Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Pocket bike riding is a specialized hobby, and if this is your interest then do as you wish. However you know that pocket bikes are illegal on any Ontario road. If you get a pocketbike you will want to ride even when you do not have access to a track, and this will get you into trouble. Recently there have been a couple of deaths of riders on pocketbikes on Toronto streets, so the cops will be looking for you. They can also confiscate your bike.

If you wish to make the switch to a street legal motorcycle, where you can ride as much and as long as you want, you need to go the legitimate licensing route. It's not that difficult. As for a bike, a starter 250 such as a used Honda Rebel or other used 250cc bike used will cost around $2,000. If you keep your bike below 500ccs insurance is much cheaper.

If you really like riding pocket bikes it's only a matter of time that you'll want to ride a street bike.

While mechanically riding a pocketbike on a track is similar to riding a street bike, street riding adds a whole new dimension of variable road conditions and idiot Toronto drivers. There is so much more to learn than just the mechanics of riding. The rewards of riding a street bike are huge. I encourage you to go the street legal route.

The Kawasaki Eliminator 125 is not too big for practicing off the street. Plus it's a common make which means if you need parts any Kawasaki dealer sells them. It's a bit more than $699, of course.

fresco wrote:yea more or less, simply because, well the way it works is that, you first undergo a written exam for the M1 licence, which lasts 90 days and within that time period you have to go for your M2 licence, which involves attending a riding school which teaches you the ins and outs of riding, safety, all that, and it's valid for 22 months, then finally, you need to be re-tested for a full M licence, which needs no renewal

That's not entirely correct. An M2 license is valid for up to 5 yrs. You have to wait 24 mo. before you test for your M license or 22 mo. if you've taken an accredited training course.
Take the riding course this year even if you wait til next year to get a bike. The reason for this is that some insurance cos. look at how long you've had your license when they determine their rates.
As for getting a pocket bike, as TorontoBoy posted they are illegal on Ontario roads and if you get caught you could be in big trouble. I'd say you are better off getting a used, smaller cc, steet legal bike to keep your costs down for now, you can always get a bigger bike later

my mistake about the M2 licence I forgot that that's the minimum amount of time you have to wait, but I didn't know it lasts 5 years; that's damn good news! you wouldn't be able to tell me how much (typically) insurance would cost on a "starter" bike would you? that's my main concern since the riding course itself is in the ball park of about $400 bucks (at least at humber), then there's the cost of the bike and what not; I'm not getting discouraged or anything, but I wanna know what I'm getting myself into financially before I bring home a bike tomorrow or something

and yes I know pocket bikes are illegal, but if I do ride it, I tend to ride it in areas where there isn't a lot of traffic, and where police generally don't patrol, but thanks for the heads up

So, let me get this straight.
You want to know which one of these toys would be the best for breaking the law?
Grow up. Do it the right way or don't do it at all. If you want to ride on the street you need a street legal vehicle. Until then, take it somewhere else.

fresco wrote: you wouldn't be able to tell me how much (typically) insurance would cost on a "starter" bike would you?

Hey fresco,have a look at these 2 sites for bike insurance quotes.They may not be 100% accurate but they do give you an idea. You can punch in different bikes to see which one is cheaper to insure.

www.insurancehotline.com/
www.kanetix.ca/

zed wrote:

fresco wrote: you wouldn't be able to tell me how much (typically) insurance would cost on a "starter" bike would you?

Hey fresco,have a look at these 2 sites for bike insurance quotes.They may not be 100% accurate but they do give you an idea. You can punch in different bikes to see which one is cheaper to insure.

www.insurancehotline.com/
www.kanetix.ca/

Just a warning I filled out the second form and the quote was almost double what I pay now. It is really important to send a lot of time shopping for bike insurance.

mgdavis wrote:So, let me get this straight.
You want to know which one of these toys would be the best for breaking the law?
Grow up. Do it the right way or don't do it at all. If you want to ride on the street you need a street legal vehicle. Until then, take it somewhere else.

I'm sorry sir, but im afraid you've got it twisted; I don't plan on jumping from a pocket bike, which is barely a meter long, to an R6, which will blow me away as soon as I touch the throttle...if you think I ride these things around in places where there's open traffic you're sorely mistaken, and are missing the point (the point being, a gradual assimilation onto more "powerful" vehicles)

and thanks a million zed!

Nobody is recommending a R6. What we are advocating is a small displacement beginner motorcycle.
From what I understand, you plan on buying one of these toys to learn the dynamics of riding a motorcycle. I've not been on one, but it seems that they're to light and small to actually handle like a motorcycle. I doubt they have enough mass to require more than subtle body english to maneuver. For not much more than the price of a pocket bike you can find a used bike that will serve you for a season or two, and be far safer and more durable than one of those toys.