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Yamaha Jog (CE50, CG50, CY50)
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KellisanthParticipant
If there’s a motorcycle show in your area, try to go and do that. Many times, you will find deals to be had at things like that. Seriously. I saved over 250USD on my leather jacket and gloves. Boots, I didn’t get a deal on.
Assume at most, 1000USD to start. I only ended up spending about 700USD initially. Spent a little more later on, for another set of jacket, gloves, and a safety vest (ORANGE). Will be looking for a new set of touring boots too (hopefully much cheaper!) and helmet (built-in sunvisor sounds good for this four-eyes).
You could shop around the internet, looking at clearance deals and such. As for rating, as long as it says DOT/Snell/ECE/CE on the stuff, then that’s good. Doesn’t matter if the bucket cost about 50USD or not (which I now kicked myself for not picking up, the GMax with the lights on the back), as long as it has a rating (and a proven company I would surmise as well) then don’t worry about it. I’d only worry if it is a half-helmet or a three-quarter.
As for how much it might cost to gear up, here’s an example of what my cost were for the stuff I bought at the show.
Bell Leviathan Helmet (DOT/Snell) – 80 – discounted
Fieldsheer Mercury Pants – 162 – discounted
Dragon Rider Leather Jacket (Sword) – 206 – discounted
Dragon Rider GP Pro (Leather Gauntlet Gloves) – 80 – discounted
Forma Street Evo Touring Boots (43) – 251 (stupid sales tax!!! – no discount)About 780 there. Give or take. Like I said, I recently bought another set of jacket (Covert textile), gloves (same Dragon Rider stuff only in red – more vis than black), which was about 180 there (gave me a discount on the gloves and jacket!). A new vest (Icon MilSpec another 55USD). So close to 1000USD there. I’m gonna look into buying a new pair of pants (padded kevlar jeans) and the icon knee thingamabobs.
As I said, look around online. If you’re a member of AMA, you get an additional 10pct discount on BikeBandit purchases – which can help a lot!
/me mutters.
I still need to do a write up review on my Dragon rider stuff. Hopefully after these next few days, I will do so. If anything, I know the leather is HOT… can’t breathe! Then again, I was stupid enough to walk around with it when it hit the 70s. 😮 Hard to get leather off sweaty arms. http://www.dragonriderusa.com
I’m wearing that jacket (profile pic) if you wondered what it looks like. Looks like there’s a discount on the gear until the end of the month. *ponders*
PS: And no, buying the most expensive gear and equipment will not make safer. It will lessen the damage (as compared to no gear), but it will offer no 100% guarantee of not causing injury or death.
Best “equipment” you can give yourself, is a MSF/Riding Safety Course. That, and proper equipment and practice are your best bet. And lots of good advise. (don’t trust me, for I could be wrong or forgetting something)
KellisanthParticipantNever really thought of the 100mph tape. And definitely will be thinking of a plug kit. I guess those cans (e.g., fix-it flat) aren’t worthwhile?
Flashlight (love Mag-Light!) is definitely something I’ll carry about.
Any thoughts of road flares? Or just get one of those plastic thingies instead?
KellisanthParticipantAre they a common brand available on the civilian market? I keep forgetting to pick up some packs.
KellisanthParticipantTrue, I very likely could. Save some weight, leave more room!
But my friends have Harleys. 😮 That is, if/when I escape this city to ride out there.
KellisanthParticipantYou’re right… I shouldn’t whine about things.
I just want less steps in getting cleared overall. Safely!
KellisanthParticipantThus had to look around. The parts guy at The Zone (where I got my bike, still haven’t named it) look it up on the Kawasaki site to let me see what the “n00b” kit looks like.
He recommended for me to buy a kit that has both SAE/Metric and some spare fuses. Not sure what brand of fuses to get, so picked up a box that costed about $2USD from Pep Boys (36 pieces, 5/10/15/20/25/30 amps)
Some small kits looked nice, such as
Just need to work up a “tool box” list now. If the bike acts up really bad and doesn’t straighten out, does the “threaten with a sledgehammer” still work?
This is what the “n00b” kit looks like for the Kawasaki. And the replacement cost was VERY expensive! Good grief. *faint*
KellisanthParticipant*laugh* True!
