Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I just wanted to introduce myself to those here at the forums, and also I wanted to get some advice. I want to make sure that when I buy my first bike I have enough money for all my safety equipment. I want to get a sportbike and specifically I have been looking at the Kawasaki Ninja 250R and Ninja 500R (I bet you thought I was gonna say something about a 600cc bike lol I've been reading the forums and found lots of griping about newbs who want 600cc). I wanted to know what brands to look at for gear (Helmet, Jacket, Gloves, Boots, Pants), and what I can expect to be paying for that gear. From what I've figured out I should expect to spend about $1000 just on gear if I get the textile stuff (and thats if I go with the cheaper things I've been able to find), bringing the total for a Ninja 250R to around $3500, and for a 500R between $4000-$4500. Is this anywhere near to correct? and am I going the right way for a budget starting bike in the Sportbike class? (sry for so many questions but I'm a newbie and I don't have any friends into motorcycling)

You must be shopping for gear at the same places everyone else here gets theirs.

I paid $200.00 for my jacket, $70.00 for my helmet, $40.00 for some three-season gloves, $10.00 for some glove liners (to make them four-season), $20.00 for some sun glasses, $20.00 for some clear-lense night glasses (I ride helmetless), and $80.00 for some Joe Rocket boots. That's a total of $440.00 for everything, and only $310.00 if you don't count the designer boots, the two pairs of glasses (not needed if you actually wear your helmet), and the glove liners. If you pay any more than that you're being ripped-off buying a designer helmet or some other apparel you really don't need. All of my stuff matches my bike, and my jacket, gloves, and boots are all Joe Rocket. The helmet is a color-matched Vega I bought brand new from Iron Pony on clearance, in size XXL.

You can spend as much or little (within reason, maybe down to 300) as you want. There are some good discount websites. Newenough.com is excellent - they email the prices to you , but they have all the namebrand stuff and can save you some $$$. Good customer service with a return policy too. Also, try motorcycle shows - usually some good deals off the rack there. the dealer is about the worst place to shop in my experience. If you don't mind used (I don't) try craigslist.com if they are active in your area. there's ten jackets a day in Seattle for peanuts. Also - a big article in Motorcyclist just did a helmet study that showed a lot of the big money helmets are no safer than some budget models. An $80 lid was one of the safest.

Welcome aboard! What has been said about gear is correct. Shop around, and buy the gear that you'll need for the type of riding you'll be doing. I don't own a leather (yet) because I can't afford it right now. I wear my mesh jacket all year, layering it in the winter with a regular, windproof jacket. Not the greatest looking getup, but I do it so I can ride year-round. Enjoy the forums.

Cheers,
Loonette

Thanks for all the advice. I was looking for the gear on the sites that had been reccommended on other areas of the site. Hopefully I'll be able to find some cheaper gear. I intend to use a helmet, and I need to know what type of helmet would be good (I have glasses, so I can't use a regular full face). What companies make full faces with the flip up visors (I couldn't tell when I was looking at them in the 100X75px images on most online stores lol)

Welcome sasuke42 to the forums .
Regards, Wizzard

sasuke42 wrote:Thanks for all the advice. I was looking for the gear on the sites that had been reccommended on other areas of the site. Hopefully I'll be able to find some cheaper gear. I intend to use a helmet, and I need to know what type of helmet would be good (I have glasses, so I can't use a regular full face). What companies make full faces with the flip up visors (I couldn't tell when I was looking at them in the 100X75px images on most online stores lol)

sure you can. put the helmet on, do the straps, lift the visor and put the glasses on. Not uncomfortable or anything.
HJC makes a flip up. The CL-Max i believe.

PS - $1,000 is an awful lot for textiles. Leathers might be that much, but a HJC flip up helmet and Joe Rocket gloves, pants, jacket, and shoes only come to $594 and that's at dealer price. I'm just pissed that Joe Roclet doesn't make boots in my size

And welcome.

Depending on what colors I go with (what color my bike is... if I get a 500R they only come in green as far as I know but theres a blue 1995 Ninja 500 in my area) I may go with joe rocket. I prefer to have some bright colors (so that I might have a chance at being seen by cagers). Thanks again for the advice and I think I've got my cost down to about 500-600 (maybe 700 because I'll probably buy a generic second helmet for my girlfriend)

sasuke42 wrote:Depending on what colors I go with (what color my bike is... if I get a 500R they only come in green as far as I know but theres a blue 1995 Ninja 500 in my area) I may go with joe rocket. I prefer to have some bright colors (so that I might have a chance at being seen by cagers). Thanks again for the advice and I think I've got my cost down to about 500-600 (maybe 700 because I'll probably buy a generic second helmet for my girlfriend)

05's come in green or red.