Dual Purpose Bike Advice

[IgniteTJ]

My dad's ridden motorcycles his whole life and endorses the course fully which is why I was probably just going to spend the $600 and take it anyways.. Can't hurt to be safe while riding

[FiEND]

unfortunately Tom lives in the 1970s where he is always right and knows everything about everything and can't just speak his mind without mocking or pissing someone off...

here is a fine example of what the interweb has to offer.  As I said, study a lot and the course would be pointless, I didn't say "don't bother"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVa2Ax-Dins

That one person has 120 videos you can watch and I have watched many more great ones from other people.

[rt01]

Take the calgary safety council course. You will be able to ride by the end of it! as far as a bike goes take a look at the BMW G650 GS

[IgniteTJ]

I'll watch the videos and take my notes, and probably try the bike.. But in the end I'll probably just spring for the course too I do appreciate the effort though thank you Fiend. I just looked up the Bmw g650 GS its a nice looking bike but a tad higher then I want to spend.. Also how does it perform off road? All I'm really looking for is something that can handle fire roads and that.. I just enjoy bush cruising more then anything

[Spinalguy]

Thats funny Al.
You are the most harsh juvenile responder on this site. Just search your name for the sarcastic eye rolling replies you deliver daily. My reply might have been a rare case of rolling eyes, but based on your 'you can watch videos' to learn to ride a bike and no course needed commentary, it was appropriate. You must have been at the beach recently and got some sand in your ......
You can watch videos to enhance any learning experience and i have no argument for that. But to actually take the video advise and think that it will substitute for a on a bike safety/performance course is laughable.
Being in a parking lot practicing with instructors present will be more valuable and REAL than watching videos.

Based on videos and your perception; hockey, baseball, soccer, dance, football and every other sport that kids play would no longer need practices with coaches present.
Heck, we should just eliminate driving lessons for 16 yr olds and let them loose after a few video watching sessions.

There are many riders on the road that are clueless and i doubt they took any course before they got their license.
And maybe times have changed but my insurance company discounted my insurance because i took the Calgary Safety Council course.

[Zombie]

I would say the course is the best way to go as you will have someone to personally help out, but I bet the video's in advance would give an edge so you have the concepts, and just need to put it into practice.
you can ride bikes off road without a licence right?   I would think playing arround offroad to get a feel for the bike would be good too, rather than going into it not knowing how it handles.

this is all being said from someone that has not riden a motorbike before, so its all speculation.

[IgniteTJ]

My dad will help me practice, which he has no problem with but for actually teaching me he wants me to take the course. Its the same for when I started driving, he helped me practice all I wanted but for the actual teaching he left it to the driving course

[Raspberry]

I'll watch the videos and take my notes, and probably try the bike.. But in the end I'll probably just spring for the course too I do appreciate the effort though thank you Fiend. I just looked up the Bmw g650 GS its a nice looking bike but a tad higher then I want to spend.. Also how does it perform off road? All I'm really looking for is something that can handle fire roads and that.. I just enjoy bush cruising more then anything

I saw a BMW bike up by top of the world in Mclean a couple of weekends ago. Not sure what model it was though.