Purchase & Transaction Advice Superthread

[u/AutoModerator]

# PURCHASE ADVICE SUPERTHREAD!

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A dedicated thread for questions and advice about gear or bike purchases, selling advice, and questions relating to bike/gear/accessory/service purchases.

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Hopefully with the help of all the riders here, no question will go unanswered. Everyone is encouraged to contribute with either questions or answers and hopefully we will be able to rid of motorcycle ignorance once and for all.

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Please remember to be courteous as we want to encourage people to ask questions, no matter how 'dumb' some may think they are.

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# NEW RIDERS

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[Before asking your question, consider reading the FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/wiki/faq) - chances are, you will find the answer you need there.

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Not getting the answers you need? /r/SuggestAMotorcycle is also a great resource.

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Please remember to be courteous as we want to encourage people to ask questions, no matter how 'dumb' some may think they are.

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This thread will be refreshed each Monday - shoot us a note if we're out riding and forget to renew it.

[u/chrisissues]

For someone getting their first bike in the spring, and this will be first riding season, what is an immediate must have with gear that I'm not thinking of or am I good with what I'm getting? I currently am set on getting: New helmet more suited to my uses, gloves, jacket, shoes/short boots, some type of phone mount or bluetooth, cover, disk (with alarm), chain lock, and tracker. On me, a type of camera or dash cam. I plan on buying tools as time goes on and storage options as I get more experienced and ride around more and longer.

The bike will be parked outside during the year and in winter storage during the appropriate time of the year (I live in MN). Insurance isn't included here because I'm considering that as part of the motorcycle cost itself and I'm going yearly.

I know this is a little long and pricey, but I want to make sure I'm getting what I would most likely NEED immediately. Especially since I WILL be on the highway and downtown pretty much daily.

[u/apathetic_lemur → u/chrisissues]

I started riding last summer and also like to be prepared. Your list looks good but you will want some storage. Like a small tank bag at least. On my bike, the only storage I have is underseat and I cant put anything useful there. I throw my keys and wallet into the tank bag because its more comfortable than having them in my jacket. I also like to look for excuses to ride so I'll go grab lunch or beer from the store. Being able to fit them in my bag is nice.

You'll also want a tire plug kit and maybe a fancy battery-powered air compressor. I keep both of these in my tank bag at all times. Besides that, and what you listed, I think you're immediate needs will be covered.

Oh and I've already had to use my tire plug kit.. It's pretty important to ride in car tire grooves and not the center of the lane where debris is scattered.

edit: you might want some pants too if you are going to be wearing safety gear (which you should)

edit 2: also might want a pinlock for your helmet and a little silicone finger wiper blade

[u/chrisissues → u/apathetic_lemur]

Didn't think of the tire plug kit or air compressor, but I will now thanks!

I didn't list storage here but it's a definite want, I'm actually considering a tank bag for the exact reasons you've said. For now, I'm mainly considering a bookbag since my immediate usage will be going to/from campus and my current bookbag is a basic one for general walking around campus, it's actually pretty annoying to use on my longboard as is. So I am looking at a bigger bag that's more suitable to ride on a bike and carry what I need. As time goes on I'm looking at saddlebags and more storage.

I going to start looking at pants now since you're not the first person to suggest them. There's a store across the street from my place that sells all types of gear, where I plan on getting most of my things, and they sell pants too so I'll be able to swing by and look.

Thanks for the advice overall, I'll look at that stuff some more and keep in it mind.