CBR650F Middle aged returner!

[relaxitscool]

Never thought I'd be saying that. As the title says, now the kids are grown up and I'm no longer a taxi service I had a spur of the moment purchase and fell upon the CBR650F. Mine's a 2016 model in red and white, 4k on the clock with full service history and really in like new condition.

I can't wait to ride it when the weather clears up a bit here in the UK. After 17 years away from biking I am a little apprehensive but feel reassured when I read how user friendly the bike is.
A tail tidy will probably be on the list of things to get, but any advice on clothing and protection would be much appreciated. The bike will be used for commuting and a bit of pleasure, dry weather only.

Cheers

Rob

 

[Gixerste]

Hi I'm in the same boat as you, ie just getting back into biking after years off bikes, gear wise get the best fitting helmet you can afford. I bought a mid price one first but ended up getting a Shoei GT Air 2 and wish I'd just bought it the first time 😎

 

[relaxitscool]

Cheers I'll bear that in mind 👍

 

[Rafe]

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the forum.

 

[relaxitscool]

Cheers 👍

 

[miweber929]

Congrats!!!! The red, white and blue on the early F‘s were one of my favorite color schemes on that bike.

As far as gear goes, go with fit first, then worry about price. Too many people get hung up on “more expensive is better” and to a certain point it is, or it at least could last a bit longer, but on something like a helmet a like-rated $150 helmet will protect you as well as a $700 one and in some cases better. And a properly fit $100 helmet will definitly protect better than an ill fitting $800 unit so getting the right fit should be your first priority. You’ll find most helmets nowadays fit an intermediate oval head but know there are some brands that cater to a more round head and others to a more narrow, oval head, so watch for pressure points at the front and rear of your noggin.

Jackets and such are the same, there is a point of diminishing returns as far as price goes. My advice on them is to decide if you’re going to go leather or textile in jackets, pants and gloves, and unless you’re on the track both will offer good protection, and know going in no 1 jacket will cover you for every temperature or circumstance nor will 1 pair of gloves, set of boots or pair of pants so prepare to have a couple of each and buy accordingly. Again, fit is your guide: do not get hung up on brand, colors, material, etc. because fit it what makes it comfortable to wear and puts the protection in the right place. Try on everything you can to compare fit and be sure to sit on a bike or simulate it because gear needs to fit on the bike, not standing up.

Make sure new items are snug, but not uncomfortably tight: if someone tells you that, go elsewhere because that is wrong info and they can’t be trusted further.

Hope this helps!!!

 

[baugustine]

Welcome back!

 

[JH09]

welcome back, great decision! there have been many advancements in protective gear in the past 17 years LOL

 

[relaxitscool]

Thanks all. Lots of advancements in gear, I'll take it all on board. I'm not even sure my old leathers had elbow or shoulder armour. I think I'll be going for textile over leather to offer that bit of all around use, but accept there is no one fit all solution.
What's people thoughts on the cheaper brands that pop up on ebay? Branded or no to brand?

Regards

Rob

 

[JH09]

to each their own, but with protective gear you tend to get what you pay for. something that may literally save your ass is not the place to cheap out IMHO...

 

[NoddyR]

I came back to riding after 27 years 18 months ago, the one thing I found most useful was to do a rusty riders course with a local bike training company, well worth the money