Motorcycle help, beginner right here lol Options

[elvasoshexai]

sorry 2 hijack but i was thinkin of learnin 2 ride too n wanted to kno what r some gd cheap brands for gear?

[razor7]

sorry 2 hijack but i was thinkin of learnin 2 ride too n wanted to kno what r some gd cheap brands for gear?

Everyone has their own opinion. Mine? Ask around, talk to local mechanics and form your own opinions, they undoubtedly see a much larger variety of brands than any of us have. Cheap and good don't usually walk hand in hand.

If you're learning to ride, buy an old smaller CC bike.

-TC

[AMCMoe]

razor7 is right. Joe Rocket, Icon, and Alpinestars are the brands I've bought in the past. I have a leather Alpinestars jacket and LOVE it. Perfect fit, heavy leather, armor in the elbows and shoulders, etc. I have an Icon helmet and like it for the most part, but unless you're willing to spend the $$$ for their higher end ones, I'd go with a different brand as theirs aren't cheap for the 'features'. Shoei makes great helmets, there's a company called Scorpion that makes good and cheap helmets, but I'd go with their highest end helmet if you were buying theirs. I know about them from a friend's friend who owns a motorcycle shop.

Go to a good motorcycle shop and try things on, thats the best way to figure out what you like and don't like. I thought I'd really like Icon's helmet and ended up buying it online and then it came and I wasn't as impressed with it as I thought I'd be. Others that I tried on in stores were better IMO.

As for other gear....boots, I'd go with any that cover your ankles. If you wipe out, your ankles are going to take a beating unless they're protected.

For pants, you can either go all out and get leather (HOT but the best) or get some textile or mesh pants. They also make heavy denim jeans for motorcycle riding, but that isn't going to be your best bet if you drop it at a reasonable speed, and would probably be pretty hot. Textile pants are my favorite, they're not too hot and are fairly protective.

Gloves...I just have a pair of those Mechanix leather gloves that are made for working on cars. They're light and breathe well but probably aren't the greatest for riding. My favorite gloves are made by Icon, they have a perfect fit (for me at least) and aren't stiff at all, however they're a little pricey (for any of their stuff). Joe Rocket makes some nice gloves too.

As for the motorcycle, go with something small or you'll just be tempting yourself. You might be able to handle a bigger bike, but if you don't have any experience riding, that's just asking for problems. A 250 or 500cc is plenty. I had a 500cc Kawasaki Ninja that I started on and it's more than enough. Best thing about them is parts are easy to find (for the 250 or 500 ninja) and they're not expensive so if you drop it...no big deal. The 500cc does 0-60 in 3.x seconds...that's plenty.

Also, sit on some different ones, they all have different seat heights, so find one that you like.

Definitely take the Rider Safety Course. You'll probably get a discount on your insurance too.

[95CelicaST]

Manny, you should look into an Aprilia RS250. It's a 3/4 size moto GP bike.



I've only ridden a motorcycle a couple of times, but I rode my brother's Katana 600 and it was far too big and heavy for me.


I'm looking at scoring a 1970's Honda CB 500 and build up a cafe racer. Screw modern bikes.

[Bitter]

my friend has an aerostitch jumpsuit thats pretty swank.

[SlickRick]

wow a lot of these threads have popped up as of late, take a MFS course, buy a beater bike, wear the right gear and get the most life insurance u can afford. Oh and i dont know about the 250 "flying" by the 1ks in the turns, but i do like 600s for the track.

[ETNRIDER]

If you have any size at all a 250 is just to small of a bike. I always tell people get at least a 600 that way you can grow into it. 250 vs 600 is night and day different.

[uberschall]

i just started riding this year on a 79 cb750. at first i got a lot of remarks about the 750 being a lot of bike for someone just getting into the sport, but it's actually served me well. older medium-displacement bikes are plentiful, inexpensive, reliable, and easy to repair. while the 750 has enough power for the freeway and such, it's slower-revving and more subdued than a more modern, high-revving sportbike and as such, easier to keep a lid on. i'm actually looking for a project bike for the winter, and it will most likely be something similar.

i took the msf basic rider course at the local community college and i 100% recommend it. most states offer them, and it's hands-down the best $25 i've ever spent, period.

an unsolicited comment on gear - a bit of advice i was given by a guy who nearly died in a motorcycle wreck years ago: buy the best gear you can possibly afford, and always dress as though you KNOW you're going to crash. i have a joe rocket alter ego and it's great.

