New Higher MPG Riders - Good or Not?

[Buzz Kanter]

I've been reading about people who have never ridden buying motorcycles and scooters to get better gas milage than their SUVs. While I am pleased that more people are discovering the fun of motorcycles, I wonder how many of them are NOT going to learn how to ride properly.

What's going to happen when these new road warriors start getting hurt or worse on their new motorcycles. What's the general media going to say? I am concerned about how this will portay us all.

[Tbone]

I know what you mean. I just heard today about two acquaintances that have purchased a 65 mpg bike of unknown brands and I'm just a little apprehensive about their safety. I ride daily and it's imperative that I concentrate 100% of the time. One knows my wife and has asked for an old helmet so her husband can take them for a ride. Another worry for me. I don't know whether to be a nice guy and give them a helmet or hold back so I won't feel terrible if something happens.

[jmk713]

I expected a rash of first-timers to emerge since the gas prices have soared.
Safety should be the main concern and I truly hope most, if not all of them take a riders course of some sort before they try to hit the road.
I also hope the license examiners really "test" them and don't just pass them on through.
I do think a lot of them will fall to the wayside after they get caught in the rain a few times.
Here in central Illinois I haven't noticed many that are really newbies...just some current riders that have traded for newer bikes so they can commute to work without breakdown worries etc that might occur if they continued to ride an oldie to work every day.
If anyone reading this is in fact new to riding...good luck, have fun...and stay safe!
Hope to see you on the road.

[JCourneyaP]

I have seen alot of bikes on the road this year. Way more then last. I dunno if its the weekend warriors that now understand their bikes are functional year round??? Yup and we already have our first few Motorcycle fatalities. I tell you what though. Cars are banging into each other more and they can be seen better. So far Motorcyle accidents seem about average as far as I can tell.

I am thinking cage drivers are getting a little better at watching out for us on two wheels. I have seem to notice them seeing me more. Course you still have the idiots.

Take a course and Ride ride ride. Get used to all kinds of roads and situations. Practice makes perfect.

[getsthegrease]

4 dollar a gallon gas? of course there are going to be more riders on the road. I saw a old susuki 750 parked at work the other day, looked like it hadn't seen the light of day in 25 years. gas prices are forcing changes to the commute. But in the end, the additional people involved in motorcycling is good for the sport. More awareness of the issues that affect us. I too notice more riders every day and I welcome it. It makes us less invisible.

MIKE

[frisco-rigid]

I believe that with more new folk on sickles of any kind they will start to understand how it feels to feel vulnerable..

And, as they begin to realize how their lazy and/or cavlier attitude toward riders once presented a danger,,,, maybe now that they are the rider they will adjust how they drive amongst us in the future..

Could happen

Excellent philosophy Frisco. I think it'll happen but to a pretty small extent. Out here in Californy learning about the dangers of sudden lane changing cars is a shorts changing experience. One of those and the bike goes on Craigs List the next day along with the jacket, gloves, and helmet.

Personally if I had to do a long drive commute (I take BART to work usually) I'd have a Toyota Prius. 55-60 mpg and quiet and comfortable. A buddy of mine has one and said he liked the car but even more than that he loved to be able thumb his nose at the oil companies.

[Boomer]

SteelRider - This is true here in IL. The CC's have to be under 50 and you don't need a bike license to operate it. I have notice many new riders here and my suggestion to each of them - Take the state course they offer, before you hit the road, I think they are making new riders do that anyway here but I'm not sure. Respect your bike and it will respect you.

[hdnt1550]

The only thing I am afraid of is the mortality rate increasing with more less experienced riders on unfamiliar bikes.

If mortality rates increase there will be politicians just waiting to take freedoms away from bikers just because some people can't handle the responsibility of being on 2 wheels.

I saw someone on one of those new 3 wheeled Can Ams and it looked like they where going to fall over with training wheels.

I just don't want my freedoms that I enjoy legislated away because of others but then again we where all inexperienced at one time.

Originally Posted by hdnt1550

The only thing I am afraid of is the mortality rate increasing with more less experienced riders on unfamiliar bikes.

If mortality rates increase there will be politicians just waiting to take freedoms away from bikers just because some people can't handle the responsibility of being on 2 wheels.

I saw someone on one of those new 3 wheeled Can Ams and it looked like they where going to fall over with training wheels.

I just don't want my freedoms that I enjoy legislated away because of others but then again we where all inexperienced at one time.

You hit the nail on the head where my fears are concerned.

I am also an Aerobatic Pilot and a Firearms Instructor. The "News" knows absolutely nothing about planes or guns and their knowledge of motorcycles is equally as dismal. The things I hear about planes and guns from the idiotic talking heads could only be possible if the laws of physics where suspended. I have a deep fear that the same could happen with motorcycles is a rash of new inexperienced riders start hitting the road and hurting themselves and others. The inaccurate reporting will lead to inaccurate thinking which will lead to flawed, superfluous and unnecessary legislation.