Pros + Cons/The Right Time?

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MacDoc said:
Only for fair weather riders. OP we used to ride all year in university - you just avoid slushy days.
Lots of scoot riders ride all year

This was last January before I left for Australia and I was not the only one out. Sabex rides all year on a sport bike.
I think I got in a lovely 150k that day
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Technically sport touring. And hell, I bought my 1st bike in the winter and took it to the states a few weeks later!

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As for the OP. I started riding at 18, and I'm 20 now. November will mark my 2 years of owning a motorcycle.

Ask yourself if a car would be more practical for what you need. If you need to constantly move big/heavy things around daily, or transport people daily; then maybe you should get a car. If you don't and you have temporary access to a car on the off chance you do need it I'd say go for the bike. As a youngin' I don't see you having that much of a need for a car; obviously you don't have one right now but are still able to get around/do everything you need to do.
If you want a bike, get one.I currently hold a G1M2 and there are days where I wish I had a car; but 95% of the time a motorcycle suits all of my needs and 5% of the time it doesn't I find another way.


As for insurance: 3700 1st year on a GS500f. 2500 this year (2nd) on a Ninja 500. Would of been 4500 for the EX if I had it my 1st year. So if insurance is a problem with you, at least get your license and wait a year and it should drop 40% or more.
 
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Sabex said:
Technically sport touring. And hell, I bought my 1st bike in the winter and took it to the states a few weeks later!

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5b1q35.jpg

As for the OP. I started riding at 18, and I'm 20 now. November will mark my 2 years of owning a motorcycle.

Ask yourself if a car would be more practical for what you need. If you need to constantly move big/heavy things around daily, or transport people daily; then maybe you should get a car. If you don't and you have temporary access to a car on the off chance you do need it I'd say go for the bike. As a youngin' I don't see you having that much of a need for a car; obviously you don't have one right now but are still able to get around/do everything you need to do.
If you want a bike, get one.I currently hold a G1M2 and there are days where I wish I had a car; but 95% of the time a motorcycle suits all of my needs and 5% of the time it doesn't I find another way.


As for insurance: 3700 1st year on a GS500f. 2500 this year (2nd) on a Ninja 500. Would of been 4500 for the EX if I had it my 1st year. So if insurance is a problem with you, at least get your license and wait a year and it should drop 40% or more.
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That couldn't have been put any better. One of the main reasons I want a bike is because my older brother is going away to college, and my younger brother is merely 11, meaning that I have both of my parents cars available when I need them (aside from when they are working). I don't feel the need to get a car because it just doesn't make sense to me. where as a bike is mine, and it can do everything I need. I absolutely love the idea of riding 12 months out of the year, and I totally support the idea. I would like to ask a few questions though if you are okay with them.

1. Being an 18 year old in highschool and having an insurance cost of almost 4k, did you pay it all by yourself? or did your parents help out with the costs?

2. while riding all winter, what affects does it have on your bike? I understand the obvious issues that will occur, but does it make the lives of your bikes last much shorter than usual?

Thanks!
 
NinjaNams said:
2. while riding all winter, what affects does it have on your bike? I understand the obvious issues that will occur, but does it make the lives of your bikes last much shorter than usual?!
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There generally isn't too much to worry about.
-Salt corrosion, just like on a car
-Carb freezing ... it's never happened to me but is theoretically possible. Some bikes sold in Europe will have carb heating to help with this, but it is generally eliminated for North America. Most bikes will run fine, though you will notice that your fuel economy takes a hit as it takes a lot longer to warm up the motor.
-Frostbite/hypothermia/just being cold - it's not a joke. Dress properly or face consequences - you might think you're fine just toughing it out, until you notice your hands are taking a weirdly long time to respond to a braking request from your noggin.
-Black ice - very rare, considering the ridiculous over-salting that we engage in here. It is very dangerous.

You can deal with everything except the last bit, since studded tires are illegal here.
 
2. while riding all winter, what affects does it have on your bike? I understand the obvious issues that will occur, but does it make the lives of your bikes last much shorter than usual?

I really don't do anything different winter or summer...very unlikely you will keep any bike long enough to matter.
A coin car wash or even better a pressure sprayer at home can deal with it but go easy sometimes they can cause more issues than they solve.
Depends a bit on the ride.
A gentle rinse with fresh water if there is much salt about is a good idea.

Y'know you can still take that Motopark course this year and get your feet wet. :D

This COULD be you....



you can rent all the gear and the bike
 
MacDoc said:
2. while riding all winter, what affects does it have on your bike? I understand the obvious issues that will occur, but does it make the lives of your bikes last much shorter than usual?

I really don't do anything different winter or summer...very unlikely you will keep any bike long enough to matter.
A coin car wash or even better a pressure sprayer at home can deal with it but go easy sometimes they can cause more issues than they solve.
Depends a bit on the ride.
A gentle rinse with fresh water if there is much salt about is a good idea.

Y'know you can still take that Motopark course this year and get your feet wet. :D

This COULD be you....



you can rent all the gear and the bike
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You don't even understand how much I want to go to that camp, but with $700 in registration and another $700 in renting the gear, its a pretty heavy price tag for only 5 days, does anybody know of a moto camp a little closer to home that isn't so expensive? It seems like a fantastic idea and will definitely give me the sense of what riding a moto is like.
 
I've got a pretty good idea :D - had a very eager 16 year old - dad put in a LOT of driving that year to Chatsworth but it got me back into riding after a layoff.

MotoCamp near Parry sound is $800 for the week and seems to include the gear and 6 hours of riding per day. This is off road.

Learning Curves is $450 inc tax and 17 hours and 50 km closed course - this is street.
I'm sure there are others.

If you know you are getting a bike or scooter then certain gear is completely cross over.
Helmet, gloves, knee guards, armored shirt ( as opposed to street jacket )

You would rent motocross boots and motocross pants for a motocross or off road course.

I ride with hiking boots as I prefer them over street boots but you can find street boots used. Rule is it has protect your ankle.
Armored shirt, knee guards and armored gloves can come in around $200.
Helmet is up to you.
I'd not go overboard early on.

Off road courses you will expect to fall ( my kid took a few spectacular ones ) over the time he was riding dirt ( he never raced ).
Your fitness is very important for off road.

Other courses you might fall and need to be geared for that to armored gloves and elbows/shoulders plus knees and helmet will protect you for low speed dumps on pavement.

You should be okay with $400 for gear $200 for a helmet is lots and you need to get it fitted properly.
You could go with motocross helmet which usually cost less and would be fine for most early on road riding as well. Maybe ask the guys in the offroad section. Fit is important so you need to visit and have some advice that is reliable on fit.



That's a good deal for an armored shirt - then you can wear any largish jacket over it or snag a used mesh or ballistic jacket at some point. You are still growing so a slightly oversized jacket doesn't hurt if you have the armor underneath as it will stay snug as you grow. I just bought one for myself and kid has similar.

How close are you to your 16th?
 
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OP let me ask you a question and give you a different perspective. In 10 years your will be 25. If you can think that far ahead where do you want to be and are you planning to take out a loan for school?
 
NinjaNams said:
The question I am asking is what do you all feel is a proper age to get a motorcycle? and if so than why do you think so?
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Older. Everyone does stupid stuff when they're young. Much more potential to kill yourself on a bike.

So far the list me and my parents have compiled is:

Pros:

- Good on gas
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Most economy cars are better.
- Offers more freedom
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Except you can't use it in the winter.
- Cheap
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Old cars are cheaper.
- Versatile
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Except when it rains or snows and you can carry very limited stuff and almost nothing with a passenger unless you spend a lot on luggage.
- Safe and good if used properly/proper gear is worn
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Wrong. Gear just prevents minor injuries like road rash. If you're in a crash bad enough to kill you, it will probably still kill you with gear on.
Cons:

- Unsafe to some extent
- Expensive insurance
- takes a lot of practice to get comfortable at higher speeds
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Everything here is right except the last one. It doesn't take long to become comfortable. It takes long to become GOOD. Insurance isn't just expensive. It is many multiples of expensive at your age. At your age car insurance is expensive and I would expect to pay at least double for a bike.

