I want to buy a street bike.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Hi-Psi

Yeah I know it's part of the learning process, it doesn't make me feel any better about it though haha

I've been searching for a bike for 3 weeks now and just can't seem to find something that really peaks my interest. I'm trying not to spend anymore than $4500 for my first bike as I want something I won't be too scared to scratch up as I'm sure I will. Unfortunately in that price range the pickings are pretty thin.

I got mine for $3500, was advertised for $4000.

Not sure what kind of bike you want. But look for $5000 as well, because you'll be able to haggle down to 4500. My dad just asked the guy "would you take 35?" and the guy said "yeah".

For sports bikes there were a lot for $4500, I wasn't looking to spend that much so it was harder for me, but you shouldn't have that big of a problem. If you want to add other bikes to your search there were a lot of bikes on Kijiji.

[Mad Mel]

Originally Posted by Hi-Psi

Unfortunately in that price range the pickings are pretty thin.

Time of year is everything in Canada. Now is the worst time to try to find a bike. End of season is when you'll find deals from private sales; winter at dealerships.

[fundmark19]

Just insured my Virago since Justin let me know I can without having my licence way easier then having to have my friend insure it for me. Need this weather to clear up so I can start practicing again

[3 Justin 3]

I haven't posted in a while, but my hand has healed up pretty good, still a bit sore but should go away soon.

Got my license on Monday, completed the test on Sunday on my first try. Put about 250km on the bike today, driving to Canmore and back with my friend. My back/neck was killing me.

Any tips for long journeys? I think we are going to Kelowna in July and I want to take the bike, so I have a month to "strengthen" up. We did about 5 hours of solid riding today, but that was in the city as well, not 5 straight on the highway.

My near-future plans are getting a proper riding jacket, hopefully some riding pants, and a tank bag. I think that'd make things a lot easier/more comfortable.

[metallicat]

I simply don't go on the highway much on my sport bike. It's too small and uncomfortable for that.

[WilsonFourTwo]

Tips for longer trips? No Problem......

1. Don't wear a backpack. Your shoulders, neck and back will thank you.
2. Take a FULL break every hour or so. This should include hydrating, a brisk walk and some stretching.
3. Plan your fuel stops. Carry Cash.
4. Take your time. Seriously, watch your speeds in the mountains.
5. Ear Plugs for wind noise. Music is you want, but ear plugs are a MUST.

It's unfortunate, but your bike isn't exactly meant to be comfortable on the longer hauls. Still, she'll get you there in one piece!

My first (endurance) ride was Calgary to Vernon. I arrived safely, but had the most blinding headache (shouldn't have been riding). The shoulders, back and neck were in really bad shape as well. Still, learned a lot. Nowadays I make 500-1000km trips on a fairly regular basis.

[lucky1]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I haven't posted in a while, but my hand has healed up pretty good, still a bit sore but should go away soon.

Got my license on Monday, completed the test on Sunday on my first try. Put about 250km on the bike today, driving to Canmore and back with my friend. My back/neck was killing me.

Any tips for long journeys? I think we are going to Kelowna in July and I want to take the bike, so I have a month to "strengthen" up. We did about 5 hours of solid riding today, but that was in the city as well, not 5 straight on the highway.

My near-future plans are getting a proper riding jacket, hopefully some riding pants, and a tank bag. I think that'd make things a lot easier/more comfortable.

What kind of jacket are you looking for? I have a mint Joe Rocket jacket that has one season on it....size 42 or 44.....its a comfortable jacket and will do the job if you go down......I'll give it to you for a good price if you want as it has just been taking up room in my garage for the past couple of years

[Vulcan]

I always avoid major highways when possible. They are mind numbing. Going from Calgary to Banff, I'd go out Crowchild Trail (1A). I often find my shoulders and arms get tense, especially when starting out so I purposely relax them and try to keep them that way. A tank bag can be good for resting your belly on too.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Wilsonfourtwo gave some great tips...another tips I heard from the adventure riding community is to buy high-performance underwear that doesn't have seams, there is some expensive high performance gitch out there and apparently it makes a huge difference.

I'm planning a ride this summer to Banff>Jasper>Prince George>Vancouver>Kamloops>Revelstoke and I think the underwear will be a must own.

[WilsonFourTwo]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

I'm planning a ride this summer to Banff>Jasper>Prince George>Vancouver>Kamloops>Revelstoke and I think the underwear will be a must own.

That's actually a helluva good tip. I'm plotting out my Saturday ride (CGY-Cranbrook-Invermere-Calgary), and think that performance underwear (that sounds so weird) will make the 900km more comfortable.

By the way I've taken the Banff-to-Jasper road many times......allot some extra time. There are a number of sections you'll want to ride multiple times.

Lastly - for the community, there's a great little website with some pre-built trips. It's growing (slowly but surely) and already has some classic rides.

The link is here

[3 Justin 3]

I got myself a pair of noise-isolating headphones. I've tried them on in the house and they seem to be pretty good for cancelling noise.

I got them for $80, regular $120 so I'm happy. Driving straight from Canmore to Calgary wasn't that fun, because it is mostly straight. The hardest part was the wind noise. I can take the butt pain, the back/neck pain, but that wind really starts to kill you after a while. Going to go out tomorrow for a bit of a drive, not as far, but just to test how isolating they really are. No music, just test them out without music for now.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I got myself a pair of noise-isolating headphones. I've tried them on in the house and they seem to be pretty good for cancelling noise.

