older guy looking to get M2

M

MHY

Well-known member
Hello to all. I have always been interested in driving a motorcycle but for various reasons never pursued it. I am now looking to change that and would appreciate some advice. I am 55 yrs old and if I don't pursue such things now then I believe it just won't happen. While I had thought about it for a number of years, I was actually inspired by Nik Wallenda the tightrope walker to move on it. Are there any other people of my generation who would share their experiences and provide advice. I would apprecate hearing from you.
 
Welcome!!
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Well first i'm gonna tell you, you don't drive a motorcycle.. you RIDE it lol. And no that's not semantics or tomato/tomato. There is a difference lol.

Moving on.. you say you are looking to get your M2, but just got this notion on Saturday? have you gotten your M1 yet? If not that's first.. step 2 is getting a helmet and a pair of gloves. The rest of the gear is not required until you've decided you are sticking with it. Any pair of boots, jeans and a jacket you already have will do to take the MSF course. And that is step 2. TAKE THE MSF course. Yes most of the people in the course will be kids.. but there will likely be a few your age, and even there isn't. It's 2.5 days out of your life to learn some valuable skills, an when you leave there you will have your M2 in hand. :)
 
Thanks for the replies. Yes ride not drive...lol. Yes I have the M1 and was looking where to go for the M2 training, it appears that RTI has the most convenient location for me. Can you advise where would be a good place to get a helmet. What would you recommend? I am leaning towards the ones where the face shields flip up, they seem the most practical for me. Does one type offer better protection than another. I see prices vary considerably, is it the case that the more expensive ones provide better protection. How do I know if they are DOT approved. I was at the last motorcycle show and they had a lot of variety there, but missed that opportunity. I will be riding mainly locally for recreation. I do not ever plan to go on the busy highways. Lots of questions, I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.
 
First off what is your location, and what type of bike and riding are you going to be doing?
 
I am in North York, Bathurst Steeles area. I kind of like bikes where you sit more upright than the sport type bikes where you are more forward over the gas tank. I plan to ride for recreation on the city streets. Thats about it.
 
You are about to enter a very addicting hobby/way of life. Good luck on your journey "RIDING" sorry I had too LOL.

Here is a good read on motorcycle helmets. http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/helmet_CSi.pdf I know it is American but I'm sure it will teach you some stuff. Also the safest helmet no doubt is a full face helmet. Each brand and model offer different levels of quality workmanship and safety. Just search around on this site in the search bar and I'm sure you will find some info you are looking for. Also next google some motorcycle shops in your surrounding area and go try some on and ask them questions.

Best of luck!
 
Your best bet is to find a motorcycle shop close by then go in and try helmets on. Fit is the most important thing. Pick a price range you can afford then try a bunch of different helmets on. Shop staff should be able to help you out. Don't let them push you toward the most expensive ones only. Most, if not all, helmets there will be DOT approved. Once you know what helmet make and model you want; shop around a little to see where you can get it in your size for the best price. I think Kahuna Powersports is not too far from you on Steeles around Jane or Weston. Rd. You'll be hard pressed to get a great deal there though, at least that's been my experience.
 
MHY said:
Thanks for the replies. Yes ride not drive...lol. Yes I have the M1 and was looking where to go for the M2 training, it appears that RTI has the most convenient location for me. Can you advise where would be a good place to get a helmet. What would you recommend? I am leaning towards the ones where the face shields flip up, they seem the most practical for me. Does one type offer better protection than another. I see prices vary considerably, is it the case that the more expensive ones provide better protection. How do I know if they are DOT approved. I was at the last motorcycle show and they had a lot of variety there, but missed that opportunity. I will be riding mainly locally for recreation. I do not ever plan to go on the busy highways. Lots of questions, I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.
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Welcome to the forums! I took my course through RTI (downtown at the docks), it is definitely the right first step.

About the helmet, I only use full face helmets. Safety for one... but bugs are the main reason. With helmets, the more you spend doesn't necessarily mean the more safe it is. You pay extra for brand recognition, quality and added features. The fit of the helmet is the most important aspect, so make sure you go to a shop to try out different brands (different brands cater to different head shapes) and sizes. I bought mine at Cycle World in Scarborough, but there are a bunch of different places you could try them out.

I would assume all helmets sold at a motorcycle shop would be DOT approved (I don't see why they wouldn't be). You can tell by the sticker/symbol on the back of the helmet. Some helmets are both DOT and SNELL, SNELL is just a different standard (used for racing, I believe).

You prefer more upright, sport touring bikes? Good first bikes to consider would be the Kawasaki EX500 or the GS500, or on the bigger side of things you have the SV650 or the Ninja 650r
 
Hi MHY, welcome. While I don't necessarily "shop around" for the best price I do however prefer to shop at a place that offers great service. Any dealership will have most styles of helmets, gear and bikes too. I ride a cruiser and will admit the ride is comfortable.
 
Hi MHY, welcome aboard. My wife and I did the same thing last summer for similar reasons. I'm 49. I was older than everyone on the course including the instructors, The common ground is we were all beginners.

You've got loads of good advice already.
Check out Royal Distributing, they have a great selection of helmets. I prefer the Guelph store myself. Very friendly staff.

Sounds like you are interested in a standard or cruiser style bike.
Check out the dealers and sit on tons of bikes. They don't all fit the same, pedal position and handle bar reach vary considerably. What's comfortable for one person is unbearable to the next.

Have fun on the MSF course.
 
MHY said:
I am in North York, Bathurst Steeles area. I kind of like bikes where you sit more upright than the sport type bikes where you are more forward over the gas tank. I plan to ride for recreation on the city streets. Thats about it.
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Welcome MHY, you're right up the street from me. Gimme a holler after you've got your M2 if you want someone to ride around the area with. That is, if you don't mind riding with a "young-un" like me!

I don't think I can tell you anything the guys around here haven't already so I'll just keep it simple and say HAVE FUN!! Oh yea, pack lots of water for the MSF course (don't think anyone's said it yet in this thread :) )
 
Thanks to all for your replies. I will certainly follow through on the advice and links that were provided.

Yes bboySushi the Shark Evoline, is along the lines of the ones I would consider. That particular model is perhaps a bit more elaborate than what I would buy, but that is the idea.

AF4iK perhaps I will take you up on that offer. Work is keeping me extremely busy so not sure when everything will be in place, but I will let you know when it is.
 
When you start riding in the rain, you will know exactly what Nik Wallenda had to go through when he walked across the fall with all that mist hitting him.
There is no penalty for starting late, you still have a long riding career ahead.
 
A more expensive helmet DOES NOT mean it's safer.. you can pickup a cheap modular flip up helmet at Royal Distributing for 60 bucks and it will be just as safe as the 400 dollar helmets. The diffrence will be the weight of it, the wind noise.. comfort etc.. There are certainly reasons to buy the more expensive ones, but saftey is not one of them. If you are sure you're going to be keeping it, then decide what you want to spend. If it's just for your msf course for now, grab something cheap, try it out. Upgrade once you've decided what you need.
 
Go to GP Bikes or Royal Distributing (the stores that have the most different helmets) and try on as many helmets as you can. 90% chance that you will buy the one that fits the best. The differences between these helmets is *head shape*, weight, wind noise, air circulation (venting), padding, viewing angle (size of the visor opening), accessories, etc. I had Shoei for my first helmet (saved my head). Went to try on 7-8 different helmets, and ended up with the new model of Shoei (RF-1100).
 
Signed up for the RTI course for July 21/22 at the North York location. Now I need to get the equipment. I went to the Kahuna store in the Steeles/400 area already, I can take a route home from work that passes right by it so it is convenient. Tried some helmets on at a number of price points. Most posters indicate that the proper fit is the most important thing. How exactly do you know what a good fit is? The sales person at Kahuna said it should not pinch your cheeks too tight. I shook my head around to see if it held firm. From what I have been reading, posters say it should fit a bit tight at first because the padding tends to compress and it will make the helmet fit more loose later on.

I have also been researching what motorcyle to buy. I like the Suzuki TU250, I like the retro look and feel of what I saw, I do not plan on driving oops riding on the 400 series highways with it and it will be just me, the wife will go nowhere near it. It will be a preowned one, the new ones seem really crazy expensive. Any advice/comments would be appreciated.
 
MHY said:
Signed up for the RTI course for July 21/22 at the North York location. Now I need to get the equipment. I went to the Kahuna store in the Steeles/400 area already, I can take a route home from work that passes right by it so it is convenient. Tried some helmets on at a number of price points. Most posters indicate that the proper fit is the most important thing. How exactly do you know what a good fit is? The sales person at Kahuna said it should not pinch your cheeks too tight. I shook my head around to see if it held firm. From what I have been reading, posters say it should fit a bit tight at first because the padding tends to compress and it will make the helmet fit more loose later on.

I have also been researching what motorcyle to buy. I like the Suzuki TU250, I like the retro look and feel of what I saw, I do not plan on driving oops riding on the 400 series highways with it and it will be just me, the wife will go nowhere near it. It will be a preowned one, the new ones seem really crazy expensive. Any advice/comments would be appreciated.
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If you like naked bikes and want to go a used route, I'd strongly suggest going for Suzuki GS500. Very good beginner bike, big enough to go on a highway and keep you interested for years, unlike the smaller beginner bikes.

Yes, the helmet has to feel tight over chickbones because the padding will definitely compress more over time, but not tight to give you the headache. You should look (and feel) like a chipmunk. Seriously, put on the helmet that you like and walk around in the store for several minutes. If it fits properly and doesn't hurt you, that's your helmet. Move your head sideways and up/down rapidly, make sure the helmet fits tight.
 
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