Thinking of getting a bike. What an how? [Archive]

Mini_Me

28-08-05, 09:40 PM

being in melbs, you are limited to a 250cc bike. That gives you the options of:

4cyl 250cc racer style ie honda CBR-RR, kawasaki ZX2R etc - sorta fast, but not much go below 10,000rpm
4cyl 250cc ie suzuki across, Kawasaki ZZR250 similar to above but cheaper and less powerful, more comfortable
2cyl 250cc 2 stroke ie aprilia RS250, suzuki RGV250. fastest, but maybe more running costs and more unreliable
2cyl 250cc 4 stroke twins - VT250, VTR250. dont need to be reved as hard as the 4cyl to get going. more comfortable riding positions
1cyl 250cc dirtbike - possibly slowest, but lightest weight make them superfast around corners when setup motard style. easist to work on, and manouverable around town. (i'm a bit biased tho :D)

at least 1k for gear. you can easily spend 2k+

That gives you an idea of the class of bike you might want. pick one, then someone can give more suggestions

dr_evil

28-08-05, 10:15 PM

2cyl 250cc 4 stroke twins - VT250, VTR250. dont need to be reved as hard as the 4cyl to get going (note, "going" is in no way anything remotely fast). more comfortable riding positions and about as slow as a zzr/equivalent

Fixed.

5"2?!?$!???!?! DUDE! Do you date girls that are taller or whats the go here? I'm interested in the mechanics!

Sorry. Umm, dont ride like a tool, you'll work out fine. Get something nippy, but dont get a 2 stroke, they're too nimble and light and twitchy for a learner/1st bike. I have a zx2r and its fast enough to scare girls on the back.

For gear you want gloves ($50 minimum), boots ($250 minimum), and a decent leather jacket ($400 minimum). That'll get you on your way, ride safe and have fun!

karl_2ltGC

29-08-05, 03:47 PM

Fixed.

5"2?!?$!???!?! DUDE! Do you date girls that are taller or whats the go here? I'm interested in the mechanics!

Sorry. Umm, dont ride like a tool, you'll work out fine. Get something nippy, but dont get a 2 stroke, they're too nimble and light and twitchy for a learner/1st bike. I have a zx2r and its fast enough to scare girls on the back.

For gear you want gloves ($50 minimum), boots ($250 minimum), and a decent leather jacket ($400 minimum). That'll get you on your way, ride safe and have fun!

No ive never had a girl that wasnt taller, and as for the mechanics, it dosnt matter when your horizontal if thats what you mean, think about it :)

mini-me - the first two categories i think are the go.
As for this comfort factor, how uncomfortable are is the first category gonna be? Could you ride for say an hour straight without needing a chiropracter?

karl_2ltGC

29-08-05, 04:46 PM

Have been looking around on trading post an some other sites, what the deal with older bike(88 for example) that are 2001 complianced? Are these grey imports? Should they be avoided?

Shifty

29-08-05, 07:08 PM

Don't listen too much to mini-me... the ZZR250 and GPX250 are actually parallel twins, not 4cyl :)

My pick is the GPX250. Can be had very cheap, are very reliable (even I couldn't break one) and are well suited to your stature. I am a bit taller at about 5'7" but was very comfortable on one. As a beginner the seat height will be your biggest difficulty, but over time you'll get used to it and will be able to ride almost anything. My girlfriend is about 5'5" and rides a TRX850 so there's hope for you yet, young whippersnapper :)

The ZZR250 is essentially the same bike mechanically, but with a few minor differences like brakes and they look a lot nicer - but I reckon a lot more pricy to fix if you drop it! Don't worry to much about looks because, particularly with your height, I guarantee you'll drop it parking one day. Not somethign be be ashamed of, it just happens and even people who've been riding 20 years do it now and then.

Get something relatively cheap, even something with very minor paint damage from an earlier drop would suit. Don't be concerned with what's faster or has better suspension or whatever, that's just a penis size thing and has absolutely no relevance as a beginner. With your weight any bike will feel like a rocket (it's a different sensation to a car... I have always had turbo cars and my 250 was still more than fast enough to live with) and learning to ride is all about cornering.

In a few words: it's the best thing you'll ever do.

Another good option for the vertically-challenged rider is the VT250(Spada)/CB250. The VT is probably my pick as I like the engine more, but the two are very similar and very, very compact with a low-as-you'll-get seat height.

Don't bother with an Across, it will feel too high and bulky, they're the biggest of the 250's I believe.

