Nanny state is going to do this to your motorcycle

[xs11jack]

Go to this site and read the british version of the future of motorcycles.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12266406

[DiverRay]

It looks like they are going to take the motorcycle and make it into the British version of food! No taste, and bad for you all in one bite!
I'll do my best to keep OUR IDIOTS in power from killing motorcycles. It was tried in the Regan era, but they couldn't do it!

[CatatonicBug]

Interesting idea... As if the distractions and idrenaline of riding aren't enough, now the helmet and seat are going to vibrate to tell you that someone is driving in the lane beside you or if the BIKE thinks you're going too fast??

There are already stepped requirements for bikes overe there aren't there? Having to start with a small bike, then move up? I can only imagine the added cost that a system like that would add to a bike, discouraging people from buying a bike.

Gotta love how the manufacturer of this system says that "the helmet restricts visibility". I wonder how he quantifies that. I have better visibility in my full-face helmet than I do in my cage! As far as I'm concerned, all they need to do is focus on training - both for riders AND cagers. Improve the behind-the-wheel training to include difficult manuevers and judgement calls.

[DAVINCI]

It was tried in the Carter era, too. Anyone remember Joan Claybrook and this contraption?

http://www.motorcycleproject.com/mot...t/claybrk.html

[natemoen]

That all just sounds retarded!

[DAVINCI]

yup...stranger than fiction

[crazy steve]

I'd like to see them fit a 'vibrating' anything to a big street single or twin that you could notice over the engine shaking...

One thing I do agree with them on is the 'stepped' licensing. Washington state has had this on and off, and it's a good thing if it keeps some wannabe from buying a 190mph rocket or 700lb tour-monster as their first bike....

[cywelchjr]

I'll agree with you on the stepped license. It really makes sense. Make them spend a certain amount of time (and miles) on a smaller machine first. I understand in the UK they have to document the mileage before they can move up, but maybe I'm reading something into it that isn't there. I do know they have to wait a certain amount of time, and they have 3 tiers partially based on age.

[latexeses]

Good God. Sounds like having your mom riding in the back seat of your car
when you were 16.

"Watch out for that truck".
"Aren't you going a little fast in here?"
"Slow down for this corner".
"You know it raining don't you?"
"You didn"t even stop there."
"Aren't you a little close to that car?"

I'd think I'd rather walk.....

[natemoen]

Good God. Sounds like having your mom riding in the back seat of your car
when you were 16.

"Watch out for that truck".
"Aren't you going a little fast in here?"
"Slow down for this corner".
"You know it raining don't you?"
"You didn"t even stop there."
"Aren't you a little close to that car?"

I'd think I'd rather walk.....

Heck, my mom still sounds like that if she is riding in a vehicle I am driving.

[CatatonicBug]

Good God. Sounds like having your mom riding in the back seat of your car
when you were 16.

"Watch out for that truck".
"Aren't you going a little fast in here?"
"Slow down for this corner".
"You know it raining don't you?"
"You didn"t even stop there."
"Aren't you a little close to that car?"

I'd think I'd rather walk.....

LOL! That's a perfect comparison! Reminds me of the car commercial with Mr. and Mrs Potato Head in the convertible!

I agree that the stepped licensing thing is good in theory, but it would have prevented me from ever getting a bike. There is no way I could have been able to afford to buy a small bike, fix it up, ride it for a year, then buy ANOTHER bike to fix up. I would have gotten frustrated with the limitations of the small bike in a matter of weeks, and wasting money on a bike that I know I am going to get rid of ASAP just doesn't make sense.

[natemoen]

But bug, ya gotta think, if that was the way the it was set up there would also be many more usable and affordable used small bikes on the market due to the fact that everyone is upgrading due to the system.

[CatatonicBug]

But bug, ya gotta think, if that was the way the it was set up there would also be many more usable and affordable used small bikes on the market due to the fact that everyone is upgrading due to the system.

I see the opposite happening. If people knew that you were required to buy a smaller bike first, the prices on the smaller bikes would shoot through the roof. Much like the prices on the MSF courses in Florida when the state started to require it to get your license.

[natemoen]

I agree that right away they would but I think eventually it would even out when people just need to unload their little bike so they can upgrade. Especially if financially they need to unload it to upgrade.

[crazy steve]

I agree that the stepped licensing thing is good in theory, but it would have prevented me from ever getting a bike. There is no way I could have been able to afford to buy a small bike, fix it up, ride it for a year, then buy ANOTHER bike to fix up. I would have gotten frustrated with the limitations of the small bike in a matter of weeks, and wasting money on a bike that I know I am going to get rid of ASAP just doesn't make sense.

When we had the stepped licensing here in this state, it consisted of having to actually test on the size bike you wanted a license for. This was to prevent people from testing with a step-through Honda then buying/riding something like a VMax or a 'wing (which went on a lot). The test was a bit of a joke, being done entirely in a parking lot; while it didn't eliminate the idiots, it at least thinned them out.

I hear what you're saying 'Bug; not everyone can afford to change bikes to 'move up'. But the other side of the coin is the riders that just have to have the biggest/fastest as a first bike, have the money to buy one, and who says they can't? Of course, a sizable percentage of these end up as statistics, and their survivors and/or caregivers agitate for 'better' licensing laws to protect these idiots from themselves. I'll readily admit the 'British Model' wouldn't work here, as a 250cc-under limitation is a scary thought in some of our traffic. But a green rider on a large, fast motorcycle who hasn't figured out the difference between that and their car isn't good either...