Weekend cruiser
Personally I'm a learner, but I like the idea of doing decent trips down the line. I figured it was best to just go all out and spend the cash on good Quasi leathers now. They're fantastic - comfortable and warm, plus I know they're going to last well and look after me if anything does go wrong. Talk to quasi (I see he's offered a deal to you already on some jeans) and see what they can do - I can't reccommend their leathers (or their service for that matter) highly enough.
Hardcore Biker
What brand is your MX armour? I bought all my gear from Holeshot with my bike, Strada jacket+pants (sort of seems like a cheap brand to me!) teknic boots and some armoured gloves. I didn't like the way the inbuilt armour felt like it would just be pushed out of the way in a fall, and I have a bad back so I bought a Thor Impact Rig SE on Trademe then took the armour out of the jacket so it'd fit properly (the MX armour gives ALOT more coverage and moves around much less). I wear it all every time I ride (so I have to leave my work shoes at work, cause they don't fit in my bike). The armour in the pants seems to be pretty shit too, it's supposed to be KNEE armour but they've positioned it to be shin armour. I got to work a few days ago and realised the right knee pad had gone missing, I was bloody confused and found it a few days later layin around home, it some how fell out.
As for attitudes changing since 30 years ago or whatever, a guy I work with used to have a bike as a teenager in south africa before moving here about 8 years ago. He'd do 180km/h with nothing but a helmet, and gives me shit for wearing all the gear, saying "I didn't need it". I think he said he wouldn't wear a helmet if it wasn't law. I'm happy to wear it all though, it's really warm for one thing!
braaap
No gear apart from a Helmet will save your life ...Originally Posted by Bonmaklad
All the rest of it does is save your skin and potentially reduce bruising etc.
If you want to stay alive dont crash into anything solid.
The gear is pretty much just to make the slide down the road a bit less painful
He who makes a beast out of himself
Gets rid of the pain of being a man
Rest In Peace
Top marks for thinking about gear. This is all about personal perceptions, here's mine on the differences between the three types of gear ...
Kevlar Jeans: I discount these for the very fact that they have no armour protection. Armour doesn't sound like a big deal until you hit something. That something is of course the road. It doesn't matter at what speed you fall off, there will always be an impact as the first event. Knees and hips are totally vulnerable and in respect of knees, hard to fix. Kevlar jeans, like your helmet, are a one-time use after a bin, throw them away.
Leathers: I have a set for racing because they are undoubtably the best protection when sliding. They also have armour. But ... I don't race for hours at a time at night in zero temps or in the pissing down rain. They would be inappropriate in those cases, you have to buy additional gear to be able to ride in those conditions. Leathers are multi-use in slides.
Cordura: They have armour and they will protect your skin in a slide but they will be damaged. They are water, wind and chill proof. One product meets all the needs above. Cordura gear, might be a one-time use after a bin. Your helmet gets thrown away after a bin - no question. However you may not have to throw your cordura away. KB member Spittie repairs them. He has a stock of coloured cordura for patching up.
It comes down to how often are you planning on binning and whether you ride at night or in rain or in winter.
Hardcore Biker
Holy shit dude you're thinking too hardcore. I've always gone by this quote, "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst". Dude, anything is dangerous these days, you can drown in 2-3cm of water in the kitchen sink. Lighten up a bit I think!
I'm teaching myself the do's and don't, and practicing emergency braking and stuff, but when I get on with the ride, you can't be thinking about death all the time, you've got to enjoy the ride, and just assume that you're an invisible target and everybody's driving drunk and on drugs.
Buy the best that you can afford. That's all I can say. And only buy a brand new helmet. Yeah.
THE FOUR RULES OF EXPLORING THIS AMAZING COUNTRY OF NZ
RIDE SAFE, RIDE HARD, RIDE FREE
and try not sound so route 51 american brudda
L-Plate Rider
well since the bank won't let me have any more money i'm a bit buggered at the moment, for the next few weeks i'm just going to have to stick to my mx armour (not sure on brand) my leather jacket yes i know but it is still better then say... nothing. a pair of jeans and my boots oh and my gloves and helmets.
I think everyone has made me want leathers, i see some cool ones on trade me sometimes and mr quizi sells some good stuff if I can raise enough.
We'll see how it goes, i mean I been gearing myself up for a bike for a long time who is to say i'll like driving it on open roads lol.
thanks for all the advice guys.
