Witch hazel is a water-based solution made with witch hazel extracts and often with added isopropyl alcohol. It is used for various skin conditions, but it should not be used if you have burning, stinging, or other health issues. Witch hazel is primarily used for relieving pain, itching, burning, and irritation caused by hemorrhoids or difficult bowel movements. The therapeutic effect of witch hazel comes from its anti-inflammatory properties.
Witch hazel is generally safe to use, but some may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions after applying it topically. To ensure safety, it is recommended to disinfect your helmet as best as possible after every use. If your skin gets irritated with the febreze spray, you can try using witch hazel. For glossy helmets, use a dedicated helmet cleaner for the exterior shell, avoid dish soaps or other cleaners, and hand wash with appropriate products.
Removable/washable liners are available in many motorcycle helmets, and if they are removable, wash them with washing powder, rinse them, and let them dry. If the helmet is inside, a good helmet inside cleaning product, such as deodorant or sweet odor removal product, can help maintain its effectiveness and safety.
In conclusion, witch hazel is a popular natural remedy for treating acne, reducing oiliness, and providing numerous health benefits. However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for safe consumption methods and to ensure proper hygiene of helmet liners.
📹 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE I Started Riding Motorcycles
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How do you deodorize the inside of a helmet?
- Wash the helmet with clean water.
- Place baking soda in the helmet and let it sit for a while.
- Rinse the helmet with water.
- Apply mild soap to the helmet’s padding and wash it with water.
- Use a solution of water and bleaching powder to clean the helmet.
- Apply the solution to the helmet and wash it with water.
- Allow the helmet to air dry for a few minutes.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean your helmet and remove any dirt or odors.
How to remove smell from helmet without washing?
The text indicates that the product should be applied to the interior of a helmet. However, the author’s personal preference is to utilize it on the exterior, as it is more straightforward to clean.
How do you disinfect the inside of a motorcycle helmet?
Motul Helmet Interior Clean is a product designed for the purpose of cleaning the interior of helmets. It possesses antibacterial properties. In order to achieve a more thorough cleansing, it is recommended to remove the internal padding and wash it with soapy warm water.
How do you clean the inside of a riding helmet?
To clean a riding helmet, dust it off with a soft brush, use mild soap and warm water, and gently rub the inner lining to remove grease. Remove excess water with a dry towel and let it dry at room temperature. Hand wash any removable liner if present. Use strong cleaning solutions or hot water, and dry on a radiator or Aga. Avoid using a dishwasher or washing machine, leaving the helmet to dry in places for pets to chew, and spraying chemicals while wearing it. Store the helmet in a cool environment and avoid direct heat or sunlight under glass.
Should I wear something under my motorcycle helmet?
A balaclava is essential for protecting your motorcycle helmet from wear and tear caused by hair sprays, makeup stains, and other bacteria. It is also beneficial for hygienic reasons if you exchange helmets with other riders. It is crucial to choose a helmet-compatible balaclava that fits well to avoid constant adjustments. Balaclavas also provide performance and comfort, allowing you to ride comfortably regardless of weather conditions and experience a smoother ride. Therefore, choosing the right balaclava is crucial for a safe and comfortable ride.
What is the best material for helmet padding?
Tactical helmet pads are typically composed of foams such as polyester, polyurethane, or polyethylene, exhibiting a range of densities. The exterior is typically composed of thin fabric, with some manufacturers incorporating a plastic liner to guarantee waterproofness or sweatproofing.
What is the material inside a helmet?
The inner shell of a helmet is composed of expanded polystyrene (EPS), which serves to protect the head from physical impact during road travel, in addition to the hard outer shell.
How do you clean the inside of a helmet with fungus?
The helmet pads and lining should be removed and placed in a container with a solution of baby shampoo. They should be allowed to soak for 30 minutes, then cleaned with water and allowed to dry in sunlight. In the event that the inner lining and pads are not removable, the helmet should be submerged in a bucket of baby shampoo foam.
Can you wash the inside of a bike helmet?
To clean a helmet, fill a bucket or kitchen sink with warm, soapy water, such as dish soap. Remove the inner foam pads, such as the Integrated Airframe pads in Rudy Project helmets, and submerge them in the soapy water for a minute or so. Rinse thoroughly in cold water, squeeze out excess water, and air dry. If the foam pads are still pungent, dunk them in a 1:10 white vinegar:water solution for a couple of minutes. Wipe the entire helmet inside and out with soapy water, or remove the removable visor and use a soft toothbrush to remove mud and grit.
Soak the helmet straps in soapy water and massage the soap into the straps and dirt. If necessary, use a soft toothbrush to scrub out the grit. Rinse the helmet and straps thoroughly with cold water, then wipe off any excess moisture with a dry towel.
Do not use solvents or petroleum-based cleaners, as they will damage and degrade the plastic and foam protection at the core of a bike helmet. Do not put the helmet in the dishwasher or submerge it in soapy water for an extended period, as dishwashers run too hot and extended submersion could weaken the helmet’s hard foam core. Do not take a brush to the hard, plastic outer shell, as you risk scratching its surface. Do not dry the helmet in direct sunlight, as UV rays and excessive heat can damage the plastic.
