Motor Bike/ Car?

[Chain Mailer]

Does anyone drive a motor bike and a car? To my chargrin I havent started to learn how to drive yet. Mostly because I think I'll be pants at it and also because I dont think I should be responsible for such a large and dangerous machine. So I figured that a motor bike is less damaging to surrounding people But is it easier to learn how to ride a motorbike or drive a car?

[hr]It's not me! Why does everyone always think its personnal!

[Kibet]

A motorbike is less likely to be seen and so can be more dangerous. It also requires balance and probably more concentration than a car does.

Learning to drive in a car with an instructor is probably much safer as they have control of the car by the dual control pedals. they will also teach you awareness of other road users and pedestrians.

I would say learn in a car, you can then always switch to a bike after you are more aware of the roads.

Cyclists, in my opinion, should also be taught about road awareness and it should be mandatory that they wear cycling helmets and lights. if they don't then they should incur the same penalties that motorcyclists would if they did not wear helmets. I don't know what the penalties are though.

[Haunted]

Its common knowledge that using a motorbike makes you look cool, be sure to take that into account

[TheUnixKid]

Driving a car and motorbike are completely difficult skills.

In my experience driving a motorbike is a lot more exhilarating than a car but rather more scary as you are small in comparison to other road users.

You can take your basic training on a bike and then drive a motorbike (normally a scooter) with an engine of no more than 50ccs in size (this may have changed) without a license. You could try this then see how you like it.

Receiving instruction for driving a car and riding are bike are pretty much the same, you receive theory training and practical training. On a motorbike your practical instruction normally happens via a radio link between you and your instructor.

Don't think that you are crap at something before you have tried it by the way. That's a good excuse never to learn how to drive, it's not that difficult really. If I can pass, anyone can.

[Eliot Wilson]

You are aware, I assume, that motorcyclists are known in hospital slang as 'donors'?

[hr]Bill and Ted beat the Grim Reaper at Twister

Bill: "You played very well, Death, especially with your totally heavy Death robes."

Death: "Don't patronise me."

[StrangeQuark]

"it should be mandatory that they wear cycling helmets and lights"

I'm fairly sure it is mandatory to have lights on your bike if you're cycling at night. As for helmets, bicycles go a little slower than motorbikes and, in any case, I am generally against banning any individual liberty where the only potential victim is the one who partakes in it. If you value your carefully brill creamed hair more than your skull why should the law punnish you?

[fiftyfive]

nm!

[benedict]

'As for helmets, bicycles go a little slower than motorbikes and, in any case, I am generally against banning any individual liberty where the only potential victim is the one who partakes in it.'

i think it's because someone who accidentally injures/kills a cyclist could suffer a lot of mental trauma which could have been avoided.

however, i think it depends on the situation. if when i was younger i had to wear a helmet i wouldn't have ridden at all. better dead than in front of the tv/computer perhaps.

i don't like the idea of laws against endangering myself. it could be argued that if a driver (for example purposes) kills/injures someone then perhaps they should have been more careful in the 1st place or at least have a different outlook on life. if it was an accident then the driver perhaps shouldn't feel so guilty. this point quite possibly poses some deeper question though.

it seems like quite a few laws these days are being made to patch up holes in things. although it would take a lot more work i sometimes think it would be best if people looked at why the problem needed patching in the 1st place.

[Guest]

Fact is when in an accident, which can happen even if you are the best driver on the roads, if you are on a motorbike instead of a car the chances of serious injury or death is much higher. There is virtually no protection on a bike.

And you have to always wear proper clothing like leathers - unless you want to join the ranks of those that have had the skin stripped from their bodies following a fall *gulp*

[Guest]

If you crash into another vehicle when you're in a car, you wreck your car. If you crash into another vehicle when you're on a bike - YOU DIE!

[Steveo]

Look at it this way - if you want to run some one down, you need a car.

It's handy to have this tool/skill at ones disposal.

Learn to drive, it's more useful.

[hr][s]What a beautiful world this will be .... what a glorious time to be free[/s]

[mossop]

My dad's best friend died at the age of 18 on a motorbike.

