[RabidRat]

Update: Round 1 Cut-off Monday April 26th 2012 -completed with 9 people

Update: Round 2 Cut-off Monday June 18th 2012 -completed with 6 people


More Information: http://www.pacificridingschool.com/?page_id=10
tl;dr - It's an 8-day course, with three different available schedules to fit around your work/school. You're responsible for bringing your own boots, but they'll supply all other gear including helmet and bikes.

The Round 2 discount will be back to the usual PRS group sign-up discount of $50 for groups of 3 or more. This brings the total to $725 + tax.

When you're ready, PM me and I will put you on the Committed list. Note: to get the $50 off you don't necessarily have to go to the same class as us, you just need to register with us.

Each time we get enough people on the Committed list, I'll kick off registration, and the group sign-up will reset.

Otherwise, if you don't indicate that you're ready to go, I'll put you on the Interested list, and you can PM me when you're ready.


Round 1 Completed April 26th
Anyone doing it this year?

I've been thinking about it for years now, I think it's about time :D

Got in touch with PRS; they're willing to do a bit more for Revscene members. $75 off with 3 or more people registering together, bringing the total to $700+tax.

Committed:
1. RabidRat
2. kchong
3. lil_kid
4. lil_kid's gf
5. Kayci
6. RabidRat's friend
7. RabidRat's friend
8. res4ever
9. res4ever's friend


Round 2 Completed June 18th
Committed:
1. PiuYi
2. res4ever's friend
3. Glove
4. peazs
5. gdoh
6. alicelc


Interested:
1. jtanner_
2. JHatta
3. Araaadi
4. jaemc
5. marksport
6. double0seven
7. jisagunde
8. z-33
9. Raiden
10. jkw
11. mickz
12. alicelc
13. joeytomato
14. sweeet

[em1.ac]

Great course! I did it 6 years ago! To this day I remember all the important things I was taught!
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[jtanner_]

I really want to do it... RS Group lessons? Aha
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[JHatta]

Wow. Just thinking about posting a thread about this cause I was looking into it last night. Read my mind rabid.....
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[rk604]

do it do it doit!

i went to visit PRS today, and the classes are starting to pick up. Talked to Dat (one of the instructors) about random motorcycle stuff...

I definitely recommend PRS...I went there 3 years ago, and still, to this day the riding mentality that they teach you still remains.

[NLY]

ahh still remember my nick name Dat gave me.

Sonic

It's an awesome course worth every dollar.

[whitev70r]

+1 ... even if you don't end up riding, it makes you a helluva better driver.

[thegentleman]

Had Taro as my instructor last year. Great guy!

[Araaadi]

very interested in going. I don't even know how to get out of first =(.

[dlo]

Saw the whole group at mcdicks this week, everyone seemed friendly and joyful, should be great times if anyone decides to join!!
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[bcrdukes]

Former PRS student.

Highly recommended.

[Alphamale]

Worth the price of admission, if not more.

A+++ will do business again.

jk, I'm poor now.

But gonna do an ART course for sure this year or next.

[stewie]

Worth the price of admission, if not more.

A+++ will do business again.

jk, I'm poor now.

But gonna do an ART course for sure this year or next.


if you do it this year let me know, im thinking about doing it as well!!

[Gtrr33]

PRS was an awesome experience!!!


btw this will be included in your lesson:fullofwin:
http://www.theppsc.org/Services/Courses/ISI/SWAT-2.gif

[rk604]

Hahaa I remember that...cutting the angles
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[dachinesedude]

awesome course, they teach defensive riding which is key to your survival

the price has gone up quite a bit from when i took it in '06, but its still worth it

[bcrdukes]

FYI - If you guys sign up as a group, you are all entitled to a group discount.

[RabidRat]

Got in touch with PRS; they're willing to do a bit more for Revscene members. $75 off with 3 or more people registering together, bringing the total down to $700+tax. You don't have to be in the same class, you just need to sign up together.

So. Who's interested? :D

1. RabidRat
2.
3.

[CharlieH]

very good investment for anyone interested in getting into riding. a lot of people can't justify spending $700 but acquiring a skill set that could make you a better rider and potentially save your life is priceless imo.

[jaemc]

I'm also interested! RabidRat when were you thinking of doing the course?

[bcrdukes]

In order for this to work, somebody needs to organize this and lead the group sign up. It worked out last year but it sort of fell apart somewhere in the middle.

I encourage you guys to sign up as a group. It's a lot more fun that way and you all at least have a common denominator being on Revscene. :)

And +1 to what CharlieH said. That $700 or $800 will last you a lifetime.

[RabidRat]

^ Thanks for the title change / approval tag.

I'm leading the group sign up. Anyone interested, just put yourself on the list and we'll go from there.

jaemc: I'm pretty busy for the next two weeks but starting March 19th I should be good. I'm thinking the "Weekend Course" schedule sounds pretty good, but I can do "Night School" A/B as well.

[marksport]

my gf is interested in this as well.

[double0seven]

Anyone want to wait till july for me :alone:

[parm104]

Can't imagine riding my bike without having PRS training. Saved my life a handful of times already.

Nickname, Professor.

(I always suggest taking PRS during shitty weather because you get to learn in the worst of conditions)

[RabidRat]

Alright so here's how we'll do this.

If you're interested in doing this relatively soon (ie registering within the next two weeks), PM me and I will put you on the Committed list. Note: just to reiterate, to get the $75 off you don't necessarily have to go to the same class, you just need to register with us.

Each time we get enough people on the Committed list, I'll kick off registration, and the group sign-up will reset.

Otherwise, if you don't indicate that you're ready to go, I'll put you on the "interested" list, and you can PM me when you're ready.

[Kayci]

Anyone want to wait till july for me :alone:

I'll try! I might crack and register earlier. Done my exams on the 20th of April


edit: RabidRat, when you say register, does that allow me to register say sometime in May/June instead of within the next few weeks?

[RabidRat]

You mean can you register now for lessons in May/June? I think you can, but they'd require a deposit from you when we sign up, which is $468 according to the website. Balance is due on 1st day of class.

[Jermyzy]

Have fun guys! If they were able to train my wife to ride, they can train anybody! :D

[eurochevy]

do it do it doit!

i went to visit PRS today, and the classes are starting to pick up. Talked to Dat (one of the instructors) about random motorcycle stuff...

I definitely recommend PRS...I went there 3 years ago, and still, to this day the riding mentality that they teach you still remains.

i don't do the "clutttchhh annnnnd braaaaaaaaaaaake" any more though ;) lol

[rk604]

i still do the tiger paws/claws LOOOL

[RabidRat]

kchong's now signed up as well, just need one more! =D

[bcrdukes]

You guys are going to have fun. :)

[-=SKYY=-]

Who's going this Monday???
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[kchong]

Is anyone else signing up for this? Come on we just need one more!
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[jaemc]

I'm down depending on which month you guys wanted to go. I don't wanna be foreveralone at a class with people I don't know. If possible I wouldn't mind the night classes.

[jisagunde]

Intrested ( first i need to get my L)
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[RabidRat]

I'm down depending on which month you guys wanted to go. I don't wanna be foreveralone at a class with people I don't know. If possible I wouldn't mind the night classes.

kchong was thinking April / May, preferably April. April is probably best for me as well, May is going to be tricky.

Night classes work best for me too.

[RabidRat]

God.. every time I scroll past CharlieH's Laguna Seca video, I die a little more inside waiting to take this course.. hahaha

[rk604]

haha...you still planning to keep the S when you get a bike?

[RabidRat]

haha...you still planning to keep the S when you get a bike?

I haven't really decided, but I've been going back and forth on whether to sell the s2k for a more practical daily driver for years now. Maybe by next year if I'm good enough to upgrade to a 600cc bike, it'll be fun enough to replace the S. Maybe ;)

[fT-z33wor]

I haven't really decided, but I've been going back and forth on whether to sell the s2k for a more practical daily driver for years now. Maybe by next year if I'm good enough to upgrade to a 600cc bike, it'll be fun enough to replace the S. Maybe ;)

You'll outgrow anything less than a 250cc by the time you finishing riding school. I would recommend an i-4 600cc off the bat.
Its REALLY tame below 7000rpm and completely torque-less. They are very forgiving bikes and have the power necessary up top when you need it.

Unless you're opting for a 500, it'll save you the trouble from upgrading a few months down the road when you get bored which I almost guarantee you, you will.


Just my 0.02,

what kind of bike were you planning on looking at?

[CharlieH]

good thing about a 250 is that it teaches you how to turn properly and make low speed maneuvers that a lot of people screw up with learning on a 600. had quite a few close calls on my gixxer when i started because i couldn't ride the damn thing properly at low speeds.

[BillyBishop]

^ +1

Learning for one week on PRS' 250s was enough for me to hop right onto a 600 and feel comfortable and in control. I can't imagine what it would've been like to learn on the 600 right off the bat.

[rk604]

I haven't really decided, but I've been going back and forth on whether to sell the s2k for a more practical daily driver for years now. Maybe by next year if I'm good enough to upgrade to a 600cc bike, it'll be fun enough to replace the S. Maybe ;)

i've been in your shoes...haha...your gonna regret selling it when its raining out/cold. Totally worth it when its sunny though.

I still feel the same way :(

[RabidRat]

You'll outgrow anything less than a 250cc by the time you finishing riding school. I would recommend an i-4 600cc off the bat.
Its REALLY tame below 7000rpm and completely torque-less. They are very forgiving bikes and have the power necessary up top when you need it.

Unless you're opting for a 500, it'll save you the trouble from upgrading a few months down the road when you get bored which I almost guarantee you, you will.


Just my 0.02,

what kind of bike were you planning on looking at?

I'll probably end up with a CBR125R and ride that around like a pussy :lol .. I've been looking for Ninja 250's but it's crazy how much people seem to want for them. Looks like for the same money I could easily get an older 600, so it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

I'd rather just get a GSXR and be done with it, but everybody keeps saying starting on a 600cc bike means 100% chance of death :okay:
edit: and then I come on Revscene and turns out half of you did it anyway LOL

[CharlieH]

^

in the end 99% of it is really about how much you respect the power. you'll hear people saying how its this and that but none of it matters if you take it easy and don't ride beyond your skill level. one thing i will attest to is that the initial learning phase is quite a bit harder on a 600 mainly because of how the bike is set up. they have a very wide turning radius, an aggressive seating position and very sharp brakes. all of these factors come into play especially when you're going at low speeds and riding in the city.

when i started on my gsxr750 the hardest part was getting around in a parking lot. you're making maneuvers at 5-10km/h while dodging chinese ladies and balancing a 400 pound hunk of metal underneath you. needless to say i had a my share of embarrassing moments lol. however the training you'll receive at PRS should help a lot in getting the hang of low speed riding so i wouldn't worry too much about it. in the end you have to ask yourself how mature you can be on the bike because you need to toss all the ego out the window when riding these damn things.

[fT-z33wor]

^ +1

Learning for one week on PRS' 250s was enough for me to hop right onto a 600 and feel comfortable and in control. I can't imagine what it would've been like to learn on the 600 right off the bat.

He is taking riding school though, although think what CharlieH meant is continuing to hone up his slow speed maneuvers post riding school.

I'll probably end up with a CBR125R and ride that around like a pussy :lol .. I've been looking for Ninja 250's but it's crazy how much people seem to want for them. Looks like for the same money I could easily get an older 600, so it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

I'd rather just get a GSXR and be done with it, but everybody keeps saying starting on a 600cc bike means 100% chance of death :okay:
edit: and then I come on Revscene and turns out half of you did it anyway LOL

Who the hell told you that :seriously: I started on a 750, as did charlie right after we finished our basic intro course (he took PRS, I went with ProRide). I mean mind you its not the more forgiving bike to start on, but the 100% death thing is laughable, over the top :rukidding:

It sounds like people filling your head with horror stories are thinking in the context of if were to not take riding school. Which is not in your case in my opinion.