L-Plate Rider
wow ok so passed my theory yesterday and drove to work today, much easier then I thought to be honest! loved it!! went on the motorway and i must admit the fast speeds are fun with the wind resistance etc. but overall good laugh, but one thing though my hands are killing me, with sports bikes are they meant to hurt your palms or am i sitting wrong?
Weekend cruiser
greatglad to hear your enjoying yourself and are already on the road. the sore hands are more than likely because you where giving the bars 'the death grip' when you where going along the motorway because you where not as comfortable as you should be with the bike yet - dont worry it will come to you soon enough. i think every one who jumps on a bike experiences the death grip at some stage. you'll become more confident as time goes on and wonder why you where ever trying to strangle the bars.
if it is just your palms then maybe you are leaning your upper bodyweight to far forward and the pressure is accumulating in your palms and wrists. try to relax your grip on the bars almost as if your hands could slip off the bars if pushed by someone else but dont let them slip offalso grip the tank with your knees and get used to what the bike does when you push on the bars and/or push on the tank with your knees. take the time to get comfortable on your bike, its limitations and yours, the centre of gravity and power of the bike, then you'll enjoy riding much more. maybe think about doing a RSRR course or some of the mentor training / skills evenings that are available. very worthwhile for new and experienced riders alike
Come on, Toshi, come on!
Blue is BETTER
Apparently a few people have problems with their palms and wrists on the GT250R's. I haven't really had that problem and I generally do long (1hr +) rides. Agree with Aa7 with putting your weight over your hands and to relax your grip.
Some good advice that was given to me was firm lower body and lose upper body and especially relax your shoulders. Knees into the tank, heels into the little metal plates just behind the pegs and the rest takes care of itself.
Of course this will only help a little if your arms are too short and you're really reaching for the bars.
Just to add to the gear thing. I dig the leather look as well but couldn't afford it either. Ended up buying a Strada jacket which is Cordura. Bloody good price for the Strada gear (also have pants). It's a fitting sports jacket which suits the Hyosung for the riding position. Also looks similar to a leather jacket but without the price. I'll end up buying some leathers later when I do track days. For cash strapped, I would recommend them - good price and look real good.
Peace out!
Forum whore
I got a few bits n bobs around here I can sell you dum cheap or possible lend you, so drop me a pm, what size are you, ie chest and waist ?
Cheers
Ive run out of fucks to give
L-Plate Rider
ok well i got a jacket on trade me, yeah it's 2nd hand but gotta be better then what i got. it's got armour in back shoulders and chest. he had matching leather pants but they went up too much for me. he also got boots which might be good.
Quasi should i still aim for leather pants? i have between 70-100 left to try and cover my legs, going to try and sell my mx armour stuff on trade me as well, hopefully recover some funds.
L-Plate Rider
oh yeah i dropped the bike so i've had to buy a new wing mirror and indicatorstupid kerbs didn't realise a bike couldn't go over one!!
Double shot!!
Yeah oops, that happens. As long as you are near-stopped you get off scot free.. (well mirror and indicator anyway.) The main thing is to able to steer really well with the bars at higher speed.
I was going to suggest pick up some tidy second hand gear, but you have done just that. Keep your ear to the ground also, as deals on newer gear turn up ALL the time.
Congrats on the GT250R. Geez you will look the part in full leather on it. Got matching helmet and tinted visor ?
We went to town today on ours and got accosted by at least 5 different groups of people.. "wow nice bikes you guys!" pic.
Welcome to KB!
Steve
"I am a licenced motorcycle instructor, I agree with dangerousbastard, no point in repeating what he said."
"read what Steve says. He's right."
"What Steve said pretty much summed it up."
"I did axactly as you said and it worked...!!"
"Wow, Great advise there DB."
WTB: Hyosung bikes or going or not.
Revolution is in the air
To answer the questions: No and yes.
Chances are, you will crash. Almost everyone who has ridden has. Some survive, some don't. Prepare for that crash with the best gear you can afford. Take a motorcycle safety course if you can. Practice, practice, practice. Get involved with the KB mentoring people to get more experience. Go slow. Practice, practice, practice. Read all you can about riding, then ride more. Ride in different conditions. Smile often. Go on group rides and watch others. See what they do that is safe, and not safe. Nothing will help you more than riding. Experience is critical. Go slow.
Riding motorcycles is a blast and a lot of fun, but you need to be aware of the risks.
Ride, eat, sleep, repeat!
Fair weather rider
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