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Not really going to argue that a GSXR-1000 is easier to handle safely than a cruiser etc..



BUT



- This study only refers to Manitoba, CA, not all of the US or all of Canada or both. Who knows what is going on in Manitoba. The demographics may be different.



Sounds like Manitoba is experiencing heavy growth in riders from the study.



Growth in riders == new riders on the road == more crashes. Not exactly rocket science.



New riders are likely the cause, not what bike they pick.



Yes a Gixxer or whatever is easier for the 18 year old to toss down the road but if he couldn't have a Gixxer he might be just as likely to toss a sportster down the road.



I generally think the guys with the biggest chip on their shoulder, the guys with the biggest craving for an adrenaline rush, the guys who are most likely to let testosterone make their riding decsions, etc.. are always going to end up buying the fastest bikes they can.



But if you take away the sport bikes they will just buy the fastest cruisers or standards, and ride them just as agressively, and then they will just toss those bikes down the road instead.



I think it is pretty obvious, young kids who are new riders who want to buy a bike to be a bad ass, are not buying cruisers or gold wings, they buy Sport Bikes! Of course they are going to get destroyed! Everyone knows the image of the local squid who wants to learn to ride. This is the guy who thinks a 600 is too slow, etc..



Ben

 

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Guess my point is it is not the sportbikes that are dangerous, it is just that a lot of the most retarded, stupidest, newest riders choose to get a sportbike despite the warnings that "This bike is intended for expert riders"

 

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I haven't tried doing it side to side with a 600 & a cruiser.



I have done it with my SV650 I used to have and it would pretty easily walk a cruiser from normal street speeds.



I rode an R6 a little while ago, and while it was slightly soft on the bottom, there is no way you needed to keep the revs above 8000rpm to go fast as is commonly stated on this site. I could ride it way in excess of the speed limit without ever using the top of the powerband. The new 600s truly are extremely fast and not exactly weak on torque.



The cruiser seems to have a more satisfying instantaneous hit in the first .1 second, but then it doesn't go anywhere.



If I was riding the 600, due to gearing and where the engine is smooth, I doubt I would be much below 4000rpm anyway, and the bike IS faster than a cruiser by 4000-5000rpm.



Just because it is unpleasant to "cruise" at 5000rpm on a big twin doesn't mean it is unpleasant on a bike designed for it.

 

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I would think that you folks who so adamantly demand the right to ride without safety gear would be the last people to want to see a class of bikes banned or restricted.



If sportbikes are banned... how long do you think it is before all bikes are banned?



You really think cause John Kerry and a few other politicians "pose" on a Harley that it would protect cruisers?



As soon as 18 year olds are not allowed to ride sportbikes, the new "great danger" that the media will endlessly harp on will be the other group of riders that kill themselves with frequency... middle aged guys on cruisers who ride to the bar and have a few drinks.



Next thing you know they would be trying to ban all bikes.

 

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Re: KPaul's rebuttal to longride.

Not to mention the best thing to do in almost any accident avoiding situation is to slow down as opposed to speeding up.