Getting a Bike Part Two: Training and a Surprise

A story by Gail.

As I mentioned already, the second step to getting a motorcycle license in Ontario is the passing of a practical riding exam. This gives you an M2 for which the only restriction is that you absolutely cannot drink alcohol. This may seem rather loose after only two or three months of starting the process, especially when you compare it to the process in Quebec .

In this, Ontario 's neighboring province, you start with a written test that allows you to ride in a parking lot, necessary for completing the mandatory safety course. After passing a test at the end of the course, which is very similar to the M1 exit test, you get a probationary license that lets you out on the road. There's a catch here, as well: you must have an "escort," which is to say a buddy, riding with you at all times. You are also not allowed to carry passengers or drink. The remaining details of the process are a bit fuzzy to me, but as far as I understand, you have two road tests, and

You meet the nicest people on a Honda - me. This is a training bike from Brazil, of all places.

about eight months after the second, your restrictions are automatically lifted.

I present this comparison because this part of my story will focus on obtaining my M2 license. I booked a spot in a safety course provided by the Ottawa Safety Council for the third weekend of August, as did Andrew and his brother Shawn. After passing the practical test at the end, I would only have a couple of weeks before the 60-day minimum period would be over and I could upgrade my license.

I was hoping that because the course was in August, we'd have milder weather and not roast in the full set of gear we were required to wear at all times. Even though the forecast originally called for rain, we lucked out and had a perfect weekend, even if it was a tad cold when we arrived at 7:30 in the morning.

I remember feeling a bit nervous at the beginning of the first day. I was worried about who would be in my group, and how well I remembered what I learned from last year's HOG's Angels experience. Fortunately, Andrew was in my group, as well as a number of people who've barely touched a motorcycle before. There was one other female, a woman who works at one of the local HD stores, Freedom. The men ranged in ages from 18 to 50.

As our group gathered in the near parking lot, I asked one of my two instructors if it would be possible to try out one of the Blasts that was sitting in the parking lot, seeing as I was buying one. He said that although they don't really let people use them to learn the basic skills on, I'd probably have an opportunity to try it out during one of the traffic behavior exercises.

Class is in session at the General Dynamics Canada
parking lot in Bells Corners.

The first topic of our course was balance. Before even starting the bikes, we had to get a feel for how it felt going forward. So we partnered up and pushed each other in straight lines. It was at this point I knew most of our group was going to have a good weekend, based on the fact that everyone was very quick to master this skill. That is, until Ryan showed up almost half an hour late.

This was the youngest member of our group who barely knew how to drive a car. Showing up late was probably the worst thing he could have done because he missed learning the crucial first set of skills. This is the kid who fell off his bike more than once in various interesting ways, and who never really figured out how to properly shift gears.