Speed twice and face a ban.

[graysblue]

The 250 Kwaker was sh*te, (the only one available before the law was changed was the KH250 a two stroke triple) and would barely break 90.
Pressure for the the law to be changed after the release of the Suzuki X7 (Replacing the old GT250) which clock over 100 mph on 3 of the 4 magazine tests of the time. Only one previous tester had managed to wring the magic ton out of a 250 before (The Yamaha RD 250). By the time legislation came in 1981 yamaha had released the RD250LC which consistantly topped 100

The Current batch of 250's are hardly any quicker although there are one or two highly tuned sports 250's which could touch 130.

The 16 year old Rider Moped Law was also changed around that time as the Sports moped produced from around 72 got round the idea of the original law and some could do upto 60 mph.

Currently you have to take a cbt before you can ride anything on 2 wheels, this (if you are over 17) will allow you to ride anything upto 125cc with 12.5bhp for two years on L plates. In this time you have to take a test or re-sit the CBT at the end of two years. Once you pass your test your are limited to 33bhp for two years or until you are 21 (whichever is longer) before you can move on to any bike. There is one loophole, currently being exploited by those over 21 and with a bit of money, that is if you are over 21 you can take an additional test (on a 50bhp Bike) which allows you to "upgrade" the licence . Personally i would like to see this route abolished as a number of people are doing 1 week CBT to Unlimited licence courses and jumping on serious machines with little training.

I feel that this structure should be replicated for cars too, maybe make learning only allowed in under 1000cc bog standard motors , then two years after passing up it to say 1.2 (but with a BHP limit) . Modifications to speed restrictors would be banned (an would get picked up on MOT's too) . Then Over 21 with 2 years licence maybe let them loose on the bigger cars.

Alternatively price them out of it by only allowing named drivers on policies to be over 25 and if someone has more than one vehicle in their name they cannot have named drivers on their policies...

the kwaker had been tuned by the lad and his father hence the speed it generated.

the top speed i mentioned may be incorrect but it could do over a ton.

 

[Firestorm]

the kwaker had been tuned by the lad and his father hence the speed it generated.

the top speed i mentioned may be incorrect but it could do over a ton.

Every possibility the two strokes were rather easy to fettle, mind you it wouldn't have lasted long, even if he didn't dump it (the brakes and frame could barely cope with 90 mph, the very similar KH 750 was an absolute death trap) the engine would have only been good for 10k before a top end rebuild in standard form...

 

[steveo]

Didn’t you just love the sound of the 2 strokes though.

 

[Aberdeen Shrimper]

Didn’t you just love the sound of the 2 strokes though.

And the smell......i used to fill up my FS1E at Whittinghmas in Rochford, remember having to add oil as well. Great days

 

[Mad Cyril]

I can see nothing wrong with that at all ORM

It sounds counterintuitive but increasing speed limits on motorways may not increase the net flow of traffic and may in fact do the reverse.

This could lead to longer journey times and increased congestion.

 

[Nobby Snide]

Think its a good idea...especially if people are at risk of losing thier jobs if they are banned.
It would also help the movement of workers to seek work closer to home.

If this was brought in with improved public transport, it would do a lot to reduce CO2 Ommissions.

 

[Nobby Snide]

interesting story in the local rag,

off duty police woman was nicked driving at 64mph in a 30 zone,she was only given a soppy fine because of some lame excuse.

she had 2 previous speeding convictions as well.

Police are worst offenders, like Doctors and smoking

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Motorists could be banned from the road after just two speeding tickets.

Ministers are doubling the penalty for the worst offences, in a crackdown on Britain's most dangerous drivers.

Those caught significantly over the limit would be hit automatically with six points on their licence.

If this happens twice in three years they reach the total for a six-month ban.


The harsher penalty could apply to those caught at 50mph in a 30mph zone, 60mph in a 40mph zone, and between 90mph and 100mph in a 70mph zone.

Even drivers doing 35mph in a 20mph zone may not escape.

Ministers are also expected to give a boost to speed awareness courses - instead of a loss of three points - for drivers marginally over the limit.

Sounds like an excellent idea, alot of people just pay a fine and carry on, but if they're risking not being able to drive full stop they might take more care and obey the laws of the road.

This is nearly the case for the younger ones anyway due to the massive Insurance premiums.

I thought the top gear article from Finland was interesting - basically it will take a youngster about 3 years to pass the driving test, and during that time they will have to have spent a certain amount of hours on a skid pan, learning car control.

I saw that feature, sounds like an excellent scheme, teaches the new/young drivers better control and more respect for the road.

 

[Firestorm]

Didn’t you just love the sound of the 2 strokes though.

I Love 2 strokes, especially with Castrol R in the mix.

I always rode strokers (other than the early honda 50) right up to the mid 90's when I stopped riding for a little while, now you can't get much bigger than 125 . But one day i WILL have that GT750 Suzuki

You can get an oil called Castrol Classic R40 which is for 4 strokes but has the Castrol R smell

 

[Firestorm]

And the smell......i used to fill up my FS1E at Whittinghmas in Rochford, remember having to add oil as well. Great days

Yeah, you don't see those old dispensers at Petrol stations anymore ,remember them ?

(can't find a picture anywhere)

 

[graysblue]

used to watch the scrambling at hadliegh,blimey monkey hill was a tough one to climb.

the smell of fuel was indeed very exciting.


late 70s went to brands hatch to watch barry sheen ect...it was gash waiting ages then whoosh they were gone.

 

[Gt Yarmouth Shrimper]

Remember the Suzuki X7 well. A couple of mates got them after Suzuki advertised them as 'The first ton up 250'. A very fast, lightweight bike that was a killer. One of the reasons they changed the law.
Used to go to the garage at the bottom of Westbourne Grove on my fizzie and ask for a gallon of 2 star and a shot of 20/1

 

[steveo]

I think the biggest problem with these 2 stroke fliers was the acceleration, and that a 17 year old kid with no experience could ride one.
0-60 Firestorm?

 

[Firestorm]

I think the biggest problem with these 2 stroke fliers was the acceleration, and that a 17 year old kid with no experience could ride one.
0-60 Firestorm?

I dunno, mine was a bit long in the tooth,google beckons methinks

 

[Firestorm]

1978
RD 250 8.0 secs
KH 250 9.6 secs
X7 6.5 secs

1980
CB 250 9.6
Kwak Z 250 11.4 !
X7 6.5
RD250LC 5.3 !

All info from http://motoprofi.com/motospecspictures/yamaha/rd_250-1980.html

a wonderful site for nostalgia ! except no mopeds :(

 

[Nobby Snide]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz bikes.... almost as interesting computers and mobile phones.......oh, and cars

 

[Firestorm]

I looked up a few more....

The Firestorm is 3.4 and my Triumph is 4.1

the 2008 R1 Yam is 2.7

 

[MK Shrimper]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz bikes.... almost as interesting computers and mobile phones.......oh, and cars

Well yes.......except for computers :p

 

[Firestorm]

Well yes.......except for computers :p

Live us alone we are reminiscing about our yoof......well I am anyway.

now where did I put my spacehopper

 

[Pubey]

Well that's one way to empty the roads then! Jeesh, there'd be hardly any one left without points.......or, as in my situation, I'd be forced to take points earned by the other half.

at least there will be less congestion, less dangerous driving, less accidents and ultimately less injuries and fatalities caused by speeding.

if the most of your worries is having points then simple... don't speed