Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi all .... I'm Denise from Toronto. I'm so green I'm not even an actual rider yet. My training class is this weekend so everyone cross your fingers for good weather and no rain!

I've been perusing sites related to motorcycles for a couple months now. Was pretty sure my first bike would be a Kawasaki Ninja 500 until I read the New Bikers Forum. Now I'm thinking I might be fine with a '06 or '07 250 ... and I don't think they're hideous!

Since I've never sat on anything but a Triumph (for sale in the store where I bought my jacket), it will be trial and error to figure out a good sized bike for my size and height. But I think trying out a bunch of different bikes will be fun ... just can't wait to learn how to start them!

Thankfully, I'm not scared at this point, just anxious to get started. I'm so looking forward to "escaping" the city after work and on weekends.

Anyway, that's my 15 seconds. See ya in the forums!

Denise

esinedc to TMW from TEXAS. Good luck this weekend with your class. Don't worry too much about it. It will turn out Great. Keeping my fingers crossed for you to have the good weather...

Nice to see another member from Da Big Smoke!
Where are you taking the course? And good luck!

zed wrote:
Nice to see another member from Da Big Smoke!
Where are you taking the course? And good luck!

Thanks Zed! I'm taking the course with Rider Training Institute ... the practical part is at the Docks. Looks like rain for Saturday ... will be the first test for the waterproof liner in my jacket!

Welcome to TMW from the west coast. You know us as lotusland.

Have fun on your course and be sure to keep us posted.

blues2cruise wrote:Welcome to TMW from the west coast. You know us as lotusland.

Have fun on your course and be sure to keep us posted.

Holy crap! How come I didn't know before how awesome riding a bike is!

Spent the day learning to ride ... got to try all different kinds of bikes: sport, dual sport, cruiser. We went from walking the bike at 8:30 am to 3rd gear and slalom courses at 4:30. So stoked!

Tomorrow we keep learning and practicing and then I get my M2 papers (if I pass of course!)

Now I just need to buy a bike and keep practicing .... my face hurts from smiling so much!

to TMW. Glad to hear you're enjoying the course. Soon you'll be on your own ride and learning what every other rider knows, that the worst day on a bike is better than any day in a cage...

Good luck tomorrow!!!

dr_bar wrote: to TMW. Glad to hear you're enjoying the course. Soon you'll be on your own ride and learning what every other rider knows, that the worst day on a bike is better than any day in a cage...

Good luck tomorrow!!!

I was too embarrassed to say I didn't pass my test first time around ... I went too slow! None of my friends could believe that I went to slow because I tend to do everything at Mach 10. Anyway, it was a lack of confidence thing.

Went back yesterday to try the test again and with a little help from Lucas an awesome RTI instructor, I developed the confidence to have a good strong start and build up my speed quickly and smoothly. Was so awesome.

So now I'm back to looking for my bike. Hope to be on the road by Saturday!

Woo hoo!

No embarrasment in not getting through first try. The important thing is to learn at your own pace and don't ride beyond what you're comfortable with. Good luck on your search for a bike and when you do get it - ride safe out there

Congrats on passing!
Don't fret about not passing the first time. I completely botched up the first time and then aced the retest. Go figure!
I read in your other post that you are thinking about a Ninja 500 rather than the 250. Keep in mind that in the T.O. area you could pick up a used 250, ride it for a year and then sell it for almost what you paid for it. They are a popular starter bike.
Also insurance should be cheaper on a 250.