Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hello All,

The last month has been completely filled with new experiences. I live in montreal, quebec and just got my closed track licence after having held my learner's for a few months. The feeling of passing the closed track exam is incredible!!! Now after a 7 month period (most of which in winter and alot of practice in the spring i will be able to get my full licence. Now here comes the the question....first off ....what should my next step be? buying a bike??
and second...since i joined this forum (my first forum ever bytheway) i hear alot about the MSF course...is there anything like that in quebec??
I am really interested in as learning as much as i can from courses like the MSF anything that would could help me as a new rider!

welcome to the site.

The Canadian version of the MSF is the Canada Safety Council. You can find your nearest local school here:

http://www.ridertraining.org/

While there doesn't appear to be any Quebec schools run by them, there is one in Ottawa East http://www.ridertraining.org/ontario.htm

You can also check with your local CAA office or DMV for a list of accredited rider training courses. Be sure that you put your name on the list as soon as they open up registrations as you could otherwise be in for a long wait (courses tend to fill up fast)

You don't need a bike of your own for the training course as they will provide bikes for you to learn on as well as do your test on (this may be extra though - make sure that you ask your instructor)

Before you go out and buy a bike though, check out the classifieds for used bikes that are for sale and shop around. Sit on as many bikes as you can to find the one that is most comfortable for you and then try to find a used one - you will likely drop the bike a couple of times within the first six months, and you won't feel as bad about scratching up a used bike as you would a brand new one. If you are looking at a sportbike/sport standard, try to keep it under 600cc to start off (Suzuki GS500, Ninja 500). For a cruiser you can look at slightly larger displacement (650 - 750cc). Keep in mind though that a larger displacement bike is also going to be heavier, especially a cruiser. make sure that you are comfortable with the weight of the bike before you lay down any money.

Best of luck.