Maintaining a high-quality helmet is crucial for maximum performance and protection, whether training or racing. Proper cleaning and care will always be worth the effort, as maintaining your helmet’s optimal condition will help it perform its best and keep you safe on your ride.
How do you treat a smelly helmet?
The author suggests soaking a helmet in warm water with Dawn detergent, rinsing thoroughly, and drying it to remove most smell-making bacteria. Diluted Lysol or Pine Sol can also help kill the smell-making bacteria. Sweat, which contains sodium, potassium, and chloride, can be as damaging to helmet materials as excessive sun exposure. The author recommends buying a new helmet every four or five years, especially if you sweat a lot or spend long hours in the sun.
Mid-range helmets, such as Bell’s Influx, Giro’s Gila, and Louis Garneau’s T-Bone, benefit from “trickle-down” technology. The author also recommends shopping specials and buying last year’s hot models at $50 off, such as the Giro Boreas for $99. The author suggests that the best way to maintain helmet quality is to buy a new one every four or five years.
What do you wear inside a motorcycle helmet?
Helmet liners, headbands, and face masks are essential accessories for riders. Helmet liners provide comfort, reduce pressure points, and extend helmet life by protecting the interior from sweat and oils. Headbands and cycling caps help keep long hair in place, protect the head from temperature extremes, and prevent hair from getting tangled or distracting during riding. Face masks offer protection from windburn, debris, and bugs, and come in various styles, including half-face options.
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I’ve used this $2000 Motorcycle Helmet for 3 years and it’s worth every penny. my instagram …
4 weeks into owning and ridding. I got a Honda cbr300 and have loved all of it. Thank you for making the articles that got me into it, and I appreciate the tips and tricks that you gave. The temperature part was talked about in the MSF course so I came prepared. Although you don’t lie about the drop hearing the numbers vs feeling it was a totally different story.
My biggest regret is going cheap on gear and insurance. I first went with $100 bilt helmet then upgraded to $350 AGV which I thought was good at the time. Then I realized polycarb/thermoplastic helmets are garbage and ended up going with $800 Arai which saved my life in an accident. Same with jacket and pants, went from a noname brand to full Dainese and they are just way more comfortable (Dainese is like the rolls royce of motorcycle gears). Wasted so much money on cheap gear when I could’ve gotten good gear from the start and use it for years to come. Also going cheap on uninsured/underinsured insurance almost screwed me over completely as the guy that hit me who was at fault pretty much had the cheapest $10k coverage. I couldn’t sue him or do anything because he was flat out broke driving a crappy car. That’s when my lawyer told me this is why you get good uninsured/underinsured coverage because if the person who hits you ends up being poor/broke with cheap insurance they are pretty much invincible in America in terms of getting sued lol. Get minimum of 100/300k coverage. Motorcycle insurance can get crazy expensive depending on which type of bike you ride (was quoted $700 for street twin / $1800 for street triple /year) – with 2 points on the license. Also, people who say “I ride a motorcycle because it’s cheaper than a car” this is only true if you have a crappy bike. If you have a premium / european bike, and ride it daily like a car, maintenance can cost A LOT. For example, 12k mile service on my triumph with valve timing, etc.
A would add my 5c: 1) If you really want to ride at cold weather – jut invest into heated 12V (important, don’t go with 7V – it won’t be enough) gear. Don’t spend your money, like I did on different EXPENSIVE “normal” gear for winter. In my case, Gerbing Premium Heated Jacket + Gerbing Heated Motorcycle Gloves (they actually are cool as you connect them via jacket, so that way you only have one cable to your motorcycle battery + they actually heat the OUTER part of your palm) 2) Don’t go too cheap, get something with ABS – it’s really easy to loose front wheel even for a person with experience (if they got scared of something on the road for example) 3) Don’t ride too fast in heavy rain – aquaplaning is a thing….and you only have 2 wheels 😛
As always, you are spot on! Friend of mine said that there are gonna be a million things you never thought of when you first start riding. He was right. One thing that I didn’t think would happen, but still does, is how calming or therapeutic an hour on the bike can be. Always seems to just clear my head. Thanks for posting!
Best tip I got for the hands in the cold weather, wear rubber gloves under your gloves it traps in heat and keeps the wind chill off of you. I’ve ridden in freezing temperatures and my hands were warm the whole time couldnt even feel the wind (no ice on the ground obviously, I’m in texas also. Dont ride in the ice people)
All good info, but the tinted visor issue, simple solution. I bought a modular helmet with an integrated flip down tinted sun visor that comes down just inside the clear visor when required, and tucks back away when not required. Looks cool too in the daytime when the sun is out. Price was virtually same as a standard helmet too👍
The point to not limit yourself to just one discipline of riding really hits home. When I was younger I was into sport bikes since all my friends would go out and ride together. It took me years to figure out that I enjoy longer distance touring and off road stuff. The way I would describe it to a fellow adrenaline junkie is that to get that rush on the street you are going to get tickets or go to jail, but in the dirt you can get that satisfaction at much lower speeds, and its generally completely legal so long as you are in the right place. And when it comes to bragging to your friends, the story of how fast you went on the highway or lap times at a track day, doesn’t sound as cool as the time a fighter jet circled around to buzz you at full bank while passing through a mountain pass at 9000 ft. Or riding through hail and fog so thick you can barely see 20 ft in front of you leaving Yellowstone to narrowly avoid a 500 year flood with roads crumbling behind you. also, always be on the lookout for gear upgrades and sales. $300 helmet for your first one is great, but after a year or so it feels really good to track down that $1100 helmet on clearance for $400 because they are getting rid of that color or something.