[daazndood]

LMFAO at the idiots saying to start on a 600 and a 750. Please do not start on anything bigger then a 500cc.

[95CelicaST]

i just started riding this year on a 79 cb750. at first i got a lot of remarks about the 750 being a lot of bike for someone just getting into the sport, but it's actually served me well. older medium-displacement bikes are plentiful, inexpensive, reliable, and easy to repair. while the 750 has enough power for the freeway and such, it's slower-revving and more subdued than a more modern, high-revving sportbike and as such, easier to keep a lid on. i'm actually looking for a project bike for the winter, and it will most likely be something similar.

i took the msf basic rider course at the local community college and i 100% recommend it. most states offer them, and it's hands-down the best $25 i've ever spent, period.

an unsolicited comment on gear - a bit of advice i was given by a guy who nearly died in a motorcycle wreck years ago: buy the best gear you can possibly afford, and always dress as though you KNOW you're going to crash. i have a joe rocket alter ego and it's great.

Café racer that bish. Clubman bars, cafe seat and tank combo and you're set. Who needs a project? Your bike is my dream.


http://www.benjiescaferacer.com/home.html <---- check this place out.

[SlickRick]

LMFAO at the idiots saying to start on a 600 and a 750. Please do not start on anything bigger then a 500cc.

In his defense i agree with you, but he did not say get a 600cc SPORT bike u could get a 650 ninjaR or a gs500f or a 750 nighthawk those would all be a some what more acceptable starter bike would u not agree? but yes DO NOT get a 600cc sport bike to start!!!!!
But gear is a big deal too as stated i went once went down the freeway at 60 MPH+ without leathers on, i had 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my back and needed a skin graph and was in a medically induced coma for 3 days all bcuz i thought it was too hot to wear my leathers that night. if i was in the right gear i would have walked away fine. I still have huge scars and just a little FF (fun fact) for you, if u think oh i wont be going fast or far, so no leathers, 1st degree burns hurt more then 3rd, i found out that 3rd degree kills the nerve endings 1st degree does not, and when they clean out your open wounds with a brillo pad u will wish u had no nerve ending at all.

wow just saw the guy that said start on a Gixxer 750 then get an R1!!!! No defense for that!!!

[playr158]

i just started riding this year on a 79 cb750. at first i got a lot of remarks about the 750 being a lot of bike for someone just getting into the sport, but it's actually served me well. older medium-displacement bikes are plentiful, inexpensive, reliable, and easy to repair. while the 750 has enough power for the freeway and such, it's slower-revving and more subdued than a more modern, high-revving sportbike and as such, easier to keep a lid on. i'm actually looking for a project bike for the winter, and it will most likely be something similar.

i took the msf basic rider course at the local community college and i 100% recommend it. most states offer them, and it's hands-down the best $25 i've ever spent, period.

an unsolicited comment on gear - a bit of advice i was given by a guy who nearly died in a motorcycle wreck years ago: buy the best gear you can possibly afford, and always dress as though you KNOW you're going to crash. i have a joe rocket alter ego and it's great.

a CB750 is MUCH different from a GSXR750....its like 1/4 the speed
my gsxr does 0-130 in less than 10 seconds. CB750 is lucky to get that fast period

however CB750s are nice little bikes and pretty cool.

if you want gear

www.newenough.com
www.kneedraggers.com

you can even search their clearance as they normally have great deals on good gear.

Helmet, leather jacket, gloves, boots(spidi, A*) and jeans = minimum riding gear

This post has been edited by playr158: Jul 16, 2009 - 7:27 AM

[daazndood]

LMFAO at the idiots saying to start on a 600 and a 750. Please do not start on anything bigger then a 500cc.

In his defense i agree with you, but he did not say get a 600cc SPORT bike u could get a 650 ninjaR or a gs500f or a 750 nighthawk those would all be a some what more acceptable starter bike would u not agree? but yes DO NOT get a 600cc sport bike to start!!!!!
But gear is a big deal too as stated i went once went down the freeway at 60 MPH+ without leathers on, i had 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my back and needed a skin graph and was in a medically induced coma for 3 days all bcuz i thought it was too hot to wear my leathers that night. if i was in the right gear i would have walked away fine. I still have huge scars and just a little FF (fun fact) for you, if u think oh i wont be going fast or far, so no leathers, 1st degree burns hurt more then 3rd, i found out that 3rd degree kills the nerve endings 1st degree does not, and when they clean out your open wounds with a brillo pad u will wish u had no nerve ending at all.

wow just saw the guy that said start on a Gixxer 750 then get an R1!!!! No defense for that!!!

dam thats crazy man. what happened? were you at fault??

anways yeah no 600cc or up sport bikes (inline-4) its funny cuz a 1600cc harley(v-twin) is alot slower then a 600cc japanese bike. but yeah if you gonna go high in the CCs make it a cruiser or something so its not fast

[SlickRick]

LMFAO at the idiots saying to start on a 600 and a 750. Please do not start on anything bigger then a 500cc.

