Any motorcycle riders in here?

[Delirium]

I just got my license to ride but I'm not sure where to go from here, in regards to equipment and purchasing a motorcycle.

Does anyone have any tips (other than, 'don't drop it)?

[Otaz]

I ride a customized 2007 Honda VTX 1300R. For equipment, I use a helmet (duh  ), leather jacket, Tanker boots, gloves and sometimes raingear (I try to avoid riding in the rain when possible).

Depending on your style of motorcycle and riding, you should have a similar list for your equipment.

Congrats on getting licensed ...now just watch out for stupid cage (cars/trucks) drivers that don't pay attention or are on the phone/texting.  

[Delirium]

What kind of braking system does that one have?

I was looking at the NT700V by Honda, do you have any experience with those?

[tf15pin]

I think this is the first year for the NT700 so you wont find many people with much experience with it. As far as bike selection goes I would start with a used bike, something 3 or 4 years old that already has a couple scratches on it and you wont have to cry over it if your belt buckle slides across the tank. If you are taller something like a KLR 650 or V-strom 650 would be a good first bike, the V-strom being closer to a sport touring bike like the NT. If you are shorter (in-seem less than 34") a small displacement cruiser like a Shadow or a standard bike such as an SV 650 are a good way to go. About breaking systems, if you are looking for ABS newer V-strom's will have an ABS version if you look around, if you are looking for something like a linked breaking system I dont know where to point you.

As far as gear it is pretty simple: Boots, gloves, jacket, jeans, and a helmet. I recommend a full face helmet to help avoid the painful crushed face that can result from even slow speed wrecks as well as bug/stone-off-a-passing-dump-truck strikes. At highway speeds something like a bee or beetle can practically take you off the back of the bike if it hits you right between the eyes with an open helmet.


Bikes like the KLR and V-Strom have huge communities of riders that swear by the bikes so if you want something tested and proved they are good bikes.

[Terror]

My first recommendation:  ATGATT

"All The Gear All The Time".

Never ride without your protective gear!  Eye protection, Helmet, Jacket, Gloves, Long Pants, Boots.  No matter the condition/temperature outside, always have your gear on!

Other than that, there are many, many great motorcycles out there.  I personally ride a 2008 Kawasaki Concours 14 ABS.  2008 Kawasaki Concours 14 ABS. 

Each person has there own individual tastes on motorcycles.  Call around to some dealerships and see if they have "demo" bikes.  Ask to take a demo ride to get a "feel" for what type of bike you find yourself liking the most.

T

[Delirium]

I think this is the first year for the NT700 so you wont find many people with much experience with it. As far as bike selection goes I would start with a used bike, something 3 or 4 years old that already has a couple scratches on it and you wont have to cry over it if your belt buckle slides across the tank.

The reason the NT700 sounded attractive was it is more laid back with great gas mileage, quiet engine, and a comfortable ride. (edit: it also has integrated saddle bags)

Yea, I sound like an old man but is there anything similar I could buy used?

[bj229r]

Del, as you are new to this, wear EVERY frikkin safety device made---stats are quite telling, 90% of fatal accidents occur in 1st 2 years of riding. You have to develop a 6th sense to discern cager's intentions as they blindly pull out in front of you, and until then, all the leather they make, and the most expensive,  is in order. Me? I dragged the Pan down to FLA this week, just t-shirt and no helmet!

[allaire]

Del, as you are new to this, wear EVERY frikkin safety device made---stats are quite telling, 90% of fatal accidents occur in 1st 2 years of riding. You have to develop a 6th sense to discern cager's intentions as they blindly pull out in front of you, and until then, all the leather they make, and the most expensive,  is in order. Me? I dragged the Pan down to FLA this week, just t-shirt and no helmet! (Image removed from quote.)

Yeah cause it's not like I see people on bikes do some of the most stupid things on the interstate.  I know that some people don't look for or notice motorcycles but I have seen far more people on bikes think that they can ride however they want.

[Delirium]

I agree with you there, to some degree but I'm not sure if they are truly more reckless or we just notice the motorcycle more.

 A week before I started my course, a pack of motorcycles were weaving in and out of traffic a good 30 mph faster than the rest of traffic. I literally had to swerve to the right and brake to avoid one of them that timed his swerve in front of me too early.

About 2 minutes later, I'm getting off my exit and I see one of the bikes on its side, the tank definitely ruptured with gas all over the exit ramp. The poor guy was riding in a t shirt, shorts and was bleeding like a 13 year old girl.

[Otaz]

What kind of braking system does that one have?

I was looking at the NT700V by Honda, do you have any experience with those?

Disk brakes front and rear. Plenty of power since upgrading the intake to a Kuryakyn Hypercharger and HardKrome 2into1 sideburners exhaust. Loud and fast.

I havent seen the NT700V so no experience with it.

[Blackwulf]

My best advice is to ride what you like, and what fits you and your abilities / riding style.  I ride a Harley Low Rider, but there are plenty of good quality bikes in the other brands.
And +1 on safety gear, especially for a new rider.  I cringe every time I see the kids around here on a motorcycle with nothing but a pair of shorts and beach clogs.

[CHAPPY]

Excellent starter bike for the inexperienced rider.

[Delirium]

What kind of bike is that?

[jdbecks]

get one of these Del  Its what I want

[lowZX14]

I was going to say that Terror and tf15pin have hit the nails on the head.  Myself, I went and bought a brand new ZX-14 like an idiot and didn't carry full coverage since I didn't have to.  Dumped it after hitting some fine sandy stuff in the road going in a curve and it did a lotttttt of damage that I have had to take care of out of my own pocket.  Now I wish I would have bought one that was a few years old since it wouldn't have hurt me monetarily when I laid it down but you live and learn.  Go to the dealerships, find out what they have and what they'll let you demo.  Sit on every bike that you might think you are interested in and maybe some that you think you are not.  You might be surprised to find that one bike that you weren't too keen on may be the best fit for you, it's all personal preference like Terror said.  When you do find what you want, new or used, shop, shop, shop around.  Play other dealers against each other, you'll be surprised what you can get them to do some of the time, especially with a new bike.  I did some checking online when I bought mine and had the local dealership drop the price down by around $2,500 when all was said and done.  If you find someone trying to sell theirs, see if they'll let you take it down the street, some might, some might not especially if they don't really know you.  

As far as gear goes, like everyone has said, wear all of it all of the time.  The day I went down was a hot July day and I wasn't wearing my jacket.  Luckily I went down in grass and rolled more than I slid so I had just a little bit of burn on my left elbow and side from the grass rubbing me.  Had I had my jacket on I might not have been burned so bad or I might have but I learned my lesson, I'd wear it all the time.  Find you a jacket with a removable liner, even though your in the northeast, it will still get a little steamy in the middle of summer.  Shop around for all of your equipment, most online stores will be cheaper than a dealership but the dealerships might come down just the same as I mentioned about the price of the bike.  The only piece of advice I will give and some might not like it that have them is, do not, do not, do not buy a full face helmet with the flip up chin piece.  They are nice and handy if you are going slower and want to get some air so you flip up the chin, but like the guy at the dealership showed me when I bought my helmet, the piece is held on by plastic, guess what the first part that will go flying off the helmet is if heaven forbid you smack the road.  Plus he was putting his hands on the sides and showing me how much they flex compared to a regular full face helmet, in the end, I like my pretty face too much to get one of those flip up style helmets, but it's your call they might be better built by now.