I need a helmet, boots and gloves... my dad is goning to get me some leathers..

I was wondering where I should go though for a nice gear selection? I only know of a few real small MC shops around here.. (Santa Monica)

Also, I've seen a lot of 2nd hand helmets which I think I could go for, but I'm not sure how hard it would be to find one that's a good fit, do you guys think it's worth it to go try on second hand helmets? or just go to a big MC store?
I'd also really like to get a DOT and Snell approved one, and most ads don't list the approvals 8*(

I've been ridding dirt bikes since I was real small and went up to my dads to try ridding on the street, got to ride a KLX? 650 single dual sport kinda bike.. I felt like I was just ridding my dirt bike on the street (wasn't a big fan)  My dad also let me try out his Aprilia RS250... oh man, I loved that, but they're $$ and I'd hate to get one for my frist bike (I just know I'd mess up that body work eventualy)   Mainly I just loved how small, light etc. it was.  I felt like there was a lot of control there...

So I'm thinking a GS500 would be a good frist bike, does anyone know how it compares to an RS250 ? in terms of weight handling.. I know it's a random comparision but sadly the only two bikes I rode were the RS and the 650 single.. lol..

I was also looking at the yamha seca's I don't like how they look quite as much, but how do they compare to the GS500's ?  lately I've seen more of them for sale than GS500's and for cheaper too...  (I'm looking to spend under $1500 on a bike that runs decently, I don't care how it looks scape wise... as I'm sure I'll be putting some of my own scrapes on it soon enough)  8*)

Thanks for the info... sorry for all the questions  Mainly I just need to get a helmet frist, and would like to know a good MC store near Santa Monica that would have a decent helmet selection.

Thanks again!

First of get a first hand helmet.  You dont know what the other helmets have been through or who has been in them.  The helmet may look nice but could have tooken a hit or been dropped, it may not show on the outside, but it could have squished the impact absorbing part of the helmet, and with that damaged it wouldnt protect you as much.  
I dont know how those two bikes compare as I havent ridden the 250 but the gs500 isnt the lightest but also doesnt feel heavy, handles well and is pretty quick. But get your own helmet, not second hand.  Its your most important peice of equipment besides your brakes.  Congrats on getting into street riding. Its fun.

Thanks for the advice, will do on the helmet, it'll be nice to get one that fits perfect too.  If only I knew what color bike I will end up getting I could get a matching helmet 8*)

What bikes are lighter than the GS500 ?  sport bikes that is.. I just want a small light sport bike with as good a handling as I can aford.  I don't really care if it can go 200 mph as long as it goes fast enough to get on the freeway and have some safe margin of acceleration. 8*)

Thanks

GS500 is a great bike to start out on, but other good ones are the Kawi Ninja 250 and 500. I think the 250 is lighter than the GS but I don't know by how much.  A friend of mine has one - you have to spin it higher to get power out of it.  
The EX500 (500 Ninja) has a little more power and handling than the GS but I think it's also water cooled plus has a lot of plastic on it.  I was afraid I'd trash plastics so wanted a naked bike which is why I went with the E model GS500.

www.brocktoncycle.com has some good deals on gear. I got my jacket out of their bargain bin for about $80.  
I use DHs old helmet (still serviceable but he didn't like how loud it was so I got it and he got a new one - we have the same size heads!), got a pair of touring gloves (very comfortable, not too thick so you get good "feel") for Christmas, and I wear leather hiking boots with laces tucked under the tongue.
I need to do something about pants - right now am just wearing heavy jeans.

I definitely second the idea of getting a new helmet, not a used one. You don't know if it's been pre-crashed, plus my MSF instructor said that plastic will continue to cure over time and it will eventually get brittle. That's why they tell you to ditch your helmet every 5 years or so, even if you haven't crashed in it.

Liz

For the helmet, buy it from a brick-and-mortar store.  Fit is very, very important with a helmet, and you need to try a couple of brands on and walk around the store with them on for a while.  I pay a little extra at the store for the ability to do that.  But you can still get a good full-face Snell-rated helmet for under $200.  Fit is more important than color.  Don't sweat it, clashing is good on a bike.

Newenough.com has good deals on gear for the rest - especially the closeouts and Green Things.

there's a 91 bandit 400cc on ebay too... I looked up the specs a couple pounds heavyer than the GS500, and a 400cc 4 cyl water cooled that turns a little faster and a couple more hpr, but other than that they seem the same specs wise...

anyone know about how a 400cc bandit compares to a GS500?  ride feel wise?

thanks for the info.

Oh I think a ninja 250 might be a little too slow for the freeway, I know it can go freeway speed just fine but I think it tops out at 80 mph and I'd like to have a little more acceleration safety margin than that.

just FYI, the aprilia RS250 is a 2-stroke twin that makes 60 or 70 hpr.

Yep, and the RS50 is a two-stroke Aprilia that makes about 6 - well, unless it has the kit to make 12, like mine.




I'd say go GS500 - plenty quick for starters, easy to maintain, nimble, and you have a great resource in this community that will make it even easier to maintain.  Of course, I'm biased.