I'm not saying you shouldn't ride. But don't try to sugar coat it. There are not really any real positives except that it's fun.
 
Not sure if telling a new rider (Let alone new to the road) he is fine with riding in the winter......
If you are using it as a main way to get to school and back (Sept-April) it might not be the best choice.
You factor in between $300-$400/month year round for insurance plus taking the bus minimum 50% of the time and see if your decision is still looking as good.
 
It's up to him to decide safety - this is a sensible kid and winter in s ontario is really at best 4 months. The insurance is the same regardless of riding 2 months or 12 months.
 
Counter point

Most economy cars are better.
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not even close to a scooter

-
Offers more freedom
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Except you can't use it in the winter.
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that's not an issue - many ride in cold weather including me and he has parents cars as fall back.

-
Cheap
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Old cars are cheaper.
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not than a scooter

-
Versatile
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Except when it rains or snows and you can carry very limited stuff and almost nothing with a passenger unless you spend a lot on luggage.
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he has parents cars - he wants to ride, He has free parking and freedom.

-
Safe and good if used properly/proper gear is worn
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Wrong. Gear just prevents minor injuries like road rash. If you're in a crash bad enough to kill you, it will probably still kill you with gear on.
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He wants to ride, he gets it, we all do, we still ride - why are you being hypocritical?
Walking across a street can kill you.
 
MacDoc said:
It's up to him to decide safety - this is a sensible kid and winter in s ontario is really at best 4 months. The insurance is the same regardless of riding 2 months or 12 months.
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But also those 4 months are exactly the time he is trying to justify riding it.
Especially at school where in the morning it is fine out and you take it and then its a snow storm and you have to get home, Do you leave your bike there or try to ride it? what if the storm happens in the middle of your ride home? He has zero driving experience and you think he should be able to handle a bike in the middle of a snow storm or freezing rain.

Just my 2 cents, I know its hard to say no when you have the itch, but I would suggest waiting until you have some on road experience before you try to take a bike out in the winter.

MacDoc said:
Counter point


not even close to a scooter


that's not an issue - many ride in cold weather including me and he has parents cars as fall back.


not than a scooter

-
he has parents cars - he wants to ride, He has free parking and freedom.


He wants to ride, he gets it, we all do, we still ride - why are you being hypocritical?
Walking across a street can kill you.
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What 16 yr old kid wants to show up to school on a scooter.

Scooters are like fat chicks, there fun to ride, but you don't want your friends to find out.
 
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I didn't include scooters because I read it as he was asking about bikes. I also must've missed that he had a car to use on the side.

How am I hypocritical? If he wants to ride he can ride. Just don't try to justify it with bull.
 
Who is justifying with bull...read the thread so you are informed instead of dishing it out.

•••

What 16 yr old kid wants to show up to school on a scooter.

Scooters are like fat chicks, there fun to ride, but you don't want your friends to find out.
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don't apply your prejudices to others. The kid wants to ride and he's quite open to scooters as mine was because unless you know any 50cc motorcycles that is the ONLY way he will ride thanks to the insurance industry in Ontario.
Aside from that millions ride scooters worldwide - if you were in Barcelona the tables would be turned as you'd be the tiny minority and they'd look at you and say who in their right mind uses a clutch.



It's one less thing he has to worry about learning to ride and he can learn clutch off road.
 
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NinjaNams said:
That couldn't have been put any better. One of the main reasons I want a bike is because my older brother is going away to college, and my younger brother is merely 11, meaning that I have both of my parents cars available when I need them (aside from when they are working). I don't feel the need to get a car because it just doesn't make sense to me. where as a bike is mine, and it can do everything I need. I absolutely love the idea of riding 12 months out of the year, and I totally support the idea. I would like to ask a few questions though if you are okay with them.