^

in the end 99% of it is really about how much you respect the power. you'll hear people saying how its this and that but none of it matters if you take it easy and don't ride beyond your skill level. one thing i will attest to is that the initial learning phase is quite a bit harder on a 600 mainly because of how the bike is set up. they have a very wide turning radius, an aggressive seating position and very sharp brakes. all of these factors come into play especially when you're going at low speeds and riding in the city.

when i started on my gsxr750 the hardest part was getting around in a parking lot. you're making maneuvers at 5-10km/h while dodging chinese ladies and balancing a 400 pound hunk of metal underneath you. needless to say i had a my share of embarrassing moments lol. however the training you'll receive at PRS should help a lot in getting the hang of low speed riding so i wouldn't worry too much about it. in the end you have to ask yourself how mature you can be on the bike because you need to toss all the ego out the window when riding these damn things.

+1

[bcrdukes]

Just to echo what Charlie and the others have said, I'll throw in my 2 cents regarding the "cc" issue that comes up time and time again. I share the same sentiments as the others.

I started out with a 49cc scooter. Yeah, 49cc. I had no intention of ever getting into motorcycling - ever; thinking of all the dangers and the possibility of dying turned me away from it.

Fast forward 5 years later, my last scooter was a 150cc Vespa PX-150. 150cc of 2-stroke fury. But that didn't satisfy the need for speed. Not only was it a craving for speed but it was more so a safety issue. People in the GVRD are driving much more aggressively than ever. Cars are much more efficient and more people out there are in a rush to get to the next red light. 150cc was not sufficient to keep up with the flow of city traffic.

I finally ponied up to get a bike however, it was a small step up from my 150cc scooter. I picked up a 74 Yamaha RD200 (2-stroke) for a grand and change, rode around for a quick season, maybe 2 months and said, fuck this. I got the 500cc Yamaha SR500 I now have today (single cylinder thumper) and is more than sufficient for city rides and the odd ride here and there on the highway.

Going on the highway, I sometimes wished that I got a 600cc modern sport bike. When you take your course at PRS, they really drill it in to your head that safety and judgement always comes first. Having said that, you will naturally respect your bike and learn very quickly that the environment around you is always a danger.

The motor displacement is not the issue at hand and like the others have said, it is a big misunderstanding, especially with newbies like yourself. This is normal. I've been there and I learned the hard way. Do I regret not buying a 600cc sport bike to start? No. But do I sometimes wish that I did? Yes.

Bottom line - you will learn how to respect your bike and its potential. Worrying about the displacement factor should be the least of your worries now. The people who are telling you 600cc bikes are a death trap either don't know how to ride or have never taken lessons before. I won't speak for the other guys here on the forum but if and when I go on group rides, I will only ride with people who I know have taken lessons from a reputable school (i.e. PRS / Action etc.) I've been on rides with people who have never taken lessons and I learned quickly to never ride with these people ever again. I don't care what size their bikes are - they straight up suck. These are the people you should avoid and not listen to.

[z-33]

u can put me on the (interested list). might purchase a bike over the weekend.

[Raid3n]

im interested as well, just a matter of money haha.

[rk604]

u can put me on the (interested list). might purchase a bike over the weekend.

i think you should take the course first, then purchase a bike. get a sense of what bike would best fit you. it didn't change my initial decision when i went to PRS, but it definitely made more sense why the older guys don't get sportbikes to run around town :P

[bcrdukes]

^
I wouldn't mind a cruiser or a standard bike anymore. :D

[Raid3n]

i started on a '78 GS400. it was a great bike to learn on. i would recommend it to anyone. they can be found for cheap, are cheap to insure, and cheap to run. even parts are cheap.

[i<3RWD]

ive been riding for 9 years now.. i started on a 125 then jumped too a 250 then sat my ass on a 600 rode that for awhile got power hungry took on a 1000, nice power but definitely not as good as a 600 for corners... i suggest a 250 for beginners even if u decide to take the course if u sit on a 400 or 600 to start which most ppl do cuz they dont like the rear tire.... try a 250 u will learn agility on the street. heres a video that might make u want a bike ;) lol R6 chasing modified Evo at Deals Gap - YouTube

[bcrdukes]

I think Alphamale might be selling his GS400. Was in tip top condition when I last saw it (a month or two ago.)

Might want to consider that bike to start and work your way up if you want to keep you expenses low and put that money towards proper riding gear. Insurance is cheap too!

[CharlieH]

^
+1 gear is IMPORTANT. i would much rather spend 2g's less on a bike and use it towards good gear. after all it's your flesh wrapped around the bike, not the other way around =/

[RabidRat]

Thanks for the advice guys. In that case I'll start considering 600s again. It's just every time I go on bike forums I see posts like these (and any time anyone disagrees, 50 more people flame the crap out of them):


If you want to ask about an "r" bike as a first bike PLEASE do not post ANOTHER new thread about it, just read this, and ask a question, myself or someone else will be glad to answer your questions.

I've been seeing a lot of posts in this forum lately asking about success stories for "R" bikes, and "Im new but I got a gsx-r 1000, is this okay?"... "Is it okay to buy a gsx-r 600 as a first bike"

No. Plain and simple. The stickies in this forum offer you a wealth of information on why this is a bad choice. If you don't feel like reading them, lets break it down for you.

1.) Speed: I'm starting with this one because it's the most popular. Even a gsx-r 600 will out-accelerate, out-turn, and out-brake all but the most heavily modified sports cars (we aren't talking civic here, we're talking like modified corvette, or a modified viper, or maybe a 700hp streetcar). I hear many people saying they may get bored on these bikes. You won't get bored, ever. And it is very difficult to master these bikes by learning on them, they are just too much bike.

2.) Brakes: The brakes on any R bike are race-type brakes. They are made for setting up into corners while travelling very fast. This means, on the street, when you grab even a little bit of brake (as a new rider you make mistakes) you will lock up the wheels. Hope you enjoyed the ride, because it's over.

3.) Throttle: I hear people saying if they are responsible and control the throttle, they will be okay. They will only turn it a quarter turn... Hate to tell you, but a quarter turn is almost if not all the way full-throttle. We are talking 1/16ths of a turn or less for regular acceleration. You have to literally turn this thing by quarter centimeters if you dont want to accelerate hard.

4.) Cost: Insurance, initial investment, and repairs. SVS Posted something about one right-side lower fairing being ~450$. This means you can spend upwards of 1500$ for a low-speed crash. Imagine what happens when you highside and need to replace fairings, clutch/brake lever, bar-ends, etc etc.

5.) Responsiveness: The clip-ons ("handlebars") have a very very limited range of motion compared to what you are used to (if you ride dirt, atv, bicycle, etc). They travel a VERY short arc. This, in turn, means that R-type bikes respond to millimeters in inputs. They are designed to do EXACTLY what they are told, and if you are telling it to do something wrong, it will do it, and it can kill you. These bikes are made to be very nimble with a small input to the clip-ons.

6.) Learning: It is so much easier to learn on a slower bike. You can learn position, throttle control, clutch control, shifting techniques, emergency control situations, collision avoidance, and turn control. On an R bike, you will be watching the throttle, the brakes, and the input you are giving to the bike. You won't be able to leave that as second nature and learn how to whip that bike around.

In conclusion, it doesn't matter if you have ridden dirt for 10 years (I rode dirt for 8 years before I got my first bike; and it is TOTALLY different) or have driven the lingelfelter corvette to taiwan and back. You don't have enough experience for sport bike riding. They are just too powerful. You are not going to be able to deal with it, and you will be a worse rider than you could have been. Everyone thinks they are the exception, you aren't.. Believe me.. If anyone is the exception, they are already professional racers.

I hope I can sway some of you, I know you will do what you want in the end, but know that you are making a big mistake, one that may cost you your life.


Now I don't see myself having any difficulties with ego - I was and am still prepared to get a 125cc bike despite the fact my friends have pledged to call me a pussy every passing day until I sell it off again :lol. And I don't see myself having any shortage of respect for power / reigning in aggression - I've gone to enough track days and driving schools in BC and Ontario to see what it's like for people to push too hard (especially in their "invincible" Evo's and STI's) and smash into concrete walls or spin across curbs at triple digit speeds (this one guy in an M3 literally tore a rim right off its spokes). I've waited almost 5 years to make sure I was in the right state of mind before I decided I would go for the course this year.

But these guys are making it sound like a quarter millimeter turn of the throttle from idle at 6th gear would result in the bike flipping over backwards from the power. No amount of respect and humility + a week of riding school is going to save me from something like that. So are they all just exaggerating then, or do I really have something to worry about here?

^
+1 gear is IMPORTANT. i would much rather spend 2g's less on a bike and use it towards good gear. after all it's your flesh wrapped around the bike, not the other way around =/

I should be okay on gear, I got in on that AYC sale and have these already:
-A* GP Plus leather jacket
-A* Apex leather pants
-A* GP Plus gloves
-A* S-MX5 boots

I have an Arai Quantum II as well, so all I'm missing now is a spine protector unless you guys can think of anything else. And yes, I plan to wear all of this stuff on every single ride even if it's 34 degrees out there. Even if I'm on a CBR125 and look like an idiot wearing all that gear. This is the end result of all the fear-mongering and scare-tactics on bcsportbikes and various other bike forums hahaha.

[Raid3n]

the gs400 was great fun to ride. very agile too. easy to maneuver at low speeds. great for your skills test =D

[bcrdukes]

Some people may not agree with me (which is fine) but my 2 cents on the post you quoted from the other forum. The 600cc+ veterans should definitely chime in on this one.

The post has its pros and cons. Most of which are exaggerated and blown out of proportion in my opinion.

1. Speed - Duh. A bike will be faster than a modified sports car. Physics wins. Always.

2. Brakes - No shit. This is a bike. Not a 3,500lb car. At PRS, they will teach you how to modulate brakes, both front and rear.

3. Throttle - There's truth to what he says but seriously, fuck that shit. Just take it easy when you get on the bike. Again, you will learn throttle and clutch control @ PRS. This one's a no-brainer. PRS guys - "Clutch and braaaaaake!" :D

4. Cost - Whatever. If you're prepared to buy a 600cc bike, you should be prepared for the insurance costs. The jump in price from a 400cc to a 600cc bike isn't that much more. Plus, you have the option of insuring through Beacon @ Cassells (I'm sure a lot of guys insure through them here.)

5. Responsiveness - Again, a no brainer. Most 600cc+ bikes have a proper suspension setup. This is a bike, for crying out loud. Handling etc. will come with experience and training/reading. Again, you'll learn this at PRS.

6. Learning - You'll likely learn on a Kawasaki Sherpa @ PRS which is I think 250cc? They're easy to learn on but when moving from that to a 600cc+ sport bike, there isn't much of a learning curve so this guy blew things out of proportion (again, in my opinion.)

7. Gear - Looks like you got that one pat down. That and you took advantage of the AYC sale. Never skimp on gear!

If you're not feeling comfortable with a 600cc bike to start, that's fine. You have other options. Like I said, Alphamale is selling his GS400. Fucking guy is riding a CBR600F4i now. It's a good beginner bike and good to learn on, a compromise between a 250cc and 600cc bike. Great if you're looking to develop your skills during your first season. Hope that helps.

