I just got a Bike...

[TheGoodGuy]

Jeans are okay but is minimum for riding.

Don't kid yourself man, jeans will blow apart the second they/you hit the ground.  Maybe those Icon or Draggin jeans with the kevlar and aramid would be better but it's not something I would want to test

The thing is jeans is better than dockers and or shorts. like i said, minimum, but i agree you need an over pant or something with armor. I will buy one soon, i cant find my old firstgear pants.

[Teecegirl]

Congrats on the bike.  I am also a fairly new rider.  I just hit 400 miles!  I'm taking it slow and only doing the things that match my skill level.  The riding course is excellent.  You'll love it and feel much better on your bike.  But even with the course, things are MUCH different when you are out on the roads ... 18-wheelers on your tail or blowing by you, wind kicking your butt from every angle, just about anything you can imagine.

I'm a mother of four and my husband and kids freaked out when I first took the course.  They assumed I'd get scared during the course and leave the idea alone.  The opposite happened.  After the course, I realized this was something I love and want to do, so I got the bike.  They were all upset at first, but they've seen how I'm careful when I ride, so they are all settling down.  

I agree with everyone ... get proper gear and always wear it.  I see guys riding in t-shirts and sneakers and just roll my eyes.  It's SO unsafe and just not worth it.  Even if it's 90 degrees, you'll have a steady breeze when you are riding, so it's doable.  You can get a mesh-type jacket (with armour) for the summer and a leather jacket (I found one with armour) for the winter.  I never leave without my boots, gloves and jacket (and am going to looking into the pants suggested above).

One last thought ... you picked an excellent bike to start with.  The bike is very forgiving regarding shifting and controlling the throttle.  I know there have been times that if I had been on a bigger bike, I'd have accidentally wheelied for sure.

Enjoy your bike and welcome to this site.  You'll love it.

[Rema1000]

so no jeans? wow! I bet those riding pants are pretty expensive.

NewEnough.com has Alter Ego pants for $165, or Phoenix mesh pants for $114.  There are some closouts now and then, but that's about as cheap as you're going to get for regular pricing, and is in the ballpark for other brands too.  Things to look for include good fit (the armor pads should not be able to slide around at all), quality and comfort features (zip-open vents, ability to make them waterproof).

I'd say that you can get a decent pair of boots, pants, jacket, gloves and helmet for about $600. My "gear" history is:

For MSF, the essentials:
work boots (free)
HJC helmet ($240... I paid too much)
armored, vented m/c gloves ($35)

Year 1, bought the basics:
cheap textile m/c jacket ($85, I think)
unarmored, unlined leather pants ($45)

Year 2, bought better stuff:
waterproof m/c touring boots ($150)
all-weather armored riding suit ($350 eBay)
armored waterproof insulated m/c gloves ($45)

Year 3:
waterproof armored sport/street boots ($280)

At this point, I wouldn't look at buying gear unless it's armored; preferably CE armor or designed for track use.  The more I ride, the more cautious I get.

I wouldn't jump right into expensive gear.  Helmet, pants, jacket and boots, each in the $100-$150 range, can be reasonably good.  If you're on a tight budget, then you can find each for under $100 (last year's model, closeouts)... but it will take a couple of months watching NewEnough and Froogle.com.  If you buy one  item of gear per season, then you'll end-up spending $10-$15/week... alot, but manageable.

About the accident worries:  some people get into motorcycling because they like taking risks.  It gives motorcycling a skewed image in many people's minds (and in some accident statistics).  Your family may worry that your behavior is going to change.  Reassure them that you're going to approach motorcycling the same way you do everything else.  

Ride your own ride, and you'll steer clear of trouble.

[Roadstergal]

Everyone has their own preferences on gear; I did the Phoenix overpants when I first started and decided I didn't like overpants.  I got First Gear fitted textile pants for ~$120.  For the track, I didn't skimp and got Teknic Sport pants, but if money is tight, you can get away with textile.  For myself, I'd rather have good-quality armored textile pants than cheap non-armored leather pants for similar money, but that's your call.

[Cal Price]

You need to set your personal priorities but for me it would be gloves next, Jacket, then boots, then jeans. Enjoy the bike, get confident, but don't lose sight of the fact that in traffic situations you are the most vulnerable.

[CanadianGS]

I just want to say welcome and you've made an awesome choice in buying a GS500! I am also a new rider.  I just bought a 2005 GS500F also, in blue. Its a great bike with great fuel economy.  As far as the jacket goes, I have the Icon Timax Jacket.  It is well padded, but mesh almost all through it.  Very nice for hot weather, but very cold in any thing else.  I love it though!  Deffinataly get a jacket, gloves, helmet, and footwear that won't come off, and perferably even a light leather.  You'll thank us when u go down.  Even if its just a small one, everyone goes down at some point, so all you can do is be prepared.
Welcome again, and if you want to chat new rider to new rider:
addictive_gibbs@hotmail.com (or ne one else)