Got a real beauty....pity I can't ride

[pukana,BLAH!]

Just got my bike today. A Cbr250rr, mc22 1992. Unfortunately I've never ridden a bike and stretched my funds so I can't get a helmet till next week. If your wondering why I got a bike without test riding it it's because I have always respected Honda as a brand. It was either a Cibby or a viffer 400, but I didn't want to push the limits on a 400, legal wise.

Any tips you can give me having never ridden a bike?
And how cheap is too cheap for a helmet?

[hurricane_r]

good stuff, whats a viffer?

[Pedrostt500]

Ok cheap helmets, How much do you value the contents of your head.
Get riding lessons taught by a professional tutor.
Welcome to the world of motorcycles.

[RC1]

did you buy from dealer ?? you could have talked them into giving you a helmet as part of the deal, take care , maybe practice somewhere to home, find a local KBer to help in your area, plenty of willing bods in akld

[mowgli]

Any tips you can give me having never ridden a bike?
And how cheap is too cheap for a helmet?

Search on here for details of the Ride Right Ride Safe course run by BRONZ.

Buy a new helmet from a shop (not tardme) and you can't really go wrong so long as it's standards approved. They'll all save your swede in a bin. Just make sure it fits you well. Some head shapes suit particular helmet brands better than others so try a few before buying. If the helmet turns out to be noisy either slow down or buy earplugs - much cheaper than another lid.

Good luck and take it easy, for a while at least.

[mowgli]

Ok cheap helmets, How much do you value the contents of your head.

Spending more on your helmet may get a better fit which might make a difference in a crash. The other things you may get are better aerodynamics (not important at legal speeds) and less wind noise (easily fixed with earplugs). So long as the lid you buy is NZ standards approved then it should protect you well while learning to ride within the law.

Don't forget you need to save up for boots, pants, gloves and a jacket as well.

[TOTO]

Don't forget you need to save up for boots, pants, gloves and a jacket as well.

And you need to have them on before you get on the bike. welcome to KB (the madhouse/school).

Always wear ALL of your safety gear. Always. I have seen things go badly wrong in 7 meters.

Whistle if you need someone to ride around with. Always keen for a ride if i'm not busy, but I aint very busy

[skidMark]

Take the side fairings off. you are going to drop it. put them back on in 6-8 months

[skidMark]

And you need to have them on before you get on the bike. welcome to KB (the madhouse/school).

Always wear ALL of your safety gear. Always. I have seen things go badly wrong in 7 meters.

Whistle if you need someone to ride around with. Always keen for a ride if i'm not busy, but I aint very busy

Chicks dig scars!

[T.I.E]

Take the side fairings off. you are going to drop it. put them back on in 6-8 months

thats a good idea, the plastics are not cheap to replace, remember you will drop it being a complete newbe. probably when ya gettig on or getting off the bike or pulled upto a set of traffic lights. sorry but i hope ya dont. maybe bubble wrap.

and agreeded go to a riding school, you will get some priceless advice from them. and then there is the rest of your gear helmet is the most important, the rest could (could) be second hand. maybe ask on here someone might have some stuff they dont want. but take it easy, dont get cocky, and that will go a long way. remember dont be a hero.

[Number One]

Take the side fairings off. you are going to drop it. put them back on in 6-8 months

Damn good advice this!

I had a CBR250rr...mmmmmmmmmmm - I still pine for my baby blade

Anyway - the idea of taking the side fairings off is a damn good one if you've never ridden before and considering budget is tight - you won't want to be shelling out for cosmetic damage due to a silly little learners oopsey. It really does break your heart when you baby gets banged up and isn't it's normal pretty self....

Good luck and enjoy. Agree with others - avoid Trademe for helmets and get that other gear too! Having recently come off a bike I can tell you that you are making a wise investment in having good gear...and by good I mean, solid construction with armour. Wear all the gear - all the time!

Those CBRs are very confidence inspiring....

[TOTO]

Take the side fairings off. you are going to drop it. put them back on in 6-8 months

Thtas a good advice skid. If I had known to take my fairings off It would have saved me 300 bux in the first month Oh well. thats how you learn.

[CookMySock]

New FFM helmet is only 130bux. Armoured jacket on trademe 100bux. Kevlar jeans $??. This is your minimum gear list. If $$ are tight, first week get your Jacket. Arrange some tuition. Next week get your helmet - do the tuition. Next week get the kevlar jeans.

DB

[Subike]

Try your local Pawn shop for a cheap leather bike jacket.
I got a reasonable quality jacket for $50.
Also a pair of leather bike pants for $25, as they were scruffy, needed braces to hold them up, which is common and lots of us use them.
A pair of LACE UP work boots from the Warehouse for $40 will be ok for a few months, Dont wear slip on boots on a bike, if you can slip them on, an accident can slip them off.
Cheapest leather gloves are the soft leather drivers gloves from NZ Saftey.
They are ok for learning and slow speed but not for serious riding, cost $12 - $15. Get the smallest size that will fit you, they are soft leather, easy to ""feel"" the control blocks.
Find an old worn out jersey in your draws, one you dont want anymore, cut out one of the arms at the sholder and the elbow. you now have a perfect neck warmer. This you will keep for ages.....
With a bit of shopping, and forgetting the Fashion Police, you can outfit yourself, less helmet, for under $200.
As everyone here has said.

Wear all your gear ALL the time

[Coyote]

good stuff, whats a viffer?

The choice of kings mate.

The VFR400 is an excellent bike. But considering you've never ridden a bike before, a CBR is going to be enough to contend with. The VFR isn't a 600, but it's still darn quick and not for newbies. Of course, if you want that power the legal way, get an NSR or RGV

You'll love the CBR. My old CBR250RRNMC-22NH-237P was an excellent machine

Ok cheap helmets, How much do you value the contents of your head.

Well my last helmet cost $160, and I gave it 5 hard knocks. Maybe more, I forget. So roughly I must value my head at roughly $30 or so... that's a bit steep. Only replaced it since some homie cut it off my helmet lock.

Yet to replace all my riding gear. Tore my draggins apart so have to wear normal jeans. Have come off a couple of times wearing normal pants and only got a few scars, enough to attract chicks rather than put them off. My gloves have turned into attractive fingerless ones, and my jacket has several new vents in it. Got new boots though since they look cool and they were cheap.