[2wheelr]

i just joined up and glad to be here. i'm very much a novice, i took the msf course 2 years ago but i haven't gotten a bike yet but i'm serious about it now. i'm in the market now for (what i think are the basics):
-helmet
-gloves
-a bike
i'd appreciate any advice from you veterans.

Helmet
a store i went to heavily recommended the Scorpion EXO 700, not really knowing the brand i ended up buying a Bell Sprint (I recognized Bell from bike helmets). now what i've read online makes me want to go with the Scorpion EXO 400--after reading the Motorcyclist magazine article in which the 700 suffered the most G's!
See http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/hatz/index.html

Gloves
i'm clueless on this one, i guess leather.

Bike
I'd like to get a standard or a cruiser for mostly recreational riding/around town. Preferably not expensive and durable--flashiness doesn't matter to me, but it should be attractive. I see many used bikes from the '80's, do they have more longevity than cars?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Gas Man]

My best advice is to try things on at a local shop. That is the only way to see what really fits well.

Also, remember that you don't want your gear to be loose...

Almost forgot... :welcome:

 

[Earlzach]

Welcome :seeya:

 

[jeeps84]

:welcome:2wheelr :twfrox:
Just keep window shopping the local dealers till you get an idea of what you really want. I recommend only looking for used under 600cc's bikes. If you end up going the cruiser route. You can go way up on cc's. The gear, Just try on and look at different styles for what you like.

 

[JayMax]

Having recently begun my experiences with riding, your questions are still fresh in my mind.

Helmet: I did go with the Scorpion EX 400 - Octane, and love the helmet. It's very light & very airy/well ventilated, & doesn't fog up. One of my better purchases I think.

Gloves: That's going to be a personal preference, one you make at the store after trying on many gloves. I have a pair of Joe Rocket gloves & a pair of Olympia gel gloves.

I notice you didn't ask about jackets, so I am going to assume for you that you already have one. Because after seeing some posts elsewhere about persons with road rash, I can't imagine how anyone could ride without a jacket. If you haven't decided on a jacket yet, I would once again recommend Joe Rocket. Once again, the stores will be more than happy to let you try on stuff right there.

Bike: As far as standards or cruisers go, I can't really help you there. But if you go looking for lower powered used cruisers, you should find yourself in some very financially affordable territory.

Good luck with the searches & :welcome:

 

[2fast4yu]

im a noob myself when it comes to this site and actual riding experience in fact i just bought my first bike last night!!!! but as far as statistics and prices go iv got some experience. i just bought a 03 suzuki gsxr 600 rode it 8 hours straight i love it so much! as far as prices go you can get a pretty nice bike for around 4-5 g,s. :luck:

:welcome: :twfrox:

ps: sorry if this didnt help

 

[R1up0n1]

I agree with gas man...go to local shops and try on the gear. Every manufacture is different, and the gear feels different on different people..no one is the same figure.

 

[Gas Man]

Crap SV... even the Manufactures gloves are different from model to model.

I'm suggesting window shopping... try them on and then come home and get them off the internet!

 

[2wheelr]

Thanks for the welcomes and welcomed advice.

I decided to stick with the Bell Sprint helmet. I actually went back to the store and tried the EXO-400 (along with an RF-1000, and an HJC) on and it just didn't fit as snugly as the Bell. Hopefully I can write as good a review of this one as I've read about the Scorpions.

Glovewise, I spoke to a friend who commutes on his bike and wears heavy mechanics gloves. I picked up a pair of nice black ones ($16) plus a pair of silk liners ($10) for less than the price of actual motorcycle gloves and with more flexibility in warmth.

I know jackets are important, but for now I'm not highway driving and I'll make sure to wear some kind of long sleeve jacket.

Now for the bike...

 

[bumblebee]

you need a jacket with armor, or slip in capability...Quality pants are in order because 70% of MC injuries are from waist down in a fall...you are more likely to get hit by someone who "didn't see you" in your town/neighborhood then you are on the highway...be prepared before you saddle up... :dthumb:

 

[GSXR1000DJ]

:welcome: 2wheelr

 

[ne1469]

i just joined up and glad to be here. i'm very much a novice, i took the msf course 2 years ago but i haven't gotten a bike yet but i'm serious about it now.

