New Rider here--comments welcome

I'm 24 and I've recently been bitten by the motorcycle bug and am looking to get into it. I've always thought about buying a bike but never took action.  I drive a convertible and love the freedom being in the open gives you.

I'm looking to buy something like a GS500, a bike that i can grow into.  Probably not going to enroll in a course because there is a 6-month wait, but my dad rode for years and he'll teach me in the empty parking lots.

I'm not gonna get into riding because you can go really fast or to pick up girls, but because I feel like riding a motorcycle will serve as an extension of myself, being able to escape the world by yourself on two wheels.  

Now that I've narrowed down the first bike list, I am looking at safety gear.  I live in Northern VA where we temps here will vary from the 50s to the 90s.  Is there any gear, especially jackets or helmets, that would lend themselves to such varying weather?  Also, any suggestions, comments, concerns would also be welcome.  Thanks!  

See: "Protective Gear Question" Posted Below in this Listing.

Welcome to the Sport!  Sounds like you are off to a good start, and have a level head on your shoulders!
Some things to keep in mind:
-Bikes are nothing like 'Sports Cars'.  Don't rely on this experience to help with Riding a Bike.  
-Get on the Waiting List for the Course, even though your Father is going to teach you the ropes.  If nothing else, you will already have much of the Skills required at the point you take the Course, and the few things that your Father may not have taught will be easier to understand.
-Don't overlook including a good pair of Pants, and Boots, with your Riding Jacket.  Every bit counts.

Good Luck with it all, have Fun, and Ride Safe!  

sounds like youre getting into it for the right reasons, and doing it the right way. good job. hope you stick with it. as for equipment, as a new rider you are probably going to stick to riding in the warm weather with no chance of rain so i would start out with just a mesh jacket with a liner that you can take out on the hot days. these jackets are a little cheaper than the full leather ones too. i wouldnt look at saving money for your helmet though, get a good one that is both snell and dot approved, its your head and you only have one. to be honest you probably arent going to find one that will make a big difference as far as ventilation, but your main concern with the helmet should be saftey anyway. make sure to get some gloves and boots too, if you wreck and screw up your hands or feet you wont be able to ride anymore. you dont have to go crazy and get a full out track suit, just make sure youre covered. good luck and have fun  

Dude, before I even seen Reainssance_Man and see75see's comments, I was thinking the same thing.  You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders. Get your dad to ride with you on the street though, thats where the real battles take place.  Most of your new jackets have removalble mesh liner plus unzippable vents so that should be no problem. As far as helmets, I have a Joe Rocket for abou $279 and every report I've seen says they perform like $500-$600 helmets, best helmet for the price. Just keep going the way you're going I think you'll be fine dude.  Have fun!!!  

Sign up for the MSC it will help you on your insurance. In the mean time go take a track course and or a racing course. The better you are at riding the more fun and the more safe it is.  

hey bro! forget the chicks and riding fast,Dad and Son bonding is good,but take an MSF course if you want to see grand kids in the future. also start out on 250cc and stay on it for about a year or two consistantly.
and get great gear cause there are two kinds of bikers in this world,THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DOWN AND THOSE WHO WILL GO DOWN. And if you got time grab a drink and I'll tell you how I went down!  

yerkool:
hey bro! forget the chicks and riding fast,Dad and Son bonding is good,but take an MSF course if you want to see grand kids in the future. also start out on 250cc and stay on it for about a year or two consistantly.
and get great gear cause there are two kinds of bikers in this world,THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DOWN AND THOSE WHO WILL GO DOWN. And if you got time grab a drink and I'll tell you how I went down!

OK.... I got a Beer, and some time to kill.
Tell us your tale!  All New Riders should hear about Crashing Out, cause it is an aspect to Riding, and survivable if you have Proper Gear!  

Dude, you guys are all wusssiiieeeesss. start off with a 1000CC. You should get a 2004 zx10r. I've been riding for a long time now. I would recommend a zx10r for your first bike. Lets face it there is only two types of riders in this world. People who have dropped their bike, and people who will drop their bike. Its not a question of if your going to drop it, its when your going to drop it.  

Matt, I think that is the WORST advice for a New Rider I have seen on here yet.
Provocing Someone to Ride beyond thier Abilities, either by calling them names, or demeaning thier Smaller Bike Choices is promoting a Poor Sportsmanship Like Attitude.  I own a ZX10, and would not think for a minute that I could have started out on it, nor would I suggest that anyone should even try.  If you are going to give advice to New Riders, be more sensible in your replies.  These are New Members to our Elite and Dangerous Club, looking to Experienced Members for Sound Advice, on Safety, and Safe Riding Practices.
Lets face this; It is not a mater of 'when' you drop your Bike, so much as 'why' you droped it.  Offering a Larger, Heavier, and more Powerful Bike to a New Rider is not only incressing the likelyhood that this will happen, it will be the cause of it.  

giventofly:
I'm 24 and I've recently been bitten by the motorcycle bug and am looking to get into it. I've always thought about buying a bike but never took action.  I drive a convertible and love the freedom being in the open gives you.

I'm looking to buy something like a GS500, a bike that i can grow into.  Probably not going to enroll in a course because there is a 6-month wait, but my dad rode for years and he'll teach me in the empty parking lots.

I'm not gonna get into riding because you can go really fast or to pick up girls, but because I feel like riding a motorcycle will serve as an extension of myself, being able to escape the world by yourself on two wheels.  

Now that I've narrowed down the first bike list, I am looking at safety gear.  I live in Northern VA where we temps here will vary from the 50s to the 90s.  Is there any gear, especially jackets or helmets, that would lend themselves to such varying weather?  Also, any suggestions, comments, concerns would also be welcome.  Thanks!

Agreed with everyone but Matt....don't listen to that nonsense!  You have a good head on your shoulders and you're taking the right approach for the bike.  Something small.  That is the only piece of advice I didn't follow as I'm on a '07 R6.

But seriously, taking the MSF course should be a top priority.  I took it after I put about 500 miles on my bike and still learned a great deal about technique, as well as things I hadn't thought about before.  Definitely worth the small price.

As far as gear, I have a Joe Rocket (Rasp style) vented textile jacket that is great in warmer temperatures as it has plenty of vents and airflow.  I can wear it comfortably when it's 40 out with just a long sleeve t-shirt underneath.  Any colder than that would require a sweatshirt.  I have a Scorpio EXO 400 helmet and it's also great - Snell and DOT approved.  Good ventilation for warmer days and I haven't come even close to being cold in it.  It's comfortable and the price is right for Scorpions at only like $175ish.  Lastly, I highly recommend some good riding boots and some vented gloves.  I'm currently in the market for pants myself.

Welcome to the riding community!  Enjoy and be safe!!  

Matt131311 thats some bad advice!ZX10R and 1000R are high dollar organ donor machines for a new rider.
*People who have dropped their bikes,gain a high level of riding skills fast,cause there might not be next time.
*people who will drop(meaning they are going to do it) their bikes or when your going to drop it means! no brains and no skills required. anyone and anybody can do that!  

see my thread on Dumped Bikes really do happen!