I want to buy a street bike.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Regarding gear I really like the Joe Rocket Alter Ego gear...you can switch between full rain gear and full mesh for the hot summer heat pretty easily.

I can't imagine going out without armour...

[Mad Mel]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

Regarding gear I really like the Joe Rocket Alter Ego gear...you can switch between full rain gear and full mesh for the hot summer heat pretty easily.

I can't imagine going out without armour...

I have that jacket and pants, just replaced the jacket this weekend, in fact. It lasted ~70,000 km. It needs a new zipper but is otherwise still fine, so they last ok. It's decent gear, for sure. I just wanted a longer touring-style jacket with a longer rain liner for a little more rain protection, the short jackets will leak into your pants.

[3 Justin 3]

For Boots I am thinking something like these.

Helmet something like this, but obviously I need to try some on before purchasing one, I just like the looks of this one, and it's $100 off.

Again, gloves something like this.

For a jacket, I really don't like the coloured ones and was thinking something like one of these: this, this, or this.

[Mad Mel]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Again, gloves something like this.

My preference with gloves is the gauntlet-style ones, because I don't really like the wind or rain shooting up my arms. Most people like the short ones, but Calgary riding can be a bit chilly, so knocking the wind up over the cuff is nice. I retired a pair of these about a year ago, they survived ~60,000km before wearing through the palms. Gloves are one of those items that sometimes get overlooked because they're small and fairly cheap, but if you get a pair that don't fit really nicely or have a seam that's in an awkward place, they can be the most annoying piece of gear that you own. Definitely buy them in person, and try them out on handlebars and levers. Make sure that they have good protection on the heel of your hand, if they get called into action, that's the spot that will probably get ground. Similarly with jackets.... skid yourself around on the living room floor and pay attention to what the friction points are, and pick a jacket that protects those.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

For a jacket, I really don't like the coloured ones and was thinking something like one of these: this, this, or this.

That second outlaw jacket is badass! I need to find a leather jacket before I can take my course. But I don't have the money to throw down 300 for a jacket right now

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

That second outlaw jacket is badass! I need to find a leather jacket before I can take my course. But I don't have the money to throw down 300 for a jacket right now

I know right?

I'll be the only one riding around on an SV650 with a badass outlaw leather jacket. haha

My course starts in 2.5 hours but it is only classroom, going to get boots and gloves tomorrow for next week when I actually start driving.

[Olao32]

From experience, please do not get a 250, unless you are absolutely scared that you do not have the will power to not drive like a complete knob on the road. I started out on a Ninja-500, then upgraded to a Yamaha R6, then to an R1. The difference between all 3 bikes was night and day. Specifically between the 500 and the R6 as even though there is only 100cc difference, the R6 is such a different bike. However, from a learning perspective, let me tell you that you will get bored with the 250 and 500 within in the first few months and will be looking to upgrade.

I guess it depends on what you are going for, but if you do decide to go for a 500 or smaller, make sure you get a screaming deal as you will likely want to sell it when you get a bit more comfortable.

The 600 I found was actually one of my favourite bikes. Light enough to throw around in the twisties and the track, and when you need the power you can get up to the power-band and you are there. When I had the R6 I rode with two other guys who had an R1 and GSXR1000, and in a straight line they were faster, but I could outride them in the twisties.

Also, I am not part of the green-team (Kawi fan), but for the poster who's friend gave them advise against purchasing a Kawasaki because they were "slow", tell him he’s an idiot. If you look at all the big 600’s and 1000’s, each have their pros and cons, but at the end of the day they are very similar and the real difference will be the rider. If you want a sport style, in my opinion look into:

-Suzuki- GSXR600
-Yamaha- R6
-Kawasaki ZX6R
-Honda CBR 600RR

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I know right?

I'll be the only one riding around on an SV650 with a badass outlaw leather jacket. haha

My course starts in 2.5 hours but it is only classroom, going to get boots and gloves tomorrow for next week when I actually start driving.

How did your course go?

[3 Justin 3]

Good, it was fairly straight forward. It was a 2.5 hour lecture but he played like 8 videos and we had a 10 minute break. Really, if you read the motorcycle handbook that you pick up a registry then that is all they go over.

We start riding next week.

[Josh]

I'm a little late to this party. But I started out on a carburated CBR600 (which my wife now rides) and have moved up to a 600rr. I'm starting to now get the itch to get a 1000rr in the future.

Point being, definitely don't get a 125cc bike, find a used 600cc in good shape and ride it like an adult.

Last, be careful out there, I went on a ride on sunday and one of the guys in my group had a truck turn in front of him on his way home. He had to be lifeflighted out and is currently in the ICU. Fortunately he's going to live, but I don't know if he'll ever be the same again....

[WilsonFourTwo]

^^ If you speak to him, please let him know the community is rooting for him.

