Beginning my biking life in Canada | GTAMotorcycle.com

Beginning my biking life in Canada

leon_nerd

leon_nerd

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Hi All,

Yesterday I passed my M1 knowledge test. I know, I know...not a big deal but I am now eligible to ride a bike. :eek:

I came to Canada 3 years ago and always wanted to ride here. Now, I am proceeding towards it slowly. I rode for 6 years in my home country, India. I am pretty comfortable on a bike but I am not going to be overconfident here. I am going to take things very slow. I am planning to buy a bike, practice on it for the M1 exit test. Once, I get M2 I will get a rider training some time before I got for M in a couple of years or so.

I have some queries I would like the experienced bikers here to help me out with.

1. Should I buy a bike right now and practice for it or rather rent a bike 2-3 times and practice on it. The dilemma is because if I buy the bike now, I will have to get insurance too for M1. When and if I clear my M1 exit test then I will again have to buy/upgrade my insurance for M2 license. Is that going to be a hassle? I think the insurance company will charge me cancellation fees. What did you do or suggest for this 60-90 days of M1?

2. If I get a bike, I am going for a 250 right now. Not in a hurry to buy a big bike, since I don't have the experience or the money right now. Anything to keep in mind while looking for a 250? How old is a good one? I am looking for something after 2005.

3. What are the best affordable helmet and riding jacket to buy? Also, what is the best place to buy it?

4. Your experience about the period between passing M1 and M1 exit test. (optional)

I hope I can clear my M1 exit test and soon ride out with the newbies here.

Thanks,
Leon
 
Welcome.

You should take the m1 exit course now. Take the course and get your M2 through the course.
 
M1 exist course is somewhere between 400-500. I am planning to take a course later on after I get M2.
 
If he's been riding for 6yrs in India, I doubt he'll need to learn clutch control and shifting and what not.

Leon, you should take the M1 Exit test now so you can have your M2. When you inform your insurance company that you changed your licence, they'll just update it... there shouldn't be any fees.

You should know that it's very hard to get insurance with just M1... most companies want M2. TD insured me on my M1 but they only did it because i was taking the MSF course. Try calling around and see what you get, but if you do get insured on your M1, calling them to tell them you have your M2 shouldn't cost you anything.
 
leon_nerd said:
1. Should I buy a bike right now and practice for it or rather rent a bike 2-3 times and practice on it. The dilemma is because if I buy the bike now, I will have to get insurance too for M1. When and if I clear my M1 exit test then I will again have to buy/upgrade my insurance for M2 license. Is that going to be a hassle? I think the insurance company will charge me cancellation fees. What did you do or suggest for this 60-90 days of M1?

2. If I get a bike, I am going for a 250 right now. Not in a hurry to buy a big bike, since I don't have the experience or the money right now. Anything to keep in mind while looking for a 250? How old is a good one? I am looking for something after 2005.

3. What are the best affordable helmet and riding jacket to buy? Also, what is the best place to buy it?

4. Your experience about the period between passing M1 and M1 exit test. (optional)
Click to expand...

In my opinion, the following:

1- If you plan to ride this year then by all means buy the bike. If not, then take the course through a college which will allow you to claim it on taxes as an education expense. But honestly, if you've been riding 6 years, you don't need to practice anything except Canadian road signs and the like. The clutch, etc. are all standard worldwide. The road test would be done during the course.
I bought my bike before I had insurance. I had already passed the M1 exit but was in the 60 day period and had to wait before my insurer would insure. They don't charge cancellation fees for upgrades or changes I really don't think.

2- My personal opinion is anything with EFI. My 250 has EFI.

3- Royal Distributing for both, but as GP Bikes is next door check them out too as they're doing a Suomy Vandal helmet sale for $200.

4- Waiting since I couldn't get insured.
 
I know you say you've been riding for 6 yrs; however in those 6 yrs you would have picked up a lot of bad habits. Do the course, get your M2, buy the bike (250 - 300cc) this year if you want to ride this year. Or save up and get the best gear your budget allows and definitely do a course.
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I really want to take a course but it is too costly for me right now. But, I will do one after getting M2 for sure.

Also, till which month do you guys ride? I think till end of October?
 
leon_nerd said:
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I really want to take a course but it is too costly for me right now. But, I will do one after getting M2 for sure.

Also, till which month do you guys ride? I think till end of October?
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If the course is too costly right now, have you called to get insurance quotes?

