Quote:
Originally Posted by turbo6bar
I can buy a four year old SV650 for $2500. Geez... can I really lose?
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No.
Quote:
Originally Posted by turbo6bar
Should I buy a helmet locally to get a great fit? Prices are all over the map. Is there any bare minimum I should budget. I'm planning to get full face unless there's something great about the flip down helmets.
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Yes. I only wear Arai, mainly becuase they fit my head shape better. Different models of helmets (even withing one brand, such as Arai) have different shell shapes (and I'm not talking the size, just the shape.) Full face only; nothing that flips up or down. No open face helmets.
Find a dealer who has someone that really knows how to fit one and has been doing it for a LONG time. Most sales people don't know enough. Be picky. Wear it in the store as long as you can. Be willing to swap out the cheek pads to get a better fit.
In my experience, few dealers will carry much of a selection of the good brands. They'll steer you to a cheaper brand, which I'd stay away from. I have to drive to a neighboring state, if I want to sample a selection. In my area, nobody stocks the good stuff.
As for budget, I'd say at least a grand. I wear more, sometimes double that, if I'm headed out of town and wear full leathers. At minimum: helmet, jacket, boots, gloves and pants. I like leather, made by the big three or four brands. If a company doesn't make race gear, I'm not interested in their street stuff. Heavy, good quality hides; built in armour and double layers, where it's needed; double stitching; kevlar thread, etc.
I'd cruise the major motorcycle magazine web sites and see what sort of articles they have archived, concerning riding gear.
JR