Newbie

SDMoto - San Diego Sport Bike Motorcycle Forum Group/Newbie => Hi everyone, I'm a newbie in need of some advice... This looks like a great forum to get some feedback! I don't ride yet, but I've always had the

pikan

250cc

Posts: 55

Newbie

« on: November 03, 2010, 10:43:53 PM »

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie in need of some advice... This looks like a great forum to get some feedback! I don't ride yet, but I've always had the desire. Can anyone give me some advice on starting out?

My situation is that I am a new graduate student at UCSD, and I'm without bike or car. Rather than going out and buying a car, I thought maybe I'd give riding a motorcycle a try since it has always been appealing to me. I went out and got my motorcycle permit, but I'm unsure as to what to do next (way to think ahead). I'm new to the area (from NJ) so I don't know anyone around here let alone someone with a bike to show me the ropes. The MSF courses are 2-3 hours away via bus depending on the hours. I also considered purchasing a beginner bike from craigslist, but I'm not sure I am competent to ride it home immediately.

What do you guys think?

Cheers!


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wuzertheloser

1000cc

Posts: 437

Re: Newbie

« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2010, 10:57:26 PM »

Welcome and first of all congrats on grad school! I'll be starting my Master's in Winter Quarter at UCSD too Cheesy

Your best bet would be to go take the MSF course. I'm sure anyone of us with a car would be happy to drop you off at the MSF course places. That's the best way to learn to ride a bike.

If you already have a permit....you can buy a beginner's bike. I'd suggest starting out on a Ninja 250 as they're very forgiving and easy to ride. If you start out on a 600cc+....be sure to TAKE IT EASY. Any newer 600cc bike can perform 2 or 3x better than any one of our abilities and it will put you on your butt if you disrespect it.

If you have any questions, feel free to just post to this forum

I'd be more than happy to show you the basics of riding if you'd want to meet up sometime on the weekends!


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pikan

250cc

Posts: 55

Re: Newbie

« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2010, 08:40:11 PM »

Hi wuzer, Thank you for the welcome and congrats to you for grad school as well! What are you studying at UCSD?

I appreciate your advice, and your open generosity is uplifting, but i don't yet feel comfortable asking for such favors... Instead i think i'll take your advice with the MSF and probably 250. The commute is long, but i'll suck it up cuz it's only three days. Where do you recommend I shop for a bike and gear?


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egalamay25

President / Administrator
1000cc

Posts: 359

Re: Newbie

« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2010, 08:45:48 PM »

Whussup Pikan, like Wuzertheluzer said, we'd be more than happy to help out. But for gear, other than the Helmet, I would say go on Craigslist. There's a few shops around here like cyclesector and NKB cycles.


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2006 Gsxr 750
2006 Gsxr 1000
2007 Gsxr 1000
2008 CBR 1000RR
2008 CBR 1000RR

2008 CBR 1000RR
- Taylormade Exhaust
- CRG levers
-Hyper white bulbs
- GiPro Gear Indicator
-Custom Fender Elim kit
- Flush mount front signals
- CRG bar end mirrors
- 5,2xx miles counting

+ 2008 Ninja 250

wuzertheloser

1000cc

Posts: 437

Re: Newbie

« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2010, 09:31:28 PM »

I'll be studying plant molecular biology. What about yourself?

Good choice on the 250. Sometimes I wish I started out on a 250 instead of the SV650 I first bought. 250's are much easier to ride, more forgiving, and the best part....they usually don't depreciate since everyone is looking for a 250. You can find used Ninja 250s for around 1500 dollars nowadays.

For a bike...craigslist is your best bet. I wouldn't recommend buying a new bike because I can guarantee you'll drop it at least once. Buy a beater first, then sell it, and upgrade to a bike you want.

Usually, I shop at cyclegear, cyclesector, and a few shops I know from the forums I frequent. I get lots of discounts on certain gear so if you're looking for something and want it brand new, let me know!
Other than that, craigslist is your best bet again.

Welcome! Let me know if you have any other questions


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spicy meatloaf

50cc

Posts: 25

Re: Newbie

« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2010, 10:22:02 PM »

definitely a good choice on a 250. that was my first bike. great for learning and i sold it for exactly what i bought it for


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pikan

250cc

Posts: 55

Re: Newbie

« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2010, 12:11:15 AM »

hi all, really appreciate the input!

egalamay: I'll take your advice and find gear on craigslist except for helmet Probably will plan a trip to cyclesector this weekend since it's close by. Any tips on getting a first helmet? I don't want anything too hardcore, but the last thing i want to cheap out on is the helmet.

wuzer: i'm in the materials science and engineering program, but i'm located in CMRR (near price). I've browsed craigslist a bit and couldn't find a 250 for under $2k, but friends back home have told me to look for ~1k for first bike used. whatya think? keep waiting?

meatloaf: nice!


