New User - Inquiries and Salutations!

[Knives]

Hey all, it's a pleasure to be here. I recently got into motorcycles and since then I've been reading as much as I can about them. However, I've never ridden a bike myself (toyed around with a friend's dirtbike a little but that doesn't really count - it's got a centrifugal clutch). I'm aiming to get my M1 (Ontario learner's permit, essentially) in the Spring, and then go for a weekend-M2 (2nd-level licence) course at Humber College, then waiting for my full M.

Firstly though, I have a few inquiries. It would be excellent if someone could help me out.

Helmet/Jacket/Pants/Gloves/Boots

As I said, I'm aiming for this weekend-M2 course in the Spring. They supply the bikes (I believe they're 250cc enduros of some sort), but gear is required. I'm not entirely sure whether or not all of the above is required, it may just be a helmet and jacket.
I'm still in High School ( I'm 16 - laugh it up), so naturally I'm very short on cash. If I were to sign up for this course, are there places that rent out gear such as jackets and helmets? I'm not very willing to shell out $900+ for just a helmet when I won't have a bike for at least another year.
Also, when I do decide to purchase this sort of thing, what exactly should I be looking for as a beginner rider? Just a jacket and helmet, or gloves, boots, pants, the whole ensemble? Can one even ride without riding boots?

Bike

As was noted before, I'm a student and therefore low on cash. Though when I do purchase all the necessary gear I'm definetely not going to skimp on a brain-bucket, I was wondering what route would be ideal for a budget rider, used or new bike?
Of course, I'm into the Suzuki sportbikes. I've had my eye on a Katana 600 or GS500/GS500F recently, I was simply wondering if it would be acceptable to go with something used and inexpensive.
As well, would a 500-600 be an acceptable displacement for a learner? My Dad had an old Honda 450 as his bike way back when, and he says that 600 might be a little much.

Summary (so you don't have to read the above crap)

- Which would be a better overall choice for a first bike, shelling out the bucks for a brand-spanking-new bike or buying used?
- As a beginner, is it worth only buying a leather jacket or should I invest in a good full-body suit, or some riding pants too?
- Riding boots. Mandatory? If not, what kind of shoes should I wear?
- Riding gloves. Mandatory? If not, what should I wear if anything?
- The aforementioned 'weekend-M2' course is roughly $300CDN. Worth it?
- In a dream world, I'd like a Ducati. But they don't make very many beginner/economical bikes, do they? I apologize, I'm just full of Italian pride at the moment.

Thank you for your time, and Happy Holidays!

Zack

[Louis]

Welcome to the site Knives.

I have a friend who recently (well, about 6 months ago) took the M2 class. I believe he told me that the only mandatory for the class was the helmet. They recommend a jacket but they accepted a heavy jeans jackets.

[Jonathan]

Welcome to the site.

I do not know what the law/requirements are for Ontario, so you will have to rely on a few of the "locals" for that.

[Knives]

What I was really looking for wasn't much about local laws, I'll make a few calls about that, I was just looking for help regarding this stuff.

Originally Posted by I

- Which would be a better overall choice for a first bike, shelling out the bucks for a brand-spanking-new bike or buying used?
- As a beginner, is it worth only buying a leather jacket or should I invest in a good full-body suit, or some riding pants too?
- Riding boots. Mandatory? If not, what kind of shoes should I wear?
- Riding gloves. Mandatory? If not, what should I wear if anything?
- The aforementioned 'weekend-M2' course is roughly $300CDN. Worth it?
- In a dream world, I'd like a Ducati. But they don't make very many beginner/economical bikes, do they? I apologize, I'm just full of Italian pride at the moment.

Thanks again,

Zack

Zack,

Welcome, enjoy.

Keep this in mind. All bikes are fun. At 52, and riding for most of my life, I've never had a bike bigger than a 500 (though I'll probably rectify that with my next purchase). Some of the most fun bikes I've had were 250cc's or less. You don't have to go real fast to have real fun!

[Uncle Bob]

Hi, welcome to the site,

we encourage new riders to start out on a good moderately powered used bike, engine size can be misleading try and keep it under 50 to 60 hp ( more than enough to get you into trouble ). The GS 500 fit's the bill quite well and are easy to find used, the Kat 600 is a little more power than I like to see a beginner with but would still be acceptable, it's about power delivery the Kat is much more manageable than say a GSX-R.

As for gear, first a $900 helmet will not protect you anymore than a $150 helmet. Half the price of your expensive helmet goes for the graphics and bells and whistles that may or not make it more comfortable, lighter or better air circulation make up a large part of the rest of the price. A simple yet well made Snell approved helmet will do the job quite nicely. Pick your helmet according to fit rather than style a top of the line ill fitting helmet will be less protective than a simple well fitting helmet.

Definatly get a good jacket and gloves ( should you go down even at a standstill your hands are the first to hit the ground ). I would suggest a mesh jacket because your limited funds will probably not allow you to buy an assortment of jackets, if you go for a good leather jacket when the temps hit 30 celsious you'll be so hot that you may end up riding in a T-Shirt. A Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket ( or similar from other manufacturer) with a removable liner will allow you to ride in a variety of weather conditions from cool to extremely hot.

Don't forget a good rainsuit.

As for pants, Jeans will only protect you for about the first 3 or 4 feet of sliding on asphalt whereas good leathers will give you about 80 feet of abrasion resistance. A compromise of textile pants reinforced in critical areas is maybe more to your liking, available in cargo type pants that won't make you look like an astronaut when off the bike. Dragging jeans also offers jeans reinforced with kevlar in the seat and knees that will accept armour as a step up from regular jeans.

You don't need motorcycle specific boots, just make sure you ride with boots that cover the ankle, this will keep you from twisting an ankle should you put your foot down on an uneven surface when coming to a stop and dropping your bike as a result, it will also protect your ankles in a get off. Make sure they have a good grip so your foot doesn't slip when you put it down. If they have laces, make sure to tuck them in so that they don't get caught up in the mechanicals or hooked up on something ( you'll look real dorky trying to put your foot down only to realise that the laces are caught up on something keeping your foot from reaching the ground).

[Louis]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Don't forget a good rainsuit.

Indeed, I've learned through my short experience (my 4 hour on the road which is part of my course) that a rain suit is very handy. It rained about 15 minutes after we left. I was so wet and uncomfortable...