Returning rider from Dundas (outside Hamilton) | GTAMotorcycle.com

Returning rider from Dundas (outside Hamilton)

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backtobikes

Active member
Hi, A couple weeks ago, I finally got back into biking. From age 16 to 21, I rode a '77 Kawasaki KZ650. In 3rd year university, I sold it because I was broke. Twenty five years later, I finally got another bike - an '01 BMW R1100S. I always liked the boxer twins and finally picked one up. It has 40K km on it, which is nothing for this bullet proof bike. Riding it home from London after not having been on a bike for 25 years shook the cobwebs out. The low end torque is phenominal. I've put about 1500 kms on it already - great to be back!!! Its like riding a bike - you never forget! I picked up some used gear off Kijiji to get started - one of the guys highly recommended I check out this site. Reading all this M1, M2, Ninja 250 stuff from new bikers blew me away, and made me feel a bit crazy starting back with an 1100. I wouldn't be happy otherwise though. At 16, my mother insisted I only get my M beginners at first so the restrictions would apply to me. The driving examiner had never seen it before - everyone took both tests the same day. The full M test (a month later) involved riding around the block once. Things have certainly changed. This looks like a great site for advice and much more. Many thanks to those who contribute and keep it going!
 
Welcome backtobikes. I live in Mount Hope and know the Dundas area very well.

Part of me is wishing I'd taken the M test back in the 1970's as well. Been driving for 32 cars years and now I find myself back in the graduated system. LOL
My wife and I both got our M2's through the Sheridan college course, which given the length of time that it's been since I last rode, was a
really good idea for us.

Currently we are sharing a Yamaha 250 Virago but I'm already looking for something a bit bigger for next summer.

Congrats on the R1100S !

Chris
 
cknowles said:
Welcome backtobikes. I live in Mount Hope and know the Dundas area very well.

Part of me is wishing I'd taken the M test back in the 1970's as well. Been driving for 32 cars years and now I find myself back in the graduated system. LOL
My wife and I both got our M2's through the Sheridan college course, which given the length of time that it's been since I last rode, was a
really good idea for us.

Currently we are sharing a Yamaha 250 Virago but I'm already looking for something a bit bigger for next summer.

Congrats on the R1100S !

Chris
Click to expand...

Chris... I thought about taking some sort of refresher course, but don't want to waste time/money on something I'd get nothing out of. If you know of anything for experienced riders who have been away from it for a while, I might look into it.

I panned around this forum and was surprised / impressed with how newer riders are restricting themselves to smaller bikes - maybe its part of the licensing program - I don't know. I can see the not wrapping yourself around a pole thing, but I would have thought with the courses and all, riders would develop decent riding skills pretty quickly. Bigger bikes are pretty easy to handle. Nothing forcing people to use the extra go. Different times though.

When you upgrade, you should look at the Beamers. I don't like the cars, but the bikes are great. They are light (mine is 500 lbs with a full tank), very comfortable, amazing almost mind reading handling, and the old boxer twin is bulletproof and has all its torque in the low end - no gear searching or peakyness.
 
backtobikes;
Nothing in the graduated licensing says new riders need to start small, other than the insurance rates.

We both felt it best to start with a bike that was extremely light (ours 303 lbs wet) and low powered enough that we wouldn't find ourselves in too deep. That said, control is more about smoothness and not entering corners too hot, than having less power or a lighter bike.

You would find the M1 course that we took to be a waste of your time unless you find yourself having trouble with very low speed maneuvers. Nothing you cannot pick up by practicing parking lot maneuvers.

Both of us crashed in our younger days, for the same reason, improper understanding of the clutch friction zone, so the basic course taught us how to find that zone and get rolling. We never got over 30km/h so the real skills that we need will only be developed with seat time.

For me the smaller bike necessitates me stirring the gears a lot more than I would on something with more hp/torque. At the moment it's very good practice. I'm having a ton of fun with it, kinda reminds me of my first car (1975 Mazda 323), it had a 1172cc 50 hp engine in a car that weighed over 2000 lbs. It was all about maintaining momentum and being smooth. Passing was done with a great deal of planning.

It's a great size for us to start with, but for 2-up riding we definitely need something with a bit more balls.

Chris
 
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Welcome and congrats on the 1100S. Those, and the 1200S are awesome looking bikes.

I gather since you got it from London it was from Wolf? Is it yellow?

See you on the streets!


.
 
Welcome!!
Wheelie.gif
 
Congratulations on getting back to riding. Sounds like you are having a great time.
I also returned to riding after 25 years. Last year I picked up a new 2010 GS500F for $3900 a plus HST and put on close to 6000k on it. Notice October is one of the best months on buying a new motorcycle. My first long Ride was to Port Dover from Oakville on May 13 with 10 other bikers whom I work with. Since it did not rain, we had a great time.
I noticed that when I wear a green or my orange riding Jacket, cars seem to notice me. The opposite is true when I wear my black Jacket. I always put it on before venturing off on the QEW.

Ride safe and enjoy getting back to riding.
 
Great story. Welcome. I too had been out of riding for 25 years. Great to get back on.
 
Enjoy the great riding in your area. Roads like Old Ancaster, Old York, Snake rd. Waterdown rd. or Hwy 5 to Paris are very senic and good for the soul.

Also suggest you try riding to Port Dover on any weekend.

Welcome and ride safe!
 
Thanks... I've made great use of the twisty hilly roads around Dundas and Hamilton. Snake road is one of my favourites. Ridge road down to Beamsville is fun as well. I rode along the Niagara Parkway a couple weeks ago - I pretty much keep to the speed limit but the tourists were still killing me. Always looking for more options. A buddy and I ran north of Burlington a couple weeks ago - ran out of interest when we got up Guelph line around the 401 mostly because we just didn't know where to go from there. I haven't dug deep in this forum yet - maybe there are riding routes posted somewhere.

Speaking about visibility; I have 2 jackets - blue and black. While they look a little silly, I think I'll pick up one of those vests as I expect I'm somewhat invisible. My brother who gave me a ride to pick up the bike in London said I was a smudge on the horizon when he came back behind me. My bike is dark blue with black bags. I bought some of that reflective material but haven't put it on yet. Keeping to daylight hours until I increase visibility significantly.

Sounds like you are into riding the back roads as well. May hook up for a ride sometime - same to other Hamilton area locals. I'm not a big fan of riding great distances - especially on highways like the QEW or 401 - frankly would almost perfer to be in my van. I know that sounds like sacralege (sp?) to many on these forums, but for me, biking is for fun, and riding in a straight line on flat road just isn't. The road comes alive in the twisties - even though I'm still pretty damn cautious. I'm quite comfortable with the bike, just ramping up my comfort zone slowly. My brother has essentially the same bike as me (another Beamer boxer) - bigger faring is main difference. He claims the ideal speed of his bike is between 180 and 200 km/h. Since I'd prefer to keep my license and my life, I'll leave that one alone.

I expect we have to take it easy over the coming weeks - leaves are thick in spots and slippery as hell.
 
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