Potential New Biker

paddy

paddy

paddy

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Joined
24 Aug 2003
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1,486
Location
Derbyshire
Looking for some advice from the 2 wheeled brigade!

Background:
I'm a Male, 23 year old, based in the Nottingham area, I've driven a car for 6 years without incident and have owned a P reg skoda for about 6 months.
In the next few months I'm going to be moving in with my girlfriend. Now she has a much nicer car then myself so...

I was *thinking* of selling my car and replacing it with a motorbike.

Reasons:
We don't need 2 cars really, the parking would be a problem.
I assume running a bike would be much cheaper
Commuting through rush hour traffic would be easier on a bike.

Risks:
This is the main area which hangs in my mind. I'm a pretty sensible, defensive (read: tardy) driver who isn't agressive in the least. I'm not worried about me hitting something, more something hitting me...

I don't need to know about the licence route (the sticky saw to that) but I would like to know:

- Decent places in the (South/West) Nottingham area to do the CBT/DAS scheme. Any points I should look out for on companies websites - BSM accreditation?

- What advanced riding courses are available - something like the Pass+ I guess is what I'm looking for

- Safety Gear: This isn't an area I want to skimp on. I understand leather trousers are meant to be the prefered option - I don't like the idea of melting during a crash... (However I am worried about the Hoff/Bolton skin tight leather look). Synth-Jacket? How much to decent helmets cost - what would I look for? Total costs for all safety gear?

- Finally I guess any good first bikes I could look out for - still in the research stage, but I like to know about these things.


If people can offer any advice or things they think useful (forum links/books/stuff) that would be great.
 
running a bike isn't really that much cheaper if at all, once you factor in cost of test £500, equipment £500+ insurance,tax, bike purchase, services every 3k, tires every 3k, chains and brakes every 5k yada yada. Plus it all might seem fine when your a hardened 16 year old with no other choice, but wait till the middle of january when your freezin yer nuts off on it and you may reconsider. bikes are great but I'd also want a car also.
 
I find the bike far cheaper than my car. But then my car costs a fortune. :p

I usually use the bike for commuting. I wear cordua trousers and jacket with knox armour. I also have an knox back protector, plus of course gloves, boots and a helmet. I have a tank bag that I put my smart gear to change into when I get to work. I leave my shoes at work (have a spare pair at home).

For insurance, try eBike. Was really cheap for me compared to the other companies.

Dont think I could survive without the car. The bikes great, until you need to bring something home (shopping) or need to do a long journey. Or if you need to arrive somewhere smart without helmet hair.
 
Cheers for the replies,

Still trying to work out how practical having only 1 car between the two of us would be.

The Knox/Cordua stuff loks very good, as for helmet hair - I currently sport a grade 3 crew cut :)

As an aside Bug One - doubleyou-tea-eff is that Gwheel thing in your sig - looks like death on a nobbly stick ! :eek:

I tentitivly ask this question but: would you "recommend" biking as a general way of getting around?
 
paddy said:
- Safety Gear: This isn't an area I want to skimp on. I understand leather trousers are meant to be the prefered option - I don't like the idea of melting during a crash... (However I am worried about the Hoff/Bolton skin tight leather look). Synth-Jacket? How much to decent helmets cost - what would I look for? Total costs for all safety gear?

- Finally I guess any good first bikes I could look out for - still in the research stage, but I like to know about these things.
Click to expand...

1. GET A BACK PROTECTOR! you have no idea how good these are and how worthwhile they are for the price. £70 will get you a decent Knox one. Go for a race version if you can as these extend down and protect your coccyx(spelling?).

2. Get a helmet that fits.... its not all about money or name. fitment is the most important thing. a cheap OGK, shoei, etc will be ok. you dont have to go Arai. some peoples heads fit arai, some dont... eg mine wont fit shoei or suomy as they press against my forehead too much, but arai and OGK are spot on.

3. Get some decent leathers, not cheapo Hein Gericke or BMF crap. Avoid Alpinestar and RST as well... not worth the leather the names are printed on. Decent brands include Wolf, Dannisport, Spyke, Spidi and a few others. If you buy last years colours you can get a hell of a discount. also, get 2 piece as 1 piece are annoying unless you race.

4. get some decent boots, not wellies or similar crap. Sidis can be had fairly cheap now.

5. Gloves tend to be a grey area... in winter you need some Hein Gericke Lobster gloves really, but if you can get some decent ones with armour. i use Scott or Swift gloves, both of which have seen the tarmac numerous times.

6. some non-leather gear can be good but leather is still the best for safety.

i would weigh up the costs like this really...

gloves £40-80.
boots circa £120.
Helmet £100-200
Leathers - 2 piece (wolf?) £600 if this years, £300 for last years colours.
Back Protector £70

FWIW i race and use the following kit...