You'll be in for a surprise if you think the course is costly.
There's a reason so many have recommended the same path. You asked, and they responded. Ignoring their responses and only listening to those that agree with what you've already decided, serves no purpose on asking things on a forum.
 
Well I didn't ask about the courses. None of my questions talk about courses. I asked about various other things. I appreciate people responding back. I know the insurance is going to be high. So, I am saving money for it by avoiding the course right now. I am not ignoring anyone's response here. I have already clearly mentioned my priority. If I don't have money then what should I do? If I cannot afford the course right now it doesn't mean I don't want to do it, which in turn doesn't mean I am ignoring any response.
 
Hi Leon,
I think what we are all trying to say is, call around for insurance.
Ask for a rate based on having just your M1 , ask what it will be if you have an M2 then ask what it will be if you have the riding course and your M2.

In general taking the M1 exit class and getting your M2 means you save enough on your insurance to pay for the course and then some.
I hope this is clear.

I know you aren't asking about the courses but our general concensus is you will be further ahead financially to take the course first.
 
I did a lot of thinking over my situation and here is what I think is the best route.

The riding season is about to end in around 3 months. I still have to wait for 2 more months before I can give my M1 exit test. So, it does not makes any sense to buy a bike right now since it will be sitting in the garage after 3 months. Also, I would be paying insurance for no reason as the bike will be sitting in the garage for the next 4-6 months.

So, instead of buying a bike and blowing up money on insurance, I would rent some gear and go for the M1 exit course. I will then pass my M2 (hopefully) with the course and write off the money I spent on the course for tax savings. I have read the threads about writing off the course money. So, as long as the training course provider provides me with the tax form (thingy) I am good. After getting M2, I can then buy the bike next year when it is time to ride. Makes sense?

As I said before, I was not ignoring the suggestions for taking the course. It was all about adjust my priorities with my pocket. And, after a long thinking I think this above mentioned approach makes more sense in economic terms. While the bike sits in the garage for 5 months I will pay around $700 for insurance. I would rather pay $500 for the course and get the M2.

Thanks everyone for the help.;)
 
leon_nerd said:
I did a lot of thinking over my situation and here is what I think is the best route.

The riding season is about to end in around 3 months. I still have to wait for 2 more months before I can give my M1 exit test. So, it does not makes any sense to buy a bike right now since it will be sitting in the garage after 3 months. Also, I would be paying insurance for no reason as the bike will be sitting in the garage for the next 4-6 months.

So, instead of buying a bike and blowing up money on insurance, I would rent some gear and go for the M1 exit course. I will then pass my M2 (hopefully) with the course and write off the money I spent on the course for tax savings. I have read the threads about writing off the course money. So, as long as the training course provider provides me with the tax form (thingy) I am good. After getting M2, I can then buy the bike next year when it is time to ride. Makes sense?

As I said before, I was not ignoring the suggestions for taking the course. It was all about adjust my priorities with my pocket. And, after a long thinking I think this above mentioned approach makes more sense in economic terms. While the bike sits in the garage for 5 months I will pay around $700 for insurance. I would rather pay $500 for the course and get the M2.

Thanks everyone for the help.;)
Click to expand...

If you can afford to, get a bike this fall. It the best time to get a deal on a motorcycle. If you have a place to store your bike you are better off buying it this year not next. If you insure it you wouldn't be paying premiums over the winter and it would still be covered for theft.

In terms of doing a course or not, you are starting kind of late in the year to get your M2 without doing a course. If you have your M1 you can do your course right away but you won't be able to get your M2 until the 60 day period is over. This will allow you to do your test in warm weather, otherwise without a course you would have to wait until October. Since you already know how to ride a motorcycle though, you might be better of skipping the M1 Exit because you won't learn much but you are almost guaranteed to pass. If money is that tight for you, you might be better off doing an M2 Exit or Advanced skills course after you get your M2 at the ministry.

For gear, I don't know much about the stores on the west end but if you order from US sites online and ship to the US through a company like CBIUSA, you'll save a lot. Make sure you can try things on locally before you buy though, being stuck with something that doesn't fit right would really suck.
 
leon_nerd said:
I did a lot of thinking over my situation and here is what I think is the best route.

The riding season is about to end in around 3 months. I still have to wait for 2 more months before I can give my M1 exit test. So, it does not makes any sense to buy a bike right now since it will be sitting in the garage after 3 months. Also, I would be paying insurance for no reason as the bike will be sitting in the garage for the next 4-6 months.

