New Guy ;)

Digz · L Plate Warrior Joined: 20 Apr 2014 Karma :

Hey guys,

Been reading this website non stop for the last couple of days!
I'm stuck for choice here, I'm new to riding (my experience goes as far as on road quads and off road dirt bikes both of which were a good couple of years ago)
I've been driving since i could see over the steering wheel! but i am determined to move onto 2 wheels.

Now my questions to you guys n girls are:

1. Is it worth doing the intensive course, bearing in mind i have only spent ~1hour on the roads, on a quad... or shall i take my theory and get 6 hours worth of lessons and a DSA test?

2. I'm thinking of getting a ninja 250 or ninja 300 for the first year. thoughts?

Thanks for reading / answers. and for this abundance of information on this website, its been helpful thus far Smile

Its probably worth noting that i am in the process of selling my car to pay for the bike / tests etc. i hope to have all this completed within a month or two.
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I'll always die to ride, but i wont ride to die.

bikertomm · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Karma :

Welcome.

To help you some more we need to know your:

A) Age?

B) Budget?

Ninja 250/300? Personally, no.

Thumbs Up

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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

Digz · L Plate Warrior Joined: 20 Apr 2014 Karma :

Hey, Thanks,

I'm 24. turning 25 mid July. my budget is not really an issue to start with, I'm selling my car for around 11k which is going to fund what I need, then what I have left I will use sensibly Razz

saying that, I'm not going to buy a new bike to start with as ill cry when I drop it Razz

my main worry is what bike to get and what gear I should be looking at, I prefer leathers purely for the protection / looks, but obviously the alternative is better for utility.

I'm going to be using it as my main mode of transport, I drive approx. 50-60 miles a day purely for work, on the motorway for most of it.

any reason why? I've heard nothing but good things for the Ninja for a starter bike.
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I'll always die to ride, but i wont ride to die.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

bikertomm · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Karma :

-Matt- · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Apr 2013 Karma :

I wouldn't expect the quad experience to be of much use so don't be suprised if it feels very alien on the road at first Razz

might feel strange after years of car driving particularly but you'll get used to it quick so don't let it put you off at first if it all feels a bit precarious and alien. Bike wise, at 24 with an unrestricted license I think you might be better looking at something a bit bigger, especially with a motorway commute - the ninja could do it no doubt, but you could find a bit more power nice to play with, even if you don't use it much to start off with.

The only real reason to avoid a bigger bike is if you're the sort of person than literally has no self control and will pin the throttle without any thought, if you go easy on it and keep in mind the power of the bike at all times its fine and is a lot of fun Thumbs Up

It may not be an issue with your budget, but you can also get a lot more bigger bike/save money for the amount you will likely spend on one of the ninja's. If you're after them mainly for the looks as well theres plenty of bigger bikes within your [rather huge Shocked

] budget you could get your hands on.

Gear wise, for a motorway commute if you're mainly riding A-B i'd get leathers personally. I wear mine all year round usually, even in winter with a layer of thermals and thin jump underneath / sometimes a hoodie over the top [and a rainsuit on the wet days - which in itself warms you up a lot] they're fine, haven't felt cold in temps as low as -5. Textiles are handy, mainly in summer IMO as you can remove the thermal liners and they're a lot cooler to walk around in than leathers if you're visiting places you can't change and store gear etc. If you have a few spare minutes and somewhere to change either end though leathers are fine usually. Also don't presume all textiles are waterproof, some may very quickly leak and let water through and you'll end up soaked - try get feedback on here/read reviews to get an idea whats good if you go down that route for gear.

Gloves/boots wise - As with the last point about textiles; read reviews - don't just go by price/what the product info tells you. Lots are hit and miss as to whether they're actually waterproof, and price isn't always a guarantee. Used gear on ebay too is always a big saving.

Helmets - 50 quid should get you something thats more than fine, or you can get some moto gp replica, carbon fibre wizardry for hundreds if you prefer Razz