Completely new to motorcycling... advice?

Thanks very much for the replies everyone, really have picked up a few bits that only asking more experienced riders could help with.

The spare waterproof gloves under the seat sounds like a really simple but good idea.
Kit is a subject ive been interested in recently as i want all my gear before i pass. I have narrowed it down to a number of pieces which i think will be a good start. I prefer leathers but with the weather in Scotland im not sure i can justify them just yet, maybe next summer, below is the kit i think i want:

Helmet: Scorpion EXO-1000 Fantasia
Jacket: Furygan WR9
Trousers: Richa Air Vent
Boots: TCX Air-Tech
Gloves: Alpinestars SP-X Short Street (not looked into winter gloves yet)

I wont be investing in any sat navs etc this year, was just interested in what things are available and worthwhile (might convince the mrs into some for christmas!) Makes sense that experience must come first before any distractions.

With regard to ear plugs, do most riders wear them? how are they for comfort and being able to still hear your surroundings? how often do they need replaced?

The advanced rider courses appeal to me, do these help with insurance much? How much would it cost to go through? Would i be best to wait until next summer to do one?

Thanks again guys, i welcome more replies

Ear plugs are a very good idea. They are very cheap and I replace them daily. Better spend a few pennies than potentially treating an ear infection. You can still hear the traffic around you but the wind noise (main cause for damaged hearing) will be significantly reduces to safe levels, especially at motorway speeds.

An IAM course will help with insurance cost but most importantly will help increase your confidence and improve your observation skills from day one. As a newbie who hasn't ridden a bike before, it took me about 10 months and about 6000 miles and 1 track day to get from DSA to IAM test ready (still have to pass the test in 1 month time). It has dramatically improved my riding skills and confidence while the numerous rideouts and activities kept my biking schedule busy.

Hi,

Although I am no where near as experienced as the rest of the replies I thought you might appreciate some input from someone who has not long passed. I passed on may 19th this year. What a great day!

I took the advice of others and invested in some good gear, so far it has been fantastic, everyone Iv met has said that it's a wise investment. I purchased my leathers before I started my DAS course whilst still riding my old c90. My first ride in them, even on my little bike was worlds different. I just felt that bit safer and could concentrate on riding more.

Iv also just purchased some textile gear so I can get out even if the weather looks suspect. Haven't got a lot to say about textiles so far as not done more than a few miles in them.

With regards to the gear your looking at, make sure the jacket and pants zip together, it drives me nuts when riding if I forget to zip them together.

I'd agree tenfold with the need for a good fitting helmet. Since getting my new lid i never realised how uncomfortable my old one was. Try them all, ignore the brand. Sadly the best for me was also pricey, however it has been worth every penny.

On the subject of gloves, I bought some pretty good gloves to begin with and have loved them, really comfortable etc, however I wish I had spent more and got some goretex lined ones. As soon as i got caught in the rain my hands were soaked. Not pleasant. Either that or go with the two pairs theory, sadly after putting my chain under my seat I have no room.

One of the other best things I invested in was a good backpack, one designed for motorcycling. It means I hardly notice it even when fully loaded and riding spiritedly.

With regards to inside or outside I'm lucky enough to have a garage, so if you are to, clear it out and get in there. Small tip, one of the cheapest things iv bought allowed me to detach the garage key from the rest of them and reattach it again very easily. It means that I don't have to keep taking the keys in and out of the bike and it can be warming up as I'm locking the garage and getting my lid on etc.

The thing that changed my riding for me the most was attended the bikesafe day at castle combe, it was only three weeks after passing but meeting some of the others from the forum and having the police asses my riding gave me a boost of confidence. At the end of the day we got some track time and although I got passed by all but one and locked up the rear into quarry I had the best day ever. It taught me a lot about being more fluid on the bike, moving round more, not being so rigid, not panicking when I messed up etc. Also the difference between passing the test and riding in the best position on the road.

If your interested in the kit I bought then here is a list.

Shoei lid
Furygan leather forty 3d jacket
Furygan leather pants
Generic boots
Oxford ear plugs
Oxford neck tubes
Cold killer neck thingy (for the really cold days)
Alpine stars sp2 gloves
Furygan air vent Orona 2 textile jacket
Furgan Preston pants
Kriega 35 litre quadlock backpack, expensive but worth it.

Oh and or course don't forget a nice loud end can so you can enjoy the vtwin sound. This also made the bike feel a bit more like mine, made me care about it but has also lead to mr spending more money on mods swings and roundabouts I guess.

