[AaronMerlot]

I like the Icon Super Duty 2 pants (seem to be cool, lots of vented panels but the weather here has yet to get “hot”) and any Shift jacket (note they tend to run a bit on the small side) I have the Shift Dyer jacket and love it. Please don’t forget the gloves (your first reaction if you fall is to put your hands out. I really like the skin on my palms) and boots or shoes. I have Icon Field Armor Boots, they are kinda clunky but lots of protection! (check out Shift Fuel Street Shoes if you don’t want to get boots). I also ride with Alpine Stars knee and shin armor, just because you never know.
http://www.newenough.com has great prices and the BEST service and ultra fast shipping
http://www.sandhillspowersports.com has really cheep prices but service and shipping are, well, ok
I have used both companies and I really like NE
Let me know if I can help any more

[AaronMerlot]

Three Cheers for Ben!! and everyone who has contributed!!

[AaronMerlot]

I bought my bike new from the dealer. The day I came to pick it up it was poring rain,( I was ready to ride it home no matter what) that combined with the fact that it is my first bike, the dealer gave me a ride home and delivered the bike for me 20 minutes later. I want to think it was just really good customer service, but I have a feeling they did not want to see something bad happen to me in front of the dealership (that would be bad for business!!).

[AaronMerlot]

2. It all depends on where you live. I live in Michigan so here you have a couple of options. The best option is first take the MSF course, its $25 and all you need is a helmut and gloves(they give you a bike to ride during the 4 day class). Once you pass that you go to the Secretary of State (aka. MDV) take a 20 question test, pass that, give them $17 and you are good to go get a bike. Now I did it a little different way (I think this should be called the wrong way) #1 bought the bike ( in MI you don’t need a motorcycle license to buy a bike and ride it off the lot, but you are breaking the law once you hit the street) by the way my dealer was not even a bit worried that I did not have a license. #2 go the DMV take the test give them the money and you get a “permit” . That means you can ride with! a licensed rider only during daylight hours and no passengers on your bike. #3 you go to an approved instructor give them $25-$350, they watch you go around some cones for 5 minutes and then give to a short test. When you pass you can get your license. So check with your state DVM!! And take the MSF course, you mite have a better idea of biking when you are done.

3. I am sure if you have been reading the forums on this site you will know the “What bike should I get” is the hot question. To tell you the truth I have no clue! Just read all the info you can get your hands on, and talk to every one.
All I can do is tell you, I am just over 6 feet tall and 178 lbs and my 2007 GS500f is a great, fun bike with plenty of horse power. Take the MSF course and talk to the people there, I bet you will have a good idea of what will work for you when you are done with the class.

[AaronMerlot]

Holy @#$%! Thats all I can say. Wow, I don’t feel so bad about spending so much money on gear now!

[AaronMerlot]

You know I have been wondering what gear everyone else uses. My friends all have very different opinions about the subject. My buddy Greg is one of those “Live free and (possibly) die” kinda guys wile my brother, a Harley guy is “Leather to the max” kinda guy. I am a “all the gear all the time” guy. I love the quote from Jason Britain “their are two kinds of riders, those who have been down and those who are going down”. So I have…

Gmax Helmut $99
Shift Dryer Jacket $300
Got them free with the bike (new) http://www.stevenscycle.com Bay City, MI

First Gear Mesh Sport Gloves $35
Alpine Stars Reflex Knee Guards $25
From http://www.newenough.com I have never had faster shipping or better customer service from ANY online store! They RULE!!

Icon Super Duety 2 Pants $90
Icon Field Armor Boots $90
From http://www.sandhillspowersports.com Great! prices but returns are not easy or cheap.

I still need some winter gloves (michigan sucks!) and I am going to going to keep an eye out from a cheap mesh jacket for the summer.

So what do you guys ride with?

[AaronMerlot]

I sure did! She was not happy about being left for the last 5 or 6 months. Took a couple of trys and some sweet talk but, she fired up just fine. I did take a very cold(40 degrees or so) ride yesterday, but it was nice to get that first of the year ride in. I have never been on a bike when snow was still covering the fields.

[AaronMerlot]

Ok that makes me nervous!

[AaronMerlot]

I love my 2007 Gs500f!!! Just about to get it out of storage.
For the money I don’t think you can get a better bike.
I payed about 5k in september for mine new off the showroom floor.
Let me know if you have any questions and i will help with what I can. I am very new to biking also.

[AaronMerlot]

Any thoughts on a name?

[AaronMerlot]

Thanks!
I think I mite go with the Icon ARC(has the CE knee armor), but with my tax refund mite just get the Super 2 as well (got to help the economy!)

[AaronMerlot]

Try gstwin.com . They have a ton of info on the GS500.

[AaronMerlot]

Thanks for the help!

[AaronMerlot]

Great!! Just Rolled 800 miles on mine before the snow hit up here in michigan. I used the owners manual guidelines for break – in. But now the more I have read on line not sure it was the right thing to do. Let us know what you do and how it works for you. GOOD LUCK!

[AaronMerlot]

I got my 07 GS500f off the showroom floor in late August (just in time to put some miles on it then put it away till spring), Great bike! Got it for $5k out the door with $400 in a Jacket and other stuff for free. $4k sounds like a steel! My GF has not gone with me yet on a ride (she is scared). But the bike has nice power and I am not anticipating a problem when she decides to go with. By the way I am 6ft tall and about 170 pounds and it feels good to me.

[Author]

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