Swift Pole Position Gloves,
Wolf Shadow 1 Piece Leathers,
Sidi Vertebrae 1 boots,
Knox Stowaway Race Back Protector,
OGK FF3 Helmet.

the leathers have seen 13 crashes at between 70 and 165mph (never split open! and were £570 reduced from £800 5 years ago). i hit someones back wheel with my back at 140mph and nearly broke my back.... Knox saved me.

and as for first bike - easy.

SV650 i would say.
 
paddy said:
I tentitivly ask this question but: would you "recommend" biking as a general way of getting around?
Click to expand...

I would, as long as you are safe, relatively slow and very observant!

I would get lessons, and skip on buying a 125 unless you really need to, as you already know the rules of the road and probably aren't afraid of it.

Once you pass, get a simple 500 or 600cc and be gentle.

My first helmet was a RST something from Hein-Gericke for like £90.

These days I am sporting a beautifully crafted Shoei, with Hein-Gericke jacket, and Pro-Sport bottoms, and matching boots/gloves.

EDIT: Looks like I am a cheapo who buys crap stuff according to the above post. Just to let you know, this stuff has done me fine through 2 accidents.

But a SV650 is nice, if not get a Hornet 600.
 
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helpimcrap said:
*snip*
Click to expand...
Cheers for that, having done a season snowboarding and with one of my best mates being a downhill mountain biker I know the value in a backprotector - breaking my coccyx is one of those things I never want to do...

I'm certainly not a follwer of fashion so last years colours won't be a problem :)

The SV650 and the Hornet 600 both look really good - I'll see what the insurance is like... :)
 
The cost of running Bikes and Cars is down to perspective.
Bikes do usually have a service interval of 3k for oil, oil filter and airfilter, if you do this service yourself it isn't that expensive, but if you don't go for a 'superbike' this interval can get longer. Tires are very dependant on what you buy, kitting my bike out for new boots cost £195 but the tires should last 5k+, again it depends on the type of bike you buy. As for chain and sprockets, you can send £70 on a device called a Scottoiler which will automaticly oil the chain for you, this device helps chains live upto 15K!

Protection is paramount, a good set of Cordura gear will be warm and waterproof while keeping you safe too.

Bikes can be extremely expensive, or pretty cheap it all depends what you after?
 
paddy said:
snip
Click to expand...

Hi mate.

I'm in the process of getting a bike at the moment, did my theory test last week and passed, got a 4 day DAS course booked up for the 18th of June, and will be looking to grab a bike in either late July, or August.

I spent £550+ on my gear:

AGV S4 helmet - £160
Ixon synth. armored jacket - £65
Frank Thomas synth. armored trousers - £100
Teknic Kevlar gloves - £50
Sidi Vertigo boots - £165
Foggy Anti-fog mask - £12 :D

I'll be using the above for commuting, planning to get a leather one-piece after I pass and get the bike; this will be for rides out.

I'm personally going for a Honda CBR 600RR, I have my heart set on this now, but isurance is the next sticking point: basically don't go with Bennetts!
I have signed up to a 600RR forum and all the guys there have told me that Bennetts are always higher than anyone else, and a lot of them have had issues getting documents etc.

Anyway, best of luck!

Scort.
 
I got myself kitted out for bike clothing for £420 I think it was. It's decent enough kit, not high end, but not crap. It was certainly enough to get me started, and I plan on buying better kit as I go along. I've already bought a few more things, a lightweight summer jacket for when it's properly roasting, and another set of textile trousers, just because I commute and it's useful to have extra clothes. Also got some lighter summer gloves, but I tend to wear them all the time as they're very comfortable.

Also tomorrow I'm picking up a Frank Thomas leather jacket and plan on getting some leather jeans from the same brand to zip them together, and I plan on wearing those for when I'm on a proper ride. I doubt I'll wear them much for commuting, but I may do.

Also, I only have a bike - I don't drive and neither does my fiance, and we do ok. It's a pain sometimes (she won't get on the bike with me yet, I'm still new to riding and I don't want to take her yet either) but once she's ready to ride on it with me, things will be fairly easy - unless it's peeing down with rain.

We do have to rely on other people sometimes, if we buy something large, and so on, but your girlfriend's got a car, so you'll be fine.

It's a horrible feeling waking up and looking out into the pouring rain knowing I have to ride to work in it, and it's not fun at all. Buuut, you make your choices, and I made mine. All in all I don't plan on changing the situation for a while. You're young and carefree, if you want to do it, do it!
 
paddy said:
Cheers for the replies,

Still trying to work out how practical having only 1 car between the two of us would be.

