New rider here--getting my first bike and gear

So what's up? Just sitting here listening to a little jrock/pop thinking about which I should get (new Ninja 250 or 500), what gear I should get, and what modifications I should get on my bike that would help a new rider out ( maybe ask the dealer to do for me). Maybe you guys can help me out? I been reading these forums a bit and people here seem pretty cool and mindful. My MSF class is next month and I wanted to start preparing now for my purchases. I read the newbie info and the first bike buyers guide (which was great). Right now I need to judge the fit of the 250s (after seeing in person they look really small!) and also I hear some people saying at 70mph they really top off in acceleration. So if I don't fit the bike well or it isnt accelerating enough on the freeways, then I was going to look into the 500. So as for the 250 fit, what should I be on lookout for as I sit on it? And as for high speed acceleration, what would be your inputs on that? I doubt it matters, but I'm about 6' to 6'2'' and 185 lbs. and I wont be having a passenger until at least half a year riding on my own and who knows, by then I may want a new bike, but probably not. I still have my '03 Cavalier after all. And the salesman said 'Most guys your age only ride their car for a year before wanting a new one' HA! Now I'm not a squib :angelhap:, I am just totally new to the world of bikes. My gear is more important to me than which motorcycle I ride, so I was thinking a lot about it. But I'm a bit confused :scratch: on the which gear provides the safety I need but is also affordable AND I could ride it with me to school, work, etc. Now I know I'm jumping the gun on a few things here, so I am going to try to only ask the questions I need to ask that will last me my first half-year of riding, the time when I will be learning how to handle a bike and riding to work (which is about 4 miles away). Give me a safety gear class 101, what are good safety fabrics? What things should I be on the lookout for that really helps keep me safe? Spots that should have hard armor protection? Good brands? Show me some pictures and model names please. Do you remove all worn gear after the ride (for example, riding to work)? I mean you dont wear it all day right? Where do you put your helmet and boots? Carry them with you? Carry a pair of shoes for after the ride? And in that case, what are some pointers about gear bags; I'm thinking maybe lockable, hopefully small or collapsable, and work good on sport bikes? Or should I always ride with a backpack hehee. As for after-market modifications. I'm not really looking for speed increases just yet. Just safety modifications or things which help my bike last longer. For example, are 250-500 stock tires not as safe as they could be? How's the suspension? Should I install something that helps protect my bike if I drop it? And when I shop around the dealers, what is a good asking price for a new ninja 250 and 500? This one guy said he would sell me a 500 for 5200 out-the-door. Which reminds me, I love the 250's price :drool: . Though I have a lot of money saved up, I am planning a trip to Japan next year so I can't go crazy, but I do have enough for a 500 and gear. Any websites can I go to that help me when buying a new bike (getting better deals, asking for gear, etc.) Well, I know that was long, but I am trying to learn a lot! My MSF class will probably cover more than I think but you can never be too learned. Everyone, thank you very much. Have an awesome weekend.

:welcome: :twfrox: The most important thing with gear is making sure it fits properly. Try different brands and sizes on. Gear should be snug and not move around on you. Leather is best for crashes, but it's pricey. Textile is decent and Mesh is nice for hot weather. Alot of guys have a few different jackets for different conditions. I have a Joe Rocket (brand) Phoenix (model) mesh jacket for summer and a Joe Rocket Atomic textile for chillier weather. http://www.3seasrecreation.com/images/Clothing/Joe%20Rocket/joe%20rocket%20jacket%20phoenix.jpghttp://207.97.197.97/ProductImages/Apparel/GREYATOMICJACKETBYJOEROCKET.jpg Leather pants are a great idea too. Most injuries occur below the waist and jeans don't hold up when you are sliding across pavement. Think about that. I also wear race boots. AGVsport. http://www.agvsport.com/2004/2004/boots/sebring/nflrs_lg.jpg I also wear leather guantlet style gloves: http://www.starcycle.com/street/joe%20rocket%20images/gloves/mecury.jpg

Since you're talking about commuting to work, and leather pants may not be an option, there are textile over pants. They are exactly that over pants, they go over the clothes you're wearing for work. They would carry the extra knee and hip protection you would need in a crash. And don't fall into the "It's only 4 miles, nothing will happen to me deal" Remember the statics on crashes, most happen close to home when you're guard is down becuase your "almost" safe.

Most important thing, get a good full face helmet that fits your head shape. Different brands fit different head shapes. Pick one thats fits you! Also dont go cheap on a helmet. Spend as much as you can afford. If you can afford a $5 or $6K on a bike you can certainly spend 3 or 4 hundred on a helmet. If money is an issue, choose a higher quality slolid color helmet over a lower quality one with graphics. Have fun, ride safe, and welcome to the addiction!!

