New Rider

[Roadstergal]

IMHO, don't buy a helmet online.  I went through three before I found one that was just the right fit for me.  We all have differently shaped heads; go to a brick-and-mortar store that prices competitively, and get one from there.  Make sure it's Snell M2000 rated (a higher rating than DOT), full-faced, and fits you well.

That being said, the Daytona Vega Snell M2000 that fit me best was $80, on sale from $120, cheaper than the HJC and Bieffe helmets that it replaced; a helmet doesn't have to be expensive to work.

Save up for some pants and boots, too.

[conradvr]

Just saw your post.  I too grew up riding dirt bikes and a few years ago bought my 1st road bike (I was 29 years old).  I wanted something I could do some long tours on with a pillian plus the weekend visit to the mountains for a strap.  I ended up picking up a '96VFR750 which i found easy to ride given the bike's power delivery having plenty of low rev torque.  If you are commited to taking plenty professional rider training and more importantly can keep your head and righthand under control then a more powerful bike shouldn't be a problem (takes a lot of self control when you do have a bike under you that can fly).

Also a year ago both my wife and her friend decided to take up riding, my wife bought a GS500 and her friend a SV650S.  A few months later is was my wife who had progressed her riding the most, the GS was powerful enough to have fun and push her limits, whilst her friend was a bit scared of the SV's power.  And as people here had stated, in the twisties the GS can easily keep up with the larger bikes if ridden well (we ride with friends on 1lt sportbikes on the weekends).  When the VFR has been down I have taken the GS on some weekends and a few friends have admitted that when I close up on them in the tighter areas their egos are a bit hurt     Given my time again I would do the same as my wife and get a bike like the GS 1st and then upgrade.  With the VFR I did have a few scary moments in the 1st few months when I started to push it a little.

For gear, I will sing the same song as others, chose base on fit fit fit fit fit and if you are lucky fashion.

[Mk1inCali]

Come on Danny, just find a friggin' GS500 already, we can start a So. Cal GS club!!

:mrgreen:


Tony

[Daniely]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ told ya...hehe...im really thinkin about it Tony, ill hit you up tonight if you dont have class.

-Dan

[photog]

Yes, the helmet listed in the motorcyclecloseouts link is fine, and no, it's not used. Both newenough and motorcyclecloseouts sell new items. Newenough used to sell used clothing but they no longer do.  The only big used apparel place that I know of is motorcycleleatherexchange.com and like most outlets they don't sell used lids (liability issues up the wazoo).

Both KBC and HJC make nice lids. Just get a Snell lid that fits you properly. The replacement shields for KBC and HJC are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at darn near any m/c shop in the country. Also, it's nice to have a removeble liner especially if you ride a lot in the summertime or have oily skin or hair...they can get stanky and it's easier to wash 'em if you can remove 'em.

I do anywhere between 25K and 40K miles a year so I'm hard on helmets, using them for commuting during the week and play on the weekend. It's nice to have a lid that I can replace every 18 mos or so for $125 instead of wearing out the innards of a $400 lid and having to fart around with the replacement liner, etc. You do give up some features but both brands I've mentioned are quite decent.

[pantablo]

Well dan, you've gotten lots of good info so far so let me reiterate some and maybe add some.

If you've got some experience on bikes, particularly a bit on the street (how much exactly?) then the gs500 might seem small/slow to you and something like a sv650 or better yet a cbr600f2 or f3 would be better suited to your level. You couldnt go wrong with the gs500 as long as you keep in mind you're on it to [re]learn the streets and get better at riding technique. And that you'll be moving up in a year or less. If thats okay then the gs500 is an exceptionally good stepping stone to the bike you want...whatever that may be, instead of buying an intermediary that you dont want to keep long term.

the older gsxr's are actually [in  my opinion] worse bikes than the newest ones because the throttle is more touchy and the powerband more explosive above 7k rpm. And even under 7k some might say they're tame but only in relation to the upper rpm range, not to a gs500. I was just pondering this today as I rode my 600rr how even under 8k rpm, where it really takes off, its still leaps faster than the gs500 I had. I would suggest that an older fzr might be similar. if you want an older sportbike definitely look at the cbr600f2/f3 as they're really good first/second bikes. They have about as much or a bit more power than a current sv650.

Helmets-DEFINITELY try them on. I felt bad after the salesman helped me so much to not buy at the store. at the very least show them what you can pay for it online and see if they are willing to match or nearly match the price. I've done this with mixed results. If it fits right you shouldnt be wearing out the inner lining of the helmet. I was surprised how snug it fit new but within a month it had loosened up a bit and fit perfectly. Spend what you have to spend to get the right fit. Also keep in mind that the more expensive helmets usually use more than one size outer shell. Inexpensive helmets use one size outer and make it up with the inner cushioning to make up the different sizes. this difference means lots of things but it also means the helmet might be heavier and that the inner foam might break down more making it looser. the various helmet makers also all have slightly different shapes to them so one size Med might fit and another Med might hurt in spots.

Get the GS500 and ride it hard. I used to have a blast on it in the twisties and it was a great around town bike.

[Daniely]

Thanks again for all the info. Let me answer a few questions:

My experience on bikes at the moment ranges from dirt bikes and three wheelers that we have had our entire life. Ive ridden our Three wheelers, and my families dirtbikes on my uncles ranch ALOT as a kid. As for street riding, well that is basically, hey dad can i move your goldwing for you, or riding up and down the street on his bike.

I think i have decided to get a GS. Even if i do get bored quick, so be it, i need to learn. Ive decided on my off time with the bike to go to parking lots and practice maneuvers such as cornering and braking and everything i can. I have also signed up for the CHP motorcycle safety course, however its required by Cali law anyways.

Again i thank everyone for their help and support. Now all i have to do is find a bike. I will be posting on the wanted forums the day i get my license. As for a list of mods, ive already got one goin ie:

"Fender-ectomy" (as per Tony's bike)
New signals
New fairing /w undertail system if i can find one
and a number of other things, like new bars they just look so good.

Anyways, again i thank you all for your info, and i will be around the forums now for a while. Especially since i have alot of time to post at work during the day , (dont worry i wont be a post whore, lol). Anyways thats all, and thanks again!!

-Dan