First Bike was Easy... Choosing the Safe Gear is the hard part

[nakkers]

Thank you soo much nakkers. I just want to make sure that I buy the right stuff. The big thing for me so far has been my glasses. Every time I have to take the glasses off, put on the helmet and then squeeze the glasses through. Its an annoying process.

Thanks for the tips. Please let me know if there is any Helmet brand that you would recommend in Particular.

Honestly, everyone's noggen is different. Stick with a quality name brand, don't be afraid to try on different kinds. Some folks will only wear one name brand and stand by it. I don't subscribe to that train of thought. I have an HJC modular that was very reasonable in price, fits me well, not too heavy, it's quiet and my glasses are not a bother. It's only DOT cert and the front offers nothing but wind/weather protection.

Also keep in mind some of the more common brands do have "basic" models. They will be DOT or DOT/Snell cert but, the quality of materials isn't that great. But, do check out Arai, Shoei, Bell, HJC, Shark, etc...... and be patient.

[bikermahn]

As others said find a helmet that fits, I was close to ordering a helmet online because it was a "great deal" then went to RP to try it on. Didn't fit me very well, glad I went to a brick and mortar to shop. Found a helmet that fit my budget and head properly.

A bike has a ton more maintenance than a car, well technically not but you can neglect a car allot more. As for a Bike, you need to change tires more frequently, ensure you lubricate your chain, adjust your valves when they are required, check your brakes often. Then theres explaining to your wife/gf why a 30 minute commute from work now takes you 2 hours, theres maintenance
There is a whole ninja 250 faq which may help out. Some good details there.

[ModularGT]

I ride with a HJC helmet, need to get a new one as its past its expiration date. Was looking at the HJC IS-16, has the integrated sunshield your looking for. Also recommend trying before buying, walk around the store with it on for 30 min if you can. I used to have and Arai that used to give me a headache after 30 mins of wearing.

[k-man69]

If you ever want to ride, give me a shout.

[skip]

You are going to have to try on alot of helmets and find one that fits you right. Not every helmet will work the same with glasses. I know my old Shark didn't work with my glasses (pressure points on the sides) but my Scorpion works very well. I have had at least 7 full face helmets from different manufactures that I can recall and they all worked with glasses differently. Make sure you bring you normal glasses and sunglasses when you go to try them on. Remember a new helmet will be tight and squish your cheeks in but should have pressure points.

For bright sun I either swap to sunglasses, pop on a dark visor or both. If I'm doing a full day tour in the sun I will put on the visor for sure to avoid the raccoon eyes. Most full faced helmets will have removable visors.

[MR_ActionTime]

You are going to have to try on alot of helmets and find one that fits you right. Not every helmet will work the same with glasses. I know my old Shark didn't work with my glasses (pressure points on the sides) but my Scorpion works very well. I have had at least 7 full face helmets from different manufactures that I can recall and they all worked with glasses differently. Make sure you bring you normal glasses and sunglasses when you go to try them on. Remember a new helmet will be tight and squish your cheeks in but should have pressure points.

For bright sun I either swap to sunglasses, pop on a dark visor or both. If I'm doing a full day tour in the sun I will put on the visor for sure to avoid the raccoon eyes. Most full faced helmets will have removable visors.

Thanks Skip.

I tried a couple of helmets. To be honest, I love the fitting of Shoei the best so far. The only problem is that it doesn’t have sunlight visors on it. Ideally I would be able to get one of those additional Visor Add-ons on top of the regular visor for sunlight.

Any riders who wear glasses in particular, can you please give advice for what you do about wearing sunglasses? or do you just get an add-on visor? Are Visors hard to replace/swap? Is it something that can be done on the GO?

To all of those interested in riding together, I’ll definitely be messaging you once I get the bike.

Cheers

[Jampy00]

Thanks Skip.

Any riders who wear glasses in particular, can you please give advice for what you do about wearing sunglasses? or do you just get an add-on visor? Are Visors hard to replace/swap? Is it something that can be done on the GO?

To all of those interested in riding together, I’ll definitely be messaging you once I get the bike.

Cheers

I sadly wear glasses, I have a Arai Vector with a clear visor. I have both prescription sun glasses and "normal" glasses. I simply bring both and store pair I am not using in a hard shell case in the tail of my bike. If I need to change I pull over into a safe area (store, gas station ) and change my glasses. Not the "coolest" looking thing I know, but not a huge issue either. The transition lense visor peaked my interest until I saw the price, I can't justify another helmet/visor purchase at this stage of the game.

Good luck and ride safe !!

[MR_ActionTime]

I ride with a HJC helmet, need to get a new one as its past its expiration date. Was looking at the HJC IS-16, has the integrated sunshield your looking for. Also recommend trying before buying, walk around the store with it on for 30 min if you can. I used to have and Arai that used to give me a headache after 30 mins of wearing.

Really, A headache after 30 mins?? Ok, now that 's a good point. I'll definitely try that. Is the HJC helmet DOT SNELL approved?

Also, helmets have an Expiry Date??

[dr_sarcasm]

The default choices (a.k.a. the "big" players), if you live in the GTA and have an afternoon to waste, in no particular order are:

1. GP Bikes (Whitby)
2. Royal Distributing (Whitby)
3. Kahuna (Toronto)
4. Riders Choice (Toronto)
5. Parker Bros (Toronto)

Now, there are other places further west and/or north that have positive reviews and lots of happy customers (e.g. Blue Streak Racing, Royal in Guelph, etc.), but if you're in the GTA, it's completely up to you if you want to go out to see them.

If you want to go the online route, my preferences are as follows (no particular order):

1. motorcyclegear.com
2. canadasmotorcycle.ca
3. ridersdiscount.com
4. solomotoparts.com
5. motomummy.com

I've done business with all of the above, never had a complaint with any of them (and no one on the gixxer.com forums have ever had any negative things to say).

There is a online retailer I've left out, STG. With regards to the guys over at STG (a.k.a. sportbiketrackgear.com), my only issue is/was their standard price for shipping to Canada (they tack on a fixed dollar value) - 9 times out of 10 that makes them more expensive than the other 5 I've listed above (however, like the previous 5, no one has ever had a bad thing to say about Jason or Bryan).

If you want the gamut of online retailers who have some traction, then my final offering is motorcycle-superstore.com; I've never done business with them, don't know anyone who has, and quite frankly I only use them for the pictures...

Again, you could also use Blue Streak Racing (they have an online presence as well; and between them and Canadasmotorcycle.ca, you may be able to keep it "local").

Good luck.

[MR_ActionTime]

Thanks a lot dr_sarcasm. That really helps.

I'll check them all out. Though the guys at Kahuna said they'll hook me up since I got my bike from them.

I went to Parker Brothers but I didn't see them having a very wide selection, unless they can get you anything you ask for.

I was planning on buying gear from Kahuna but I am in search for a pbetter price as welll. Thus, I will give royal distributors a try as well. Plus, the ride will be nice in this BEAUTIFUL summer. Hope it stays as nice.

[skip]

-generally around 5 years is the life of a helmet
-Shoei's are nice, they will sell tinted visors
-My prescription sunglasses are okley flak jackets. I have no issues fitting them in my helmet
-I have a clear and dark tinted visor for my helmet, change at need
-Tinted visors are bad for night riding