Venox

What oil should I use and how do I change the oil on my motorcycle?

KYMCO recommends 5W-50 motorcycle oil. This chart illustrates what motorcycle oil you should use based on the temperature. What you use in the desert or tropics may not be what we use here in Canada. On my KYMCO Venox, I put in fresh 10W-40 Semi-Synthetic motorcycle oil every oil change. The Synthetic vs. Non-Synthetic debate is older than I am and so I'll avoid it. I like my Semi-Synthetic, it's more than what's recommended, and it's good enough for me.

Read more: KYMCO Venox Oil Change

What is it?

I came across someone who was restoring a 2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycle he recently bought. He was doing an awesome job rebuilding it, but didn't know what model of Sportster it was.

It's important to know what Sportster model you have, examples: Low, 883R, SuperLow, Custom, Standard, Roadster, etc. While 95% of parts are interchangeable, getting the wrong Sportster parts for the others can result in different lengths at suspension and at the forks, the wrong tires, and more.

Read more: Identify what model of Harley-Davidson Sportster you have

Get your M1 License

This page is Step 2 in our How to buy your first motorcycle series of articles. The series will walk you through everything from getting insurance quotes and your motorcycle license, to choosing the right motorcycle and how best to buy it, as well as finding motorcycle gear and accessories that fit you, your bike, and your budget. We recommend starting this guide from its Start Page.

How much does a motorcycle license cost? The M1 beginner motorcycle license in Ontario costs less than $20.

Where can I get the motorcycle license handbook for free? Click the link to find parts of the Ministry of Transportation motorcycle handbook here. 

G1 questions on the M1 written test - Remember that some of the questions will be from the G1 written test. You can practice the G1 test here.

Where can I write my motorcycle license test? When you’re ready you’ll need to find a place to write your M1 exit test. To find a location, visit this link, and type in your postal code. Tip: Go early in the day, opening is best, as there are long wait times throughout the day.

Practice the M1 Motorcycle Test Online

We've recreated the M1 motorcycle test on YouMotorcycle.com - now you can do the M1 motorcycle test online as many times as you want for FREE!

Get motorcycle insurance, see what you can afford, and find out what insurance is best for you.

This page is Step 1 in our How to buy your first motorcycle series of articles. The series will walk you through everything from getting insurance quotes and your motorcycle license, to choosing the right motorcycle and how best to buy it, as well as finding motorcycle gear and accessories that fit you, your bike, and your budget. We recommend starting this guide from its Start Page.

For new riders, the costs of motorcycle insurance can be a surprise. Younger riders in particular may find that their annual motorcycle insurance premium may cost as much as their motorcycle did. Finding out what insurance is before you buy is important because young or old, the first year riding will be your most expensive year riding. Don't jump the gun and start riding before you can afford it, or you'll be tempted to go cheap on insurance, gear, and a safe reliable machine. Making any of those mistakes can cost you in the long run.

What you should know - Motorcycle insurance rates in Ontario are subject to:

• Age 
• Driving history (convictions, accidents and claims)
• How long you've held a valid motorcycle class license
• What class of motorcycle you intend on insuring (supersports are most expensive, some are even blacklisted and non-insurable in Canada)
• The displacement size of the motorcycle (engine size is generally measured in Cubic Centimeters or CC)
• The amount of coverage you choose to get. 

Where to get motorcycle insurance from.

What to do? Get quotes for different displacement sizes and classes of motorcyles. This way, when shopping around, you'll have a better of idea of how each bike fits into your budget. Sample motorcycles to request quotes for: 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250, 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500, 2004 Honda Shadow 750, 2004 Honda CBR-600. The CBR isn't beginner-friendly, but you're the type who has wet dreams over crotch-rockets it'll give you the reality check on the high rates of insurance of these kinds of bikes.

Whether or not you already had some kind of idea of the type of motorcycle you wanted, when you get your quotes, you'll find out:
a) Whether or not you can afford to ride right now
b) A rough idea of how much different sizes and types of motorcycles would cost you to insure.

Who should you call for motorcycle insurance? Here's are two tree made by VifferFun from GTAMotorcycle to help you decide. Follow along:

For Sportbikes:

For other motorcycles:

How to contact motorcycle insurance companies and brokers? Boundless @GTAMotorycle created a list of motorcycle-friendly insurance companies and brokers years ago. The list contains website, phone number and even fax information to help you get your quotes. We've put it into a Printer-Friendly PDF Document available here: List of Motorcycle Friendly Insurance Companies and Brokers.

Step 1 was lengthy but necessary. We apologize for profusely, but don't worry Step 2 - How to get your motorcycle license will be much shorter, and will include ALL of the questions your test will ask you. Check it out or go back to our Guide to Buying Your First Motorcycle.

Honda Rebel

I owned a 1985 Honda Rebel for a brief period, putting 7,000 km on it before selling it. It was replaced soon after with a 2008 KYMCO Venox. After reading many reviews saying great things about the Honda Rebel, I'd like to offer my own opinion.

Read more: Honda Rebel 250cc Beginner Motorcycle Review

• Air cooled motorcycles run quieter.
  
  
• You'll tend to see them more on cruisers as most cruisers typically run at lower RPMs then sportbikes, which tend to be liquid cooled.
  
  
• Air cool provides more simplicity, representing one less thing which could break or need to be replaced.
  
  
• Liquid cooling rads are sometimes fragile, and external or aftermarket oil-coolers can also be expensive and likely to break in a drop. Air cooled bikes may be cheaper.

Read more: Air Cooled vs. Liquid Cooled Motorcycle Engines

Superlow

Standard Model, 50th Anniversary Edition

Introducing Adri's new girl: Project Alice. Think of the Milla Jovovich in the Resident Evil series, meets American McGee's Alice... Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore and this baby's a long way from stock!

Read more: 2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL-883

STEEP HILL

You never know what you'll come across while motorcycling. I left in search of a cheap deal on some motorcycle gear, and found myself on a road with steep hills, sharp turns, a nice hairpin, and more. Welcome to Twyn Rivers Dr., one of the nicest roads for motorcycle rides a stone's throw from Toronto, Ontario.

Read more: Twyn Rivers Dr.

Studio is a KYMCO Canada's flagship location (review of Adri's Kymco here). The attractive dealership's atmosphere itself, as well as the staff, literally tell you to “just come and hang out”. What you’ll find is the KYMCO line-up of scooters, ATVs, and motorcycles, as well as a handful of Japanese super-sports and Harley-Davidsons.

Read more: Studio Cycle Group

CBR-125R

The Honda CBR-125R is perfect for people who wish to have a motorcycle but are still somewhat hesitant about the size and power of the machine. The CBR-125R eases a person and allows them to feel a confidence when riding.

Read more: Honda CBR-125R Review