but in the main, I'd come down in favour of our system. The US and UK are very different places.........and I've been fortunate enough to have spent a great deal of time on your side of the water. We can only dream of some of the roads illustrated in your videos, the UK, in general, is a much more congested place. I'm presently nursing a couple through or particular maze to full licence, and believe me, it's a real pantomime. So whilst I endorse our system, I'll admit to more than a little envy for yours..........
I'm not happy with ours (UK). A 16 year old on a max 28mph 50cc moped isn't safe. A 125 restricted to 14.5hp at 17 is much better. Also having to pay for a brand new test at every level is just putting people off biking. I'd much rather see an automatic upgrade (or even reduced test) after a period of time riding a certain capacity.
@@RebelRides Like the 'good old days' Daz.......(dont tell me, I know, you're too young to remember, dont rub it in!) Mo-ped at 16, upper limit of 250cc at 17, it seemed to make more sense to me. I know there was all sorts of horror stories, lads (& girls) passing their test, and rushing out to buy the latest hyper bike. Thing is, it didn't happen. The governing factor, above all else was the cost of insurance. You'd be lucky to get a quote, let alone a policy aged 17, on the super bikes of the day, and if you did manage to stop the brokers laughing long enough, the price would be ruinous. So things found a sort of natural level, and you progressed in stages. The way things are structured now, I'm amazed anyone even bothers. Hence the soupson of envy of our American cousins.
Mike Lynch Congratulations, you will love it. It is well behaved at low RPM, but has a lot of power as the RPMs rise, so I found the transition from the Rebel to be pretty easy. Enjoy!
Mike Lynch Still have the Rebel. Good thing, since I just hit 500 miles on the Scout and she goes in this week for her post-break-in service. I can ride it and my wife’s Shadow 750 while she gets service done and some extras added (Stage 1 and some shiny stuff). The Rebel is such a fun little bike, and nice to have a reliable back-up and a cheap bike to practice on the parking lot without worrying about dropping it as much.
I agree with what you said about the will to choose whatever you want for yourself I do think that it would be helpful if it was her education class so people can understand not everyone can be a Valentino Rossi !
Most European nations have graduated licensing for motorcycles - which I think is a great idea. A rank beginner has no business riding an open-class sport bike.
I've been riding on an expired inspection sticker for months now and haven't been pulled. What stops beginner riders from hiding something that's already hidden in their wallet?
I know is we are free Americans, and we don't like told what to do. So far is no a safety issue in this country. But if we do it, bike should not be limit on size only, also the power output.
Safety aside, there are people who are poor who will never own the bike they want if they are forced to get a smaller bike first. For example, I have a decent job but after bills, groceries, $400 child support on my daughter each month, and another $200 every two weeks on mandatory health insurance for my daughter, I get to keep about $60. It's already going to take me many years to save up for the Scout 60 I want. If I was forced to buy a smaller bike first I would never be able to get one.
I think it's a good idea. There are to many stupid people. Remember in europe drivers licenses are much more expensive and harder to get. Inexperienced riders crash more and hurt more innocent bistandards.
Sure anyone can buy want they want the dealership wants the money. You wreck on the way home it's not their fault. The bartender serves you a drink you get a DUI on the way home. You made the decision to drive. You buy a bike beyond your capabilities or experience it was your decision. The dealer gets their money. As Motojitsu says "Shut up and practice"...