[Josh]

WilsonFourTwo,

Thanks, will do, the ride was organized on a local riders forum, so I hadn't met him until that day. There's a picture posted of me standing next to him during the pre-ride meeting (there were 20 riders) and its strange knowing that photo was taken just hours before his life had changed. The cruel irony is that he was the only rider in the group wearing an orange reflective vest, where other riders including myself had on black one piece leather suits.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Olao32

From experience, please do not get a 250, unless you are absolutely scared that you do not have the will power to not drive like a complete knob on the road. I started out on a Ninja-500, then upgraded to a Yamaha R6, then to an R1. The difference between all 3 bikes was night and day. Specifically between the 500 and the R6 as even though there is only 100cc difference, the R6 is such a different bike. However, from a learning perspective, let me tell you that you will get bored with the 250 and 500 within in the first few months and will be looking to upgrade.

I guess it depends on what you are going for, but if you do decide to go for a 500 or smaller, make sure you get a screaming deal as you will likely want to sell it when you get a bit more comfortable.

The 600 I found was actually one of my favourite bikes. Light enough to throw around in the twisties and the track, and when you need the power you can get up to the power-band and you are there. When I had the R6 I rode with two other guys who had an R1 and GSXR1000, and in a straight line they were faster, but I could outride them in the twisties.

Also, I am not part of the green-team (Kawi fan), but for the poster who's friend gave them advise against purchasing a Kawasaki because they were "slow", tell him he’s an idiot. If you look at all the big 600’s and 1000’s, each have their pros and cons, but at the end of the day they are very similar and the real difference will be the rider. If you want a sport style, in my opinion look into:

-Suzuki- GSXR600
-Yamaha- R6
-Kawasaki ZX6R
-Honda CBR 600RR

Yeah these are the four I am looking at except I have the sv650 in the list as well. Really looking hard at a couple R6's. They look awesome and I believe are the most powerful of the lot. There are a couple out there that I want to go see in person.

Just bought my helmet today. A HJC matte black for $377. Really like the look and feel of it. I'm a small though HAHA.

I'll buy my gloves online though, get a better price.

Excited for next week!! If CP ever has a motorcycle meet I'm definitely in.

[Josh]

The SV650 is an excellent street bike due to the good amount of torque the engine makes down in the lower RPM's. It's not a bike that you need to constantly wind out, nor is it one that you'll outgrow quickly.

That being said, a word of warning about SV650's, look over it for telltale signs that its been "wheelied" (blown fork seals, bad wheel bearings and steering stem bearings). While its generally not good for any bike to be wheelied, its especially bad on SV650's because of the location of the oil pickup in the pan. During a prolonged wheelie the engine can actually become starved for oil because it's all below the pickup. Obviously this leads to premature engine failure....

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Yeah these are the four I am looking at except I have the sv650 in the list as well. Really looking hard at a couple R6's. They look awesome and I believe are the most powerful of the lot. There are a couple out there that I want to go see in person.

Just bought my helmet today. A HJC matte black for $377. Really like the look and feel of it. I'm a small though HAHA.

I'll buy my gloves online though, get a better price.

Excited for next week!! If CP ever has a motorcycle meet I'm definitely in.

Were you buying it at Bow cycle at about 7:30 or 8:00?
I saw a guy buying a helmet just like that while I was wandering around the shop having a bit of a looky-loo

EDIT: Nevermind, after looking at the time you posted, I'm guessing you didn't post that you just bought your helmet 1.5 hrs before buying it.

[SHOGUN]

How much insurance do you guys pay for your sport bike?

[metallicat]

Just under 600 for the year.

[WilsonFourTwo]

My VFR800 is a sport-touring bike.....huge difference with insurance. $32.50/month.

Another reason I would suggest (to OP) the SV650/s. It doesn't get classified as a streetbike like the Gixxers, R1, R6, etc. It'll save you literally hundreds of dollars each year while you're increasing your experience and gear level (this is starting to sound like WoW.....)

[WilsonFourTwo]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Yeah these are the four I am looking at except I have the sv650 in the list as well. Really looking hard at a couple R6's. They look awesome and I believe are the most powerful of the lot. There are a couple out there that I want to go see in person.

This list (or versions of it) has been around for ages.

It'll be really helpful when sizing up used bikes, particularly if it's a private sale. Frankly, I wouldn't (privately) buy a bike without getting to ride it first. A good 15-minute / 20-km ride is a perfectly acceptable request, even if the owner wants to follow along in a car.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by Josh

WilsonFourTwo,

Thanks, will do, the ride was organized on a local riders forum, so I hadn't met him until that day. There's a picture posted of me standing next to him during the pre-ride meeting (there were 20 riders) and its strange knowing that photo was taken just hours before his life had changed. The cruel irony is that he was the only rider in the group wearing an orange reflective vest, where other riders including myself had on black one piece leather suits.

This is a good time to plug the headlight modulator upgrade...its a little device that makes your headlight flash and makes you more visible...kind of dorky but I think reducing the risk of getting run over is well worth $40