I notice you are buying equipment for your gf too. That is great and all. But if it hasn't already been suggested, I would suggest that you don't ride with a passenger for a while.

Being a Yamaha (and Honda, Kawasaki) dealer this thread grabbed my attention. Having read through the post I can’t say I disagree with the advice given, and I think your GS500 was a decent choice, although the F2 / F3 would have been better. I say that because if you have sporting intentions, the CBR would serve your purposes much longer than the 500. Plus there is a much bigger resale market for the Honda when you want to upgrade.

Like you, I came to motorcycling somewhat late in life which can be a real challenge and pretty intimidating. But unlike what some have said, you don’t have to crash (I have ridden street bike for 11 years now and haven’t), I was fortunate enough to meet some good friends, who were racers, right away and they taught me well. They also got me on a track, and in racing school within 3 months of beginning, so I think I avoided the bone-head moves people make in the beginning. As it stands I leave all my crashing for Supermoto, and MX (done seven bones that way). :eek:

Good luck, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you want a deal on something. We have a large EBay department where we sell helmets and jackets and all manner of things at discount prices, and we also have an online store the link for which you will find in my profile.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinnitus
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/49/40134.htm
All highway riding should use earplugs.

When you are new, you need to hear all the noises you bike makes. Once you are familiar get some 30dB or better protection.

no there's padded ear protection, go to your local biking shop and check out the selection you'll see what i mean. whats very important is fitment so find something relatively comfortable that you can keep on for long periods of time.

Main thing when riding a streetbike is...
 

You are invisible.

I've been riding for 34 years, had bikes for 32 of 'em. What will keep you the safest is remembering that no one can see you, never assume they can!
I applaud your choice of the GS500, SV650, Bandit 600, Kawasaki 750 (less powerful then the repli-racer 600's).

You can get a Shoei or Arai for $250~300 - just find last years model or a mis-order. Bieffe and KBC are OK for cheap helmets. A jacket with armour is a great idea (joe rocket, first gear). Boots are a smart investment, gloves are a must. Heavy jeans are the minimum protection for legs, riding jeans or racing pants are safer.

Always keep your eyes open, assume motorists are trying to kill you, and remember that you are truly invisible to the masses.

Cheers,

Alex

thanks for everything guys, you all helped alot. Does anyone know how much insurance would run me for this bike. The suzuki gs500f. Any ideas, im 18 and live in chicago. Would it make a difference if it was under me fathers name?

good to see we have lots of experienced riders to help you out here, but i might chime in and say if you can get racing pants or full leathers do so because jeans(especially thin cheap ones) will grip and rip on the road and mangle your joints and bones which isn't too comfortable

yea, im planning on buying riding jeans. Does anyone know of a good online store where i can buy the gear. Or any stores in chicago, thanks

kneedraggers.com

Our site, ChampionsOnline.com is more geared towards Supermoto, so the amount of street gear we have listed is limited but I would be happy to get you a price on anything you need. We are a rather large dealer group and have a lot of buying power with parts. A friend of mine owns Chicago Cycle so I would like to recomend them for a local store.

i was actually looking to go to chicago cycle :p . Small world

Thw owner's son Scott Heahn used to work for me in Orlando. I think he is there on the weekends. Tell him ChampionsYamaha (aka Robert Mealey) sent you. He will flip out.

Go with an SV650. You can find ton of them for sale after the race season is over. If you are looking at a GS500, I would go with the SV, you wont outgrow it as quickly and because its a CULT track bike, there is a huge market for aftermarket and spare parts. As for a helmet, i have an Arai Quantum F. My next helmet will be an Arai if not, then a Shoei. I can't stress enough how sweet an SV is. I just sold mine and will probably hop back into riding next year. I am itching for 600cc I4, but I still may get another SV.

Hey, here's a dumb question that I've always wondered about: How is "Arai" pronounced? I've only ever seen it in print.

Ah-R-eye

sounds like "an eye" but with an R in the middle

Thanks! That was my best guess, glad to know for sure.

i have to agree the thing is the SV will be more. in 01 i believe they had a really sweet color on the 650s and 1k's which was a bronze metallic color that looked really awesome

Hmm... not quite right maybe.

Ah rye

A lie (but change the "l" to an r sound)

something like that. Kinda hard to explain Japanese phonetics on paper.

Everyone has given great advice. I have a (dead) SV400. The SV is a wonderful bike that will take you a little bit to outgrow and have high "fun to ride" factor. Stay away from the supersport "racer replica" bikes... or if you MUST have one, go with the recommend CBR 600 F3. Forget the RR and forget the R6. Even a 400cc bike is incrediby fast compared to a car. Don't forget that.

Riding two up. Don't do it. At least not yet. Riding with a passenger is actually quite difficult and not very comfortable on a bike with "clip ons" (racing profile handles). Riding with just yourself alone requires quite a bit of skill... two people just adds to it. Do the MSF and maybe even some track courses. Get some decent mileage/hours under your belt and then take the gf out with you on the bike.

OH... if you're interested in riding with a passenger often, want some comfort, but still stay sporty, think about a HOnda VRF 800. They are excellent bikes.

cool guys, i cant thank all of you guys enough for all the help. U walked me trough all the steps, from the bike, to the gear, to the classes and courses. Looks like its happeneing and im going to buy the bike sometime next week. I need help, again. I am really ignorant in this subject and do not want to be tricked out. We settled at $3100. So i give him the cash, and he gives me the title?, and what else should i do/ ask/or check for before leaving with my bike.

and after that, what else do i need to buy/get? Liscence plate, any permits. And how much do they cost. Sorry for all the annoying questions, but i really have no idea. Thanks again, buds

Yeah, I think I get it. That's how I was interpreting what he said, in fact I nearly had posted back asking if he meant "ah rye", but I figured he did. My main question was if the second syllable was "rye" or "ray".

So thanks for the clarification!

Krankor
98 Virago 1100 SP

That kind of stuff is state-specific. Check with your local Bureaucracy Of Motor Vehicles for what you need to do regarding registration, plates, insurance, etc.

Or maybe someone here is from your state and can answer you directly. I only know about Massachusetts.

(of course, you haven't taken the riding course yet, if I remember correctly, so I guess there's no pressing need to get it street-ready. Might as well save on the insurance and all until you really need it.)

Krankor
98 Virago 1100 SP

You did a better job with the phonetics. I had it right...just couldnt quite get it across.

Used SV's are around $3K if you get an 99-'01. Did you settle on $3100 for a the GS500? It's also a great beginner bike, but trust me...in a year or so, you'll want more. Good luck, ride safe.

Krankor, I live one town over....

Really? In which direction?

yea, i settled for the gs500. I really like it, and i figured if i want to upgrade, il seel this one and buy another one, as i would probably not loose alot of money. I live in illinois, anyone know what i need???