I would suggest having at least two sets of jackets and pants (no jeans). IE cold to extreme cold or hot to extreme hot. Extreme defined as being still ride-able. I have four sets for various conditions and could possible use another but that’s maybe out of reach for a beginner. Some mid-priced helmet have built in visors. Rear stand is a must.
100% accurate article. This was my first season on a motorcycle i learned a lot just riding around and sadly the season is pretty well done 🙁 dang winter. but i have went through everything he said. Startup costs, new gear buying a used bike and fixing someone Elses work because you’re picky and don’t like half done work. But now that everything is done to my liking your pretty much only left with gas and the odd Maintenace work that comes from normal use. Working on a bike is night and day difference from a car. I encourage anyone that wants to ride to go for it and start because it’s such a difference from just driving in a vehicle! GET BIKE STANDS! You may not be able to change a tire yourself, but you can cut the cost down by just bringing in the wheel to get the tire changed vs the whole bike because they charge more to take wheels off. Price pretty well gets cut in half at least at my local shop.
I think I agree with everything except cost. Weather your motorcycle is your second vehicle (like mine for commuting), or if it’s your main transport then, it’s a whole lot cheaper than a car. Buying a motorcycle is cheaper, insuring one is cheaper, maintaining one is cheaper, and upgrading one is cheaper. My first new car out of collage was a Ford Fiesta, it was $17k. My motorcycle? Suzuki GSX-S 750z. It was $9k, spent about $1400 in gear (cause it was my second bike after my Z400 beginner bike and I wanted some cool new gear), and insure for less that what I was paying for the Fiesta ($1200 a year for the Fiesta and $850 for the bike). If it’s just your hobby then sure it is way more expensive than others. But it’s also a mode of transportation and a cheap one compared to cars.
As someone suddenly going into my first cold season on the bike, & had to buy a new jacket, warm gauntlets & glove liners a lot sooner than I’d anticipated, wind chill is no joke. Also, when I was buying my new helmet, I very specifically wanted one with a drop down sun visor (though, I did still get an iridium tinted visor for it) as I had multiple instances with my old helmet of having a weird scratch on my face from forgetting I was wearing sunglasses when I went to take it off lol
I ride every day/night of the year and have for years now. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining, snowing hot or cold. Just get the right gear for the weather. As for sun visors, I always use a gold tint visor in the daytime and switch to my clear visor after sunset. The spare fits easily into my riding backpack or my pillion pack.
Veteran rider tip, a jacket while just walking around or sitting at a light on a hot sunny day will be unbearable but once you get moving the protection from the hot sun is amazing while the wind will still blow through the jacket and keep you cool. I also run a tinted visor because I mostly only ride during the day, it helps protect your nose from sunburn.
Love your articles, lots of great learning. I’m in the same camp with doing work on my bike and never work on the car. I’ve done pretty much everything save for engine work, replacing tires on rims and fork seals, from oil and coolant changes, replacing break lines with SS Braided lines, brake work, electrical work, chain & sprocket replacement, etc. on my 2004 Hayabusa, very satisfying and enjoyable. I purchased new off the showroom floor, with Givi hard cases, this is my sport tourer with over 130,000 km (live in Eastern Canada). My wife enjoy long road trips all over eastern Canada and down the US east cost to Boston, Laconia bike week for several years and Maine. We love to ride.
I was that same guy with the visor situation. Never thought about it until i went on my first night ride. Cracking it open helped, but it sucked when a bump popped it back down and it really just defeated the purpose of protecting my face 😅 The money thing is true too. I never had many hobbies and just spent my money on other people. So when i started riding i was actually excited to have something to save for extra gear, upgrades, with things like extra lights, camera, mic/speakers.
Top tip for riding in really hot sunny weather …. buy a glossy white helmet and slap a dark or mirrored visor on it .. keeps yer head significantly cooler than dark coloured lids which soak up a lot more heat from the sun 😉 (take a spare clear visor if you’re going to be riding after sundown though)
Started out on a 2018 Duke 390 about 6 months ago, buying the Duke was inspired by this website and the top beginner bikes tier list. Absolutely love the bike, and learning on it was a breeze. Sold it and now have a 2009 Honda st1300 sport touring. Completely different bike. I wish someone told me that bikes aren’t just aesthetically different are whole different worlds.
