Newbie - Gear Combo Opinion

[deadlion]

Great info folks. It's amazing to think that one day ridin' will be second nature to me and I'll be able to pass on a great deal of assistance also.

cb360, GeoffXR - I am definitely getting Hough's book.

mattwells - NewEnough looks like a winning vendor I'll do business with.

mustang - MSF course is a must for me. Local courses are full now so I should be on tap for the first part of 2006 (weather permitting). Yes, my wife is awesome...she really got me this time.

rbickers - I am in Apex also! Thanks for the NC process info. I'll likely start with the computerized course to get a permit then do MSF at first avail. Come spring I'll welcome the pollen riding down Cary Parkway.

skier, jmillheiser - I'll need to gear-up with a view towards skidability as you point out. Good pointers.

[NCRonB]

I am in Apex also! Thanks for the NC process info. I'll likely start with the computerized course to get a permit then do MSF at first avail. Come spring I'll welcome the pollen riding down Cary Parkway.

Cool! We've had some nice, dry riding weather for a while now, though it's starting to get cold. If you want to put your face gear to the test, go up/down 751 after dark. You'll get a shower of insects like no other.

I took the course at Wake Tech in early October when it was nice but a bit rainy. I had to wait 3 months from the time I signed up, though. Probably a good thing since standing/riding around in a parking lot in NC in July does not sound pleasant.

[deadlion]

rbickers, et al,

A couple more questions

1. Exhaust Note and MSF
As mentioned, my Road Star has a BUB exhaust. It is definitely louder than the stock exhaust. Is the noise of this exhaust a concern from the MSF course perspective?

2. NC Safety Inspection
I noticed there is an expired NC safety sticker on the bottom of the front forks. It never occured to me that NC would also require annual inspection for bikes also. Do the auto testing stations also inspect bikes? Also, will my BUB exhaust db level be a concern?

Thanks folks.

[NCRonB]

1. Exhaust Note and MSF
As mentioned, my Road Star has a BUB exhaust. It is definitely louder than the stock exhaust. Is the noise of this exhaust a concern from the MSF course perspective?

In the MSF Basic RiderCourse, you must ride one of their "training appropriate" motorcycles. At Wake Tech they have about 14 of them... half Honda Nighthawk 250 and half Suzuki GZ250. They also have a dual sport.

2. NC Safety Inspection
I noticed there is an expired NC safety sticker on the bottom of the front forks. It never occured to me that NC would also require annual inspection for bikes also. Do the auto testing stations also inspect bikes? Also, will my BUB exhaust db level be a concern?

A safety only inspection is required, and I believe any inspection station should be able to do it, though you might want to call the place in advance. Even in emissions counties like Wake, you don't need an emissions test. I took mine to that quickie auto oil change place on Hwy 55 near Hwy 1. They had me sit on the thing with it off, do the brights, brakes, blinkers, horn and they probably looked at the tires. That was pretty much it; cost $9 and some change. It took much longer to scrape the sticker off the fork, but they said the new ones should come off more easily. If the thing ever passed inspection in NC, I wouldn't expect the exhaust noise to be an issue.

[deadlion]

Update

- Training
-- Passed beginners MSF course

- Legal
-- Got the NC bike inspection
-- Got the "M" endorsement

- Gear
-- Jackets - Harley FXRG and a Schott Vintage Buco
-- Boots - River Road Turnpike
-- Jeans - Draggin'
-- Gloves - Olympia gauntlets (need summer gloves now)
-- Helmet - Z1R Stance Rubatone

- Books
-- Proficient Motorcycling: Mastering the Ride (Hough)
-- Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide...(Hough)
-- The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance (Zimmerman)

Thanks to everyone for the excellent recommendations!

Ride Safe!

[VermilionX]

congrats!

hough's book was boring to me, i read the whole thing already.

but i definitely like "sport riding techniques" by nick ienatsch.

his book is great for both the road and the tracks.

[jmillheiser]

Have you been able to get a lot of riding in on your road star? Not sure how bad NC winters are.

my only complaint about "Proficient Motorcycling" was the poor quality of the binding, fell apart almost immediately.

[VermilionX]

oh and pics now!

don't forget to post pics. it's fun!

[NCRonB]

Have you been able to get a lot of riding in on your road star? Not sure how bad NC winters are.

my only complaint about "Proficient Motorcycling" was the poor quality of the binding, fell apart almost immediately.

Same here on the horrible binding. VermilionX, it concerns me that you thought it was boring, but at least you read it. Hopefully you'll put it to use, boring or not.

NC winters are hit and miss. This year, at least in the east, we skipped winter altogether as far as I'm concerned. I didn't go a full week without riding a good bit and I never rode when it was much below 50. Past winters have been nasty ice and snow for many days at a time, multiple times. It's often much nastier in the west (mountains). This is my first winter with a bike, though, so I feel quite blessed.

[jmillheiser]

this has been a pretty mild winter for wyoming. It was in the 50s for much of January, and had a good 2 weeks of ridable weather in february.