New rider with many question

[Sparkcycle]

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Get your G1 the same day you do your M1, Since the part of the G1 test is in the M1 test you might as well do them both. You can get your G1M1 for the same cost as just the G1.
As others are suggesting take the motorcycle course, some insurance companies will insure you as an M2 rider while you still have your M1 if you provide them with a copy of proof you completed the course.

I would also suggest a 250 over a 125cc as the difference in insurance cost isn't usually that big. For instance I had a Ninja 250 and paid $160 a month for it and a Honda Grom (125cc) is $148 a month. You may have different results but that is how it is generally. Dual sports are often cheaper to insure than other street bikes as well.

Start getting some quotes and have a few bikes ready to give them as it will save you a lot of time and you can see the different prices.

I agree that you should get your full G license as well. Even if you aren't interested in driving a car, you will eventually want to rent a vehicle and it looks better that you have had your full G for many years. You may also be out with friends at some point and having a G license allows you to be the designated driver if your friends are impaired. Now is the time, when you're young... it is much harder to get the license later (you can never tell how graduated licensing will change in the future... it may increase to include more restrictions and stages).

 

[Baggsy]

If you live in Toronto, then you're better off saving the money for Edumacation or a House.

Then when you're 30 something and loaded, take a course and see if motorcycling is for you.

 

[Kri$han]

... and I'm 17. Have nothing better to spend my money on anyways

LOL I like this guy's style! Enjoy this time in your life, young man, it will not be so simple later...

On Topic: +1 vote for the following actions: Get the G1M1, and look for a good scooter to get started. Honda Ruckus' are awesome (but expensive).

Take a regular Drivers Ed course AND do your M1 Exit course... A good driver's ed course will teach you about our roads, and some good habits for road users. M1 Exit course will teach you how to handle the bike. Use the scooter to get around, and your parent's car (when they let you).

I know scooters aren't cool, but the mechanics of being on two-wheels and the experience you'll gain will be very useful. It'll be your first bike, not your last...

What we're all telling you about starting out driving a (more forgiving) car, is based on our years of close-calls, dealing with GTA driver morons, and remembering our mistakes when we were youths. Good luck, bro.

 

[Flywheel]

If you live in Toronto, then you're better off saving the money for Edumacation or a House.

Then when you're 30 something and loaded, take a course and see if motorcycling is for you.

Do NOT wait until you're 30 DFlikks. I did and regretted waiting as long as I did. Life is the art of compromise, unless you're unusually gifted (or wealthy). Try to get both G1/M1, G2/M2 and then G/M as quickly as practical. Satisfy the provincial bureaucracy. Get listed on your parent's auto insurance to get your driving experience. Cars are mostly boring (if useful) but proving you can handle them safely helps with the moto insurance later.

If you can swing it, get a 50cc scooter or something similar to start. Without a frame of reference (like a 600SS), it's going to be awesome fun and feel pretty fast initially as well as being an excellent primer for riding in general. Depending on the model, it may have useful storage, which is useful for day-to-day commuting. Sure scooters don't have the same marketing BS attached that many people need to feel confident, but I ride one every day and it's a better street machine than my previous bikes.

Definitely save for your education/house/future goals and don't blow money on anything new until you're loaded. I've never bought new (older than 30 and not loaded) and don't regret it. Most bikes in the GTA seem underused and somewhat neglected rather than outright abused. In conclusion, maturity and smarts can be learned. Replacing lost years is impossible. Riding is a serious responsibility, given the risks (take those MSF courses), but it's also awesome. Go for it!

 

[MacDoc]

And they are $1000-2000 to buy, easily resold and insurance far less = big savings for the critical first year.

 

[Iceman]

I got learners permit for both bike and car the day I turned 16. Had a honda xl250r on the road the same day. I have never regretted a single day spent on a bike, not even the two times I've eaten asphalt. Lol
You could save $$, buy a house, and get married. But then you'll just have a wife telling you not to ride.
Take a course, buy good gear, find a used bike you can afford to insure/maintain. Then enjoy and learn as you go, just like everyone here. Ymmv


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[statsman]

Thanks. And I was looking at either an 07 honda cbr 125 or an older (70's 80's) dual sport. 175cc I think. And do I need my m2 to have a bike registered in my name?

Technically, you don't need a drivers licence to own a car or a motorcycle or any other vehicle.
You only require a licence to drive it.

There is much good advice here especially in starting small, learning on the smaller bike and then moving up to a larger bike as your skill and experience improve.

 

[Ducati Dude]

Get your Dad to put the bike in his name and insure you as a second rider, and pay him the difference in the rate. It will be much cheaper that way. If you never rode a bike before get an on/off road bike, like a 250 or something and practice off-road. Honestly, I recommend that you drive a car on the public roadways for a couple of years first, before you ride a bike on the street. You need to get used to drivers who don't follow the rules and train your eyes to get a good picture of what is going on around you. Cars are forgiving in an accident, bikes are not, and there are jerks and psychos out there who will find it amusing to almost run you off the road. You need to learn how to anticipate and deal with that.

If you absolutely must have a motorcycle, try to keep on the less travelled roads until you get more experience.