Edit: As much as I love my cafe racer, I'd rock a 600cc sport bike any day. :D

[RabidRat]

I think as long as you guys think these people are blowing the throttle mapping thing out of proportion, I'm absolutely fine with considering a 600 or 750. I might still stick with something older like an F4 though so when I inevitably drop it at low speed it won't be so bad. There was a nice yellow one on Craigs the other day.

[bcrdukes]

Most 600cc sport bikes are pretty tame until you get into the upper range of the power band. And if you ride in the city, really, you can easily cruise around town in 1st or 2nd gear. No joke.

If people think the riding position on sport bikes are aggressive, damn. Wait until you take a ride on my cafe racer. :rofl:

[fT-z33wor]

So are they all just exaggerating then, or do I really have something to worry about here?



My answer is yes these guys are WAY over the top :fulloffuck: thats on the other extreme end of the spectrum.


Bcrdukes is spot on,

edit:

and the throttle argument is garbage LOL

under 7000rpms you probably can't even tell its a 600

thats how the power band is, and then it just shoots up from there.

[Gh0stRider]

oh the Sherpa's....did my test on that. so much different than my gixxer.

[CharlieH]

dude i read that exact post before i started riding and it scared the shit out of me. there's some truth to what the guy says but he blows it way out of proportion.

for example, he says that if you grab the front brake on the streets you'll lock up the front and the bike will go down... that's just complete bullshit. for reference, the gixxer's brakes (pre 2011) aren't nearly as good as the ones on my car, so it's not like the damn thing will snap you off the bike as soon as you get on them. it's actually very forgiving, if not a little weak imo. the only way you'd lock the front up is if you suddenly slam on the brakes way too hard, if there's no heat in the front tire, if the tire pressure's too high or if you get on the front brakes mid corner. at PRS they teach you to modulate the brake pressure in order to maximize braking efficiency in a safe manner and it works. none of my friends have ever locked of the front brakes, and with proper training you can even control a front end skid.

the thing about throttle, how 1/16 of a turn will move the bike xxx km/h is actually true. it sounds scary as shit but it's really not. your hands have the most dexterity out of any part of your body, and can easily make tiny throttle inputs. there are certain techniques to hand and body positioning that pretty much eliminate the chances of accidentally snapping on the throttle, so it's really not nearly as scary as it sounds.

and like the rest of these guys have said, a 600's power band doesn't even start until after 8000rpm so you have tons of room to learn safely on. once you finish PRS, it will definitely give you a much better idea of what kind of bike you'd want to get but it'll also teach you to ride at your own pace, which in the end is still the most important factor to being safe.

[i<3RWD]

i totally agree with you guys.. but the thing is a bike is not as forgiving as a car would be. we all know that when u buy a big bike to start off with ur just aiming at the look of the bike. if your saying ur not power hungry then why not start with a ninja 250r?? if u buy a 600 right off the bat you will not even be able to exceed its potential as a new rider my friend. once u have fully exceeded the limits of a 250 then it would make sense to get a 400 or 600. if money is a issue i would highly recommend 2008+ ninja 250RR they are great looking and have lots of power more then the usall 250cc. Being a safe rider will gain u more respect then having a big bike that u are not able to control yet. just to add the powerband usually hits around the 7g to 8g area but the thing is the big problem on a bike is lol sometimes the most dangerous thing is u dont even know how fast ur going which usually leads to accidents...

[fT-z33wor]

i totally agree with you guys.. but the thing is a bike is not as forgiving as a car would be. we all know that when u buy a big bike to start off with ur just aiming at the look of the bike. if your saying ur not power hungry then why not start with a ninja 250r?? if u buy a 600 right off the bat you will not even be able to exceed its potential as a new rider my friend. once u have fully exceeded the limits of a 250 then it would make sense to get a 400 or 600. if money is a issue i would highly recommend 2008+ ninja 250RR they are great looking and have lots of power more then the usall 250cc. Being a safe rider will gain u more respect then having a big bike that u are not able to control yet. just to add the powerband usually hits around the 7g to 8g area but the thing is the big problem on a bike is lol sometimes the most dangerous thing is u dont even know how fast ur going which usually leads to accidents...

There's an acquaintance who's a friend of Charlie's I had trouble convincing to just get a 600 over a 250 a couple years ago. I explained to him he'd get bored of it within a season and it will save him the time and trouble from upgrading a short distance down the road. (He didn't take riding school). Low and behold, within the year he wanted to sell and upgrade.

Unless you track the darn thing, no one can exceed the limits of a 250 or use the full potential of a 600, especially on public roads.

Truth is you're probably going to get power hungry after you get used to the hum drum power band of the 250r lol. You'll know what I mean after finishing riding school. Its that empty feeling you get when the party's over and the music stops, and you're like.. "That's it??" :okay:
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[jkw]

very interested, will commit in april.

[i<3RWD]

There's an acquaintance who's a friend of Charlie's I had trouble convincing to just get a 600 over a 250 a couple years ago. I explained to him he'd get bored of it within a season and it will save him the time and trouble from upgrading a short distance down the road. (He didn't take riding school). Low and behold, within the year he wanted to sell and upgrade.

Unless you track the darn thing, no one can exceed the limits of a 250 or use the full potential of a 600, especially on public roads.

Truth is you're probably going to get power hungry after you get used to the hum drum power band of the 250r lol. You'll know what I mean after finishing riding school. Its that empty feeling you get when the party's over and the music stops, and you're like.. "That's it??" :okay:
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

i totally disagree with u on not being able to exceed the potential of a 250 or 600 lol if ur gonna be a granny on a bike might as well not get one lol .:sleepingzz::sleepingzz: sounds like u have been riding for awhile?? cuz last time i checked experienced riders will corner a 250r at 180 lool whats the point of having the power if ur not gonna use it??? its like turboing ur car and just saying its a turbo??? soo are u a rider?? or just someone that wants to be flashy?? cuz if u wanna be flashy yeah go ahead start on a 600, guarantee u will drop ur bike. why would u even wanna put urself in a postion of having any chance of droping the bike. im just talkin out of experience. but hey i guess every ones diff. :whistle:

[CharlieH]

^

in case you haven't noticed the new speeding laws get serious as soon as you hit 40 over the limit... which is 120 km/h on sea2sky, barely enough to get any lean angle on our bikes. so realistically none of us can take a 600 or even a 250 to the limits unless it's going to be at the track. that said i definitely think it's a great idea to start on a 250, but i sure as hell wouldn't tell anyone to gtfo if they wanted to start on a 600. it all depends on that person's maturity.

[fT-z33wor]

i totally disagree with u on not being able to exceed the potential of a 250 or 600 lol if ur gonna be a granny on a bike might as well not get one lol .:sleepingzz::sleepingzz: sounds like u have been riding for awhile?? cuz last time i checked experienced riders will corner a 250r at 180 lool whats the point of having the power if ur not gonna use it??? its like turboing ur car and just saying its a turbo??? soo are u a rider?? or just someone that wants to be flashy?? cuz if u wanna be flashy yeah go ahead start on a 600, guarantee u will drop ur bike. why would u even wanna put urself in a postion of having any chance of droping the bike. im just talkin out of experience. but hey i guess every ones diff. :whistle:

I think you heavily misinterpreted what I meant. I am trying to point out there's little to no where in the GVRD you can throw the bike into a corner at speeds near its thresholds, which kind of renders that argument obsolete. Unless he doesn't plan on hanging onto his license for long, its completely irrelevant for him.

I do believe in spirited riding, but there's really not all that many places to do it (to the extent in which you're implying) without getting GG'd in Vancouver. If you do spirited ride near the threshold of your bike, I can guarantee you, you won't be on the road for very long with the new road rules implemented.

I lost my license in 2009 for such shinanigans, I'm sure someone else on here can chime in as they had to endure that pain staking process with me.

I'm pretty sure its fair to say everyone here is speaking out of our own experience. I have not been riding long, this season will be my fourth, but I've yet to drop any of my bikes *touch wood* and I started on a k5 750

[bcrdukes]

The only time I was ever able to take full advantage of an motor's displacement was my Vespa 150. All 150cc going down the Knight Street Bridge to 5th Gear for the BCSB BBQ Meets. And I couldn't corner for shit because there was no room for it. I'm a gangster, right? Hah!

Otherwise, I'm with Charlie and the other on this one. Nobody will ever take full advantage of their bikes other than at the track. Even with a Ninja 250cc, on the highway, you're up there in the 10k+ RPM just to keep up with the flow of traffic. Already you're pushing hard on that motor. And on the S2S - sorry man. The consequences are too dire. Especially public humiliation on Revscene and BC Sport Bikes.

[i<3RWD]

well hope u get on a bike soon then. it would be great for a RS cruise up to whisy.

[RabidRat]

Yeah there's my other concern.. I plan to avoid city riding at all costs, I've had enough close calls with people not even seeing my s2k. So I'm mainly wanting to ride out to the interior, sea2sky (slowly) etc. But it sounds like it'll be dangerous on a 125cc bike.

[rk604]

i wrote a bunch of stuff and idiot me pressed refresh...

anways, i'd get 250 minimum. i rode 125 back in asia, and it was okay city commuting and stuff, but above 70 seems rather slow in my opinion

[dachinesedude]

if you a starbucks poser get a 600+ cuz 250 below are pretty gay looking, my first bike was a purple 250 ninja tho lol literally got laughed at, but hey very good bike to learn on, extremely light and non-responsive throttle means you wont pop a wheelie accidently

seriously, you can die on any bike, so i think the size of it is irrelevant, just take the PRS course and have self control

its like buying a 500hp car vs a 150hp car, you wont be able to push the 500hp car to the limits on the streets anyways, why do ppl buy them then? personal preference, bragging rights, whatever

[CharlieH]

^

unless you crank the throttle in 1st gear at 10000 rpm you wont be popping any wheelies on a 600 anyways hahaha

[fT-z33wor]

^

unless you crank the throttle in 1st gear at 10000 rpm you wont be popping any wheelies on a 600 anyways hahaha

Exactly :lawl: I mean, THAT or pop the clutch like how you would clutch kick in a car. But still you have to go pretty out of your damn way to try to even wheelie on a 600.

[RabidRat]

Looking at a CBR600F4 this weekend.

63,xxx km though, that's kinda high.. what is the usual life expectancy in kms for a bike like this? I'm going to take it to a dealership to have it inspected (any recommendations, maybe Carter Motorsports? bike's located downtown), should I pay the full $100 for the compression test?

[bcrdukes]

63K for an F4 is not bad I suppose and they do last a long time. I don't know anybody who has had a bike that went bad due to mileage.

Is this an F4 or F4i? Just making sure.

[RabidRat]

F4, it's a little older. None of that fancy fuel injection haha.

[rk604]

if you a starbucks poser get a 600+ cuz 250 below are pretty gay looking, my first bike was a purple 250 ninja tho lol literally got laughed at, but hey very good bike to learn on, extremely light and non-responsive throttle means you wont pop a wheelie accidently

seriously, you can die on any bike, so i think the size of it is irrelevant, just take the PRS course and have self control

its like buying a 500hp car vs a 150hp car, you wont be able to push the 500hp car to the limits on the streets anyways, why do ppl buy them then? personal preference, bragging rights, whatever

i got a 600 as my first bike...but never been to starbucks with it. first time was with fT-z33wor, and that wasn't really posing cause i got out posed by fT-z33wor and his full suit LOOOOOOOL

[bcrdukes]

F4, it's a little older. None of that fancy fuel injection haha.

If you can, try to get a bike that has fuel injection. It's one less maintenance item you have to worry about.

