Help from the motorcycle guys

[Kristopher10]

Been looking at buying a bike for this year and I'm about a heartbeat away from pulling the trigger. That's the easy part. Now I have two questions for you folks.

1. I have never had motorcycle insurance before. My insurance company seems to have reasonable rates, but I would like to see others just for comparison purposes. What insurance company would you recommend for motorcycles.

2. Where would you recommend going to find the best deals on riding gear?

I am located in the Edmonton area. Any input is greatly appreciated!

[rugatika]

canadasmotorcycle.com
revzilla.com
motorcyclesuperstore.com

[Immigrant]

Best riding gear deals are usually online. If not sure about the fit, order both sizes, and send back the one that does not fit and get refund, and return shipping is free. Canadasmotorcycle.com is pretty reasonable and revzilla in the usa. ( In sask n pay 210p/m for my FZ1, 170p/m for my fz8 and 139 p/m for my super tenere. It's a drug. Got to feed the addiction)

[mooseknuckle]

What kind of bike? My Yamaha insurance $12 a month, the Harley... $1800 a year.

Locally, alberta cycle is where I purchased helmet, boots, gloves.

[reelhooker]

http://www.jpcycles.com

[Kristopher10]

Originally Posted by mooseknuckle

What kind of bike? My Yamaha insurance $12 a month, the Harley... $1800 a year.

Locally, alberta cycle is where I purchased helmet, boots, gloves.

Looking at a Vulcan 900.

[mooseknuckle]

Originally Posted by Kristopher10

Looking at a Vulcan 900.

That's a good bike. Do you have your class 6 yet? This will obviously affect your insurance costs. Obviously if your financing or buying it out right will also make a difference. Depending on what sort of coverage you want. Personally any one of the online suggestions for gear I think is the way to go, aside from boots. But that's just my opinion. You wanna make sure they fit properly and are comfortable.

I would suggest taking the motorcycle training course if you haven't already.

Have fun and keep your eyes on your surroundings.

[jkav]

Originally Posted by rugatika

canadasmotorcycle.com
revzilla.com
motorcyclesuperstore.com

Good calls. Revzilla has top-notch service, though shipping from/returns to the States take a bit longer and cost a bit more.

With respect to insurance, when you call around, see whether you can get a reduced rate for combining plans (e.g. house+auto+motorcycle). I have always gotten good service from TD Meloche Monnex. A cheaper rate doesn't save you money if they deny your claim.

[pgavey]

Hey moose knuckels try intact insurance I have a Screamin Eagle Harley 2012 full coverage $610.00 per year.

[schreyer]

For insurance on my bike ( 08 gsxr 600 ) I am with StateFarm. Really good rates.

I usually don't buy gear from the local stores here but when I do I go with Alberta Cycle. Good selection.

For tires, one of my co-workers goes with jpcycles and I go with JakeWilson. Awesome prices on rubber.

[Selkirk]

My two nickles . . .

#1) In 'theory', you should have all your insurance (home/auto/MC) with one insurance company, as this should get you the best rates and avoid any problems with 'gray area' claims. There are other advantages as well, but I'll let your insurance agent explain more. But having said that, never hesitate to shop around!

#2) I don't live in the Edmonton area, so all I can suggest is to start out with a good quality helmet and jacket (black is so 'yesterday' ), and then take your time shopping for other gear. For the most part, you'll usually get the best deals in the fall.

#3) Motorcycles are the most dangerous vehicles on the road ... bar none! The majority of motorcycle accidents happen with newbies during their first two years of riding. Take a motorcycle training course from a good, reputable company. Death by old age is much preferable.

#4) Don't smile while riding a motorcycle ... you'll get bugs in yer teeth!

Mac

[sewerrat]

Obviously you are looking at a cruiser, so you probably want leathers, and for that I bought from leatherup.ca , they have good prices.

Tires I have bought at canadasmotorcycle.ca they have the best price.

As for insurance mine is a couple hundred and that is with wawanesa, no collision tho.

[pacs5]

Check out kijji for gear. Usually lots of good deals. I personally got lots of leather coats chaps pants gloves and joe rocket gear that I have to sell when I have time to get it all sorted out and pictures taken. Sold my bike last year due to not enough use. State farm is where the Harley dealer sent me for best rates.

[mooseknuckle]

Originally Posted by pgavey

Hey moose knuckels try intact insurance I have a Screamin Eagle Harley 2012 full coverage $610.00 per year.

