Potential new rider with some questions

S

spiderml

Member
Forum Sponsor
Hi GTAM,

I'm a potential new rider for this year anyways located in Thornhill with some questions. I apologize in advance for what may be a long post.

Essentially I am trying to determine whether 2 things, when to take my M1 and M1 exit course and when to buy a bike. If the riding season is long enough I feel I can write the M1 pretty soon and take the M1 exit course not long after if there is space anywhere in Toronto, and promptly buy a bike after. Would it be safe for a newbie to ride into late November? How much more expensive are motorcycles in April compared to now (used market)?

Otherwise, if I don't get a bike this year, should I continue to go on and take the M1 and M1 exit? My main concern is that anything I learn now will not be remembered in the April.

Thanks GTAM!

Spiderml
 
spiderml said:
Hi GTAM,

I'm a potential new rider for this year anyways located in Thornhill with some questions. I apologize in advance for what may be a long post.

Essentially I am trying to determine whether 2 things, when to take my M1 and M1 exit course and when to buy a bike. If the riding season is long enough I feel I can write the M1 pretty soon and take the M1 exit course not long after if there is space anywhere in Toronto, and promptly buy a bike after. Would it be safe for a newbie to ride into late November? How much more expensive are motorcycles in April compared to now (used market)?

Otherwise, if I don't get a bike this year, should I continue to go on and take the M1 and M1 exit? My main concern is that anything I learn now will not be remembered in the April.

Thanks GTAM!

Spiderml
Click to expand...

I would say learning how to ride is something that you won't forget easily, just like riding a bicycle, if you learn it you won't forget it, i stopped riding my bicycle for 5+ years, got back on it, and still remember how to do it. Therefore even if you pass the test you'll still need to get used to thew "new" to you bike that you want to get, as different bike have different clutch feather point and sitting position as well.

Good luck! but if I was in your shoe, I would def take the M1 and M1 exit and try to find a beginner bike for cheap, since it is cheaper now =) than store it and ride next year the 1st chance I get and practice and go on road trip =) soo fun.
 
When I started riding, I did my M1 test, the safety course, and bought a bike in October. If you think you're ready to get into riding and there's nothing holding you back, then you'll be fine. With proper gear and road conditions, you can ride in November and even beyond. I did that first year with no issues. Just take it easy as your tires won't warm up like they would on a hot summer's day. Watch out for debris and hazards like wet leaves or wet painted road lines/markers.

What sort of bike would you be thinking of getting?
 
I'm in the same boat as you. I'm debating whether or not to buy a bike now since it's cheaper when compared to the spring.

One thing, have you gotten insurance yet? I asked for a quote from State Farm for a Ninja 300 and they said 2.3k :( :( :( Can other experienced rider weigh in on if that's the "norm" for a 22 y/o rider?
 
Riding in cold weather is more dangerous for a number of reasons:

  1. Rider reaction and awareness can be impaired - when you're cold you're less likely to shoulder check and such and you will be a bit slower to react
  2. Bulky gear reduces feel of controls
  3. Traction will be impaired - you can't buy snow tires for motorcycles
  4. Stopping distances are increased
  5. Other drivers don;t expect motorcycles to be on the road.

All that being said, it isn't prohibitively dangerous to ride later in the season and many of these same things apply early in the season.

ANother option for you, if you're concerned about pricing, is to buy now and store the bike - if you have access to cheap storage. Also gives the option of sitting on the bike in your livingroom while watching MotoGP and going "vrrrooom, vrroom".
 
Last edited:
Griffin said:
Traction will be impaired - you can't buy snow tires for motorcycles...

ANother option for you, if you're concerned about pricing, is to buy now and store the bike - if you have access to cheap storage. Also gives the option of sitting on the bike in your livingroom while watching MotoGP and going "vrrrooom, vrroom".
Click to expand...

What about tires with nails on them? James Bond style.

On a more serious note, is it difficult to store a bike? Oil change, battery tenders, etc. I've heard people storing it in heated garages. Is that necessary?
 
Storage isn't hard. Unheated but covered - fuel stabilizer, battery tender, oil fog exposed metal that may oxidize, consider lifting the tires off the ground (I don't usually bother) and a hafl-decent cover to keep the dust off.

Heated is good. Rubber and plastics prefer constant temperature but it isn't a big problem if not.

People race motorcycles with studded tires but it's not for me nor is it legal for studded in ONtario. Remember that tire grip in winter has little to do with snow - summer tires do not grip cold asphalt well. Winter tires provide far better grip on cold asphalt, never mind snow.
 
Boom King said:
When I started riding, I did my M1 test, the safety course, and bought a bike in October. If you think you're ready to get into riding and there's nothing holding you back, then you'll be fine. With proper gear and road conditions, you can ride in November and even beyond. I did that first year with no issues. Just take it easy as your tires won't warm up like they would on a hot summer's day. Watch out for debris and hazards like wet leaves or wet painted road lines/markers.

What sort of bike would you be thinking of getting?
Click to expand...

This is encouraging to hear. I'm thinking of getting either the CBR125 or any of the 250 cruisers or sportbikes, depending on the deals available at the time of purchase. CBR125s seem to be priced pretty well on kijiji/craigslist right now which is why its attractive, also its very thin which makes it easier to store in my garage.

Thanks for the advice Griffin and Otay. I think I'm leaning towards the testing this year and then buying next year, but I'll see what the market and weather is like when I finish the M1 exit.
 
spiderml said:
Hi GTAM,

I'm a potential new rider for this year anyways located in Thornhill with some questions. I apologize in advance for what may be a long post.

