Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Posted: **Sat Mar 17, 2007 5:35 pm**

Hello everyone, I've been lurking for a while, just joined.

A little background, I'm 18, have wanted a bike since I was 14 or 15.
I took the first written part of the MSF course today, the riding part I will be taking next saturday and sunday. Now my immediate question is this: they ask you to bring a helmet if you have one. I can borrow one from a friend that will fit me, but its a dirtbike helmet. Will this be acceptable? I didn't talk to him about it untill I was at work today after the course so I couldn't ask the instructor.

Now I have a couple other noob questions, dunno if I should start new threads or just post em here so I'll just ask here.

First of all, I do not have a bike right now, but I plan to get one as soon as I can. I don't have the money right now but want to spend around 2000 on my first bike, maybe a bit more. My goal is to get a bike this year, which I think is pretty reasonable and I should be able to do so in the next few months. I am researching beginner bikes and have read all the stickies up top and stuff. I want a sportbike, and for my second bike want either an R6 or CBR600RR but for now I want something a bit tamer to learn on. I don't really want something as small as a ninja 250, I think I'd grow out of it pretty quickly. My parents are a bit iffy so it would be hard getting two bikes past them, I'll probably get a bike now that I can be satisfied with untill next spring, and then get a nicer bike.

I've looked into the ninja 500, but I like the GS500f more, it looks ten times better to me. Are there any other bikes I may be overlooking? Where is a good place to look for used bikes? I've just been browsing the local craigslist recently.

I have some questions about safety gear. I plan on getting a full face helmet and jacket, but I'm not sure if I'm gonna get pants. It's probably a good idea, but that means anytime I go anywhere on my bike I'm dressed in those pants as opposed to whats appropriate for where ever I'm going. I live in CA, and it is in the 80s now, and I can't imagine riding in a black leather jacket in the summer. I think I'd need to invest in a mesh jacket, and do they also have similar gloves?

Now helmets, they also have ventilated ones yes? Are these more expensive than non vented ones, if so how much more? Do the vents close incase I decide to ride when it gets colder outside? One more thing about helmets, maybe a stupid question, but do you get a bad hair day whenever you ride? I know you can't spike your hair or anything, which I don't, I have somewhat long curly hair and I use mousse in it. I don't want a wild out of control fro everytime I take the helmet off lol.

Also where are good places to shop for gear, preferably cheap, other than local stores (I don't know where any are anyways).

Another thing about gear, I want to get some quality stuff, while saving as much money as possible, but I don't want to mix and match colors and look retarted, but then again I don't wanna spend 800 bucks on red gear and then get a blue bike as my second bike or something like that. Any solutions or just sell it and buy new gear of a different color lol.

Wow that turned out very longwinded...

Posted: **Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:00 pm**

C-1_Biker wrote:Hello everyone, I've been lurking for a while, just joined.

A little background, I'm 18, have wanted a bike since I was 14 or 15.
I took the first written part of the MSF course today, the riding part I will be taking next saturday and sunday. Now my immediate question is this: they ask you to bring a helmet if you have one. I can borrow one from a friend that will fit me, but its a dirtbike helmet. Will this be acceptable? I didn't talk to him about it untill I was at work today after the course so I couldn't ask the instructor.

MSF should provide you w/ helmets if you don't have one, at least the one i attended and im also from CA.

you better make sure though and give them a call and ask about the dritbike helmet as well. you won't be going very fast anyway so i don't see a prob w/ it.

Now I have a couple other noob questions, dunno if I should start new threads or just post em here so I'll just ask here.

First of all, I do not have a bike right now, but I plan to get one as soon as I can. I don't have the money right now but want to spend around 2000 on my first bike, maybe a bit more. My goal is to get a bike this year, which I think is pretty reasonable and I should be able to do so in the next few months. I am researching beginner bikes and have read all the stickies up top and stuff. I want a sportbike, and for my second bike want either an R6 or CBR600RR but for now I want something a bit tamer to learn on. I don't really want something as small as a ninja 250, I think I'd grow out of it pretty quickly. My parents are a bit iffy so it would be hard getting two bikes past them, I'll probably get a bike now that I can be satisfied with untill next spring, and then get a nicer bike.

