New bike and rider: brave new world

[Dirty Heathen]

don't think i'd buy a new hyo - you'd lose too much just driving out of the dealership. theres a few other full size 250's that fit the budget of around 4k. i'm 6'2" and around 115kg and i sat on a hornet, bandit, xelvis, vtr250. everything else i found too small. bandit and hornet were the most comfy but i went with the bandit as it was about a grand cheaper. Got my kit from 1tonne and it's awesome and at a good price - 700 all up. 3800 for the bike.

yer at this stage I am looking at spending maybe $5500 I have set a max budget for $1500 on gear I may spend less but i want to get good gear.

So from there is just lots of test rides I guess I have found a lot of pretty good bikes for around $4000 an most people wanting any higher would drop when you turn up with a fist full of cash.

The local bike shop as got quite a few raid shoei on special down from $750 to $500 so looking them or a shark really don't want to skim when it comes to a helmet.

other then what I have found and want
jacket $300
pants $200-$400
Gloves$90
Boots $300
helmet$500- 600

[Mumbles]

Attached a pic of me looking cool. Feel free to print it out and pin it up in your office.

Done!
And man Its the most talked about thing on it!

Nice post and southpark ref ....

Your on the right track.... but looking where you want to go is key! bike will follow you.

[Qkchk:Me]

I have set a max budget for $1500 on gear I may spend less but i want to get good gear.

The local bike shop as got quite a few raid shoei on special down from $750 to $500 so looking them or a shark really don't want to skim when it comes to a helmet.

It's extremely important to spend the $$'s on gear as it's either your skin shaved off on the road or suitable motorcycle wear that will save that skin. Just think of the road surface as a cheese grater...... Unfortunately motorcycling is a dangerous sport and it's not a matter of 'if' but 'when' you have an intimate session with the blacktop. It doesn't have to be gold dipped, just to a good standard. Try to buy the best stuff you can afford at the time. (Just like tyres and helmets!) Good to see you are being responsible!

Depending on your head shape, if you are comfortable wearing either of those helmets (no pressure points, sore ears etc) I would highly recommend the Shoei. I have two of them (Orginal Raid and a Raid II) and with a whisper kit fitted (about an extra $65) these helmets are very quiet and comfortable. I also own a Arai Condor and both my Shoeis' leave it for dead. I assume the price is for a Raid II as the dealers are moving 2009 stock to make way for 2010 stuff... If you can afford to get a pinlock visor kit they are the bees knees - no move fogging!

[Dirty Heathen]

It's extremely important to spend the $$'s on gear as it's either your skin shaved off on the road or suitable motorcycle wear that will save that skin. Just think of the road surface as a cheese grater...... Unfortunately motorcycling is a dangerous sport and it's not a matter of 'if' but 'when' you have an intimate session with the blacktop. It doesn't have to be gold dipped, just to a good standard. Try to buy the best stuff you can afford at the time. (Just like tyres and helmets!) Good to see you are being responsible!

Depending on your head shape, if you are comfortable wearing either of those helmets (no pressure points, sore ears etc) I would highly recommend the Shoei. I have two of them (Orginal Raid and a Raid II) and with a whisper kit fitted (about an extra $65) these helmets are very quiet and comfortable. I also own a Arai Condor and both my Shoeis' leave it for dead. I assume the price is for a Raid II as the dealers are moving 2009 stock to make way for 2010 stuff... If you can afford to get a pinlock visor kit they are the bees knees - no move fogging!

Thanks yer I am not going to skimp on gear yer there the last of the 09 raid II they have in stock so save me a bit of cash with them on special.

I have seen 3 people on the weekend in town riding around in the shorts and t shirt makes me cringe one of them was a on a 900 duc monster he looked like he was about 17 as well board shorts t shirt and trainers but at least had gloves on I guess .

[howdamnhard]

Glad you got your "stolen bike " saga sorted out. Welcome to biking , it's great isn't it? Take your time and enjoy. You will soon be up to speed.
Good to see you have the correct gear and the right attitude. Gleen as much knowledge as you can and practice. NASS and Ride Right Ride Safe are both good .

[Qkchk:Me]

I have seen 3 people on the weekend in town riding around in the shorts and t shirt makes me cringe one of them was a on a 900 duc monster he looked like he was about 17 as well board shorts t shirt and trainers but at least had gloves on I guess .

Yes it annoys the crap outta me. These guys will only add fire to the ACC levy debacle.... If the govt gets its way with the increased prices, these guys will be getting a piece of my mind if I see em!

[sil3nt]

It's extremely important to spend the $$'s on gear

Sorry but i totally disagree here. Price is absolutely no indication on quality. I picked up all my gear for just under $700. Thats helmet gloves jacket pants and boots. You need to be smart when shopping. Most things have high prices because of the labels stitched onto them. However always look for peoples opinions on cheaper gear before buying! Some of the stuff on trademe does look rather dodgy.

[jakeaveres]

I have a zxr model c, I agree with you also. I had a kr150as a first bike (with power band) and going around the windy hills were a nightmare and after the first time I vowed to keep off them for a long time. I also agree with the whole relaxing the hands/arms and learning your bikes limits. But then again, if you can master a ZXR 250 you will be able to do great on a 400 EG: VFR400.

