Hello, just new to the forum.

[The Stig 250]

Hey guys, I'm just new to this forum. I know this will probably sound lame, but I'm a 15 year old guy, about to go into grade 10. I was thinking for a long time about getting a motorcycle, and after a lot of research, I think that the Kawasaki Ninja 250R is perfect for me.

I know that I need to save up some money (around 5.5-6 grand for what I want to get) and I'm planning on applying for jobs this summer, jobs that I can hopefully hold over the next 3 years at least.

I know that Kawasaki will probably make a new model by the time I've (hopefully) gotten my motorcycle license. I live up in BC, and I don't know all the rules for motorcycles, and I should probably look into it.

I was thinking about getting a helmet early on, so that I can get the helmet I want before they change all their models. I was looking at a Simpson Super Bandit model in white, with a black visor. Failing that, I would also look at a Simpson Diamondback helmet, also in white with a black visor. I know they are expensive, but it will fit my theme (hence my name). If any of you are familiar with the British TV show, Top Gear, then you must also be familiar with so-called "The Stig." What I want to do is get a pure white (or as white as I can get) motorcycle suit, with that helmet, as those helmets are some of the helmets that the Stig wears.

However, I am not sure if these helmets are legal to wear on a motorcycle on the road. As far as I can tell, the Super Bandit is, but for some reason I have been getting information that the Diamondback isn't. Puzzling...

I was also thinking of getting a Kawasaki Ninja 250R in white, and if I can't, buy one in any color and simply get it painted white at MAACO, or any other place that would do it. Just tell me this wouldn't look badass:

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~thyliasm/Stig.jpg

While riding this;

http://www.thebeastisback.com/misc/b...50r_white5.jpg

Although, I would get a different suit, his looks sort of like an astronaut's suit.

I would appreciate any tips that you guys might have. Yes, I know it's still a long way to go, but I like planning early.

[Shifty1]

The first thing I would do if I were you is check out the licensing requirements in your area. Under 18 and you may not be able to get a license without taking like 50 hours of courses and all this other shit. And check on insurance rates. It sucks but the insurance rates may make owning a bike unaffordable for you. Unfortunately, there are a lot of asshats going out and getting themselves killed and raising the price of insurance for all of us.

Then I would learn how to ride if you don't know already. I've seen a bunch of guys go out and buy brand new bikes before learning how to ride and all of them dumped the bike at some point, And a bunch of them realized that riding isn't for them and were then stuck with a dropped and damaged bike to sell.

And don't buy a helmet until you get the bike. Helmets have expiration dates even if they sit on a shelf. So, wait on that. Then, start looking for used bikes. There's no need in buying a brand new ride for your first bike. Also, buying used will cut the price in half and get you to your goal sooner.

What's your intended timeline look like?

[The Stig 250]

Oh, I think I'll be able to afford insurance if I have a job by then. I should be able to, anyways. I was thinking that maybe I could practice on my friend's bike, at very slow speeds, the usual trundle-around-a-parking-lot ordeal, and get used to controlling the throttle and clutch very well before even considering going to lessons.

I thought that if I had enough experience, I would probably buy a new bike, but I guess a slightly used bike would be ok, but the problem is, Kawasaki 250r's hold their value really well, so I can't drop the price on them very easily.

As for helmets, they have an expiry date? How does that work? Do they change the rules constantly, or something stupid about it being unreliable after a few years even though it's been sitting on a shelf? That's a weird one...

I was thinking of starting work this summer (School for me ends tomorrow.), and starting to save my money on through until I go into grade 12. Judging by how I don't get taxed until I'm 18, I should be able to collect, I'm thinking, at the VERY LEAST 8-10 grand. I've heard of my friends making 4 grand in one summer, so how hard could 10 grand in 2 years be? Then I was planning on getting my license if I can get it at that age, and finally buy my bike after getting my license and buying all my safety gear along with it.

[JBearSVT]

Originally Posted by Shifty1

Helmets have expiration dates even if they sit on a shelf.

[clarkmanning]

As far as getting the bike painted at Maaco, make sure the shop has some experience painting motorcycle ABS. The plastic flexes and there is a lot of vibration. You wouldn't want the paint cracking and flaking off.

[Shifty1]

Yes, helmets expire. The materials they use to make the shell of the helmet will become brittle over time...even sitting on a shelf. Helmet manufacturers like HJC, Shoei, Arai, etc. all say that helmets should be inspected and/or replaced every 4-5 years. And that's from the date printed on the inside of the helmet's shell, not the day you bought it.

And Stig_250, you still might want to check the insurance rates. I don't want to scare you away from getting a bike but insurance prices might catch you off guard, especially if you buy new. It could be well over a thousand dollars a year.

[The Stig 250]

Originally Posted by Shifty1

Yes, helmets expire. And that's from the date printed on the inside of the helmet's shell, not the day you bought it.

The good thing about Simpson custom helmets is that they build it after your order, so it doesn't come off of a shelf, and they print the date on the helmet, just to let you know. But that does kinda suck, having to replace a 500-600 dollar helmet every 5 years.

[JBearSVT]

I'm going to operate under the assumption that my $600 Arai will still be better than no helmet if I need it.

[BigZed]

ya, the EPS or expanded polystyrene or polypropylene foam breaks down after around two years after the date of manufacture. While it may not physically appear to be damaged, it becomes brittle and will not absorb and disperse the energy of an impact like when it was new.

[clarkmanning]

Originally Posted by JBearSVT

I'm going to operate under the assumption that my $600 Arai will still be better than no helmet if I need it.

They make nice bokends.

[JBearSVT]

Well, if it breaks in half and I'm still alive, I'm definitely up for that idea.