[Bluejeans]

I have a new Savage and I'm signed up to get my permit on Saturday. But the more I read on this forum, the more I realize I don't know.

What kind of footwear should I have? I know tennies are probably bad so what should I get?

I have new leather riding gloves and a nice leather jacket. I have a couple of DOT approved helmets. One of them is this sort of "cap" type that doesn't cover the ears. Is that okay? I really like that one. The other one is a regular helmet (not full-face).

My bike came with a windshield and saddlebags, but the bags aren't big enough for my laptop. It is totally uncool to wear a backpack while riding?

Are chaps totally necessary or will good sturdy jeans be sufficient? I'm a bit of fluffy lamb and I can't see stuffing my Rosie O'Donnell a$$ into leather pants and not causing seizures on the road (not me, the other drivers).

Anything else I need to know about gear?

Oh yeah, and I've been riding a Honda Aero125 scooter for a couple of years. No shifting involved since it is totally automatic. Does that count a "previous riding experience"?

Thanks guys (and girls). I'm learning SO much on this forum!

 

[wsharp]

"I have a new Savage and I'm signed up to get my permit on Saturday. But the more I read on this forum, the more I realize I don't know."

Congratulations and welcome aboard!!!

"What kind of footwear should I have? I know tennies are probably bad so what should I get?"

Over the ankle boots. Preferably a type without laces. Buckles or Velcro™ straps are good, lace ups are OK if you tuck the laces in or tie them in such a way that they cannot get hung up on a peg or other part.

"I have new leather riding gloves and a nice leather jacket. I have a couple of DOT approved helmets. One of them is this sort of "cap" type that doesn't cover the ears. Is that okay? I really like that one. The other one is a regular helmet (not full-face)."

Thumbs up on the gloves and jacket, leather is a great choice when the weather is nice enough to wear it. Textile with armor is good when the weather is too warm for leather. Your choice of helmets could be improved though, IMO. My preference is for a full-face helmet since I have seen the results of not wearing any helmet, and wearing a full-face helmet just over the last couple of months here. The full face saved my best friend and his 10 year old daughter some serious reconstructive surgery and would have saved 2 acquaintences severe head trauma (at different times). One died (forceful dismount after hitting an elk) and one is in the hospital and may fully regain his faculties (ran off the road when the sun got in his eyes, missed a curve and hit a tree). It's been a rough couple of months here. But back to your question... either helmet is better than no helmet.

"My bike came with a windshield and saddlebags, but the bags aren't big enough for my laptop. It is totally uncool to wear a backpack while riding?"

Nope. I wear one once in a while, like when I go to the grocery store and am gonna buy too much stuff to fit in the saddlebags. It gets the job done and is not uncool, again in my opinion, which is what ya asked for.

"Are chaps totally necessary or will good sturdy jeans be sufficient? I'm a bit of fluffy lamb and I can't see stuffing my Rosie O'Donnell a$$ into leather pants and not causing seizures on the road (not me, the other drivers)."

Again, I refer to my best friend and his daughter. My buddy has a nice set of chaps, which he declined to wear that fateful day a few weeks ago. He was in jeans... slid 180 feet before the bike flipped with his foot caught between the floorboard and shift peg. Figures the jeans lasted about the first 10-15 feet of his slide til they wore through and his "natural leathers" ie. his skin, took over sliding duties. He will live with the results of his road rash for quite a while. Now, there is a company that makes Kevlar™ lined jeans called "Draggin' Jeans" that would be GREAT and they are not leather chaps.

"Anything else I need to know about gear?"

It only works if you wear it.

"Oh yeah, and I've been riding a Honda Aero125 scooter for a couple of years. No shifting involved since it is totally automatic. Does that count a "previous riding experience"?"

Yes, for the handling aspects of being on two wheels. You'll still need learn how to work the clutch in the "friction zone" to help with low speed handling and turns. Get the DVD Ride Like A Pro or pick up a book called Proficient Motorcycling (I think that's it). Then practice, practice, practice what they teach.

"Thanks guys (and girls). I'm learning SO much on this forum!"

 

[inspiron]

"My bike came with a windshield and saddlebags, but the bags aren't big enough for my laptop. It is totally uncool to wear a backpack while riding?"

Nope. I wear one once in a while, like when I go to the grocery store and am gonna buy too much stuff to fit in the saddlebags. It gets the job done and is not uncool, again in my opinion, which is what ya asked for.

No, it's not uncool, but keep in mind that if you do have an involuntary dismount and land on your back, that you may injure yourself more if you land on the backpack instead of flat on your back.

I recommend to get yourself a pack-spider or some bungee straps and strap the pack on the seat behind you - that way it stays with the bike (instead of you) if you have an accident, and will not restrict your shoulder movements (or make you more tired) when riding over a longer distance.

Just my 2 Rappen worth ...

 

[Bluejeans]

Thanks for the info. I may look a little further into extra carrying capacity. The backpack would only be for those times when I need to transport my laptop. I have a nice, low-profile backpack that fits pretty nicely.

I like the idea of the kevlar jeans...hmmm....I'll have to look in to that.

I have a stepson who lost the lower half of his leg right in an accident on his Rebel so I know the value of gear. He was wearing a jacket and a helmet.

 

[Madura]

Almost anyone who has ridden a bike has worn a backpack while riding at some point. And the people you are concerned about are not riding bikes.

Who's cooler?

 

[Uncle Bob]

Chaps can be good protection in the right kind of fall but if your sliding down the roadway on your backside you'll be wondering why you didn't get the leather pants.

Some leather riding pants are available with zips up the sides so you can put them on over jeans or whatever, so if you want the protection but don't want the look when off the bike this is a good solution.

 

[inspiron]

Some leather riding pants are available with zips up the sides so you can put them on over jeans or whatever, so if you want the protection but don't want the look when off the bike this is a good solution.

I guess that I'll have to look again ... I asked in some shops around here if they had leather pants with protectors that you could zip on (like chaps), and they all looked at me like I was coming from another planet.

In the mean time, I'll have to settle for my riding chaps when I can't wear my leathers. (I do get some funny looks when I get off my bike wearing my chaps, though ... people would expect me to be riding a horse instead of the 100 horses