Topic: The Motorcycling Thread

[Jaeger]

Riding the last few weeks has been challenging due to the heat. I was so happy I invested in some Klim ventilated gear or I would have freaking died!! I'm not complaining about summer weather either Mother Nature, just making an observation!!!

If ventilated gear hadn't been invented, I'd hardly have been riding this summer. 35 degrees and humid in leather - nope - not up to that.

I couldn't imagine rocking black leather like the Harley types in this kind of weather

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Not to mention those hog motors throw heat like a blast furnace.  I'd be having heat stroke before I got to the end of my street. 

[ktm525]

I have barely been on the bike due to hot weather. Next 2 1/2 months I hope to make up for it.

[rrocket]

Riding the last few weeks has been challenging due to the heat. I was so happy I invested in some Klim ventilated gear or I would have freaking died!! I'm not complaining about summer weather either Mother Nature, just making an observation!!!

If ventilated gear hadn't been invented, I'd hardly have been riding this summer. 35 degrees and humid in leather - nope - not up to that.

I couldn't imagine rocking black leather like the Harley types in this kind of weather

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I used to rock leather....because no other choice for sportbikes "back in the day".  The worst part?  It was impossible to get out of leather after you were soaked.  That was even worse than the heat IMO.

[Jaeger]

I have barely been on the bike due to hot weather. Next 2 1/2 months I hope to make up for it.

I wish I had another 2 1/2 months to look forward to, but I am way too much of a fair weather rider for that.

In fact, the last couple mornings have been cool enough for leather. Man, give me 18 degrees and sunny skies and I'll ride forever. I just hope the transition from slow-roast to I-cant-feel-my-hands isn't too abrupt.

[PJungnitsch]

Riding the last few weeks has been challenging due to the heat. I was so happy I invested in some Klim ventilated gear or I would have freaking died!! I'm not complaining about summer weather either Mother Nature, just making an observation!!!

If ventilated gear hadn't been invented, I'd hardly have been riding this summer. 35 degrees and humid in leather - nope - not up to that.

I couldn't imagine rocking black leather like the Harley types in this kind of weather

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I used to rock leather....because no other choice for sportbikes "back in the day".  The worst part?  It was impossible to get out of leather after you were soaked.  That was even worse than the heat IMO.

Yeah, if you were touring you had to get a rainsuit on quick quick. My waterproof cordura Aerostich was a big improvement

Still hot though, I pretty much went with mesh after that got wrecked

Another plus with mesh is its useful for other sports as its basically a lightweight armour suit

[ktm525]

I have barely been on the bike due to hot weather. Next 2 1/2 months I hope to make up for it.

I wish I had another 2 1/2 months to look forward to, but I am way too much of a fair weather rider for that.

In fact, the last couple mornings have been cool enough for leather. Man, give me 18 degrees and sunny skies and I'll ride forever. I just hope the transition from slow-roast to I-cant-feel-my-hands isn't too abrupt.

You are tougher, I am riding for pleasure not commuting so later starts (no cold mornngs). Will ride until the ground freezes and the snow refuses to melt.

[CSH]

My wife gave me a M2 training course as a birthday gift earlier in the week. Got my M1 today. Course is in Sep.
Any thoughts on a bike: First time driver so insurance should be reasonable, Also we live in GTA (more insurance questions)
Friends are recommending 500cc or less CBR250 or CBR500
Thoughts?

got my M2 over the weekend. It's unbelievable how easy the test was and it was in the parking lot so no real road test...
Anyway... so they had several different types of bikes. Street, Sport, Dirt and Cruiser
My preference on the bikes would be Street, Sport, Dirt and then a cruiser

Had the most fun on a Honda Grom but it topped out too soon..

Checked Kijiji and not a lot of options (as much as cars) and seems like crazy used prices are affecting motorcycles too..
Hopefully, I can find a decent street/sport bike soon..lol

[Jaeger]

Pickings are slim and prices are high - new and used. You can find a good bike at a decent price, but it takes some looking and some luck. Not looking good for my wife getting her Honda Monkey this year. Hope you do better.