Any good websites to get equipment from? I heard Ebay is useful sometimes.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a brand new bike as a first bike. A nice used one will be cheaper and you'll be less likely to puke when you drop it! If you know someone who can help you pick out a good used machine that will help. As far as gear, gauntlet gloves are the way to go especially if you'll be in cooler weather(<70F) so the wind doesn't go up you sleeves and freeze you out as well as better protection. Get leather gloves and jacket if you can foot the bill. Good fitting helmet (snug and comfortable at the same time). Overpants are great and real versatile and usually not too "Ricky Racer". Take your time and good luck.

Any good websites to get equipment from? I heard Ebay is useful sometimes. try http://www.cycletrader.com

If you're smaller, sometimes you have to go to e-bay. Nobody online carries XS gloves. Even New enough unloads them on e-bay. That's another site with good prices www.newenough.com

watching

So what's up? Just sitting here listening to a little jrock/pop thinking about which I should get (new Ninja 250 or 500), what gear I should get, and what modifications I should get on my bike that would help a new rider out ( maybe ask the dealer to do for me). Maybe you guys can help me out? I been reading these forums a bit and people here seem pretty cool and mindful. My MSF class is next month and I wanted to start preparing now for my purchases. I read the newbie info and the first bike buyers guide (which was great). Right now I need to judge the fit of the 250s (after seeing in person they look really small!) and also I hear some people saying at 70mph they really top off in acceleration. So if I don't fit the bike well or it isnt accelerating enough on the freeways, then I was going to look into the 500. So as for the 250 fit, what should I be on lookout for as I sit on it? And as for high speed acceleration, what would be your inputs on that? I doubt it matters, but I'm about 6' to 6'2'' and 185 lbs. and I wont be having a passenger until at least half a year riding on my own and who knows, by then I may want a new bike, but probably not. I still have my '03 Cavalier after all. And the salesman said 'Most guys your age only ride their car for a year before wanting a new one' HA! Now I'm not a squib :angelhap:, I am just totally new to the world of bikes. My gear is more important to me than which motorcycle I ride, so I was thinking a lot about it. But I'm a bit confused :scratch: on the which gear provides the safety I need but is also affordable AND I could ride it with me to school, work, etc. Now I know I'm jumping the gun on a few things here, so I am going to try to only ask the questions I need to ask that will last me my first half-year of riding, the time when I will be learning how to handle a bike and riding to work (which is about 4 miles away). Give me a safety gear class 101, what are good safety fabrics? What things should I be on the lookout for that really helps keep me safe? Spots that should have hard armor protection? Good brands? Show me some pictures and model names please. Do you remove all worn gear after the ride (for example, riding to work)? I mean you dont wear it all day right? Where do you put your helmet and boots? Carry them with you? Carry a pair of shoes for after the ride? And in that case, what are some pointers about gear bags; I'm thinking maybe lockable, hopefully small or collapsable, and work good on sport bikes? Or should I always ride with a backpack hehee. As for after-market modifications. I'm not really looking for speed increases just yet. Just safety modifications or things which help my bike last longer. For example, are 250-500 stock tires not as safe as they could be? How's the suspension? Should I install something that helps protect my bike if I drop it? And when I shop around the dealers, what is a good asking price for a new ninja 250 and 500? This one guy said he would sell me a 500 for 5200 out-the-door. Which reminds me, I love the 250's price :drool: . Though I have a lot of money saved up, I am planning a trip to Japan next year so I can't go crazy, but I do have enough for a 500 and gear. Any websites can I go to that help me when buying a new bike (getting better deals, asking for gear, etc.) Well, I know that was long, but I am trying to learn a lot! My MSF class will probably cover more than I think but you can never be too learned. Everyone, thank you very much. Have an awesome weekend. :welcome: :twfrox:

Any good websites to get equipment from? I heard Ebay is useful sometimes. I like www.ironpony.com some good closeout prices sometimes.. if not cyclemart is one of our sponsors they are good also..