Two strokes.... good as a second bike, probably not as a first. Nothing inherently wrong but being able to go fast in a straight line before you can corner well is... dumb.

dr_evil

29-08-05, 07:12 PM

No ive never had a girl that wasnt taller, and as for the mechanics, it dosnt matter when your horizontal if thats what you mean, think about it :)

mini-me - the first two categories i think are the go.
As for this comfort factor, how uncomfortable are is the first category gonna be? Could you ride for say an hour straight without needing a chiropracter?

the only two times ive endured pain (wrist pain mind you, no back pain as long as you keep good posture) are when;

1) i took a chick on the back for a little over 300 km's, and after a while, instead of holding themselfs up on the tank, they get tired and just slump their weight on you, so when you brake and inertia wants to move you forward, you're holding their weight and yours, and after a really long really spirited ride, it fucking hurt.

2) heavy backpack on, i eat alot of food for lunch. well, actually, i just eat alot of food.

oh, and ontop of that, i've stiffened my suspension pretty much as hard as it'll go, you dont have to do that because you're light, so the ride will be alot more comfortable than mine.

Another good option for the vertically-challenged rider is the VT250(Spada)/CB250. The VT is probably my pick as I like the engine more, but the two are very similar and very, very compact with a low-as-you'll-get seat height.

vtr's are pretty damn similar to vts, only they're newer technology and cooler. if you're going to get one of these catagory karl, vtr man!

chino

29-08-05, 09:42 PM

the only two times ive endured pain (wrist pain mind you, no back pain as long as you keep good posture) are when;

1) i took a chick on the back for a little over 300 km's, and after a while, instead of holding themselfs up on the tank, they get tired and just slump their weight on you, so when you brake and inertia wants to move you forward, you're holding their weight and yours, and after a really long really spirited ride, it fucking hurt.

2) heavy backpack on, i eat alot of food for lunch. well, actually, i just eat alot of food.

dr_evil,

With your pillion you need to teach them to support themselves, not rely on you. What I mean by this is when they sit on the back, get them to put their weight onto the pillion pegs, putting their weight forward - they can even sit with their palms flat on their knees/legs. Thats going to take a shitload of weight off you when you are just cruising around, doing reasonable speed cornering and so on. Under acceleration they shouldn't need to do anymore than lightly hold onto your sides - not bear hug you to death. Thats only needed under heavy acceleration... :D After a little time cruising round they will pick up on how to counter acceleration and relax a heap more.

I pillion a female friend of mine on my bike (by far and away one of the worst bikes to pillion on) and neither of us have any problems with comfort because I taught her early to take it easy and just go with the bike. Infact the only time I get a rib crusher is under hard acceleration... :cool:

Difficult to explain but give that a go bloke...

/end pillion 101. :p

dr_evil

29-08-05, 09:56 PM

dr_evil,

With your pillion you need to teach them to support themselves, not rely on you. What I mean by this is when they sit on the back, get them to put their weight onto the pillion pegs, putting their weight forward - they can even sit with their palms flat on their knees/legs. Thats going to take a shitload of weight off you when you are just cruising around, doing reasonable speed cornering and so on. Under acceleration they shouldn't need to do anymore than lightly hold onto your sides - not bear hug you to death. Thats only needed under heavy acceleration... :D After a little time cruising round they will pick up on how to counter acceleration and relax a heap more.

I pillion a female friend of mine on my bike (by far and away one of the worst bikes to pillion on) and neither of us have any problems with comfort because I taught her early to take it easy and just go with the bike. Infact the only time I get a rib crusher is under hard acceleration... :cool:

Difficult to explain but give that a go bloke...

/end pillion 101. :p

keep in mind this was a country cruise going where the average speed was ~160kph, heavy acceleration was frequented. that being said, i was referring to hard braking, you cant stop yourself leaning forward with your hands on your knees, or your feet firmly on the pillion pegs, you really need something to push back against. that being said, she was using the tank, got tired, and pushed into me whenever i was braking, hence killing my triceps and wrists

chino

29-08-05, 10:08 PM

keep in mind this was a country cruise going where the average speed was ~160kph, heavy acceleration was frequented. that being said, i was referring to hard braking, you cant stop yourself leaning forward with your hands on your knees, or your feet firmly on the pillion pegs, you really need something to push back against. that being said, she was using the tank, got tired, and pushed into me whenever i was braking, hence killing my triceps and wrists

Heavy acceleration on your ZXR with a pillion eh... ;)

Nah seriously, in the days before I got my licence I could pillion for hours on end without anything more than a dead ass. You just have to hold yourself up using some self discipline. Pushing against the rider is bad... for them and for you.

dr_evil

29-08-05, 10:36 PM

Heavy acceleration on your ZXR with a pillion eh... ;)

Nah seriously, in the days before I got my licence I could pillion for hours on end without anything more than a dead ass. You just have to hold yourself up using some self discipline. Pushing against the rider is bad... for them and for you.