Essentially I am trying to determine whether 2 things, when to take my M1 and M1 exit course and when to buy a bike. If the riding season is long enough I feel I can write the M1 pretty soon and take the M1 exit course not long after if there is space anywhere in Toronto, and promptly buy a bike after. Would it be safe for a newbie to ride into late November? How much more expensive are motorcycles in April compared to now (used market)?

Otherwise, if I don't get a bike this year, should I continue to go on and take the M1 and M1 exit? My main concern is that anything I learn now will not be remembered in the April.

Thanks GTAM!

Spiderml
Click to expand...


I'm in Thornhill too, Clark/New Westminster.

If you're ready to pull the trigger on buying, just do it! Life's too short and there's still a good few weeks of riding weather left.
Also you'll get better deals this time of year. Some guys want to upgrade after a season, some want to get rid of their bikes so they don't have to be stored. Get out and negotiate!
 
kruzuki said:
I'm in Thornhill too, Clark/New Westminster.

If you're ready to pull the trigger on buying, just do it! Life's too short and there's still a good few weeks of riding weather left.
Also you'll get better deals this time of year. Some guys want to upgrade after a season, some want to get rid of their bikes so they don't have to be stored. Get out and negotiate!
Click to expand...

+1. Don't be a potential rider. Be one!
 
You can take your M1 anytime you want. Grab a motorcycle handbook and study up. Go write your M1, and when you pass book a course. There are lots of schools still open. I went with Motorsoul Riding School downtown and had a great time. As far as riding into late November, as long as there isn't snow on the ground, I'd say your are safe to ride! This is the best time of year to buy used, the market heats up in the spring like any seasonal activity. If you bout a bike now you would have 4-6 weeks to ride which is plenty of time to get good enough that you wouldn't forget in the spring.

have fun!
 
my suggestion would be to do your M1 next year around February (because you have to wait 60 days until you can upgrade to M2) and then sign up M1 Exit course for the first or second week of April (if not too cold for you), this way you get your license fairly early in the season and you got plenty of time to ride through out the season. If you rush to get your license now, you won't be able to ride afterwards so what's the point?
 
kruzuki said:
I'm in Thornhill too, Clark/New Westminster.

If you're ready to pull the trigger on buying, just do it! Life's too short and there's still a good few weeks of riding weather left.
Also you'll get better deals this time of year. Some guys want to upgrade after a season, some want to get rid of their bikes so they don't have to be stored. Get out and negotiate!
Click to expand...

I'm at Dufferin and Center, so pretty close. Thanks for the advice :)

Thanks for replying BuddyB and HellBoy, I was actually thinking of RTI since its a bit closer to me, and will allow me to try different bikes, but for sure I'm thinking of writing my M1 very soon now.
 
Lonelyrider said:
my suggestion would be to do your M1 next year around February (because you have to wait 60 days until you can upgrade to M2) and then sign up M1 Exit course for the first or second week of April (if not too cold for you), this way you get your license fairly early in the season and you got plenty of time to ride through out the season. If you rush to get your license now, you won't be able to ride afterwards so what's the point?
Click to expand...

This is what I was initially thinking. Thanks for the input.
 
Yonge and centre. Yes it would be nice to get out riding if your buying a used bike, you should be able to get in some good riding this season yet. Personally my Cruiser will be going into hibernation soon. It is a new bike which I plan to keep fro many years so I don't ride too late or too early, (I don't want my tins sandblasted..lol. If you have a place to store a bike then buy now or even later as the season winds down, people, (like university or college kids), will be needing to get rid of their bikes rather than have them sit on campus all winter.

Personally for me storage isn't an issue I bought an old 24' truck box and I pay $25 per month for it to sit in a secured lot. the bike is well protected and no one would even know it was there. I have a solar panel installed on the outside and run my battery tender from that. No dust, (although it still wears it cover), and it is positioned on the jack so tires are off the ground. no risk of backing into it with the car,
 
Last edited:
hedo2002 said:
Yonge and centre. Yes it would be nice to get out riding if your buying a used bike, you should be able to get in some good riding this season yet. Personally my Cruiser will be going into hibernation soon. It is a new bike which I plan to keep fro many years so I don't ride too late or too early, (I don't want my tins sandblasted..lol. If you have a place to store a bike then buy now or even later as the season winds down, people, (like university or college kids), will be needing to get rid of their bikes rather than have them sit on campus all winter.

Personally for me storage isn't an issue I bought an old 24' truck box and I pay $25 per month for it to sit in a secured lot. the bike is well protected and no one would even know it was there. I have a solar panel installed on the outside and run my battery tender from that. No dust, (although it still wears it cover), and it is positioned on the jack so tires are off the ground. no risk of backing into it with the car,
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. Didn't think about students trying to unload their rides, I'll keep an eye on the market over the next month. A smaller bike like the ones I'm looking for we should be able to find space in the garage so even storage isn't a huge deal.
 
I'm kind of in the same boat as you although I took my course this summer. I couldn't decide if to buy this fall or wait but prices are better now, so now I'm just deciding on which bike is best for me. Even if you don't buy I think you should take the course now!
 
Last edited:
blinky said:
I'm kind of in the same boat as you although I took my course this summer. I couldn't decide if to buy this fall or wait but prices are better now, so now I'm just deciding on which bike is best for me. Even if you don't buy I think you should take the course now!
Click to expand...

Thats what I was thinking too blinky, RTI has some pretty late weekend lessons. Hoping to take the M1 this week.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom