Any of you guys ride bikes?

[MagnusS4]

So i'm thinking it could be really fun if i got a motocycle. Saving on gas would be huge compared to the 80-90$ tanks that we all could be filling up at during the summer. About going for my m1 are there any local training schools that anyone could recommend? I heard that there are schools that will basically help you every step of the way to get your m2 is this true? is it as easy as getting your g1? Anyone wanna give me some info?

[BryanR]

Currently own a 1973 Honda CB750 and a 1975 Suzuki GT750 (ya, I like the vintage stuff...)

If you're really thinking of getting into riding, you cannot go wrong with one of the many courses offered in and around the GTA.

http://motorcycle.humber.ca/

Took my M1 course in the pissing rain, and it was the best experience ever!

[02B6]

exactly what Brian says. The course was the greatest. Time of my life, i'd actually enjoy doing it again. Owned a bike a couple years ago. Will be back. Soon

[BangHatch]

You can also get your training course here:
http://www.ridertraining.ca/index.html


Bryan, you converting those to caferacers? :P

[Q-Ball]

With all this amazing weather I've taken my bike more so then my car in the last little while. oh, and the gas issue!!

I've been riding for a number of years and I started through Humber, great course. A friend of mine went through there and it was a good experience. He's never been on a bike before and its all good. I highly recommend that riding school.

[MagnusS4]

Thanks guy as soon as my exams are over i'm going for my m1 after that i guess i'll apply for one of these courses.

[headshok2002]

Just got in from beating on the cursed pinch bolt holding the two upper control arms... seriously, WTF is with those things? Haha, I'm going for a bike ride now... so I'll post here.

Bikes are effin' great. Honestly, it's an amazing feeling being on one of them... powering out of a corner is the coolest thing evar.

As for saving money on gas... sure, you will... but you'll pay more in insurance than you save in gas. It's worth it though. I'm used to my horrid insurance payment every month... so when I do take the bike, I sort of 'feel' like I'm saving money... I certainly am using less fuel than in my car, but if I really wanted to save money, I'd sell the bike and pocket the insurance savings.

I took the course at Durham College and it was a blast! Me and my dad did the course together... it was lots of fun, and now we've both got bikes. Here's mine:

[MagnusS4]

What are your insurence rates like for the bike? cuz i'm sure it can't be that bad compared to the s4 **(fingers crossed)**

[02B6]

i put mine under my dads name. Had his M for like 30+ years. Was 500/year for a 2002 Yamaha R6

[RS.Fez]

SHOW OFF TIME!





Current monster....


been riding for 8 years......have to say that is the only thing that keeps me sane.

Get the liscence even if you're not gonna have a bike. WHen its time to insure, the longer you have an M1 or M2 = the less insurance you'll pay.

BUt if its your first time, and you want to get a Sports bike (ie, R6, R1, GSXR, ZX's anything krotch rockety...) prepare to be quoted $5k+ per year (and that is being generous)

[headshok2002]

State farm quoted me 2500 a year for my GSX-R600... it's a 2002.
However, if you don't have a spotless record, forget about it.

My second cheapest quote was 7700 a year. I don't think it is possible to have any tickets, be under 25, and start an insurance policy on a crotch rocket... unelss you're loaded.

[toaster66]

been riding for over 15 yrs. went to FAST last year for the first time and had a blast. learned an absolute ton about biking handling. highly recommend spending the $$ to upgrade skills

[buck]

M2 courses are offered at many colleges. They prep you and test you. The instructors are certified by the MTO to issue licenses.

Motorcycles can be cheaper on gas... but if you're on a super sport, tires don't last. At $250/rear tire every 7,000km's, operating costs are on par.

Regardless, bikes kick ass. I wish I had some riding shots to post, but its too hard to stop on a twisty road to take a pick when you're scraping the edges of your tires.... it's just too fun and it's a thrill that you'll never get from your Audi's... no matter how pimped they are.

[Pr0n]

I can only afford ones like this:

[Q-Ball]

Looks like a SP2...?

Here's mine:

[mrleftlane]

The Show


The Old Go


The Older Go

[mrleftlane]

Go to RTI instead of Humber. The wait time is not as long as Humber and most of the instructors are my buddies that race. Very patient and will teach you a trick or two to stay alive yet still have a bit of fun if you are a sportbiker. (They are reformed hooligans)

http://www.ridertraining.ca/

[MagnusS4]

hmmm thanks guys didn't know that so many ppl have bikes. well from what i've been hearing and after a bit of research i guess "saving" money is kinda out of the questions but regardless i still think it would be a really cool thing to get into.

[mrleftlane]

You will definitely not "save money" though the gas consumption is cheaper, if you are talking about a sportbike, you will be wringing the piss out of it every chance you get making the gas arguement moot.

Second, without hook ups and depending on how much you ride...a rear tire is gonna cost you $250 and up depending on the quality that you want

Third, the gear is as expensive as you value your head and skin

Fourth, if you think that modding a car is addictive...modding a car is like being addicted to Tim Hortons coffee in the morning and bikes are like crack with a heroin chaser and an expensive stripper that charges you by the minute

The first step is admitting that you just plain want a bike and it will make parting with the cash that much easier to bear! LOL. Join the sickness...DO IT!!!!

[RS.Fez]

You will definitely not "save money" though the gas consumption is cheaper, if you are talking about a sportbike, you will be wringing the piss out of it every chance you get making the gas arguement moot.

