Motorcycle Guys, "Startup" Questions...

[pputkowski]

I am looking into getting my Class M license in a few months and I have a few questions.

What is a good "start-up" bike? I am looking at the Ninja 250's. How are they? What else is there in the market for begginers?

What kind of safety equipment (Helmet, Jacket, etc.) is necessary and what are some good brands?

Any other help is greatly apreciated. Thanks.

Randomd pic host...

[Dubstar112]

Man, a good starter bike sounds good in all... but trust me, get somthing like a 500, or 600 to start with. Im gonna tell ya that the 250 is gonna become lame within months of riding. And since you wont be going all that fast to begin with you can grow into the bike not grow out of it!

However, I guess it depends on how much previous experience you have. I used to ride a dirtbike a lot so I am used to it.

Just be sure to take it seriously! Many accidents involving crotch rockets around here, especially on the highway on/off ramps and rolling heads...!!

[cphilip]

Whatever motorcycle you get make sure its manuverable as that Motorcycle test is rather difficult for most big bikes to even pass. Good idea taking that course. It will really make you a safer rider. Worth it for certain. Plus I think your insurance will get a discount.

For equipment many will tell you Shoie, Snell and stuff like that. And they are darn good. But I currently using one I picked up that was darn good for the money. The Zeus 508. I was skeptical of it for that money but once I got it I have been well pleased with this one. Full Face with flip up front AND flip up visor. A must for glasses. Stays closed when turing head, Not much noise. DOT approved and for like 90 bucks. A deal and well made. And fits realy nice and stays fog free. They run a bit small so do not hesitate if you are even close to the middle or upper range of a size to go to the next size. I normaly wear a Medium in a Bell and this one I am wearing a Large. Here is where I got that Helmet

For riding down here its often hot. So leather is out most of the year. The nicest thing I ever got is this Joe Rocket Pheonix jacket. Its Kevlar mesh and doubled up in the spots it needs to be with lots of protective pads that are removable but its got a zip in rain proof jacket. And when thats in its pretty darn warm with a layer under neath. And with it out its cool as a cucumber! And very good protection. All the logos on it are highly reflective and its got plenty of adjustment points on it. Joe Rocket here

[Dubstar112]

cphil, they featured that jacket last weekend on Top Dead Center, a motorcycle show on the new TNN(Spike Tv). Thats pretty neat!

Since its cold 6 months outta the year, my motorcycle at the moment happens to not be a motorcycle at all. And my clothing is very warm! The bad part is we race snowmobiles year around! (grass drags)

oh yeah and sorry about the poor image quality, I dont have a jpg filter to gif is the next best thing

[cphilip]

Originally posted by Dubstar112
cphil, they featured that jacked last weekend on Top Dead Center, a motorcycle show on the new TNN(Spike Tv). Thats pretty neat!

Dam! Cool. I really love this jacket. I got it onsale at that place for 99 bucks and that included the liner and just flat out love the thing. Very well made and Very cool AND warm depending on which way I wear it. I got it back last October I think and I saw quite a few 80 degree plus days with it so I got to check out the Warm weather part and since then I have ridden a bunch of 40-50 degree days. With a sweat shirt underneath its perfect!

What did they have to say about it on the show?

[Dubstar112]

lol, im gonna have to fix that typo!**

They just said its for warmer weather, when leathers are too much but you still need adequate protection. I think they advertised it right around the low $100 mark.(I just checked the website, and they say $139 so thats what they must have said on TV, I was thinking 109 or somthing lol..). Top Dead Center is on Saturdays in the morning I think before or around noon. Lots of info on that show. I always end up watching it because its on around the same time as Car and Driver, Hot Rod TV, and the rest of the powerblock. Infact I think its added to the powerblock..

[pputkowski]

Wow, lots of info, thanks Cphil!

I'm deff. looking into the JoeRocket jacket.

Would you agree about going ahead and getting a 600cc? Thanks!

[cphilip]

Well they are right its more for warmer weather than some of the other Polar models Joe Rocket makes. But I can assure you with the liner in and a sweat shirt its fine down to the low 40's. Which gets you buy most of the time around here. But thats probably warm to most people buying a Jacket I think. The Pheonix comes with the zip out liner so its worth a shot I figured and I was very pleased with the fact it is enough for most days around here. I not going to ride in low 20's or something anyway. Fugedaboudit!

[cphilip]

me? I really don't think size matters in penis's nor motorcycles! But your girlfriend might!

Naw seriously. Its up to you. A 250 will go plenty fast enough to kill you. Just remember though... the bigger it is the more likely you not going to be able to pick it back up when you dump it. And there are only two kinds of riders. Those that have dumped and those that are still waiting to dump. And the average fatal accident speed on a Motorcycle is 35 MPH. Yep! And its the other guy you gotta watch for. Not so much your skills. You can be the best rider in the world but people do not see you and will disregard your even there. And you just cannot do a whole lot fast when that happens. Wear all the protection you can get. And drive VERY defensively and always with a puckered anus.

Just get a used Jap bike to start with. Cheap and last forever with little or no effort or parts. And then you can graduate up later if you like it. Many people buy em and have a spill and it scares em off riding. Find one cheap from someone like that and it already has its first scratches on it. Then ride it a year or so and think about it.

[pputkowski]

Honda v Suzuki v Yamaha

What do you guys think? I'm leaning towards Honda...

[cphilip]

yea... the standard price is like 139 or something. Maybe 149. I bought last fall so they were clearing out "warm weather" stuff. And 2003 stuff. So it was 99.00 and shipping was like 8 or so bucks. I think if you hunt around you might can still find one for that. But by next fall you sure can. By the way that link is to the place I bought direct from. Very good to deal with. I also added the place I got the Helmet from. These guys are VERY fast and good. And I like to buy stuff from somewhere I can exchange it, even if at my cost to ship back, in case it doesn't fit right. Both of those do. Normaly you do not want to buy a Helmet over the internet because you cannot try it on. So if you do then you SURE want to be able to exchange it if it does not fit. So I would not do an ebay auction for these just in case. Do a direct buy from them. Same price really.

[cphilip]

Honda or Yamaha. My preferences. Never owned a Suzuki of any kind so cannot really say. But have owned both the others. Both good stuff. Yamaha dealers tend to be a little cheaper on parts than Honda. But not always. Dont forget Kawasaki. Good stuff there for certain.

[Dubstar112]

cphil, when I speak of the size, Im also refering to the parts spec. that comes on a larger bike. Im sure it could be that I could hardly fit on my friends 250 ninja because of my height. I like the feel of the larger bike. Feels more like your actually riding and holding onto somthing rather than sitting atop somthing else. To each is thier own, and with that in mind, I'd have to go with phil's advice. You really should try it out for a while before getting too serious.

I got my first dirtbike at age 6 so it just came to me after that

[cphilip]

Originally posted by Dubstar112
cphil, when I speak of the size, Im also refering to the parts spec. that comes on a larger bike.

oooo That Size! I got ya. Yea true. He should fit the frame thats for certain. I think some of the lower bore cruiser frames are bigger though. Maybe not so small as 250cc though. I really do not notice that stuff but I would get something that sits more upright myself. I just do not like that crouched over seating position at all. Not for distance riding at all. And I guess most of those are like bigger framed from what I can tell.

[pputkowski]

Well, Im 6'4 and like 175 just to let you know.

I'm looking into the HondaCBR600F4I, it's a Fuel Injected 599cc liquid cooled inline 4 cyl that weighs 370lbs. From most of the reviews i've read it is very light on the road and handles very well with plenty of power. Many people also say that it provides a very smooth, comfortable ride. Opinions?

Enjoy:









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