It’s a really nice article. and honestly it’s a must watch. I didn’t get my “first” bike yet (I’ll get it before 2024 btw), but all you said, I anticipated it very soon. Got an helmet with clear visor, listed all the need for tools, gears and products. I work as an IT so it was natural to plan to maintain the motorcycle myself, So I started to watch articles on youtube and not only for maintenance purposes (that’s why I’m here 😉 ). For the learning part, I get it when I worked for the licence, it was really a shock and I got really scared when I was just a bit too fast on a turn. I managed to pass, but it says to me that I’ll have to work smartly on my progression. I don’t hav watched the second article yet, but here is something I can say to beginners. Get a pinlock in your helmet. During lessons for licence, it was in late fall/autumn and early winter, I got mist/moisture (I don’t have the proper word, sorry I’m french) in the helmet and I almost fell of the bike a couple of time because of that. So I had to buy a pinlock to avoid that. It was annoying because my helmet was labelled “pinlock inclued” and in fact it wasn’t.
Regarding the visor situation (5:32), I’m surprised you didn’t mention that there are helmets that have a second internal visor. HJC F70, for example. The internal visor flips up or down with a slider lever on the left side of the chin area. On a sunny day, a tinted visor is a necessity for me, but shady areas can be very dark, so being able to switch on the fly is nice.
I am a bike rider and just added a 2017 Ducati Supersport to my collection. Harley is my main bike. Love all bikes. Glad to join the sport bike crew once again as well. 939 is a nice place for my experience for sure. Got my Pista GP RR on the way gloss carbon of course. I am not a hardcore fast rider. I may try some track days. If anyone would recommend. Thanks guys.
I got into riding thinking I was going to save gas then I introduced myself to a cb1100 looked innocent enough definitely not a super sport but it will rev on up there with that inline 4 now I’m looking at sport bikes there are so many to choose from so hard to decide definitely don’t want an R1, but maybe a gxsr 750 or 600
I’ve been perusal this website since before I had ever even touched a motorcycle and now, 3 years into owning a sport bike, I can genuinely say that every single point in this article is 100% spot on and exactly what I wish I knew 3 years ago. I even fell for the dark visor purchase last week. I rode with the dark visor at night ONCE and said “THIS IS HORRIBLE”, and now I’m that guy who carries two visors if I think I’m going to stay out past sunset lol.
I would add that the first inclination of many newbies, especially with sportbikes, is to spend money on an aftermarket exhaust. Sure, it may sound better and add a few HP, but in terms of wringing performance out of the bike for most the money would be better spent on having their suspension set up properly by someone who knows what they are doing.
After some riding you learn. I’m still learning after about 55 years of riding. The heat or cold gets much worse after two or three hours. Heated grips make a huge difference in the winter and the summer sun cooks me. A T-shirt is fine to ride to Taco Bell. Over a half hour I need something to keep the sun off. Dark face shield is great on a sunny day. Horrible if you get caught out after dark without a clear shield. A touring bike with a big windshield is great when cold or wet but an oven on s hot day.
World should know that besides Sports/naked/cruise In INDIA we have another broad catagory of bikes That we call COMMUTER MOTORCYCLES they starts from 98cc-160cc engine That’s our entry level motorcycle And end the higher end motorcycles are 350-400cc So they are not faster than most of the cars Motorcycles over 600cc are very rare in this vast county And we call them Wait.. . . . SUPERBIKES
riding below 60f, layers are your friend. start with an empty bag and strip layers when it gets warmer. ill ride any temp as long as there’s no ice or snow. I don’t care who rides with snow or ice but its not for me lol. also if you’re a beginner avoid crosswinds. you’ll learn to combat it but I regret riding in crosswinds in the beginning.
4:11 – More than acceleration and speed, one thing I wish someone told me or I understood earlier is just how fast you can stop on a motorcycle. Although it’s desirable, it’s also a safety hazard to yourself when in traffic. How quickly you slow down, especially with just engine braking, can be a hazard when someone in a four wheel vehicle is behind you. With just engine braking, you slow down as much as a car under mild braking. The hazard comes in the fact that you’re slowing down quickly with no indication to the driver behind you, under engine braking your rear brake light does not come on. I’m very conscious of this, and if someone is following me, especially if they’re following too close as most car drivers do with us bikers, whenever I lay off the throttle in anticipation of stopping, I lightly press down on my rear brake lever to activate my taillight.
I started riding last year and made it my primary commuter. Went from a ’21 Indian Scout Bobber to a ’23 Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse. It is MUCH easier to fix a bike up than a car coming from experience working on cars and racing them every season. Bikes are also a bit of fun too… I get bored of driving cars in traffic now – especially automatics. I never thought I’d like cruisers but here I am 😂
The coldest I’ve ever rode in was 16f for 9 miles and it was torcher even with lots of gear. Over the years I learned that if you wear layers under rain gear to block the wind it’s far more effective at protection. I can generally ride 32 miles at 32f comfortably now accept for my hands which I still after 18 years of street riding haven’t found a pair of gloves that will keep them warm and give good control and response. If you have any ideas let me know, thanks.
I’ve yet to get my first motorcycle, but what I know from sports cars has taught me that slow cars fast is always more fun that fast cars slow. I hear the same applies to motorcycles. Speed limits are a thing, and most people won’t take their vehicles to the race track on a weekly basis. I’m 90% getting a KLX300 tomorrow.
