Need some advice.

[Power81]

Hello. I wanted to say this first off, this site is awesome. I have found alot of information here after looking all over the internet. Okay now on to my thread. I have never rode a sports bike before but it has always been something i have wanted to get and now that i am a little older (22) i can actually afford to get one and be able to have my car too. I am going to take the classes to learn the basics. I was also told by our Yamaha dealership, if I take the classes, they give discounts on bikes. There are just a few things i couldn't really find an answer to on the site or i found a bunch of different answers for the same question.

1. What size? At first I thought it was anything under 600 is ok for a beginner, then as i kept reading, it turned into 500's then nothing above a 250 so i am not totally sure which is the majority that most of you agree on. I realize that i should get a used one cuz of when (and i probably will) i drop it, i don't want to cry cuz i just scratched the hell out of my new bike. Just dunno what size.


2. If it feels uncomfortable to sit on, is that a sign not to get it or is it something u get used to or can fix? Because a friend of mine told me they are uncomfortable to sit on and that just doesn't seem like it would be that way.

3. Apart from the actual bike itself, i have money put aside to buy gear. In your opinions, what is mandatory gear? What else should i get? Other then a helmet.

Thanks to anyone who replies to my thread. I know these probably seem like stupid and noob questions to you, but i would rather get the right info then assume.

[AnthonyGS500F]

I'm a newb also, but I can answer your gear question. You need a helmet, preferably Snell approved, a riding jacket with CE approved armor, street gloves that fill snug and should have protection built in and boots. Riding pants are a good thing to have also because jeans will rip apart in the event of a crash. A lot of guys wear full back protectors too. You will see stories where they have saved people from paralysis.

If the bike is uncomfortable to sit on, don't buy it. You can find a 250 or 500 that will be comfortable to you.

[HighsideSV]

1. What size? At first I thought it was anything under 600 is ok for a beginner, then as i kept reading, it turned into 500's then nothing above a 250 so i am not totally sure which is the majority that most of you agree on. I realize that i should get a used one cuz of when (and i probably will) i drop it, i don't want to cry cuz i just scratched the hell out of my new bike. Just dunno what size.

I would buy a used but mechanically sound bike first. Really, the uglier the better as you will (should) probably drop it a time or two. As far as displacement is concerned it really is kinda variable. What matters is weight and power, less of both is better. I would find a local rider to help you check out used bikes to help make sure there is nothing glaringly wrong with whatever you buy, don't spend very much and you can turn it around next year for what you paid.

2. If it feels uncomfortable to sit on, is that a sign not to get it or is it something u get used to or can fix? Because a friend of mine told me they are uncomfortable to sit on and that just doesn't seem like it would be that way.

Well, you are both kinda right. For a first bike i would go with something that is comfy, with an upright seating positon. It is just easier to learn how to ride this way. However, some types of bike are flat-out uncomfortable untill you get used to them (sportbikes), they do get better with time, but being a new rider you have enough to worry about as it is.

3. Apart from the actual bike itself, i have money put aside to buy gear. In your opinions, what is mandatory gear? What else should i get? Other then a helmet.

I would say to go the whole nine yards on gear. You are going to be pushing past your abilities when you start, there is just no other way to learn. The first time you lean into a real turn you are doing something you have never done before, thats a likely time to crash. I say be ready for it. That means: Helmet, gloves, boots, jacket, pants. Textile gear is probably good enough to start with.

[GoIllini]

Originally Posted by Power81

Hello. I wanted to say this first off, this site is awesome. I have found alot of information here after looking all over the internet. Okay now on to my thread. I have never rode a sports bike before but it has always been something i have wanted to get and now that i am a little older (22) i can actually afford to get one and be able to have my car too. I am going to take the classes to learn the basics. I was also told by our Yamaha dealership, if I take the classes, they give discounts on bikes. There are just a few things i couldn't really find an answer to on the site or i found a bunch of different answers for the same question.

1. What size? At first I thought it was anything under 600 is ok for a beginner, then as i kept reading, it turned into 500's then nothing above a 250 so i am not totally sure which is the majority that most of you agree on. I realize that i should get a used one cuz of when (and i probably will) i drop it, i don't want to cry cuz i just scratched the hell out of my new bike. Just dunno what size.

So, it's really a matter of preference once you get below 500 ccs and 400 lbs. I really like the Ninja 250. It's a light bike that's easy to pick up when you drop, does well in corners, and can still go awfully fast. IMHO, it's the fastest way to learn how to ride a bike well.

Others will recommend the Hyosung, the Ninja 500, the GS500F, and a 250 cc cruiser or two.

If it feels uncomfortable to sit on, is that a sign not to get it or is it something u get used to or can fix? Because a friend of mine told me they are uncomfortable to sit on and that just doesn't seem like it would be that way.

