Motorcycle

In My Humble Opinion
21

First off: I passed!
[Eddie Murphy singing] I got my li-cense. I got my li-cense. And you don’t got none. And you don’t got none![/Eddie singing]

Actually, bernse’s description is incorrect.
First off, getting a license is a provincial jurisdiction, and every province has its own rules.

To get a learner’s permit in B.C., you have to pass a written exam. This gives you a piece of paper allowing you to ride under supervision, with a maximum speed of 60 kmh (about 30 mph), no passengers, no riding when it’s dark.

After 14 days you’re allowed to take a slow skills test. This is the old cones and pylon involving stopping, shifting into second, making a tight turn, a U-turn. Passing this (which you can do with your driving school, if taking lessons), removes the supervision and speed restrictions on your permit.

After another 26 days you can take your hour-long (!) road exam. For me, yesterday, this involved wiring a walkie-talkie into my ear, and being given directions from a car following behind me (one person driving, another marking). I went through various speed zones, really bad road conditions (one road looked like the surface of a golf ball, with dimples I could fit my head into), highway riding, heavy traffic, a U-turn, more railroad tracks than I could count, etc…)

At this point, if you already have another license, you’ve got your motorcycle license. Otherwise the graduated license program kicks in, and you have many more restrictions for the next 24 months (zero-alcohol, no driving between midnight and 6 am, etc…)
I understand it’s similar in Quebec, except you’re not allowed to ride solo for the first year.

You have to be 16 and have parental permission in BC or Quebec.

22

the 2 main reasons you cannot test drive new motorcycles are

  1. the new bikes are sitting on the showroom floor and are not in riding condition. they have no gas/oil/battery and are, in some cases, not fully assembled. when you pony up cash for the bike, it gets rolled into the back where it is serveced and fully assembled, then tested by the mechanic and often, the salesman too! (i have ridden just about every new motorcycle model produced by Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Harley between 1993-98). bikes are not prepped and left to sit around on the showroom floor with gas and oil to smell and freak out the fire marshall, mirrors to be broken off and batterys to slowly drain. if the dealer is lucky enough to have a “new” model in riding condition, or a demo, (and you can display that you have riding skills and proper protective gear) they will let you ride it. 2)bikes are not cars. you cant drop a car at the stoplight. you need to display willingness and ability to assume financial responsibility for the motorcycle, cause if you wreck it, you bought it! if you are a serious buyer (credit approved, cash deposit in the slimy salemanagers hand, specific bike picked out, sales offer signed) you will get your test ride. if you walk in and want to ride 3-4 different bikes, are not willing to committ to a purchase or credit check, you wont ride.

“She did, its the truth. I’m such a tool!”

23

Egads, how could I have forgotten that?. Well, it has been eight years since I bought a new bike. :o

24

If you want to test ride try a place with lots of used bikes. That’s how I figured I wanted my Connie over a new Shadow. They didn’t ask me anything, how long I had been riding, how much experience etc. I almost dropped it too! :slight_smile: Damn top heavy bike.

So who else has taken the Advanced MSF course? I’m taking it again for the second time next weekend. From what I understand it’s a new class so it will be different. I just gotta remember not to fill up my gas tank or it will really be tough.

25

I like my bike a real lot. Its a 1989 Honda CBR600F1 (“Hurricane”). Bought it two years ago, it only had 5500 miles on it at the time (owned by a middle-aged guy who only rode it on select occasions). It’s gotten considerably beaten-up in the last two years, partly by me, partly by others, partly by miscellaneous stuff (a fairing panel getting ripped off by a powerful wind on an open highway, for instance). It has a few annoying problems with it (sometimes it takes about a half a friggin’ hour to start, handlebars are slightly bent from it falling over several times, bodywork is scratched pretty heavily, and the engine seems to be outputting a little weakly right now), but it still kicks ass.

26

Anybody ride the Honda Shadow? I used to have a Suzuki GS1000. I want some more of a cruiser to take for afternoon rides with my wife.

27

I guess that explains the roaming tours… They’re working bikes.

28

I’ve got a 600, but I did look into the 1100s. I would have gotten one had it fit more of what I wanted to do, which is tour. They have pretty good power, basically just like most other cruisers. They are supposed to be pretty good with maintinence though. Someone, UncleBill? in the other bike thread said he rides one.

29

I’m holding onto my friend’s Shadow 400 while he’s dead. It is a lot of fun to ride. My other bike is a Zephyr 1100, so its very different, plus he had taken the handlebar off so they’re coing off the fork now, and it rides real low. Response is not as fast as the Zephyr, but it rides real smooth, even without rear shocks. Milage is unbelievably good.

30

“While he’s dead”? :smiley:

Aaaaahhh, bliss. Took the motorbike out for a one hour dash past tree-lined rivers and canals surrounding Amsterdam. Gotta work a lot on my cornering, still. That bike can go down MUCH flatter. I’m still a wuss. I have to learn to trust it a lot more.

On the other hand, I also need to use my damn eyes. In a low speed 90 degree corner, I completely overlooked a patch of gravel, causing the front wheel to suddenly slide outward 10 centimeters or so. Quickly corrected by shifting your weight (provided the tire grips again :eek: ), but easily avoided by watching where the hell you’re going.

This weekend, I’m taking my bike to the south of the country for a friend’s birthday. And I’ll explore the poor excuse for mountains we got down there! Woo!!

And to think: the season’s only just begun! :stuck_out_tongue:

31

Yes, while he’s dead. Please don’t laugh. It’s almost been a year.

No, he didn’t die on the bike.

This weekend is turning out to be B-U-T-ful! Snow on the passes my ASS!

32

…he might come back…

33

I’ve ground the pegs down on mine by leaning into corners. The bike will lean farther than the pegs will let it.

34

Shit. I’ve got a long way to go, then. :smiley:

35

Ahh, peg scrapping. I used to do that on my old bike. Only on the left side though. Had headers that wrapped around on the right so I would always scape my pipes on the right. Made for great sparks at night.

36

Why are you scraping your pegs, you should be scraping your knees:P

37

riding side-saddle, silly

38

I just thought I’d look pretentious if I did that on a Seca II. Now if I ever get my mitts on an R1…

39

Honda Shadow ACE 1100 here, FallFast. I’ve had it 18 months, put 9000 miles on it the first year. Not as much as Edward the Head does, but some riding nonetheless. It is NOT a racer, but I do like it, as does everyone I know who has had one. A few friends have upgraded to the Valkerie, but kinda miss the Shadow. E-mail me for any specific questions.

1st bike, 1949 Harley FL, 1200cc Panhead. Learned how to fix bikes on that one.
1981 CB400T Honda Hawk. Learned how to fix Hondas with that one.
1983 VT750C Honda Magna. Learned how to cruise.
1998 VT1100 Honda Shadow ACE. Learned to cruise in comfort.

40

Uncle Bill: It’s interesting you’ve stuck with Honda. I’ve stuck with Yamaha. I wonder how strong brand loyalty is amongst riders, compared with car drivers?