I live in the South, when it’s hot and you’re on the bike, the wind hitting you is like the air when you open a hot oven. It’s really easy to get dehydrated, the hot wind just sucks the water out of you. Always bring a Camelback or two with ice water. Also, wear white long sleeve T’s Whenever you stop at a gas station or wherever, soak your clothes in cool or cold water. It’ll dry as you ride, quicker than you’d like but it’ll help you stay cool. There are also cooling vests that you can wear, I’ve not tried them so I don’t know how good they are but they can’t hurt to try. Don’t forget to drink also, a lot, drink twice as much as you think you need to at least. As far as Goggles, glasses and visors go, always carry a set of clears in case you’re out longer than planned or planning to ride at night.
buying cheap in the beginning for bikes and riders has ups and downs. This makes experimentation easier to do when you stay towards the lower end. Then you can learn what you really care about, why and know what you really need to invest in or dump. But yeah cheap offten trends towards double the work and the money because of replacements.
Ok so tell me if I’m crazy, I’m getting my BRC done this weekend and have done the class room already. I have purchased my bike and I am in the process of making it street worthy. There is a question I would like answered but may already have the answer. The bike I purchased is a Suzuki Katana GSX600F. It feels like it is fitted to me so I picked it up. I have rode before just now recently. So what’s your thoughts?
Auto racing is too expensive, so I’m entering the 2 wheeled world. I love the sound of a CBR RR engine revving, but I have no desire to get back into track days after I get out of them for cars. Life is too short to drive a truck or suv 100% of the time and having a second vehicle that’s some sort of sporty car isn’t in everyone’s budget. A modest bike can give anyone a ton of smiles for the amount of money they put into it. The one thing I do plan on splurging on is the helmet. Easily the most important piece of gear. Protect your noggin!
The amount of bikers that tells me how hot it is in Arizona working at the gas station many will say it felt like they were in the oven which was 115+ degrees during the summer and I remembered one of them said he felt like he was going to have a heat stroke while riding and I worked at the edge of town and the next town over is like 70 miles up and down the mountains and we do let them sit in the beer cave to cool off
9:40 i mean, changing the oil on your car is like a 20 minute job so maybe that one isnt the best example but the point overall still stands of course. The deeper into the vehicle you go the more drastic the differences become. on my RX-8 i can plan at least an afternoon to pull the Engine and Trans, on my buddies CB500 it took all of 42 minutes. How easy they are to lift off the ground is very much a welcome change for me as a car guy though. just getting into Riding (quad, not motorcycle admittedly but technologically similar) and the first time i saw one of those ATV lifts that look like a car jack with a big plate had me dying of laughter. Of course if everyone enjoyed getting stuck into wrenching on their car for days on end i would be out of a job 😉
Had my first motorcycle lesson yesterday. I really enjoyed it. My vehicle is a bicycle. I dont understand how more motorcycle people are not into bicycles. Yes, a motorcycle is much more visceral than a car. Going 250km/h on a 200kg motorcycle must feel great, but going 60km/h on a 10kg bicycle with your own effort also feel amazing. Not comparable, but still awesome, very visceral and physical also. Cheers
I ALMOST made the same visor mistake. I wanted a half helmet with a flip down visor, bought one that was tinted. Thankfully the visor didn’t fit with my glasses, so I had to return it and get another that has the visor further out that was clear, then I just wear my sunglasses underneath. It came with the tinted visor too if I ever need it.
Some of the stuff I wish I knew. Just got my license yesterday. Already 1k in from purchase of bike because of gear, registration, class, etc. But dang, I love the sport. I’ve only a 250cc bike right now, but I already want a new bike. Looking at an adventure bike from BMW. Just have to convince my wife lol. PS: I was also that noob who bought a tinted visor helmet. My wife was the one who made me “oh sh*t” when she asked about night driving. Now I have a clear with drop down tint.
Man i had no idea you were centered in Texas. I live here too and my main concern is how to deal with the influx of crazy drivers and whats the best way to ease into that kind of traffic. A bike might be my only chance at decent transportation since cars are way too expensive right now. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Total noob here. I Just got a Honda XR150 L, still working on that first set of gear, and already looking at the CRF 300 L . I Just wanted a good way to get to the store laundry etc. the XR 150 is a bit slow maxing out at 60mph. I feel a little more speed would be safer. I’m not on the Freeway but the local hwy here cars travel at about 65. What helmet and gloves and jacket would you recommend for dual sport.
