Total Motorcycle Community Forums

hi everyone,

i've just turned 18, have been looking to buy a bike for a few seasons now, and am now ready to go.

completing an MSF course in a month.

i've gotten plenty of advice from many people and have successfully been convinced not to kill myself or atleast increase the possibilities by buying a super sport.

i'm still debating between a ninja 250r or 500 and a gs500f (leaning towards the suzuki).

now my concern is this. i'm thinking i can probably plan on spending around 3,000 to 3,500 on the bike itself, depending on how new it is. probably less if i go with the 250r, but i really want some nice safety gear to go along with it. i'm planning on buying a helmet (obviously), nice textile jacket and gloves, boots, and maybe some sort of pants.

how much should i plan on spending total? I'm still working trying to put together all the cash (i hate to be in debt), and would love to finalize my plans.

i appreciate any help!

Sounds like you've got a good start.

For gear, you need to plan on buying the whole kit. That means, helmet, gloves, pants, a jacket and boots. Buy motorcycle specific gear and try everything on. It should fit snugly but not restrict movement or circulation.

PLAN on allowing a minimum of $800 for the whole set up (you may spend less, you may spend more). Go helmet shopping now. It is potentially the single most expensive item. Print out the Helmet Fit Guidelines at the top of the Newibes section and take it with you to a shop. The first helmet reallyreallyreally needs to be tried on before you buy, which means don't buy the helmet online (just this once, okay?).

As an 18 year old, it is worth investigating insurance costs on each of the bikes you're looking at. Depending on where you live (and what you choose) it may cost half the price of the bike per year to insure it. DO NOT skip insurance, even if you pay cash for the bike. Just trust me on this.

P

Thanks lion lady. I'm in Bel Air. We're not too far away! Let me know if you see something that could work for me!

As for insurance, I definitely tried not to skip that. I work part time and take in around $350 a month, and my only expenses are gas and insurance, so that will be no problem. I contacted my current company (for auto insurance), and they quoted me at about $1400 a year with the GS500F based on my current record (have a 91 in a 60, doesn't help!).

Being 18 you'll probably get shafted for full coverage insurance on a sport type bike. You might wanna consider cruisers for this reason.

The 250 ninja probably would be considerably cheaper to insure than a 500. Lightly used, low mileage ninja 250's pop up on craigslist and ebay alot in the 2k-2,500 range. Take the rest of the money and buy proper gear. A good helmet, jacket, riding pants, gloves and boots and that could add up to $500-1000, depending on what you get. Plus its always comforting to have some cash stashed away for just in case something breaks on the bike.

sir wrote:Thanks lion lady. I'm in Bel Air. We're not too far away! Let me know if you see something that could work for me!

So, you'll be taking the MSF at Harford Community College? Cool. The folks there know their stuff. I'm set to become an MSF instructor this year, hubby teaches at Harford, though he isn't on the schedule there yet. I expect to be teaching at both Harford and Carroll once I'm done with the training.

As for shopping for gear. Hit Pete's Cycle in "B'lair"... they've got a good selection of helmets, but make sure you take along the fit guide. The folks behind the counter won't do more than point you to the display .

Pam

yeah, that's the plan lion!

Yup, I'm a senior at JC and pass by Pete's every day.

I'll probably end up buying most of the gear there.

Like Ian said... I've got a cruiser and pay 422 a year for full coverage. I've also got 2 accidents (both reckless driving), and 2 more speeding tickets... (One of those was a 63 in a 45... ouch!)
Wrider
Oh, and definitely stock up on the gear. I only ended up spending 300 or so, but that's because I ride with steel-toed boots that I already had from work and I didn't get pants, I ride in jeans... (I've seen the comparos, and if they feel alright to you, at LEAST get the draggin jeans...

sir wrote:yeah, that's the plan lion!

Yup, I'm a senior at JC and pass by Pete's every day.

I'll probably end up buying most of the gear there.

Not to poo poo on Pete's totally. By all means have a look at what they've got, but check out newenough.com and the motorcycle-superstore.com as well to see what's available and the price ranges.

Understand that online will generally be cheaper because there's less overhead to pay for. If you get real help at Pete's then don't screw them over and buy online (especially if they have what you want).

P

Expect to pay alot for insurance no matter no matter who you end up due to your age, as they is no way to test for maturaty. I know some 50 year olds that should never be on a bike and met some other 18 year olds that have what it takes as a mature rider to warrant a bigger bike.

Still shop around as some will rip you more than others.


One the hemet issue I also agree, don't go cheap but a $600 helmet with no proof of really being better for human heads (not just the helmets shell) is a rip. If you don't have a buddy to help you out them try to pick middle of the road in cost for jackets, gloves, pants and boots. Also going to a dealer were you can try it on is worth the extra cost vs buy online. As a example, a medium from "Joe Rocket" is not a medium from another accessory maker, might be too tight here or too loose there.

If you want the dealer in the future to be in business and to stock items you may need, then buy them from him and not go home and get it off the net.

When it comes to safety equipment, never sacrafice your body. Then the rides are done forever.

Lion_Lady wrote:..... The first helmet reallyreallyreally needs to be tried on before you buy, which means don't buy the helmet online (just this once, okay?).

OR you could be cheap like me, go into the store, try the helmets on, have someone try to rip it off your head, etc. Note the make, model #, and size that works for you, leave the store, and buy it online! =-p