Motorbikes

There is no Class 6 GDL, but certain GDL requirements apply for anyone who does not posses any licence, or only has a Class 7. Class 7 does not apply to you at all.

Any Class 5 or higher (lower numerically) allows you to operate a moped fully or any motorcycle as a "learner" (must be with a "supervisor" who holds a valid Class 6--can be in a vehicle or on a separate motorcycle). As a full-class licence holder you just need to take the knowledge and road tests and you're good to go. Scary, I know... and as a long-term Class 6 holder, I don't agree with it.

 

I hope you're taking a recognized training course (such as Alberta Safety Council)... it will save your life.

It would be a good idea to plan to take the basic and then the advanced a little later in the season. If you have extensive prior riding experience then taking the courses back-to-back is okay.

It is also a good idea to take refresher courses every so often too (every 3-5 years). Being able to practise emergency manoeuvres and threshold braking will save your life.

Then ride like everyone is actively trying to kill you and you just might enjoy riding a long time.

 

Yep, practice braking in an empty parking lot. Front brake is your life - Best of Luck and Happy Riding

 

Once you get out on the street, one of the most important survival tips to remember is ALWAYS ride your own ride... don't get sucked in to riding at a pace or in conditions other than what you feel comfortable with. Group rides are a common source of carnage.

As a very experienced rider I NEVER ride in groups. We agree where and when we're going to meet and then I'm off. We might ride in the vicinity of one another, but not together (although I tend to ride at a very brisk pace, so very few stay with me).

The performance of even the smallest displacement motorcycles is eye-popping. I'm glad to see a lot of new models in the sub-500 cc category. This is a category that has been woefully under served in the North American market for quite awhile. In the UK (IIRC), EVERY new rider is limited to a maximum 250 cc for two (?) years.

 

Alberta when I lived there you could drive up to 125cc on the road when you were 14. Some kids had some very custom bikes at Mount Royal. Not sure if that is still the case as I see from Notr4hire posts the laws are now identical to Ontario.

 

I love it when motorcycle topics come up here. Previous posts gave the right advice. Take a riding course, get a class 6, buy a motorcycle and you're good to go!

 

Too Cool Motorcycle School in Calgary is the very best, they even loan you a bike for your class 6 road test.