Really enjoyed this article, however being a car guy I actually find bike life quite cheap compared to cars. Bought my first bike around a month ago and counting the price of the bike and full set of riding gear (still want a thing or two but they’re relatively cheap) cars are like you want a nice radio? $500, oh you need a new gauge because you added some modifications, $300 for a reputable brand. Oh you want wheels? 3k. So I’m enjoying the “cheaper” bike life
Thesis TWO BIKES NO CAR–the economical choice One bike for lugging groceries and errands, the other a light-weight street-fighter. With gear, insurance, maintenance etc.. much cheaper than a car. A motorcycle is a means of transportation. When approached from a strict utilitarian perspective it can’t be beat. Expensive mishaps happen with cars and bikes alike, and even then catastrophic costs associated with motorcycles tend to be smaller by orders of magnitude. As for example, my mechanic had me order a new engine only to discover he was mistaken. And now I’m stuck with an engine and the loss. Had that been a car engine the loss would have been far higher. Again, by orders of magnitude. Upset with my mechanic, yes. But I can still pay the bills. Ease of parking, small footprint, convenience, ease of maintenance etc.. all speak to the potential efficiencies and cost-savings associated with the utilitatarian approach to motorcycles–i.e. NO CAR. Cost less to own two bikes than a single car. And if one goes down, the other serves as a back up. A big difference for car owners, most all of whom suffer terribly due to any unexpected down time with their one, single vehicle. Perhaps then it’s best to speak of the cost-paradox of motorcycling. As a hobby atrocious. As a way of avoiding car ownership, a huge win.
Im getting my first harley by December hopefully… Unfortunately like you only maybe 300 for helmet and jacket and maybe a cheap second helmet for her. Im getting a decent bluetooth helmet first only because my wife and i are about to go down to south carolina and she wants to take the bike with us and I’ll be riding it down there. Least when i get back, i can take the money and get the helmet I really want
Guys… If you don’t wanna spend MUCH MONEY on expensive gears, Jackets, gloves, riding pants, riding shoes etc. It’s OK you can go for cheaper quality BUT … BUT … one thing… YOU gotta spend a good amounts of money ATLEAST on a good branded HELMET ( safety certificated ) Because it protects your brain 🧠. Or you can go and watch some HELMETS SAVING a Rider articles on YouTube. After perusal that articles… You would agreed with me . Wear HELMET.. SAFE RIDE… AND ENJOY…😊👍🏻
Remember, that NOBODY in the world was riding like a pro when they started. Most of the Roadracing pros started when they were 3 years old, there is no substitute for training. And, if you ride at the limit, you WILL step over the limit and that WILL hurt 🙂 Ride safe guys! (Btw, personally have been riding since I got my license, have done around 80.000 miles on various bikes.)
you mentioned the SV650, I’ve definitely seen some mixed opinions on whether or not they could be suitable for a beginner. I’ve seen people say that they are absolutely under no conditions a beginner bike, while others hold them as the gold standard. I would be curious to hear more of what you think about it as an option! Regardless, I love the look of them and the fact they are so widely available used (and thus more affordable).
Been riding for decades. Ride 95% of the time with a tinted visor, love it and a thousand times better then wearing sun glasses in my helmet. I just pack my clear visor in my back pack if there is a slight chance I’ll be out at night, or I swap it out before the ride if I’m heading out at night. Not a huge deal.
I personally had very little issue taking turns “fast”, within my first two days of riding I was taking 40mph turns around 60mph, they weren’t super tight, but they weren’t easy, and I definitely shouldn’t have been doing what I was doing that soon. Even if you feel comfortable, take some time learning just a little bit longer. Don’t go past your limits, find your limit and let it grow more naturally.
Loved the article, subscribed! Been a car guy forever and recently got a dirt bike, now all I can think about is riding and as soon as money allows I’ll buy an R3 as my starter bike. Couldn’t relate more to what you said about car maintenance, I’ve been modifying and doing my own work for over a decade and I felt so much relief when you mentioned how much easier a bike is to wrench on. I can’t wait to get something I can ride on the street but for now I’ll keep enjoying the trails!
Don’t own a bike yet but I really want to experience it. I’m 44 and have hip impingement in both hips which is really keeping me from being able to sit on any bike with a low seat. I have a dirt bike background but really want a Harley or Honda Rebel but I just can’t do it. I might just have to settle for an enduro. Thanks for the tips I learned a lot
I mean, it’s common sense about the visor during the day and at night. It’s literally the same thing as wearing sunglasses, there’s nothing different between visors and sunglasses. If you wear sunglasses during the day it’s nice but if you keep wearing them into the night then your visibility decreases….. if you don’t have common sense then you really shouldn’t be on a motorcycle. And you saying that you CANT see anything at all at night while riding with a dark tinted visor or just a tinted visor, it’s really not if you have good vision. Like me, I have always worn a tinted visor, even at night, I don’t have any issues seeing at all. Maybe my distance is just a little bit shorter but my vision is near perfect and have an easier time seeing at night anyway…. 1 thing I wish that I would have known when I first started riding was that you can start out in any bike you want, you don’t have to start on a r3 or a 250 or whatever small bike like that then gradually work your way up, you can start out on a 600 like I did and never had any issues, I actually learned more on a 600 and I believe that I would have learned a lot slower on how to control my throttle speed if I was in a smaller bike like 250 r3, ninja 400 etc. to everyone thinking about buying their first bike, THE BIKE WILL ONLY GO AS FAST AS YOU TWIST THE THROTTLE. It’s thats Simple.
the fact that he had to buy a tinted visor and wear it at night to learn his lesson is so wild to me and then said “do i need to wear a clear visor like a nerd”. (when in reality, the nerds are the kids that dress and ride like theyre moto gp racers.) its like the idiots that say they need to “experiment” in college to know if theyre gay or not, rather than just thinking about what a naked person of the same gender looks like. these are the kinds of people that shouldnt be allowed to ride because the absence of thought it plain to see. this is a mistake that no one makes.