As heavy as humanly possible anyway, and, you neednt tell me. My arms were fucking killing! Still, its the price I pay for having cute girls cuddle me all day long. :) Lifes hard sometimes.

dazza

29-08-05, 10:40 PM

You need to get an R1 to commute on 99 model is ideal... safety gear? Work shorts are all the safety gear you need

(I'm taking the piss)

chino

29-08-05, 10:51 PM

As heavy as humanly possible anyway, and, you neednt tell me. My arms were fucking killing! Still, its the price I pay for having cute girls cuddle me all day long. :) Lifes hard sometimes.

Wait till ya get something with a bit more stick - gave the bike a bit of a spanking off the some lights one night with aforementioned pillion (private rd of course) and the focker carried the front cleanly through 1st & 2nd. :D :D

dr_evil

29-08-05, 11:18 PM

Wait till ya get something with a bit more stick - gave the bike a bit of a spanking off the some lights one night with aforementioned pillion (private rd of course) and the focker carried the front cleanly through 1st & 2nd. :D :D

Yeah, although I own a zx2, I've had a bit of play on an 03 r1, a 04 and 05 zx636, a cb1300 and a duke 748. A 250 just never seems fast enough after that. :sad:

I'm upgrading to a gixx 750 in a few months. A few long, long months.

What do you ride btw bro?

Edit: Nevermind, augusta. Excuse my MV ignorance but thou or 750? I'm sure you'll be able to lift in higher gears than 2nd man! Although i was too chicken shit to try, my mate with the r1 can lift in 3rd without clutch

Thurston

29-08-05, 11:38 PM

Hey Karl,

Here's my two cents for what it's worth. I'm 31 years-old and started riding at age 20. It was the greatest decision I've ever made and I haven't owned a car since I was 24. And for those about to tell me it will all change once I'm married ... tied the knot last year and she loves being on the back. She won't LET ME sell the bike!!

When I decided to get my bike license I was aware, like everyone, that bikes are dangerous and so I decided to count all the "close calls" I had. After 10 years of riding my count is up to 23 with only one of these being an actual accident. These close calls have included mundane incidents like cars changing lanes on me and people pulling out in front of me at T intersections but there have also been 3 or 4 pretty serious mishaps ... like the time I was stuck behind some slower traffic on a 3 lane road. I was in the lane closest to the oncoming traffic and then decided to cut into the far left lane to get around everyone. I ducked behind a semi-trailer and popped out in the left lane under full throttle only to be confronted with a "Jim's Mowing" trailer parked about 5 metres up the road. To this day I have no idea how I squeezed between that trailer and the back wheels of the semi but if I hadn't you wouldn't be reading this.

The fact is motorbike riding IS more dangerous than driving a car because there's no seat belts, no airbags and no 3 feet of crumble zone between you and the telegraph poles. I know you're not afraid of dying, because none of us were at 21, but I've worked in North Shore Hospital and there's plenty of people in the Spinal and Brain Injuries Units who would tell you there's worse things than dying when you ride a motorbike. And it would have only taken one of my 23 close calls to go the other way and I might be in the bed beside them. Again, I'd like to emphasize that I ride every day, I don't even own a car, and I think that motorcycling is worth the risk. But you need to be aware of the dangers and make that decision for yourself.

Anyway, I know I'm going on like the old-fart that I am but, the main point of my story is that 19 out of my 23 close calls happened in my first 2 years of riding (and I promise this is the truth!!). Over time you get to see when people are about to change lanes or pull out in front of you, you learn to travel beside the driver's window and not next to the rear wheel, you learn to overcome the reflex of stomping on the rear brake whenever you're confronted with danger and you learn how to use the bike's power to accelerate away danger rather than into a Jim's mowing van!! And unfortunately you can't learn this stuff by reading the RTA handbook, or on a rider training weekend, or even tearing around on a ride day. You need to make mistakes on the road ... like we all did.

To be honest Karl, you're probably not going to follow my advice, because I wouldn't have followed this advice when I was 21, but I'd strongly urge you to go for something BORING (along the lines of a CB 250!!), learn how to survive on a bike and keep your fingers crossed that none of your 23 close calls go the wrong way. The truth is that all 250s are a waste of time, everybody knows it, and you'll want a bigger bike as soon as you're allowed ... I'd strongly suggest you stick around long enough to enjoy a GOOD bike!! The odds are that you'll be fine, but, during the early part of your career I think it's smart to lessen your chances as much as possible.

