Need Advice!

 I need some help. I am hoping to soon aquire a motorcycle. Now since I
am new I wanted to ask you guys for some newbie suggestions like
things I should do or correct or etc. So heres my plan:

1. Take a MSF course.
2. Get a Ninja 250 or 500 along with gear.
3. And start practicing.

Is that a good start? Also if you have good gear ideas please let me
know I would be happy to get as many as I could. I would hopfully want
it to be black due to the fact is matchs to everyting and the scraps
wont be seen as bad if I crash.

Thanks a lot, Eugene.

 
Basically a good plan, except the idea of wearing all black.  In your
MSF class, they'll talk about conspicuity and about how easy it is for
other motorists to overlook motorcyclists in traffic.  A good way to
combat some of that lack of visibility is to make yourself more
sonspicuous with brightly colored and (for night time riding)
retroreflective gear.

Good luck, welcome to Reeky (and good luck with that!), and let us
know how your class goes!

Tim

 
Tim's correct about your plan being good, and about getting
conspicuous gear.

However, I'm a bit astounded that you didn't get at least *some* sort
of lambasting.  After all, this is rec.moto.

--
DOD #4747
2007 Ducati 1098
2003 Kawasaki ZZR1200
1999 Kawasaki KLR650

 
Wrong reasoning in picking gear. However, if matching is crucial,
consider getting a different color or color scheme.

Most times, white can be substituted for black (ex. helmets) without
much aesthetic impact.

On a ninja, as you mentioned, you could take the peacock approach and
get wild colors that match your ride - bright green, yellow, red, etc.
You don't need to wear neon yellow with stupid reflective tape, you
can look badass and still be seen.

Grats in advance on waiting until after you take the course to start
practicing. Buy the bike *after* the course so you aren't tempted and
don't cause yourself any damage.

-c
WARNING: The above post may contain opinion.

 I think Eugene has all the right ideas.

As for black gear, I don't think it's any less visible in daylight.  I
doubt there are any statistics to support either side.  I think the
least we can say is there's a dozen other safety factors that are more
important.

At night I wear a reflective bib thing, like a crossing guard.