[hr]IMAGE:www.stuord.demon.co.uk/justlarge.gif

[Rob]

I'm banned for driving, anyine think if i applied for, and got a provisional, i could reide a scooter with no "consequences" from the old bill?

[Wong]

Depends, what did you get banned for?

And as said before, on a motorbike you've got no protective metal shell around you... I'd stick with learning to drive a car for now. It's dead easy, really.

[hr]No tree has branches so foolish as to fight among themselves

[someone]

Chain Mailer:

I think I'll be pants at it and also because I dont think I should be responsible for such a large and dangerous machine. So I figured that a motor bike is less damaging to surrounding people But is it easier to learn how to ride a motorbike or drive a car?

I drive both a motorbike and a car. I recommend learning on the car first, motorbike later... both machines are equally lethal to others, but the motorbike is far more lethal to you, and requires more experience to do safely.

When you begin driving, the car is a safer platform to work with--- firstly, because a car can and will protect you in the event of a collision, and secondly, because cars are very easy to drive, no matter whether it's stick or manual. Motorcycles, while easy to drive, are a pain in the ass... if it's raining/snowing, if there are mosquitoes out, if the road sucks, thenn the motorcycle isn't such a great mode of transport. Plus, it's easier to get distracted, and when you get distracted on a bike, bad things happen, like falling down or hitting things.


Note:
In order to get a bike license in the U.S., you have to have a normal driver's license first... and you're not allowed to get a bike permit anywhere until the age 18, whereas in most states you can get a drivers' license/permit at 16 (and in some states, even younger.)


I, for one, am very happy that I learned how to drive a car first. When I was young and new at the whole "road" thing, I had some very close encounters with other vehicles (I'm not going to get into the close encounters with Outer Space Aliens, that's for another time) and I've been glad to have the protection of a car, as well as the stability of driving on four wheels which gives that wonderful ability to make a drastic swerve (as opposed to two wheels, where I would have probably lost my legs.)

Furthermore, if you do choose to get a bike, I would urge you in the strongest terms to go smallish, but not small--- nothing smaller than 250cc. If you choose a 50cc, you will run into three problems:
1) You will be underpowered at all speeds.
2) If you think you have no protection on a big bike, you have less on a small one.
3) Cars will have no respect for you and they will act dangerously around you, passing you, etc... you have to be able to hold your own in terms of keeping up to speed.
4) You will be perpetually unstable.

I drive a 750cc V-twin lowrider, not small but not that big, either. The bigger engine has bailed me out where a small one wouldn't do the trick. Plus, the extra weight keeps the bike stable if you hit a patch of tar in the road, or a pot-hole, or an obstacle.

The upside of getting a motorcycle is that they're about 1 Bajillion Million Trillion Shabadoobleooillion times more fun to drive than cars. Not to push you in that direction or anything.



-Preston

[hr]
The Association Ch... erm, Lowrider?

Disco Inferno.

[Guest]

No one would ride a motorbike if they knew just how many people have known or been related to someone who has died on one

[Guest]

[s]Rob wrote on 19:27, 27th Jul 2004:
I'm banned for driving, anyine think if i applied for, and got a provisional, i could reide a scooter with no "consequences" from the old bill?


Apart from what people think I'd be inclined to think that most people wouldn't want you on the roads anyway!

[benedict]

'No one would ride a motorbike if they knew just how many people have known or been related to someone who has died on one '

one of my old maths teachers died from a motorcycle accident i think. but even then, it's going to happen someday. there's certainly an attraction to living on the edge. the Michael Hutchence effect you could say. it's perhaps to some extent up to friends & relatives to respect that wish.

[Haunted]

[s]Unregisted User wrote on 20:09, 27th Jul 2004:
No one would ride a motorbike if they knew just how many people have known or been related to someone who has died on one




I would

[Kibet]

[s]Unregisted User wrote on 20:09, 27th Jul 2004:
No one would ride a motorbike if they knew just how many people have known or been related to someone who has died on one




Equally for cars