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Motorcycling - Spring is almost here
NP
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So it's almost spring, the weather's starting to get nice over here, and I've decided that this year is going to be the year I finally go for it and get my motorcycle license and a new bike. This is where I need your help, I'm basically clueless at this point, I don't really know anyone that bikes that I can go to for advice/etc. I'm in NJ, so far I have gone to the DMV, passed the written test, and gotten my permit. This allowed me to sign up for an MSF course (I'm registered for mid-April), and once that's over, I should have my license. I know the MSF course comes highly recommended, but I'm wondering just how much it will teach me--I have literally never set foot on a motorcycle before, will I be confident enough to bike solo afterwards? Also, what kind of gear should I buy before the course? They say they provide helmets, but I think that's pretty much it, where should I go and look for jackets/etc (any recommended shops in NJ, NYC, or online shops?)
I guess the next step after that would be to purchase a bike--I'm leaning towards a Ninja 250, since that's basically "the" beginner bike. Any other bikes I should be looking at? (I'm 6 ft tall, 190 lbs, which from what I hear should be fine for the Ninja...).
Oh yeah, if I buy used I'll save a lot of money, but on the other hand how exactly does it work when you buy used? I'm sure I can find a checklist of stuff to inspect before purchasing, but after that do I just drive it home? It would literally be my first time biking on the open roads after the MSF course. Or would I somehow tow it home, I don't even think I know anyone that has a pickup truck or a trailer... Say if I buy out of state (I live right on the NJ/NYC border, and there are way more listings in NYC), is it even legal for me to drive it home without getting it registered/inspected in NJ?
Whoa, alright, that's a ton of questions, if any of you guys know the answer to even one of them I'd really appreciate it. I'm trying to do as much of my homework as I can (it's definitely gonna happen this year 8-)), and it would be cool to hear about what other people have done in similar situations. Also if you guys have any other tips for someone who's starting out, maybe something you wish you'd known when you first started!) Thanks!
I guess the next step after that would be to purchase a bike--I'm leaning towards a Ninja 250, since that's basically "the" beginner bike. Any other bikes I should be looking at? (I'm 6 ft tall, 190 lbs, which from what I hear should be fine for the Ninja...).
Oh yeah, if I buy used I'll save a lot of money, but on the other hand how exactly does it work when you buy used? I'm sure I can find a checklist of stuff to inspect before purchasing, but after that do I just drive it home? It would literally be my first time biking on the open roads after the MSF course. Or would I somehow tow it home, I don't even think I know anyone that has a pickup truck or a trailer... Say if I buy out of state (I live right on the NJ/NYC border, and there are way more listings in NYC), is it even legal for me to drive it home without getting it registered/inspected in NJ?
Whoa, alright, that's a ton of questions, if any of you guys know the answer to even one of them I'd really appreciate it. I'm trying to do as much of my homework as I can (it's definitely gonna happen this year 8-)), and it would be cool to hear about what other people have done in similar situations. Also if you guys have any other tips for someone who's starting out, maybe something you wish you'd known when you first started!) Thanks!
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I got my bike last year but didn't take an MSF course. Same as you I knew nothing of motorcycle riding beyond a bicycle but I had no problems picking it up and have been riding almost daily since. The biggest hurdle is getting the bike moving. I had prior experience with driving a manual car so it wasn't too difficult but it takes some time to translate the pedal work to your hands. The best exercise for me was to find the friction zone (when the clutch engages), then get up to about 5-10 miles/hr, and then come to a complete stop...then rise/repeat about 1,000 times.
Your MSF course should tell you what exactly you need to wear. The course near me only provides the bikes, you bring the helmet and ankle high shoes, its recommended to wear a jacket but it doesn't have to be a motorcycle jacket. You won't be going too fast.
In terms of gear, I did alot of price matching before I bought my jacket/gloves/helmet. You'd be amazed at the price differences for the same item at diff websites. I got my helmet for $150 at one site..the same helmet at another was $219. Both brand new. I've bought several items from http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ and http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/StoreFront.bok. Both seem to have decent prices and specials. Also you can check out http://www.newenough.com/ for some good deals.
