A sobering experience.

yea....99% of the ppl will end up passing their G2...and a lot of those ppl should not be on the road. M2/M is better though cuz a lot of those ppl take the MSF course and realizes that bikes arent for them and bail out the people that do pass though are some what competent at least haha.
 
Don't let it freak you out. I took the course at Sheridan back in 2006. Grabbed the front brake around a turn, got taken away in an ambulance with a broken arm and thumb (opposite limbs). I vowed never to ride again. Fast forward to 2009: I took the course again, met my fiancé there and am now on my 2nd bike, incident free. As dumb as it sounds I did learn a lot from that fall and was glad that it didn't happen on the open road.

Hi.

Just a little story I wanted to share. This past weekend I took the Gearing Up course to move to M2 status at Humber College North Campus. Great weekend and even better group of instructors. The final testing though had a very unfortunate incident.

In the second part of 8 tests that were being administered, Lino, a guy who had been part of my smaller group all weekend had an unfortunate accident. The test involved a curve you have to take at speed as you are timed within the curve. Unfortunately nerves got the best of him and as he came to the curve he said he panicked and grabbed the front brake. Only moving at about 20-25 km and the bike still just buckled, went over and landed on his leg in an awkward manner, breaking his ankle.

Being new to riding the moment was very sobering for me. I was 50 ft. away and that is the first crash I have actually seen. Admittedly I was shaken by the whole incident but managed to continue on through rest of the testing. I hope Lino doesn't lose the zest he had for riding before this incident. He is a good guy.

The reality is no matter where we are and how well trained we might be, anything can happen in a split second.

Happy and safe riding to ALL.
 
That's crappy.

Im going for my M2 soon. Does anyone have a link to a site that explains exactly what you're tested on? I need to practise.

If you're anywhere near Kitchener - go to the Conestoga College parking lots beside the sports complex. All the lines are painted on the asphalt.
 
I'm another one. I think there are lots of folks that get their licence that can't really control their vehicles. Same goes for car and truck licences.

Agreed... but this was a question brought up in training....

Q: What do you do if you have a student who you are sure they shouldn't be riding or are far from ready for it and they pass the M1x test?

A: They passed. All you can do is suggest they get more practice while handing over the certificate and envelope.
 
I know a woman who broke her ankle by walking and turning a corner funny. After she healed, she continued to walk but now with the knowledge to not turn a corner in a funny way. Life is full of risks. The best thing you can do is live and learn or you'll spend your life afraid of getting out of bed.

Lino should've used the skills the instructors taught him and used his reasoning to overcome his fear. Let me tell you about another story. I was following a friend and we were getting into the twisties and I was getting impatient because he was going slower than I wanted so I hit the gas and pass him before the next twisty. I start leaning into the corner with a big relieved grin on my face when I realize it's the inside of a hairpin turn which made it even tighter. I had a split decision to make in 0.00002 seconds:
  1. Grab the brakes, wash out the front wheel and crash into the guardrail
  2. Straighten up and hit the brakes but go into the on coming lanes and hope nobody will be there
  3. Against all my natural instincts to lean and pray
Well I smoothly applied a little bit of brake to scrub some speed and chose #3. All that to say I used my reasoning to overcome my fear and was able to successfully complete the maneuver.
 
Back in the early 90s I took the entry course at Humber's North Campus, and a guy sent his bike off into the wall while trying to complete this same test. I had seen this coming, but was glad he wasn't hurt. From my perspective, this guy was in the wrong place and the wrong time. If I were an instructor, I wouldn't feel comfortable sending him out into the real world on a bike, but maybe he should keep the helmet on anyway.

I sometimes feel that way, but at the end of the day, if that student passes the Provincial Governments minimum requirements for the Ministry of Transport Motorcycle Operator Skills Test what recourse do you have except to caution them to practice and get as much seat time as possible as you hand over their envelope? As a private individual you can't fail them based on a personal opinion.

How about watching a student that failed the test the previous weekend ride in on a motorcycle the following weekend for their retest? You wonder when they suddenly developed the ability to ride confidently in traffic.
 
When I took the course, I watched a 16 year old girl (who was in my group) go over the handlebars during the emergency braking.

Luckily, she got up and laughed at her mistake, but she obviously failed.
 
How about watching a student that failed the test the previous weekend ride in on a motorcycle the following weekend for their retest? You wonder when they suddenly developed the ability to ride confidently in traffic.

In the few weekends I have under my belt. I have already seen how crippling even the concept of the test can be to the students. Get one student who drops a bike which the fear crippled student witness and next thing you know they are taking the test another day.
 
WE had a similar incident at Centennial last weekend. But it was on the stopping on a curve part of the test. Luckily the guy didn't bail but it was close. He panicked and nailed both brakes and skidded out and put a leg down. I thought it could have snapped but he was ok. It was also sobering. But, I just got a bike and can't wait to ride.
 
Contrary to what they're all saying, be weary, and very afraid. All of this happens on the road, as easily as it happens on a training course. If you're not cautious, alert, concerned, and afraid of making mistakes, then riding a motorcycle isn't for you.

Most of the people who tell you not to worry, have probably took falls before. I haven't, and I'm telling you, always know what you're doing, or don't do it at all.
 
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