Motorcycles

Somehow, sitting on a ship off the coast of Africa, I made an impulse buy the other day. I found the bike online, wired the money to a friend, and that evening he rode it home to stuff in his garage for a month or so until I can pick it up. It's an 06 Sport 1000, the only year they made them with the dry clutch and single shock. It couldn't make any less sense for me to own one of these in the US, given that I have spent all of 8 days there in the last 2 years, but who said anything about motorcycles made sense? Crappy picture, but my friend picking it up.

Saw this in a cycle mag while in the waiting room at the doc's office today, I think I'm in love:

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

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I wish it wasn't so freakin expensive...

Yes! I have an '07 S2r 1000 which is great , but I've got to get one of these.

I'm thinking of taking up motorcycles soon, as soon as classes are offered. I'd appreciate a suggestion for a place to order helmets from.

^ Well, there are endless places to buy helmets online but my advice is to go to your local shop and try some on. You're also going to have to decide what type of helmet to get i.e., full-face, open-face, etc
I wanted a full-face and to me, Shoei and Arai both make awesome helmets. After days of trying different models of both brands, it became clear that I have an Arai shaped head. I went with it and could not be happier with it. Fit is very important so try on as many as you can.
I bought my helmet from Bikebandit.com because they had the best deal on it. I also shopped Cyclegear, Helmet City, Dennis Kirk and more than a few others that I can't remember right now.

Originally Posted by intent

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I'm thinking of taking up motorcycles soon, as soon as classes are offered. I'd appreciate a suggestion for a place to order helmets from.

don't order a helmet online. You aren't a medium just because you think you are. This thread is very long and I've read nothing but the last page but here is some really good information:

GO TO A HELMET SHOP.

Try on a helmet, wear it for at least ten minutes. It should be TIGHT. Really tight. A little "too" tight. Slightly uncomfortable but sharp pain that you don't feel until after a few minutes is the enemy. The padding in helmets will gradually break in, so you get a little more room than you think at first.

Different helmet companies are shaped for different heads. Arai, the most expensive production helmet company, makes helmets for different shaped heads. A comfortable helmet is a must, and go for a visible one. Matte black being the worst.

Here are some pics







Certified pic whore!

My little track warrior. 2004 GS500F

Pirellis, stomp grip, and flushed brakes!

Originally Posted by tom10167

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don't order a helmet online. You aren't a medium just because you think you are. This thread is very long and I've read nothing but the last page but here is some really good information:

GO TO A HELMET SHOP.

Try on a helmet, wear it for at least ten minutes. It should be TIGHT. Really tight. A little "too" tight. Slightly uncomfortable but sharp pain that you don't feel until after a few minutes is the enemy. The padding in helmets will gradually break in, so you get a little more room than you think at first.

Different helmet companies are shaped for different heads. Arai, the most expensive production helmet company, makes helmets for different shaped heads. A comfortable helmet is a must, and go for a visible one. Matte black being the worst.

Thanks for the advice. Expanding on equipment, how much should I expect to spend for decent but not top-shelf gear? Keep in mind I'll be a casual motorcycle rider at best. Also, I don't like logos.

Originally Posted by intent

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Thanks for the advice. Expanding on equipment, how much should I expect to spend for decent but not top-shelf gear? Keep in mind I'll be a casual motorcycle rider at best. Also, I don't like logos.

Helmet should be around $200-300 for a reliable, safe solid color (solids are cheaper).
Gloves: $75-150 for full gauntlet leather
Jacket $350ish for full leather and armor
Boots around $200
Pants are going to be up to you, jeans, riding jeans, chaps, what have you.