1. Being an 18 year old in highschool and having an insurance cost of almost 4k, did you pay it all by yourself? or did your parents help out with the costs?

2. while riding all winter, what affects does it have on your bike? I understand the obvious issues that will occur, but does it make the lives of your bikes last much shorter than usual?

Thanks!
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I had parents help with the cost (50/50 split) because I lost my job not long after getting the bike. However, I've since payed them back.

Others have answered #2 well enough.
If you do ride in the winter just be careful. The tires will take longer to warm up and the roads will be colder; traction will be easier to lose.
 
It's more like this:

Pros:
- fun

Cons:
- vulnerable

I would think it would probably be a little wiser to get some experience driving a car in traffic first, to develop some intuition etc.[/QUOTE]


This is your con:

[video=youtube;OjN90iHtXcI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OjN90iHtXcI[/video]
koma said:
Always assume every car is out to get you. If you decide to get one this young, pay attention to your surroundings and don't be an idiot. Started at 25. Stay safe!
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Two50noob said:
OP let me ask you a question and give you a different perspective. In 10 years your will be 25. If you can think that far ahead where do you want to be and are you planning to take out a loan for school?
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Well I want to start by saying thank you to macdoc for really being so supportive, I definitely understand the fact that riding a bike makes you vulnerable and is unsafe, but so is everything.

There is a boy at my high school that graduated last year, me and him used to always talk about bikes and that his father had always wanted one. 9 days before his graduation his parents came home from a night out, and at 1 in the morning when his dad got up to go to the washroom, he didn't make it back to bed. It was so dark that he walked right past the washroom, fell down the stairs and died due to head trauma, never being able to buy and ride a bike.

I am turning 16 in 5 months and I realize that I have my whole life ahead of me to do stuff, but this is something that I would like to start young on so I can get as much practice as possible.

In 10 years from now I plan on living in Melbourne, Australia with a bike and my pup Bo (who wont be a pup anymore). My parents are paying for my post secondary schooling and I am very thankful for that, they are giving me an amazing chance to save up money for the future I have always dreamed of having, and it is my job to get the grades good enough for me to achieve those goals.

On the note of riding my bike during winter/riding through school is a waste, I hope you realize that I don't plan on riding a bike only for the months of school and than letting it sit in my garage. I work a job all year round that doesn't have a break, therefore I will be needing 12 months a year transportation. With a motorcycle I can get minimum 8 months and than when I get my G1 I can use either of my parents vehicles for transportation.

I honestly don't mind the idea of getting a scooter, as it will give me the experience I need and it will help lower my insurance, so when I get my Ninja I will be all set.

I don't plan on buying a 600 off the bat and driving it for 12 months out of the year, and I don't think some of you are realizing that. I want to live believe it or not and would rather not die before doing everything I have wanted to. Motorcycles are very dangerous and I know everyone has their opinion. I am very grateful for all the advice you guys are giving me though as it is really opening my eyes, so negative or positive, keep it coming, the more the better. :)
 
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MacDoc said:
Nother wannabe Aussie :rolleyes:

I'll be there permanently by then but at the other end of the country in Cairns.

Couple of years of ride reports from the tropical end of the country

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...-on-a-KLR-650-second-season&highlight=mareeba

Still think where you are the pattern should be.
Scoot
Small dual sport
then a small sport bike.
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Oh my goodness that place looks beautiful :shock: I plan on moving out to Melbourne right out of university before I set up a life for myself. I think the setup you have made is perfect, it will give me the experience I need as well as the proper learning steps. May I ask how long it has taken you to finally get out there/how long you have been planning it for? I know it is a very expensive place to live but the economy seems to even itself out seeing as there are high wages. I think as a 20ish year old male Australia is the perfect place to go.
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