I need some help on a first bike!

Message

Yngvai X · Tue Aug 08, 2006 10:20 am

Yeah im getting impatient haha. do you know of any sites were i could look for used bikes? So far i have been on craigslist and just searching all around my area.

#42 Unread post by **Big B** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 10:34 am

cycletrader.com

Yngvai X · Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:01 am

Hmm cycletrade shows alot of new bikes though, and the bikes there are up in the $10,000 range.

flynrider · Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:15 am

Yngvai X wrote:well he said it runs, but then he said all of that about the carb and tires.
so were still emailing eachother.. anything inparticular i should ask him?

If he said the carbs need cleaning, it probably means it's not running that well. If you have the knowhow to really check this bike out, then don't let me hold you up. Just keep in mind that bikes that have sat for long periods of time without running can have lots of problems besides needing the carbs and tank cleaned out. I usually try to steer my noob friends away from these, because without a thorough inspection (leak checks, compression test, etc...) you really don't know what you're getting.

Yngvai X · Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:16 am

I also have a question on my helmet..

It's a Bieffe helmet, and I got it a while ago when i use to race go-karts and when i quit i just threw it aside and never used it again. but anyway i wanted to know if it was still safe. It says DOT Snell 95 approved.

I was curious of sense its 95, its unsafe now for some reason, and if its not does anyone know where i can get a iridium shield for it?

#46 Unread post by **bok** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:37 am

helmets, or rather the padding/foam inside them, do deteriorate over time. or at least that's what i've read and heard. it's kind of like worn tires or trusting that a cage sees you. it's probably okay but i don't bet on probably.

if the helmet is over 5 years old, i'd say it's due for a replacement.

Yngvai X · Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:57 am

Hmm so this one is about 7 or 8 years old. Time for a new one!

Any suggestions?

I'm gonna want something that will still fit me even after 3 or 4 years of riding. What might be a good helmet.

desper · #48 Unread post by **desper** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:10 am

Yngvai X wrote:I'm gonna want something that will still fit me even after 3 or 4 years of riding. What might be a good helmet.

What do you mean? Is your head going to grow much in the next 3-4 years? The fit is the most important thing, different brands fit different shaped skulls a little better. You need to find somthing that fits well, then hopefully it isn't one that costs a ton. Also the more expensive helmets will tend to last longer, be lighter, and have better ventilation.

What I did was go to a dealership, tried on helmets. then bought the one that fit the best, new from ebay. saved over a hundred bucks. I got the Shoei rf-1000, and I think it's a great lid.

an example of a cheap, but good brand would be HJC
the more expensive would be shoei, or arai and the like.

There are some other threads, maybe even a sticky about helmet fit guidelines on this forum, check them out.

DivideOverflow · Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:29 am

Yngvai X wrote:Hmm cycletrade shows alot of new bikes though, and the bikes there are up in the $10,000 range.

'

Limit the price range you are looking at. Do the advanced search, and you get quite a few options. Also, look 50-100 miles away from your location, sometimes it is worth it to go pick a bike up... I had to get one from 130 miles away, I just rented a uhaul motorcycle trailer for $20 for the day, and threw it on the back of my truck.

Also, about the helmet thing, you should replace them after 5 years anyway. Just make sure the helmet you get is DOT approved, and fits snugly (but not uncomfortably). HJC and Icon have pretty good stuff at not too steep of a price. You can always replace the liner inside of the helmet if it gets worn out too..

GrandGT · #50 Unread post by **GrandGT** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:41 am

DivideOverflow wrote:Also, about the helmet thing, you should replace them after 5 years anyway. Just make sure the helmet you get is DOT approved, and fits snugly (but not uncomfortably). HJC and Icon have pretty good stuff at not too steep of a price. You can always replace the liner inside of the helmet if it gets worn out too..

I agree completely with the above, but Snell approved is a good thing to look for also. HJCs/Icons may be cheap but theyre still high quality, just pick whats fit. If you've got money to burn you could get something like an Arai. They sell all sorts of removable liners cause theyre supposed to be custom fit, so if it got worn, you would be able to replace it.