When does it stop?

[Gene]

Seems that so-called superbikes starting with the Ninja, (I believe) have gotten to the point that most cannot ride them in a safe and sensible matter. 1 plus liters, way over 100 horsepower, even with ABS and other safety controls and functions is too much except for professional riders on a closed course. For the public, these bikes are a potential death trap. And, the worse part is I believe that most riders are inexperienced young riders. I live close to the Los Angeles area, and I hear of freeway accidents almost every day. They don't say, but I bet most are young and inexperienced. My question is, when does it stop? The limit has been exceeded in my opinion

[Bob H]

superbikes ...(I believe) have gotten to the point that most cannot ride them in a safe and sensible matter. 1 plus liters, way over 100 horsepower

Here's my take on that.
You see Ferrari, Porsche, Corvettes in the same bumper to bumper traffic - or on an open public road where they can give it some throttle.

But at the end of the day, it is the driver / rider that must control the throttle and brakes.

I had a Kawasaki Z1 in 1976 that could be described as a widow-maker (although that title was usually given to the 2-stroke Kawasaki) and that was 46 years ago.  I had a friend in 1983 who's Suzuki 1100 was crazy fast - there were actually a lot of very fast bikes back then. Easily enough power to get you in real trouble if you were not responsible with the throttle.

You are correct that the technology has created even faster bikes now - and faster cars. I had a 1967 Firebird with a bored and stroked engine, full race transmission - and now you can just buy something at a dealership that would blow it's doors off.

But I don't think the solution is to limit the power - speed of vehicles.
And at some point I was "young and inexperienced" and remind myself of that when I see people riding without full gear, etc. as I used to do stupid things. Somehow I lived to talk about it, but do know people who didn't survive.

[Larry Fine]

Many countries have tiered licensing.

[mollusc]

Many countries have tiered licensing.

And it works.
When I got my driver's license in New Zealand it was just a few months before tiered licenses were introduced.  I had been driving on farms for several years and knew how to handle vehicles.  Several people I knew from high school did not, and did not survive.
My sister's classmates did much better a couple of years later after tiered licensing had been implemented.

My bike license was different though.  Learner stage, then limited engine capacity stage, then full license, with testing required at each point.  Emphasis was on mastery of skills rather than on the process being an impediment.

But the underlying issue is really one that cannot be addressed.  People will always want things that are way too fast, way too dangerous, and way too powerful.  And they'll ride them without helmets or any other gear at all.  Call it Natural Selection.

[Pete in PA]

Tiered licences should be implemented here. It would save lives.

An 18 yr old shouldn't be allowed to buy a 300hp bike.

I learned on my dad's 900 custom, joined the Navy, and bought a new 650 Nighthawk. 30k miles later got a V65 Sabre. 80k miles later got a Blackbird. 150hp. can't even imagine 300!

I had many stupid times doing 180 mph etc. amazing I'm here.

Now I've got my 750 NH and I'm still missing the liter bike power.
I've got the max (I think) power extracted out of it but want more. I'm going to stick with it though because I love everything else about it especially the no maint. valves. Wish they had made an 1100 version.

[mollusc]

CB1100 was available in the US from 2013-22.

[Bob H]

Now I've got my 750 NH and I'm still missing the liter bike power. ...Wish they had made an 1100 version.

2 weeks ago I was riding in a 45 Mph zone, and a cop was hiding in the shadow of a large tree.
I got pulled over for going 60, 15 over the speed limit.

I was just heading over to a Farmers' Market, not paying attention to my speed. Simply out riding a motorcycle.

Amazingly the cop let me off with a warning. That had not happened in decades. I was very thankful I was not on a faster  bike. Earlier this year I rented several bikes for a week at a time (riders-share) to research "my next bike" and often caught myself hitting 100 mph on open roads. For a 67 year old guy that is kind of stupid, but it is the devil on my shoulder.

Anyway I appreciate the little 750 because it is not crazy fast. I can wring it's neck a bit on public roads but stay out of trouble.

