What kind of protective gear should i get to wear when riding my motorcycle.?

I am a beginer rider and I look foward to purchasing a green 2008 ninja 250R. I more or less made up my mind about the bike, but i have no idea about what kind of helmet, jacket,gloves,pants. gloves etc. to buy. I am looking for affordable brands that will get the job done and that will match my bike. I know of icon, they seem to make some pretty good stuff. are they good? are they too expensive? what is a good brand that isnt too expensive. just any information you guys know i would appreciate it, thanks.

the bare minimum is a full face helmet $150.00 ,a pair of full fingered gloves $40.00,riding jacket Joe Rocket makes a good textile jacket that is affordable I picked up mine at cycle gear for $100.00 on sell it was normally $250.00 check out there website cyclegear.com and plan on spending at least $300 to $400 on riding gear I went down at about 30 mph my blue jeans were torn up but not even a scratch in the jacket

These people are on crack! The "bare minimum" is a helmet (if required by law) and sun glasses. Maybe a nice leather jacket and some boots for when it gets cold. You can look like another crotch rocket douche bag (full green body suit with matching helmet with lame graphics) if you want, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Scorpion helmets are cheap, efficient, and comfortable. Consider where you live for the rest of the gear. If it is hot weather than buy mesh jacket if it is cold than buy leather. Leather is the ideal gear because it will provide the most cushion and safety if you do go down. Perforated gloves are nice and I like the wrist gloves because the gauntlet gloves annoy me. Just consider what type of riding you'll be doing and the climate also then select your gear from that. Do not worry about style too much at this stage just get something comfortable.

The bare minimum IMNSHO would be gloves, boots, jacket, helmet, and eye protection. Go for the armour- I dropped my bike at 60 km/h and slid on the pavement for about 40 metres; I walked away and the jacket wasn't even scuffed.