Sportbikes are less comfortable than cruisers because cruisers let you sit in an upright position, while most sportbikes force you to bend over. The Ninja allows you to do either. My family has a history of arthritis in the back, and I'm taking glucosamine and chondroitin to help keep my joints strong just as a precaution. However, the leaned over position is totally fine for me.

3. Apart from the actual bike itself, i have money put aside to buy gear. In your opinions, what is mandatory gear? What else should i get? Other then a helmet.

Everyone will have their own answer on this.

For me, I always ride with a helmet, and gloves, jacket, and long pants of strong material (denim, mesh, or leather). Also, no sandals. I would recommend a perforated leather jacket if you're going to be riding in temps above 75-80. NewEnough.com sells the MotoGP Corkscrew and Teknic Chicane jackets for $150, which is an excellent deal.

[Power81]

Sportbikes are less comfortable than cruisers because cruisers let you sit in an upright position, while most sportbikes force you to bend over. The Ninja allows you to do either. My family has a history of arthritis in the back, and I'm taking glucosamine and chondroitin to help keep my joints strong just as a precaution. However, the leaned over position is totally fine for me.

How is it possible to ride upright or bent over? Wouldn't something have to be moved? I am just wondering.

[kevin-ross]

For gear, minimum for me would be Helmet, jacket, gloves, boots. For jackets, a good motorcycle-specific textile jacket is fine to start with. You can get them with protectors built in. I have a Joe Rocket Ballistic series with removable elbow, shoulder and spine protectors. Gloves need to be motorcycle-specific too, not just leather driving gloves. The more protection the better, but I would go for something with double leather palms and some knuckle padding as a minimum. I still wear my work boots to ride in, because I don't have the $ to drop on good riding boots. They will help abrasion-wise, but once you hear enough stories about shattered bones from impact, you'll start looking at upgrading those too. High-top sneakers are not enough! Jeans are ok, just be aware that as you start getting faster, they will not protect you if you end up sliding across the ground. You can look into textile pants, or even the jeans with built-in protection like kevlar and stuff. Get a good idea of how much this will cost before you decide how much you have to spend on a bike, because the cost of gear can add up pretty quick.
As far as comfort, do you mean uncomfortable or awkward? Bikes will feel awkward if you aren't used to them. There are things you can do to fix that (different seats, clip-ons for the handle bars, etc.), but if the bike is downright uncomfortable, look for a different bike. You don't need anything distracting you from the road while trying to learn.

[GoIllini]

Originally Posted by Power81

How is it possible to ride upright or bent over? Wouldn't something have to be moved? I am just wondering.

For a 5'11" guy like me, I actually get to choose between the two. It's not something you adjust on the bike; it's how you adjust your arms. I can bend over if I keep my elbows bent, or if I keep my arms reasonably straight, I can sit up. I'd imagine that shorter guys would have to be crouched a bit more. Also, if you get way too tall, the bike starts to get uncomfortable, or so I hear.

I don't know how things work on other bikes, but my guess would be that shorter people have to hunch over more to reach the handlebars and taller people can stand up straighter. At the same time, for taller people, it seems your legs get less comfortable when resting on the footpegs.

[Power81]

Same size here. 5' 11"

[VermillionX]

I would say go with a 500 for a first bike. I did the same thing and it was the best decision I have ever made. I usually go out with a helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots. I dont have pants yet so that really cannot apply.

And go with the MSF. That is the best thing that I have done riding wise. You will learn alot about riding and staying alive on the street.

[Ride.]

Don't forget pants. Everybody always seems to exclude leather pants. Jeans will last maybe 2-3 feet more than nothing (like shorts) while sliding on pavement. If you're wearing gear to save yourself from getting fucked up, you obviously know the risks. So why protect your head, arms, back, hands and feet, only to end up in a hospital bed getting the road rash on your legs scrubbed out?

The smaller the bike you start off with, the better rider you'll grow to be. If you're looking at non-supersport bikes under 600cc's, you're on the right track. There will be no right or wrong, it comes down to how well you personally want to learn. You won't "outgrow" any of them for at least a year. And if you do, you should be on SPEED right now (MotoGP 250 is airing as I'm typing this)

[Half-fast Rider]

I went down recently in a mesh jacket, boots, jeans, helmets, and gloves. The only serious rash I had was my knees; the jeans were very little help. If you feel you can't drop the bucks for riding pants right now, I'd strongly suggest you spend $20-$30 for some knee/shin guards you can wear under your jeans.

As you're creating your budget, don't forget about motorcycle maintenance. Bikes require more frequent attention than cars. If you're going to depend on your dealer to do everything, bills will mount up in a hurry.

