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Is Gabe Right or Wrong?

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Tiers of a Clown: Gabe Responds to ''Power to Wait'' Feedback

13K views 84 replies 39 participants last post by  Z3n 
#1 ·
PLEASE fix this: "Column by Gabe Ets-Hokin, January, 2006" or my brain is going to bleed the next time I see it.
 
#2 ·
Let me try this again

[*]Point 1. You kind of changed the rules in the middle of the game like my daughters do to me when playing monopoly.. " Tiered licensing without any kind of meaningful rider education would have a minimal effect on rider safety in the United States." That's a big change there Gabester.

[*]Point 2 what data are you and Schizuki looking at to say "After we've compiled reports of all motorcycle accidents in 2006, and culled out the ones in which (1) a cager was at fault, (2) the rider was drinking, (3) the rider was unlicensed, and (4) the rider was riding a small-displacement bike, how many remain that could conceivably be blamed on a sober, licensed rider riding a bike that was too much for him? Because until we have that number, we've got nothing to talk about." When I read the WA state report again (look at the conclusions again and all of the charts) and look at other studies. I don't reach the same conclusions My B.S. meter is starting to flash :) Please site your data or is this fictitious/hypothetical study that just happens to match your opinion. some us aren't as clever as you two to get it.

[*] There is data to compare the effectiveness of tiered licensing programs just not in the U.S.

[*] Basically your opinion is that tiered licensing has marginal effects at best even with proper training.. Again I think you are ignoring the law of physics, the data in countries such as the U.K. and Australia.and of course common sense. The data is out there you just haven't seen it compiled yet.
 
#4 ·
Hope I'm not first-

Here's how the tier system should work:

1- Increase (through public and private) training programs

2- make the rider's test harder than the lame parking lot test that are currently used in most states

3- restrict the cc size base on how the individial scored on the training program and the rider's test- 500 cc max for anyone for the first 6 months and likewise restricting the power output of said motorcycle

4- issue "newbie" tags for those riders with the ability to trade out of the tag at no or little cost when you have completed the first 6 months

5- allow experienced riders (those with at least 5 years of riding history and no at fault accidents for those 5 years) to volunteer (with proper state training) to give on road riding test for those that have performed well enough in the theory or written test and the training courses to try for exempt status on the 500 cc rule- there will be a need for communication devices like in England for this to work/ newbie tag still applies



there are other ideas on this swirling around but those goals can be accomplished without creating great strain because private industry will make up for anything the gov't can't afford to do.



like I said before- if you try this and the insurance industry backs it there will be a stablization in premiums and better riders on the road.



you're investing in your safety.



btw, I'd charge a uniformed (country wide) mc licesing fee that is at a minimum $100 for a 10 year m/c licese. that will keep the posers out. get busted without a bike license and do 2 weeks and $500 fine manditory for your stupidity.



Gabe- I completely understand where you are coming from. Problem is that there is no way to find an actual study on such things because it doesn't exsist, yet.
 
#5 ·
"Less government involvement is always a good thing" You must of slept through the discussions about Sherman Antitrust Act, The Meat Inspection Act of 1906, Enron, etc. in civics class...



Note to U.K. readers keep in mind the U.S. is facing an educational crisis which has led to declining test scores and the election of certain politicians.
 
#6 ·
Re: Let me try this again

Point 2 what data are you and Schizuki looking at to say "After we've compiled reports of all motorcycle accidents in 2006, and culled out the ones in which.................

I believe that WAS the point, KPaul. The fact that nobody has YET done so; and if they did indeed collate the data, the results would show such a small number of affected individuals as to be absolutely not even worth the time to "Legislate Out" said behaviour.
 
#8 ·
Well, the Dems *DID* just "come into power".
 
#10 ·
I'm just wondering when the insurance companies are going to start coming down on 8000lb SUV driving compulsive cell phone users?



I think that many Insurance company decisions are based on political correctness and what is visible in the eyes of Joe Q. Public. I presume you saw the local Fox News "expose" on crazy bikers in N.GA, however I'm still waiting for the "Inattentive, SUV driving soccer mom" piece.



I get your point but it is not fair that the onus of responsibility is always placed squarely on the shoulders of us riders, any comments?
 
#13 ·
clueless in seattle

Ok thanks for making it clear to me il.e. giving me a clue. That is then his hypothesis. I disagree with it.. When I had a Google alert reader that looked for news about motorcycle accidents I would read many stories about inexperienced older riders losing control of their heavy cruisers. In fact I have posted several articles to MO in the last year...from different states that have proposed that thesis. My business training says its probably not worth it to legislate it out as you say but the engineer in me says we should strive for the safest reasonable approach. To me a tiered system is reasonable.. i.e. A middle aged man with no experience should not start out on a 700 lb cruiser and a squid shouldn't start out on a 150 hp sportbike..
 
#14 ·
I'm on your side on this. But as riders we are hughly out numbered so when spit hit the fan in the insurance industry we suffer first. Like I said to one of my customer just moments before "I don't make the rules. I just force you to play by them."



Red Sts on the floor- calling you're name. Coming by and get it on Saturday- It's raining tomorrow but 70 on Sat.
 
#15 ·
Really schools like the University of California Berkley, University of Texas Austin, University of Washington, University of Illinois etc...yep public schools are bad.. NOT..
 
#17 ·
Re: clueless in seattle

A middle aged man with no experience should not start out on a 700 lb cruiser and a squid shouldn't start out on a 150 hp sportbike..

I'll not argue with you there. But this is the USA - it's not Illegal to do either. Ergo, many will.
 
#19 ·
I know I asked once, but I didn't see whether you replied or not - HOW FREAKIN' MANY different brands does your Dealership carry?

(Imagine this typed with a grin on my face, not a grimace)

;^D
 
#20 ·
Touche He must of been bought off, brain washed or maybe Bush has pictures of him doing something he shouldn't be.. I don't think the people of the U.K. were for the war in the beginning though..unlike the U.S. where Faux News led the cheer leading for war.
 
#21 ·
Re: Let me try this again

Let me try this again (Score: -1)

By ksquid (kpaulTheGMP@megalomania.com) on Thursday, January 04 2007 @ 13:04:55 PST

# Point 1. You kind of changed the rules in the middle of the game like my daughters do to me when playing monopoly.. " Tiered licensing without any kind of meaningful rider education would have a minimal effect on rider safety in the United States." That's a big change there Gabester.


I agree completely. This is an entirely new premise from the original article. I COULD be persuaded that an either-or situation makes some sense: EITHER you take some significant rider safety training OR you submit to a tiered licensing system. Both have the same objective- keeping newbies from getting in over their heads.

But "common sense" does indeed have a place in the discussion. And if the motorcycle community itself doesn't begin providing some solutions- the legislators WILL... and they know FAR less about the subject than we do.

We know, if we're even remotely honest with ourselves, that a 17-year-old squid with no experience and 175 horsepower bike is a fatality looking for a place to happen. Likewise, an out-of-shape, 55-year-old yuppie with a new Gold Wing and no riding experience has an inordinately high probability of becoming an organ donor.

HOW we resolve that dilema is up to all of us because the newspapers are filled with the kinds of stories that politicians love to jump on.

As I said- if WE don't fix it- THEY will. Simply saying "it won't help" is leaving the ball in the politicans court and NONE of us will like THEIR solution!
 
#22 ·
Is he? I wouldn't know. I never read his responses to me.



I'm not at all interested in how insane the excuse is for the overmedicated public schools and their fat staff salaries and benefits..... all the while churning out 40% functional illiterates.



The govt shows its absolute incompetence at every turn. Yet the usual suspects clamor for more. Isn't there something about repeating the same action and expecting different results?
 
#23 ·
Triumph and Ducati are the primary.

Husky, Moto Guzzi and MV Agusta are the secondaries.

But MV's are selling better than the Triumph's for the last 3 months- oddly enough.
 
#25 ·
Re: Let me try this again

"As I said- if WE don't fix it- THEY will. Simply saying "it won't help" is leaving the ball in the politicans court and NONE of us will like THEIR solution!"

Ok you have my vote for AMA president... When can you start? Seriously you nailed it...
 
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