New Rider - New Bike - Few Questions

[OmegaBravo7]

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I had a few lingering questions and the first place popped into mind to get answers was this place.

I sort of purchased a 2000 Yamaha R1 and I'm a new rider - likely completing the training course next week...

1) - What's good place to get my helmet?

2) - How do you choose a helmet? - Matching the bike? - Tight fit? Snug Fit? - What's a decent range to spend on the helmet?

3) - Do you guys normally wear gloves when riding? -Even when just cruising the neighborhood?

4) - When driving my car, especially on the highway, my windshield has been it with flying rocks tons of times from the vehicles (usually trucks) in front; strong enough to crack windshields. Nobody has had any of their body parts hit with rocks when riding? How to avoid?

5) - Do you guys ride in November? Is it normal?

6) - How do you see clear through the helmet's face-shield when it's raining?

7) - Which training course place did you go to? I want to go to learning curved because of the evening wknd hrs they offer but they're far. Humber college is close but almost impossible to get a hold of someone on the phone - terrible business ethics imo

8) - What methods can be taken to decrease chances of bike from being stolen?

9) - I'm assuming besides a backpack there is not other alternative to carry small items?

Thanks in advance bros, and this community rocks.

 

[Bike Cop]

I had a few lingering questions and the first place popped into mind to get answers was this place.

I sort of purchased a 2000 Yamaha R1 and I'm a new rider - likely completing the training course next week...

1) - What's good place to get my helmet? Royal Distributing may have some stuff if pricepoint is the main factor. They stuff will still meet the legal requirements, although there is safer stuff available elsewhere - but you'll pay for it.

2) - How do you choose a helmet? - Matching the bike? - Tight fit? Snug Fit? - What's a decent range to spend on the helmet? Ask someone at the store to help out.

3) - Do you guys normally wear gloves when riding? -Even when just cruising the neighborhood?

4) - When driving my car, especially on the highway, my windshield has been it with flying rocks tons of times from the vehicles (usually trucks) in front; strong enough to crack windshields. Nobody has had any of their body parts hit with rocks when riding? How to avoid?

5) - Do you guys ride in November? Is it normal?

6) - How do you see clear through the helmet's face-shield when it's raining?

7) - Which training course place did you go to? I want to go to learning curved because of the evening wknd hrs they offer but they're far. Humber college is close but almost impossible to get a hold of someone on the phone - terrible business ethics imo

8) - What methods can be taken to decrease chances of bike from being stolen?

9) - I'm assuming besides a backpack there is not other alternative to carry small items?

Thanks in advance bros, and this community rocks.

Best bet is to go to a reputable motorcycle shop and get some help with gear. Helmets vary in price greatly. Make sure it meets the DOT standard as a minimum, but there are some higher standards out there. A good salesperson can help you determine which is best for you. I would consider gloves mandatory but it's really up to you.

Stay back from trucks or other vehicles with no mudguards and be wary of pickup trucks as things tend to come out of the back fairly easily.

Riding in November is done regularly for those that are warm blooded. Just be wary of colder temps and the effect it will have on your body, reflexes slow down and muscles don't react as fast.

Rain on face shields doesn't affect your vision as much as in a car. I guess because the raindrops are closer to your eyes so you tend to ignore them more easily.

Training is a good idea, and a good way to see if you like motorcycling before you spend all the money on a new bike.

Theft is a concern for sure, particularly in condos apparently. Disc locks, steering locks, chains, alarms, the sky is the limit.

I would look at a good tank bag for small item storage. Most will attach magnetically to a steel tank and provide a good alternative to backpacks.

Ride safe.

 

[skip]

1) - What's good place to get my helmet?

No idea. Normally I have got mine from Royal Distributing or direct from the manufacture.

2) - How do you choose a helmet? - Matching the bike? - Tight fit? Snug Fit? - What's a decent range to spend on the helmet?

Read this: http://www.helmetcheck.org/thefit.aspx As for price more then $100 less then $500 is the range I typically shoot for. Look for the current SNELL rating or ECE

3) - Do you guys normally wear gloves when riding? -Even when just cruising the neighborhood?

Always. I like the skin on my hands to stay just where it is.

4) - When driving my car, especially on the highway, my windshield has been it with flying rocks tons of times from the vehicles (usually trucks) in front; strong enough to crack windshields. Nobody has had any of their body parts hit with rocks when riding? How to avoid?

It stings. Normally knees or ankles get them. Armour in knees normally takes most of it or the boots.

5) - Do you guys ride in November? Is it normal?

I normally ride March to November. As long as the salter are not out I am. BWT freezing rain really sucks to ride through. Avoid it at all costs.

6) - How do you see clear through the helmet's face-shield when it's raining?

Turn your head to the side. The rain will blow off.

7) - Which training course place did you go to? I want to go to learning curved because of the evening wknd hrs they offer but they're far.

Heard good things about learning curves. Been along while since I have had any first hand experience with a course.

8) - What methods can be taken to decrease chances of bike from being stolen?

Don't wash it. Disk lock. Really not much. If someone really wants it its gone. Make sure you have theft coverage.

9) - I'm assuming besides a backpack there is not other alternative to carry small items?

Lots of options. Tank bag, tail bag, front fender bag (dirt bike style), top case soft or hard), side case (soft or hard).

