New rider needs advice.

**firecracker** · 28th January 2009, 16:23

Heya, For years I've admired those riders out cruising on their bikes. So I've decided to finally get my a#* into gear and do somethin' about it. In terms of a bike and gear, which is most practical to get first? Or is it more a case of which ever happens first? I'd appreciate your thoughts!

**portokiwi** · 28th January 2009, 16:27

Bike & helmet last thing you want is the wrong color helmet for your bike.
gear dosnt realy matter cant go to wrong in black lol

**alanzs** · 29th January 2009, 10:41

Get gear first. Wear it, go to the shops in it, get a latte, go to the bank, whatever. Then, if it looks good, try getting a bike...

**ckai** · 29th January 2009, 11:13

Originally Posted by alanzs

Get gear first. Wear it, go to the shops in it, get a latte, go to the bank, whatever. Then, if it looks good, try getting a bike...

If you're buying from a shop, most places will give you a deal on the gears if you buy the bike.

If you're buying privately, different ball game.

I got my helmet as a b'day pressie before I got my bike. Asked for it as a bit of an incentive. It worked because a month later I had my licence and bike (pity the helmet didn't match the bike - new one does though

). Got most of the other gear discounted with the bike.

If you do a search on first-timer gear you'll find everyone pretty much says don't skimp on helmet. And it's always funny seeing someone ride a crusty old bike with flash $1000 shoei lid

**robo555** · 29th January 2009, 11:53

For me I started with helmet and gloves.

I got a FFM helmet, 'cos it looked good, works well, and cheap. Not super light as expensive ones, but that's no biggie.

Got gloves because I figured since it was only starting out, any accidents will most likely be low speed, and at low speed, scraps on hands are more inconvinient than scraps on knees/elbows. This paid off, in a slow speed fall, protected my knuckles, got a hole in the pants but no damage to knee.

**retro asian** · 29th January 2009, 12:27

I was told that cheaper helmets don't spread the impact force out as well as the more expensive ones, so went for a $500 Shoei

**Bend-it** · 29th January 2009, 12:30

Not much to add to the sea of wisdom here...

Buying from shop? then get it all at once...

Buying private or from trademe? Then get a black helmet 1st, which goes with just about anything. Don't ever get a 2nd-hand helmet. So buy helmet, then bike, then gear to suit bike.

The shop might give you a discount if you tell them that's also where you bought your helmet...

On the other hand, you probably won't hang on to your first <250 bike for very long, so yeah, just whatever eh... Much more fun riding than shopping... for me anyway...

**firecracker** · 29th January 2009, 21:02

Cheers for the corker advice guys, I'm goin for the helmet, gloves, jacket option and then I'll get my wheels. Kinda lovin the ol cafe' rocker looking honda's from the 80's-early 90's. The CD250U for example. Figure this is a good first choice. Nice n reliable, slow and steady.

**carlosliu** · 29th January 2009, 23:21

My recent experience is like this:

buy a black HJC helmet and gloves from cycletreads
pass BHS test and get 6L
read posts on this forum, and decide which kind of bike to buy (VTR250 for me)
get one from trademe
start practicing on the quiet road around my home
head to motomail for more gears (happy with their summer sale, I got jacket, pant, boot and a tinted visor)
voila, ride ride ride ...

**Rob Taylor** · 30th January 2009, 07:09

Ok all good advice...But Buy LEATHER GLOVES AND JACKET not cordura...Let the battle begin

**TOTO** · 30th January 2009, 07:22

Armoured leather protects you best, while corduras are good for one time fall and still not as protective. Make sure you wearing all the gear when starting on a bike as the first 6 months you are most likely to fall off. Wear your gear always - it will save your ass. Dont be shy to spend 300 - 400 bux on a helmet to preotect your head - thats a nice middle range helmet.

so yea - gear first, bike second.

**YAMASAKI** · 30th January 2009, 09:28

Originally Posted by Rob Taylor

Ok all good advice...But Buy LEATHER GLOVES AND JACKET not cordura...Let the battle begin

+1 for leather. they'll last you a lot longer and are worth the little bit extra.
and get some boots, they don't HAVE to be bike boots (although they are best) but make sure they're high enough to give you good ankle protection.

I'd go for something other than a black helmet. Black blends in with the background which isn't a particularly good thing.

**ManDownUnder** · 30th January 2009, 09:36

If buying from a shop ask them to include a helmet and gloves on the purchase, then negotiate on price. They have better margin on those items (therefore give bigger discounts on the overall purchase).

As for gear to get first, helmet, gloves and jacket. Leather shoes at the very least, boots ideally then bike pants.

Helmet don't have to be the $800 ones unless you're planning to rider really fast and your head needs the absolute best. An average helmet will do just as well as an expensive one in a medium speed off. Most important it the fit of the helmet. Must be good.