First Bike For her??

[pdsgt]

Ok,  not your typical girl.  My darling has ridden dirt bikes off road, but it's been lots of years ago.  When I say she's not your typical girl, she's really not.  First off, she has a 34" inseam, and she's about 6' tall, and strong as a bull.  She's a State Trooper and has a reputation of taking no shit from people who want to give it to her just because she's a girl.  

She rides on the back of my C-14 and has issues with her knees being bent up.  She gets restless back there quickly and needs to stretch out.  I want her to get her own bike, but don't want her to get something she won't like or be comfortable on.  I hate to spend big $$ and have her decide it's not for her.

What do you think?  Any suggestions would be helpful.

[Papa Lazarou]

Something bigger and faster than yours......or a Triumph Rocket 3  

[bassjones]

When you say a few years, are we talking 3 or 4?  Or are we talking 15-20?  If 3-4, there's really no reason she couldn't handle a bigger ST bike.  If 15-20 then I wouldn't have her starting on anything bigger than a Ninja 650R or Suzuki 650F.  Maybe a VFR.

[MrMoto]

Ninja 250. $2K, holds it's value. The ultimate starter bike.

[Cricket1]

Ninja 250. $2K, holds it's value. The ultimate starter bike.

At 6' tall and 34" inseam, that 250 Ninja is not gonna fit her. Probably a Wee Strom would be a much better fit. (If she can get past the looks)

[falcofred]

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,48624.0/topicseen.html

SV650 Std. Perfect beginners ride that won't be out grown.

Now lets see a photo of your not so typical amazon gal in uniform  

[KLRchickie]

Male or female, go sit on every bike you can find & decide what feels right.  If possible, arrange a test ride before buying...

[pdsgt]

Here she is....Not in uniform though!!!

[phoenix]

you're picking out a bike for her? Now waitta minute. You have obviously lived with women for a long time now. Have you learned nothing? If you pick out something, she will not like it. You must get her involved. Let her do some scoping out and then YOU be the FILTER.

Having said all that BS, I'd say the Suzuki DR650 (Wee strom), a Yamaha FZ6, Kawasaki Versys or 650N would be my suggestion. If she likes the looks of any of them, that is. Or maybe a Suzuki DRZ400SM since it will have a fimiliar feel to dirtbikes.

[nater]

you're picking out a bike for her? Now waitta minute. You have obviously lived with women for a long time now. Have you learned nothing? If you pick out something, she will not like it. You must get her involved. Let her do some scoping out and then YOU be the FILTER.

Having said all that BS, I'd say the Suzuki DR650 (Wee strom), a Yamaha FZ6, Kawasaki Versys or 650N would be my suggestion. If she likes the looks of any of them, that is. Or maybe a Suzuki DRZ400SM since it will have a fimiliar feel to dirtbikes.

 

I would try to steer her towards one of the 650 twins or the "new" FZ6.

[Ves]

Versys...

[Zerosum]

If knee-room is a concern, the Wee-Strom has tons of it.  The Wee will also keep up with your C14 better than a single like the KLR or DR.  The bike is made for tall people.

I'm with phoenix, let HER pick out what she likes.  But I'd definitely steer her toward a Suzuki/Kawaski 650 twin.  Those two engines that are available in five great standard bikes.  I'd steer her away from multis.  Twins are better confidence-builders for new riders.

[kitesurfer]

let HER by HER bike.  if you pay for it, she won't take the time to learn it, clan it, care for it.  if HER dollars are paying for it, she will treat the entire experience differently.  On reason I know this is my wife's Ninja 500 that I bought and fix,clean, and take care of.  She has not sat on it since june!

[sammyseaman]

  Never feckin' fails! "Buy the bike I ride because it's the bestest thing ever!"  

[bomber]

Her decision making apparatus is likely just as functional as yours -- go to one of the International Motorycle Shows and let her try things on for size -- this will certianly narrow things down in a hurry --

As with any new/reentry rider, I'd suggest used and cheap, to take som of the pain out fo the inevitable drops.

[cultureslayer]

If she has a 34" inseam the ninja 250 might be too small.  I am 5'5" (29ish inseam) and had to add an extra inch to the seat so my knees wouldn't complain.  I'd suggest a dual sport or one of the adventure bikes.  I wish I could own one but they are all too tall for me.

[Zerosum]

  Never feckin' fails! "Buy the bike I ride because it's the bestest thing ever!"  

Yeah, you're right.  A V-strom is totally inappropriate for a new rider who's 6'-0", has a 34" inseem, has some dirt experience, and is concerned about leg room.  

And I totally agree with kitesurfer.  Something for nothing = nothing.  If it's going to be her bike, let her buy it.  Especially if you're not married.

[Papa Lazarou]

Here she is....Not in uniform though!!!

Valkyrie!!!

[CosmicCowboy]

 



At 6' tall and 34" inseam, that 250 Ninja is not gonna fit her. Probably a Wee Strom would be a much better fit. (If she can get past the looks)

My wife is about the same size and loves her 250. Asked her yesterday if she was ready to move up to a larger bike, and she said nope.

[sammyseaman]

Yeah, you're right.  A V-strom is totally inappropriate for a new rider who's 6'-0", has a 34" inseem, has some dirt experience, and is concerned about leg room.  

Was I talking about you? Obviously not!
I do agree with you though. The Wee Strom sounds like a good choice. Ugly as feck but a good choice non the less.

