[DaveC]

Originally Posted by bmwbailey

I concur - never ever scrimp on your lid - buy the very best helmet you can afford - ive always bought Arai RX7R's but ive also got a couple of Shoei race reps - and a really good set of leathers is imperative if you ride sports bikes in my opinion - again only buy a reputable brand - i prefer the Kangaroo skin Arlen Ness Ti's because they fit so nice - NEVER ride without gloves even if going to the shops, you'll "de-skin" in seconds at anything over 20mph if you put your bare hands down in a fall - and finally invest in good boots that protect ankles and also prevent the foot bending the opposite way on impact etc. It will be expensive to kit yourself out properly but it could very well be the best money you ever spend - look at Shinya Nakano's crash at over 200mph where he landed on his head - i went straight out the next day and bought that Arai model - RX7RR!!

Good gear is a must, or rather gear is a must... get a damned good helmet the rest you can afford to let budget dictate a little, good ones if you can but anything that isn't economy 7 is well worth it - *any* pair of half decent gloves is a million miles better than nothing as Steve says dont leave home without them - you'll be grinding away bone within a couple of yards if you drop it.

I wear:-
Arai RX7RR
Shoei boots with the vertebra thingy
Alpinestars gloves
Immensely thick robocop style Dainese two piece with armour all over the place for the rest.

But all the top brands are OK, a lot of it comes down to what's comfortable (very important) and what you like the look of.

[Looney Toon]

Nice Kit Dave.

A good helmet is top priority, and historically, you can't go wrong with Arai or Shoei... though you will pay for them. Both have great reputations for fit too.

Stay clear of Chinese fibreglass - Nitro being the obvious newcomer over the last few years.
Ironically though the 'Economy 7' helmets made of plastic, such as the old FM's outperformed even the top of the range Arai's in independent BSI impact tests, just by the nature of the 2 different materials.
Trouble is, Fibreglass looks far better etc

[r!der]

You have access to all the cool bikes over there. I think you'll love the 125.
The new 600 ss bikes are not the best beginner bikes. Dont you have to start "small" in the UK? I thought you guys had a tiered motorcycle license system.

[trixman]

Nope, you can get a direct access course that you get tested on 'a grown up bike'. They give you the paper to go out and ride a 'thou the next day.

Yay!

[beemerbird]

To bike or not to bike then?

[trixman]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

To bike or not to bike then?

No, think he wants just the one.

[Hoops]

Originally Posted by trixman

Nope, you can get a direct access course that you get tested on 'a grown up bike'. They give you the paper to go out and ride a 'thou the next day.

Yay!

And thats probably THE most dangerous thing you can do - anyone who passes the DAC and goes straight out and buys a litre bike is an idiot and will be most likely spat off and killed in seconds - it takes a long time to learn how to handle that much power and to be honest even good 600's are far too fast for new riders.

[trixman]

Originally Posted by bmwbailey

And thats probably THE most dangerous thing you can do - anyone who passes the DAC and goes straight out and buys a litre bike is an idiot and will be most likely spat off and killed in seconds - it takes a long time to learn how to handle that much power and to be honest even good 600's are far too fast for new riders.

I agree, the 'Yay' was sarcastic

I actually did that though, although went straight to a 749 Duke, BUT I have been riding bikes (albeit not entirely legally) for many years before that. For 90% of people there should be a stepped program in place at least.