Rickers
Member
Hello. I've been reading good advice off the forums for the last year as I got my first couple of bikes and few thousand km's under my belt. So thought I should introduce myself and share a few thoughts about being a relatively new rider in TO.
Tips for new riders...(I know sounds like a bad idea)
1. Don't take advice from Beginners, Read this http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...from-getting-your-licence-to-buying-your-bike
2.Go take a rider course, I went through Humber college's M1 exit course and learned more in a weekend than i had over the years of dirt biking and occasional street ride. Great staff, fun, and gives you the confidence you need to deal with traffic in TO.
3. Research beats impulse when buying a bike.
4. Don't push yourself, if you are tired, take a break, If you are frustrated, ****** off, or distracted don't get on the bike.
5. I just got a ticketed because i forgot to renew my sticker, in 2 years I have yet to get a renewal notice in the mail for the bike, truck comes like clockwork, but they, and I forgot the bike.
I just did a 1500km trip around south-western Ontario. Hitting Bracebridge/Gravenhurst, Midland, Wasaga, Owen Sound, Tobermory, Sauble, Fergus, Elora, Hamilton, Dover, Dunnville, Fort Erie, Niagara on the Lake and my hometown of St. Kitts, before heading back to TO. It was a blast and I've got the bug now for something bigger. I met some friendly people, had some good food, and killed 10,000 black flies with my headlight and faceshield. Advice on trip planning is always appreciated.
I ride a '08 GS500 (naked) and love the crap out of it. Its stock, I have a set of Ogio saddle bags, and Gears tank bag, as well as some bungies, dry sacks, and a bungie net. I wish i had a non cheesy windshield option but haven't found any yet. I also plan to install an accessory power outlet and handlebar clock. If anyone has suggestions on ones to use.
I'm 6'2 and 200lbs and its fine for my size but gets a bit cramped on long (2+ hour) hauls.
The naked bike is great for easy maintenance (i'm a mechanic by trade) but the wind blast to the chest is tiring, again on longer hauls at higher speeds.
I've owned a 1980 GS400, and Yamaha xs400, both were great bikes but I got tired of working on the bike for 2 hours for every 30 min ride :angry5:
Thank you all for the good articles, links and advice this is a great resource for local riders
Rickers
Tips for new riders...(I know sounds like a bad idea)
1. Don't take advice from Beginners, Read this http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...from-getting-your-licence-to-buying-your-bike
2.Go take a rider course, I went through Humber college's M1 exit course and learned more in a weekend than i had over the years of dirt biking and occasional street ride. Great staff, fun, and gives you the confidence you need to deal with traffic in TO.
3. Research beats impulse when buying a bike.
4. Don't push yourself, if you are tired, take a break, If you are frustrated, ****** off, or distracted don't get on the bike.
5. I just got a ticketed because i forgot to renew my sticker, in 2 years I have yet to get a renewal notice in the mail for the bike, truck comes like clockwork, but they, and I forgot the bike.
I just did a 1500km trip around south-western Ontario. Hitting Bracebridge/Gravenhurst, Midland, Wasaga, Owen Sound, Tobermory, Sauble, Fergus, Elora, Hamilton, Dover, Dunnville, Fort Erie, Niagara on the Lake and my hometown of St. Kitts, before heading back to TO. It was a blast and I've got the bug now for something bigger. I met some friendly people, had some good food, and killed 10,000 black flies with my headlight and faceshield. Advice on trip planning is always appreciated.
I ride a '08 GS500 (naked) and love the crap out of it. Its stock, I have a set of Ogio saddle bags, and Gears tank bag, as well as some bungies, dry sacks, and a bungie net. I wish i had a non cheesy windshield option but haven't found any yet. I also plan to install an accessory power outlet and handlebar clock. If anyone has suggestions on ones to use.
I'm 6'2 and 200lbs and its fine for my size but gets a bit cramped on long (2+ hour) hauls.
The naked bike is great for easy maintenance (i'm a mechanic by trade) but the wind blast to the chest is tiring, again on longer hauls at higher speeds.
I've owned a 1980 GS400, and Yamaha xs400, both were great bikes but I got tired of working on the bike for 2 hours for every 30 min ride :angry5:
Thank you all for the good articles, links and advice this is a great resource for local riders
Rickers
