Ninja 250R, Ninja 650R, Versys, or SV650SF

[Ducman69]

Originally Posted by Nliiitend1

Have fun on your new Wee!

ZOMG ITS SO TAAAALL!!!!



I'll take pictures, but just been riding for the last hour. Wanted to change into something cooler underneath! BRB guys! Wooooo! I mean WEEEEEE!!!

I thought it'd be boring as hell w/ just a 650cc having to keep it under 5K rpm, but this thing pulls like a STUMP!

Did I mention that its tall? Gaw. I can see over cars and into the laps of SUVs next to me, LOLOLOLOL!!!!

Bye!

[hotrodkris]

Can I have your Vette now?

[rpvitiello]

cool congrats man! Now i just have to get mine! Then we need to play deval advocate with each other on a wee forum too!

[Ducman69]

EDIT: BTW, its FOCALJET'S collective fault I bought this bike! I really hadn't even considered the V-Strom until it was mentioned.

OK, sorry, I'm back. OK so took some pics of it next to the CBR954 I rode side-by-side for comparison... man could any two bikes BE more different!


That silver exhaust shield will be painted matte black to match the rest. I also am ordering a top case, givi front cage and lower guard, stebel air-horn, fog-lamp lightbar, and HID kit for next week!




And some comparison shots vvv



That height takes some getting used to, and with a full gas tank its uber nimble (probably because of the narrow tires) but top-heavy compared to hyper-bikes. Super comfy ergos though, and that suspension soaks up anything you throw at it.

Don't worry, unlike a dirtbike though the suspension is firmer and you have a normal very comfortable seat with good wind protection (experienced no buffeting that some complain about, I'm 5'11").

I'm still breaking her in, give it lots of gas but short-shifting for now. You can't lug it, but the midrange punch for a 650cc is awesome. It allegedly gets 50mpg+ on regular fuel on the highway once broken in, and w/ that big 5.8 gallon fuel tank, you could get a 300mile range. Woah!

[Ducman69]

Oh btw, I'm also splurging on some gear, and wanted y'alls advice on if this looks too squidleh:

Helmet:
I'm too damn pretty to risk anything but a fullface.

Icon Airframe. Any others that emphasize cooling (wind noise secondary concern), and have a lot of yellow in them? I do like the flip-down sunshields that some have now.

Jacket:
Icon TiMax 2 Mesh Jacket:

I don't know about the titanium nonsense, but I hear its very cool, and I like the styling and back protection.

Gloves:
Just picked the matching set. Thinking medium-weight w/ full ventilation. Not sure if gauntlets add much safety over shorties. Black or Yellow.


Pants:
Pair of Icon Strongarm and Super Duty Jeans (w/ wearable armor on occasion)


Boots:
Icon Super Duty 3


Open to other suggestions, but please be specific (so rather than "ZOMG Icon suxorz", explain why, heh).

[hotrodkris]

ZOMG that helmet is lame. Just get a plain one. I like this one



Other stuff, very cool.

[bigdaddyzx3]

Originally Posted by hotrodkris

ZOMG that helmet is lame.

You are too kind!

Bitchin bike though dude!

[Wilshire]

Originally Posted by hotrodkris

ZOMG that helmet is lame. Just get a plain one.

Agreed. Though judging from Ducman's questionable taste in PCs that garish helmet should be right up his alley.

[Ducman69]

Originally Posted by Wilshire

Agreed. Though judging from Ducman's questionable taste in PCs that garish helmet should be right up his alley.

I'll give you something right up your alley! Punk!

OK, my sister wouldn't stop laughing at me for about 30 seconds when she saw that helmet. She asked me if I had come out to our parents as well when I showed her the "gay boots". She liked the jacket and gloves and biker-jeans.

Some suggestions then? Checking out the Burst now for airflow. Prefer it to be black or yellow helmet and most importantly FLOW LOTS OF AIR!

[phxtravis]

http://www.helmetharbor.com/

[Ducman69]

OK, either going with the EXO-700 as mistress commands, or the Sparx Special-Ed Yellow (shortbus) Hornet:
http://www.helmetharbor.com/Products...oductID/475711


They seem to really like it, and I like that its so damn light. They gave it a high rating for venting, which is a big concern to me too.

The only concern I have is:
1) Its sooo damn cheap... it meets the European rating, so I assume its still safe.
2) They have a free replacement policy if you crash... is this because they know you won't survive?

Aslo, I found the GX Air Series 2 jacket and gloves. I like the night reflectors it has on it. Its a hybrid mesh and leather.



And black boots, not tan... better?

[hotrodkris]

Get a solid yellow helmet, then have the B&H 'Buzzin' Hornets' logo airbrushed on it. Nguyen.