Wise words!!!

 

[Ducati Dude]

You could save $$, buy a house, and get married. But then you'll just have a wife telling you not to ride.

Moral of the story... Don't get married!

 

[Ducati Dude]

I agree with the others... Get your 'G' license at the same time. You will most likely need it some time in the future... So getting it now will be beneficial for you in the long run. For many, a 'G' licence is a necessity.

As for your 'M' ticket, I also agree with the others... Start off small, say... a scooter (as has been mentioned). My first bike was a used 1976 Suzuki RM125. What a blast that machine was. Off roading is the best way to learn basic motorcycle skills IMO. Unfortunately, living in a big city doesn't always allow you that luxury. You do what you can, with the tools that you have available to you.

So yeah, if you live in the city, get a cheap scooter to learn the 'basics'. Over the next year or two, consider a 250 and ride that for a year or two. Then, possibly a 650, or similar. I would not recommend anything over 650cc without at least 5 years of 'G', and/or 'M' experience. Both, would be ideal. It's not a case of knowing 'how' to ride the bike... that's the easy part. Gaining the expeience to be able to make the 'correct' split-second decision in case of a potential crash, takes many'a Kilometer... be it car, or motorcycle. Start off small, and work your way up. Don't be in a hurry... you have many riding years ahead of you!

If you are in Halton/Peel Region, you might want to consider the 'MTO-HP Rider Training Course...' M1 Exit approx 500$... bikes supplied. I took their M1 Exit as a 'Refresher' after a 30 year hiatus from riding. Great group of people!

http://www.mtohp.com/

 

[Baggsy]

Had a friend who saved all of her money while we were out blowing ours on toys.

She bought a house cash when she turned 25. At that point she could afford better toys than us and didn't have a mortgage.

I guess I regret spending much of my early cash on stuff that's no longer around, but that might just be me.

 

[Sadz]

Get 50cc scoot for the first year on facility insurance.
Then move to a 250-300 something. You'll save a ton of insurance money and learn traffic etc.

It's got good road presence

and is fun...all for a $1k

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-scooters-poc...er/1094677203?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

My kid had fun on his for that year and it was quick enough to go on local road rides with me.

Also recommended...take the motocross course at Motopark.....you be a way better rider.
If you have someone to drive you....buy a Honda 230 and leave it up there for the season and ride every weekend.
Learn to fall, learn to deal with uneven surfaces....all good for you on the street.

A few guys here at work rave about rippin around on their Groms. Previous 600rr owners that were tired of the insurance.

 

[Sadz]

Technically, you don't need a drivers licence to own a car or a motorcycle or any other vehicle.
You only require a licence to drive it.

There is much good advice here especially in starting small, learning on the smaller bike and then moving up to a larger bike as your skill and experience improve.

There is a lot of good advice in this thread...
I started on a 1000ss BUT HAD 12 YEARS OF CAR DRIVING EXPERIENCE FIRST. Other drivers are your biggest threat...better to learn that in a cage

 

[JollyGreenGiant]

"Other drivers are your biggest threat...better to learn that in a cage"...? Exactly what do you mean? How do you gain or "LEARN" motorcycle experience from driving a car? Being on the road WITH a motorcycle is very different than a cage. By the way, you also stated that you started on a big bike with 12 years of car experience; operating a manual car & a manual motorcycle is pretty different if not more. Are you comparing apples & oranges? You gotta be joking with everything you said man.

The only thing I agree with you is this thread has many good advice.

 

[Ducati Dude]

"You gotta be joking with everything you said man."

No joke my friend!!!

If one has aptitude, he/she can learn to 'Operate' an automobile or motorcycle in a weekend. However, it takes Years of driving Experience to be a proficient 'motorist'. The young driver Will make general driving mistakes! Possibly have a collision or two as a result of lack of experience. That's why insurance companies hit young/new drivers with higher premiums. They are a Greater Risk.

As Sadz mentioned, it's better to learn in a cage. Learn how to be a 'motorist' (with the safety of a cage) first, then hop on that two wheeler that you have been pining after.

I learned to ride a motorcycle ('76 Suzuki RM125) on the dirt in my early teens. Got my 'G' licence at 16, drove a cage for five years, then got my 'M', and a street bike ('84 Honda NightHawk 650) when I was 22... Didn't 'plan' it that way, it's just the way it worked out. A good progression of events none the less...

Just out of curiosity... how old are you now?

 

[Veej]

I have a 17 yr son. I would NEVER recommend the 2 wheels before he has years of Cage experience, hell until he is at least 30 and a very good cage driver with discipline on the gas petal.

It's not like the country side or the 70's-80's, there are retarded cagers out there, for banging into you all they get is a slap on the wrist if they are not under the influence (and even under the influence after major crashes some of these imbeciles go to court to fight for their rights), and you get an ambulance ride or worse a Hurst ride. If you lived in the country side then that may work but not this jungle here.

The power of the throttle is intoxicating and a twist of the wrist this machine will murder you.