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wuzertheloser

1000cc

Posts: 437

Re: Newbie

« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2010, 12:23:42 AM »

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=10000&L2=10100&L3=10110&L4=&item=CGC_05-028-02-02_G&name=SCORPION_EXO-1000_Apollo_Full-Face_Motorcycle_Helmet

scorpion's top of the line helmet for around $99 - $150. They usually retail for $350 new.
The best tip with helmets: get one that fits your head properly. I recommend going to cyclegear or cyclesector and trying on all the helmets they have. Walk around the store with the helmet on. You want to look for any pressure points / points of discomfort with the helmet on. Also, you want to make sure it's SNUG. A properly fitting cheap helmet (like a $60 707 brand helmet) is 1000x better than a poorly fitted expensive helmet (like an $800 arai)

$1000 for a first bike is really really skimping it. I'd say you need to look for around $2k to get a decent bike. You don't want a crappy bike you'll spend more time fixing than riding. Get a decent 250, and next year, or next spring, you can sell it again for $2k.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/2031896072.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/mcy/2040920810.html
I know it's in LA....but I'm sure one of us would be willing to go up with you and ride it back for you if you really wanted to.

If you keep waiting...you might be able to get some better deals as people stop riding during the winter. Spring there will be ALOT of bikes for sale, but the price also goes up in Spring.

Also! Make sure you get locks / alarms / chains for your bike! There's a lot of bike thefts at UCSD since it's 1. so close to the highway and 2. we live so close to Mexico.


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hernz

250cc

Posts: 67

Re: Newbie

« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2010, 01:05:15 AM »

+1 on the scorpion exo 1000. i tried one on at house of motorcycles it has some great features at that price point. like inflatable cheek pads and built in sunglasses. Cool

buy a bike that is mechanically sound, it doesn't have to cost $2000 or even $1000. bring one of us along with you and we'll give the bike a once over/ proper thrashing to make sure it's up to snuff. i've purchased a handful of beaters that run like clockwork.


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egalamay25

President / Administrator
1000cc

Posts: 359

Re: Newbie

« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2010, 01:16:24 AM »

Quote from: hernz on November 05, 2010, 01:05:15 AM

+1 on the scorpion exo 1000. i tried one on at house of motorcycles it has some great features at that price point. like inflatable cheek pads and built in sunglasses. Cool

exactly. Bring someone along.


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pikan

250cc

Posts: 55

Re: Newbie

« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2010, 10:22:34 PM »

thank you so much for the suggestions! i don't know squat about helmet brands, but i like wuzer's suggestion of trying on all different helmets and finding one for my funny shaped head. hernz too - a good bike is a good bike. i'm an engineer, so once i've got a bike, i'll learn every cog and put in some heavy maintenance hours.

Now for the least fun part....... any recommendations for motor insurance? As of now i'm not even insured to drive a car.

as for the bike, i think i'll wait a bit for some better deals (and some nicer colors), but for sure i'll holler when i see something that interests me. when it's all done, i'll buy you all a beer

cheers!


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spicy meatloaf

50cc

Posts: 25

Re: Newbie

« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2010, 11:03:52 PM »

this is probably the best deal on a helmet you'll find. its snell approved (highest certification) and its dirt cheap. make sure you try it on at an actual store first to get the sizing right if you do end up buying online
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=1424


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wuzertheloser

1000cc

Posts: 437

Re: Newbie

« Reply #12 on: November 05, 2010, 11:26:52 PM »

snell certification is really subjective IMHO. I've read so many reports on the certifications and have come to the conclusion that ECE 22.05 is probably the best certification you can get. But of course, you also have SHARK ratings, BSI ratings, Snell ratings etc etc.

in any case....let us know if you need any help! i'm always down to stop by a motorcycle place

as far as insurance goes....you'll have to shop around depending what bike you get. progressive wanted to charge me $600 / year for my first bike (SV650) whereas AAA wanted $1400. however, progressive wanted to charge me $800 for my second bike (D675) whereas AAA charged me $475. Each insurance company has different ways of calculating how much they'll charge you....so just shop around and you'll be okay!


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wuzertheloser

1000cc

Posts: 437

Re: Newbie

« Reply #13 on: November 06, 2010, 09:38:20 PM »

Here's a good read on helmets and safety ratings if you have time:

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/


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JohnnyWithNoH

250cc

Posts: 63

Re: Newbie

« Reply #14 on: November 07, 2010, 10:03:17 AM »

Yo whats up!
Just my 2 cents on the helmet that wuzer recommended for me as well.
Yeah the nearest cycle gear on convoy, off of balboa got new shipment of the apollo Scorpion EXO 1000. I just bought mine for $153, can't complain. I must say I thought the sunglasses was just a marketing gimmick, but it does come in handy. Some people online complain that it only covers 2/3 of the shield, but I'm sure for sport bike riders it works just fine. At least for me it is nice.

Make sure you try it on with the cheek pads deflated. Not too sure how well these inflatable pads will work when you go down. I don't really use the inflated thing.

The only negative is that the vents look really cheap, specially the top ones and the one on the mouth, they are angled kinda weird, but once again for $150 I can't really complain much.

My friend just took the MSF just this weekend (Fri-Sun). They let you borrow helmet, and gloves for the riding part on sat and sun. He is loving the program right now, I definitely encourage you to check out the MSF program.


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