Internet and newbies guide?

[DavidNuneaton]

Hi, I have been driving cars for the past 9 Years.

I think I am now ready to enter the bike world. Im getting my gear together before I get my bike in april, but where to start!

Can someone tell me what I should look for when buying a helmet and clothing and would you buy anything from the internet? If you have ever watched that programme on the bbc called fake Britain you will understand why I am asking that.

Cheers

Dave

[Tango]

If I were you, I'd head for the Motorcycle Live show at the NEC at the end of November.......plenty of gear will be there.....and some good deals too.....and, importantly, you can try stuff on before buying to make sure it fits.....

[Bonniebird]

Hi Dave

Welcome to the forum

I find this site a good guide for helmets:

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

I wouldn't personally buy a helmet from the internet unless I had tried that specific model on beforehand as getting the fit right is extremely important. One manufacturer's medium seems to be another's large and some makes will fit the shape of your head better than others.

Clothing should be fine on the internet - look for reasonable quality armouring in it like Knox.

Motorcyclelive at the NEC at the end of November could be a good place for bargains

[DavidNuneaton]

ah cheers guys that sounds good. I will start saving the pennies. Hopefully I wont be working when that's on.

[Tango]

ah cheers guys that sounds good. I will start saving the pennies. Hopefully I wont be working when that's on.

It's on over about a week.....and covers 2 weekends I think....but I'd need to check......23rd November to 1st December....so whatever days that is......

[Bonniebird]

It runs for 9 days over two weekends. We often take a day off so we can go on a week day when it's quieter

http://www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/

[Bonniebird]

Sorry.... Tango and I are partners....seems we are on the same wavelength too

[Guest]

I have bought 2 piece and 1 piece leathers, boots and helmets at shows.

I have also bought from specialist clothing shops Harpers and Hein Gericke.

Be careful of the very cheap stuff at the shows, though.

If you have a £25 head - stick it in a £25 lid...

[Glorian]

I wouldn't buy anything online except maybe gloves or thermals. I tried on an XL jacket and found with it's padding and whatnot i couldn't do it up!!! As for helmets all makes are different so it's best to try as many on as you can, and once you find one you love get one from the store room as it will have less people tried it on

Other than that, set yourself a budget and don't go crazy i spent about £380 on my whole set:

helmet - £130

Jacket - £70

Trousers - £50

Boots - £100

Gloves - £30

Some of that was good deals so such as end of range.

[Glorian]

I wouldn't buy anything online except maybe gloves or thermals. I tried on an XL jacket and found with it's padding and whatnot i couldn't do it up!!! As for helmets all makes are different so it's best to try as many on as you can, and once you find one you love get one from the store room as it will have less people tried it on

Other than that, set yourself a budget and don't go crazy i spent about £380 on my whole set:

helmet - £130

Jacket - £70

Trousers - £50

Boots - £100

Gloves - £30

Some of that was good deals so such as end of range.

[harrybelefontekingofcalips]

Yer id try the shows yer get a lot of good deals there on pretty much anything to do with bikes, there was the birmingham show, but there is the show in Manchester next month aswell, runs on the 11th and 12th at manchester central (formly the Gmex centre) go every year. Lots of good stuff there.