Hey everyone!

I am the proud owner of an 81 Kawasaki csr 650.
I have absolutely no idea what the requirements are to ride it ON and OFF base, or are they the same. I was wondering if someone could either point me to a manual or give me specifics on what is required. I have seen posts on this topic before, but get really confused as to what is RECOMMENDED as to what is REQUIRED. If someone wouldn't mind helping me with this I would greatly appreciate it. You can respond here or email me at dustin@endurelife.com

Thanks for your patience and responses.
Hobab

Hobab,
Congrats on the bike!

TO answer your questions- yes, the requirements are the same regardless of where you are riding! All requirements can be found in the COMDTINST M5100.47 Safety and Environmental Health Manual Chap. 10.

You basically have to have a DOT approved helmet, eye protection, full fingered gloves, over the ankle boots, long sleeve shirt or jacket that is brightly colered in the day and retro reflective at night and long pants. (Master Chief will correct me if I missed anything, manual is not in front of me)

Now, there may be some vagueness in the above and that is some of the discussion. Please give myself or Master Chief Phil Rolfe a call if you have any questions after looking up the regs in the above mentioned reference.

Ride safe and keep the rubber down,
HSC Chris Fly (on global)

Make sure you take the MSF course and have it documented in peoplesoft.

Great! Thanks Chief. So another question then....Do you have any stores online that you recommend me buying stuff from? Any favorite jackets, gloves, helmets etc? I'm really excited to get riding, but I have to get a moto license first I guess heh.

Thanks again
Hobab

For an off the cuff recitation, that was pretty good Chief!

Hobab;
I'll add to it, but read the ref Chief gave you. The first things you need to do are simple:

1) Read the ref, then read it again.
2) Operate that motorvehicle lawfully - in nother words, keep you butt off of it until you are premitted or licensed.
3) Take a MC Safety Course if you haven't already. You are not allowed to have you butt on a seat before you do that.

Lastly, and my #1 priority, you got to remember that all of the gear listed above, only makes you a safe crasher. That gooey grey stuff, with all of it's electrical connections that is inside of your helmet is the ONLY thing that makes you a safe RIDER.

quote:

Originally posted by GSX_R750:
Make sure you take the MSF course and have it documented in peoplesoft.

....make that "A" course. MSF is one of the better known ones and most common ones, but not the only authorized ones. Also - I would keep the certificate available.

quote:

Originally posted by IamHobab:
Great! Thanks Chief. So another question then....Do you have any stores online that you recommend me buying stuff from? Any favorite jackets, gloves, helmets etc? I'm really excited to get riding, but I have to get a moto license first I guess heh.

Thanks again
Hobab

Hobab,
There are tons of places online...
The Joe Rocket line of stuff is pretty good and can usually be had for a good price online, especially last years stuff. Personally, I'm a firm believer of riding in a motorcycle jacket, gloves, full face helmet and motorcycle boots (Cortech are awesome and cheap) at a minimum. Just realize that what I recommend is above the minimum required, I just happen to think it's a good idea. As far as the MSF type of course, what area are you in? I might be able to give you some contacts. If you are near a large military base, you can probably get the course for free. Depending on the state you're in, the course can run from $100 to a few hundred if you go civillian.
Give me a call if you need anything else,
HSC

Thanks everyone for keeping it simple for this stupid. :-)

I will find the manual when I get a chance. I am in the DC area, and there are bases around, but don't know who to contact yet. I'll do some searching unless anyone knows off the top of their head. Also, does that course give you a break on insurance?

Hobab

Where at in DC area? If you haven't checked out my profile, you may want too........

How can it get documented in D/A? I tried and no one was able to do it. Thanks.

Actually, it doesn't go into DA, it goes into TMT. Even with that, I keep mine in the same little evelope with my registration and insurance.

Hobab - many insurance companies take it into consideration on rates. As you know- it takes a lot of other things into consideration too. I have even had car rates dropped with it before.

Read the topic in Point-Counterpoint "Motercycle on Base" There is six pages of info that should help or hinder you.

quote:

Great! Thanks Chief. So another question then....Do you have any stores online that you recommend me buying stuff from? Any favorite jackets, gloves, helmets etc? I'm really excited to get riding, but I have to get a moto license first I guess heh.

www.newenough.com and www.motorcycleleatherexchange.com check out the closeout section of each for good deals. I second the recomendation for Joe Rocket, I have three JR jackets and the mesh riding pants.

quote:

Take a MC Safety Course if you haven't already. You are not allowed to have you butt on a seat before you do that.

But doesn't the MC Safety Course make you ride so you may demonstrate proper and safe riding methods??????

Just stirring the pot MC!

GUNS

I had an Indian Motor Cycle. My father in law taught me how to ride. We'd go up a hill fast, turn around and come down the same hill. My father in law died before my sons were born, One has a Harley motorcycle The oldest son. He never had an accident

On a similar note, did anyone catch that funeral today for the murdered Hells Angles leader in San Fran? Whole crap, I have never seen that many bikes on the road in my life.

T

CONGRATS on your new/used ride. My better half had a '84 Yamaha FJ600 - he loved that thang. He owned it for 20 years before getting his butt on a Harley.

FieldSheer has very affordable, high quality, riding apparel. We each have their Textile Cordura Jackets as well as Mesh Jackets. Our mesh jackets only cost $100 each and are of the same quality of the other big names.

We also would 'size' apparel at a store and then order it online to get items much cheaper.

If you're going to ride in the cold months, I highly recommend GERBING heated gloves. They do have other components but there's much to be said having comfortable hands in the cold riding season.

Ditto on taking the prescribed MSF course. Take it, not only as a requirement to ride/park on military installations, but also to save your life (and/or passengers). Had my better half not taken it several times throughout his career and adult riding tenure, he wouldn't be alive today.

WATCH FOR DEER AND OTHER WILDLIFE (including inattentive idiots in cages)!! RIDE SAFE!!

I noticed last week that DOD sent out a revised policy regarding mopeds on DOD installations.

the revised policy states that a moped, which doesn't have tp be registered can be ridden on base without attendance of a motorcycle safety course as long as you ride on base with a reflective vest and a helmet.

I wonder if the CG is going to change our policy now. I read ISC Portsmouth's instruction and it states that a moped is considered as basically a motorcycle and owners must have the course...

Remember ride like you are invisable because as far as the idoit cage drivers are concerned you are. What is the first thing a cage driver says right after he creams a biker....you guessed it I NEVER SAW HIM

I had a motorcycle between the cars. I thought "Does he like to get killed? Or hurt?" I had a motorcycle and I'd never do that....