First Bike

MatsyLR · 3 Oct 2014 at 23:26

Guess what......
I passed my test! *does happy dance*
I've held of buying anything to avoid crying in the corner over my misery if something bad happened.
Anyway, I'm after suggestions for a first bike. I'm about 12 stone 5'11.
Will only be used to go to work and back (about a 30min car journey, which has very open roads on the way) and going out just to practice once in a while.
Don't need anything super powerful, but I will be going on the motorway, so will need something suitable that can go fast enough to do what bikes do best, overtaking (safely) and have nice gas mileage.
Don't want anything "sporty" just something sensible with a upright seating position.
Also would like some suggestions on gear (obviously full face helmet which I will go to a proper shop to get a proper snug fit), just curious on jackets, pants, gloves and boots.
I get hot easily so of put by leather jackets and gloves.
Also I'm aware you can get "biker jeans" which are just a tougher version of normal jeans instead of sweaty leather pants)
Also are the proper boots really needed? any alternatives as I can't carry comfortable shoes with me all the time (It sit at a desk for work so I would have to wear them all day).
I will be driving in the not so nice UK weather, so waterproof is a plus.

Any advice much appreciated.
Cost isn't exactly an issue, but nothing over the top and would like to keep it down if possible.

wazza300 · 3 Oct 2014 at 23:41

Honda varadero?

as for gear id pick
weise
spada
alpinestars

in that order for budget,textile clothes would be best,i used to change out of them when I got to work or wear some waterproof overtrousers?

boots you can go for the steel toe cap type ones either the shoes or the higher caterpillar type (you ideally want some that protect your ankle and are tall)

(ohh and congrats on passing

another one joins the club

)

leigh_boy · 4 Oct 2014 at 07:21

dont get steel toe cap boots, in an event of a really bad accident you could chop your toes off.

Kreeeee · 4 Oct 2014 at 10:15

Yep, everyone I spoke to when looking for my first set of gear said to avoid them.

DangerMoose · 4 Oct 2014 at 10:59

My CBT instructor said much the same (with me turning up in a pair, in my ignorance).

You can, however, get a range of different ankle boots designed for motorcycling. Some of them look like regular casual boots, with some protective features inside. Some even look relatively smart. You can, of course, get ones that look like motorcycle boots to varying degrees as well, with features like reinforced toe sections for gear shifting (not a consideration for me at present). But plenty of them would not look out of place if worn all day. I don't doubt that you sacrifice some protection compared with "proper" boots though.

For example:

http://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/boots/ankle-boots.html

Sandycheeks · 4 Oct 2014 at 11:09

MatsyLR said:
Guess what......
I passed my test! *does happy dance*
I've held of buying anything to avoid crying in the corner over my misery if something bad happened.
Anyway, I'm after suggestions for a first bike. I'm about 12 stone 5'11.
Will only be used to go to work and back (about a 30min car journey, which has very open roads on the way) and going out just to practice once in a while.
Don't need anything super powerful, but I will be going on the motorway, so will need something suitable that can go fast enough to do what bikes do best, overtaking (safely) and have nice gas mileage.
Don't want anything "sporty" just something sensible with a upright seating position.
Also would like some suggestions on gear (obviously full face helmet which I will go to a proper shop to get a proper snug fit), just curious on jackets, pants, gloves and boots.
I get hot easily so of put by leather jackets and gloves.
Also I'm aware you can get "biker jeans" which are just a tougher version of normal jeans instead of sweaty leather pants)
Also are the proper boots really needed? any alternatives as I can't carry comfortable shoes with me all the time (It sit at a desk for work so I would have to wear them all day).
I will be driving in the not so nice UK weather, so waterproof is a plus.

Any advice much appreciated.
Cost isn't exactly an issue, but nothing over the top and would like to keep it down if possible.

You will not only go to work and back - fact, once you have a bike and the freedom that it brings you will want to go everywhere and anywhere...it's not the same as a car, it's pleasure !
I wear gore-tex army boots and they're fine, I also sit at a desk all day.
Textiles are a good choice of protective clothing especially coming into winter - buy the best you can afford and try them on and read lots of reviews.

Welcome to freedom !

wazza300 · 4 Oct 2014 at 12:03

It's gonna take an extremely high impact to crush a steel toe cap tbh,I don't think the rest of u would survive long before it crushes the toe cap,

MatsyLR · 4 Oct 2014 at 15:25

Thanks all
Any more suggestions on first bikes?

On Holiday · 4 Oct 2014 at 15:30

Not sure what the restrictions are now..

What power bike can you ride? Or aren't you restricted?

Not likely to crush yours toe in a bike accident tbf

But definitely get proper motorcycle boots with full ankle protection!

~Dockie · 4 Oct 2014 at 15:48

Hornet? plenty of power for a motorway, and i find them comfy and easy to ride, considering the power its a very friendly bike.

Get a proper pair of boots and carry your work shoes in a bag, its what i do

Tefal · 4 Oct 2014 at 17:54

wazza300 said:
It's gonna take an extremely high impact to crush a steel toe cap tbh,I don't think the rest of u would survive long before it crushes the toe cap,

on that note though when my r6 went down in the ice the steel toe cap stooped the peg crushing my foot where it got jammed underneath. it punched through a bit of the leather just behind the cap but the cap held solid, i think there would have been either a lot of tissue damage or broken bones without the cap.

Tefal · 4 Oct 2014 at 17:56

I just got a set of john doe kamikaze cargo pants. 360 full Kevlar cover and water replant, it literally bounces off very warm an comfy can be a little sweaty if you're walking a lot though.

also videos of them dragging a guy behind a bike in them an no damage.

MatsyLR · 5 Oct 2014 at 19:46

MowyTone · 6 Oct 2014 at 12:34

One thing I've noticed about both of the jackets is that neither of them say they have a back protector. One has a 'provision' and the other one says nothing.

Kreeeee · 6 Oct 2014 at 13:36

The jeans have no hip protection either, an absolute must!

MatsyLR · 6 Oct 2014 at 18:25

MowyTone said:
One thing I've noticed about both of the jackets is that neither of them say they have a back protector. One has a 'provision' and the other one says nothing.

Both of them sell the back protector separate and have a zip at the back to put it in.
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/140419 for ARMR and http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/75756 for RST.

Wasn't aware these where necessary for just road use.

MatsyLR · 6 Oct 2014 at 18:27

Kreeeee said:
The jeans have no hip protection either, an absolute must!

Hardly any have "hip protectors" can only find ones which are £200+ cant pay that

Kreeeee · 6 Oct 2014 at 18:29

They have the pockets for them, buy the inserts.

This is your life we're talking about here. All of the armour, especially the back protector, is absolutely necessary.

MatsyLR · 6 Oct 2014 at 18:36

Kreeeee said:
They have the pockets for them, buy the inserts.

This is your life we're talking about here. All of the armour, especially the back protector, is absolutely necessary.