Sizing
I've got enough money now to go get a helmet, so I began by measuring my head to find a decent starting point. According to my tape measure, I should begin with a M(edium). My friend's eldest brother recommends only Arai, Shoei, & Scorpion. Everything else is crap (HJC, Icon, Suomy, etc.). I have to wonder exactly how much of that is personal bias vs knowledge based on statistics, testing, & real-world situations.
It would appear, however, that I will be unable to find a women's jacket that fits because no-one (that I've found) makes a female jacket larger than a 14. On top I tend to wear a 20 (but I'm told I like my clothes, shirts & pants, much looser than the average woman). Although men's jackets run into larger measurements, how well can they possibly fit? I actually have a waist along with the breasts & hips & proper fit may be hard to find. (Well, that's my fear anyway.) Of course, I won't buy one yet (due to money mainly), but I would like one before I actually start riding on the street.
The other lovely advice I've received (after a decent discussion) was to not get anything over 650cc (duh). Oh, & make it only a Yamaha (YZF-R6*) or Suzuki (GSX-R600) because Honda & Kawasaki just suck. I'm thinking that overall that's completely personal bias. I have read that the Suzuki GSX-R* line have the best placed mirrors & my insurance agent warned me away from anything Kawasaki (something about how they're all considered too powerful & thus the insurance rates are outrageous). Also, since I'll have to finance the purchase (because I'm an impatient little bitch & don't want to wait until X'mas when I'll have the cash & the prices'll be lower), go new. I'll have to get something that can be lowered to at least 31.5". My friend's GSX-R1000 is stock at 31.9" & although I can reach the road comfortably in my boots I'd like a little less of a stretch for peace of mind (& it'll be easier to get my leg over while getting on & off). (In other words, right now when I'm standing up with the bike under me I'm still actually basically sitting on it.) I'm 5'8" & feel short for once. This is not a good feeling.
Why am I charging ahead in this endeavor? Tuesday I actually managed to get my feet off the ground & on the pegs with the clutch all the way out in first gear. It doesn't sound like much, but omg. Of course, in order to get me there the instrument panel view had to be blocked off. I was too concerned with the number climbing. I also would rather not be learning on a GSX-R1000. Firstly because it's 1000cc (or to my hubby's dismay what I'd rather call a 1-liter). Secondly because I'm risking a bike that's not my own. (I did purchase the sliders for it & they've been installed so I feel a little better.)