Thanks for the info everyone. I'm going to get some gloves for the MSF course; I usually run as a large handwize, cept I just measured my hand and using newenoughs chart and it says I'm a small, I'm about 6.5 inches from outside palm to thumbtip. I still need to go to a bike shop or dealership and try on some gear though. After my course, I'll get the rest of my gear and then afterwards my bike. Personally, I wouldn't buy a brand new bike as a first bike. A nice used one will be cheaper and you'll be less likely to puke when you drop it! If you know someone who can help you pick out a good used machine that will help. As far as gear, gauntlet gloves are the way to go especially if you'll be in cooler weather(<70F) so the wind doesn't go up you sleeves and freeze you out as well as better protection. Get leather gloves and jacket if you can foot the bill. Good fitting helmet (snug and comfortable at the same time). Overpants are great and real versatile and usually not too "Ricky Racer". Take your time and good luck. Yes I would rather get a used 500 than a new one except I don't know anyone with enough biking experience who could assist me. One of my cousins is the only one I know of who has riden a sportbike and he still owns it too boot, but I don't know if his mechanical experience is any good. Plus, good used bikes are hard to find if you are set on a specific model, but I'll try. Hell, I might ask my cousin if he doesn't ride his bike much and offer to buy it if he doesn't (provided it is a newb friendly one). I'll have talk with him this weekend and see if he can help.

Plus, good used bikes are hard to find if you are set on a specific model, but I'll try. Hell, I might ask my cousin if he doesn't ride his bike much and offer to buy it if he doesn't (provided it is a newb friendly one). I'll have talk with him this weekend and see if he can help. try www.craigslist.com click on your state on the right then click on motorcycles... you can even adjust the search at the top based on price.. my friend likes the gs500 suzuki....

Right now for gloves I'm looking at Alpinestars SP-2, Joe Rocket Sonic Street, Olympia Model 340, and check this out http://www.ironpony.com/ironponydirect/CloseOutsProductPage.asp/brand/AGV/Class3/Street%20Gloves-Mens/Class2/Gloves/Class1/STREET%20PRODUCTS is these a good deal or what? So will any of these gloves I listed work sweet? I'm looking for price range of no more than $70. Wow that craigslist kicks proverbial buttocks. Thanks dude.

Those gloves on the closeout page were all gauntleted street gloves at excellent prices (the ones I looked at were under $15... They might be alittle hot in the middle of summer, but they're excellent for now and spring, and what you'll want if you take the bike to a track day for more instruction. :dthumb: do it

:welcome: come on in and take a seat.

Right now for gloves I'm looking at Alpinestars SP-2, Joe Rocket Sonic Street, Olympia Model 340, and check this out http://www.ironpony.com/ironponydirect/CloseOutsProductPage.asp/brand/AGV/Class3/Street%20Gloves-Mens/Class2/Gloves/Class1/STREET%20PRODUCTS is these a good deal or what? So will any of these gloves I listed work sweet? I'm looking for price range of no more than $70. Wow that craigslist kicks proverbial buttocks. Thanks dude. Keep in mind different brands such as Alpinestars to joe rocket, have different ideas of what an XL or XXL etc is. I was able to wear XL Alpinestar gloves, but i had to get XXL in Joe Rocket. Your best bet on that front is to go to a dealership with a big equipment store, and try them on so you know what sizes for what brands you really need. I did that for my Helmet/Gloves/Pants. Otherwise id be palying the cross-shipping game with newenough im sure.

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/images/smilies/Welcome.gif to TWFSince you're talking about commuting to work, and leather pants may not be an option, there are textile over pants. They are exactly that over pants, they go over the clothes you're wearing for work. They would carry the extra knee and hip protection you would need in a crash. And don't fall into the "It's only 4 miles, nothing will happen to me deal" Remember the statics on crashes, most happen close to home when you're guard is down becuase your "almost" safe. :iagree: and make sure you try on any gear you can before ordering anything on-line or at least check the return policy before ordering.

Thanks for the info everyone. I'm going to get some gloves for the MSF course; I usually run as a large handwize, cept I just measured my hand and using newenoughs chart and it says I'm a small, I'm about 6.5 inches from outside palm to thumbtip. I still need to go to a bike shop or dealership and try on some gear though. After my course, I'll get the rest of my gear and then afterwards my bike. Yes I would rather get a used 500 than a new one except I don't know anyone with enough biking experience who could assist me. One of my cousins is the only one I know of who has riden a sportbike and he still owns it too boot, but I don't know if his mechanical experience is any good. Plus, good used bikes are hard to find if you are set on a specific model, but I'll try. Hell, I might ask my cousin if he doesn't ride his bike much and offer to buy it if he doesn't (provided it is a newb friendly one). I'll have talk with him this weekend and see if he can help. Its likely that if a 500 is beat up in the engine, its because the owner was an experienced rider who flogged it for fun. In that case, IMO, he's unlikely to even be letting it go. Many use the 500 as learners and sell them so they're not too often beat up and almost never tracked. You can see damage externally easily enough (underside of pegs, handlebar ends, fork scrapes, tail scraped, frame scrapes, seat damage, etc) and you should mostly be concerned about frame damage. You're new, so you're likely to drop it, so don't get too consumed with its beauty or you'll be really heartbroken when you drop it (statistically likely). On top of that used 500's sell, typically, for what they were bought for so the financial loss is negligible. All this said, I really wanted to post in here to suggest that getting mods for a 500 is pretty silly (again, IMO). Its your learning bike so save that cash for your upgrade which will come when "you're ready". I did the upgrades to my first bike and look back on it with regret. The savings would have allowed me one model year newer, which would've been SWEET!

