New rider needs advice.

[StatX]

Saw a realy nice helmet at cycletreads the other day cant remember the brand but it was a filp top with built in sun visor.... $195.
Not bad at all

Got me a shiny, black Zeus $189 I think it was. Had a leather jacket for a while, found it in the shed a couple of years back, just been wearing it as a jacket, so that did me

I kept getting pretty much the same advice - Helmet, Gloves, Jacket, Boots, Pants...

With the helmet, you don't have to pay mega bucks for good protection, just do some research into what you're buying

My two cents,

- S

[Racin Jason]

Make sure you get armoured gear, the armour makes the world of differance between "owies" and finding out what color your bones are.

Absolutely good advice, and if you get into real serious sport riding get some leathers and a back protector. I see people riding scooters and small bikes with shorts and T- shirts all the time! No Gloves! It only takes one fall and you'd never ride like that again!
Funny how they think because they are on a small bike the crash will be less serious???

Anyhow not trying to put you off but you feel so much safer and more confindent when you're wearing good gear.

[firecracker]

Why don't I see many riders with white helmets? Aren't they a good option in terms of being seen by other road users?

[Fatt Max]

Got my bike, jacket, gloves and lid all at once from a dealer.

Managed to score a major deal on the price of the gear, they threw the 'On Road' costs in and I got a few little 'freebies' chucked in.

Good luck to you mate and whatever you do....enjoy every minute of it!!

[caseye]

Damn fine advice that Fatt Max, what he said mate enjoy the riding and with good gear you won't go wrong.
White helmets? don't know never appealed to me.

[Pegasus]

As a passenger for many years, I already had most of the stuff, and slowly upgraded to better fit & quality. Then I found when I got the bike, they didn't have much room to move on the price, "but could do me a deal on gear". At least they threw in On road costs.

What ever you get to start with, you will want to upgrade after a while.

Then again I am a Addicted to shopping.

[Usarka]

There's a good article somewhere that the less expensive DOT standard helmets may be better in a crash than the more expensive SNELL rated ones. The most important thing is buy what is comfortable - nothing wrong with a $180 comfortable lid or a $900 comfortable lid.

I'll bite Mr Taylor et al - cordura vs leather is horses for courses. Commuting in all sorts of shite weather? Then cordura is grand. Whatever you buy check the quality of the stitching and # of panels to see how it'll stand up sliding on tarmac. Again, get what is comfortable for you.

[Geeman]

I got my licence and spent my restricted time on a CD250u - you could do a lot worse...

[firecracker]

How did you find your bike mate? (as in was it a wee cracker?) There's just something about the shape of those older hondas' that spins my little wheels. What year?

[awayatc]

you will likely change bikes a few times,
but good gear will outlast your bike....
You don't need a bike...
You want one,
so don't skimp on the goodies
You will regret it...

[90s]

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

You should have read the many threads on helmet testing. In terms of protection nearly all helmets do about the same - with fit being more important than the helment - and many *cheap* helmets outperforming the "leading" brands.

Having said that what you get for your money is real - comfort, lower wind noise, lower weight etc.

Any Dot or Snell helmet will protect you if it is a good fit - so go for comfort etc rather than name. And the only non-complying helments you'll find in NZ are some dodgy TM imports - best not take the chance eh?

[90s]

Make sure you get armoured gear, the armour makes the world of differance between "owies" and finding out what color your bones are.

Good advice from the master - and the reasonable start armoured cordura with built in back-pad, shoulder & elbows (teknics, dryride, rjays etc) is all good stuff that will do the job.

For any jacket you try in a shop or private sale ideally sit on the bike with the jacket and your helment on to see how it fits and if it obstructs your head-turning etc. At least try the jacket with your helmet on.