[jakeaveres]

I have a zxr model c, I agree with you also. I had a kr150as a first bike (with power band) and going around the windy hills were a nightmare and after the first time I vowed to keep off them for a long time. I also agree with the whole relaxing the hands/arms and learning your bikes limits. But then again, if you can master a ZXR 250 you will be able to do great on a 400 EG: VFR400.

[YellowDog]

So after the saga of choosing, buying and receiving my new (to me) bike I actually got the chance to ride this weekend. Super funtime. It's a 1990 ZXR250A and I absolutely love it.

Here's some things I found out quick
* You can smell a whole bunch more stuff when riding a bike compared to a car
* The condition of a lot of NZ roads is pretty poor. You just don't care (and therefore notice) that much in a car
* Going 100km/h feels a lot faster on a bike
* On the 'twisties' I can barely keep up with a toyota hilux.
* I've no idea how much grip I can get out of the bike, how much lean is safe etc. I don't know the bike's limits.
* Bikers sporting swastikas on their german WW2-style helmets are not to be trifled with (they don't like being called fags - damn SouthPark)
* Learning to relax the hands is an important skill to master.
* Roundabouts need to be practised
* Looking where you want to go is the key

I've read heaps of stuff on the forums about how to practice and I know where to find the info I need, it's going to be a fun, never ending cycle of improvement.

Attached a pic of me looking cool. Feel free to print it out and pin it up in your office.

Mate, you have heaps to learn about motorcycling.

Do yourself a big favour and get some training.

You are 10 times better than most noobs in that you are at least able to acknowledge that you don't know what's going on.

100kph is what you slow down to after managing to glance at the speedo.

[Grasshopperus]

Take your time and enjoy. You will soon be up to speed.
Good to see you have the correct gear and the right attitude. Gleen as much knowledge as you can and practice. NASS and Ride Right Ride Safe are both good .

Yep, I think I'm over that intial "ZOMG weeeee!! I'm riding!" phase and am now spending time doing figure 8's, slaloms, emergency braking and all the other basics that need to be practised.
I'd like to get up to NASS but it's on the other side of the harbour bridge and I can't even go on the motorway (not at the learner license speed limit anyway)

Mate, you have heaps to learn about motorcycling.
Do yourself a big favour and get some training.
You are 10 times better than most noobs in that you are at least able to acknowledge that you don't know what's going on.
100kph is what you slow down to after managing to glance at the speedo.

Sure thing YellowDog, I'm going to get me some training somewhere in my local area. RiderSkills run a BHS test in Puke so hopefully they also run some other courses out here too.
100kph is what I see before dropping nuts whilst almost being blown off my bike. Heh, I've only got up to that speed a couple of times so far.

Thanks for all of your advice peeps.

[howdamnhard]

Yep, I think I'm over that intial "ZOMG weeeee!! I'm riding!" phase and am now spending time doing figure 8's, slaloms, emergency braking and all the other basics that need to be practised.
I'd like to get up to NASS but it's on the other side of the harbour bridge and I can't even go on the motorway (not at the learner license speed limit anyway)

Those are all good things to practice. Depending where you are NASS is a little out of the way. If your out East or South there are plenty of nice country roads to ride on. When I'm off on a weekend again I'll organise a learner friendly ride.

[1tonne]

yer at this stage I am looking at spending maybe $5500 I have set a max budget for $1500 on gear I may spend less but i want to get good gear.

So from there is just lots of test rides I guess I have found a lot of pretty good bikes for around $4000 an most people wanting any higher would drop when you turn up with a fist full of cash.

The local bike shop as got quite a few raid shoei on special down from $750 to $500 so looking them or a shark really don't want to skim when it comes to a helmet.

other then what I have found and want
jacket $300
pants $200-$400
Gloves$90
Boots $300
helmet$500- 600

Check out our leather suits. These are awesome.
http://www.1tonne.co.nz/index.php?pa...s&categoryid=4
There is also a lot of other awesome stuff on there.

[ReigN]

Yo homez, next time you in central just give us a holla and go for a blat, I'm still on the learner steez too! Churrr Bo!

[BaldingEagle]

The local bike shop as got quite a few raid shoei on special down from $750 to $500 so looking them or a shark really don't want to skim when it comes to a helmet.

Hey man

Red baron city got a special for Shoei xr1000 for $495

http://www.redbaron.co.nz/specials.asp

It the model up but same price.
Mt Eden cycles was doing the Raid $450ish

Cycletrends on Barry point road is having a special on Shark helmets at the moment.

It all depends on what size you need as normal it only on items in stock.


Been looking for a helmet my self. So might save you a little bit of foot work.

Some Advice from my first tutor.
Don’t go overboard on first helmet, in a crash they are normal just as good as each other, thanks to the safety standards. What you’re paying more for is bells and whistles.
But more into the leathers and boots as they are normal what protect learners the most.

Now I don’t take anyone advice to serious, but it up to you as it your head.

Any good luck and hope to see you on the road soon.
Baldingeagle