In his defense i agree with you, but he did not say get a 600cc SPORT bike u could get a 650 ninjaR or a gs500f or a 750 nighthawk those would all be a some what more acceptable starter bike would u not agree? but yes DO NOT get a 600cc sport bike to start!!!!!
But gear is a big deal too as stated i went once went down the freeway at 60 MPH+ without leathers on, i had 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my back and needed a skin graph and was in a medically induced coma for 3 days all bcuz i thought it was too hot to wear my leathers that night. if i was in the right gear i would have walked away fine. I still have huge scars and just a little FF (fun fact) for you, if u think oh i wont be going fast or far, so no leathers, 1st degree burns hurt more then 3rd, i found out that 3rd degree kills the nerve endings 1st degree does not, and when they clean out your open wounds with a brillo pad u will wish u had no nerve ending at all.

wow just saw the guy that said start on a Gixxer 750 then get an R1!!!! No defense for that!!!

dam thats crazy man. what happened? were you at fault??

anways yeah no 600cc or up sport bikes (inline-4) its funny cuz a 1600cc harley(v-twin) is alot slower then a 600cc japanese bike. but yeah if you gonna go high in the CCs make it a cruiser or something so its not fast

Yes it was my fault. I was doing something I should not have been, and there was an obstruction in the road (mattress yes a mattress!!!) and if i would have been riding the right way i would have been able to avoid it. But hey thats the risk of riding. but here r a few pix from it the big "dot" on my elbow is what it looks like when loose black asphalt in embedded in the skin, and i have other pix to graphic. But what u dont see is that on my butt my jeans and underwear were also embedded in the skin and had to be pulled out fiber by fiber and one of the rivets on the back of my jeans melted to my skin and had 2 be ripped off too. ride safe



This post has been edited by SlickRick: Jul 16, 2009 - 9:52 PM

[Ruroniarc]

Thread Jack!

Yeah, to note, my buddy got into a pretty bad accident. He had a collision with a van because he was coming around a corner, and the van pulled out from a stop sign, and he nailed the van. He broke his knee and they told him he would never walk again. Obviously he bought a new bike last month, but still. =P He was still pretty messed up, and he was wearing a few thousand dollars worth of gear. His gear cost more than the bike itself, and for good reason.

If you're gonna get a bike of any kind, just be careful.

[daazndood]

LMFAO at the idiots saying to start on a 600 and a 750. Please do not start on anything bigger then a 500cc.

In his defense i agree with you, but he did not say get a 600cc SPORT bike u could get a 650 ninjaR or a gs500f or a 750 nighthawk those would all be a some what more acceptable starter bike would u not agree? but yes DO NOT get a 600cc sport bike to start!!!!!
But gear is a big deal too as stated i went once went down the freeway at 60 MPH+ without leathers on, i had 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my back and needed a skin graph and was in a medically induced coma for 3 days all bcuz i thought it was too hot to wear my leathers that night. if i was in the right gear i would have walked away fine. I still have huge scars and just a little FF (fun fact) for you, if u think oh i wont be going fast or far, so no leathers, 1st degree burns hurt more then 3rd, i found out that 3rd degree kills the nerve endings 1st degree does not, and when they clean out your open wounds with a brillo pad u will wish u had no nerve ending at all.

wow just saw the guy that said start on a Gixxer 750 then get an R1!!!! No defense for that!!!

dam thats crazy man. what happened? were you at fault??

anways yeah no 600cc or up sport bikes (inline-4) its funny cuz a 1600cc harley(v-twin) is alot slower then a 600cc japanese bike. but yeah if you gonna go high in the CCs make it a cruiser or something so its not fast

Yes it was my fault. I was doing something I should not have been, and there was an obstruction in the road (mattress yes a mattress!!!) and if i would have been riding the right way i would have been able to avoid it. But hey thats the risk of riding. but here r a few pix from it the big "dot" on my elbow is what it looks like when loose black asphalt in embedded in the skin, and i have other pix to graphic. But what u dont see is that on my butt my jeans and underwear were also embedded in the skin and had to be pulled out fiber by fiber and one of the rivets on the back of my jeans melted to my skin and had 2 be ripped off too. ride safe

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

i never wanna get on my bike again.....XD

[blu94gt]

Whatever you do get, do what these guys say. WEAR YOUR GEAR. Even if its boiling hot out, put that jacket and gloves on. If you can't afford some of the nice gear, even just a decent leather jacket will protect you more than just wearing a t-shirt.