[CSH]

The only cruiser that stood out was the Rebel. I love the Honda Rebel.. they are especially pricey used...lol.. I know it falls in the cruiser class but it did not ride like the other cruisers on the training/test

[JohnnyMac]

The only cruiser that stood out was the Rebel. I love the Honda Rebel.. they are especially pricey used...lol.. I know it falls in the cruiser class but it did not ride like the other cruisers on the training/test

If you are okay with waiting until next season to get a bike, there is a chance of deals during the winter months.  Especially if the economy gets worse and the interest rates keep going up.  But nothing wrong with keeping your eyes open and finding something sooner.

[Jaeger]

The only cruiser that stood out was the Rebel. I love the Honda Rebel.. they are especially pricey used...lol.. I know it falls in the cruiser class but it did not ride like the other cruisers on the training/test

I'm with you - even though cruisers aren't my thing, the Rebel is a great bike and about the only cruiser I could see myself riding.

[Jaeger]

Small group ride up to Elora on the weekend.  Got rained on for the first 20 minutes, then it turned into the most perfect day imaginable.





Fun facts about that covered bridge - 1) it is the last remaining covered bridge in Ontario, and 2) it was featured in the most recent film adaptation of Steven King's "It".

[CSH]

WOW I am sure it was a amazing ride. I am so jealous of those bikes right now

[Jaeger]

WOW I am sure it was a amazing ride. I am so jealous of those bikes right now

We did a couple - shall we say - enthusiastic pulls along the way.  I was really impressed with how hard the CBR500R accelerated, compared with my CB650R and especially the Z900RS Cafe.  Making most of your torque down low has its advantages.

[Fobroader]

The only cruiser that stood out was the Rebel. I love the Honda Rebel.. they are especially pricey used...lol.. I know it falls in the cruiser class but it did not ride like the other cruisers on the training/test

They are truly a good product, just a reliable, solid platform. Can't really fault any of the Rebels.

[Jaeger]

The whole social aspect of motorcycling is something I hadn't the first clue about. There must be 3 or 4 events weekly within an hour's ride.  The gathering at a local Tim's is a weekly occurrence that I have attended a few times - always a cool mix of bikes.  I was talking to the guy riding the Panagale, who casually mentions that it tops out at 152 km/hr.  IN FIRST GEAR!    Not sure where you go with the remaining 5 gears, other than jail, but the bike looked awesome and sounded even better.

[Arthur Dent]

I was talking to the guy riding the Panagale, who casually mentions that it tops out at 152 km/hr.  IN FIRST GEAR!   

 

Wow. That is nuts. I'd imagine lower first gear would make for better acceleration but likely it doesn't need it.

[Jaeger]

I was talking to the guy riding the Panagale, who casually mentions that it tops out at 152 km/hr.  IN FIRST GEAR!   

 

Wow. That is nuts. I'd imagine lower first gear would make for better acceleration but likely it doesn't need it.

Totally bonkers.

[CSH]

152 in first crazy

I negotiated a 2014 CBR500 with a guy.. set up an appointment to finalize the deal and he texted in the morning it was sold. 30 minutes before i left for a 150km trip...

Can the 300cc bikes keep up on the highway? I am currently looking in the 500 to 600 class

[dkaz]

I've put 42,000 km combined on a CB 300F, R3, and CBR 250R. They top out at 150, 170, and 140 km/h respectively. The CB 300F I bought from Wing in Ottawa and rode it to Montreal then all the way home to Kelowna BC. I enjoyed every single km of them. That said, the bike I owned that was the most enjoyable to ride on the highway was a Honda Silver Wing scooter with its twin 582cc engine and gigantic windshield. It was so smooth and comfortable that it was almost like driving a car. Highway kms on small engines and/or sport bikes are doable but there are way better ways to do it.