OUR MOTORCYCLES
There are not many motorcycles out there that are as easy to ride as the Honda Grom. Don’t let the smaller wheels fool you; this is a legitimate motorcycle with all the typical motorcycle controls. It’s low seat height, low weight and super small turning radius provide even the most intimidated new rider the confidence to learn how to ride. Completely out of its element on the highway, the Grom shows its amazing ability to maneuver on the range. It one of the “funnest” machines we have and is a favorite among-st some of the instructors. We have even equipped our fleet with one lowered Grom, thanks to aftermarket lowering brackets and a modified shorter kickstand for riders requiring an even lower seat height. We currently have 5 of these motorcycles in our fleet, with all 3 generations represented.
Not to be out done by the Honda and it’s Grom, Kawasaki brings forward their version. The Z125 Pro is just as easy to ride as it’s competition from Honda. The Z125 Pro gets just enough power from it’s air-cooled single cylinder power plant and is mated to a traditionally shifted 4 speed transmission. Take a spin on the Kawasaki and then try out the Honda. Which one will you prefer?
While our CBs are considered to be “Beginner Bikes” by the motorcycle world, most of our range exercises favor smaller and lighter machines. We hope every student that is interested in riding our awesome CBs get seat time by the the end of the weekend. This CB300F has a single cylinder fuel injected engine that offers respectable sound and power. Where is gets interesting is with the brakes. Our 2 CBs, along with our Duke 200 are the only motorcycles in the fleet that feature an Anti-Lock-Braking System. “ABS” is said to be standard on all bikes sold in the near future. This provides us with interesting discussions and perspectives in our emergency braking, and collision avoidance exercises.
What is not to like about our KTM Duke 200? With its aggressive styling, radial mounted brakes, high quality WP suspension and sophisticated Bosch electronic dual mode ABS, this machine has a lot going for it, and it is a boatload of fun on our practice range. While KTM’s larger Duke 390 has been available for some time, we have been hoping that KTM would import the “Little Duke” to Canada. Well, it has arrived for 2021 …and we could not be happier with one in our fleet.
Old School. You have got to love the new Suzuki Van Van. They went back to the past and dug up a bike from the seventies, but used today’s technology. These new Van Vans use a modern frame design that allows the engine to be mounted much lower than it was originally, for excellent stability. The engine now features a modern fuel injection system. This bike uses the same sized tires as our Yamaha TW200, which give it a unique “beach bike” look. Check out the giant, soft banana seat from the 70’s that will have you riding in comfort all day. Our Van Vans are a natural fit for our Beginner Course and could very well be our best training motorcycle. We currently have 5 of these in our fleet.
On paper, our GW250s are full sized motorcycles. This machine is a top choice of riding schools across North America. This bike would be aimed at our bigger and perhaps more experienced students who are more comfortable with the power of a 250cc twin engine. With more power comes a slightly heavier clutch that might need more muscle than our smaller bikes. We have one of our GWs set-up with a center stand, giving us a chance to demonstrate it’s proper use. Despite it’s size and weight, our GWs can easily negotiate all of the slaloms and slow speed maneuvers at Atlantic Moto Skills. We have 3 of these that are available to ride on your training weekend.
The “dual sport” DR200 has proven to be one of our favorites. It is engineered to be both a lightweight and rugged motorcycle. With a suspension that is suited for both road and off-road use, and the additional suspension travel provided makes for a comfortable ride on our range. “The Mighty DR” really shines during slow speed maneuvers due to its wide and flat handlebars, upright riding position and super small turning radius. This, our TW200 and our XR150L are our only motorcycles that feature a carburetor, choke and fuel valve. This gives our class a good look at this old but good type of system.
“The new Honda XR150L has finally been released in Canada, and we are quite pleased, to say the least. Dual-sport motorcycles tend to have tall seats, making it hard at times to get your feet down. The new XR has slightly smaller front and rear wheels (19 and 17 inches, respectively) making the seat a bit more approachable, yet it still maintains the simplicity and durability we like in a training motorcycle. Carburetors are quite rare in modern motorcycles, especially a 2023 model. You will have to get use to using a choke on this bike. What has been upgraded is the engine’s internal counter balancers, which bring a modern “smoothness” to this quiet and gentle single-cylinder engine. The new XR is a good fit for us at AMS and an excellent choice for your first ride.”
Honda’s CRF250L is one of the best and most versatile dual sport motorcycles out there. It is only natural we have one of these in our fleet. With an unloaded suspension, the CRF has the tallest seat height of any bike in our fleet; perfect for our tall riders. Despite having an off-road capable suspension, it performs very well at our slow speed exercises as well as our higher speed drills. We think you will enjoy this bike for your weekend. So much so, that you might consider purchasing the newest CRF300L version of one of these as your “versatile” first motorcycle after receiving your certificate. It’s perfect for that amazing backwoods camping trip that New Brunswick is know for.
Instructors of this course have been teaching students to ride on Yamaha’s TW for well over 2 decades. The design of this ridiculously dependable machine has been virtually unchanged since it’s introduction in 1987; the same year that an explorer famously reached the North Pole riding one. This motorcycle features similar attributes of our other dual sport motorcycles, but with lower gearing to enhance it’s slow speed abilities, as well as a low seat to help shorter riders get their feet planted. It simply could not be a motorcycle course without a TW in the fleet. Our biggest challenge is getting the instructors off of it.
The XT is Yamaha’s current small displacement dual sport motorcycle. It has similar dimensions as our Suzuki DR200, but uses today’s technology, such as internal counter-balanced shafts to smooth out engine vibrations usually associated with engines that use one cylinder and it also has modern fuel injection. The “XT” is both lightweight and rugged. Generally, dual sport motorcycles tend to have taller seat heights and longer travel suspensions to offer better trail performance, but they still perform well in our tight, slow speed exercises. Regardless of which motorcycle our clients ultimately purchase after licensed, few can deny the capability, flexibility and most importantly the “explore-ability” of dual sport motorcycles.
We love motorcycles. In fact each and every one of our valued instructors would love to have one of everything in our garages at home. “Who would not want a Honda Grom?” This passion for motorcycles is reflected in the strict maintenance program these bikes see. That, and an extensive stock of spare parts will ensure that the moment you finally swing your leg over one of our machines, it will be ready to ride.
You will see that we take a tremendous amount of pride in our fleet. No duct tape here.
