good morning from Vancouver!

[Islesfan91]

I could have, but I felt it was more..."mine" if I posted it up on a different page. Granted, it's a wordpress blog so it's not even my site...

[Islesfan91]

and the saga continues! Friday I was able to sneak in with another class to get my group road ride done with Action, was raining, windy, hail at one point and my hands were frozen but it was fun. I used their bike and was the same 250cc nighthawk again, felt so much smaller now that I've been on my bike but it was fun. Then on saturday we did another group ride for a few hours, then the mock road test. Was cold in the morning for the group ride, then as we started doing mock road tests the rain came in and blasted us. By the time I took mine, it was pouring rain and miserable, I got it done and they've booked my road test for tuesday the 22nd. If the weather is clear I'll be using my bike, if it's rainy I'll use theirs, if it's snowing or icy I'll cancel and do it in the spring.

I was able to get out on my bike yesterday for about 4 hours, just riding around Richmond practicing my turns, changing from position 1 to 3, making sure I was cancelling my signals and just enjoying the ride. I ended up parked at the edge of the water talking to another biker and turns out he took a course 5 years ago and has been loving it ever since. Was a good time practicing everything (including my wave to other motorcyclists)

Looking forward to getting licensed and being finished with that step, and will be buying some gear this week (boots, pants, rain gear and maybe some warmer gloves) I'll keep riding it when I can and don't intend to put it away for the season. I may only be on it once or twice in december but if weather permits I'll be on it. I just started riding, I don't want to stop now regardless of the time of year!

it's fun getting random people coming up to me when the bike is parked and oggling it. So far the colour has been a smash hit amongst bike fans!

[ZRex]

Welcome, that is a good looking bike, have fun and stay safe. Keep practicing turning off the blinkers, I had problems with that for weeks when I first started riding years ago and was supprised to see people that had ridden for years forget to turn them off. Some people don't but, I love the "wave", I even wave to motorcycles when I am driving a car.

[Islesfan91]

my road test is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and I'm not sure with the weather being the way it has been that it's a good idea to take it now. I'm torn between the idea of waiting until spring, or getting it over with and taking it tomorrow.

Blues, ceemes? Any thoughts with the weather forecast and how it's been? I don't really want to use the school's bike for the road test, but the alternative is riding my bike from richmond to langley and then taking the test, then riding it home. My bike is just so much nicer to ride and easier to handle, and it's a lot easier to see my speed. I'm much more familiar with it and more comfortable on it by a long shot. Need some thoughts if possible, I believe I can still cancel today if I decide to, but I'm also worried a lot of what I learned won't be fresh come the spring time

[dr_bar]

I took my test so long ago, I couldn't be any good advice to you. The test you took so you could ride unescorted on the road, was the test I took to get my license. Times they have changed. Blues took her test in Feburary, she rode all winter long, getting completely familiar with her bike and it's capabilities. The more time you have to practice, the better you get, or the more bad habits you get depending on your practice skills...

[blues2cruise]

Tom, if you truly think you can handle the cold for almost an hour of testing...provided it's not frosty or icy.....cuz if your hands are cold and your fingers get stiff..it can be challenging to shift....you know like maybe a stall or two....if you have warm gloves or hot paws in your gloves you'll be ok.....and you know you will do far more head turning than actually needed...so the tester can see your head turn....if you have a plain black helmet put a piece of masking tape down the middle from top to bottom..the examiner can see the tape move so he will know you actually head turn. and you know you will not stall...and you know you will observe every playground and school zone sign....and you know you can comfortably get on the freeway...and comfortably start on a steep hill from a stop sign and make an immediate turn from it...and can do a u-turn....and can remember to turn off your signals....and don't speed.....and leave lots of space between you and the vehicle ahead at stops.....and can remember to look left and right before accelerating from a stop....and scan all intersections before and during....and always, always, always look in your mirrors as you approach a stop.....always....and you have your bike in first gear as you come to the stop..and keep it in gear....and watch for soggy leaves and wet manhole covers....all while the the tester is talking into a receiver in your ear inside your helmet...
then sure....

The only benefit to getting licensed now is the ability to take a passenger...which is not advisable for quite a while....or...to ride after dark....

so if you feel you really want to try....

You may pass....or.....
What is the worst that can happen? Fail now keep practising in daylight.....and then take it again later....

[Islesfan91]

bought some new gloves at rubber side down, they're apparently windproof and waterproof which my other gloves are not, which has been resulting in some painfully frozen hands the last couple of weeks. I tested the gloves (just got them yesterday) this morning riding into work in the car (hanging one hand out the window). at 120km/h my hands were dry and definitely nowhere near freezing. I wouldn't say warm but they're definitely comfortable enough for a ride on the highway for about 45 minutes to an hour in this, so riding around at the speed limit in town should be fine.

I'm going to take the test today with the attitude that if I fail, I just keep practicing and take it again but likely in the spring, and if I pass, then I get that part done and can just focus on enjoying riding and getting better at what I've been learning.

I will definitely not be using my bike in this weather, I'll use their 250cc nighthawk. I don't like the bike, but if I get out there a bit early today I should be able to get some practice time in on it so I'm more comfortable with it. The biggest issue I have with their bike is the g'damn turn signals. My bike is push to cancel which is easy and something I've been able to do without thinking about it now, but on their bike I have to move the button back to the middle, which is awkward by comparison.

I'll post up something later tonight or tomorrow and let you know how it goes, but knowing I can still ride my bike regardless it's not as stressful as it would be if I couldn't ride alone on the permit.

I'll review your post again for pointers blues

[Islesfan91]

oh and I mainly just want to get the licensing over with so I'm not thinking about it anymore. I don't like tests and sometimes forget things during them, and the longer I wait to do it the more likely it is I'll forget something that's important.

My girlfriend knows I am not taking a passenger for at least a year, but being able to ride without having to look at the time it's going to get dark would be a bonus. I don't intend to do much riding at night, especially in this weather, but if I were to get stuck or out longer than expected, it would be nice not to have to worry about the restriction.

also looks like the weather is going to clear enough for me to get decent weather for the test this afternoon! I'm nervous but excited to get it done

[blues2cruise]

Well????????

[Islesfan91]

Just got home. Like a chump I rode my bike out from Richmond to Langley and mid ride it started pouring. I decided to take the test with my bike and...


Passed!

Apparently I missed one shoulder check and didn't scan one intersection, and due to nerves I stalled it twice. But it's a pass! The ride home from Langley to Richmond was hell though. Pouring rain, pitch black and rush hour traffic, but I went cautiously, trusted the bike in corners and had no issues. Feels damn good right now!