I get so sick of seeing these squids riding around town on a 1000cc sportbike in a tank top, shorts and flip flops with no helmet. Then they're all amazed at how hurt one of their friends got when they went down riding a wheelie in rush hour traffic on the interstate, like they should be able to dump it and just walk away.

[elvasoshexai]

wow.. you guys have $25 motorcycle safety courses?????? in ontario it costs $400!!!

i took the motorcycle safety course this weekend.. very long 16 hours... muscles are so sore now... this wkend was my first time even touching a bike... i can't believe how difficult it is to ride... failed the practical test to get my license... hopefully i pass my 2nd try

i tried a honda titan, eliminator, cbr125 and some yamaha dirt bike... the cbr was easiest to maneuver... probably because it's so light...

gotta rethink if i really wanna get into bikes... already spent > $400...

This post has been edited by elvasoshexai: Jul 19, 2009 - 9:01 PM

[Malek]

Whatever you do get, do what these guys say. ^{WEAR YOUR GEAR}. Even if its boiling hot out, put that jacket and gloves on. If you can't afford some of the nice gear, even just a decent leather jacket will protect you more than just wearing a t-shirt.

I get so sick of seeing these squids riding around town on a 1000cc sportbike in a tank top, shorts and flip flops with no helmet. Then they're all amazed at how hurt one of their friends got when they went down riding a wheelie in rush hour traffic on the interstate, like they should be able to dump it and just walk away.

^^^That!! UP there!! X2 billion fatrillion thousandy and Five!! You think its hot outside?? Think how hot it will be with your skin sliding across sun-baked asphalt at 50+ mph..now THAT is hot!

[Malek]

LMFAO at the idiots saying to start on a 600 and a 750. Please do not start on anything bigger then a 500cc.

In his defense i agree with you, but he did not say get a 600cc SPORT bike u could get a 650 ninjaR or a gs500f or a 750 nighthawk those would all be a some what more acceptable starter bike would u not agree? but yes DO NOT get a 600cc sport bike to start!!!!!
But gear is a big deal too as stated i went once went down the freeway at 60 MPH+ without leathers on, i had 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my back and needed a skin graph and was in a medically induced coma for 3 days all bcuz i thought it was too hot to wear my leathers that night. if i was in the right gear i would have walked away fine. I still have huge scars and just a little FF (fun fact) for you, if u think oh i wont be going fast or far, so no leathers, 1st degree burns hurt more then 3rd, i found out that 3rd degree kills the nerve endings 1st degree does not, and when they clean out your open wounds with a brillo pad u will wish u had no nerve ending at all.

wow just saw the guy that said start on a Gixxer 750 then get an R1!!!! No defense for that!!!

dam thats crazy man. what happened? were you at fault??

anways yeah no 600cc or up sport bikes (inline-4) its funny cuz a 1600cc harley(v-twin) is alot slower then a 600cc japanese bike. but yeah if you gonna go high in the CCs make it a cruiser or something so its not fast

Yes it was my fault. I was doing something I should not have been, and there was an obstruction in the road (mattress yes a mattress!!!) and if i would have been riding the right way i would have been able to avoid it. But hey thats the risk of riding. but here r a few pix from it the big "dot" on my elbow is what it looks like when loose black asphalt in embedded in the skin, and i have other pix to graphic. But what u dont see is that on my butt my jeans and underwear were also embedded in the skin and had to be pulled out fiber by fiber and one of the rivets on the back of my jeans melted to my skin and had 2 be ripped off too. ride safe

Ouch..I know there's a lot of people who trash the idea of riding after a fall, especially a serious one like that one but have you got back on a bike since then? I really hope you have..and 600's on a track, now thats where a sport bike belongs. You are a lucky man to take a 600 on a track..I took my moms 07 zx6r for 2 laps around on a trackday and yeah, you already know there's no need for a or possible to describe it. My modified 250 doesn't compare..but i like watching the expressions on an unexperienced liter bike rider when they see me on the inside of their turn and later find out what i was riding.

..unexperienced liter bike rider..those two shouldn't mix but you already know as well as i do..