Noob alert!

Originally Posted by injury_ian

Hi,

looking to get a sv imminantly, just thought id itroduce myself!
I have heard the SV is a good bike to start on, albiet a powerful one! with the free insurance etc seems like quite a good deal.

Being new to biking, has anyone got reccomendations on bike clothing, helmet, leather or textiles? i havent a clue where to start!

Regards
Ian

fantastic bikes, very forgiving they don't spit you off for no reason ! leid DEFFFo arai but it depends on size of your head ! you might have a Shoei ( can't spell ) head ! if you can afford it Dainese leathers ( can't spell that either lol ) and dayatona boots !!!!!!!! all in about about 2k worth of stuff !!! lol only kidding you can do it a lot cheaper ! welcome to the site

JMTPW on helmets.

Was in the same position as you Ian, as a new big-bike rider back in March (seems like years ago!). Bought myself a Caberg V2 Race (in blue to match the bike, naturally) for £99, mainly because it had the cool flippy down tinted inner visor. I'd had a few other lids in the past with my 125s, nothing special, but around the £50-£70

Three months later I was in Hein Gericke and just happened to try on an Arai. £399 but the moment I put it on I felt at home. It fitted perfectly, and I realised just how cheap and nasty the Caberg felt next to it.

Bought it there and then, and can honestly say I will NEVER wear anything but Arai again.

Try, try and try on gear, and buy what feels right.

Welcome to the org! Resistance is inevitable! (Wait, we're not supposed to tell the noobs that are we? Damn, I always forget!)

They say (or rather, my DAS instructor said) that you should budget well. You should have a pot of money, and 80% of it goes on the bike, the rest, on the gear you wear. Falling off is inevitable (low or high speed, it'll happen one day, your fault or not - my take on it anyway). I bought a brand new SV650S K6 for £4599, which means my budget should of been £5800, and my gear should of cost £1160. This wasn't quite the case, but it gives you some figures.

With the modifications to the SV (it's a very VERY mod-able bike) AND my riding gear, I've probably spent £1500 now. There's not many mods I've made to the bike, so it puts it in some sort of perspective. However, I didn't buy all my gear right from the start, it took a fall & a couple of brown trouser incidents.

I ride in all weathers, and like has been said, it's worth spending money on the GURANTEED waterproof gear. You'll get caught out in the rain eventually.

The SV is a nice first big bike, I started on a CG125, and moved to the SV. Just go easy on the throttle, there's a lot of power low down I'm also starting to shop for my next big bike, but keep it quiet or I'm in for a stoning from the good folks



Only joking about the stoning!

Welcome to the madhouse

There is a lot of stuff that you may find cheap on the internet, which is fine for bits and bobs on the bike. For clothing though, I cannot stress enough for you to try it on. On your bike you have to be comfortable, anything that restricts your movement is bad news and can cause you problems. My current textile kit was OK on my SV but the pants are more restrictive on my current bike as the pegs are a little higher and the riding position is a little different. I'm no where near as comfortable or confident on my bike with them.

The very same goes for helmets, try it on and check fit and comfort. Don't have to go for an expensive make if it does not fit. Generally you do get what you pay for though.

Have fun

Hi.

Hello!

I did the same thing, jumped straight onto an SV and didn't look back!

As far as gear is concerned, as everyone has suggested, go try stuff on and get what feels comfortable. Personally, I have a Arai helmet and will stick with them or maybe a Shoei.

Leathers or textiles....a lot of people say leathers every time but I would suggest textiles as your first set of gear as you can get warm, waterproof gear that is stuffed full of armour where you don't really get warm and dry leathers. If you can afford it, Rukka textile stuff is very very good, its what you see a lot of couriers in. Its 100% waterproof and is nice and warm. Ive also personally tested it in a number of accidents and it did its job. It is very expensive though.

Whatever you can afford, make sure it has full armour in it - back, shoulders, arm, hips and knees. Make sure its comfortable too.

HTH

Welcome!

You've come to the right place for all queries on biking!

And you've selected the right time of year to be looking about

The motorcycle shows in january, especialy the one at alexandra palace (this year run by superbike magazine, and not M*N), have loads and loads of deals going on. For example, i purchased an alpinestars leather jacket a few years ago from there for £200; RRP=£315. Boots (alpinestars) for £100, RRP= £130. Theres loads of stuff like this going on there, so get yourself down and have a look. Theres also a show at the london ecxel center a week or so after that. Google for both of them for the 2007 dates.

I'm a bit of a fan of alpinestars stuff, since it's kept me free from injury for a couple of years on a scooter, and its also really comfortable and well made. It is a little pricey though, so dont rule out other stuff. Textiles is worth a serious look, it can be just as protective, warmer, waterproof and lighter, but dosnt really look as cool It can be cheaper than leather stuff too.

The sv is an excellent bike to start riding on, many people here will tell you that! I have one as my first bike, and i've come straight form a scooter. I have my first ride next week when i return home from uni anyone live in the brighton area? lol

Matt

I would suggest that you buy decent kit (helmet, gloves, leathers as a minimum) and then see how much you have left for the bike.
I got rear-ended a few months back, fracturing my coccyx, and I'd paid extra to have a coccyx protector in the leathers (Hideout extreme - http://www.hideout-leather.co.uk/). Once you've had an off, however minor (and I consider mine to be minor), you will be very glad you spent the money. And of course, you will be able to take your leathers to your next bike in a few years time.

If you do a search on the site for BigApe, his note trailer links to some pics of him after he'd had an off, and his encouragement to "always wear your ferkin leathers" (I attribute that quote to him, but it may have some from somewhere else).

Personally, I assume at some point (as others have already said) I will have an off, so I want to reduce any long-lasting injuries to a minimum.

I have indeed seen Big ape's post, I have been perusing the forums for a while, from the shadows, I must admit, its a very nice close knit community you have here!

I'm not interested in chasing brand names, functional safe / warm / cool clothing will do me (dont ask for much do i!) you pick a lot up just by reading opinions, so far i have learnt,

helmet - shoei & arai
Leathers- seem to be preffered (possibly only to pose, and im good with that!) but alpine stars is good gear
boots- no one speaks of them, but i assume they are just as essential!

Looks like i'll have to go shopping, a few of you live round these parts, the Suzuki dealer hasn't a massive range of stuff, are all the big bike shops in London?

look like the deposit is going down on a new sv (full faired) this week, £4400 seems a good deal (insurance is worth £600 to me alone!)

Hi ! good luck with ya bike... I am sure you will love it! Shame you another southerner but it can't be helped! (only kidding before you all start shouting at me )