By the way, welcome aboard, always great to have more brethren on the road. And remember the golden rule ... "Shiny side UP!!"

chino

29-08-05, 11:41 PM

Yeah, although I own a zx2, I've had a bit of play on an 03 r1, a 04 and 05 zx636, a cb1300 and a duke 748. A 250 just never seems fast enough after that. :sad:

I'm upgrading to a gixx 750 in a few months. A few long, long months.

What do you ride btw bro?

Edit: Nevermind, augusta. Excuse my MV ignorance but thou or 750? I'm sure you'll be able to lift in higher gears than 2nd man! Although i was too chicken shit to try, my mate with the r1 can lift in 3rd without clutch

05 MV Agusta F4 1000. Yeah I'm sure it could, but never seem to get the time to ride it. :( One day I'll get out there and have a go though. :D

Do you use your bike for work/play or just play?

dr_evil

29-08-05, 11:46 PM

05 MV Agusta F4 1000. Yeah I'm sure it could, but never seem to get the time to ride it. :( One day I'll get out there and have a go though. :D

Do you use your bike for work/play or just play?

Unfortunately more work than play dude. :sad: I daily ride regardless of shit weather and my riding crews fallen apart, riding by yourself gets kinda boring so its mainly to work and back for me

EDIT: Didnt you used to have a cbr250? That's a big jump dude! Did you crap your pants riding it home or what?

chino

30-08-05, 12:03 AM

Too bad then - if it was for play I'd say fark the GSXR750... but anywho.

Yeah I had a CBR250RR, sold it, rode the Sprint ST I'm trying to sell for awhile to get used to big bike power, as well as riding heaps of other big bores (ie Duc 998, Aprilia RSVR , all the 04/05 litres, couple of 04 600's, Yamaha RoadWarrior, Kwaka VN1500, Husky 610... so on) before deciding that 1000cc was the way to go. No regrets, apart from loosing a few demerits here and there.

Make sure you look everywhere before deciding on the 750... one of the most fun bikes I've ever ridden was a Yamaha RoadWarrior with some really obnoxious Cobra pipes. haha :D

http://www.bsy.com/images/mcycle/RSWarrior1.jpg

dr_evil

30-08-05, 12:06 AM

Too bad then - if it was for play I'd say fark the GSXR750... but anywho.

Why so?

Edit:

Yeah, however until I'm old and grey the only kinda bike ill own are sports bikes, or maybe a sports tourer somewhere. I havent ridden a gsxr but it seems like its got the goods. I'm not quite sure I wanna jump on a thou, and the 750 has potential for 130rwhp, 600cc frame + weight, steering dampener, blah

chino

30-08-05, 12:18 AM

Both GSXR's (K4 750 & K5 1000) I've ridden felt bland and boring - fast yes, but there's nothing in it... a mates 02 R1 is more fun...

Maybe I'm just spoilt on the MV and expect too much now... :D

dr_evil

30-08-05, 08:27 AM

Both GSXR's (K4 750 & K5 1000) I've ridden felt bland and boring - fast yes, but there's nothing in it... a mates 02 R1 is more fun...

Maybe I'm just spoilt on the MV and expect too much now... :D

According to everything i've read, its sposed to be the other way round! Either way, I will be having a few good test rides before I make up my mind.

dazza

30-08-05, 09:02 AM

Both GSXR's (K4 750 & K5 1000) I've ridden felt bland and boring - fast yes, but there's nothing in it...

Bland and boring generally means you were going just as quick but doing it easier ;) Its just the speeds get very insane to make it fun

If you wanted excitement you'd have probably gone a motard

crx2gen

30-08-05, 09:26 AM

, you learn to overcome the reflex of stomping on the rear brake whenever you're confronted with danger

I didn't even need any danger! :D

My advice, with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight is to go out and buy full gear, and never ride without it on. If I'd been wearing riding boots I'd probably only have a fractured foot, if that.

Now I'm stuck on my back with a rather nasty skin graft - I'll post a pic next time the nurses change the dressing as a 'gentle' reminder ;)

chino

30-08-05, 11:21 AM

Bland and boring generally means you were going just as quick but doing it easier ;) Its just the speeds get very insane to make it fun

If you wanted excitement you'd have probably gone a motard

Nah bloke I've got the most exciting bike out there. :D Seriously though, compared to the MV, a GSXR front end feels dead, offers reduced feedback and is real one size fits all. With the MV, you can feel everything going on below you - from rough roads to subtle changes in road surface. Sounds uncomfortable, but it ain't - the bike is just talking to you. If you ever ride one you will understand.