For bikes it comes down to personal preference. I'm about your size (6' 180lb) and I chose the Buell Blast due to its look and feel. I like a naked bike instead of the ricer fairings. Its a thumper (heavy vibrations) which puts off alot of people that chose to go with the Ninja, but the Blast has more torque. There is a wiki someone made that gives the pros/cons of both bikes. I would recommend sitting on several bikes and possibly test driving to make sure you get what you want.
Buying used, especially a smaller bike will definitely save you money. Many people buy small and trade up quickly so most times the bikes are cheap and low mileage. I bought my bike out of state but didn't ride it home, I borrowed a truck and hauled it back. If a truck isn't available you can always rent a trailer. I'm not quite sure how it would work trying to ride it home. If you were stopped, I would think you could show the bill of sale to the officer <shrug>
The things I asked/looked when I bought mine:
Looks - Did it have any scratches, has it ever been laid over
Forks - Is there any fluid leaking from the front forks, if so could be a blown seal
Engine - I had the owner start up and ride enough to warm up the bike (20-30 min)
Maintenance - Who did the maintenance and how often
Tires - Excessive wear means the owner might have been fond of burnouts = general abuse of the bike
Sit on it. The best thing you can do is sit on the bike and make sure your comfortable. It would suck to put all the work and time into something that cramps you up 30 minutes into a ride
Other than that just look over the bike and make sure you feel comfortable purchasing. I would choose a bike and do as much research ahead of time before you start looking at pricing.
I'd buy used, especially for a first bike. People are always getting rid of bikes with a couple thousand miles on them, starter bikes particularly. You'll be able to knock a couple thousand off the retail price of a bike that only cost like 5 grand new.
Protective gear is the first thing you should buy, road rash is no joke. I suit up every time I ride, even just a short hop to a buddy's house. You can generally go to a motorcycle shop and try stuff on, then look online for price comparo. But for the MSF course, you're required only to have a long sleeved shirt and jeans. Some kind of boot or high-top shoe is recommended.
I'm not sure about your state, but all of them I've ever heard of will let you ride or drive with the bill of sale and title/title application along with insurance. How else would you get vehicles home? As for the bike, just a general look-over to check for leaks and such, tire tread, etc. I wouldn't worry about a couple scratches, it's pretty normal for people to drop their first bike at least once, usually in a parking lot or stoplight or something dumb that won't really hurt the bike.
I am going to list off a few bikes that would be excellent beginners from Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. For the record, I recommend against the 250. While the 250 is not a bad bike, if you are going to be on the highways/freeways/interstates for any amount of time, they are a bit buzzy. 500R's can be found cheap, are solid, dependable, and freaking bulletproof.
Kawasaki:
EX500/500R
ER6N
Versys
650R
Yamaha:
FZ6
FZ6R
Suzuki:
GS500F
GSX650F
SV650SF
V-Strom 650
None of the above are supersports, and I consider all of them suitable for beginners, intermediates, and quite a few "advanced" riders still prefer and ride the above. I can go into more detail if you would like.
As for gear - find some place local. You will want to wear the jacket, and then sit on a bike. Motorcycle jackets are not cut the same, so you really need to be able to sit in your riding position to see how it fits. Many people will wear hiking/combat/work type boots while riding; I recommend against it. A solid pair of motorcycle boots will cost about the same, and is designed for the particular uses of a bike, such as having a shift pad on the toe of the boot to prevent needless wear. The lugs on many boots can be a liability with your pegs as well. Invest in a solid helmet. Do. Not. Go. Cheap. Good helmets are pricey for a reason, and if you value your head you will invest in it. Try on a lot of helmets until you find one that fits well and offers good ventilation. ATGATT is a phrase you will learn soon enough. All The Gear All The Time.
As for checking out used bikes, the guy above me somewhere had the gist of it.
Regarding getting it home: If this is your first motorcycle I would recommend finding an experienced rider or getting a truck/trailer to bring it home if it's outside of a like 20 minute trip (or can't be easily ridden on back roads). Any time you're riding outside of your skill level you're at much more risk.
There's also a motorcycle thread in H&A about once every month. Search for them; there's a lot of good info already posted.