Most of all, enjoy it. Passing my test is the best thing iv ever done.

Apologies for the long post!

thanks for your post, good to hear from all levels of rider.

a chain is one thing i was considering buying, however a friend recommended a disc lock. apart from the obvious difference that one only secures onto the disc and the other can attach the bike to a fixture - whats the cost differences and does one or the other help with bringing down insurance premiums?

Also, a backpack sounds like a really good idea, i intend on commuting in the bike as much as possible so this would save me a lot of hassle. Should i just hit ebay for ear plugs or are they just as cheap elsewhere? they werent something i originally planned on but im starting to think they could be a must.

my bike already has a scorpion exhaust on it so will have to be more creative with modifications to make the bike feel mine!

A disc lock is much easier to carry around with you than a big chain, but up to you. I carry both under the seat, as well as a hi-viz waistcoat, spare levers, scottoiler and a toolkit.

I also have a bagster tank bag, which is fantastic for carrying everything else from maps to water, to keys wallet and phone. I dont like having my pockets full when I'm on the bike for some reason, it just feels wrong.

You could pop into a local bike shop and buy a few sets of different types of earplugs, then once you find a brand you like you can look to buy in bulk. Earplugs are a definate must though. If you're feeling rich or done a lot of overtime recently, you could go for a set of custom moulded ones with headphones in them. I love mine and listening to music has made my riding much more enjoyable.

[fizzwheel]

Echo the advice above

"Look where you want to go and not at what you are about to crash into"

Best piece of advice I was ever given when I was learning to ride.

Originally Posted by kyle-jdm

Should i just hit ebay for ear plugs or are they just as cheap elsewhere? they werent something i originally planned on but im starting to think they could be a must.

I've tried a few different models but settled on these as they seem the softest and most comfortable to my ears.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-40-las...-/330585301269

As suggested, buy a few different models and see which ones suits you best.

As for backpack, I would only consider it for short distances. Depending on how much weight you have to take with you, it may become uncomfortable.

A Bagster tank bag is the ultimate in versatility but it doesn't come cheap unfortunately. A magnetic tank bag could be your next option. If you are not worried about the looks, a top box is the most practical and secure of all.

Originally Posted by kyle-jdm

Pretty much any advice for a newbie to motorcycling, such as on the roads regarding safety and just generally which you have found could be helpful from riding experice, bike day to day maintenance - is it advisable to always keep garaged or how will the bike cope with being out in the elements overnight (in a rainy scotland!) etc,

Here's a general piece of advice. When you are filtering in traffic and you notice a gap opening up in the queue, slow down. From experience, I can tell you that a gap opening usually means:

• A car is emerging from a side road (I've had an accident in this sort of scenario)

• Or even if no one is giving way to anyone else, another car will try to accelerate to move into that gap with little or no regard for riders.

Just slow down when you see a gap.


- Garage is obviously best if feasible, otherwise try getting a cover for it. -When you buy gear, make sure you are comfortable in them.
- And oh, don't just buy the first thing you see. Shop around. Bike gear is expensive, but by shopping around you can make huge savings. For example, my first helmet (AGV S4) had a shop price of £180 at the time. I shopped around and got it for £160. In fact, I shopped around for all my gear and made savings of a few hundred compared to mainstream shop prices.

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Echo the advice above

"Look where you want to go and not at what you are about to crash into"

Best piece of advice I was ever given when I was learning to ride.

+1

Even better when said by a ex-moto crosser covered in scars.

+1 andybrad, ride for yourself, and enjoy it!
+1 nelson with the toolkit & levers. After my experience a couple of weeks ago, a-men

Good advice here! I'm rethinking a thing or two myself... Kyle-jdm, as a total noob myself (~2 months) my experience is highly limited too, but whenever I go for a ride and I'm not really in the mood it all goes a bit wrong...

Gear is good, get whatever is fits properly and is comfy, and get the best you can afford! Wrt to security I'd get a decent disc lock for around town, keep it under your seat - I liked the oxford boss lock, and it comes with a handy forget-me-not. I keep mine on the road (no garage ) and at night I put another disc lock on the rear and use a mammoth chain (paranoia paranoia!). I think they're all thatcham approved but I can't remember it knocking more than a few quid off my TPFT premium... Get the bike datatagged or any equivalent, gotta be worth it.

Oh yeah, and if you're keeping it outside a good layer of ACF-50 does amazing things. Apart from when the stuff on the exhaust burns off for the first time and the guy in the car behind you is convinced your bike is on fire