Cost of starting..??

**MrMeow** · 28th October 2006, 11:55

Bar the cost of the motorbike, how much am i likley to spend in getting ready to start riding. Im really keen to start and i will regardless of the cost im just trying to get a ballpark of the amount im going to spend.
So far ive got
Handling Skills - $110
learners licence - $80
helmet - ???
leather jacket - ???
leather pants - ???
riding boots - ???
gloves - ???

are there any other costs i need to think about?

And a question about the gear, saftey is my primary concern so i dont want to buy the cheapest crap out there, but then i dont have mmegabucks to spend either?
Can anyone reccomend some gear to look at? should i be looking at second hand gear?
Thanks everyone i know there is a lot of questions.

**yungatart** · 28th October 2006, 11:58

I went second hand gear, apart from gloves and boots - about $400 including helmet
The bike shops sometimes have specials at $699, for everything I think

**Macktheknife** · 28th October 2006, 12:15

helmet - $100-600
leather jacket - $200-500
leather pants - $200-500
riding boots - $200-400
gloves - $50-150
These are approximate depending on many things, your budget and taste for example. You can get all you need to start with for about $1000, this will give you a good level of protection. Don't forget to look at Cordura options too.
Also you might want to think about doing a couple of rider training courses, BRONZ do one for about $50 that will teach you a lot. There are plenty of others.
Hope that helps
Mack

**Wasp** · 28th October 2006, 12:17

mine was:

$160 BHS
$80 scratchie
second hand helmet and old leather jacket (jeans and school shoes)

more recently i bought:
spool 2 peice leather suit: $1200
hjc cl-12 helmet $160
sidi boots: $550
spool back protector: $120

if i had of had my recent crash in my old jeans/shoes/leather jacket i'd have a completly busted right shoulder (rolled and thats what hit the curb) and serious road rash. instead my leathers and boots saved my ass. its your call.

welcome to kb!

**Korea** · 28th October 2006, 13:00

Shop around...
Have a look at the prices on:
http://www.motoretail.co.nz/

But don't forget to check out the offerings from Quasievil's QuasiMoto:
http://www.quasimoto.co.nz/

(Quasi's a regular on KB and has alot of quality gear at great prices - often does promotions and giveaways here too - nice guy)

Oh yeah, and welcome - happy shopping!

**Filterer** · 28th October 2006, 13:49

Dont forget once your setup your looking at $400+ (if you get it cheap) for insurance a year and $200+ for rego + $60 for 2wofs etc

Still youd have to pay that in a car as well but the fuel is so much cheaper.

**sunhuntin** · 28th October 2006, 16:42

my first helmet was from cashies [$99 open face] thats in retirement after being hit by a car. all of my leathers and boots/gloves are second hand....jacket and pants from savemart, boots from my ex, gloves from a brother. ive got several different jackets, but only wear the one. i wear fingerless gloves in the winter, and proper ones in the winter...but they arent waterproof unfortuantly.

**fazer** · 29th October 2006, 09:45

Never buy a secondhand helmet, you don`t know what tratment it`s had.

**fazer** · 29th October 2006, 09:46

tratment?? you know wot I mean!

**JimO** · 29th October 2006, 12:05

Still youd have to pay that in a car as well but the fuel is so much cheaper.[/QUOTE]
no the fuel is the same price but you slightly less and i doubt that some bikes are cheaper to run than some cars

**Jantar** · 29th October 2006, 12:23

Often bike shops will do a deal on complete riding kit for a set price. It won't be top quality but it will be adequte. Alternatively you may get better gear second hand for around the same price. One main word of advice.... NEVER, NEVER buy a second hand helmet.

**KLOWN** · 29th October 2006, 12:29

I got all my gear new, it was cordura and it was priced as follows...

gloves $70
helmet $200
pants $ 180
jacket $ 250

The good thing about cordura is its waterproof and cheap, the bad is if you come off it wrecks the gear where leather can usually take multiple falls (depending on speed etc) also its not nearly as stylish as leathers.

I have recently bought some leathers from quasimoto and they are very cool and at a good price.

**Coyote** · 29th October 2006, 12:50

I was a learner like you only 2 years ago. This is what I know and it should be a help

I stand by the HJC CS-10 as being the best cheap helmet around. Mine has survived 5 crashes when all helmets are meant to only last one. I got mine for $160. They're also rebranded as Cirus. I suggest go for one of them. Only downside, hasn't got a fog-free visor. My next helmet (this christmas

) will have to have one, prefurably tinted as well

As for boots, I got the cheapest around. They're made by 'Motoline' and they were $150 brand new. They survived a few more crashes than the helmet (when I used to do motard racing I had an MX helmet) and the zip has only just failed after 3 years of heavy abuse. I used them everywhere as well as riding. Will be replacing them this christmas too

Gloves: I got cheap Motoline gloves for $80. They're still fine, just a bit scuffed up. Plus the carbon fibre knuckles make them look real trick. Not bad for the cheapest new gloves I could find at the time

Jacket: I got a Tecknic Chicane Cordura jacket. I suggest go for the cordura/textile jacket if you're going to be riding through the rain often. My jacket is 100% waterproof and even in storm force weather I've come home bone dry. That was $270, on special from $300. Hasn't been crash tested yet

Pants: I got some Draggin Chinos. I chose these as I have been able to use them as uniform at school. It's less gear to stow away/lug around at school. They're really comfy and they don't get too hot in warm weather. However, a mate of mine crashed in his Draggin Jeans, they twisted around leaving his knee not defended by the kevlar and he got pretty torn up. Spent a while at hospital. They're obviously not waterproof as well

I've also got a set of race leathers, cheap ArmorTech leathers. $500 new. The right leg tore up when i crashed in a race. Otherwise they held up well in all my other crashes. They're not practical if you're riding to a destination, but if you're just riding from home and returning home they give you a bit more confidence that you'd come out unscathed if you were to end up crashing. I was lucky my first crash on a public road a few months ago I was in them. My Draggins and Jacket are one use only, plus my Draggins have no armor

Good luck finding some gear

**fozz rock** · 29th October 2006, 12:52

I'll NEVER buy a second hand helmet!!! (as above) you can lose an arm or leg and live(maybe) but not your head.

most of my gear is second hand and i'm always on the look out for more new and used stuff
with summer coming i'm looking at winter gear for next year

If you are buying your bike at a shop ask them what kind of deal they can do you on gear

**Coyote** · 29th October 2006, 12:55

Originally Posted by KLOWN

The good thing about cordura is its waterproof and cheap, the bad is if you come off it wrecks the gear where leather can usually take multiple falls (depending on speed etc) also its not nearly as stylish as leathers.

I have recently bought some leathers from quasimoto and they are very cool and at a good price.

I don't know. My Cordura jacket is rather trendy

QuasiMoto or MotoEquip are the best people to deal with. Support the kiwibiker businesses