Just bought my 1st Bike! need help with gear

[StumbleBum7]

Sorry cant link, not at 15 post yet

Hey all, i finally got my first bike from someone on craigslist, officially haveing title switched to my name on Thursday. The bike i got is a 2004 Ninja 250 with only 6250 miles and in good condtion, almost no cosmetic damage was only dropped once while in the driveway with very minor/no marks.


He was asking $2000 I got the price down to $1800. Now i need the gear, my MSF course begins Oct 2nd so i may have a license in no time!

Im looking at getting a Medium Scorpion Tribal helmet used very lightly for 90 picked up.

Now what type of Jacket is good for a beginer who wont be going on any 3 hour rides and whatnot, just local riding for the most part. I guess i need a jacket and gloves so any suggestions would be appriceated, im excited to get the bike officially on thursday.. its in good condtion, low miles, new rear tire and cant wait to ride a few times before winter.

[smcbride11]

Congrats on the bike! I just got a Ninja 250 also, taking delivery in the morning.

My view on gear is that there's no such thing as "beginner" gear. You either fall at 60 or you don't. If you do, there's nothing in your training that'll tell you how to fall better.

Go to a shop and try some stuff on. Any of the modern textile or leather jackets with armor built in should be more than sufficient, but it's critically important that it fit properly. Personally, I've found that only AlpineStars size 46 jackets fit me correctly (and I wear a 42 suit... had I ordered online, I'd have ordered a 42 and been pissed), but obviously that's going to vary by body type.

IMO, buy the best gear your money can buy. I guarantee $1000 in gear is cheaper than skin grafts.

[primalmu]

Don't buy used helmets! There's no guarantee that it is safe. Bite the bullet and buy a used one.

Like smcbride11 said, get the best gear you can afford. Don't be tempted to skimp on gear simply because you don't plan on going on any long distance trips any time soon. You can hit the asphalt just as easily a mile from your house as you can 1000 miles from your house.

[badmonkey]

Buy gear that fits. get leather if you can afford it. get gloves with long cuffs. and don't forget about your feet--a good set of boots is essential.

try everything on. see what size you are in the brand you like. If the store can give you a fair price, buy it. If they're asking retail, go to stores like newenough.com and buy from them.

[guineapig]

and motodirect.com seems fair priced as well.
I really like newenough too.

[heather_test]

Originally Posted by primalmu

Don't buy used helmets! There's no guarantee that it is safe. Bite the bullet and buy a used one.

Like smcbride11 said, get the best gear you can afford. Don't be tempted to skimp on gear simply because you don't plan on going on any long distance trips any time soon. You can hit the asphalt just as easily a mile from your house as you can 1000 miles from your house.

I definitely agree here. I never feel bad about spending $$ on moto gear because I just think how much it would cost to replace that part of my body.

$300-600 helmet vs brain surgery or death
$300 gloves = lose a finger
$300 boots = ankle broken

As far as a jacket is concerned - I'd suggest a good cordura one - first star was my first one.

[PJL]

www.revzilla.com is having a closeout sale on Shark helmets. I just got a RSR 2 (their top of the line) that lists for $650 for $350. It's really comfortable (I also feel really comfortable in Shoei RF-1000 helmets, as a point of reference), although I'm not completely sold on the friction rather than ratchet face shield system. I can't give other opinions yet; I'm using it for the first time this weekend. You can get some of Shark's lower-end helmets (which still get great reviews) for $200.

[StumbleBum7]

Originally Posted by PJL

revzilla is having a closeout sale on Shark helmets. I just got a RSR 2 (their top of the line) that lists for $650 for $350. It's really comfortable (I also feel really comfortable in Shoei RF-1000 helmets, as a point of reference), although I'm not completely sold on the friction rather than ratchet face shield system. I can't give other opinions yet; I'm using it for the first time this weekend. You can get some of Shark's lower-end helmets (which still get great reviews) for $200.

thanks man, im looking under the clearance and i see the Kawasaki Z-Moto Leather Gloves, was wondering if those are decent? The price seems doable just wondering if they are decent quality or not. considering getting them, as for a helmet im gonna go locally and try some on for size fitting and all before i even try to buy one online