Illinois. Tiered Motorcycle Licenses?

[weasel]

Illinois considers new license requirements for big motorcycles


Instead of offering licenses in just two size classes — one for cycles with an engine displacement of less than 150 cubic centimeters, like off-road bikes and scooters, and another for all other sizes — Illinois would add a third category for the bigger motorcycles, possibly starting at about 600 cc. And drivers would have to test on the size bike they intend to ride.

Source... http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-motorcycle-deaths-met-20140728,0,1659162.story

 

[RightCoastBias]

The AMA will never let this happen. I don't think it's the worst of ideas, most of the world does it, but Americans will have none of it, I reckon.

Imagine how pissed Harley riders would be and how much it would effect their sales in the state.

 

[Roadstergal]

Nice idea, but the 600cc cutoff would eliminate the rather beginner-friendly SV650s and Ninja 650s from the newbie class, and put 600cc sprotibles (most being 599cc) into it. I think the Euro folk have the idea right, doing it by power.

 

[weasel]

Nice idea, but the 600cc cutoff would eliminate the rather beginner-friendly SV650s and Ninja 650s from the newbie class, and put 600cc sprotibles (most being 599cc) into it. I think the Euro folk have the idea right, doing it by power.

True, not to mention the year the bikes were built. There were some big changes made in the last 10+ years in SuperSports

I'm torn on this part too...

drivers would have to test on the size bike they intend to ride.

 

[russ69]

I'm not a fan of this idea. If you can ride a 50cc bike (I mean as an expert), you can ride anything. A big bike has more weight but it doesn't operate any different and the tactics you use to stay safe don't change.

 

[weasel]

I'm not a fan of this idea. If you can ride a 50cc bike (I mean as an expert), you can ride anything. A big bike has more weight but it doesn't operate any different and the tactics you use to stay safe don't change.

True, but I’m also not a fan of dad buying his 17 year old kid a “CBGXR1” cuz it looks cool either.

 

[Dmitriy]

I think they should go by weight wet. So if you can afford an uber light motoGP bike then you are good to go.

 

[corndog67]

But it's my right. I'm not like those other guys that buy those rice rockets, it's my right to own a 131 cubic inch Harley, any less would make me less of a man in my bros eyes.

 

[mean dad]

I'm not a fan of this idea. If you can ride a 50cc bike (I mean as an expert), you can ride anything. A big bike has more weight but it doesn't operate any different and the tactics you use to stay safe don't change.

Yes, if you can ride a 50 as an expert...but who decides what 'expert' is?

And I call BS on the "big bike has more weight but it doesn't operate any different and the tactics you use to stay safe don't change" part. Whack the throttle open on a 2fiddy Ninja and tell me what happens.
Now go do that on a ZRX12 and get back to me.
Matter of fact, grab a big ol' handful of panic-brake, too. See which one puts you on your face, and which one slows down.

 

[Crom]

Maybe this means there will be a market for modern 4 cylinder 400cc bikes with fuel injection...

 

[corndog67]

Yes, if you can ride a 50 as an expert...but who decides what 'expert' is?

And I call BS on the "big bike has more weight but it doesn't operate any different and the tactics you use to stay safe don't change" part. Whack the throttle open on a 2fiddy Ninja and tell me what happens.
Now go do that on a ZRX12 and get back to me.
Matter of fact, grab a big ol' handful of panic-brake, too. See which one puts you on your face, and which one slows down.

I agree completely. Even for riding the test on a bike the same size as the one you are going to be riding, but that would be hard to check on. Big difference between a KZ200, and the aforementioned ZX12.

I don't think our "representatives" (the AMA) would allow their main focus (Large American cruiser riders), be saddled with any restrictions on bike size related to experience, since a great many large cruiser riders, start out on a big twin as their first bike. And since they seem to be the biggest sellers now, I don't think the focus of the AMA is going to change.

 

[mean dad]

Agree with the 'test what you ride' aspect.
I think age should play into it, as well as previous moto experience. If a middle-aged dude wants to lie and say he's been riding for years, so be it.
Mostly, we want to think of the children.

 

[ZCrow]

I am no issue with a tiered system but I think they need to dump the current riding test which proves nothing about your riding skill. It should be ride and follow like every other country does.:ride

I personally think a real test would be take a C class track day and if you maintain a certain lap time and don’t crash you get to ride on the street. Not practical but way more accurate and fun. I call it the “Thunderdome Approach.” :teeth

 

[kurth83]

As long as I get to do the lap solo, best out of 3, thunderdome here I come.
And CA foots the bill? What's not to like.

 

[russ69]

Yes, if you can ride a 50 as an expert...but who decides what 'expert' is?

That's the whole point, we don't want a government employee that doesn't ride making that decision.

And I call BS on the "big bike has more weight but it doesn't operate any different and the tactics you use to stay safe don't change" part. Whack the throttle open on a 2fiddy Ninja and tell me what happens.

Well if you are at the limits of cornering, you'll loose traction.

Now go do that on a ZRX12 and get back to me.

Same thing happens.

Matter of fact, grab a big ol' handful of panic-brake, too. See which one puts you on your face, and which one slows down.

Well if you are grabbing "a big ole handful" expect the same results. Our Formula 3 bike (125) would stand on it's nose with one finger. The whole point I was making is that you have to know how to ride, once you know how to ride, then different models of bikes are just different but they all work the same way and the defensive skills are the same.

 

[mean dad]

Well if you are at the limits of cornering, you'll loose traction.
Same thing happens.
Well if you are grabbing "a big ole handful" expect the same results. Our Formula 3 bike (125) would stand on it's nose with one finger. .

My whole point is you can pin the throttle on a 2fiddy for the count of twenty and still be in the same city block. Do it on a ZRX and you're in the next county before you can count to 5.
And again, same thing with brakes. If a car pulls out in front of me, I can put a lot of brakes on in a hurry. A new rider will tend to grab a handful of brakes in any kind of panic situation, and on a larger, more powerful machine (with its more powerful brakes) the chances of crashing due to poor inputs goes up dramatically.

...you have to know how to ride, once you know how to ride, then different models of bikes are just different but they all work the same way and the defensive skills are the same.

Learning how to ride is easier on a smaller, lighter, less-powerful bike. Personal anecdotes of newbie survival on 600's and 750's aside, tiered licensing is a 'thing' because no one knows how to ride until they know how to ride.

 

[russ69]

Ah, the snobbery of the liter boys...One day, I jumped off my scooter and my brother tossed me the keys to his new ZX-10. One of his buddies says: "Does your brother know how to ride a motorcycle?". "Better than you", my brother says.

 

[ilikefood]

Yes, tiered licensing would reduce newbie crashes.

No, that doesn't mean that we should have tiered licensing.

/thread

 

[mean dad]

/thread is so fucking pompous, lol. Ooh, I said something, the rest of you might as well leave now.

Tell me, if you don't give a fuck about new riders crashing or dying, what is your reasoning for NOT having tiered licensing?

 

[TrackCage]

Tell me, if you don't give a fuck about new riders crashing or dying, what is your reasoning for NOT having tiered licensing?

Tiered licensing creates another barrier to entry for a new rider. Maybe he would have bought a bike if he could go get his new Harley - but when they tell him he has to start on a low cc bike he says, "No thanks."

IMO, if tiered licensing was always how it was done, I think it would be a good thing. But at this point in time, you would lose some new riders switching things up.


FWIW, /thread is because this shit has been discussed and beaten to a pulp :deadhorse . Not because his opinion > your opinion. But never forget that my opinon is the greatest twofinger