[i<3RWD]

lol yeah dont get a 125, 250 is smallest cc u should get a 125 cant even keep up to a grandmas scooter :dead:

[i<3RWD]

hey bud, if ur lookin for a bike here a decent one if u wanna start big might aswell just get this..... gsxr 750 (http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bnc/mcy/2906347657.html)

[Doubl3_H]

im also interested, but with work and family, surrey is a little too far for me

anyone been with ProRide in N.Van?

[fT-z33wor]

Looking at a CBR600F4 this weekend.

63,xxx km though, that's kinda high.. what is the usual life expectancy in kms for a bike like this? I'm going to take it to a dealership to have it inspected (any recommendations, maybe Carter Motorsports? bike's located downtown), should I pay the full $100 for the compression test?

Personally when I go bike hunting, I'd try to find something between 10,000-30,000 kms.
Small part of it was to do with the inevitable replacement of wear and tear parts that comes with the mileage.
High mileage does not mean beat up though, because how long a bike motor lasts is largely reflected on how well the bike itself was maintained by the owner.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't bikes retain their value better when they have lower mileage?
I'd imagine it being easier to sell too down the road. If you ever wanted to change bikes again or what not.

In regards to a carburetor on a bike, it would be nice to go with fuel injection for reliability as bcrdukes stated.
Eventually at some point, you are going to need to have your carburetor removed and cleaned, where as you don't need to worry about that with F/I.

Also you wont have to wait for your bike to warm up for cold starts, and wont need to play with the choke.
I normally just keep the revs low until the motor warms up to operating temps :)

i got a 600 as my first bike...but never been to starbucks with it. first time was with fT-z33wor, and that wasn't really posing cause i got out posed by fT-z33wor,and his full suit LOOOOOOOL

:fuuuuu: troll dick move over 9000

im also interested, but with work and family, surrey is a little too far for me

anyone been with ProRide in N.Van?

I have and it was exceptional. Some people will say PRS is better, and I'm not sure to be honest.
I was initially planning on doing my schooling with PRS, but I could only do night school, due to my day classes at sfu before. I couldn't justify booting into surrey through rush hour traffic from the sfu mountain campus, so I went with ProRide up at Cap college cross second narrows.

I would say its safe to assume they're both on par with one another, could someone else chime in?

[some_punk]

just finished prs a few weeks ago, in night school A, wish i saw this sooner, and got that 75 bucks off thing.

[RabidRat]

Fuuuu... went to go look at the CBR600F4 yesterday, looked incredibly clean and in mint condition. Satin black. (previous owner worked at a body shop). No issues that I could tell. Seller couldn't meet me til 5pm so I couldn't get an appointment to have it inspected that day, had to wait til Tuesday. Afterwards I kept thinking about how clean that thing was and decided fuck it, just gonna buy it. Gave him a call and turns out he'd already sold it.

:okay:

[bcrdukes]

^
He did you a favour by selling it. :D

[CharlieH]

make sure you go over a check list before you buy any bike. just because it looks good doesn't mean it won't have any problems (especially since the guy worked at a body shop, would have been very easy to hide any visible flaws).

quoted from another forum:

How do you make sure you don't overlook something when you're checking out a used motorcycle? Print this checklist and take it with you.



Match the VINs
The VIN on the frame should match the VIN on the engine, and both should match the VIN on the title. If there?s a discrepancy, there should be a very good reason. If not, walk away.

Check the VIN
Call it into your insurance company for a real rate quote. Call it into the manufacturer for any recall info. And, if possible, call it into state authorities, to see if it has been reported stolen.

Check the maintenance records
Sure, these can be fudged, but when you buy a used motorcycle, you have to accept that you must rely on some level of trust. If these don?t exist, ask for a verbal account of maintenance history.

Examine tire wear
Look for cupping and make sure there's at least 1/16 of an inch of tread. Check the tire pressure while you?re down there. Improperly inflated tires may hint at lazy maintenance habits elsewhere.

Test for excessive bearing play
Ask the seller to put the bike up on the centerstand. Gently tug on the fork tubes front to back, feeling for play in the steering head. Also feel for movement in the front and rear wheels and side-to-side action in the swingarm. Basically, any play is bad and a safety hazard.

Check the steering head lock
Does it work? Use the key and find out for yourself, but just as important, look for any signs of damage or excessive wear. Has it been replaced or repaired? If so, the bike may have been stolen at one time.

Examine the air filter
It should be clean and properly installed. Consider a zero-tolerance policy. Dirt in the engine is a very bad thing. Also, is the airbox intact? Extra holes (punchouts) could be fine (as long as they are outside the filter), but ask the seller why they were performed.

Check all fluid levels
Discolored brake fluid, low coolant levels and dirty (or gray) oil are all bad signs. Don?t forget that some bikes have separate crankcase and transmission oil?and two dipsticks.

Perform a visual once-over
Look for any obvious mechanical issues?loose or missing fasteners, fluid leaks, pitting in fork tubes, rust in the fuel tank, cable continuity, chain play, sprocket condition, cracked wiring insulation, etc.

Perform another visual once-over
This time, focus on cosmetics with an eye toward identifying crash signs. Look for inconsistencies in paint shade or texture. Cracks in plastic or fiberglass may be invisible from the outside but obvious from the inside. Use a flashlight and check all the cracks and crevices. Examine footpegs and sidecases for scrapes. Do the control levers appear extra shiny? Ask why and when they were replaced.

Operate all controls
Test the brakes, operate the clutch and take note of sufficient play, shift gears, flip the turn signals, beep the horn, etc. If a test ride is not allowed, then put the bike on the centerstand and do a "dry run."

Start it
If the seller isn?t hip to a test ride, don?t get too discouraged. Many motorcycles have gone out for test rides and have not come back. But, by all means, start the bike. Put at least four of your senses to work: listen for odd noises, look for smoke, smell for burnt oil or coolant, feel for heavy vibrations. Throttle response should be crisp off idle and significantly more smoke should not accompany more throttle.

Get out the toolbox
At the least, check air pressures (tires, and forks and shocks, if applicable). If you?re so equipped and mechanically able, test the resistance of the electrics with a multimeter, brake disc thickness with a micrometer, and cylinder compression with a compression tester.

Are extras included?
Extras you want can make the deal sweeter. If the bike has aftermarket parts you don't want, see if the owner will take them off and lower the price. Ask for any stock equipment that was replaced with aftermarket parts. And don?t forget the tool kit.

?Is this the bike I want??
Often, what looks great in photographs and sounds great in website reviews, falls flat in person. Even if the bike itself is sound, if the model didn?t stand up to its lofty rep, go back to the drawing board. This is your last chance.

Negotiate
Don?t just meet the asking price without trying to get a better deal. Every item you found wrong is a negotiating point. You may get nowhere, but you might save a few hundred bucks, too. And never forget the power of these seven words: Is that the best you can do?

[RabidRat]

Haha yeah you're right. Definitely got way too excited seeing the bike in person =)

[bcrdukes]

Don't rush to get your bike yet. There's still lots of time. Take your classes first and go from there.

P.S. - Just got home from first ride of the 2012 Spring/Summer season. :D :fuckyea:

[Raid3n]

^bastard! lol. i cant wait

[lil_kid]

Is the group rate still happening?

GF and I are interested in taking lessons at the end of April. Thanks!

[Kayci]

Yeah. I think RabidRat is waiting for at least 3 people to commit before the group is eligable for the discount.

[RabidRat]

Thanks Kayci.

Yup, group rate is still happening. Send me a PM when you're ready to commit to registering with us. If you need a little bit more time to think about it, I can put you on the Interested list.

[91civicZC]

Former PRS Student here, Highly recommended.

I grew up around bikes in my family, although I really didn’t get into them until I was older a couple of years back. A couple of observations:

You will realize how few people actually know how to ride properly, and wonder why there aren’t more deaths. Watching people with locked elbows and no head movement will make you shake your head.

The people I know who do race bikes (or used to) professionally don’t ride race bikes or crotch rocket’s on the street. I think they are both riding Harleys on the street now. Take that however you want.

You will realize that most in Vancouver are not “bike guys” (just like I would say there aren’t many actual “car guys” either). Most are into the look. The bike is a fashion statement to them like a purse. There is no appreciation for “bikes”, only what bike is cool to others and how it makes them look.

Ride YOUR ride, not someone else’s. Staying alive is more important than anything else. Respect your bike, don’t fear it. Don’t be scared to ride, just pay attention to everything and you will do fine. Remember that every other mother fucker on the road is trying to kill you. Keep that in mind and you’ll be okay.

Definitely take the class, you will be WAY better off afterward.

As for a first bike, if you just want something to learn on this season, and want to wait to next winter (when bike prices will drop) to pick up the bike you want, you can usually pick up old metric cruisers or UJM bikes for pretty cheap in okay condition. Good commuter bikes, easy to learn on, and no big deal if you drop it.

[i<3RWD]

Former PRS Student here, Highly recommended.

I grew up around bikes in my family, although I really didn’t get into them until I was older a couple of years back. A couple of observations:

You will realize how few people actually know how to ride properly, and wonder why there aren’t more deaths. Watching people with locked elbows and no head movement will make you shake your head.

The people I know who do race bikes (or used to) professionally don’t ride race bikes or crotch rocket’s on the street. I think they are both riding Harleys on the street now. Take that however you want.

You will realize that most in Vancouver are not “bike guys” (just like I would say there aren’t many actual “car guys” either). Most are into the look. The bike is a fashion statement to them like a purse. There is no appreciation for “bikes”, only what bike is cool to others and how it makes them look.

Ride YOUR ride, not someone else’s. Staying alive is more important than anything else. Respect your bike, don’t fear it. Don’t be scared to ride, just pay attention to everything and you will do fine. Remember that every other mother fucker on the road is trying to kill you. Keep that in mind and you’ll be okay.

Definitely take the class, you will be WAY better off afterward.

As for a first bike, if you just want something to learn on this season, and want to wait to next winter (when bike prices will drop) to pick up the bike you want, you can usually pick up old metric cruisers or UJM bikes for pretty cheap in okay condition. Good commuter bikes, easy to learn on, and no big deal if you drop it.


Apart of owning a bike u have to like the way it looks... u dont wanna wait all season to get some ugly cruiser. i agree with ur statement on not that many "car guys" in VC. As for the bikers they got tons of appreciation especially how we live in a fukin rainforest. trust me if its the guy tht buys the bike to pose they wont be around for too many seasons.... as for the ex pros there most likly old and want something a lil more "comfortable to ride. most likely if your younger ur not gonna wanna ride around in a Harley unless thats what u like... Man i dont think if ur in ur 20's ur gonna wanna be rollin in a mini van :rukidding: cuz its safer right lol..... :hotbaby:

[lil_kid]

Thanks Kayci!

RabidRat, I've sent you a PM.

[RabidRat]

Cool, lil_kid and his gf are now on the Committed list as well.

We have four! :)

I'm going to be getting back to PRS on Monday, so anyone else on the fence has the next couple days to decide if they wanna jump in on this now, or wait til next round.

[blum2001]

Seattle! Portland!
It's still stuck in my head. You'll know what I mean.

If you guys are fortunate enough to get Dat as your instructor, listen to every word that he says. I've used his training in not only riding but at times driving as well. Best money ever spent.

[rk604]

My gf just signed up with 2 of her friends...pm'ed u RabidRat...maybe we could put both together.

[Kayci]

What time is everyone doing it?

Anyone doing the weekday course for april 23-30?

[RabidRat]

Reminder: please PM me by Monday night if you want to get in on this.

Kayci - I actually just bought my bike today so I'm going to try and go earlier. If everything's filled up before April 23rd I'll go with you though =)

[Kayci]

Okay :)

Grats on the bike!

