[Need4Speed]

OK, so ur joe q teenager or inexperience rider in general. U walk into the dealer, u've got the financing (probably with daddies money anyways) and u want a new Busa or maybe a ZX10. They say, ok, here's the keys, knock urself out, thanks for the sale..and away you go.

This is basically the case with the dealers on our area....as long as you have a valid license, they'll sell to pretty much anybody with the cash.

If they would follow certain guidlines for the bikes they sell, like recommended rider specifications, experience, etc., we'd have alot less squids on the road of course..but there's also a huge greay area as to who can ride what, and who has the experience, and who can prove it either way.

Just curious as to ur thoughts.

 

[jetskifast]

Should be same rules as Eurpoe. HP limited until you gain experience :dthumb:

 

[Need4Speed]

thats my thoughts as well. dealers have a degree of accountability, IMO..but a tiered licesing program is ideal if u ask me.

 

[JK_DILLA]

Lets not remove personal responsibility and place it squarely on the dealers. Car dealers dont check your record, and cars are a more dangerous weapon by far. You can recommend whatever you want, motorcycles are an emotion driven purchase, practicality doesnt weigh as much as desire here. It falls to personal responsibility and/or parental responsibility. (both of which are in short supply it seems)
Lets imagine a newbie 16 yr old on a big bike and three things can happen... 1. He will take it slow and learn. 2. He will scrare himself witless and we will have a low miles new bike for a good price. 3. there will be another horror story to tell other 16 yr old showoffs.
Actually im more afraid of that 16 yr old showoff, using his newly minted DL to tear around in daddys new cobra... running over me, backing over you, and making left turns in front of the rest.

Im not saying anyone on any bike is ok, but lets not just shift blame.

 

[SpeedWerks.com]

I have to agree with JK on this one. It's the rider's responsibility. Dealers shouldn't have to do parenting. Do I agree with Dealers selling a GSXR1000 to someone who's never ridden before? No. But if they want to be stupid and buy one, it's their problem. A reputable and respectable dealer would say "hey, I think this might be a better bike to start out on," but ultimately, it's not the dealer's responsibility.

I also agree that we should have a graduated licensing system here in the U.S. That would be an excellent idea, but doubt it would ever happen.

 

[Need4Speed]

ur right..the dealer is out to make a buck, no doubt, and cant be a police force so to speak.....but in the interest of responsible riding and safety of the rider and the sport in general. dont u think they should atleast do their part, or something if u will, to help the rider get what bike fits their skill level best. ?

and also, if they do sell a new gixxer1000 to a newbie, it becomes my problem then, because they are menace on the roads..to me and cagers.

 

[bumblebee]

I have to agree with JK on this one. It's the rider's responsibility. Dealers shouldn't have to do parenting. Do I agree with Dealers selling a GSXR1000 to someone who's never ridden before? No. But if they want to be stupid and buy one, it's their problem. A reputable and respectable dealer would say "hey, I think this might be a better bike to start out on," but ultimately, it's not the dealer's responsibility.

I also agree that we should have a graduated licensing system here in the U.S. That would be an excellent idea, but doubt it would ever happen.

I agree and I think there is a previous thread where I got on my soapbox and beat the horse to death. However, I believe that unless we, as riders institute something, the Insurance companies will do it for us

 

[SpeedWerks.com]

ur right..the dealer is out to make a buck, no doubt, and cant be a police force so to speak.....but in the interest of responsible riding and safety of the rider and the sport in general. dont u think they should atleast do their part, or something if u will, to help the rider get what bike fits their skill level best. ?

Trust me, I agree completely about safe riding. But as I mentioned, I feel the only thing dealers can do is say "hey dumbass, this is not the right bike for you. Why don't you look at this nice little 250 sitting over here." But ultimately, it's the buyer's decision. I do know dealers who won't sell to people because they feel it's not right.

Kind of the same situation with race bikes. A guy comes in and wants modifications done to his/her bike that we know will make it illegal for them to race in the class they race in. Is that our job to police them and say we're not going to do it? Ultimately, the customer is paying for something they want and it's not our job to tell them yes or no. We always make sure they understand that what they are asking to be done is not legal, blah, blah, blah...but ultimately, it's not our decision. Ulimately, they are the ones that get fined, penalized, lose their points, etc., for the stupid a^^ decision they made. All we can do is warn them and try to steer them clear of it. Ya know?

 

[Need4Speed]

I suppose Im just alittle old school in thinking that if everybody did their part, we'd have safer roadways...and thats true i guess..but they say, u can lead a horse to water but u cant make them drink.

its a fine line of being too much of a police force in this area and trying to make people understand what they should or shouldnt do.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Well, I also agree that responsibility should not rest solely on the shoulders of the dealers. However, a better licensing system would be nice. Also, the dealers ARE trying to make a profit. While someone said something about being worried about the 16 y.o. in daddy's new cobra being a problem, I think bikes can be a bigger problem solely because of cost. A kid can save up a few bucks and get a loan for a high powered sportbike a lot easier than he can for a car. Granted, if he's driving daddy's car, that's his dad's fault. But the kid most likely can't afford to BUY a high powered car, whereas he can easily walk into a dealership and buy a bike. The big question, is where should the main social responsibility be held? At the home? At the bank loaning the money? At the dealer selling the vehicle? Or with the government and its licensing system? The EASIEST way to control it would be a better licensing system where you are ONLY allowed to ride a bike for a specific CC and lower, depending on what you rode in the test. And the test needs to be changed DRASTICALLY. Hell, here in Indiana, you can (and I'm not joking) take a scooter or moped to the test and get your license, and then go hop on a gixxer 1K or a Harley FatBoy. That's just plain ignorant, at least IMO. So, my vote is for a better licensing system.

 

[Rodogg04]

i agree with being safe but do you really want the government to tell you what your capible of owning??!! Next they'll want to charge you $50 bucks a cc or something crazy like that. Let Darwin sort them out!!

 

[No Worries]

If a newbie is going to buy their own sport bike they will usually buy used, so dealers may not even be involved. If a parent is buying one for a kid, they may have no experience and will go to a dealer. Some parents buy their teenagers Escalantes, so maybe some parents are so rich and naive that they will buy their kids an R1 or busa. If a parent is too lazy or busy to get informed about a motorcycle purchase, then it becomes everyone's problem.

I think that a lot of potential buyers check the internet first and there should be a sticky? thread on buying a first bike. Some other threads such as how to buy used, or users best new and used 250's, 500's or 600's threads could be compiled into a "what and how to buy your first bike" thread.

 

[Heath3n]

Ohhhh.....you meant motorcycle dealers! Err..umm..nevermind. :runaway:

 

[Mudpuppy]

I don't think it should be the dealer's responsibility but there should be guidelines just like buying a gun.. Maybe the same is required for cars as well - good point on a car being far more dangerous.. But definately there should be requirements..

 

[bumblebee]

i agree with being safe but do you really want the government to tell you what your capible of owning??!! Next they'll want to charge you $50 bucks a cc or something crazy like that. Let Darwin sort them out!!

That would be wonderful except Darwin didn't figure Progressive or Geico into the picture.