But… Most of them drive trucks/cars, or bicycles! Will work on that…
KellisanthParticipantOh LUCKY duck you! :o)
Found out what IL does for their permits. Guess I should have kept more attention when I took the permit test.
So that’s gonna suck when I try to get my license endorsed as I will have limited time of riding. *haha* Hrmm… Maybe I can sneak by… *rubs chin in thought* But if something happens, that’ll screw up my insurance. Especially when I said I had a M-endorsement and passed the training course. 😮
The friends I have who have motorcycles, are in different cities.
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If you are age 18 or over, you may apply for a 12-month instruction permit to operate a Class L or Class M motorcycle. It allows you to drive only during daylight hours, under the direct supervision of a licensed motorcycle operator. If you are under age 18 and have satisfactorily completed driver education, you may apply for a 12-month instruction permit to operate a motor-driven cycle Class L (under 150 cc). It allows you to drive only during daylight hours, under the direct supervision of a licensed motor-driven or motorcycle operator.
KellisanthParticipantAhhh, I see now.
The only thing is… if I follow their recommendation… I might have a wee bit of a problem… Riding the freeway/interstate. 😮
Can you imagine me, going the recommended speed/RPM… when folks are trying to get to work. Me included!
KellisanthParticipantWhat is a motoman break-in?
Considering my EX5 is at 48 miles (maybe a lil’ more), and the shop is changing the oil and such when I get it delivered, I don’t think it’s broke in yet.
KellisanthParticipantQ: Does your require you to be riding with another licensed rider, or can you be on your own?
Not sure if that’s standard with all permits or not.
Then again, it has been along time since I ever had permits.
KellisanthParticipantIf anything, I think I will be mail-ordering things for most things!
I hate paying 10% sales tax.
Not to mention, when they (stores) don’t have it in stock, they say it’ll take them 3-5 days for them to get the order in. By that time, I could have it sent to my apartment, with maybe free shipping, and NO taxes!
/me starts looking at Iron Pony and Chapparal a lot more.
KellisanthParticipantMy inseam is about 30 or so, and I’m 1.5m (about 5’5″). The 250/500 are 30.5″. I have some slight problems, but not too terribly much in that the twins are squished and crying.
Guess it depends on what I wear pant wise too, if I can fit properly.
Initially, my thinking is that my 500 is too much for me to begin with, especially with the crazy drivers here in the city (Chicago). Thus I’ve been second guessing myself at times. But in the end, I ended up getting the 500. In the short term, it’s a bit rash, but looking at it in the long term it will be fine for what I plan to do (tour about with it, long commutes).
I do not think you’ll look too odd on the bike really. There was an article in a UK mag (“Performance Bike”) recently, with a tall bloke on the 250R and he enjoyed it. Didn’t look odd to me, when I saw the pics.
KellisanthParticipantDropped by Home Depot, picked up one of those covers for those electric box thingamajigs… If that’s not available, other cheap alternatives are flattened out aluminum beer cans, some wooden panels, et al. As long as it’s solid and won’t deform too terribly much, right?
Plan to use that plate to set the kickstand on. Cheap (less than a buck) so I’m not out too much if I forget it (which I doubt).
Then again, the 500 has a centre stand as well, but not sure if I’ll use it too much – yet.
KellisanthParticipantWhile at Pep-Boys (picking up a FIAAM horn, gonna try and switch out the OEM horn this weekend), seen a few Garmin on sale.
205 – 150
205W – 175 (sale price until the 21st)There was also a Mio Moov 200 for $99USD. Seemed to have more features (barely) than the 205.
Saw a Sony GPS, but it was like, 250 I think…
Figured GPS units might be easier to stick in the map folder, compared to trying to read off a paper that might be smudged (wet ink) or torn, or crinkled.
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@Clay_Dowling
Seen what kind of “tool kit” Kawasaki includes with their 500. I think a better, more sturdier set is in order. OMG. In a tight pinch, I think that would be a last ditch resort to use. At least to me, it looks like to be.
Just need to work on what all to buy, and start saving up for those things. I don’t think my lil’ Swiss Army knives will help.
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