I got them for $80, regular $120 so I'm happy. Driving straight from Canmore to Calgary wasn't that fun, because it is mostly straight. The hardest part was the wind noise. I can take the butt pain, the back/neck pain, but that wind really starts to kill you after a while. Going to go out tomorrow for a bit of a drive, not as far, but just to test how isolating they really are. No music, just test them out without music for now.

You went the wrong way then. Take the Bow valley Trail secondary route. You could put a toll both in at the Ghost Lake Dam at one end, and Canmore at the other, and people would pay 10 bucks each way to drive that with a sportbike or sportscar. I won't admit to anything but having A LOT of fun on that stretch of road, all within the obvious confines of the posted traffic laws. Nice little perk is you will usually see a Ferrari or two, plus a few other exotics on the weekends passing by.

And riding with music in headphones... I wouldn't recommend it. Bikes aren't cars, there is a certain level of discomfort you have to accept to be safe.

If you want to rip it some time, PM me, and I will go through with you.... you'll have to keep up though..

[pylon]

OK, I will try this again. Last year I had a failed attempt at organizing a ride. However we will do this:

On Sunday June 11th, I will be in the Parking lot of the Crowfoot RONA at 10:30 am. I will be the guy on a black Hayabusa. At 11:00 am I will be departing for Canmore via the Bow Valley Trail. If you wish to join me, please do, if not fine.

If you see this guy, you are in the right place:

[3 Justin 3]

The way we went to Canmore was fine, in fact I am almost positive we took Bow Valley Trail going there. But coming back we took the highway, then Old Banff Coach Road into the city which was nice.

If I listen to music on rides, it is only going to be for the boring 6 hour high way journeys. Example, when I go in July to Kelowna and possibly Vancouver with my dad and brother, who will have to take a car. No way, I am going 6 hours (with breaks of course) without something to take my mind off the wind.

I'll try to come with you on the Sunday with my friend (it is the 12th, the 11th is a Saturday by the way). He has an 04 Triumph 600. He takes corners faster than I do so we always split up and I have to catch up on the straights. I'd prefer to be safe in the corners for now, haha, need to learn more before I can do it like y'all can.

Hopefully my new fairings come by then (hoping next week).

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by WilsonFourTwo

That's actually a helluva good tip. I'm plotting out my Saturday ride (CGY-Cranbrook-Invermere-Calgary), and think that performance underwear (that sounds so weird) will make the 900km more comfortable.

By the way I've taken the Banff-to-Jasper road many times......allot some extra time. There are a number of sections you'll want to ride multiple times.

Lastly - for the community, there's a great little website with some pre-built trips. It's growing (slowly but surely) and already has some classic rides.

The link is here

I found what I thought was a nice all day ride going from Cochrane up 22 to Rocky Mtn House. West on 11 (David Thompson Highway} to Saskatchewan River Crossing and take 93 back down to Banff and 1A to Calgary. IIRC it's about 500 ks.

Don't forget you can get sudden temperature changes (hail, rain, sleet) in the mountains, especially at night, so carry extra gear.

[Mad Mel]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Going to go out tomorrow for a bit of a drive, not as far, but just to test how isolating they really are.

Ride, Justin, not drive. Driving is for suckas.

When you say noise isolating, are they active / electronic noise canceling, or passive (usually with foam ear inserts, like Comply tips). I have a set with Comply tips, and they're good. They double as earplugs when you don't have music on, and then you don't need to crank the music to drown out the wind noise when you do listen.

I second pylon's suggestion about taking the backside of the Bow River from Cochrane onward. If time is of the essence, there's a crossover at Morley which gets you onto 1A for the funner parts of the road between there and Canmore. Don't get too carried away, the last time I was on it, the pavement was pretty rough in places. But it sure beats freeway droning.

[TRIX]

Originally Posted by pylon

OK, I will try this again. Last year I had a failed attempt at organizing a ride. However we will do this:

On Sunday June 11th, I will be in the Parking lot of the Crowfoot RONA at 10:30 am. I will be the guy on a black Hayabusa. At 11:00 am I will be departing for Canmore via the Bow Valley Trail. If you wish to join me, please do, if not fine.

If you see this guy, you are in the right place:

Sunday June 11th eh? 2017?

clarify will ya?

[pylon]

Originally Posted by TRIX

Sunday June 11th eh? 2017?

clarify will ya?

Sunday June 12th...lol. I hate how the Calendar goes...

S M T W T F S

Should be:

M T W T F S S

My week starts with Monday, not Sunday.

[TRIX]

Well if I am around I'll try to make it

[MotoRacer]

Originally Posted by pylon

OK, I will try this again. Last year I had a failed attempt at organizing a ride. However we will do this:

On Sunday June 11th, I will be in the Parking lot of the Crowfoot RONA at 10:30 am. I will be the guy on a black Hayabusa. At 11:00 am I will be departing for Canmore via the Bow Valley Trail. If you wish to join me, please do, if not fine.

how about Calgary-Canmore-Lake-Louise-Hwy-1A ??

http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/...-Louise-Hwy-1A