I got a plate and insurance for my bike and rode a bit after taking the course. Its good to get a few km under your belt before going on the road test. The too cool school will only take you out once on public roads.
The Following User Says Thank You to burn_this_city For This Useful Post:
I got a plate and insurance for my bike and rode a bit after taking the course. Its good to get a few km under your belt before going on the road test.
Not a bad idea. My only issue is finding somebody nearby with a Class 6 that's going to want to go out for a ride. The only buddies I have with a Class 6 in town are married with kids, and tend to get the bikes out once a summer.
Thanks for the info fellas. Just booked with Too Cool Motorcycle School for the end of May. Looking forward to it.
Didn't get one yet. Can't find one used that I like, so I'll probably be buying new. Don't really want to invest that much cash until I actually have my license.
Wow, don't get a new bike. Trust me, you'll probably do something to it. You can get a really good bike for $3,000-4,000 (mine was $3500 and runs amazing).
Also, if you really need someone if I'm not busy I'll go riding with you.
Not sure where you live, but if you register through the Beddington Registry the course they take you on is out near Balzac away from everything and is super easy. I could do the route with you.
The Following User Says Thank You to 3 Justin 3 For This Useful Post:
Wow, don't get a new bike. Trust me, you'll probably do something to it. You can get a really good bike for $3,000-4,000 (mine was $3500 and runs amazing).
Depends what I can find used. I'm looking at a new 2011 that's cheaper than some of the used ones I've found on kijiji.
Thanks for the offer to go riding. May take you up on that.
Kunkstyle - welcome to the community. There's lots of great advice in this thread, I definitely recommend reading through it if you have time.
The only new bike (I know of) that will be cheaper than a good used bike is the Honda CBR125...perhaps the 250? They're fun little bikes but be aware that they simply do not perform outside or the city.
I would definitely recommend a GS500, SV650, or Ninja 500 as a first bike for most people. Obviously we're all happy to answer questions!
__________________
The Following User Says Thank You to WilsonFourTwo For This Useful Post:
There's lots of great advice in this thread, I definitely recommend reading through it if you have time.
Haha I've done that about half a dozen times already.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WilsonFourTwo
I would definitely recommend a GS500, SV650, or Ninja 500 as a first bike for most people. Obviously we're all happy to answer questions!
Between this thread and reading a lot of reviews, I'm leaning towards the SV650 (dependent on actually going out to check it out of course). I've found lots on kijiji for a decent price, but none of them are noting that they have ABS.
Haha I've done that about half a dozen times already.
Between this thread and reading a lot of reviews, I'm leaning towards the SV650 (dependent on actually going out to check it out of course). I've found lots on kijiji for a decent price, but none of them are noting that they have ABS.
ABS is stupid for a bike. No idea why anyone would want/need that. The SV650 is a really good starter bike. I've ridden the 125's (I learned on them through my course) and they get old really quick. They are good to learn the basics, but they top out at like 105kph.
Like WilsonFourTwo mentioned, if you're finding new bikes cheaper than used, you're probably looking at 125cc CBRs. The selection right now is pretty bad (since it's March). PM theinfinitejar, he is selling his Triumph for around $4000.
ABS is stupid for a bike. No idea why anyone would want/need that.
Riders will always debate this, but I absolutely would not buy a motorcycle without ABS unless I was planning to spend a lot of time on dirt. The accident statistics are striking - in real world conditions, ABS equipped bikes are less likely to crash. Hopefully you'll never need them to kick in, but when the split second decision to grab too much brake can cost you your life, they're a nice insurance policy to have. The sv650 and dl650 are my 2 favorite bikes for beginners, thanks in large part to the fact that you can get ABS on both. I've owned both and loved both, but the dl650 fit my riding style a little better. Aesthetically, though, it's an acquired taste.
Pretty sure the SV650 has ABS Justin. At least mine does.
