anybody ride a bike?

soCo

I've always wanted to ride a motorcycle and seeing how I'm going to have some extra money coming in soon, I figured now would be a good time.

Next week I'm doing the motorcycle safety program to get my license, after that buying some gear and then getting a bike.

I'm looking at getting either a Suzuki GS500F or SV650 to start.

Heres the gear I've been looking at getting, I'm staying all black so I can keep this stuff for a few bikes.

SHOEI RF-1100 in matte black ($420.00)


ALPINESTARS B-52 Leather Jacket ($400.00)


SCORPION Magnum Leather Gloves ($80.00)



Thoughts, comments, opinions? Post up some of your bikes/gear.

370Zsteve

I've been riding for 39 years. You might consider lighter colors rather than black for hot weather. Always wear your helmet, boots, gloves. Get some ventilated pants & jacket made of nylon mesh for summer. Leather sucks when it's cold. GREAT choice on starter bikes, I know too many n00bs who start out on too much motorcycle. Ride as if everyone else on the road is out to kill you and cannot see you. Always check the air in your tires. Make sure the chain is always well-lubed. Learn how to change a tire after a blowout, you never know when that could come in handy. Taking a rider course is the smartest thing you could do. If it is MSF, even better. If not, take an MSF course as soon as you can. Have fun.

Nissan 370Z Forum - 370Zsteve's Album: My Other ToyZ

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SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

soCo

Thanks for the tips, and yeah I'm taking the MSF.

Why does leather suck in the winter? I thought it would keep you cooler.

And you have some awesome bikes!

370Zsteve

MSF saves lives. Track time is also something to consider.

Your comment on leather is self-explanatory. Leather is very porous, sucks when it's cold.

on the bikes compliment. I am down to one, sold the MV awhile back (miss that beast!)

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SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

Jordan777er

I like both of those choices for bikes. I wish I could have found a SV650 when I was looking. My Ninja gets the job done though, so I'm happy for now. I agree on the mesh for the summer. I thought I was going to have a heat stroke waiting at red lights when I borrowed my friends jacket. I got my mesh one and its waaaay cooler when stopped.

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2009 Pearl White Base + Sport 6MT

XBadgerX

Make sure the helmet fits your head!! Don't buy a helmet just because it looks nice, and don't skimp out on your helmet. If you are going to drop alot of money on anything, the helmet is your first bet.
I had the rf1000 helmet, and now have the X-11 Helmet. The X-11 is great, runs a little bit smaller compared to the rest of the helmets in Shoei's line up. But it is light weight and the Air flow is noticble at low speeds. Shoei's tend to fit my head the best out of all the helmets I have tried on, although the Aria's (Have a RX-7) have such a plush feeling to the cushions they use.
Go to a local shop and try on different helmets to wear and keep them on your head for a good little while. Some helmets have a good initial fit, but after a while they may start to hurt. So wear the helmet for a good 10-15 min if possible. It is a big investment.

370Zsteve

And by "fit", we mean it should be snug! Not tight, but snug. A loose helmet is not much better than no helmet at all.

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SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

bullitt5897

Dont skimp on gloves and your helmet those are the first two things to hit the ground.

And as many seasoned motorcycle riders and racers say:

"its not will you hit the ground but when will you hit the ground"

Being a rider myself I pick up the best products I can get my hands on!

-Shoei helmet is a great start! Also look into Arai...

-Alpinestars are great leathers!

-Gloves you can do better... I know these may seem expensive but after you put them on you wont want anything else!!! That I guarantee these made my alpinestar racing gloves feel cheap!!! http://www.heroicracing.com/default.asp

Badger is right on with the helmet advice your helmet should be snug tight. I have an X-11 and want to get the new X-12... The more expensive helmet's new technology is so far beyond the cheaper helmets!!! remember its your brain spend the money and get the expensive helmet trust me I took a header into an embankment at over 90+mph with my Shoei X-11 and survived not only that but the helmet came out perfectly un-hurt minus a few light scratches!!!

on the helmet fit issue make sure it is snug tight with no way for your head to move. The top cushion should also stop above your eyebrows.

Another thing. Try to go with lighter colors as much as possible and try to match the bike too if you can lol... Also look into boots! Heroic has some good ones along with Alpinestars.

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Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z *SOLD*, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054

370Zsteve

That helmet needs to be replaced.

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SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

bullitt5897

The helmet has already went through inspection and passed with flying colors.

Any time you wreck make sure you get your helmet inspected

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Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z *SOLD*, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054

molamann

I thought it costs up to several hundred dollars to properly test a crashed helmet? Just isn't worth it imo.

bullitt5897

Luckily Shoei was at the track and they test our helmets for free if we wreck during the weekend. As long as the foam in the helmet is not cracked and/or compressed the helmet is fine. This is assuming the helmet is fine on the outside.

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Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z *SOLD*, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054

soCo

Thanks for all the advice!

Theres a local bike shop near me, I'll go by and check it out to double check I like the helmet and that it will fit right and will be comfortable still.

And bullitt I was concerned about the colors for the fact that I would think people would have trouble seeing me at night, at first I did want colors to match my bike....but I would have to get new gear everytime I got a new bike. I don't plan on having my first bike all that long, maybe 2 seasons max. It really depends on how comfortable I feel and how I progress as a rider.

370Zsteve

My black mesh jacket has reflective piping. My white helmet (highly recommended for hot weather) has a reflective adhesive strip I added to the back. My boots have reflective strips on them.

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SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

bullitt5897

Well then stick with conservative colors. White, silver, blue, and black

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Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z *SOLD*, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054