essential bike knowledge

[JustAFocus]

I figure that many people want to get a bike, and want to just jump on it, and ride.

Here are a few things that I tell people.....

1) Gear

Buy loads and always wear it !

Your skin is really easy to wear through when you fall off, at 30mph, on an average road, skin will last about 1.1/2 inches per layer - given that you have 6-9 layers, as soons as have slid maybe 14 inches, you are down to wearing out flesh, and bone.

Jeans last all of 6 inches at 30mph, the higher the speed, the shorter the distance they last, and the faster you wear out your skin and bone.

Your ankles are vulernable if you ride in sneakers, socks have very little abrasion resistion, and wear through faster than jeans. Walking without ankle bones, or with shaved ones, is extremely difficult.

Your head is easy to protect, you need a helmet.

German military style helmets offer no facial protection, even if you are extremely ugly, you will be worse off after your first face plant.

Chewing is tough with a broken jaw bone, or no teeth, and baby food sucks after the first couple of months.

Budget for a lot of gear
Boots - $150-$200
Jacket - $300-$400
Riding pants $200
Gloves $150
Helmet $200 - $600

Then there are things like adding CE armour, under-leathers for the summer, spare gloves for when you get you favorites wet, and maybe a 1-pice if you go to the track.

2) Training.

In the US you can take an MSF course, and many states accept successfull completing of the course as a license waver.

For what it costs ($free - $250) and the time it takes, its more than worth it. Do it yearly.

Now you are ready for your first bike.

First Bike

Ask yourself a few questions....

1) Did you "ace" the MSF course ?
2) Have you ridden dirt bikes since before you could walk ?
3) Are you Wayne Rainey ?
4) Did you "get your knee down" on the slalom test ?

If you answered yes, to all of them, maybe, just maybe, you are ready for a GSXR600/R6/CBR6/RX6R etc.

If not, and I doubt that many people can honestly answer all of those "yes", may I suggest another set of questions ?

1) Is Survival more important than style?

(If not, go by a GSXR1000)

2) Do you care about learning to ride ?

(If No - you are a squid - and beyond help)

3) Like the look of the SV650 ?

4) Do you mind if you drop your chosen bike a few times in the next two years ?

So, if you want to learn to ride, and you are not bothered about image, buy something that is not going to kill you as soon as you open the throttle.

My I suggest an EX250, EX500, GS500, SV650 ?

maintenance

Learn how to fix your bike, in general dealers will ass-rape you, especially if you come over as a clueless newbie all the time.

Essential home fixxors are....

Clean and lube the chain
Adjust the chain
change oil and filter
inspect and replace brake pads
Adjust bearings (head race)

For these jobs you need a good torque wrench, a selection of sockets, a couple of small 10mm and 12mm wrenches.

For the head bearings your bike came with a tool.

Front and rear stands are more than usefull.

Again - budget about $500 for tools, stands, manual etc.

Still want to own a bike ?

Good, lets talk about insurance.....

You need it, and if you are 16, trying to insure a GSXR1000, you had better hope that your daddy is rich. There is a reason that people under 25 find sports bikes tough to insure, and the reason is that they make a lot of claims, they are a high risk.

Set your sights on an older, slower, cheaper to insure/fix machine, and get full coverage.

Get a quote before you buy a bike, this way at least you will not be stuck with something that you cannot afford to insure.

Finally you are ready to hit the road, you have your bike, your gear, insurance, a license, and a clue (training).......

[mikecentola]

Again a great post. thanks ryan

[2fast4u]

Originally Posted by mikecentola

Again a great post. thanks ryan

X2 Some good info there. I did most before I started riding, and before I owned a bike, although I am still guilty of the jeans thing... I've been looking for something better, but havent found something I like yet. At least right know I am wearing thermals too (whats that get me, another 2 inches ??? ) Oh well, the rest of the gear I have.

And for those who are anti - helmet / anti gear, an interesting fact: If you are waiting for an organ transplant, it is easier to get an organ in the southeast for 2 reasons 1st) no motorcycle helmet laws and in a distant but worth mentioning 2nd) no/lax seatbelt laws/enforcement. Proven fact, your face is not as hard as the pavement.

[Schema]

Ouch, there are so many things you said I went against Ahhhwell. Responsibility pwns.

[mikecentola]

I still wear jeans most of the time when I ride...