The Knox/Cordua stuff loks very good, as for helmet hair - I currently sport a grade 3 crew cut :)

As an aside Bug One - doubleyou-tea-eff is that Gwheel thing in your sig - looks like death on a nobbly stick ! :eek:

I tentitivly ask this question but: would you "recommend" biking as a general way of getting around?
Click to expand...
I try to keep my hair short too. Makes it a lot easier. The gwheel is something I just saw on ebay and had to have. Its pretty hard to get your balance on it, but its good fun once you get the hang of it. I also have a petrol powered mountain board too now.

I havent spent anywhere as much on my biking as helpimcrap. But then I can't imagine seeing 13 crashes.

During the summer for commuting I'm wearing

lightweight cordua / knox jacket - £90
Weise cordua / knox trousers - £45 (second hand)
Kevlar lightweight gloves - £25
Nitro boots - £35
knox stowaway back protector £50
Caberg Justissimo helmet (with the drop down sunvisor) - £100

Guess thats £345 then. Not too much.

Didn't cost that much, has plenty of protection and I dont look like a power ranger :p

I'd definately recommend biking as a way of getting around. I wouldn't want it as my sole means though.
 
Rossmac said:
EDIT: Looks like I am a cheapo who buys crap stuff according to the above post. Just to let you know, this stuff has done me fine through 2 accidents.
Click to expand...

i am a bit blunt about my thoughts so i apologise for any offence. however to back up my statement, you see a lot of good and bad stuff when racing.

eg, every alpinestars suit ive seen go down the road has split open. not good. and ive seen a few RST suits rip shoulders open as low speeds (60-70mph) which again is not good.

however alpinestars do seem to make good boots... and overpriced gloves.

a road crash is a lot different to a track crash in terms of road furniture. for that reason alone armour is maybe more crucial than leather buildup. ive been through gravel traps at 130mph and not damaged anything, but in the one road crash i had at about 100mph i smashed my helmet to pieces and put a hole in my gloves going through a hedge.

with my kit though, and im now up to 15 crashes ;) i have never broken a bone *touch wood* and thats involved 4 collisions with other bikes, 2 with tyre walls, and 1 where the bike hit me in the back. still on my original knox stowaway back protector which is the best bit of kit i have bought bar none. :)
 
Cant say anything more than what the guys have said above, all very good advice, as said Arai is a very particular shape, expensive and also very noisy aboid unless its the only one that fits, ive had mine for over 2 years now and my god its noisy now and even at normal motorway speeds nevermind hyperspeed.
Myself my helmet was £300, just got new gloves, £80, need new boots £130, just got new 2 piece leathers (helpimcrap dont hurt me there Alpinestar :o but they were the best fit for me) wore a leather jacket and textile trousers for over 2 years and only had the 2 piece for a week and already never want to turn back lol its really different feel wearing them on the bike :p makes me feel invulnerable lol which is a bad thing :/
Also had to get a new back protector as old one didnt fit with new leathers that was £60 knox one.

And as for a bike SV650!!!!! :D cant go wrong, amazing bike still having doubts as to why i want to get a new bike lol, i got an old carb one and get about 130 miles to a tank but that varies massively on how you ride, i get full service one a year at about £200, new tyres, if you get both at same time most places do good deals for £150ish, as for oil/brakes etc do it yourself saves money and is satifying looking after your own bike well it is to me. MUST have a aftermarker end can, so put by upto £300 for one of them :p unless u get a nice one for cheap on the bay :p
 
helpimcrap said:
still on my original knox stowaway back protector which is the best bit of kit i have bought bar none. :)
Click to expand...

Sounds good, think I'll have to pick one up when I go for my one piece, my jacket already has padding for the back; but the extra protector will be good for those too I guess.

Scort.
 
Seems everyone has covered most aspects so far but I will chuck my two pence in :)

Costs wise it has saved me a fortune going from the car to the bike. Mainly on fuel costs, insurance and parking (work in Bristol city centre and commute in 16 miles each way). However the biggest saving is time. It completely cut my journeys from anything up to 2 hours or more sitting on a park and ride bus to 30-40 minutes. This I value far more than anything else.

If you have a JS Accessories near you then they are well worth a visit. As said picking up last years colour scheme can cut the costs of very good gear in half and these guys stock plenty of it.
I got my Shoe XR1000 lid for roughly half price in there (had same helmet in Fowlers for just shy of £400 in this seasons colour scheme), my boots where a few quid off but they where current models, trousers too. Very helpful staff who where not interested in what was most expensive, just what was best for you and fitted properly...unlike Fowlers which just seemed to be interested in what would net them the most profits.
 
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