Marietta, GA / 2009 w/ just over 600 miles on it.

[Water Warrior 2]

Motorcycle gear comes in various forms. You can go just for looks without any or little protection or go for riding gear that is function before form. A jacket with armored elbows, shoulders and a back pad is a good bet. Riding pants that have knee and hip protection is the minimum for me. Decent boots of some sort. Many folks wear hiking boots, work boots or something similar. I have actual riding boots and won't settle for less now. Gloves. You must have gloves no matter what. If you do fall even at a low speed you will automatically stick your hands out. What about a bird strike or even a Bee at speed. They both hurt believe me. Moto specific gloves are cut with a curve to fit the grips. Some are armored and some aren't.
Better to mention this before I forget. You will find textile gear, mesh gear and leather gear. They all come with a variety of rain liners, vests and pockets for every occassion. Helmets are a big subject and everyone has their favorite. I much prefer a modular(flip face)helmet. The important thing about helmets is that they must fit properly and all else is secondary in my opinion.
Just to get your knowledge up and running: go to MotorcycleGear.Com and look at their inventory. Also a good place to buy stuff. Other members will also recommend their fav site to buy.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by waya

I already have my "x-mas" list to give to myself started... engine guard

Don't wait until xmas! Although you call them engine guards, in England we call them crash bars. Their job it to protect YOU, not the engine. I wouldn't EVER ride without them. A couple of years ago I got sideswiped by a 4x4 turning left, without checking his mirror, as I was overtaking. The bike went down, & the bars got bent, but it saved my leg from getting trapped under the bike, & being squashed/burned by the engine.

[Water Warrior 2]

The recent "How To" with pics of the MC crashbars is good. The bars are substantial and not just a decoration. Lynda has MC crashbars on her M-50 and they are very impressive. I know from experience that the bike can do a dead drop or 2 with no damage. The GZ MC bars look to be about the same for protection.

[mole2]

Originally Posted by waya

Heh... I already have my "x-mas" list to give to myself started... engine guard, windshield, hyperlites, saddle bags, sissy bar + luggage rack, and and and

Hold off on mods to the bike. This is your "starter" ride and you may upgrade faster than you think. You don't want to waste money on mods to the bike but rather put money into safety gear that you will use on whatever you upgrade to. :biggrin:

[alantf]

Originally Posted by mole2

Hold off on mods to the bike. This is your "starter" ride

Like you say, it's a "starter ride". This means that statistically he's more likely to have a few spills - even low speed spills - So I still maintain that an engine guard is essential to prevent any damage to his legs. Better safe than sorry.

[waya]

It is also supposed to be a commuter bike for work.

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by mole2

Hold off on mods to the bike. This is your "starter" ride and you may upgrade faster than you think. You don't want to waste money on mods to the bike but rather put money into safety gear that you will use on whatever you upgrade to. :biggrin:

Absolutely agree it is a starter bike. "BUT" it is also the bike that will teach you so much. Do the mods you feel are needed and ride with the idea that such and such mod could have been better or not even needed. Evaluate what you do and decide what could have been different. This is the learning curve in action and it never stops. By the time you have ridden a season or 2 you will have a fair grasp of what you like, don't like and what will or won't make you happy if and when you trade up to a larger bike. Your choice of gear to wear will also affect the mods you do to the bike. It is all a big puzzle to be sorted out and can be fun, frustrating, costly and educational.
Lynda was into her 3rd season when her M-50 joined us. She gave me a list of mods/farkles and said make it so. The only deviation from the list was different handlebars for a better reach and comfort.

[jonathan180iq]

Aside from appearence mods, there really isn't much you can do to the GZ anyway.

If you want some chrome add-ons, spend away! But as far as mechanical changes or mods, don't worry about it. Just learn to ride proficiently and you'll be able to pace most any group ride, aside from sport bikes.

If you spend much time riding around 50-60 mph, then I would suggest a 16T sprocket. But nothing more than that.

[waya]

w/ saddle bag supports added.

[attachment=1:17saenmo]DSCI0167.JPG[/attachment:17saenmo][attachment=0:17saenmo]DSCI0168.JPG[/attachment:17saenmo]

[waya]

Originally Posted by alantf

Like you say, it's a "starter ride". This means that statistically he's more likely to have a few spills - even low speed spills - So I still maintain that an engine guard is essential to prevent any damage to his legs. Better safe than sorry.

I am not going to have any spills if I can manage it. ... but dropping things.. I already dropped my helmet and had to get a $22 replacement face shield...

[edit]

This is a work/commuter bike... not a "starter" bike.

I chose this one based on a combination of price-point, age, mileage, and not being a sport bike.