I need some help on a first bike!

Message

Yngvai X · #21 Unread post by **Yngvai X** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:42 pm

Yeah it went from empty parking lots to back roads. got that sucker up to 55.. im such a rebel

and that was with my dad on the back!

suprised he rode on the back with me, its a bit harder when someone starts shifting there weight back and fourth when your trying to take off lol.

#22 Unread post by **bok** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 2:41 am

noone has mentioned it yet so i will. it's good that you have some experience riding around on your dad's bike, but it would be in your best interest to take a BRC. I believe in Ohio they cost about 20 bucks since the state sponsors the program. In many of the BRCs, you get the opportunity to ride a number of different bikes like the ex250 and gs500, as well as some cruisers.

who knows you might decide you like the ride on a cruiser, it's happened before, but at least you get some good training on proper riding techniques and emergency situations.

as for the ex250 being a "girls" bike, that's the biggest cop out ever from people who don't know jack about bikes. the 250 will do a 5 second quarter mile which is faster than pretty much any car on the market. that's like the harley crowd saying the 883 is a girls bike. this stuff is usually brought out because that particular bike is the entry level harley, just like the ex250 is the entry level sporty bike.

buy what you can afford and that appeals to your sense of style, a true bike lover doesn't much care what bike it is. as long as you are riding a motorcycle that YOU enjoy, that's all that matters, not what size it is or what someone else thinks about it.

DivideOverflow · Tue Aug 08, 2006 2:50 am

I would stay away from that VF500 Interceptor. It is a great bike, but not so much for beginners. When it came out, it had one of the best power to weight ratios. At 66 hp, that thing can really move. More importantly, it has a shorter wheelbase than its bigger brothers, so you might get a few non-planned wheelies.

Oh yeah, and take the MSF! It is a really good thing to do.

Yngvai X · #24 Unread post by **Yngvai X** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:20 am

Yeah i actually planned on taking a BRC, its 75 bucks here. and you have to complete the 15-20 hours depending on the weather. But a few friends of mine did it and they said the last day they did it, it went from 8 in the morning untill 5 in the afternoon. first half was indoors, then the second was outside riding.

Nalian · #25 Unread post by **Nalian** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:22 am

bok wrote:as for the ex250 being a "girls" bike, that's the biggest cop out ever from people who don't know jack about bikes. the 250 will do a 5 second quarter mile which is faster than pretty much any car on the market. that's like the harley crowd saying the 883 is a girls bike. this stuff is usually brought out because that particular bike is the entry level harley, just like the ex250 is the entry level sporty bike.

That would be funny if it wasn't so true. I get told that a lot about my 883 (that's a good bike for a girl) and I usually say "No, its a good bike for a beginner" and leave it at that.

Yngvai X · #26 Unread post by **Yngvai X** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:02 am

Oh and as far as protective gear goes.. anyone want to tell me what I should get? I was thinking just a helmet, jacket, gloves. but I know some of those jackets run up to like 300-600 bucks

I already have a Bieffe helmet, so I would just be getting the gloves and jacket basically.

Sev · #27 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:11 am

Helmet, jacket, boots, gloves, pants.

Skin comes off when you go down no matter where you didn't cover up. And it doesn't grow back very well, so I personally advise covering up as much of yourself as you can.

GrandGT · #28 Unread post by **GrandGT** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:15 am

Yngvai X wrote:Oh and as far as protective gear goes.. anyone want to tell me what I should get? I was thinking just a helmet, jacket, gloves. but I know some of those jackets run up to like 300-600 bucks

I already have a Bieffe helmet, so I would just be getting the gloves and jacket basically.

you can get a decent synthetic jacket with full padding for $100-150, but perforated riding leather is expensive. it depends what your taste is

Yngvai X · #29 Unread post by **Yngvai X** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:19 am

Well, im not gonna worry to much about if everything matches, i.e yellow jacket/helmet/gloves/bike and all that.

I just want something thats gonna be worth buying when i do fall. I was looking at Teknic jackets, and theres a few places around here that sells there jackets. I have the money for one and everything but if i get a jacket should i get pants to.. and if thats also if there another 300 bucks. If i dont get the pants, what are some pants that i should be riding around in?

Sev · #30 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:48 am

Thing is... jeans are basically the heaviest regular pants that are availible and they shred pretty much instantly on contact with the pavement.

Personally I got some Icon Barrier Jeans, they have a kevlar/nylon anti-abrasion blend sewn into them. And that's the bare minimum I'll wear.

You don't need the most expensive stuff either, Joe Rocket is usually reasonably priced with good protection.