I'm Definately gonna shop around this year. The Harley is payed off now as well so I don't require as much coverage so that should lighten the load I'm thinking.

[masalma]

Originally Posted by pacs5

Check out kijji for gear. Usually lots of good deals. I personally got lots of leather coats chaps pants gloves and joe rocket gear that I have to sell when I have time to get it all sorted out and pictures taken. Sold my bike last year due to not enough use. State farm is where the Harley dealer sent me for best rates.

I would avoid buying used gear. Seams in leather weaken overtime, and with helmets you never know the history as they are only good for one drop.

Insurance just shop around, I was paying $150/year for a z1000.

Best advice is don't cheap out on gear, had a few wipeouts on the street and track without good gear I wouldn't be here today. I always recommend people go with a full face helmet, I have a helmet that was grinded down where my chin is.

If you are only starting out get a small displacement bike, you will learn more rather than try tame it.

For gear each company has different fitments for different size people, as bad as it is you can try clothes locally and purchase online, but my advice is to always support local.

[bubba 96]

Originally Posted by pgavey

Hey moose knuckels try intact insurance I have a Screamin Eagle Harley 2012 full coverage $610.00 per year.

I use intact as well 465 yr for honda st 1100...

[HyperMOA]

Originally Posted by pgavey

Hey moose knuckels try intact insurance I have a Screamin Eagle Harley 2012 full coverage $610.00 per year.

Yeah moose knuckle, unless you have an $80,000 bike I would be shopping around. I forget who the actual insurance company is, but go through the broker "Home for Chrome". Their rates are excellent.

[Kristopher10]

I have taken a training course, had my license for over a year now just never got around to getting a bike. Thanks for the replies!

[Xiph0id]

Originally Posted by Kristopher10

Looking at a Vulcan 900.

I had one.

It was ok, I would get something different next time.

Not a highway bike. Revs high. Sound is weak. Ride is hard.

[Xiph0id]

Also, I found a real nice jacket at a bike show once for a good price.

I no longer ride and would part with my old gear if you're interested.

[mooseknuckle]

Originally Posted by Kristopher10

I have taken a training course, had my license for over a year now just never got around to getting a bike. Thanks for the replies!

Cool. Well a bunch of usually do a few rides a week all summer. A nice ride to some small town bar for a beer usually. PM if you need some folks to ride with.

[Djm2u]

Welcome to the club. Some good deals can be found online at www.leatherup.com

Here is my Baby:


DSC_8378 by Djm2u, on Flickr

[conan]

Stallion in Edmonton on 100 ave approx 168 st cheapest for leather and boots. The exchange now is too high,then you have duty. Buy local now
.

[riden]

Originally Posted by Kristopher10

Looking at a Vulcan 900.

Which dealer?

Or is it a private sale?

I am looking at my first bike too this Spring, but I am thinking V Star 950, 1100 or maybe a 1300.

[cooter78]

Blue circle insurance was the cheapest I could find for my Night Train.

[leeaspell]

Question: do you guys run full coverage during the riding season and switch to just fire and theft over the winter?

[pat84]

I would suggest everyone look into Legends insurance. I will almost guarantee their rates will be better. The rates go off of engine size. I have a Road Glide and did a ton of work to it and had it appraised, they will cover me for the appraised value and my rates never increased. If I remember right I think it's around $600/yr. I've ordered stuff from canada motorcycle and was pleased with them. Most of the stuff I got from the states when the dollar was better from directcycleparts.com really good people!

[mcgimp]

Intact for insurance. Kijiji or similar for purchase.
Smaller bike for first year and remember to look where you want to go.

[From The Hip]

I got it when I lived in BC and I pretty much killed a 1978 Kawasaki LTD into the ground...I did not mean to do it but I just put on a lot of kilometers in a very short time....actually showed up for my road test on the bike with a learners permit LOL.

I have thought of getting a bike after moving to Alberta though the good driving season is short.I decided not to do so as driving a bike in Calgary is just plain dangerous due to the idiot drivers that change lanes without even looking in the mirror never mind a shoulder check.

I admit I really miss the fun of an iron horse but I just cant justify the risk.

FTH

[Selkirk]

I hear ya FTH (I've been riding for 40+ years now), but I don't think Calgary is much worse than any other big city. I still ride to this day, but almost none of it is in the city. Cities eat bikers for breakfast.

Give me a quiet, back country road, any day.

Mac