There is a saying that when your 16-22 you can't fathom your own death, you are invincible and yes I felt that way also, but the times were different fortunately for me, we live in a different world and city than 20 years ago

I learnt the bike when I was 14 back home (India) times were different and I had many falls at low speeds and high, but there was no SUV coming at 80 KM hr behind me.

As the other posters have mentioned before me, you may be the best rider out there but nothing can prepare you to learn the instincts and behavior of the road that comes with years of experience of anticipating the wrong moves by others out there, and an accident in a cage vs a bike is the difference between literally life and death.

Another option is to get a car and in a year or so get a crappy track bike, get your thrills on the track for next few years, it will be easy on the pocket as well.

Please learn the habits and culture of this city traffic in the safety of a cage for a few years at least, you owe that to your parents the very least.

 

[MacDoc]

Pity the kid....bet he moves out right quick.
OP - ignore the cagers - get out on a scoot and have fun and try and get up to the Motosport camp in Chatsworth...you DON'T need cage experience.
What you learn in a car rarely ever applies to a motorcycle.

My son is 25 riding since 13 - flawless record - rides 9 months of the year and started on dirt bikes, then scoots, the SV650 and now FZ-8.
He just got his G this year.

You are an adult, make your own choices and listen to the riders with long experience not the uber parent types.

 

[Veej]

Pity the kid....bet he moves out right quick.
OP - ignore the cagers - get out on a scoot and have fun and try and get up to the Motosport camp in Chatsworth...you DON'T need cage experience.
What you learn in a car rarely ever applies to a motorcycle.

My son is 25 riding since 13 - flawless record - rides 9 months of the year and started on dirt bikes, then scoots, the SV650 and now FZ-8.
He just got his G this year.

You are an adult, make your own choices and listen to the riders with long experience not the uber parent types.

I don't think you read right.. the OP is not an Adult, he is 16, also did your kid start on a dirt bike in the middle of the 401 or DVP ????

As I suggested if he was in rural areas Yes great get dirt bike and ride the crap out of it, Your son started riding dirt bikes in the dirt and country areas which is the way to go not jumping on the 401 or DVP with Scooter or Dirt bike.

Uber Parent types??? ... dude the OP is 16 not 26

I'm certain you did not put your son on a dirt bike at 13 in the middle of Toronto traffic my friend.

 

[GateKeeper]

As a parent the best advice I gave my boys, and I can give to the OP

Take the motorcycle course at least you will be taught the right stuff and you will have a good basis to start from

Anything else is how your parents brought you up, and or your own free will

Stupid can't be fixed !


and I can't and probably never will understand why lots of guys think that just because you rode a dirt bike your ready to ride a street bike, I have yet to see anyone on a street bike put their leg out while going around a corner......in the dirt for sure, on the road, well good friggen luck on that one.....



and as far as this post,,,,,I don't think there is a single thing in it that I agree with......

I have a 17 yr son. I would NEVER recommend the 2 wheels before he has years of Cage experience, hell until he is at least 30 and a very good cage driver with discipline on the gas petal.

It's not like the country side or the 70's-80's, there are retarded cagers out there, for banging into you all they get is a slap on the wrist if they are not under the influence (and even under the influence after major crashes some of these imbeciles go to court to fight for their rights), and you get an ambulance ride or worse a Hurst ride. If you lived in the country side then that may work but not this jungle here.

The power of the throttle is intoxicating and a twist of the wrist this machine will murder you.

There is a saying that when your 16-22 you can't fathom your own death, you are invincible and yes I felt that way also, but the times were different fortunately for me, we live in a different world and city than 20 years ago

I learnt the bike when I was 14 back home (India) times were different and I had many falls at low speeds and high, but there was no SUV coming at 80 KM hr behind me.

As the other posters have mentioned before me, you may be the best rider out there but nothing can prepare you to learn the instincts and behavior of the road that comes with years of experience of anticipating the wrong moves by others out there, and an accident in a cage vs a bike is the difference between literally life and death.

Another option is to get a car and in a year or so get a crappy track bike, get your thrills on the track for next few years, it will be easy on the pocket as well.

Please learn the habits and culture of this city traffic in the safety of a cage for a few years at least, you owe that to your parents the very least.

 

[Baggsy]

Pity the kid....bet he moves out right quick.
OP - ignore the cagers - get out on a scoot and have fun and try and get up to the Motosport camp in Chatsworth...you DON'T need cage experience.
What you learn in a car rarely ever applies to a motorcycle.

My son is 25 riding since 13 - flawless record - rides 9 months of the year and started on dirt bikes, then scoots, the SV650 and now FZ-8.
He just got his G this year.

You are an adult, make your own choices and listen to the riders with long experience not the uber parent types.

You need more kids then. Not everyone can afford to hover over their children from the age of 13.
Most aren't born to that lifestyle. Kids have different temperaments. My oldest I'd trust with a motorcycle, he's 18 now, but isn't interested in that or a car, he's living in downtown Toronto, and can get anywhere with ease, and much less cost, on the TTC. My younger two, might need to be 40, before getting on bikes; they're just too carefree at the moment.



Almost everything you learn in a car applies to a motorcycle. The only thing that doesn't is the mechanical stuff.

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