Edit: By the way, bikes are more expensive now that the riding season is here. If you buy a bike right before the snow hits (when people want to get rid of their's or upgrade) then they're slightly/significantly cheaper.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
As far as gear, don't skimp out and get the cheapest stuff available. Yes, you can go for a cheap helmet, but good leather gear is going to cost you money.
My first bike, I ended up having a friend drive me to it at 11:00 PM, then drove it home on completely deserted streets across the county. It wasn't a problem.
Good luck!
While you're waiting on the MSF course, and you probably will as classes fill fast, pick up Total Control by Lee Parks. It's a great book about motorcycle riding - control at low speeds, picking entry lines on corners, etc. It will help you no matter your riding level.
Hmm...ahh, decisions. Perhaps you're right, I'll definitely check out some of the bikes you listed below. However, am I going to be in over my head if I get a 500cc? Idealy I would like something I could just hop on and start riding when I get it. Maybe I'm over-analyzing, I'm sure I'd get used to it really quickly. And yeah, I suppose there would be a decent amount of highway riding, after all I am in NJ, there isn't much else around here... I'm not really planning on using the bike to commute, however, it would be pretty much strictly a weekend/for fun type of bike.
Yeah, definitely. The prices on craigslist seem to be a lot higher than I expected, because spring is started. But I don't know if I can wait till next November to buy a bike and miss this season, I'll probably have to end up eating the extra cost. Then again, I could turn around and try to resell in the early spring myself next year or the year after if I want to upgrade...
True, I just double checked the website and this is indeed all they require. Do you guys still recommend I gear up beforehand, or will I probably be ok with just a normal jacket? Presumably we don't go too fast/it's an extremely controlled environment/etc..
On the course, you might hit 20 mph, but that's it.
People have it pretty well covered when it comes to the bike itself.
GEAR! Seriously important, you can't OVERGEAR for the type of bike you're riding. Harley riders not wearing leathers tend to say "I don't need it, I'm not going fast like a crotch rocket", wrong. They want to fit the image of their bike. People say the same about a Ninja 250, they don't need good gear cause they aren't going to be going that fast. You don't need to be going fast to be seriously injured in a crash.
My best suggestion is to budget yourself an amount that you want to spend on a bike, say, $8000. Take a quarter of that, and buy what you need to protect yourself when you're learning. Bikes are replaceable, you aren't
Helmets, HJC, Arai, and Shoei are the best reviewed brands out there, they're all top notch and will keep you tickin after a hard headsmack on the pavement. Arai and Shoei are expensive, but what you're paying for is comfort, you wont care about it at first, because of all the other things going on in the learning process, but trust me, you will come to miss it. HJC are great helmets, albeit a little louder from the wind than the other 2. Try on a hundred different helmets, they're all different shapes and sizes, you want one with lots of air vents, a locking visor is a must have. The helmet should be TIGHT, it will pinch your cheeks so that you wont be able to talk without chewing them up, this is good, this is normal. It WILL loosen up over time, a helmet that's too loose will shake around, and in a crash possibly twist and cause damage that its supposed to protect you from. (Avoid Icon helmets, I have owned them, they are shit)
Myself, I wear a lot of Alpinestars gear, its extremely comfortable, and very tried and tested by the worlds best pro racers. That might sound overkill, but they have more practical items for the average street rider too. You're probably not wanting to look like a terminator, not many guys do. I used to wear cruiser style leathers and after a single crash where I landed on grass and tumbled I learned my lesson. It's been 6 months and I can still tear open veins in my thigh if I stand too quickly as well as having a large scar patch on my hip from the rash that took almost 3 months to heal, I had a sprained ankle, my entire left elbow was swollen and rashed from the pads in the arm shifting, and I got a hairline fracture in my pelvis. THIS WAS FROM GRASS. All could have been avoided with proper gear.
Take a look at these few suggestions. These are lower end models of proper gear.
Alpinestars SMX-5 (boots)
Alpinestars SP-1 (gloves)
Alpinestars Stage (jacket)
There are many many brands out there, as I said I just really like A*. You get what you pay for, and this is your life, and your body on the line. Don't cheap out!!
Final thing! The MSF course will absolutely help, its not the actual maneuvering of the bike that is the benefit, its the mental techniques and the ability to USE what you learn about maneuvering the bike under special circumstances.