First of all, as a brand new rider with zero experience, being cautious and conservative is a good thing. If you think that you need to ride a 250, then that's what you should do until you get better and trade it in. There are no laws that say you have to stay with a bike for a certain period before trading it in. So, if by riding a 250 that helps with your confidence and develope your skills quickly, then that's what you should do. You can trade it in two months later or two years later. Secondly I DO NOT recommend used gears. You don't know what the conditions these gears are in and how they have been used, not to mention how they'll fit. All manufacturers, be they clothings or helmets or footwears, have different dimensions and sizes. You want an example? For me, Shoei helmet is XL and Arai is L. That's a BIG difference between manufacturers. Joe Rocket Med gloves fit me perfectly, BMW-brand Med gloves are like for orangutan hands. Get the picture? Go shop for your gears and try them on for actual size. As far as a set of riding apparels that can be used for riding/commuting/do it all, get some overpants that go over your pants. That way you can take it off (the jacket is a given) when you get to work. Get a pair of boots that can function both as riding boots and working boots. Hell, any decent set of work boots can function as both. Or another way is to get a one-piece commuter from Aerostitch. It's a zip-on/zip-off one-piece that's made out of heavy kevlar/cordura. But it's not cheap at around $800 for a unit. The Aerostitch suits are so good that they are approved for track days. To make things simpler for you, here's my two cents: 1. Any gear is better than no gear. 2. More gear is better than a few gears. Jeans don't protect you much over 10-MPH. Fancy reinforced jeans (Icon or Draggin Jeans) are maybe up to around 30-MPH. 3. Buy the best that you can afford. 4. Make sure the darn things fit you or otherwise they're nearly worthless. For someone as tall as you are, I'd recommend a 500-cc something to start out with. But if you were to feel more comfortable on a smaller bike then start small. I would suggest laying off the passenger until you have at least ONE solid year of riding under your belt. Riding a passenger really throws off your bike's handling.

As far as keeping gears secured, a typical bike should at least have one helmet lock but that's not always the case. Some people get a good cable lock and run the ends through the jacket sleeves/pants legs/helmet chin bars and lock the whole shebang through the frame of the bike. Some people gets a big lockable top case that mounts to the rear end of the bike and puts everything in. Some people use backpacks. Backpack is the easiest and more or less most secured because it'll be inside with you instead of having your gears chained to the bike and get the chain snipped or get rained on.

:welcome: :twfrox: As far as web site... www.imotorcylestore.com THE ABSOLUTE BEST!!!! I SWEAR BY THEM!!!!! Ne ways , enjoy ur new bike, it really is an addiction. Keep the rubber side down, shiny side up and ull be fine.

I have extremely good luck with http://www.motorhelmets.com as far as gear purchases go. Their prices are great and no shipping charges for orders above $150.

What's a good brand to get for gear? I really need new gear since i kinda messed up my "gear" (aka a pullover, jeans and tennis shoes) when i wrecked. Or does it really matter as long as they have good padding?

What's a good brand to get for gear? I really need new gear since i kinda messed up my "gear" (aka a pullover, jeans and tennis shoes) when i wrecked. Or does it really matter as long as they have good padding? There are way to many Brands to pick from. Just go by you local bike shop and check it out both for fit and styles.

do you think this is good....it's kinda cheaper than i planned on going but it is on sale if i can get it....http://www.brocktoncycle.com/eshopprod_cat_755-17073-17074-17077_product_239235.Fieldsheer_Ladies_Monza_2_Ja.htm

That should do nicely!:dthumb: Check the ladies section too. There some nice gear talk going on there.

For new gear always check ebay.com before buying from your local shop. My local shops dont have very many styles to choose from and are priced out the roof!! I would say find a style you like and try on for size. If you like it and it fits you that is all that matters. Also when try'n on jacket and pants(and even gloves) as the clerk to set on a bike similiar to yours to make sure it fits while riding...most important. Then go home and check out ebay.com and some of the other online stores to see if your local shop is try'n to rip you off. Yours may not but I found a ICON helmet in my local shop and they want'd $350 for it out the door. Guy threw in the tax as a sales incentive. I went home and bought it on ebay.com for $172. Had to wait a couple of days but I dont have money to throw away. Just my :2cents: