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- What type of gear do I need for motorcycling?
So, I'm 17 and I'm looking into getting a new motorcycle for cross-town & maybe some highway driving. (I'm looking into a 2008 Honda CBR 125). My question is, what riding gear is optional, and what's necessary? Obviously a helmet & gloves are NEEDED, what else? Boots? Jacket? Pants? Any input appreciated!

A I wear motorcycle specific Helmet, jacket, pants, gloves and boots everytime I get on the bike. Then I have the specialty gear - rain suit(s), rain gloves, cold gloves, heated gear, jacket liners, helmet liners, underclothes, vented gear, etc, etc, etc. But, then I put between 10 and 20K on bikes riding long distance every year. I started out with a helmet, gloves, jacket and boots. Got the pants after a get-off vaporized my jeans and skin.

- Is a scooter feasible for my commute? How about motorcycle recommendations?
I'm an avid motorcyclist in the warmer months of the year. My problem is two-fold: 1. My bike is as old as me (24 years old) and is a BMW, thus the maintenance that is increasingly required is getting pretty expensive for my budget. Plus, the 750cc triple (it's a K75, if you're curious) doesn't get great gas mileage, so it's not like the fuel savings offset the increased maintenance costs associated with riding this beast to work as often as possible. 2. I have very little in the way of versatile riding gear. I have one good leather jacket and decent boots (not m/c specific, though). I have a good full-face helmet. When it rains overnight, I'll come into work with my pants damp from the knee down due to road spray. This leads me to ask: Could a scooter or maxi-scooter work on my commute? I have to travel about 25 miles one-way (50 round-trip) on a road with a 55 mph max speed limit to get to work, with the last third of the trip on city streets with a max speed ranging from 35 to 45 mph. I realize 55 is about as fast as most traditional sub-250cc scooters will go. But I'm drawn to the extra rain protection (not to mention the storage space) of the maxi-scooters like the Suzuki Bergman. If not a maxi-scooter, how about a good economical motorcycle? I've long been attracted to the Honda Nighthawk 250. Granted, it has drum brakes and is a little on the smallish side, but it's cheap to service and gets great gas mileage (about 20 mpg better than the BMW I currently ride, for what it's worth.) I'm also drawn to Royal Enfield's new bikes, which look very vintage and supposedly get great fuel economy-- though perhaps they cost a fair deal more to keep running, from what I've heard. What's your scooter or motorcycle recommendation for this frugal commuter?

A I've got a Suzuki Burgman 650 Exec that I use mostly for commuting about the same distance as you. This a splendid bike for commuting, and I'd recommend one if your budget can support it. My route includes freeway and surface streets. I only get wet if I have to go less than about 30mph; the bodywork (and adjustable screen) does a good job if allowed to. I get about 45-55mpg, depending on speed and load. The big Burgman is also quite capable as a minor touring machine. It's very smooth and quiet and comfortable for all-day trippin' at legal speeds. It'll run 85 all day long, but you'll get tired long before it does. Get something bigger if your touring ambitions include serious trips. It's a lot of fun in the twisties too, but the softish suspension will let you down if you get too carried away. The downside is that it goes through tires fairly quickly. Their smaller diameter means that the tires are rotating faster at any speed so they wear faster. This also a heavy bike for its size - 550lbs dry. Keeping the tires up to spec pressure helps, but my best has only been about 9500 miles/set. Maintaining it is a snap. Engine and final-drive oil changes are about it. Valves are self-adjusting and the ignition is all-electronic so a tune-up consists of new plugs every once in a while. Put your wonderful vintage Beemer in a display case and get a Burgman!