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TLDR; Don't buy shit gear, do your research and be ready to spend a few bucks to keep your ass safe when you crash. Cruiser style gear generally is not up to the task!
always wear earplugs.
They are pretty much required for going over 60 MPH for more than several minutes.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
And yet most people don't value their hearing enough to wear them.
Custom molded ear plugs are best, but if that's too expensive something like this is still better than foam and should be more comfortable.
It's always been a curiosity for me, and no one I know rides at all to ask.
I have a KBC modular helmet (looser fit) and a HJC full-face helmet (very tight fit). I have no problem getting my glasses (medium metal frame) on in either of them.
That said, I prefer to wear my contacts when I'm riding for less than an hour.
Those are exactly the kind I use, for everything. Concerts, sleeping, motorcycling. There's actually another H&A thread about them right now.
You can buy or mod helmets to fit ear pieces for music or handsfree cellphone kits. I will never ride with music, as it's a major distraction in an inherently dangerous activity.
it's fine. You put on the helmet first, then the glasses go on through the visor. lots of people wear sunglasses riding - I prefer shades to tinted visors.
It's illegal to ride wearing headphones in some states but there are headsets that do radio and two-way radio for inter-bike communication. FWIW sometimes I do wear my ipod, but mostly I just listen to the road and wind.
I have a set of Shure in-ear headphones that work well. They also block wind noise, which is a huge plus. I only wear them on long trips, though. A short ride gets earplugs but riding on the highway for hours just listening to the engine gets old.
I'm the sort of person that can listen to a little music and still pay attention.
I have two family members that started riding by taking the MSF course and they went from being nervous about getting on the bike to being confident enough to take one out on the roads by the end. The course is directed towards people who've never ridden before so don't worry about not having experience, the first exercise for us was walking the bike with it off.
If you have to buy an older, less flashy bike to afford the good stuff, then do it.
Your helmet must be the best you can get comfortable in. It must be SNELL rated. Shoei and Arai are simply fantastic - comfy, light, long-lasting and good looking!
Jacket and pants - ripstop is a must. I recommend Draggin' jeans. Those have kevlar woven through the denim!
As far as checking a used bike, all the stuff listed so far is good to watch out for. Also have a good look at the frame around the headstock and the swingarm. A major crash will often result in cracking or bending here. Has this area been welded by hand, or been repainted? Run, don't walk, away from the bike.
Does the bike still have the original wheels? There is no real reason to change wheels on a beginners bike other than crash damage.
I'm the same. I just bought a set of ER6-i (which are highly recommended by the motorcycle world) but before I just used regular in-the-ear style earbuds. They block ambient noise, and I feel having some music to listen to is a really nice way of accenting a fun ride. On longer day trips and the like, they're virtually a necessity. I'll turn it off when I'm negotiating city streets or somewhere else where 100% attention is necessary, though.
While I definitely echo getting the best helmet you can, Snell-rated isn't the be-all end-all. DOT-rated, yes. But Snell isn't necessary - many helmet manufacturers don't wish to spend the thousands of dollars required to get rated, and there's been some debate that the Snell requirements, which involve a much stiffer foam to absorb higher amounts of energy, also transfer more energy to the head itself. I'm not going to sit here and say don't buy a Snell helmet, because I think it's still nice to have, but do realize that it's not a necessity.
After I found gear I like I checked out all the sites I could on reviews that people posted. Thats also a good place to find comments on fitting. Like any other clothing, some stuff runs bigger or smaller than advertised.
I stay away from Shoei and Arai mainly due to price. To me they are rediculously over priced for thier helmets. I'm sure they feel fine but I don't really like their graphics. I bought two Scorpion EXO-700s that got great reviews and are DOT/SNELL certified, and have great venting.
Go to a local shop and try on a brand your thinking of buying. The helmet should fit tight enough that if you were chewing gum, you would be biting the insides of your cheek.
I got an HJC helmet with the sunvisor inside. I look like a fighter pilot.
What fits your head, fits your head. For me, it's a Shoei. It fits me better than any other brand, so I went with them. The safety of your head isn't something you should skimp on. That's not to suggest Scorpion is "skimping," necessarily. It's only skimping if it doesn't fit as well.