Must have products for a newbie?

[garylythgoe]

As per my other thread, new rider, new (to me) bike, and I'm sure I should be buying some products and things!

I use chain lube on my Enduro Mountain bike, but I imagine motorbike stuff will be a bit different.

Any suggestions on maintenance products and 'must haves'?

[Renn Sport]

1. Decent helmet
2. BACK PROTECTOR! Caps for emphasis sorry
3. Decent gloves
4. Boots
5. Mechanical understanding of your bike, Brakes, chain adjustment, pressure
6. Watch twist of the wrist with Keith Code

[MotorsportTom]

Good things are:
a chain cleaning tool (people will tell you toothbrushes rags are good but a tool designed for the job make sit so much faster!) about £5-10
Decent protective gear as above - it's taken me 4 years of riding to finally get somewhere happy with my kit after buying lots of crap-goodish stuff
Paddock stand for chain cleaning/lubing if your bike doesn't have a centre stand - Approx £10-50 (check gumtree and the like people sell them relatively often)
Good tyre pressure gauge - Approx £10-30

Lots of fuel monies to gain experience and get out and enjoy it!

[Cbull]

Brake cleaner, WD40, AC50 (think that's what it's called), chain cleaner (of the brush kind, 2 or 3 pound on Amazon but takes forever to be delivered), vee wipe, Keis heated inner gloves (if you haven't got proper heated gloves that is) and if your bike is as troublesome as mine then you will need a couple of torque wrenches with a couple of 10mm bits spare.

Lastly, pointing out an obvious here but try to make sure you have a helmet that has a inner sun visor and can take pin lock, it is a ball ache without it but if you have you need some Muc-Off Motorbike Helmet Anti-Fog Visor Treatment. Other than that it's mostly been highlighted already.

HTH.

[2wheelsjimmy]

Make sure you sign up; https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/faq/organ-donor-r...



But yeah protective gear.
I spend a big portion of my budget on gear before I'd bought a bike. I bought the best protecting stuff, regardless of cost. My life is worth more.

And as above, pressure gauge, pump, learn how to check the chain, brakes.

Edited by 2wheelsjimmy on Friday 28th April 13:20

[tight5]

Cbull said:

AC50 (think that's what it's called)

[Cbull]

That's the one tight5 I wasn't far off

Renn Sport said:

2. BACK PROTECTOR! Caps for emphasis sorry

Silly question incoming. Would you buy and use a seperate one if the jacket has one already as most do don't they?

[hebegb]

A pressure gauge to 8 decimal places.....?

[TommyBuoy]

I have a separate back protector.

The inserts in the jackets are ok, but I prefer to have one that covers my coccyx and lower neck - just make sure you buy one that fits correctly.

Nothing wrong with just using the inserts though; everyone judges risk differently.

[cbmotorsport]

If you haven't got a set fitted, I'd def recommend a set of crash bungs. If you're new to biking there's a reasonable chance that you might drop it, or have a small off.

A set of crash bungs can be the difference between having to change a lever and bar end, and having to do engine cases, fairings, pegs, levers, bar ends, exhaust etc.

[Andy XRV]

hebegb said:

A pressure gauge to 8 decimal places.....?

Good point, although he would not have needed it if he'd bought a 954, all built with PoE too

Edited by Andy XRV on Friday 28th April 15:15

[RizzoTheRat]

Decent set of warm waterproof kit otherwise you won't enjoy riding in the rain.

Forget all the comments about chain cleaning products, fit a scottoiler or similar and just check the tension every few thousand miles.

Decent set of sockets, plus a spindle key if your bike needs one to get the front wheel off.

If there's space in the bike carry enough tools to adjust the chain and take a wheel off.

Tyre plug kit and compressor or CO2 cartridges.

An Abba stand or similar.

Multimeter.

MucOff, a brush to reach hard to get at places, and ACF 50. Give it a good clean and coat anything that might corrode in ACF50 ( works best if you warm the can up first) a couple of times a year.

[wsn03]

+1 to the scottoiler.

I've got immaculate bikes I've had for 25+ years, running wise and cosmetic.
The only thing I do to ensure that:

1. Oil change every 12 months or 2000 miles without fail (the inside of my engines are like new because of it and nothing has ever worn)
2. WD40 - I coat them in it every winter. For winter riding I would probably use ACF50, but having tried both I get a better time and just as good corrosion protection with WD40 IF I park the bikes up in the garage over winter. By the way, I also find its the best way to clean a bike (a powder coater told me its also the safest on paintwork etc, don't know if that's right or not).
3. Silicone grease on all things rubber, buy it from an online marine shop.


For clothing - GO OUTDOORS waterproofs, buy extra large to fit over your leathers, 2 piece. Cheap as chips, kept me bone dry in torrential storms 3 hours riding North Wales. I've got rid of all my fancy motorbike weather gear.

Oxford Products tank bank, brilliant, especially the clear screen for maps / phone on satnav

A ticket to the Isle of Man in Manx Grand Prix / Classic TT week.

[Harji]

As a fellow newbie (ish) I have accumulated the following gear so far, I passed in November 2016 :-

Kawasaki ER6F

Buffalo textile jacket (waterproof and thermal liner)
Texpeed Textile trousers with cargo pockets - those pockets are very useful.
Richa TG2 leather jacket
RST Motorcycle jeans
Richa motorcycle jeans
Richa zip connector
Furygan all season gloves
Arai QV-Pro Helmet (a present!)
Shark S600 helmet
1x pair merino wool winter socks
1x pair summer socks
1x pair all season wicking socks
1x Merino wool sweater
2x merino wool base layers - Merino wool Excellent in warm and cold weather- go to Mountain Warehouse for good quality and prices.
2x merino wool long pants
1x Sports long sleeved wicking top
1x Neck tube

1 pair Sidi Canyon boots
1 Pair TCX CUbe evo something or another short ankle boots (both are waterproof)

Pragmasis 19mm 2m chain
1 Squire padlock
Abus alarmed disc lock
Bike cover
1 Silverline large heavy duty bag to carry the above to the bike.

1x foot pump

ACF 50
Motul - Bike cleaner, Chain remover and lube
Motul helmet/visor cleaner
Chain brushes
Compressed Air can.
Sponge
Microfibre cloths.

I think I'm sorted. Later on this year I'll be looking to add leather trousers (though not desperate) and will replace my textiles with a total waterproof type that does not require me to add or remove layers.

Edited by Harji on Friday 28th April 16:05

[wsn03]

I would add security - ALMAX chains, nothing else comes close. Google ALMAX hall of shame.

[terry tibbs]

three or four pairs of everything - putting stuff on that is damp from the day before is crap
heated kit (if you battery can take it), I'm still using mine its f**king freezing at the moment
look at other outdoor sports shops and online for base layers and mid layers cheaper but the same stuff and aldi

[wsn03]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

[Simes205]

Elbow sliders.

[wsn03]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

That was my thoughts too. Because i go through so much of the stuff i learned there are ways to pay less, cant remember exactly how. My shop only charge me 20 quid (wink wink) and they still make a profit...top semi synthetic well known brands.

Btw i dont do the filter with every change if under 2000 miles, but the oil is every 12 months...it apparently does degrade with age, again i did research it and Id rather not take a chance.

Edited by wsn03 on Friday 28th April 18:16

Edited by wsn03 on Friday 28th April 18:19

[wsn03]

Simes205 said:

Elbow sliders.

You must be a learner.
Helmet sliders...