I am a young hopefully-to-become a cyclist and I have few qu

[NEWBIKER16]

Hello,

I live in Finland where we get 125cc motorcycles at age of 16 but cars at 18. I need a vechile to move longer distances, and I have started the course to get the licence to drive one, and I have some questions.

First off, my mother is really against motorcycles. She thinks that I will die driving one, or at least injure badly, and she is thinking about buying me a 50cc scooter instead. I have tried to explain she that the accelerograph is not an on-off switch but that has not helped.

I am aware of the risks of driving, but I dont think that that is the right way to guard me. Who is right? If me how could I tell that to her?

I also think that it is largely about the driver (do not speed, drive intoxicated etc.) which I could avoid myself, where she thinks that it does not matter as someone will always drive over me no matter what I do.

Second question is how needed the driving suit is on short distance trips. If I would drive, lets say, 4km to my friend would I need pants and all that stuff, or are helmet + jacket + gloves enough?

Third and last question, what tips would you give to me as a young and new driver? I would really like to live long so I what are the "easiest to die or injure badly" mistakes beginners do?

Also I am 198cm long guy, so I am thinking about Honda Varadero 125XL, is it a good starter bike?

[Tungtvann]

Varadero is a good bike, and probably one of the best 125cc around. In my opinion, a 50cc is more dangerous than a 125 because you are so much slower and more of a hazard to other traffic. A 125 at least has enough speed to travel at what most other vehicles are driving at.

I ride my bike all the time without my bike trousers on, but always boots, jacket, gloves and helmet. If it's cold or I'm riding about fast all day, I'll put the trousers on.

[Rogerborg]

Someone will always attempt to drive over you no matter what you do.

That's why you're safer (in traffic) on a bigger bike. You're more visible, you can keep up with other traffic and not feel pressured to ride in the gutter, and you have the option of accelerating your way out of trouble. A Varadero is an excellent choice for all of these reasons.

I would not ride a 50cc moped, and I wouldn't let my children do it either. I'd far rather have them on a 125cc or larger vehicle.

As to protective clothing, I prioritise helmet, gloves, boots, trousers and jacket in that order. I sometimes skip the jacket, but I never ride in anything less than armoured kevlar lined jeans, even when riding 1km to the shop. Why? Because in a minor lowside your feet, knees and hands are touching down first. Minor accidents are far more common than major ones, and so I plan for what's actually likely to happen.

It's a very personal choice, but if you were to wear "all the gear, all the time" - and high visibility gear at that - then it might help to convince your family that you are taking your safety seriously.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[chris-red]

[barrkel]

[cretin box]

I ride a 50cc scooter (it was a bargain, OK?) and I have to stand with the others who are saying a bigger bike is safer.

Part of my commute is on a 40mph limit. I don't mind being overtaken sensibly, but I hate it when they tailgate for ages then blast round leaving an inch between me and their door mirror.

I'd absolutely, definitely, be safer on a geared 125 for all the reasons others have said.

On the question of kit, my commute is only four miles but I wear all the kit, all the time. One of the instructors at the school where I did CBT once had an off while moving a bike around the yard, just wearing jeans and a t-shirt. It happened at about walking pace. There were photos of the resulting abrasions up on one wall of the classroom, not a pretty sight! I like my skin how it is.
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1985 Honda Vision

[-Matt-]

I don't know much about your roads in Finland, the majority of users here are in the UK - But over here i would much prefer a 125 or bigger bike than a 50cc scooter. You don't have any acceleration, for 'fun' or for when you may occasionally benefit from it otherwise. Here you often get bullied by cars driving up your backside too on scooters

In terms of danger - its as dangerous and you allow it to be. You control the bike, it doesnt control you. If you're senisble on the throttle and don't go flying into corners at uncontrollable speed its fine. I'd suspect the biggest potential danger in Finland particularly would be weather. Drains, road marking, diesel spills, wet leaves and so on can get very slippery and hazardous when wet or icey - as can cold weather generally on two wheels.

Gear wise personally i rarely ever leave without 'everything' - helmet, armoured jacket/trousers, boots and gloves. Whether you go 4km or 40km, if you're unlucky enough to get hit by an unattentive driver its going to hurt just as badly Doesn't take more than a minute to get the extra gear on and off.

Advanced rider training is good if youre really wanting to maximise your knowledge and safety, again unsure whats available in Finland but sure it will exist. Generally reading about riding techniques online (from the right sources) provides lots of information too. Youtube, forums etc.

[Robster]

Will echo what Rogerborg said bout 50cc scooters; My instructor wouldn't touch one or let his kids ride on one. A CBT (or whatever the equivalent is in Finland) isn't too expensive or hard to do, and you get decent training.

I ride wearing my helmet and leopard-skin thong in winter though and that does me fine.