Oh yeah - its faster than a K5 to boot. :cool: :p

dazza

30-08-05, 11:43 AM

Yeah the advantage of the MV (just like the aprilia's etc) they're built using the good stuff

You don't think feeling has a bit to do with suspension setup? ;)

chino

30-08-05, 11:52 AM

Like I said - If you ever ride one you will understand.

Suspension on my bike is stock settings apart from lowered 5mm at the back.

skankyjoe

30-08-05, 02:25 PM

Thurston that was a great read, i'm going to show that to my girlfriend. I really want a bike also, i've only ever ridden a trail bike once or twice so it'd be a few lessons at first but i think i should get the hang of it (i hope). Only problem is convincing the girlfriend, how did you guys do it?

At first she didn't want me to get one, then she went on a quad bikeing thing and loved it. Told me that she could understand why i wanted one then it was cool after that. Just recently though she's gone back onto the whole " You're going to get catapaulted off the bike and won't have any legs" spiel. I'm trying to show her some of the nice female leathers she can get :D

Anyway i've been looking at bike and been chatting to a mate and it seems that the kawazaki GPX250 or ZZR250 (same engine, but heavier and better looking). I'm about 6ft, 88kg (around that). Mate is a little taller and a little lighter and said it's the most comfortable bike he tried. I've been told to not skimp out on gear also, which i would never do. Decent leathers, helmet, gloves, boots, pants. (bout $1000-$1500 sound right?)

karl_2ltGC

30-08-05, 04:11 PM

Thurston, cheers for your wisdom :D
I can relate to your close counts all being in the first two year of your riding as my 4 wheeled driving record is very similair, musta spun/lost control of my little galant dozens of times in my first year or so, but its been atleast a year or two since my last spin in anything ive driven and that includes track days.

Definatly sounds like a gpx250 or similair for me. Seen them advertised from about $3k
What else is in the same category? Whats the story with buying from dealers?

At the moment the plan is
1. Get licence
2. Get the gear
3. Get a bike! :D

Vicko

30-08-05, 04:20 PM

Skanky, just my leathers were well over a grand.. so it depends on what you call skiming. Pretty sure we've done this to death but what the hey:

Starting off gear recommendation (minimum)
Helmet - $300-$500 - Whats your head worth?
Gortex Style Jacket - $300
Kevlar jeans $nfi.. remember this is Minimum!
Boots - $200
Gloves - $150

Then after 12 months if you're still loving it, buy some decent leathers for a grand or more.

mr_sikma

30-08-05, 09:15 PM

Im a short bloke, 5"2 an about 60kgs.

Sounds like you would suit a scooter ;)

Al-Ford

31-08-05, 12:46 PM

Edited

Shifty

31-08-05, 01:08 PM

Gear is definitely one of the most important aspects. My daily riding attire is:

Sidi Boots ($440)
Alpinestars Gloves ($200)
Alpinestars Jacket ($700)
Nitro Helmet ($300) + Iridium Visor ($40)

In addition to this I wear kevlar jeans about 80% of the time, wear a back protector quite often and am currently piggy-banking for a set of full leathers. On the rare occasion I'm not wearing my Sidi boots I am wearing a pair of high-cut leather boots which aren't armoured but at least provide good abrasion resistance and won't come off in an accident.

Normal jeans aren't much chop but at least they're better than shorts and provide some protection if you have a <60km/h stack and don't slide too much.

skankyjoe

31-08-05, 04:19 PM

So any advice on how to convince the mrs that riding a bike is a good idea? Told her about the fuel savings, and the gsr won't be getting used as much aka won't break or get as worn out.

aust_italian

31-08-05, 04:57 PM

genius, lets spend over a thousand dollars protecting my skin from road rash but lets spend 300 bucks on a cheapo helmet. spenmd over 500 bucks on your helmet and get the best possible grade of helmet you can get. jeans r fine for city riding also get a decent jacket for about 300 bucks, shoes are fine just make sure your laces are done up!
Gear is definitely one of the most important aspects. My daily riding attire is:

Sidi Boots ($440)
Alpinestars Gloves ($200)
Alpinestars Jacket ($700)
Nitro Helmet ($300) + Iridium Visor ($40)

In addition to this I wear kevlar jeans about 80% of the time, wear a back protector quite often and am currently piggy-banking for a set of full leathers. On the rare occasion I'm not wearing my Sidi boots I am wearing a pair of high-cut leather boots which aren't armoured but at least provide good abrasion resistance and won't come off in an accident.

