freq

[QUOTE=Penforhire,Sep 19 2007, 03:02 PM] (Motoport GP-2

Penforhire

Did you miss my first post's qualifier, "high-end textile armored suits" ?

freq

Sorry. :hangshead:

FWIW, I had a MotoPort GP-2 Kevlar suit.

Saki GT

So, is there anything about model years we should know when looking for a first bike? If I was looking to spend little on a bike and just ride it around town to get experience, would a cruiser be a better choice?

sahtt

Model years really aren't that important. Motorcycles are much simpler machines than cars and are much cheaper to keep reliable. Sportbikes aren't starter bikes in the first place, so yes a cruiser would be a good choice to familiarize yourself with riding. FYI, older bikes will have carbs. I prefer carbs over fuel injection in many areas but you do need to see when the last time the carbs were overhauled and synced if you are getting an older bike.

Obviously older bikes won't have as good performance as newer models, but 99% of riders can't ride an 01 R1 to it's max and 99.5% of riders can't ride an 08 R1 to it's max, so that isn't a real issue for most people in reality.

Ducmann996

I have to agree with sahtt. I have had accidents with both Leather and Kevlar jackets. The leather one protected me very well were as the Kevlar jacket did not. The jacket bunched up at the waist and melted at all contact points. It stopped at the body armor but the jacket was shot after the accident. It also left me with nice road rash along my waist and hip. On the other hand my leather held up really nice and was wearable again. I now have a Vanson jacket and a Dianese full suit.

Take it from my experience you don't want a textile jacket when your sliding down the road.

Streetfighter

Just my two cents, but textile is crap, I have first hand experience with it and it doesn't hold up well. I wear my leather all the time, if its hot I un zip a little bit. I look at it like this, you like your skin? Then ****ing wear a leather jacket. Same for a helmet, that should always be worn no matter what.

Dan Hale

ALL THE GEAR, ALL (YES ALL) THE TIME.

Christople

Good post

Bboy AJ

"6. Avoid group rides period IMO"

I assume this means when you are just starting off? I hope it doesn't mean always, as that sort of conjecture has little relevance to the topic at hand.