What he said PLUS

1) WEAR a really good, quality, reputable helmet.
2) GO Get and WEAR a properly armoured jacket, gloves and boots.
3) Get racing pants when you're going for more spirited riding.

NEVER LEAVE HOME with out any of the above.

 

Do worry, to get my license I have to take the course. Having only ridden on dirt I really want to learn as much as possible about riding on the street before riding on starting.

Also, I am going to get a very good helmet, jacket, boots, and gloves.

The class I am taking told me to wear a long sleeve shirt and jeans. Obviously a long sleeve shirt will offer ZERO protection from abrasion in a fall but what about jeans? Would jeans offer any kind of abrasion resistance in a fall up to about 35MPH?

 

During the course I did they challenged ANYONE to run at full speed and leap onto the pavement.


You get the idea of what 35mph will do.

 

If you were wearing full leathers I can see that being understandable. However, I think the pavement would just shred a pair of jeans since they are just cotton.

 

I think the point of the challenge was to say, you wouldn't want to fall wearing jeans while running at full speed, let alone riding at 35mph.

I would say that jeans provide almost no abrasion resistance. There are some kevlar reinforced riding jeans which also use a heavier denim, but I don't know how well those protect against road rash. At some point you will have to decide what gear works best for you in each situation. Personally, I wear a good helmet, full leather jacket, full length leather gloves, and race boots every time I ride, but I usually wear jeans because I need some degree of comfort while at work.

 

That's correct. Standard jeans offer no real protection.

As Ara mentioned, kevlar jeans are supposed to be better. I looked at Draggin' jeans, with a knee protection I'm sure they wouldn't be too bad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUKzAORD35I
Competition Accessories make the Sliders, which have a bit more kevlar lining, but no knee pad.

 

Your posts crack me up Zorro.


No great riders start on liter bikes. I don't care if you're Doug Henry, all the dirt experience in the world will not prep you for how a liter bike will snap at you when you get it wrong.

I'm not aware of any throttle stops or de-ecu-tuning software or piggy back systems.

The mere fact that you want such a device is enough information to reveal that you are already in the wrong mindset for jumping into the liter class.

If you want sound, BS-free advice, start on something small.

 

I am just going to get a Ninja 250R since it is only about 2,000 for a 2008. That is cheaper than most decent wheels. If I dump it, so what. I will keep it for about 2 months and then sell it and probably get a Monster 696. I will then see where my skill and confidence goes from there.

 

Smart man. Feel free to post up questions along the way.