[RabidRat]

Thanks =)

Okay so a couple new developments: I apologize for the delay, we've had a few more people sign up recently (we're now at 9), and SOME PEOPLE aren't good at checking their emails ;). But I think we're all set now, I just got off the phone with PRS. Unfortunately the person I was dealing with isn't there anymore and they're figuring it out again for me, but I'll keep everyone updated.

[RabidRat]

Btw once so many people signed up it became kinda hard to coordinate who would go together and when over PMs. So let's just do that out in the open here.

I'm going to be signing up for Weekday B course, April 16th. I believe lil_kid and his gf are also going to that one.

Anyone else wanting to go with others, post up which courses you're available for and we'll try and get that sorted.

[lil_kid]

Btw once so many people signed up it became kinda hard to coordinate who would go together and when over PMs. So let's just do that out in the open here.

I'm going to be signing up for Weekday B course, April 16th. I believe lil_kid and his gf are also going to that one.

Anyone else wanting to go with others, post up which courses you're available for and we'll try and get that sorted.

Registered this morning for Weekday B Apr16. Looking forward to the class, thanks for putting all this together RabidRat!

[Vale46Rossi]

I'm in the class right now and Kramer is hilarious!

[RabidRat]

Okay we just got the go-ahead from PRS.

Everyone who signed up, I've just sent you a PM with instructions.

[CharlieH]

thanks for ironing out all the details, RabidRat. good luck to everyone taking the course, it'll be that much more fun with a group of RSers :)

[RabidRat]

Np guys!

Change of plans, I'm now going Night School B for April 9th. I can't wait!! =D

Edit: PRS wanted me to pass along the message to you guys that if you don't know how to ride a bicycle, you might wanna um.. learn beforehand. I am hereby volunteering to teach anyone who needs help with that =)

[MK-EK]

PRS is da bomb!

took it last year! was excited for every class

[Kayci]

Thanks again RabidRat!

Can't wait.. just registered for April 20th weekday. Anyone else registered for the same time?

[TjAlmeida]

Curious how many people daily ride their bike to work or school? The potential gas mileage of driving back and forth to school is tempting

[RabidRat]

Has everyone alrdy passed their written exam? Was it hard?

[RabidRat]

Curious how many people daily ride their bike to work or school? The potential gas mileage of driving back and forth to school is tempting

How about the potential for getting smoked by a car from riding in heavy rush hour traffic? Is that tempting also? ;)

I dunno about you guys but I don't see myself riding in the city ever.

[CharlieH]

Curious how many people daily ride their bike to work or school? The potential gas mileage of driving back and forth to school is tempting

i ride 10 months out of the year and try to get out as much as i can. in the summer i'll ride to school/work all the time. just gotta be careful when you're in richmond though, if ya know what i mean. :heckno:

[TjAlmeida]

How about the potential for getting smoked by a car from riding in heavy rush hour traffic? Is that tempting also? ;)

I dunno about you guys but I don't see myself riding in the city ever.


Thanks for the above replies. And I live in port Coquitlam so it wouldnt be too much city just poco to bcit

[RabidRat]

careful when you're in richmond though, if ya know what i mean. :heckno:

This, especially.

One day I was just driving alone in the left lane of No.3 road minding my own business.

All of a sudden I had an A4 smashed into the side of my car. An asian lady had taken a wide (WIDE.) turn out of a parking lot and cut across two lanes to t-bone me.

I have a new SUBFRAME now thanks to her, that's how far the damage went.

[CharlieH]

LOL WTF

[CharlieH]

Has everyone alrdy passed their written exam? Was it hard?

written exam is super easy. exactly like your class 7L but with a few motorcycle specific questions. for example, they'll give you a scenario and then ask you what lane position you should be in (1, 2 or 3). i also remember some questions like, "which way do you turn the handle bars when making a LOW speed left turn" and etc...

[Kayci]

^
Yeah I had 2 questions on low speed turning and 2 on countersteering.
Overall super easy, especially if you've been driving for awhile and (should) know most of it subconciously. Missed the one about looking at the centre line when oncoming traffic is blinding.

[RabidRat]

Missed the one about looking at the centre line when oncoming traffic is blinding.

Oh. Is that actually what you're supposed to do, because I just sorta close my eyes and make screaming noises ;)

[i<3RWD]

dont forget turbulence from semis......

[res4ever]

Hey RabidRat, the written is really easy don't sweat it.

I just did mine on Mon, took about 20mins..best suggestion: answer the ones you know for sure first and skip the ones you are unsure. Near the end you won't even have to answer the unsure ones if you get enough correct ones right.

Just review the road signs, and study lane positioning, counter steering, and turbulence. Most questions I got was situations (which car is most imminent danger to you) and the situations are pretty common sense if you do any driving at all.

Good luck and let me know how Night B goes! (most importantly how bad is traffic getting into surrey before the 6:30pm start time). Thanks!

[Vale46Rossi]

The traffic is absolutely terrible for that time heading back to surrey.

Also they test most about chapter 6 I believe ( chapter about see think do)

[rk604]

They made some changes to the knowledge test book since a few years ago when I took the test. I would recommend reading the whole book...I took the time to do so and learned few thing or two

[fT-z33wor]

They made some changes to the knowledge test book since a few years ago when I took the test. I would recommend reading the whole book...I took the time to do so and learned few thing or two

Like how to properly put your kick stand down lol :lawl:

[rk604]

n how to pose @ starbucks with a full suit with a troll smile

[some_punk]

They made some changes to the knowledge test book since a few years ago when I took the test. I would recommend reading the whole book...I took the time to do so and learned few thing or two

Dat said the book is pretty close to a lawsuit.

[CharlieH]

Dat said the book is pretty close to a lawsuit.

"lawsuit waiting to happen", because of how little it actually teaches you about riding on the street. pretty damn true if you ask me.

[RabidRat]

Just went to my first class. Kramer's a funny guy haha

[Vale46Rossi]

Just went to my first class. Kramer's a funny guy haha


Night Class B?

Kramer is awesome!

[RabidRat]

Yup. I'm in Night Class B.

I'm a little disappointed that we're not going to be covering things like suspension adjustment and rev matching (especially while braking), seems like those would be important topics. I like his teaching style though, I was never bored and the stories really help drive the points home.

[Vale46Rossi]

Yup. I'm in Night Class B.

I'm a little disappointed that we're not going to be covering things like suspension adjustment and rev matching (especially while braking), seems like those would be important topics. I like his teaching style though, I was never bored and the stories really help drive the points home.

Hmm first day eh?

If the schedule stays the same you will have Dat for parking lot and road ride which is fun

It's going to be a week of pain and your groin is going to be sore!

Just be safe and EAGLE CLAW 15-16!!

Also if you're going from Richmond or Vancouver the traffic fucking sucks

[RabidRat]

So res4ever, I timed it today: going from Boundary & Lougheed, it took me 50 minutes via Hwy1 to get to PRS. Traffic really sucked, came to a dead stop several times.

On the first day they get you to fill out a bunch of forms as well, so I'd give it another 10 minutes ontop of that.

[res4ever]

Thanks Sonca, I think I'll be parking and skytraining into surrey...

Btw, I'm booked for night class B on apr23rd. Can't wait!

[RabidRat]

Nice! Hurry up and get it done so we can all go for a ride haha.

Last night was my last classroom theory session so today I get to ride my first motorcycle =D. Apparently this guy Dat is going to be my instructor.

[bcrdukes]

It might be the same travel time, I'm not sure, but I prefer to take either Marine Drive or the East-West Connector over the Alex Fraser towards PRS.

[nickgailloux]

I'd like to sign up for the course. Looking to take it starting April 30th. Can you pm me the signup details? Thanks! Hope to see some of you there.

[RabidRat]

Nick - replied to your PM, just need to finalize some details with PRS for Round 2.

It might be the same travel time, I'm not sure, but I prefer to take either Marine Drive or the East-West Connector over the Alex Fraser towards PRS.

Yeah I'll prolly try this tonight.

[res4ever]

let me know how it goes pls!

Nick - replied to your PM, just need to finalize some details with PRS for Round 2.



Yeah I'll prolly try this tonight.

[RabidRat]

Okay guys, I've now tried all three bridges into Surrey, here are the results :D

From Vancouver to Surrey via:
Patullo - 65 minutes (the traffic is UNBELIEVABLE, fuck this..)
Port Mann - 50 minutes (bad but tolerable)
Alex Fraser - 40 minutes (traffic was surprisingly smooth)

Alex Fraser wins.

[Vale46Rossi]

Alex Fraser is the best, also Dat is awesome. He will tell you he is a dark rider but it's all good at the end because your life is more important than anything else and being safe is good.

[RabidRat]

Update on Round 2: Unfortunately the discount will be back to the regular $50 for this one.

res4ever, did you and your friend register yet? I submitted your names to PRS with Round 1 but if you haven't by now (it's been a week since the cut-off), they may have taken you guys off the list. In that case, you would be with Round 2.

[blum2001]

Nice! Hurry up and get it done so we can all go for a ride haha.

Last night was my last classroom theory session so today I get to ride my first motorcycle =D. Apparently this guy Dat is going to be my instructor.

You have the best instructor there in my opinion. Dat will integrate marine corp training into your lessons and both my gf and I enjoyed every minute of his classes.

Eagle Claw, Seattle/Portland, pennies nickles dimes quarters loonies all in... you'll understand what I mean later. Excited for you guys taking the course, you'll have a blast!

Post up your call signs haha! Dat gave me Hammer as my call sign and gave my gf the name Nikita

[RabidRat]

My call sign is Tech haha.

[blum2001]

My call sign is Tech haha.

heh, he's reusing call signs.

Wonder if he remembers my gf and I. Ask Dat if he remembers Hammer and Nikita from last year lol.

He'll most likely remember my gf since apparently my gf has the need for speed in her eyes

[RabidRat]

Haha I'm sure he does reuse call signs, they go through a loooot of students man.

I think the only original one we got in our group was prolly "Homer" because we have this one guy who explained his job as "basically what Homer Simpson does", watching over the controls of some nuclear test lab.

[CharlieH]

^

hahaha that's awesome

[blum2001]

Haha I'm sure he does reuse call signs, they go through a loooot of students man.

I think the only original one we got in our group was prolly "Homer" because we have this one guy who explained his job as "basically what Homer Simpson does", watching over the controls of some nuclear test lab.

hahaha

[blum2001]

What bike is everyone planning on getting after finishing the course? I still haven't bought mine yet. Been using my gf's R6 and a buddies GSX-R 750

[RabidRat]

I have an '01 Yamaha YZF-600R. Bike came pre-dropped. Three times. You guys will absolutely not be able to tell my fuck-ups from the previous owner's ;)

[Kayci]

I'm thinking of a zx6r...or a 250r just to ride around for a season or two. See how I feel after finishing PRS.

How much is insurance for your bike, RabidRat?

[RabidRat]

I will let you know on Monday when I insure my bike =D

[Raid3n]

sharing is caring, rabid :megusta:

[Vale46Rossi]

Rabid, robson road ride tomorrow eh?

You're gonna have a blast

[RabidRat]

^ yeah haha it was pretty damn fun. But I'm probably going to avoid ever going back if I can possibly help it.. it's way too unpredictable lol

[bcrdukes]

Hey you noobies,

Make sure you come out to the Stock and Newbie meet on April 27! If you don't have your bike and/or Class 6, at least show up in your car! :) Details are in the Unofficial Meets forum.

[CharlieH]

^

i'll be at pacific raceways on the 27th :(

edit: actually i might be able to make it back in time. will come if my legs/back aren't shot!