Got my first bike a week ago. Drz400sm. I’ll say this, especially in reference to off road riding. It’s WAY more physical than you might be expecting. I was on the trails for 3 hours yesterday and I can definitely feel it. Arms, legs, groin, core, back, shoulders… it’s all sore. Literally the most fun I’ve had in years, but the physicality is something to consider before getting into it. I’m 32 and work a trade, so I’m in pretty good shape. But it still whooped me.
Totally agree about the temperature thing! My medical history means two wheels are a no go for me, so I tour on a Spyder RT Limited. You guys probably hate those! However, fortunately I had 30 years of professional driving experience first because even Spyder has a 1330cc engine and goes way faster than most cars!
I am 50 now, and I have been thinking about riding a bike since I turned in an adult and every year I always say that the coming year will be the year that I start. but I will say that as of recent, I have been really doing a lot more research than I ever have before which means I think I’m about to make a move
a) You really always want to be using a full face helmet. Bugs. Rain. Wind. 50mph. Yeah. Always wear thick gloves too. And real shoes. b) If you have to store them for a long time, store them inside a garage. They will go to heck outside even under an underhang out of the rain. Dust, muddaubers, etc. c) It’s cold in winter. Layers, layers, layers. d) They are easier to maintain than cars, but not exactly perfectly simple. They should be. Motorcycle manufacturers have failed at making them dirt simple to maintain, when they could be. It’s actually quite a chore to change a tire, change a carb, adjust your points, change a battery, change the brake fluid, weld pinholes in a gas tank, do a valve job, replace the piston rings, etc. e) It swcks to have to suit up and suit down all the time. f) It swcks to have to chain up your vehicle every time you park it in a parking lot. Your friends who took a car are waiting on you. g) Once you own 3 bikes, it’s no longer saving you money and worse than owning one car. You now have 6 tires to replace and 6 brake pads, and three batteries… instead of 4 or 1.
Had the joy of experiencing pretty heavy rain my first day ever on a bike during my training course.. Cool till lunch then DOWNPOUR, freezing cold. Next day, scorching heats. 😅 Mesh jacket sucked day 1, day 2 it was a life saver. Almost wanted the rain back lmao Invest in gear for rain for sure. Riding 3 hours in soaking wet jeans, gloves, and boots is not fun :’)
I thought it would be so nice riding in the summer. Boy was I wrong. I invested in lightweight/summer gear, and it’s still ridiculously hot. I just purchased a modular helmet, my full face is just too hot and my hair is soaking wet. My new modular has lots of vents and I can open it up for much needed relief. I haven’t used it yet, but I’m hopeful.
While I’m not really a motorcyclist I ride a 50cc moped my boots have just been my work boots in saying that there leather with a hard plastic toe cap I’m about to buy a casual looking bike jacket so I don’t look 2 goofy but I’ve just been double layering jackets just in case because my max speed is like 60 km lol
Starting in june with full gear 5pcs for 340 bucks all new in winteroutlet. All items where 200 new except the gloves, 90 but 35 at outlet. Next to that I need a turtle2 black airbag vest,litelockx3 lock, 360dashcam,onlyactiveondemand gps tracker,navigation and DIY pepperspray. As an exsoldier, I like to prepare thoroughly lol and youtube is ideal for that. Then a Piaggio MP3 with ABS,ASR, heated handlebars, heated blanket, Akrapovic exhaust and then a week off to ride all week, can’t wait.
At 40 I Bought my third bike, a new 2023 bmwg310gs july 2022. I’ve changes handlebars after a highside. Added heated grips, aux lights, RGB underglow, tall windshield then tossed it, aluminum skid plate, aux DC switches and bus bars, oil pan heater, Li batt, better tires, crash bars, highway pegs, cup holder LOL, quad lock, top case, peg extenders, frame sliders, continuously swapping out turn signals. I can’t wait to add the big stuff: suspension upgrade, corbin seat, side cases with extra tool box, Klim Krios Pro helemt, tech 10 boots. Plus new bars again because i drilled my current bars based off of measurements taken from bent then “straightened” bars, close, lame but working. I still need a gun rack and bow rack. I hunt from my bike and it would be nice to do it with more grace and safety with a better rack system. First gear when I bought it: cheap adv jacket and pants, used work boots till I twisted an ankle in the snow, got tech3, electric gloves, electric vest, ls2 assault street helmet for winter, ls2 blaze ADV helmet for summer, balaclava, summer gloves.
Just get the clear visor and wear sun glasses. I have bright sun glasses, cloudy sunglasses, and night riding glasses. you start changeing visors all the time you are going to scratch them up from handling and storage. Every motorcyclist should be able to do clutch and brake adjustments, chain R&R and clean, spark plugs, tire pressures and ALL routine preventative maintenance. Maybe you don’t always do it yourself (I do), but you need to be able too. It could be the difference between making a quick and dirty, by the side of the road fix to get going again, or figuring a way to get a trailer to you. That’s a BIG difference.
