Total Motorcycle Community Forums

As the topic says I'm just getting started with motorcycles. I've done a lot of reading the past couple days, the beginer guide here at TMW, reviews, a little gear browsing, that kind of thing. I am waiting to hear back about space in the local rider training program (http://teamoregon.orst.edu/to_web/brt.html) and have done a little browsing for insurance quotes.

The closest MSF location is over an hour away.

So, I'm doing the motions to get started but then there is the age old question: Which bike.

I know that I want a street bike or cruiser, not a sport, not a rr, and not a touring (too big/much plastic/heavy for first bike). Preferably something that can have a windshield and saddlebags for a psudo touring bike. I know that I need to start small and will probably need to trade up for something bigger soon enough. Going by reviews the yamaha cruisers look good and the virago 250 seems like an especially good beginner bike.

I found an '05 virago 250 with 400 miles for $2650. It looks good but I have also read that older bikes are cheaper to insure. I've also found an '84 virago 750. Seems like more muscle than I should start with but it is $700 with a little work needed (will definetly bring a mechanic with me on that one).

So basicly... HELP!

Aside from the bike protective gear is a concern. I was browsing an online store and put together a $1000 of protective gear. Now for the riding class they provide a helmet and bike but I provide everything else. So imediate concern is gloves, boots, jacket ( I have a leather bomber jacket but I don't want to risk destroying it), and over pants. So pretty much everything.

Any and all advice regarding good gear would be helpful. I'm partial to leather in general but textile is perfectly fine. I wear glasses so a full face probably isn't doable. I like the 3/4 w/ visor helmets as a happy medium and would prefer one with a snell rating.

Oh ya, hi, I'm Jacob

edit: I do not plan on buying any form of clothing online. Gloves are really particular with my finger lengths, I don't see how anyone can buy shoes online, and the rest I just prefer to try on.

edit 2: what is your opinion of Wesco (West Coast Shoe Company)? For work boots I have heard nothing but high praise and they are close enough (couple hours) to get custom fitted. They take 12 weeks to make the boots but they should last a few years with everyday use.

Welcome too the site,

well for gear there is alot of great gear out there it does come down too personal comfort, but for gloves i reccomend something with knuckle pretection, and that isn't too stiff. for boots it depends on the riding you want to do but i would say more armor the better but again comfort plays a roll, for a jacket most come with a bit of pading inside but again comfort and riding style. there is a great topic on here bout gear i'll try too find it.

Do you REALLY want to put your head in a loaner helmet? Or loaner gloves?

I recommend getting those.

Find a jacket if you are able... It MUST fit you well. Fairly close to the body, with enough room to bend elbows (sit on a bike to make sure) without binding.

Go shopping for boots, try stuff on. If you find a good deal, if the shop is helpful, then buy from them. Not every shop is customer friendly.

Don't stress too much over finding Just the Right Gear. Right now, you don't know what sort of riding you'll REALLY be doing. What seems right at this point, may be totally wrong (or maybe just less than ideal), in 6 months. Buy the best you can afford.

Then figure on upgrading as things need replacing, after you've fine tuned your needs and desires.

P

Get the Virago 250. You might end up spending just as much on the older bike at a mechanic.

Get a new FULLFACE helmet (most of the damage from falling is normally around the jaw... and that is a pretty important part of your face.

A mesh jacket is fine.

Go to a dealership, try on gear, find the brands and models that fit... write down the sizes and go buy them on line. Don't get used gear. If you can't afford the correct gear, you can't afford to ride a motorcycle.

Also, motorcycle leather is much different than fashion leather. Don't use a leather jacket on a motorcycle unless it is a motorcycle jacket. It won't help.

I just started reading the helmet guide post and it convinced me to go for a full face (still need the flip-up for my glasses though).

I love an active forum.

If you get the right helmet you can feed the glasses in through the "eyeslot" and it won't be a problem. But you need the right kind of glasses too

listen to Sev, he's a smart guy

For what its worth, I just went through the same thing. Maybe you can benefit from my experience.

Helmet - Don't skimp here. I purchased a full face helmet (not modular). The shop was great - letting me try on various manufacturer's helmets. Not all helmets fit all head shapes. Fit is critical. I was more comfortable with a size larger than what I purchased, but they assured me that would be to big. They were right - glad I relied on their advice. Also, I wear Oakley wrap around sunglasses and regular glasses for night driving. The helmet fit was good even when I put on my glasses. Take your glasses with you to the shop, put on the helmet, and then put on your glasses.

Gloves - I purchased a lined leather gauntlet style glove for colder temps with gel pads in the palm and protection on the back of the hand. I tried on several styles and even 2 of the same glove I bought. Even the same glove in the same size felt different to me. While in the store, I put on the gloves and sat on a bike to test the feel of the glove. It was important to me that with the glove on, I could sense the feel of the controls - not too bulky.

Jacket - I purchased a textile jacket with a removable liner and armor by Tourmaster ($89). It has been great in the 40-50 degree temps here. Maybe too hot in the summer - if so I'll get a summer jacket. Someday I'll get a nice leather jacket, but what I have now will do nicely.

Still in the market for boots, pants. For now I wear over the ankle boots with heavy ankle padding. Looking at some Draggin Jeans.

My glasses are just metal frame eyeglasses and I don't see replacing them any time soon. I'm near sighted so I wear them all the time. They will definetly affect which helmet I choose.

yoippari wrote:My glasses are just metal frame eyeglasses and I don't see replacing them any time soon. I'm near sighted so I wear them all the time. They will definetly affect which helmet I choose.

I've got basically the same thing, you should be able to just slide them in through the eyeslot with the visor open (on a full face) I've been doing it for 3 years. It does take a little work to get them positioned comfortably though.

I'm not saying that you have to do this, just don't limit yourself to a "lift up" type of helmet because you believe that is the only way you can get glasses on under the helmet.