So, instead of buying a bike and blowing up money on insurance, I would rent some gear and go for the M1 exit course. I will then pass my M2 (hopefully) with the course and write off the money I spent on the course for tax savings. I have read the threads about writing off the course money. So, as long as the training course provider provides me with the tax form (thingy) I am good. After getting M2, I can then buy the bike next year when it is time to ride. Makes sense?

As I said before, I was not ignoring the suggestions for taking the course. It was all about adjust my priorities with my pocket. And, after a long thinking I think this above mentioned approach makes more sense in economic terms. While the bike sits in the garage for 5 months I will pay around $700 for insurance. I would rather pay $500 for the course and get the M2.

Thanks everyone for the help.;)
Click to expand...


You can rent gear?
 
jukon said:
If you can afford to, get a bike this fall. It the best time to get a deal on a motorcycle. If you have a place to store your bike you are better off buying it this year not next. If you insure it you wouldn't be paying premiums over the winter and it would still be covered for theft.
Click to expand...
I don't understand the part that I wouldn't be paying premium over winter. Isn't insurance paid for the whole year?

jukon said:
For gear, I don't know much about the stores on the west end but if you order from US sites online and ship to the US through a company like CBIUSA, you'll save a lot. Make sure you can try things on locally before you buy though, being stuck with something that doesn't fit right would really suck.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I will check out locally and then see if I can order from US. By chance, do you know of any store in Niagara falls city, NY or Buffalo? I often go there.


gmang35 said:
You can rent gear?
Click to expand...
I think I read somewhere that we can rent the gear. Maybe I read it wrong.
 
If I had been riding a motorcycle for 6 years prior to coming to Canada I would probably skip the MSF course too (I've only been riding about half as long as you). That being said, it's not a bad idea to take it either. There are tons of "experienced" riders on the road that could probably use some beginner knowledge IMO. It might also help acclimate you to Canadian road rules.

If you end up going with State Farm for insurance I can tell you that they don't care whether you have your M1 or M2. It will not change your rate and you will not be charged any fees for updating this information when you get your M2. At least, this has been my experience. You could also look into insuring your car and/or home with them to get a discount.

If budget allows, I'd look for a fuel injected bike as sunspark suggested. It's just easier but by no means a deal breaker.

Riding gear... shop around. Royal Distributing is a good place to start. Tons of gear at decent prices. Most manufacturers produce entry-level-priced gear. You'll have to try them on to see which suits you best within your budget.

Welcome and good luck!
 
leon_nerd said:
I don't understand the part that I wouldn't be paying premium over winter. Isn't insurance paid for the whole year?


Thanks, I will check out locally and then see if I can order from US. By chance, do you know of any store in Niagara falls city, NY or Buffalo? I often go there.



I think I read somewhere that we can rent the gear. Maybe I read it wrong.
Click to expand...

You pay for a years worth of insurance no matter what. Payments are only during riding months.

Google CBIUSA. It's in Niagara Falls NY, you pay 6$ to ship things there and pick them up.

You can probably borrow gear from people on this forum if you ask nicely. I did my course with hand me downs then bought quality gear after I bought my bike.
 
I think I would buy the motorcycle next year or till I get a good deal. Most 2009 Ninja 250s are in the range of 3500-400. I think that can come down a bit. I'll keep an eye, maybe there will be one around winter.

Coming to the points of insurance, I am only deferring the insurance to the point when I am able to secure a bike or the next riding season. With the saved money I am going for the M1 exit course. I have 6 years of experience but it has been 3 and half years I haven't rode a motorcycle, especially not here. So, it should be a good starting point to get some confidence to ride on Canadian roads. :)
 
leon_nerd said:
I think I would buy the motorcycle next year or till I get a good deal. Most 2009 Ninja 250s are in the range of 3500-400. I think that can come down a bit. I'll keep an eye, maybe there will be one around winter.

Coming to the points of insurance, I am only deferring the insurance to the point when I am able to secure a bike or the next riding season. With the saved money I am going for the M1 exit course. I have 6 years of experience but it has been 3 and half years I haven't rode a motorcycle, especially not here. So, it should be a good starting point to get some confidence to ride on Canadian roads. :)
Click to expand...

You can get a brand new CBR250 for 4k...so why buy used Ninja. Keep eyes open at Bike shows and end of season.
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