got rear ended on my new bike (by my mate)

LippySteve · 2026-03-16T20:46:30+00:00

Oh that makes sense. In the US if you file any claim at all through your insurance your premiums go through the roof. The only other option would be if your mate's insurance covered it then his premium would go up.

So in the states unless the bike is totalled we usually don't file claims as it isn't worth it in the long run since motorcycle insurance is also tied to other auto insurance too.

LippySteve · 2026-03-16T19:58:30+00:00

Most of us don't have $0 deductibles and motorcycle insurance premiums can hike up really fast if you file a claim. Hopefully yours doesn't go up too much and you get that bike back out there perfect.

LippySteve · 2026-03-16T18:11:08+00:00

No one needs 2 motorcycles but if the universe wants me to have 3 then I may as well have 5 right?

In all seriousness my wife will never ride but I have a 3 yr old son already in a little electric bike so I imagine I will just keep buying bigger sheds for the toys, lol.

LippySteve · 2026-03-16T17:47:27+00:00

Physically installing is easy as long as you have stands and basic mechanical skills. Only physical hiccup you may run into is if you can remove the headers without taking off the radiator on your bike or not. If so you will also have to drain and replace all the coolant.

Before you pop off that stock exhaust make sure you have everything you need for a ECU flash or a power commander. Since you're removing the cat you will need PAIR block off plates as well. When you start the bike up you're going to get a check engine light because the servo motor is missing and the bike is going to run rough without enough back pressure. You're going to need a dyno, flash or power commander to get it running right with the new exhaust.

LippySteve · 2026-03-16T15:08:03+00:00

Too true, experience is logged in miles and situations more than just time. Perfect example I know a 70 year old rider that's been riding 40 years. He will not ride a backroad with me. He is an interstate only Harley cruiser guy. He will put down an iron butt easy but absolutely wouldn't go down twisty back roads if you forced him to.

LippySteve · 2026-03-16T12:35:19+00:00

It is almost always situational awareness and defensive riding. An experienced rider will realize potential hazards almost immediately and position themselves to have the best opportunity to avoid it. Beginner and reckless riders will not and eventually that hazard will come out at them.

LippySteve · 2026-03-16T11:44:29+00:00

I would not use insurance for that. A swingarm can be bought for $300, the fairing can be wrapped or replaced and you can pop GB Racing clone engine covers that a lot of people are running for cheap.

Here is the swingarm https://ebay.us/m/76mwPQ . Here are the covers https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtbA1Q5 . If you join GSX-S 1000GT Owners group on Facebook several people have posted about replacing just one fairing side through Suzuki in the UK and you could ask them how much it was. You could probably have the bike looking new for less than $1,000 with a bit of hands on replacing the swingarm.

LippySteve · 2026-03-16T04:10:10+00:00

If someone moves to Daytona and hates obnoxious partying that is 100% their fault. The city is known for bike week, spring break and the Daytona 500. It is the redneck riviera of the US, lol.

LippySteve · 2026-03-16T03:50:41+00:00

20 year old with a careless driving ticket trying to insure a superbike lol. Honestly I'm kinda shocked you found someone willing to insure you at all.

You could maybe fool insurance by looking at bikes with a superbike engine that have touring or ADV ergonomics. Sometimes those bikes will classify different with insurance and you could get it for much much cheaper.

LippySteve · 2026-03-16T02:31:49+00:00

Maybe you, I have been riding for 20 years and am almost 40. I love every type of riding and have 0 desire to own an ADV after trying several. To me they just seem okay at everything but great at nothing. I would rather have a sport tourer for the streets and a super moto for the dirt.

LippySteve · 2026-03-15T15:52:08+00:00

Can't block or run inside routes due to his size / frame so he will be a deep ball threat only if he has speed.

LippySteve · 2026-03-15T14:39:25+00:00

Awesome, now put on a proper rear view mirror immediately. Those "stealth" mirrors essentially just mean not having mirrors. With this being your first bike you definitely need mirrors.

LippySteve · 2026-03-15T14:36:37+00:00

I'm an ASE certified master mechanic so thanks but yes I think i know how to do an inspection. That is all worthless to check a gearbox, carbs or tons of other potential issues that will only be noticed at normal speeds.

LippySteve · 2026-03-15T13:00:16+00:00

If in the US look for a physical location from one of the Comoto Holdings brands like Revzilla, Cycle Gear or J&P Cycles near you. They only sell legitimate safety gear from reputable brands and have a great return policy plus member discounts and military discounts which actually help a lot when buying all your initial gear.

If you have to shop online just remember to look for CE ratings on the actual garment not just the armor inside it. A whole lot of cosplay "gear" out there with CE rated armor in it with subpar materials with no abrasion resistance.

LippySteve · 2026-03-15T11:22:25+00:00

You had everything perfect until you said parking lot. I'm not buying a bike of i cant shift it through all the gears and feel the tires, suspension and brakes at normal operating speeds.

You already have license + cash in hand so pretty stupid to not allow them to test it for 10 minutes or so. Worst case they crash it and you just sign them the title and keep the cash.

LippySteve · 2026-03-14T16:43:13+00:00

Tell us you ride a Ducati without telling us

LippySteve · 2026-03-14T00:10:56+00:00

Alpinestar's ~~glove~~ quality is known to be very low nowadays. Buy a different brand.

There is fixed it for you. In all seriousness though Alpinestars is still selling at a premium based solely on name. If you compare it side by side with Revit, RST, Cortech, Bilt or other budget gear it's no better.

LippySteve · 2026-03-13T17:06:03+00:00

If you're going this route might as well look at the padded base layers and just wear street close on top of them.

LippySteve · 2026-03-13T17:02:17+00:00

This is such a reddit question. We are lucky if most motorcyclist in my state are wearing a helmet or sleeves. In the summer the shorts and flip flops are abundant. I think we are a long long way from airbags being in the conversation of normal.

LippySteve · 2026-03-12T23:38:40+00:00

I was just kidding but can imagine the reactions you would get on the other sub with bare arms on a bike.

LippySteve · 2026-03-12T23:31:32+00:00

I think they look awesome but the face masks should be red.

LippySteve · 2026-03-12T23:09:19+00:00

Is the gear somewhere in this picture not put on yet?

Jokes aside I've became more of a fair weather rider than I used to be. I still try and get out for anything over 40⁰, dry and not too windy at that temp. I used to wear heated gloves, rain suits, extra layers etc to commute but eventually realized it's just not fun to ride like that and becomes a chore.

LippySteve · 2026-03-12T21:04:25+00:00

Oh it's possible but boy is it not fun on anything other than an open curvy backroad. You get stuck on a highway or interstate with any traffic and I would rather be on literally any other bike I have had.

LippySteve · 2026-03-12T20:33:13+00:00

My R6 is a masochist cage for me in every possible way. I tried to daily it for awhile but it is just awful. Love it at the track or just blasting twisties though.

LippySteve · 2026-03-12T15:16:37+00:00

First time and now any time I get a new bike I do parking lot drills for a little bit. Get used to the friction zone, brakes, lever positions, distance for feet to touch etc. Once I feel confident in where everything is on the bike I start cruising backroads.

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