I've looked into the ninja 500, but I like the GS500f more, it looks ten times better to me. Are there any other bikes I may be overlooking? Where is a good place to look for used bikes? I've just been browsing the local craigslist recently.

i'll say save your money for the bike you really want. so just get a cheap 250 and upgrade as soon as you get confidence on 2-wheels.

I have some questions about safety gear. I plan on getting a full face helmet and jacket, but I'm not sure if I'm gonna get pants. It's probably a good idea, but that means anytime I go anywhere on my bike I'm dressed in those pants as opposed to whats appropriate for where ever I'm going. I live in CA, and it is in the 80s now, and I can't imagine riding in a black leather jacket in the summer. I think I'd need to invest in a mesh jacket, and do they also have similar gloves?

yes, there are riding gear for all types of weather.

Now helmets, they also have ventilated ones yes? Are these more expensive than non vented ones, if so how much more? Do the vents close incase I decide to ride when it gets colder outside? One more thing about helmets, maybe a stupid question, but do you get a bad hair day whenever you ride? I know you can't spike your hair or anything, which I don't, I have somewhat long curly hair and I use mousse in it. I don't want a wild out of control fro everytime I take the helmet off lol.

there are vented ones. you can find some cheaper vented ones. just make sure they're DOT approved.

one of my friends uses a hair net or whatever it's called. he has short hair though so i dunno if that works w/ long hair.

Also where are good places to shop for gear, preferably cheap, other than local stores (I don't know where any are anyways).

newenough.com
kneedraggers.com
parts411.com

Another thing about gear, I want to get some quality stuff, while saving as much money as possible, but I don't want to mix and match colors and look retarted, but then again I don't wanna spend 800 bucks on red gear and then get a blue bike as my second bike or something like that. Any solutions or just sell it and buy new gear of a different color lol.

go all black... black looks good w/ any color.

Wow that turned out very longwinded...

Posted: **Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:09 pm**

okay I will answer all your questions.

1.) if the helmet is DOT approved, you can use it.

2.) You need more than 2000 if you want to start getting a bike. You will need around 1,000 just for the gear. Theres a topic in here dealing with gear but I dont feel like finding it. If you cant get the gear with your bike, you cant afford a bike right now.

imagine this: (this is from the other topic)
There is a guy with a big sander with 80 grit sand paper(similar to asphalt). It is revolving at about 30 MPH. Now, he can hit you anywhere he wants to with the sander (nuts, butt, ankles, theighs, head, hands, wirsts...etc) Now, do you want the asphalt digging ripping away your bones and skin or onto gear? Id say you want it digging into your gear.

For me, I have spent around 1000 on gear total (which is more than my bike). (my sig has me with all my gear on)

I have fully armored jeans, jacket, gloves, helmets, and boots. def get the pants. I just bring my regular jeans and sandals in my bags. You wont look mentally challenged at all... well hopefully because my colors dont match. Why do you care so much about that? I have a green helmet, blue jacket, black pants, black boots, and a green bike. I dont match but who cares?

Shop all your gear at a store. I made the mistake of buying my jacket off the internet and had to exchange it four times.

It costs a lot of money but its worth it.

And I live only a few hours under you, and you dont have to worry about it getting too hot unless you are in traffic, in which you will get VERY hot.

as for your helmet.. my HJC cl-sp has two vents which dont make any difference at all but wind noise. I dont think you need to worry about it getting too hot or too cold. =D my helmet gives me very staticy, helmet hair but oh well.

Okay, and for the bike, Id say get a ninja 250. I will tell you how fast it is.