[bcrdukes]

If you show up, you will be reigned a hero! :D

[CharlieH]

i'll show up in my 1 piece and look like the biggest tool there hahahaha

[bcrdukes]

No man! That'd be so boss! :cool:

[CharlieH]

only if i manage to scuff up my new knee pucks. otherwise it'll be poser level over 9000 :badpokerface:

[Raid3n]

lol, i took the knee pucks off my 2 piece suit, cause i don't get anywhere enough lean to even think of scuffing them haha.

[DemonsBlood]

still open for a group lesson?

[mickz]

Anyone else ready to move to the committed list? I found out a friend of mine is registered for a class in early May. I'm planning to take the learner's test on Friday and then sign up soon if there's a group rate.

[RabidRat]

Group sign-up is still available, however the discount is now only $50 vs the original $75 we had going for us.

nickgailloux is already on the committed list so we just need a 2nd and 3rd to sign on and we'll be able to get Round 2 done.

[RabidRat]

Btw to anyone wanting to know what's going on with the PRS Sign-Up, just check the 1st post. I keep that updated so you don't have to read through 7 pages of posts to stay up to date lol.

[res4ever]

Thanks RabidRat, we did end up registering. We start next Monday, hope to see you all on the road soon!

Update on Round 2: Unfortunately the discount will be back to the regular $50 for this one.

res4ever, did you and your friend register yet? I submitted your names to PRS with Round 1 but if you haven't by now (it's been a week since the cut-off), they may have taken you guys off the list. In that case, you would be with Round 2.

[mickz]

Btw what kind of shoes did you all end up wearing for the lessons?

[Vale46Rossi]

Btw what kind of shoes did you all end up wearing for the lessons?

bought shoes at Daytona!

They will have a gear guy that comes in!

[blum2001]

Btw what kind of shoes did you all end up wearing for the lessons?

I bought a pair of alpinestars SMX's for the course, my gf just got whatever was on sale at Modern on commercial drive.

[mickz]

Would you guys recommend spending money on a good pair of boots or would anything that covers up the ankles pretty much suffice?

[bcrdukes]

My personal recommendation:

Get the best boots you can afford. I've learned throughout the years, you get what you pay for, and this holds true when it comes to motorcycling. If you have $100 to spend, buy the best boots your $100 can get you. If you've got $1000, buy the best boots your $1000 can get you (I'm exaggerating on this one to drive the point home.) The bottom line is that motorcycling is an expensive hobby. Spend only what your piggy bank allows.

For the long term, I would personally get a pair of boots as opposed to something that covers up the ankle. (Ask CharlieH. He can tell you all about it. :D ) If and when you are ready to get something nicer (i.e. Sidis or Dainese etc.) sell your old pair to a student at PRS or here on RS. Worst case scenario - you have a pair of backup boots. :)

[Raid3n]

i just picked up a pair of almost brand new A* tech2's for 100 off CL last week =D

[CharlieH]

For the long term, I would personally get a pair of boots as opposed to something that covers up the ankle. (Ask CharlieH. He can tell you all about it. :D )


LOL... yeah dude i can't stress enough how important boots (with ankle protection) are. had some fob suddenly cut into my lane one time and my foot got squished between my bike and his bumper. the foot was swollen as shit for the next week but nothing was broken. if it wasn't for the ankle support and hard parts around the boot i'm 100% sure that i'd never walk the same again. your foot is one of the only parts in your body that's not meant to be surgically operated on. once they open it up, it's never the same again.


edit: and on another note, i may not wear my 1 piece suit everywhere i go, but i try to always have as much protection on as possible. spine protector under the leather jacket, gloves, helmet, and even thin rollerblading knee pads under my jeans sometimes LOL. you never know when shit might hit the fan.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o311/BusterHymen69m/sidi20boots.jpg

[Vale46Rossi]

I m wearing shorties right now for boots... the pegs on my left side when backing up the bike has bruised me to a point where there is a big lump there where on the right side i got cut by one of the pegs on the bike...

I am too short for my bike and backing up the bike hits my shins everytime.

I need to go buy some long boots this week...

[BillyBishop]

LOL... yeah dude i can't stress enough how important boots (with ankle protection) are. had some fob suddenly cut into my lane one time and my foot got squished between my bike and his bumper. the foot was swollen as shit for the next week but nothing was broken. if it wasn't for the ankle support and hard parts around the boot i'm 100% sure that i'd never walk the same again. your foot is one of the only parts in your body that's not meant to be surgically operated on. once they open it up, it's never the same again.


edit: and on another note, i may not wear my 1 piece suit everywhere i go, but i try to always have as much protection on as possible. spine protector under the leather jacket, gloves, helmet, and even thin rollerblading knee pads under my jeans sometimes LOL. you never know when shit might hit the fan.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o311/BusterHymen69m/sidi20boots.jpg

Damn dude... I'd say spoiler that, but that needs to be seen in this forum for some people.

I'm thinking of getting these to wear under my jeans
Armored protection under your jeans. (http://www.bohn-armor-pants.com/catalog/)

[CharlieH]

^

dude you just found me exactly what i need for the summer. gonna order a pair of the pants asap. thanks hahaha

[BillyBishop]

^

dude you just found me exactly what i need for the summer. gonna order a pair of the pants asap. thanks hahaha

No prob haha, I was searching BCSB for threads on pants and found a couple posts recommending them. I'm going to order a pair for myself and my dad too, you save $33 buying two. I thinks pants are the hardest things to decide on... I want the practicality and comfort of jeans, and the complete protection of armoured pants. This seems to be the perfect solution

[RabidRat]

How much is insurance for your bike, RabidRat?

Ended up being about $85 a month for just basic. I paid closer to $100 though as I added a little more liability coverage. Depends on your discount (transfers over from your car).

I'm thinking of a zx6r...or a 250r just to ride around for a season or two. See how I feel after finishing PRS.

I'd say just get the ZX6R. I went from the PRS sherpa straight to my 600R and it wasn't a difficult transition at all. The bike does feel heavier and less agile at super low speeds but it's not that big a deal. Bike's way more stable at highway speeds I found, and as long as you don't let the revs build, power delivery feels as tame as the sherpa.

Btw what kind of shoes did you all end up wearing for the lessons?

I bought a pair of A* SMX-5. It wasn't cheap but I figured I was gonna use it for the long run anyway, I might as well just go for it.

[Vale46Rossi]

Ended up being about $85 a month for just basic. I paid closer to $100 though as I added a little more liability coverage. Depends on your discount (transfers over from your car).



I'd say just get the ZX6R. I went from the PRS sherpa straight to my 600R and it wasn't a difficult transition at all. The bike does feel heavier and less agile at super low speeds but it's not that big a deal. Bike's way more stable at highway speeds I found, and as long as you don't let the revs build, power delivery feels as tame as the sherpa.



I bought a pair of A* SMX-5. It wasn't cheap but I figured I was gonna use it for the long run anyway, I might as well just go for it.




I went from a Sherpa for street ride with PRS to GSX-R 750

Its so fking high and I'm short so it doesnt help that its a heavy bike... and I almost dropped it a few times =P

[Raid3n]

i started with a 93 gixer 750 haha so i know what you mean about it being tall

[zelloss]

I bought the Alpinestars S-MX Plus boots for PRS but sold them afterwards and bought these:
TCX X-Square Boots from SportbikeTrackGear.com (http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=11500)

The A* just felt too bulky and uncomfortable for me; they also squeaked like hell just walking around, so annoying...I wanted boots that were comfortable, had a lot of feel, not restrictive, and could be worn off the bike as well. The TCX boots fit the bill; I'll sacrifice some protection for more feel and comfort.


I went from a Sherpa for street ride with PRS to GSX-R 750

Its so fking high and I'm short so it doesnt help that its a heavy bike... and I almost dropped it a few times =P

I went from PRS to a CBR F4i and I did drop it...twice, on the way home after buying the bike:failed:

Us short guys have to carefully consider the bike we're buying....my inseam is 30" and the seat height on modern sportbikes are at least 32" or 33". I had the seat shaved recently, and it has helped a bit but I still can't flat-foot it.

[Raid3n]

^thats why i like 400\600. all the 400's i've ridden i can easily flat-foot. most 600's i can as well probably. 750 and the 900, not so much... lol

[RabidRat]

Actually.. am I crazy or do all japanese supersports seem like they're about the same size regardless of displacement?

I sat on an GSXR 1000 then a GSXR 600 at Holeshot the other day and they felt about the same. Their CBR1000RR looked about the same as their CBR600RR as well. I also sat on an R6 then an R1 at Daytona last week couldn't tell too much of a difference.

[zelloss]

Yes, I think the Japanese supersports are quite similiar in regard to seat height...with the exception of the R6 and R1 which are a bit higher.

[Raid3n]

i found the 98 cbr900 felt a little shorter than the 93 gsxr750 i had

[Vale46Rossi]

I sat on the gsxr600 and 750 but the height is quiet difference between the two

[CharlieH]

^

same year? because models up til 05' and after 06' have a pretty big difference in seat height

[Araaadi]

Just read the entire thread, and I am very excited and nervous to learn how to ride a bike. At the moment I am reading my L book, and hopefully will get the L this friday. Not going to look into buying a bike until I finished with the school. Only time I tried to ride a bike was my buddy's dirt bike and I couldn't get a hang of clutching and changing gears =(. Going to start saving for riding school now.

[CharlieH]

don't sweat it, clutching and shifting is even easier than on a manual car. once you start the school you'll pick it up in no time.

[Vale46Rossi]

^

same year? because models up til 05' and after 06' have a pretty big difference in seat height

09 gsx-r 600 and 750

I'm literally on the tip of my foot like a ballerina when I'm on the 750!

[CharlieH]

^

really? i had the same gen and my 750 had the lowest ride height out of any of the other japanese sport bikes. felt the exact same as my friends 08 gix600 as well. if you're tip toeing on the gixxer then you'll have a bitch of a time on my s1k LOL

[CharlieH]

this is why you always look where you want to go. lack of skills and brains means shit like this will happen. the guy literally went straight when the corner came because he got scared and just stared at the gravel/grass :facepalm:


Brand new Yamaha R6 crash - YouTube

[Vale46Rossi]

^

really? i had the same gen and my 750 had the lowest ride height out of any of the other japanese sport bikes. felt the exact same as my friends 08 gix600 as well. if you're tip toeing on the gixxer then you'll have a bitch of a time on my s1k LOL

Yours could have been set at a lower setting? I read gixxer forum I can get it a little lower and I'm short so it will help!

this is why you always look where you want to go. lack of skills and brains means shit like this will happen. the guy literally went straight when the corner came because he got scared and just stared at the gravel/grass :facepalm:



Brand new Yamaha R6 crash - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZKbYH1W0HE)


Hahaha he stalled it a few times too!


He doesn't know " Seattle / Portland / Seattle / Portland "

[bcrdukes]

^
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! !!!! (at video) :rofl:

[RabidRat]

this is why you always look where you want to go. lack of skills and brains means shit like this will happen. the guy literally went straight when the corner came because he got scared and just stared at the gravel/grass :facepalm:


Brand new Yamaha R6 crash - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZKbYH1W0HE)

LMAO I love how the bike flies right off the corner and and crashes at 1:45, and the guy holding the camera has zero reaction to it.

"...........buh-lah"

:lol

[CharlieH]

Yours could have been set at a lower setting? I read gixxer forum I can get it a little lower and I'm short so it will help!


naw, the sag on my rear shock was set to factory specs. i'm 5'10 165lbs and i was able to flat foot on the gixxer, but not any of the other jap bikes.


heading out to seattle now. pacific raceways tomorrow morning hehehe :fullofwin:

edit: fT-z33wor and i will try to make it back for the meet tomorrow. hope to see some of your bikes there!