__________________
But living an honest life - for that you need the truth. That's the other thing I learned that day, that the truth, however shocking or uncomfortable, leads to liberation and dignity. -Ricky Gervais
Pretty sure the SV650 has ABS Justin. At least mine does.
I didn't say it didn't. I just don't think ABS is needed for a bike. All my instructors felt the same way, if you know the proper technique to braking, you shouldn't ever need it. I had to come to a stop from 120kph on the highway because some monkey decided to pull out at the last second and I stopped just fine without skidding.
My point was that you were recommending the SV and at the same time saying you don't like ABS.
__________________
But living an honest life - for that you need the truth. That's the other thing I learned that day, that the truth, however shocking or uncomfortable, leads to liberation and dignity. -Ricky Gervais
if you know the proper technique to braking, you shouldn't ever need it.
Two big clauses there I shouldn't have needed the stability management to kick in on my car last summer, but it did, and quite possibly saved my life. It certainly saved the car. In the case of a noob rider I don't think more safety features are a bad idea.
Two big clauses there I shouldn't have needed the stability management to kick in on my car last summer, but it did, and quite possibly saved my life. It certainly saved the car. In the case of a noob rider I don't think more safety features are a bad idea.
I have to agree, it's hard to learn how to emergency brake in a panic without experience. ABS could save a new rider some serious trouble if they grab a handful of brake in a panic.
EDIT: That's not to say ABS is a substitute for learning to stop effectively, but having the ABS kick in teaches the same lesson much easier than dropping the bike and yourself.
Last edited by theinfinitejar; 03-12-2012 at 10:08 PM.
You learn how to emergency brake in the school. Though you're going about 30kph in that opposed to over 100 (like what happened to me).
Emergency braking on dry clean pavement when you know you need to stop is a completely different kettle of fish than a real panic stop on a road that could be wet or have dust or gravel on it.
The only place ABS will ever hurt you is in your wallet (maybe) and when you're going 9/10th's on a race track (not an issue for most of us mortals).
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to theinfinitejar For This Useful Post:
In regards to ABS...I have been riding for about five years now and moved from a bike without ABS (Honda Magna) to one with (BMW R1150GS). I'll never go without and here's why...
I took the advanced course with Too Cool last summer and learned how easy it is to 'high-side' the bike if you lock the back wheel. If you don't know what high-siding is...in a panic situation its easy (too easy) to lock up the rear wheel (which is now stationary and no longer acting like a gyroscope)...if your bike is leaning over and you release that back wheel it acts like a gyroscope again..violently changing the bike's position and launching you into who knows what kind of turmoil...
Training is essential...experience is essential...but ABS is a tool that can save you from highsiding and other nasty situations when you make a mistake. Just get it.
(And if you DO lock up the back wheel and are leaned over...own it and don't let off while you are still moving fast or you may have a gooey ending)
I always assume that I will make a mistake someday, and try to plan to make that mistake painless.
On a more pleasant note, I rode the Triumph Tiger 1050 when in San Francisco a few weeks ago...what a riot! The Triumph triple engines are so sweet...
Here is a boring...unedited...soggy...10 min video of my ride from outside Palo Alto to Alice's Restaurant.
__________________
"WHAT HAVE WE EVER DONE TO DESERVE THIS??? WHAT IS WRONG WITH US????" -Oiler Fan
"It was a debacle of monumental proportions." -MacT
Last edited by Fozzie_DeBear; 03-13-2012 at 12:11 AM.
The Following User Says Thank You to Fozzie_DeBear For This Useful Post:
Is ABS something that a lot of bike guys look down upon?
I'm sure that when I'm cruising on my SV the guys riding the GSXRs are laughing at me, but I don't really care. This will be just my third season riding, and I'm quite content with my bike. Maybe some day I'll upgrade.
__________________
But living an honest life - for that you need the truth. That's the other thing I learned that day, that the truth, however shocking or uncomfortable, leads to liberation and dignity. -Ricky Gervais