Normal jeans aren't much chop but at least they're better than shorts and provide some protection if you have a <60km/h stack and don't slide too much.

Tripper

31-08-05, 05:24 PM

Depending on how far im riding depends on what i wear,
a 5 min ride to the shops to get smokes is shoes and helmet.
1 20 min ride i would wear the jeans jacket helmet and gloves perhaps the boots depending on how much walking ill be doing
on a long ride ill get the 2 piece leathers with inserts helmet gloves boots

dazza

31-08-05, 06:10 PM

genius, lets spend over a thousand dollars protecting my skin from road rash but lets spend 300 bucks on a cheapo helmet. spenmd over 500 bucks on your helmet and get the best possible grade of helmet you can get. jeans r fine for city riding also get a decent jacket for about 300 bucks, shoes are fine just make sure your laces are done up!

good call buddy :lol:

I have a question for you mr italian... If you have a crash whats the most likely thing you are going to damage?

Whats the chance that you are actually goign to hit your head on something?

Then once more whats the chance that you are then going to have an accident bad enough to make an advantage of having an expensive helmet over a cheap one?

I'll tell you the funniest part about hero's going around without gloves on but yet wear helmets etc is that when you come down off a bike the first thing you instinctively put down is your hands to break your fall

and chances are whats gonna hit the ground after that is goign to take all the skin off your legs probably followed by your arse

But luckily for you you'l have an expensive helmet that will protect your head incase the collision your head makes if fractionally harder impacts... As for those Nitro helmets from what I've read they offer far superiour quality/construction compared to other cheaper helmets

Mini_Me

31-08-05, 08:04 PM

not that i would condone not getting a good helmet, i think about less than 5% of my crashes on dirtbikes i would have hit my head. maybe less

chino

31-08-05, 08:22 PM

dazza

31-08-05, 10:49 PM

Apposed to wearing thongs/shoes or nothing at all?

banshee

31-08-05, 11:21 PM

I can testify that jeans dont mean shit, i came off at 70, slid for about 40meters and the jeans tore straight away, leaving me with nasty gravey rash.

Yes better than shorts... but dont count on it not leaving perminate marks/pain, massive pain from road dirt and raw skin mixing.

Vicko

01-09-05, 09:47 PM

*cue mastercard voiceover:
Cheap pair of leather boots that will protect your skin and ankles - $100

Decent pair with reinforced armour that is much safer - $250

Falling over because you cant put your foot down at a set of lights because you're stupid enough to be wearing lace up shoes and your laces have got tangled around your gear/brake lever - priceless.

For gods sake people - anyone who thinks regular jeans will do *anything* if you come off is ab-so-fukking deluded. The only difference from being naked is that jeans may leave you with material burnt/embedded in your skin. Same goes for wearing shoes.

GET DECENT BLOODY GEAR!

I tested mine out again on the weekend at Phillip Island. 3rd gear low side, probably doing 90-100ks. I have a sore shoulder/upper arm. Thats it.

Sure its not hugely likely that you'll fall off on the road if you can ride reasonably well and can read traffic well, or that if you do fall off you'll hurt your <insert body part you think you can get away with not protecting>. But it only has to happen once..
Makes me shudder to think that some people are happy to advise newcomers to ride around un-protected. Wake up to yourself.

We had a guy in our pits at the weekend who high sided and was air lifted to hospital - his injuries included:
A broken shoulder
A dislocated shoulder
3 broken ribs
A punctured left lung
A deflated right lung
Lacerations to his hand

He was wearing good gear. And he didn't run into any roadside furniture like kerbs/cars/trees/whatever. And if you think it only happens at high speed think again. I was knocked off my racebike earlier this year at about 20 ks- highsided, flipped, landed on my elbow, broke my collarbone bad enough that it needed to be plated and cracked 5 ribs with it.

If this comes as a reality check to some people - good.

That said I love bikes. I love riding and wouldn't give it up for the world. Just take your precautions when you get out there.

On the road I wear: (not saying you should invest this much at first but at least consider what you are putting at risk)

Helmet - $500
Boots and Gloves - $500 (both with serious reinforced armour)
Back Protector - $250 (you can get cheaper)
2 piece leathers - $1,200

And I wear it *every* time I ride. Sure its a pain in the arse sometimes. Sure I get sweaty when its hot. But I love my wife/parents/freinds and dont want to unecessarily put them through something if I can help it in any way.