[Raid3n]

i'll be there but not on a bike :okay:

[RabidRat]

Just got my full Class 6 yesterday!! =D

Almost failed.. took three tries to do a U-turn hahaha. The street they picked was frickin narrow, I should've taken out a sherpa but got lazy and just took my 600.

Other than that, I thought it went well. Yeah it was raining, yeah it was Richmond, and yeah he kinda screwed me by taking me to a highway onramp marked Construction Zone - 20kph the whole way, and then suddenly 100kph traffic.. lol. It ended kinda early though and I never had to parallel park so I figured I'd failed. At the end he asked me to pick any spot in the ICBC parking lot and back in, and of course I picked the one spot that was on an incline - he looked like he had fun watching me struggle with that one :lol.

I shut my bike off and started taking off my gloves but he motioned for me to keep them on. So by that point I was preeetty sure I'd failed. He put down the clipboard upside down, breathed deep, and sighed like he was all disappointed, and started talking about how I really needed to continue practicing low speed maneuvers, especially U-turns. Gave me this speech on how he'd been riding for 25 years and how it was really important to be able to control your bike at low speeds etc.

And then, flips the clipboard over - "Congratulations you passed."

... fucking troll :lol

[Kayci]

Grats! Examiner sounds hillarious...except for the 20kph highway section.

Just finished the ride around Surrey today. Feels like relearning the rules of the road again.

[BillyBishop]

Just got my full Class 6 yesterday!! =D

Almost failed.. took three tries to do a U-turn hahaha. The street they picked was frickin narrow, I should've taken out a sherpa but got lazy and just took my 600.

Other than that, I thought it went well. Yeah it was raining, yeah it was Richmond, and yeah he kinda screwed me by taking me to a highway onramp marked Construction Zone - 20kph the whole way, and then suddenly 100kph traffic.. lol. It ended kinda early though and I never had to parallel park so I figured I'd failed. At the end he asked me to pick any spot in the ICBC parking lot and back in, and of course I picked the one spot that was on an incline - he looked like he had fun watching me struggle with that one :lol.

I shut my bike off and started taking off my gloves but he motioned for me to keep them on. So by that point I was preeetty sure I'd failed. He put down the clipboard upside down, breathed deep, and sighed like he was all disappointed, and started talking about how I really needed to continue practicing low speed maneuvers, especially U-turns. Gave me this speech on how he'd been riding for 25 years and how it was really important to be able to control your bike at low speeds etc.

And then, flips the clipboard over - "Congratulations you passed."

... fucking troll :lol

Congrats!

I've been putting mine off since last June... finally going to do it next week, also in Richmond haha. Do you remember the route?
I'd do the Sherpa, but I don't know Surrey as well as I know Richmond..

[racerman88]

If you do the test in Surrey at the one by PRS, just remember everytime they tell you to turn, expect a school zone or playground zone.

[racerman88]

Actually.. am I crazy or do all japanese supersports seem like they're about the same size regardless of displacement?

I sat on an GSXR 1000 then a GSXR 600 at Holeshot the other day and they felt about the same. Their CBR1000RR looked about the same as their CBR600RR as well. I also sat on an R6 then an R1 at Daytona last week couldn't tell too much of a difference.

The GSXR's sit the lowest compared to the other companies

[zelloss]

Just got my full Class 6 yesterday!! =D

Almost failed.. took three tries to do a U-turn hahaha. The street they picked was frickin narrow, I should've taken out a sherpa but got lazy and just took my 600.

Other than that, I thought it went well. Yeah it was raining, yeah it was Richmond, and yeah he kinda screwed me by taking me to a highway onramp marked Construction Zone - 20kph the whole way, and then suddenly 100kph traffic.. lol. It ended kinda early though and I never had to parallel park so I figured I'd failed. At the end he asked me to pick any spot in the ICBC parking lot and back in, and of course I picked the one spot that was on an incline - he looked like he had fun watching me struggle with that one :lol.

I shut my bike off and started taking off my gloves but he motioned for me to keep them on. So by that point I was preeetty sure I'd failed. He put down the clipboard upside down, breathed deep, and sighed like he was all disappointed, and started talking about how I really needed to continue practicing low speed maneuvers, especially U-turns. Gave me this speech on how he'd been riding for 25 years and how it was really important to be able to control your bike at low speeds etc.

And then, flips the clipboard over - "Congratulations you passed."

... fucking troll :lol

Congrats...it took me 3 tries to finally pass the road test. First time, I had a brain cramp and either forgot to do shoulder checks or didn't turn my head far enough. Second time, the examiner said I took too long to get up to speed and basically didn't look confident on the bike. So I went riding every chance I could for the summer and finally passed on my third try. Practice in this case does make perfect.

I was worried about u-turns too lol...especially with a 600cc sportbike. I practiced them religiously before my last road test.

[Raid3n]

i miss my 400 standard, u turns were a breeze.... wondering how the 400 sport is going to be ...

[RabidRat]

Congrats!

I've been putting mine off since last June... finally going to do it next week, also in Richmond haha. Do you remember the route?
I'd do the Sherpa, but I don't know Surrey as well as I know Richmond..

Yeah I wind up in Richmond almost on a daily basis so it made a lot more sense for me haha.

He took me down Cambie, making our way towards Jacombs. Looped around in a series of left and right turns at the intersections, and ducking into a couple of business parks and residential areas on the way, some of them kinda narrow with cars parked on both sides to the point that I definitely couldn't maintain 50, but he didn't seem to care.

When we got to Jacombs we just went down toward IKEA and made a left where AJR used to be, then a right to Bridgeport. Made a right again to the onramp to Knight Bridge, then over to the right, merging onto Hwy 91 down to Alderbridge. Made a left onto Garden City, then a right onto Lansdowne, and this is where I figured I'd failed - there's a crosswalk right next to Kwantlen and some crazy fucker darted onto it, so I ended up coming to a stop in the middle of the intersection =/. Anyway kept going down Lansdowne and made a left into a back alley to get back to the ICBC licensing center.

That said, they prolly have tons of different routes so this might not have helped at all. Some things to keep in mind though:
-the examiner mentioned before we started that he was checking to see that when you made your right turns, do not go straight from Lane Position 3 to Lane Position 1 at the end of your turn. Instead, go from 3 to 3, shoulder check, then go back to 1. "Otherwise, you'll get smoked by wide left-turners". makes sense.
-careful with left turns not to cut too close to the inside. I came close to cutting the solid yellow line one time and even though I never touched it, he dinged me anyway.
-after turning, bring your bike back up to 50 promptly. I got marked down for "speed maintenance" at least once on my sheet because of that (they warn you of this like a million times at PRS too haha).
-remember to cancel your signals. the examiner seemed genuinely surprised that I never left mine on, made a point of saying I was "good at that" lolol

[dink]

Bought all my gear last year, starting class on the 3rd of May.

Arai Vector Schwantz
Icon Overlord jacket
Spyke Two piece leather (handy down)
Alpinestars GP Plus Gloves
Alpinestars SMX5 Boots

Very excited! woot!

[Klobbersaurus]

That said, they prolly have tons of different routes so this might not have helped at all. Some things to keep in mind though:
-the examiner mentioned before we started that he was checking to see that when you made your right turns, do not go straight from Lane Position 3 to Lane Position 1 at the end of your turn. Instead, go from 3 to 3, shoulder check, then go back to 1. "Otherwise, you'll get smoked by wide left-turners". makes sense.


i always go from 3 to 1 on right turns

[BillyBishop]

Yeah I wind up in Richmond almost on a daily basis so it made a lot more sense for me haha.

He took me down Cambie, making our way towards Jacombs. Looped around in a series of left and right turns at the intersections, and ducking into a couple of business parks and residential areas on the way, some of them kinda narrow with cars parked on both sides to the point that I definitely couldn't maintain 50, but he didn't seem to care.

When we got to Jacombs we just went down toward IKEA and made a left where AJR used to be, then a right to Bridgeport. Made a right again to the onramp to Knight Bridge, then over to the right, merging onto Hwy 91 down to Alderbridge. Made a left onto Garden City, then a right onto Lansdowne, and this is where I figured I'd failed - there's a crosswalk right next to Kwantlen and some crazy fucker darted onto it, so I ended up coming to a stop in the middle of the intersection =/. Anyway kept going down Lansdowne and made a left into a back alley to get back to the ICBC licensing center.

That said, they prolly have tons of different routes so this might not have helped at all. Some things to keep in mind though:
-the examiner mentioned before we started that he was checking to see that when you made your right turns, do not go straight from Lane Position 3 to Lane Position 1 at the end of your turn. Instead, go from 3 to 3, shoulder check, then go back to 1. "Otherwise, you'll get smoked by wide left-turners". makes sense.
-careful with left turns not to cut too close to the inside. I came close to cutting the solid yellow line one time and even though I never touched it, he dinged me anyway.
-after turning, bring your bike back up to 50 promptly. I got marked down for "speed maintenance" at least once on my sheet because of that (they warn you of this like a million times at PRS too haha).
-remember to cancel your signals. the examiner seemed genuinely surprised that I never left mine on, made a point of saying I was "good at that" lolol

Thanks, I hit up all the locations you mentioned just a few hours ago.
The 30km/h construction zone straight to 80km/h on the highway surprised me haha I've actually never taken that on-ramp before. Didn't know that the construction speed was in effect there.

One question that come to mind while riding was, if we're asked to pull over, we don't have to park it at 45 degrees, right? Just need to pull off to the side of the road with signal?

I'm going to go ride alongside a friend in a car to see how accurate my speedometer is before I go for the road test; my bike is 18 years old haha.

[RabidRat]

No problem! Hopefully you get something similar then.

They might've removed it by now, but when I was at that onramp next to IKEA, there was actually a white "20kph" sign.

Hmm. Regarding whether you need to do the 45 degree parking, I guess the final say will be the ICBC manual (which I have still never opened haha). But the PRS study notes clearly say to do it so I guess we might as well.

Yeah getting someone to drive behind you so you can confirm the speedo is probably a good idea.

[DemonsBlood]

isnt anyone else up to sign for the round 2? It looks like we need 1 more to get a 50$ discount....get it quick before summer starts!

[RabidRat]

Ah I hate to say this but nickgailloux couldn't wait and signed up on his own, so we're down to 1/3 again for the group sign-up. :badpokerface:

[BillyBishop]

Lol I like how this thread jumps through so many topics, then back to the group sign-up haha.

In keeping with that trend... I'm going to hit the s2s for the first time, leaving Richmond in less than 30min if anyone wants to join. I don't care if there's traffic or anything, just want to acquaint myself with the highway

[RabidRat]

If you do this again next week I can come :)

[BillyBishop]

re: not caring about traffic... scratch that, I was stuck downtown trying to get to the Lions Gate for a good 30min. I definitely want to avoid that next time.
When I was coming back, I was going ~100km/h behind another car going around a curve when a cop came around the opposite direction and turned his lights on the instant he passed me - scared the crap out of me so I slowed down right away to the 80 limit. I thought he would make a U-turn but I never saw him again. (The curve had one of those yellow 50km/h signs, but those aren't regulatory.)

CharlieH, I saw you heading south on Oak while I was heading north just before 57th! Not sure if you saw me, I was in all black except for my rainbow chrome visor and blue backpack.

