You must admit, that your choice of bike is not a common one for beginner riders. A heavy BMW with a Boxer engine and shaft drive? I’m not going to go on the tangent about why your bike already has traits that I’d worry to see my kid on at 15 years of age. My father drove an R75 in the 70s, and they are nice bikes and develop plenty of power to accelerate out of the semi’s way as you describe. Afterall, these bikes were built in Berlin and designed to drive the autobahn; they can push past 150KM/H.

Most people today want a something newer and Japanese. Those bikes, are lighter and put out more horsepower. For example: the 2005 SV650 weighs in at 363 Lbs pushing 72HP, and I’ve just seen too many displays of young kids on fast bikes pulling wheelies down the road.

I understand that my suggestion would limit your ability to ride your bike. Considering it’s weight and power delivery, your bike is tame, and I’ll agree to your points on the context. However Blanket rules need to draw a specific line, and the easiest way to do so is either by HP count or displacement.

Lastly, After 4 years driving, you’re still under Graduated licensing? that means Alberta has stricter rules to GDL than Manitoba. Our GDL is Stage 1 – Safety course, stage 2 Learners – 9months minimum, Stage 3 – Intermediate (15 Months) stage 4 – Full (3 yr. restriction on alcohol) So under Manitoba law, if my suggestion was followed, you’d be restricted to the small bike whith a learner’s permit, and then restricted to a 650, or 70HP in intermediate stage. Once you’re at full, you’re good to go.

Once again, thanks for your comments, ride safe and best of luck on becoming an instructor.

The point is there absolutely should not be restrictions on what bike an inexperienced rider can or cannot ride. Instead we should be educating new riders not only on safety and riding technique, but on how to choose an appropriate bike for a riders experience level and the context. I have now been riding motorcycles for 4 years now and have gained a lot of experience. I am midway through training to become a motorcycle instructor for the Canada Safety Council. I have owned 3 bikes (highs performance being 100HP), but I still have my graduated drivers license (as this licensing system is a money grab by the government $100 to take a test) and I could not imagine still be restricted to a 400cc motorcycle.

Does the Zune still come with the ability to listen to what other zune users are listening too, when you are in bluetooth distance, or did that get cut due to drm concerns?

What does that make the rest of us who’re older than you? I was were you are now when you graduated.

I don’t feel old. Someone said, (don’t remember who). “Everyday is the first day of the rest of your life”. Life’s just starting man relax into it and have a good time.

this offer is available to all bloggers in Canada, so pass it on if you feel inclined to do so.

what an awesome score, Freecycle sounds like a great community…I just joined even.

so you like free stuff…?

Funny thing that I’m contacting you then. I’m working for a word of mouth marketing company called Matchstick and we’re looking for bloggers to promote a new mp3 player.

Basically what Matchstick does is put products in the hands of people that are most likely to talk about them.

Please fill out the following screener and one of us will get back to you asap: http://www.matchstick.ca/mp3

Cheers,

Jesse

http://www.matchstick.ca