Shifty

03-09-05, 03:41 PM

Haven't read this thread for a while, thanks for defending my post. My thinking was exactly as other people posted - in most minor/moderate accidents you won't hit your head at all, and if you do then it won't be hard enough that a $1200 helmet will do anything more than a $300 helmet would.

When you fall you instinctively protect your head by putting out your hands, rolling on your elbows/shoulders, putting out your feet, etc. Gear like armoured jackets, quality gloves and quality boots make all the difference in these accidents. Sure, if you have the money to blow on a $1200 helmet then good on you, and you'll probably have more protection because of it... but I'd sooner spend $300 on a helmet and $900 on gear than ride around in a flash helmet and a pair of DT's.

(edit to add: )

Remember we're talking about a learner here, they're not going to go out and spend $3000 on gear straight off the bat, otherwise noone would ever start riding. Riding is all about calculated risks, so is the advice I gave on buying gear.

I wear a back protector on the road too - about the only time I don't is the 5 minute 20km/h peak hour crawl from my driveway.

dazza

04-09-05, 01:20 AM

if you do then it won't be hard enough that a $1200 helmet will do anything more than a $300 helmet would.

I think thats what I was trying to get at just trying to be more of a prick in saying it :cool:

out_in_front

06-09-05, 10:29 PM

dr_evil

06-09-05, 10:35 PM

Am I right in saying that there are some bikes up to 400cc, including a Honda VFR400 and and a a particular Ducati that are eligible to be ridden on your probationary period? I think there are also some off-road bikes that fall into the category too, maybe an XR400.

If you're in WA, no. Some states allow certain bikes on a more "power to weight" oriented scheme, WA however, is 250cc capacity only (which is stupid, i think a cbr400 or vfr would be much more enjoyable and still easy enough to learn on).

KDog

07-09-05, 09:26 AM

Can anybody show me any test data which conclusively states that a more expensive helmet is better than a cheaper helmet?
Lat time I checked they only tested for the Australian standard not anything beyond.
How can you tell what helmet offers better protection? Anyone who answers with a dollar value can no longer particpate in this thread.

The Pupat

07-09-05, 10:26 AM

Helmets have an international (at least I think it is) rating called the SNELL standard also. I've heard the Aust Standard is very lax compared to SNELL, so you'd be better off getting something with a good SNELL standard but then I also agree with Shifty about protecting the bits that hit the road first. But then I also don't ride a bike and don't have a licence.

KDog

07-09-05, 02:39 PM

Yeah sure but the snell standard is somewhat unrealistic. ie I would rather have a softer helmet than one that is harder and meets snell requirements.
I am after research results - not a standard which is used as advertising and price hike reasons.

Mini_Me

07-09-05, 02:50 PM

helmets are also more expensive if they are made lighter too, and out of more exotic material

banshee

07-09-05, 03:48 PM

The Pupat - I suggest you read the findings in the other thread on SNELL, it is not the be all and end all of Helmet standards. :)

skankyjoe

07-09-05, 05:21 PM

Looks like i won't be getting a bike :( Girlfriend isn't stopping me (sort of), just putting the guilt thing on me about getting killed and so forth and so on. So instead me and a mate are looking into importing an evo 1-3 for racing at sprints and stuff. Go halvsies.....mrs seems to think it's going to be less dangerous. She suggested golf though....what's that got to do with cars or bikes? :D

chino

07-09-05, 06:31 PM

Time to trade in the girlfriend? :p

karl_2ltGC

07-09-05, 09:09 PM

Definatly time to "trade up".

Anywho i am looking to book into one of them licence centres very soon, What sorta dollar do they usually charge to go through the course an get your L's?

karl_2ltGC

07-09-05, 09:27 PM

How do victorian RWC for bikes work?

Mini_Me

07-09-05, 09:43 PM

$200+ for a one day course and L's test. same again to get your P's

Vicko

08-09-05, 08:50 AM

Karl - for a RWCert for your bike, take it to an approved tester and they'll sort it for you. If the bike is in good nic it should cost less than $100.
What sort of bike are you wanting to get done? (I can recommend some folks if you like)

karl_2ltGC

08-09-05, 06:00 PM

Looking seriously at a gpx 250.
Are there many bike road worthy places?

Vicko

09-09-05, 08:44 AM

Yeah plenty around. Most of them are dealers / workshops.

Shifty

13-09-05, 08:10 AM

Out of interest I had an off at about 80km/h on the weekend. Apart from hobbling on a sore ankle for a day or two, and some minor friction burns on my knees, I am completely fine.