Fortunately, bikes are much easier to wrench on than cars, so you can do most of the maintenance yourself, if you're so inclined. This will require you to buy some tools if you don't already have a decent set, but the DIY savings will pay for them pretty quickly. The tools that come with the bike are'nt really adequate.

Expect to go through tires quickly, maybe every 6-10 kmiles, depending on your riding. You'll probably go through 2 rear tires for every front.

For me, my Ninja 500 has been just about perfect. It's plenty fast enough to learn on and provide delight for quite a while, but the power is very controllable. The bike handles well if you put on a decent set of tires.

[Ivan_markII]

Certain things about bike gear...

--The most expensive gear is cheaper than even the smallest medical bill.
--Legs always get injured in a bike accident.
--The natural reaction in a crash is to put one's hands out. So gloves are an absolute must.
--The ankle often gets caught between the pavement and the bike. So you'll need ankle boots that resist crushing.
--Helmets get replaced every 2 to 3 years anyway, so you might as well as buy a fairly cheap mid-range helmet in order to buy other items of higher quality.
--Consider custom leathers as they only cost $1000 and they'll last you for many years.
--Consider an aerostitch suit; you can wear them over street cloths. To get in and out of an aerostitch takes mere seconds.


Don't ever buy a motorcycle jacket! No exceptions. Got a great deal on one? Pass it. Can be zippered to pants? Still don't buy it. There is no reason, ever, to buy a motorcycle jacket. If you buy one you'll be tempted to wear jeans, and then you'll crash, and then you'll have rashed kneecaps.

[mssdrider]

very basic gear: like everyone says. I ride with heavy motorcross pants (not too sure the material) but that's mainly because its wider than jeans and easier to get my gear under. I would strongly suggest the knee protectors though. oh, and i did a calculation, a decent set of gear (minus the pants but + the knee guards) will run you >$600 if you know where to look. Newenough.com and closeout sections of places like ironpony.com are good places to look if you want to save money. Go to a store, write down your size in different brands, and look online. NEVER buy gear without knowing what your size is, espeically helmets as different brands fit differently. Good luck and welcome to the obsession!

[Jahx]

First things first:

Welcome to SBN!!

Lot of great folks here, and most of us are friendly sorts. I am usually a right bastard, but I get friendly when I drink, and I only post when in my cups, so there ya have it.

Starting on a 250-500 is a solid decision on your part and indicates that you have darwins blessing to continue on your cycling adventure. Taking the MSF also indicates a degree of common sense all too often lacking. Your options for bikes in that range are as follows

Ninja 250: The out and out favorite. Buy a used one for 1500-2000, and sell it for the same ammount two years later. Confidence inspiring and ~very~ forgiving of newbie mistakes, its an absolutely great bike to start on. It does lack top end, and the freeway can be a bit scary, I dont know about CO, but here in FL, if your doing less than 85 on the highway, your going to get rundown.

Hyosung GT250r: A great looking bike that our friends down-under love. Not well-proven here in the states, that doesnt mean the bike is unreliable. A 250 twin gives you a more linear powerband than the ninja 250, and a five speed gearbox means less hunting for oomph. Tad bit pricey, as used are hard to find.

Suzuki GS500: A solid performer, and a good option if youd like a bit more punch. I ride one daily, and I can attest to its relaxed riding position. While not ~quite~ as powerful as a ninja500, it has the benefit of being as common as dirt. Right now, in my small city, I can find at least 2 or 3 of them for under 2k. Parts are plentiful, and its been around for just as long as the ninja250. The affordable ones will be pre-2004, and naked.

Ninja500: A nice nimble bike, with plenty of get-up and go. Harder to find used, and a good deal more expensive than a GS or a ninja250, this beast has plastics, and you should make sure they are pre-cracked so you dont feel bad when you drop it and crack them further. I have only ridden one once, so someone else might have a better informed opinion than myself.

RARE BIKES:

Suzuki Bandit 400: MMmmm.. A naked inline 4, at 400cc? Well, this bike is on the outside of edge of what would be recommended for a beginner, but if you can find one in good shape, jump on it. A great handling bike with plenty of power, its something to keep an eye out for.

Honda Interceptor 250/500: The 250 is ~really~ rare, think it was only in the states for 2 years, but its a great bike, honda build and reliability, along with a full fairing and managable power. The 500 is in the exact same vein, a great bike with more power than the 250, but not too much.

As far as gear goes, I recommend a Helmet, Gloves, Jacket, Pants and Boots. All of these can be had for 500 dollars to .. well.. a lot. Your just getting into the sport, so I wouldnt recommend a fullsuit of racing leathers just yet. Best advice is to visit a bunch of stealerships and try on gear, noting which brands and sizes fit you best. Someone above me recommends a full leather suit, and derides the value of a 2 peice suit, but hey. Unto each his own.