We have SHIFT jackets (full leather). Verr comfy. Verrr nice quality.

[richmedium]

And black boots, not tan... better?

I have these boots and they aren't as cool as they look. In fact I kinda regret buying them. All these latches'n'things seem to stick out too much and keep catching onto things. And people keep asking me where's my snowboard. Very annoying.

[whiteboyslo]

i dig the 2nd helmet. free replacement wouldn't necessarily scare me. most insurance companies do it anyway if you crash even if it looks prefectly fine. still wouldn't trust anything not SNELL-rated, but that seems to be like asking car guys about what spark plug works best, so i'll leave it alone.

as for the Cortech jacket, that's the 2nd generation of the jacket i just got and i love it. got it super-cheap here: www.newenough.com (Clearance section)

Mike

[mievil]

Just to follow on the Icon helmet. My buddy has one and the visor likes to flip itelf up while you're riding. Definitely not cool. I love my Shoei. Arai doesn't fit right on my forehead, and AGV doesn't have cutouts for the ears so that was uncomfortable for me. What that all means is this. You absolutely 100% need to check the fit of a specific helmet before you buy one online. You'll be pretty upset if it makes you feel like your head is going to explode 2 minutes after you put one on. I'd feel fine wearing SNELL, or Euro rated and stay away from DOT. Mike is right, there are tons of opinions on this. The test sheets are very interesting to read, though. I bought a Shoei not only because it fits my head the best, but also on reputation. It is the most valuable part of your gear so don't skimp on the price. Easy thing you always hear everyone ask is "what is your brain worth in terms of cost?" Free replacement in the event of a crash is great, if you live to take them up on it.

I also own and wear a full leather jacket 100% of the time. Heat is a beotch, but it's worth it in my opinion. Though I do need to purchase a new one that fits more snug. I bought a white leather one since it has better visibility than straight black, but it doesn't have any reflector material on it. So at low visibility times, I ride with a bright orange construction worker vest. I also bought an AlpineStars back protector to wear under the jacket. Spine protection was well worth the cost.

Next, gloves and pants. Anytime I've ever fell down in life, I always end up on my knees and palms. Important not to look for wat looks bitchin in a glove, or how much carbon fiber is in the knuckles in case you may need to punch a mirror (Mike), but how well the palms are constructed. Are the flexible, and thick, and comfortable?

I've heard horror-stories about Kevlar in crashes, but don't know if any of it is true.

And boots are important, but the more mechanical action on the outside of the boot, the more simple things there are to break. I just picked up a set of AlpineStars SMX-4 and am pretty happy with them for about $200. From what I've heard, AlpineStars tries to acquire the gear that has experienced accidents, so they can look at what failed, and how it failed, and change it on the next rev. But could be more hearsay.

[Ducman69]

Originally Posted by richmedium

I have these boots and they aren't as cool as they look. In fact I kinda regret buying them. All these latches'n'things seem to stick out too much and keep catching onto things. And people keep asking me where's my snowboard. Very annoying.

LOL! OK. I think I might just cheap out and get something generic like this:
http://www.bootbarn.com/itemview/men...ar/All/All/All


Will check out the Alpinestars, and sounds like the EXO-700 is the winning ticket then. Sweet!

I gotta head out and try to find this stuff to try on in the morning, and will order then.

[hotrodkris]

We just went by our local dealer, and I sat on a Ninja 250. I really like it. It's insanely light.

[Ducman69]

I'll scan a review of the 250 into the 250R thread we had a little while back. They really liked it, and it was an overall very positive review.

A little off-topic, but is anyone into butt beads?

Would this look REALLY bad you think? http://www.beadrider.com/ Supposedly, it keeps your butt nice and cool, as it gets some airflow to your boys (or taco if you are so designed).


I don't want to be made fun of AFTERWARD like with the helmet.

[richmedium]

Originally Posted by Ducman69

Will check out the Alpinestars, and sounds like the EXO-700 is the winning ticket then. Sweet!

I suggest you look for a boot that actually provides some support for your ankle since that's the first thing to go in case of an accident. Not your toes. These boots look like sneakers with a steel toe. I ride in these



Link and while they limit your flexibility a little bit they do provide adequate protection.

[Ducman69]

Those wouldn't look bad w/ jeans on em... minus the buckle, but good point, you need the protection.

I actually just remembered the last time I rode in a big clunker steel toe. It had a fat sole and metal toe to where I couldn't feel anything... was a PITA to ride with! Felt numb.

[FocusOnPunk]

Originally Posted by Ducman69

A little off-topic, but is anyone into butt beads?

Umm...

[Nliiitend1]

^^ I knew this chick in college...

[P-51]

Originally Posted by Ducman69

ZOMG ITS SO TAAAALL!!!!