I was wearing my boots (they copped a hiding), jacket, back protector, draggin jeans (which also took a hiding as I slid on my knee) and my cheap helmet.

Vicko

13-09-05, 10:21 AM

Glad to hear you're ok Shifty - what happened?

Shifty

13-09-05, 01:16 PM

So anyway, my girlfriend and I had stayed at my father's place in Maroochydore on Friday night. A relatively quiet night with dinner and a quick drink, then up early in the morning, keen for a ride.

I was going to lead but we decided that, as she knew the area better than I did, she would go in front. We rode down Maroochydore Road, across the Bruce Highway and then continued along in the 90 zone to Woombye.

As she was leading, she chose the right wheel track, and I followed in the left wheel track. As the Palmwoods exit came up on the left, she dropped off the throttle a little and slowed a few km/h, but then picked up the throttle again as if she had decided not to take it... then suddenly braked and swerved across right in front of me to take the exit!

Unfortunately my best mate Mr. Survival Reflex kicked in and instead of harmlessly sailing past the exit I saw the bike coming right across into my path and grabbed a handful of front while swerving out of the way... needless to say the front locked up and that was that! Went down fairly hard with a few bruises here and there, luckily I was wearing good gear which took the brunt of it. Gloves are a throwaway, my Sidi boots are worse for wear in a number of places, the draggins have a good battle scar and my ever-resilient jacket only a few small marks despite landing flat on my back (hooray for back protectors, no soreness at all!).

Luckily for me the accident happened on a completely flat piece of road so I didn't bite the scenery, just the road, and after that thirty second I'm-full-of-adrenaline-and-can't-move I got up to survey the damage.

Once she was out of my path she accelerated up the offramp not knowing what had happened, then once she put some distance between us she realised what happened and slowed right down to stop for me.... then went arse over at about 30km/h when it took her wheels out from under her.

We're both OK and her bike will live to fight again another day so I think I'll leave it at that... let's just say that she decided it was all my fault and I owe her a year's worth of roses and candlelight dinners.

Mine.. not sure at this stage but I'm hoping it will be a writeoff so I can make good use of my first ever insurance claim.

bahaimus

13-09-05, 01:51 PM

Given that neither of you were seriously harmed, I'd have to say that that is quite a funny story! :D

Shifty

13-09-05, 01:53 PM

It will be funny once her bike is repaired and my sex life resumes where it left off.

bahaimus

13-09-05, 02:04 PM

So if she claims on her insurance for her bike and you claim for your bike on hers and it comes time for the insurance companies to apportion blame and for one of you to cough up an excess, how is that going to work ;) (Sounds like your gonna be screwed there too)

edo

13-09-05, 04:19 PM

I am way more amazed that shifty has a girlfriend than I am that he dropped the bike again.:)
Pics of GF?

Vicko

13-09-05, 06:36 PM

Edo - you forgot.. 'or ban'

Shifty

14-09-05, 07:55 AM

To save the argument the official story is that I failed to see her. There's no point having it put down as partial fault or we'll both have to pay the excess and we'll both lose a rating.

edo - I have a pic of her on the bike from a trackday last week? Best I can manage :)

http://www.bike-photos.com/config/databases/2005/05CH_QRsep03/CRD-QR-030905_0575.JPG

karl_2ltGC

14-09-05, 05:17 PM

Good to hear your ok shifty.
Any who i am booked in for bike licence training/test day in about 3 weeks.

I reckon the gpx250 will be the weapon of choice, had a look at cbr250/zx2r an zzr250 an the gpx seems heaps smaller. Though vtr honda looks good too.

dr_evil

14-09-05, 07:44 PM

Plus 400 kays to a 14l tank (or thereabouts) isnt bad with todays fuel prices eh!

The Property Guru

14-09-05, 11:12 PM

dr_evil

14-09-05, 11:15 PM

I just got myself a GPX250 about 3 weeks ago, and the mechanic quoted me 15km/L, which assuming is a 15L tank makes it 225km per tank. Is this right????? My 1.5L Honda Jazz does about this........

I hope I am wrong!!

You have to consider how much bikes rev, and how much a lil motor would have to pull to pull along bike+rider+whatever else. Not all bikes get good fuel economy, i get 220~240 kays to a 17l tank, thats not that great. Especially considering im on a little bike. And you have a jazz man. They're like the pinacle of petrol economy cars!

THAT SAID, my friend with a zzr says she gets 300-400 kays depending on riding style, and zzrs are same motor/slightly heavier frame version of the gpx