Second, without hook ups and depending on how much you ride...a rear tire is gonna cost you $250 and up depending on the quality that you want

Third, the gear is as expensive as you value your head and skin

Fourth, if you think that modding a car is addictive...modding a car is like being addicted to Tim Hortons coffee in the morning and bikes are like crack with a heroin chaser and an expensive stripper that charges you by the minute

The first step is admitting that you just plain want a bike and it will make parting with the cash that much easier to bear! LOL. Join the sickness...DO IT!!!!

This man speaks the truth!!

Q-Ball; its an SP-1....SP2's started in 2002. But you cant tell the difference by looking at the headlight. Main difference is the swingarm and paintjob (in terms of spottable details)

[headshok2002]

I'm not having much trouble leaving my bike stockish... it's got a hindle exhaust, and that's it. It did have a power commander... but it died, so I just yanked it out... and don't want to spend the $ again to replace it. I think it's fine just how it is.

[BryanR]

hmmm thanks guys didn't know that so many ppl have bikes. well from what i've been hearing and after a bit of research i guess "saving" money is kinda out of the questions but regardless i still think it would be a really cool thing to get into.

This will save you money:


(girl will cost you extra )

[mrleftlane]

I'm not having much trouble leaving my bike stockish... it's got a hindle exhaust, and that's it. It did have a power commander... but it died, so I just yanked it out... and don't want to spend the $ again to replace it. I think it's fine just how it is.

^^^ *** GASP *** ^^^ [O_O] you have excellent powers of restraint. I bought and installed most of my stuff on my bikes without even leaving the dealership floor.

[headshok2002]

^^^ *** GASP *** ^^^ [O_O] you have excellent powers of restraint. I bought and installed most of my stuff on my bikes without even leaving the dealership floor.

Haha, well I don't even know what to do to it... I bought a rear wheel hugger off of eBay... but it fits like ass, the holes don't quite line up... so I never put it on. Other than that... what mods are there?

Oh, I have an undertail kit, too... I can see that being a 'must' in terms of mods... as it cleans up the rear end soooo much. I've got the little flush signals up front, too.

[buck]

Haha, well I don't even know what to do to it... I bought a rear wheel hugger off of eBay... but it fits like ass, the holes don't quite line up... so I never put it on. Other than that... what mods are there?

Oh, I have an undertail kit, too... I can see that being a 'must' in terms of mods... as it cleans up the rear end soooo much. I've got the little flush signals up front, too.

I'm sorta like you... I didn't get mod crazy with my bike, other than:

-stainless braided lines front and rear (way better brake feel)
-Hindle pipe
-integrated rear tail-lights
-power commander
-speedo healer
-down one tooth in the front
-dark windscreen
-handle bar risers 3/4"
-steering damper

[headshok2002]

I'm sorta like you... I didn't get mod crazy with my bike, other than:

-stainless braided lines front and rear (way better brake feel)
-Hindle pipe
-integrated rear tail-lights
-power commander
-speedo healer
-down one tooth in the front
-dark windscreen
-handle bar risers 3/4"
-steering damper

I've got stainless brake lines for my front brake... I'm not sure if they are mods or did an 02 GSX-R600 have those? And I've got a steering damper already on the bike, too. I assumed those things were stock... I am nearly certain the damper is, as it looks very OEM. I could definitely lower a tooth on the front or add one to the rear... at the speeds I cruise at, I can be revving 4000 RPM... usually I'm in 5th though to keep the revs up. Not sure if this is good practice... just feels bad to have it at 4000 and try and accelerate at all.

[lowandslow]

Pretty common mods for me as well

2003 R6

-Ohlins Steering Damper
-Yosh Carbon Pipe
-(-1/+2) Gearing
-Integrated rear lights
-Watsen Design front signals
-Speedo Healer
-Power Commander
-Stainless Front Brake Lines

And the not so common

-Velocity stacks
-Throttle body slide stops
-Smog system block off plates
-BMC Street Filter

The bike is a beast, so fun to ride around and scare the litre bikes...

[buck]

Pretty common mods for me as well

2003 R6

-Ohlins Steering Damper
-Yosh Carbon Pipe
-(-1/+2) Gearing
-Integrated rear lights
-Watsen Design front signals
-Speedo Healer
-Power Commander
-Stainless Front Brake Lines

And the not so common

-Velocity stacks
-Throttle body slide stops
-Smog system block off plates
-BMC Street Filter

The bike is a beast, so fun to ride around and scare the litre bikes...

you must be on a 520 chain to get +2 in the back.... or an aluminum sprocket. I couldnt' find anything in steel to go bigger on the back.

My ride's an 03 as well. Love it.

[BryanR]

Bryan, you converting those to caferacers? :P

actually, yes! I have a set of Tomaselli drop bars for the Honda with period setback footpegs... ...if I ever have time to work on it.

[lowandslow]

buck - yeah its a 520 conversion with an aluminum rear as well. I still have to get a GPS and calibrate the speedo healer though. Haven't done that yet

[mrleftlane]

Pretty common mods for me as well

2003 R6
-Yosh Carbon Pipe
-(-1/+2) Gearing
-Power Commander

And the not so common
-Velocity stacks
-Throttle body slide stops
-Smog system block off plates
-BMC Street Filter

The bike is a beast, so fun to ride around and scare the litre bikes...

Focused on the go fast goodies...scare a litre bike? Actually just remembered that this is a car forum...we'll let it slide. Enjoy the ride!

[buck]

Focused on the go fast goodies...scare a litre bike? Actually just remembered that this is a car forum...we'll let it slide. Enjoy the ride!

I know mine will keep up with an SP1... until about 220

Just got back from a ride.... bikes rule.