Controversial take: Aside from boots, I DO recommend starting with cheaper gear and working your way up to better stuff. I first started riding with an $85 helmet, mechanix gloves, and a $45 motorcycle jacket I got fron a thrift store. If I had to purchase good gear right out of the gate, I would: 1) never get into riding. 2) wouldn’t have purchased as good quality gear as I would’ve after riding for a bit. As a noobie, I probably would’ve bought the AGV sportmodular for $600 and gotten upset by how loud they are. Now, as a more experienced rider, I’m going to buy the tourmodular for $350. I DO recommend getting good boots and gloves early, though. Good gloves are cheap and you never want tobwear cheap boots.
Some things are just common sense like the wind chill factor and wearing dark sun glasses (tinted visor) at night is a very bad idea. Living in the North East where is gets cold and dark early in the winter teaches you certain things about life I guess. When I started riding street in 1986 I was already aware of these things and never used tinted visors for that reason and I wore ski gear in the winter.
as I’m living in Norway, andgetting a drivers license here requires more training (or gifted skills) to complete, I’m starting with my 2015 DL 650 V-Strom, it’s cheap, but based on information online, it seems to be a very reliable bike, pretty much like the SV 650 which is known to be a good beginners bike with a lot, but not too much torque, and it’s very linear up to about 5,5k RPM, then increasing more up to it’s redline at 9k RPM
I love that last entry, when I was first planning to get a real bike (upgrading from a twostroke bicycle xD), I wanted a dirtbike, time passes and im saving for (what would have been way too fast for me xD), I ended up riding a motorcycle to a friends house for them (their first bike and they were learning how to ride, and I have ridden bikes before), it was a yamaha xj600, and I loved it a LOT, and it was to big for that friend to start on, so we split the price and shared that bike, fast forward, it was stolen, and I bought another xj600, just from an earlier year, and I honestly love these bikes. they run nice, theyre not crazy fast, theyre durable, ect. had I just gotten a dirtbike and not tried anything else, id have missed out honestly
I got a riding vest with arm, back, shoulder and chest plates…. Off of TEMU. Yeah the wish app. I compared it to the bell/BILT brand at the store. Same everything, except maybe the zipper was cheaper feeling. Bought it for maybe $35, as wild as that sounds I feel safe enough for lower speed slides. It’s a really great knockoff but I’m ready for some name brand gear.
Am I crazy when I say getting into motorcycles is a cheap AF hobby? I mean… You can buy a used bike in Canada for $2000 and get all relevant gear for $1000. The fuel, insurance and maintenance is cheap AF. What other adult hobby is this cheap? I mean getting into road biking is a similar cost. Hell, you’d pay more for a high quality tattoo sleeve.
NEW RIDER HERE. perusal from Ontario Canada. I just got my first bike. 2019 SV650S. Just passed my safety course and ready to ride 🙂 Awesome articles man. I learned a lot so far from perusal your content. Unfortunately Canada weather so I can’t ride till the spring so lots of time to watch and learn 🙂
I’ve been riding for 11 yrs with my father(started at 9 and am now 20) used to go watch him on the track and ride my lil dirtbike on the dirt track and make friends and I can honestly say I only got a sport bike(2020 R3) for track days and easier around town commuting because my wr250r(dual sport) is way too loud around town and my friends all want to get sport bikes(they’re idiots who don’t understand being a true rider) so I could hold speed with them cuz my wr is set up for 90% dirt and 10% street and I carve up the dirt and street so amazing without even swapping rims I just run my soft kenda 270 tires
I live in Iran and i just bought my first bike, a Beneli TNT150 and it is scary to ride in narrow and crowded streets of a big city. Im just taking my baby steps and i have A LONG way to go which i knew. I knew it’s hard to learn how to sync up your brain and maintain control over clutch, brakes etc. And i have to practice alot, BUT one thing i didnt know and now is my biggest obstacle is that, u cannot make sharp turns with just the handle, u have to turn with your bory and lean the bike even at low speed. Also i learned alot from your article, thanks man. Anyway, i spent all my money on the bike and i really cant afford any gear rn, so wish me luck:)
On your point of motorcycles being an expensive hobby, they certainly are. but i will say, with your next point being how easy they are to fix, you can certainly get into the hobby cheep. I bought my first motorcycle used for 1600 bucks, with a blown engine. Rebuilt it myself in my GF’s appartment, and have been ripping around ever since. if your willing to put in the work, you can get a great motorcycle for really cheap. not to mention a used jacket. But its always N+1 (i now own 3 motorcycles……)
Starting up I only spent around 10k on everything. and that’s in aussie dollars. So that includes the 2k insurance, 7k bike, and probably close to 600 in gear and 400 on the license and course. Not that bad to get into compared to the cars. Which ends up being 10k+ just for the car, plus the 300 for the license and the 50 for the tank fill up. Only need to spend 10$ on fuel every time to fill up on my bike too so it’s not that bad. Upgrading from this bike is a bit worse for the cash though. Could sell my bike for 6k, then would be spending 12k+ on a new bike. Either way, only around 1100$ a year after getting into it, meaning in like 10 years I’d be spending something like 26k on just bikes, which compared to cars is not bad at all.