Eh I guess it depends on what you're going for. My alpinestar recons Were like $100 or so. They aren't the highest protecting boots, but they do fairly well, are high tops(will stay on at 80mph crashes) and, importantly for me, are comfortable to walk around in. I feel you can certainly get a jacket for under $350. Mine was $450 new and I got it for $200 because it was a last year model(Shift octane) I'd strongly advise to stay away from chaps and get armored riding pants. Dress for the fall, not the ride. Plus, I get compliments(and looks) all. the. time. when I'm walking around in full gear, carrying my helmet. Girls eat that **** up. I advise you get pants and a jacket from the same company, they'll zip together in the back, which will prevent your jacket from sliding up on a crash. What good is a back protector if it's pulled over your head like an atomic wedgie? You can definitely get gloves for $40-$80. With gloves, again, I can't urge enough how important it is to try them on in a store. Online sizing charts can be inaccurate. Go to the shop that you tried the helmet on and try on gloves. Ask the guy if he minds if you grab his handlebar to get a feel. A glove changes shape dramatically when it's curved and clenched around a grip. He won't mind. After that, buy the gloves from there. They helped you out a lot, it's good to support local business once in a while. I usually wear no underwear or pants, under my riding pants, sometimes I wear underwear. Pants, pull up wick-away socks, Alpinestar recons, fieldsheer bandit gloves, Shoei RF-1100.(It complies with the updated Snell standards, and it vents very well) Shift Octane Jacket and some shift pants I got for $200. I can definitely be sitting around in all of it for a few hours and not really care unless I'm in a warm room. I wear a plain t-shirt underneath and something people forget is earplugs. Wind on a bike is real, real loud. Hearing damaged is occured from either very loud sound, or moderate sound sustained for long periods of time. Riding on the highway is considered on the border between medium and loud, doing this for 25 minutes at a time is going to add up. Earplugs are $5 for a pack of em, I stick them in my pocket when I dismount, and I can still hear a luxury car creeping up on me even if I don't see it. http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/ http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ Good vendors.

Originally Posted by tom10167

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I usually wear no underwear or pants

Originally Posted by rohde88

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Helmet should be around $200-300 for a reliable, safe solid color (solids are cheaper).
Gloves: $75-150 for full gauntlet leather
Jacket $350ish for full leather and armor
Boots around $200
Pants are going to be up to you, jeans, riding jeans, chaps, what have you.

Just haunt the clearance/sale sections of Cycle Gear, Newenough, Motorcycle Superstore, etc. You could probably half those prices with some careful purchasing.

Originally Posted by tom10167

Click to expand...

don't order a helmet online. You aren't a medium just because you think you are. This thread is very long and I've read nothing but the last page but here is some really good information:

GO TO A HELMET SHOP.

Try on a helmet, wear it for at least ten minutes. It should be TIGHT. Really tight. A little "too" tight. Slightly uncomfortable but sharp pain that you don't feel until after a few minutes is the enemy. The padding in helmets will gradually break in, so you get a little more room than you think at first.

Different helmet companies are shaped for different heads. Arai, the most expensive production helmet company, makes helmets for different shaped heads. A comfortable helmet is a must, and go for a visible one. Matte black being the worst.

Here are some pics

Certified pic whore!

V-Star 650 Custom, right?

I almost bought one a week ago, still thinking about it. How do you like it? I'm a bit worried about the small engine and sustaining a good cruising speed with a bit of reserve for lets say weekend trips..

Originally Posted by rohde88

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Helmet should be around $200-300 for a reliable, safe solid color (solids are cheaper). Gloves: $75-150 for full gauntlet leather Jacket $350ish for full leather and armor Boots around $200 Pants are going to be up to you, jeans, riding jeans, chaps, what have you.
You recommend relatively expensive (for a new rider) stuff but are ok with jeans? Really? You can spend $500 total if you shop smart for a full helmet/jacket/pants/boots/gloves set. I wanted an all black heavy duty outfit for longer rides (when I wanted total protection) and cold weather, and I probably spend $450 for all five items, including a nice helmet, solid textile jacket + pants (both with removable linings and pretty heavy armor in all the right places + zip together (key!)), real moto boots and gauntlet gloves. Obviously have to hunt clearances/sales a bit but its not impossible. motorcycle-superstore and bikebandit are your best friends. Also if you are committed to getting a motorcycle, get your gear BEFORE you buy the bike.

Originally Posted by Flambeur

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Also if you are committed to getting a motorcycle, get your gear BEFORE you buy the bike.

What's the thinking behind this?