The Bandit 400 rides really nice, but the GS feels a little lighter from what little seat time I have had on my friend's GS. This is most likely due to the steel trellis frame which makes  the bandit feel a little top heavy. Comfort-wise, the GS beats my bandit hands down. Of course, I have clipons which puts me  in a torture position if I don't move around the seat often. However, a Bandit with standard bars may be a less pain in the rear. Also used parts aren't that easy to come by for the 400, so Suzuki ($$$$) is often times the only source when something breaks. With that being said, I'd suggest going for A GS.

gluge,
I'm in Santa Monica too!

Hey, the rs250 is a finicky, high maintenance, high strung race bike. All top end power with nothing down low (bad for street riding) and the power comes on fierce. You are MUCH better off on a gs500 to start. The gs is about the same weight as most current sportbikes, but lacking about 65hp in comparison-making it a great first bike. RS is also a fraction of the weight.

Definitely get a new helmet-Honda dealer down on Lincoln (in MDR) has a good selection of helmets and their staff know their stuff (I bought a size smaller than I would have expected but it 'broke in' as they said it would and fits like a glove). Different helmets are shaped differently so you have to try on different brands AND different models of same brand. Go with lots of time so you can wear each one for 15-20 minutes. That will give you a good idea if it fits properly. None of the other local shops (and not so local) have a good selection. They have an okay selection of jackets. no one locally has a big selection of stuff.

If you're up for a drive you can go to Cal Coast Motorsports just south of Ventura. They have a big store and have good selection of helmets and gear. Its a nice drive too, up PCH. Or you can head inland to Berts Megamall...as the name suggests, they have a huge selection but are over an hour away.

make sure if you're heading toward a sportbike eventually that you get good gear. Full face helmet and leather jacket go without saying. But also get motorcycle specific boots/gloves and make sure the leather jacket has a zipper to connect it to leather pants (in the future).

check the for sale section for a bike for sale by Pkaaso. He's in Lake Forest (north SD county)-bike for $999 is in exceptional mechanical shape and not bad looking. He has a few but only one is for sale that I know of. He used to put them together for new riders as a hobby but is busy with his business now...

like pablo said.. cal coast motorsports, berts mega mall in covina / west covina (its on azuza blvd south of 210).

I would also suggest cycle trends in van nuys (oxnard & kester) and Cycle gear in Woodland Hills - On Vanoven between Canoga and Topanga.

oh yeah, Cycle Gear is good. They have one in the south bay too, Torrance I think...not sure.

The cycle gear in the southbay is on PCH right by Narbonne, in Lomita

I think Pkaaso sold that GS500 already 8*( otherwise I'd jump on it.

$1000 for a good mechanical condition GS500 and I'm there 8*)

But the ones I have seen for sale are all $1500-$1600..  I'm going to go look at a 92' Yamaha XJ600 Seca this weekend I think it's only $900  so it seems like a good deal.

Thx for all the helmet advice, I'm going to go by the honda place in MDR and see if I can get a helmet there, otherwise I'll try some of the others 8*))

I think my dad is gonna take me up to RPM and get me a zip together set of leathers (I guess you need a zip together set if your going to do track days?)

Does anyone know about those bike riding classes the CHP put on?  I know there's an advanced on and a basic one, but the basic one sounded reallllly basic, 16 hours and very borring...   But I'm wondering what the advanced one is, I think you can take it and get an insurance break, but I can't find info on how long it is and how much it is etc.

Thanks!

Yeah he sold that $1000 bike...to me! I have to say I'm really enjoying it.  

Quote from: jardisanYeah he sold that $1000 bike...to me! I have to say I'm really enjoying it.  

lucky man.


Gluge,
contact pkaaso anyway. Like I said, he has several project gs500's and can probably put one together in a hurry for a desparate gstwin.com member (he's a stand up kind of guy that way).

Im suprised no one has mentioned this, but im gonna have to throw in a huge plug for www.newenough.com. Ive bought most of my gear through them and I love it, some of the best customer service you will ever find.

I would ALWAYS suggest getting a new helmet, do not buy used, after all, its your life. I suggest hitting cycle gear in Santa Monica like pablo suggested and try to find one that fits. It shouldnt twist on your head at all, but it shouldnt cause any pressure points either. After you find one you like, snipe it cheaper online.

With recent news brought to light with Snell approval (g forces, im sure most here read the article) I would go definitely with a DOT approval. DO NOT GET JUST SNELL. Both is ok.

Hope this info helps, again I MUST recommend www.newenough.com ..... hmm 2 plugs in one post, is that a bad thing?

Quote from: DanielyIm suprised no one has mentioned this, but im gonna have to throw in a huge plug for www.newenough.com. Ive bought most of my gear through them and I love it, some of the best customer service you will ever find.

I would ALWAYS suggest getting a new helmet, do not buy used, after all, its your life. I suggest hitting cycle gear in Santa Monica like pablo suggested and try to find one that fits. It shouldnt twist on your head at all, but it shouldnt cause any pressure points either. After you find one you like, snipe it cheaper online.

With recent news brought to light with Snell approval (g forces, im sure most here read the article) I would go definitely with a DOT approval. DO NOT GET JUST SNELL. Both is ok.

Hope this info helps, again I MUST recommend www.newenough.com ..... hmm 2 plugs in one post, is that a bad thing?

I'll "third" that.. I've spent >$1200 easily through them.  TOP NOTCH all the way around... 2 helmets, returned one for a different size.  Bought a leather jacket and they sent two sizes and let me send the one that doesn't fit back.. same for the two pairs of gloves...  and riding pants... and the mesh jacket I just bought.. absolutely great people