 

[wandering_bandit]

oh my... R1 first bike. Be careful.

1) any reputable motorcycle gear store. Just buy new.

2) forget about matching - don't be vain - it's about safety too. Comfort most important, snug fit, head should not wobble inside helmet. $200-$400 range is good. Graphics just cost more.

3) Yes wear gloves! what's with all these questions about do you need to wear this or that? Are you riding naked? Wear your gear.

4) Of course you might get hit by something... always wear good gear with armor and why are you riding behind a truck anyways. Find your circle of safety.

5) Why not? If you can stand the cold and if you're ok with the road conditions - just know what you can handle and take it easy out there (that really should be all the time)

6) anti-fog clear visor - wipe away the rain with wiper on rain gloves. oh wait. you're wearing gloves right?
wait under bridge until rain dies down - why are you out in the rain?

7) Learning Curves. Do your course.

8) Don't ride an R1. Bike alarm. Disc lock.

9) Tail bag or tank bag

Be safe.

 

[XenoVibe]

Not sure if you have dirt bike or any prior experience but an R1 will have around 12 times as much hp and 14x as much torque as the motorcycle you will be riding at the safety course. (Honda CBR125R)

Make sure it fits snug around the circumference of your skull and don't worry about cheek padding, there are different thickness for comfort. Make sure the helmet doesn't wobble or move when you bobble your head back and forth.

Leather boots, textile gloves with injection molded knuckles, Leather Pants, Leather Jacket and Helmet all the time but you are only required to wear a helmet. The level of risk you want to take with road rash is your choice.

I've been hit with gravel just below my knuckle when I wasn't wearing gloves and it left a welt and hurt as bad as being shot with a paintball gun mid range. Avoid by keeping distance, it depends on how close you are traveling and the rate of speed of the vehicle, avoid being behind dump trucks full of material. I lost 2 windshields on my old car because of them.

I stopped riding mid November because it was snowing and its about a 45min from school to home. My hands were cold as hell even with wool gloves under my riding gloves and a cold face. Also the screen fogged up but there are products available to prevent foggy face shield.

There are a number of products from double shields which is the best to sprays that you can apply to mouth covers.

Fanshawe College in London. The testing is easy and none of that MTO failing to make money off you garbage.

Keep in garage, BikeTrac or LoJack, Trimax rotor lock, angry rotti, a gun
Most bikes that get stolen are the big ones so you shouldn't have to worry about it for a few years. 125/250/300 aren't that popular on the theft list, its mostly SuperSport bikes 600cc and up.

There are a number of saddle bags even for non touring bikes such as strap bags or magnetic bags that can go above tank and above rear, there is a compartment built into most sports bikes inside the pillion seat which the pillion seat can be replaced with a larger cover for more storage.

Finally, don't trust a guy on here named Mighty Mike.

 

[OmegaBravo7]

When you're growing up in an environment where things are done in a particular fashion you eventually accept it as the norm. Having grown up in Brooklyn and Queens, NY all we'd see were very cool sport bikes going fast, doing wheelies, riding with flip flops, no gloves, no helmets, just all out insanity now that I look back. When I first wanted a bike yrs go I was speechless and ****** when I learned helmets were absolutely mandatory - ha - go figure. And then when you sit to practice for the exam and do some reading/research the feeling becomes quite the opposite.

Thanks for the valuable replies.

 

[hedo2002]

Well seeing your getting a sport bike may I offer up one other piece of advice stay away from Range Rovers..lol

 

[2motors]

Litre bike first bike... Sounds like a death wish, get some really good gear from when ya go down.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[Jester]

Not sure an R1 was the best choice for a first bike. Not to be a dick but why the eff would you buy that as a starter bike. Some people just amaze me. I think most people buying that bike, when they are ready for it, HAVE MORE ANSWERS THAN QUESTIONS! As far as gear goes buy black because the whole colour matching the bike gets expensive when you change bikes but black goes with any colour. Good luck.

 

[Roomie]

I have a friend who's first bike is a 2000 r1. He's on season 3 with it now and hasn't had an issue and he does push it from time to time. It's all self control. Some people are fine with ss bikes to learn on and some aren't. Same could be said for many first bikes I'm sure. Enjoy it just make sure to be careful :thumbup:

 

[kiwi]

R1 eh?

Whats the insurance like? Is it cheaper because its an older bike?

Good luck !

 

[sid_for_speed]

I have a friend who's first bike is a 2000 r1. He's on season 3 with it now and hasn't had an issue and he does push it from time to time. It's all self control. Some people are fine with ss bikes to learn on and some aren't. Same could be said for many first bikes I'm sure. Enjoy it just make sure to be careful :thumbup:

ninja 300 first bike... the first thing I did was accidently gun it...tore an arm muscle cause i was holding the bars so tight...the R1 wouldda ripped it right off!

 

[rye]

Not sure an R1 was the best choice for a first bike. Not to be a dick but why the eff would you buy that as a starter bike. Some people just amaze me. I think most people buying that bike, when they are ready for it, HAVE MORE ANSWERS THAN QUESTIONS! As far as gear goes buy black because the whole colour matching the bike gets expensive when you change bikes but black goes with any colour. Good luck.

Perhaps his balls are 3x bigger than the average mans? lol Crazy mother!!

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