:welcome:


Im a fellow newbie as well, I took the MSF back in Jan this year and didnt get my bike till last month. Wish I would have started riding soon after finishing the course, cause I've forgotten some of the essential skills taught in the MSF course.

:2cents: you may wanna retake the course again as a refresher..

 

[R1up0n1]

:welcome:


Im a fellow newbie as well, I took the MSF back in Jan this year and didnt get my bike till last month. Wish I would have started riding soon after finishing the course, cause I've forgotten some of the essential skills taught in the MSF course.

:2cents: you may wanna retake the course again as a refresher..

I was rideing for almost 2 years before I took the MSF course. I didn't learn a whole lot, but for someone that doesn't have any or little experience I def recommend the course. I think the only thing I learned in the entire course was while in a curve go outside - inside - outside.

 

[600RR Uo1]

Yea i highly rec a jacket. I'm still within year one of riding and the day I took my gloves off I went down, in town. Luckily my jacket saved my upper arms, shoulder, and back. The short time my legs were actually on the ground I managed to rip my jeans open. Trust me no shirt is going to protect you like a jackets will. jackets are tested for sliding and impact so u try to minimize the chance of road rash and breaking stuff

The longer you ride the more you realize that in town driving is much more dangerous due to other drivers lack of judgement and responsibility.

Try newenough.com for some gear and reviews. the guy who runs the sights has his personal opinions on every item he sells and he deos not talk up the most expensive things. He tells everything from what type of climate they would work in to how "good" they look. Trust me i have a textile and a leather jacket and its been hot and humid as hell here and were in a drought, but I still always wear something to protect me.

Not bashing but it sounds like you may have the "i dont need gear" attitude. Cough up the $80 for a jacket and find some pants. This may not pursued you but remember being a little hot from a jacket is much better than having scars or worse.

 

[R1up0n1]

Yea i highly rec a jacket. I'm still within year one of riding and the day I took my gloves off I went down, in town. Luckily my jacket saved my upper arms, shoulder, and back. The short time my legs were actually on the ground I managed to rip my jeans open. Trust me no shirt is going to protect you like a jackets will. jackets are tested for sliding and impact so u try to minimize the chance of road rash and breaking stuff

The longer you ride the more you realize that in town driving is much more dangerous due to other drivers lack of judgement and responsibility.

Try newenough.com for some gear and reviews. the guy who runs the sights has his personal opinions on every item he sells and he deos not talk up the most expensive things. He tells everything from what type of climate they would work in to how "good" they look. Trust me i have a textile and a leather jacket and its been hot and humid as hell here and were in a drought, but I still always wear something to protect me.

Not bashing but it sounds like you may have the "i dont need gear" attitude. Cough up the $80 for a jacket and find some pants. This may not pursued you but remember being a little hot from a jacket is much better than having scars or worse.

:iagree:

 

[Gas Man]

Very well put KMan...

 

[gixxer127]

i know you need the gear and everything......but i'd try to find a bike first man.

 

[Earlzach]

i know you need the gear and everything......but i'd try to find a bike first man.

:iagree:
At least you will know what color gear to look for. :scratch:

 

[No Worries]

...I see many used bikes from the '80's, do they have more longevity than cars?...

How many Yugo's do you see on the road? But really, there were some great bikes produced in the 80's. If you want to ride on the highway and curvy backroads, look at a late 80's Yamaha FJ 1100/1200. A 1200 for a first bike? Has No Worries gone completely crazy? Crazy like a fox. The FJ only makes 100 HP, but it makes over 60 lb/ft of torque from 3,000 RPM to 9,000. That, ladies and gentlemen, is friendly and street-usable power.

The FJ is heavy, steel-framed, and air-cooled, but it has a fairing that actually blocks the wind, a centerstand, and did I mention the torque? With an upgrade in tires and suspension, the FJ will keep up with most sportbikes and be a zillion times more comfortable doing it. These bikes were very popular in Europe and Yamaha even brought it back as the updated FJR1300.

 

[hooters_on_two_wheel]

:welcome: :noob: :luck: :twfrox: