Hello from Scarboro | Page 2 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Hello from Scarboro

I just bought my first bike and I had the same anxiety about going out on the road. Like you, I've been driving a car for 20+ years.
Might be different for you but the reason I was so worried is that I kept thinking that there are going to be a million different things I'll have to track and manage - physically controlling the bike, remembering to signal and shoulder check, paying attention to other vehicles, road signs, traffic lights, rules of the road, etc. It seemed like it would be overwhelming and I'd end up screwing up when it really matters. However, as soon as I got onto the road my car driving skills sort of transferred over and all the stuff about traffic rules, signs, other cars, etc was second nature and the only thing I had to actively think about was physically controlling the bike and making sure I was seen.
To get more confident controlling the bike, find an empty parking lot near the dealership, if you can, and practise. I was lucky there was one next door to the dealership and I spent a solid two hours there before going on the road.
As others have said, find the least busy route. I would also add, find a route that doesn't require a lot of turns since that's where you're most likely to get frazzled. I got mine from AM Sales in Vaughan and I live in Brampton. Instead of taking the shortest route, I went straight up Keele, to the edge of Vaughan, took a left on highway 49, then a left on Torbram which got me to my neighborhood. It was longer but much simpler and less crowded.
Hope this helps. I will also add, when I stared riding on the road it felt amazing. Be careful but don't let the fear stop you, it's totally worth it.
 
The first few days will be exciting but a little scary... kinda like the first few days at a new job.

As a new rider you will build skill and confidence together. There are no short cuts -- seat time, practice, and a experiencing a variety of situations will do it.

Most riders get over their initial fears before they hit 1000 km.

Welcome, and ride safe.
 
Got my bike today. Some happy news and some sad news....

So I am from Scarborough.. and the bike is Peak Powersport in Oakville. I managed to take a 2 hr practice run around the dealership and surrounding area without much glitch... just some refresher and the occassion of stalling the bike etc... but I did manage to work up the nerve to take an extra long way home via the 407.. That's the happy news....

All was well up until I was about 2KM from my house.. didn't put enough throttle and dropped the clutch, stalled the bike, lost momentum and dropped the bike at an at the red light.

Hopefully its out of my system now.. and now I will need to remember to peel back more throttle and slowly letting go the clutch....

Showing you guys the baby in the garage and the damage... I am glad that the extent of the damage is cosmetic and mostly on replacable items.
 

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Showing you guys the baby in the garage and the damage... I am glad that the extent of the damage is cosmetic and mostly on replacable items.

If I run into you at one of the meetups, remind me to show you all the missing paint/chrome/aluminium on my Marauder.

Those dings only hurt the soul, glad you're ok.
 
Glad your safe, bike can be fixed up. I've dropped mine 3 times I think. 1 at home in my driveway, at a dealer, and in some mud. Meh it happens.
 
Got my bike today. Some happy news and some sad news....

So I am from Scarborough.. and the bike is Peak Powersport in Oakville. I managed to take a 2 hr practice run around the dealership and surrounding area without much glitch... just some refresher and the occassion of stalling the bike etc... but I did manage to work up the nerve to take an extra long way home via the 407.. That's the happy news....

All was well up until I was about 2KM from my house.. didn't put enough throttle and dropped the clutch, stalled the bike, lost momentum and dropped the bike at an at the red light.

Hopefully its out of my system now.. and now I will need to remember to peel back more throttle and slowly letting go the clutch....

Showing you guys the baby in the garage and the damage... I am glad that the extent of the damage is cosmetic and mostly on replacable items.
When you said you went on the 407 and there were some sad news I was really worried about where this story was going. Glad it was just a minor incident.

Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk
 
KTMs are fun arent they?
You did good, this is why people often recommend slow/used for their first bikes, people arent used to riding and its better to drop a slow/used bike, than a fast expensive one.
 
When you said you went on the 407 and there were some sad news I was really worried about where this story was going. Glad it was just a minor incident.

Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk
:) sorry.. shoulda been more clear... once I got into gear and at speed its ok. I am not about to do so crazy speed... just doing 90-110 the entire way on the slow lane. When I saw merging traffic I just move over to the middle lanes to let them merge.. but for the most part.. 407 is actually the easy part.... Local traffic is the pain in the ass with the clutch and go...

That's partially the blame too.. I guess my hand muscle is not worked up for the 3h+ ride it took me to get home yesterday.. it was clutch and go and stop for 2h+ before I got the nerve to get on the highway.. then when I got home close.. literally 2 more lights before I am home.. FLOPPED...
 
KTMs are fun arent they?
You did good, this is why people often recommend slow/used for their first bikes, people arent used to riding and its better to drop a slow/used bike, than a fast expensive one.
Yeah.. I hear what you are saying... may be just the fear of the unknown with a used bike.... I was considering in the beginning to just get a used one, but not knowing the history was what kept me from used.. I guess its a lame excuse.. but here I am.. :)

And yes.. KTMs or motorcycle in general is super fun... the throttle response is just amazing.. completely different feeling then say driving a sports car. The weight to power ratio... even on this 44HP bike is nuts... I can't imagine what a 100hp+/1000cc bike would be like... its a dream for me right now to work myself up to a machine like that... Let me do more clutch and go for now..... with my training wheels...
 

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