My bike, is a 200CC and has 18HP. It is twice as weak as a ninja 250 but its fast. I didnt realize how fast it was until I fixed my RPM idle problem.
I bet my bike could easily out accelerate a boxer or mustang. It has a top speed of about 90 MPH (which is plenty enough for anything) and if you accelerate the right way, you will get there pretty quick, (if you dont have your choke stuff like I did)

EDIT: if you decide to go black/black, get a reflective jacket for night.

Posted: **Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:18 pm**

Yea I did read the belt sander thing.

If I need more than 2000 to start, then I am willing to save up untill I can afford to do so. I am not in a huge rush, although I would like to get started out as soon as possible.

I am willing to spend around 1000 in gear. In the last few months I've spent around that on guitar gear. I can afford to buy a helmet one month, then a jacket, then gloves pants and everything else I need, then finally buy a bike.

Posted: **Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:22 pm**

I'm just curious, but I know some states let you use the MSF as the practical part of the exam for your motorcycle license, how long does that class count? LIke, does it expire after 6 months, and then you have to take it again?

Posted: **Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:24 pm**

C-1_Biker wrote:Yea I did read the belt sander thing.

If I need more than 2000 to start, then I am willing to save up untill I can afford to do so. I am not in a huge rush, although I would like to get started out as soon as possible.

I am willing to spend around 1000 in gear. In the last few months I've spent around that on guitar gear. I can afford to buy a helmet one month, then a jacket, then gloves pants and everything else I need, then finally buy a bike.

here's a warm weather gear combo from motostrano...
http://www.motostrano-store.com/aistgeco.html

but if you want the best safety gear... you need race quality gear. annoying to wear but less chances of injuries if you crash.

Posted: **Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:26 pm**

Here in cali upon completion you are mailed a DL 389 form which waives the skills test at the DMV, after I get it in the mail I just have to go take the written test for both the car and bike sections and after that I get the motorcycle liscence.

I don't know how long that form lasts or if it expires if not turned in to the dmv.

Posted: **Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:26 pm**

eaglecatcher wrote:I'm just curious, but I know some states let you use the MSF as the practical part of the exam for your motorcycle license, how long does that class count? LIke, does it expire after 6 months, and then you have to take it again?

here in CA... there is no time limit to get a lic after the MSF. however, your permit from the DMV is only good for 1 year.

Posted: **Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:28 pm**

do you have to have a permit to take the MSF course?

Posted: **Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:33 pm**

C-1_Biker wrote:Yea I did read the belt sander thing.

If I need more than 2000 to start, then I am willing to save up untill I can afford to do so. I am not in a huge rush, although I would like to get started out as soon as possible.

I am willing to spend around 1000 in gear. In the last few months I've spent around that on guitar gear. I can afford to buy a helmet one month, then a jacket, then gloves pants and everything else I need, then finally buy a bike.

well you dont necessarily need more than 2000 to start.

I just said that because you said you wanted a ninja 250 which can be usually found at around $1400 to $2700. Which means you need about 2400 to 3700. and a 500 maybe around 3 to 4 grand ?

My bike costs $1400 new and all my gear totals up to $970. and my bike + gear totals up to about 2400.

you did what I did.

I bought a helmet for $200 before I got my bike (I got my bike in August). I didn't get the rest of my gear for a long time. I bought a jacket and gloves about a month later and I didn't buy boots or pants until just a few weeks ago. I wore my snow boots and I wore regular jeans with knee pads. I bought some Icon armored jeans and the Alpinestars SMX-4 boots for $200.

You are lucky you found these forums before you started riding. (you get a lot of helpful advice here)

I joined these forums I think 2 months after I started riding. (unlucky for me) When I first started riding I usually wore a helmet, t shirt, and shorts/jeans for a few weeks. I traveled all over town with no gear but very luckily I never crashed or got hit. Don't do what I did and buy all your gear before you ride because you never know if you will crash. =D

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR ADVENTURES IN GEAR SHOPPING (VERY FUN)

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