Should 16-year-olds be allowed to purchase and/or ride 1,000cc Superbikes?

Answer 1

I own a 1000cc GSXR the power is amazing but I also owned a 600cc GSXR which by no means was lacking either. The issue here that makes this question hard is why the age 16 and why 1000cc superbikes. Although it is widely believed that 16 year olds are more at risk at what point at midnight when you turn 17 does something click and suddenly your responsible. I have seen and rode with people who own bikes of varying sizes most or all of which are older than 16 and all I can say is they shouldn't be on a bike period. If a law was passed reading in the exact way as this question was asked it is possible to cut down on purchases of 1000's by 16 year olds, but you will never stop it no matter what, because as read in the question the and/or ride part still exists so you will still see too young of kids on too big of bikes.

Answer 2

My son rode my 1300cc Busa at the strip a couple of times and did a fine job when he was 16. He has ridden since he was 4. He is 19 now and has been riding a 02 1200cc street fighter Bandit since he was 16. He never has gotten in any major trouble with his Bandit but I think it's because of the way he was raised with the motorcycle riding. I'm pretty sure a 16 year old will get into some trouble no matter what he rides. The 600's these days are wild rides.
No matter what you ride just remember that when you think you have the bike mastered it will teach you a new trick. Around cages always pretend you are invisible to them as that's the way they see you. Cheers

Answer 3

studds12000 is so full of crap, I smelled his post as soon as I logged in to this site! First off, his bike never saw 200mph, nor is it capable of it. The fact that he thinks it IS capable, tells me that he not only doesn't own the bike he claims to, but doesn't know much about bikes at all.

Listen to the others who are giving more realistic advice. A 16 year old has no business on a 1000cc bike. Likewise, a new, unexperienced rider has no business on one if they're 45 either. I'll go further to say that you shouldn't even start on a 600cc supersport. Think Ninja 250 or 500, or Suzuki GS500. At the very top end of the acceptable range for a new rider might be the Suzuki SV650 or the Kawasaki Ninja 650; both are twins (V and Parallel) and don't have the power of the 600 supersports or RR bikes.

Learn to ride first. Your first bike won't be your last bike... that is, unless you make a poor choice, ride irresponsibly, and kill yourself on it.

Answer 4

No. I could see someone making the case for an 18 year old, who is technically an adult and could in theory have two years of riding experience, being allowed to do this, even though it's not a good idea. But a literbike is something that it would take years of experience (both on the street and on the race track) to really master. Needless to say, this isn't something a 16 year old is likely to have. Literbikes often have enough power for a 3,000 lb car in a 450 lb package, which is not something I'd trust a 16 year old with.

Answer 5

In short, NO.

Studds12000 is a complete moron. Not only does he not understand the laws of physics or aerodynamics, but he can't even use proper grammar. Would you take advice from a stoned squid who thinks people actually communicate in "instant message-ese?" The kid's life skills are truly miniscule!

Here's an exception: your started riding dirtbikes when you were 3, won races at 6, and started racing pocketbikes at 7. You stepped up to 125cc racing by 12, and won a regional championship. You started racing 600cc supersport at 15, and are good enough to mop the track with the Hayden brothers.

At that point, a 16-year old MIGHT be able to handle a literbike, but only on the racetrack. Anything less is simply stupid.

Answer 6

No! No! and Heck no! I might be the one he kills with his careless riding. It is bad enough I had my very first accident this past June when a 15 year old in a cadallic ran right out in front of me. I was going the speed limit of 50 miles an hour and hit him and landed face first on the hot pavement. I have 18 to 23 year olds on crotch rockets pass me in my lane at 30 to 40 miles an hour faster than the speed limit. We do not need any 16 year olds doing that. I have been riding daily since 1969. That was my first wreck ever and it was not my fault. Most every young guy with a fast bike has had many wrecks and they are usually only 19 or 20. This one guy is about 20 and he told me he has pins in his legs because of the many motorcycle wrecks he has had and freely admits it is his careless fast driving.

Answer 7

Sixteen year olds are not mature enough to handle a bike of this size and power. So, no they should not be allowed to purchase and /or ride this type of bike. A 16 year old on this type of bike is a disaster waiting to happen. I'm more concerned over the innocent people who could be seriously hurt or killed by the 16 year old's actions.

Answer 8

No, resposiblity is an issue
Had a 17yr old in class two yrs ago with GSX750R. Wasnt 'FAST' enough(didnt learn to ride really) so his mother bought him a nitrous kit.
3 days later,
hit a truck,
DEAD.
Know when to go know when to slow. Experience counts
studs120, living in a dream world???
GSX 1000 wont do 315mph if you threw it off a cliff.
it may do 300Km/hr but thats a major difference.
Good example of the amount of attention used by young riders

Answer 9

No. Its not a matter of skill or ability as there are many young riders out there that are superior riders. It is a matter of road experience and maturity. At 16, you simply do not have the road experience to handle a machine of that caliber in ALL situations. The thought of that should make all of you cringe. Start out slow, learn the ropes, practice all the techniques you can and advance your bike as you advance. You have a long life of great riding ahead of you...don't blow it just because you can.

Answer 10

Mmm....I just don't know. I can see arguments for both sides. I don't think you can automatically assume that every 16-year old is a moron.

I think it's perhaps best left up to the parents.

I took this as a general question, and most everyone else took it as you asking for advice. If it's the latter, I don't have enough info to judge whether I think you or your kid should buy a bike, let alone what type.