[CharlieH]

oOoOoo yeah i saw you at the last moment, didn't have a chance to throw the V haha. i was heading to delta for the firearms safety course :D

[BillyBishop]

So it turns out my LDL expired on May 1st, not June 1st like I thought it did.

Knowledge test and MST round two coming up. Damn.

[PUPPY]

so 17 year old here planning on buying my friends barely used 250 ninja . is prs worth the money and where is it located ? hopefully it's near public transit ..

[CharlieH]

so 17 year old here planning on buying my friends barely used 250 ninja . is prs worth the money and where is it located ? hopefully it's near public transit ..

yeah theres a bus that stops like a block from PRS. take the course and don't let your ego get you killed.

[RabidRat]

So it turns out my LDL expired on May 1st, not June 1st like I thought it did.

Knowledge test and MST round two coming up. Damn.

That sucks dude.

At least you'll kill at the MST haha.

[bcrdukes]

I think we need a "Let's Pose Somewhere" meet. :D

Alphamale and I like to pose @ Hoi An. :fullofwin:

[CharlieH]

going to pacific raceways again tomorrow, supposed to be sunny as shits :awwyeah:

[BillyBishop]

That sucks dude.

At least you'll kill at the MST haha.

Haha yeah, my fault though for not doing my road test during the last year. Going to go to Surrey tomorrow morning and do the MST with one of PRS' Sherpas, given I can't even ride my own bike to there legally lol.

[PUPPY]

yeah theres a bus that stops like a block from PRS. take the course and don't let your ego get you killed.

yup , going to do this once school ends for me. should be a good experience looking at all this positive feedback

[Gwilo]

so 17 year old here planning on buying my friends barely used 250 ninja . is prs worth the money and where is it located ? hopefully it's near public transit ..

One word YES

I did not go to PRS, went to Open Road, but riding school is worth every penny.

[RabidRat]

so 17 year old here planning on buying my friends barely used 250 ninja . is prs worth the money and where is it located ? hopefully it's near public transit ..

Can I just say one thing?

Regardless of whether you take the course or not (you really should), I really suggest you get full gear. Spine guard, chest guard, textile/leather jacket and pants. I know it'll be tempting to skimp on this stuff, it's really really expensive and it won't look as cool as riding in jeans or something.. but trust me on this one, you will fuck up, and when that happens, you'll want as much gear as possible on you so that you'll break a little less when you ultimately do go down.

I can't even count the number of stupid ass stunts I pulled as a 17 year old in my MR2. I did things in that thing that had I done them on a bike, I would probably be permanently fucked. Some things are worse than death.

Get the gear. And take the course. Even if it means getting a shittier bike or saving a little longer. Maybe your parents might even chip in if you explain that it'll keep you alive.

[PUPPY]

Can I just say one thing?

Regardless of whether you take the course or not (you really should), I really suggest you get full gear. Spine guard, chest guard, textile/leather jacket and pants. I know it'll be tempting to skimp on this stuff, it's really really expensive and it won't look as cool as riding in jeans or something.. but trust me on this one, you will fuck up, and when that happens, you'll want as much gear as possible on you so that you'll break a little less when you ultimately do go down.

I can't even count the number of stupid ass stunts I pulled as a 17 year old in my MR2. I did things in that thing that had I done them on a bike, I would probably be permanently fucked. Some things are worse than death.

Get the gear. And take the course. Even if it means getting a shittier bike or saving a little longer. Maybe your parents might even chip in if you explain that it'll keep you alive.

i'm only planning to ride to and from school, tutor, and gym, (all within 20 minutes car on relatively vacant roads) so i was thinking of only getting the standard helmets, boots, gloves and leather jacket. but yeah i see what you mean by keeping yourself as protected as possible if and when shit goes down. thanks for the tip man will definitely stock up on gear.

[RabidRat]

if and when shit goes down.

At that age, shit will go down, I absolutely guarantee it. Just a matter of how bad =p

At least at PRS you'll learn how and where most people die so you'll be able to reduce the risk haha.

[blum2001]

i'm only planning to ride to and from school, tutor, and gym, (all within 20 minutes car on relatively vacant roads)

If you decide to go with PRS you'll soon realize that regardless the distance you travel whether it's across town or down one block doesn't matter. There was a guy in my class at PRS that almost got smoked crossing the road from the parking lot to the PRS office.

I'm glad you're considering taking lessons from PRS because I use everything I learned in PRS when I ride and even sometimes when I drive. I know a lot of people may think 'classroom' stuff is boring and their ego's get in the way, but Dat and Kramer made the entire experience from the first classroom day to the ride around town a fun and valuable learning experience. My gf and I were actually sad on the last day that class was ending. $800 is nothing if you're comparing your life to it.

[Gwilo]

I got my driving/motorcycle permits in 1978.

In January 2012 I took a mc course and learned a lot.

It is not the learning to ride, it what they teach you to look for, that way you avoid the accident, by not being there when it happens.

Take a course it can save your life.

[Gwilo]

i'm only planning to ride to and from school, tutor, and gym, (all within 20 minutes car on relatively vacant roads).....


You live in Richmond, that is one of the most dangerous places to drive.

[RabidRat]

You live in Richmond, that is one of the most dangerous places to drive.

+1.

I still can't get over how a lady in an Audi A4 going down No. 3 road managed to make a right turn across two lanes into the side of my car, slamming into me so hard that my S2000 needed a new subframe. She bent my SUBFRAME. The entire right side of my car had to be repainted: front right fender, right door, rear right fender.. not to mention that she actually snapped a spoke off a FORGED RIM. Fucking christ it makes me mad just thinking about it again.

I never used to listen to people who said "oh Richmond's full of bad drivers and bad shit happens". Like whatever right, there's bad drivers everywhere, how bad could it be? NO. It's shit like THIS.

Anyway. Everyone says "oh whatever, just ride like you're invisible". I ask you, how could I have driven that day to avoid having someone turn out of a parking lot across two lanes into the side of my car? How could I possibly have avoided that? And if I was on my bike, the kind of crash that would snap a forged rim and bend my subframe, is there any gear I could've been wearing that would save my leg from coming clean off? Not likely.

This rant's going to keep coming back btw, I fucking hate Richmond. :lol

[Gwilo]

A friend of mine was driving for UPS got hit by a MB separated the truck from the frame.

That is right, took the body right off the wheels.

(Grunman trucks are not that strong)

[PiuYi]

took my knowledge test today!! add me to interested list please :)

[gdoh]

just curious how much does it typically cost to start riding?

[Raid3n]

i've spent almost 1000 on gear, it's worth it to spend the most you can on the gear, and then get a bike with whatever is left over.

if its your first bike, i recommend getting something cheap. not a new bike. you'll drop it eventually, and dropping an ugly bike hurts less (emotionally) than a brand new bike... lol

[RabidRat]

just curious how much does it typically cost to start riding?

$15 - Knowledge Test (can start riding right away, but require supervision, can't exceed 60kph)
$xx - Motorcycle Skills Test (can now ride alone, but only during the day)
$50 - Class 6 Road Test (full license)

You can buy a running bike for as little as $1200 from what I've seen.

You can get a government approved DOT (but not Snell) stamped helmet from Canadian Tire for about $100.

So in total, you could be riding for as little as $1500?

In order to "do it right" though:
You'd probably want to go through a course like PRS, you'd probably want full gear, and you'd probably want a helmet that'll do something for you in a crash.




Course
$800 - PRS

Gear
$400-500 - Good helmet like a Shoei RF1100 or Bell RS-1
$200-400 - Textile/leather jacket
$200-400 - Textile/leather pants, or kevlar jeans + knee/shin guards
$100-200 - Gloves
$100-200 - Boots

Bike
$1500-$2500 - An decent starter Ninja 250 can be had for around $2000 if you look hard enough. Or a really nice newer CBR125R, if you can stand being seen on something like that - there are tons on Craigslist and I've seen them for as little as $1600. Even older 600s aren't bad, I actually got my '01 YZF-600R sportbike for about $2200, and almost bought an '00 CBR600F4 sportbike before that for $2500. Just gotta look around on Craigs.

So probably around $3500-$5000 depending on how much you want to spend to start. And of course if you wanted to start on a newer nicer 600cc sportbike, that would mean spending significantly more.

[Raid3n]

if you aren't afraid to work on a bike, an older 400 can be had for 500-1500 depending on condition.

i bought mine for 500 and it was fairly reliable.. would have been better if my tank wasn't rusty lol.

[bcrdukes]

Alphamale should be selling his GS400 soon. Probably a good/cheap way to get into motorcycling.

[rk604]

$15 - Knowledge Test (can start riding right away, but require supervision, can't exceed 60kph)
$xx - Motorcycle Skills Test (can now ride alone, but only during the day)
$50 - Class 6 Road Test (full license)

You can buy a running bike for as little as $1200 from what I've seen.

You can get a government approved DOT (but not Snell) stamped helmet from Canadian Tire for about $100.

So in total, you could be riding for as little as $1500?

In order to "do it right" though:
You'd probably want to go through a course like PRS, you'd probably want full gear, and you'd probably want a helmet that'll do something for you in a crash.




Course
$800 - PRS

Gear
$400-500 - Good helmet like a Shoei RF1100 or Bell RS-1
$200-400 - Textile/leather jacket
$200-400 - Textile/leather pants, or kevlar jeans + knee/shin guards
$100-200 - Gloves
$100-200 - Boots

Bike
$1500-$2500 - An decent starter Ninja 250 can be had for around $2000 if you look hard enough. Or a really nice newer CBR125R, if you can stand being seen on something like that - there are tons on Craigslist and I've seen them for as little as $1600. Even older 600s aren't bad, I actually got my '01 YZF-600R sportbike for about $2200, and almost bought an '00 CBR600F4 sportbike before that for $2500. Just gotta look around on Craigs.

So probably around $3500-$5000 depending on how much you want to spend to start. And of course if you wanted to start on a newer nicer 600cc sportbike, that would mean spending significantly more.

those gear prices are a bit on the expensive side. granted that that's proabbly the price your paying if your looking to get alpinestar, daienese or whatever...but if your okay with other brands...


Gear
$200-500 - Good helmet (DOT, Snell will run a bit more)
$150-400 - Textile/leather jacket
$100-400 - Textile/leather pants, or kevlar jeans + knee/shin guards
$40-200 - Gloves
$150+ - Boots

[Vale46Rossi]

If only you could get Dainese for that price.

[RabidRat]

those gear prices are a bit on the expensive side. granted that that's proabbly the price your paying if your looking to get alpinestar, daienese or whatever...but if your okay with other brands...


Gear
$200-500 - Good helmet (DOT, Snell will run a bit more)
$150-400 - Textile/leather jacket
$100-400 - Textile/leather pants, or kevlar jeans + knee/shin guards
$40-200 - Gloves
$150+ - Boots

Sorry yeah gdoh if you're comfortable with getting cheaper stuff than A* then definitely there are lower prices to be found. Even boots can be found for the $100 or less range. Several local gear retailers (at least Bby Kawasaki, Carter, and Daytona) also give riding school discounts, I think the PRS discount was 15% off?

Edit: Your best bet is still to buy your gear online though. I got my A* SMX-5 for $150, while I've never seen it for less than $225 locally. It sucks as I'd like to support local if I could, but that's quite a difference.

[gdoh]

thanks for all the info, this is plenty to go on for now. I plan on getting ride of my car getting a bike and going back to school but all this will be saved for when im ready and will start a thread for it =]

[BillyBishop]

I'll chime in with what I spent:

Boots: $220 for waterproof SMX5
Textile jacket: $200
Textile pants: $160
Helmet: $125
Gloves: $125

[gdoh]

does PRS provide bikes?? and what cc can you practice on??