crazyrussian
03-20-2006, 07:58 PM
Ok, first off: most of these things have been said on barf many times, and that's how I got them. I'm just trying to consolidate things, because I found the info here invaluable in getting me riding safely.
So, here's my story, hope it helps someone make some decent choices.
The first thing I did was take the MSF. I've never been on a motorcycle before that.
The MSF was incredibly useful, I know some say that it's too basic, but for a total noob like me, it was perfect.
Second, I listened to my MSF coach and barf people, and bought full gear (leather jacket, leather pants, boots, helmet, gloves) first. I looked for gear with CE approved armor, but looked for the cheaper not-so-flashy stuff, since I don't have massive amounts of cash. I ended up with a scorpion EXO-700, tourmaster cortech coaster jacket, torumaster decker pants, gaerne TX dry boots, a* SP3 gloves. Total cost of the gear was somewhere around 550, give or take.
Third, I went to look for a bike (yes, I had all the gear beforehand). My criteria were: a) used b)not too fast c) cheap. I didn't want anything that I'd cry over if it fell. I ended up getting a great deal on a 2001 GS500, $1650.
Fourth, . I took the bike, and continue taking the bike almost every weekend, to an empty parking lot and practice the MSF drills, as well as some things that I feel I need to practice. This is on top of commuting, and occasional twisties ride here and there.
Most importantly: I took virtually everyone's advice, and started implementing a "noone can see me" approach to my riding. I pretend that everyone out there is blind, deaf, and dumb (which seems to be the case anyway), and ride as defensively as possible.
I know that this doesn't "sound" like the most fun, but I've been having a blast. And I want to keep having a blast, which is why I've gone this route.
hope this helps with some newbie questions
So, here's my story, hope it helps someone make some decent choices.
The first thing I did was take the MSF. I've never been on a motorcycle before that.
The MSF was incredibly useful, I know some say that it's too basic, but for a total noob like me, it was perfect.
Second, I listened to my MSF coach and barf people, and bought full gear (leather jacket, leather pants, boots, helmet, gloves) first. I looked for gear with CE approved armor, but looked for the cheaper not-so-flashy stuff, since I don't have massive amounts of cash. I ended up with a scorpion EXO-700, tourmaster cortech coaster jacket, torumaster decker pants, gaerne TX dry boots, a* SP3 gloves. Total cost of the gear was somewhere around 550, give or take.
Third, I went to look for a bike (yes, I had all the gear beforehand). My criteria were: a) used b)not too fast c) cheap. I didn't want anything that I'd cry over if it fell. I ended up getting a great deal on a 2001 GS500, $1650.
Fourth, . I took the bike, and continue taking the bike almost every weekend, to an empty parking lot and practice the MSF drills, as well as some things that I feel I need to practice. This is on top of commuting, and occasional twisties ride here and there.
Most importantly: I took virtually everyone's advice, and started implementing a "noone can see me" approach to my riding. I pretend that everyone out there is blind, deaf, and dumb (which seems to be the case anyway), and ride as defensively as possible.
I know that this doesn't "sound" like the most fun, but I've been having a blast. And I want to keep having a blast, which is why I've gone this route.
hope this helps with some newbie questions