[mollusc]

My NC700X tops out at just over 100mph, and you really have to push it to get there.  The Nighthawk S will easily hit 130 before I get so terrified that I pull it back.
Sure, pickup is great, but I'm also in the category of not wanting to ride like a squid any more.

[Willie]

Personally, I agree that tiered licensing should be implemented. Ironic that the '83 GS1100 was mentioned, I had one up until a few months ago. I decided to sell it only because, at 70 yrs old, it had become just a little too big for me to move around in the garage and I didn't want to push my luck anymore on the street. I had looked, off and on, for over a year for a nice 700S, and found one in nice shape 2 weeks ago. Based upon my having owned quite a few over the years, I think/hope it'll fill all my needs. I'm hoping that I'll find out very soon but want to check everything out top to bottom and front to back before I take it for a ride. So far, I've refilled the fluids, adjusted the air pressure in tires and forks, replaced 3 of the 4 plugs and air filter and lubed the drive splines. Won't be long now.
Sorry to any who feel I've hi-jacked the thread.

[Bob H]

Personally, I agree that tiered licensing should be implemented.

Some states do implement it.
I grew up in Texas, and at the age of 15 got a motorcycle license with a restriction of 100cc.
I had been riding mini-bikes since 12, got a Honda 90 at 15. (age 67 now)

I have lived in California for decades. Just looked at what Texas does now:

Applicants must be at least 15 years of age and may be restricted to operating a motorcycle with no more than a 250 cubic centimeter piston displacement. This restriction can be removed on the applicants 16th birthday.

[Pete in PA]

CB1100 was available in the US from 2013-22.

Oh, I know about it. I want everything the same but 1100cc.

Carbs, not FI, no maint. valves, etc.

Is there any big bore kit for the 91-02 750 Nighthawk? 800-950cc???

[Pete in PA]

Now I've got my 750 NH and I'm still missing the liter bike power. ...Wish they had made an 1100 version.

2 weeks ago I was riding in a 45 Mph zone, and a cop was hiding in the shadow of a large tree.
I got pulled over for going 60, 15 over the speed limit.

I was just heading over to a Farmers' Market, not paying attention to my speed. Simply out riding a motorcycle.

Amazingly the cop let me off with a warning. That had not happened in decades. I was very thankful I was not on a faster  bike. Earlier this year I rented several bikes for a week at a time (riders-share) to research "my next bike" and often caught myself hitting 100 mph on open roads. For a 67 year old guy that is kind of stupid, but it is the devil on my shoulder.

Anyway I appreciate the little 750 because it is not crazy fast. I can wring it's neck a bit on public roads but stay out of trouble.

I'm glad you got out of the ticket.

Speed traps are just trolling for $$$ and REALLY makes me angry.

Here in PA, only troopers can use radar/lazer. (yet) They don't do it often.
Locals can use painted lines or other devices, haven't seen it in years.

I'm not trying to do 100mph or higher, just want a little more power. I still find myself skip shifting/shifting to top gear too early like it's a liter bike. 250k+ miles on liter bikes will do that.

[Larry Fine]

My ST1100s are pretty sweet rides.

[Pete in PA]

My ST1100s are pretty sweet rides.

Yep, but then you add valve adj.AND belt change.  I had an ST1300 for 60k+ miles.  Got sick of the weight and ALL THAT BODY WORK! Such a pain.

On the NH remove, seat, sidecovers, and tank. 10 min tops dragging your @$$.  That's it. At carbs, spark plugs, everything.

Im done with complicated.

[Pete in PA]

Oh boy,  dilemmas.  Found a 2013 CB1100, 4500 miles for a good price. About to go for it (despite the shim under bucket valves, FI, etc. I want to avoid) Then did some research into it's weird tire sizes. Both 18's.

$177 delivered for it's rear only! Cheapest I found!

🙄😡 More thinking. 40lbs heavier, higher insurance, smaller gas tank, Way more $$$ tires, sell this 750 next spring, on and on.