[cultureslayer]

My wife is about the same size and loves her 250. Asked her yesterday if she was ready to move up to a larger bike, and she said nope.

I love mine, but my brother that's 6' 2 or 3" can hit his knees with the handlebars while his feet are on the pegs.  It is quite funny to watch.

[UHOH]

sounds like VeeStrom candidate, but you gotta get over the looks.

[lionlady]

Ok,  not your typical girl.  My darling has ridden dirt bikes off road, but it's been lots of years ago.  When I say she's not your typical girl, she's really not.  First off, she has a 34" inseam, and she's about 6' tall, and strong as a bull.  She's a State Trooper and has a reputation of taking no shit from people who want to give it to her just because she's a girl.  

With that inseam, I definitely recommend a dual-sport type bike like the Wee Strom. (I don't have the overall height, but I do have the same inseam length - riding pillion can REALLY suck). As the others have said, let her sit and try the fit of whatever she can throw a leg over at your nearest motorcycle show.

AND keep an eye out for a used KLR, etc. as another "learner bike" option. Can't say enough for NOT having to shed tears when inevitable newbie drop happens. My "first" bike was a "serviceable" Suzuki GS250. My first "my" bike was the BMW f650CS - tough to find.

My Rockster has a 33.5" seat height, but its a bit too topheavy for a newb, even one "strong as a bull" (does wifey know you said that?   ).
P

[CosmicCowboy]

I love mine, but my brother that's 6' 2 or 3" can hit his knees with the handlebars while his feet are on the pegs.  It is quite funny to watch.

That's my problem when I ride it. Trap my hand when I try and do a full lock u turn.

[cultureslayer]

That's my problem when I ride it. Trap my hand when I try and do a full lock u turn.

Yup, that's what happened to him.  He wanted one because they are so cheap but it just didn't fit him.  To be fair, we both have abnormally long appendages for our heights.  Being 5'5" it means I can ride sportbikes without lowering but for him it's a problem.  He had to special order his bicycle, the largest Specialized made (of course no one stocks them).

[Papa Lazarou]

Monster.

No, I mean it.

All the pretty girls ride a Ducati Monster.

[Leanintree]

Monster.

No, I mean it.

All the pretty girls ride a Ducati Monster.

But Monsters are for the 4ft-nothing crowd, and a darn good fit. Put a 6' gal on a Monster, and you might as well tie her ankles behind her ears for all the lack of legroom there is.

But you're right, Hotties on Monsters really works... rawr...
LT

[Magnarider]

Throw in another vote for a SV650N or Wee Strom.  A dual sport or supermoto would also work well, and can be a blasty to ride on the street!

[shawn and gwyn]

with her inseam.. any of the 650 dualsports including the wee and the versys.  most dual sports can be had for less than 3k for a nice one.  and it will feel familure from her dirt ridding experiance.  the other thing you might think of is just about any of the early to mid 80s UJMs.. also cheap and reliable.. and wont feel bad about dropping it. at least not to much.  and wont have any problem keeping up with the concours.. for normal cruzing

shawn

[jsanford]

But Monsters are for the 4ft-nothing crowd, and a darn good fit. Put a 6' gal on a Monster, and you might as well tie her ankles behind her ears for all the lack of legroom there is.

But you're right, Hotties on Monsters really works... rawr...
LT

I'm 5'10" and am just fine on my Monster, thank you very much. I use their Touring seat.

Anyway, I suggest that she consider an F800ST, if the dirt riding is fairly recent and she aces the MSF BRC. With the Corbin, I'm on my toes on that bike when I back it into the garage.

[McHack]

I need to start a thread like this...

My S/O is only 4'11', & weighs around 105 lbs...   She's not fragile,  in fact,  she does fitness competitions.   She IS, however, tentative & somewhat timid to this idea.   We've already got her first bike,  a Zook GV250,  that's not the hard part.    That hard part is,  what can she proverbially "grow into"....  

[KLRchickie]

I'm 5'10" and am just fine on my Monster, thank you very much.

I'm almost 5'8" & my Monster fits me to a 'T' - like any other bike, it depends on your proportions.  I know a guy who's 6' tall who fits a Monster great, ZED at 6'2" gets a cramp if he tries to ride mine.

My S/O is only 4'11', & weighs around 105 lbs...   She's not fragile,  in fact,  she does fitness competitions.   She IS, however, tentative & somewhat timid to this idea.   We've already got her first bike,  a Zook GV250,  that's not the hard part.    That hard part is,  what can she proverbially "grow into"....  

A lot of shorter riders will tell you that with some experience, being able to flat-foot a bike is not nearly as important.  However, she needs to spend the time it takes to feel *comfortable* on the little bike before she choses to "move up".  Like everybody else, of every size & gender:  sit on every bike you (she) can wangle - see what fits & "pushes ones buttons" & go from there.

[AHD43]

How about a Tiger !!!

[Marcster]

I need to start a thread like this...

My S/O is only 4'11', & weighs around 105 lbs...   She's not fragile,  in fact,  she does fitness competitions.   She IS, however, tentative & somewhat timid to this idea.   We've already got her first bike,  a Zook GV250,  that's not the hard part.    That hard part is,  what can she proverbially "grow into"....  

Here is your thread: Bikes For The Vertically Challenged
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,42876.0.html

[Zerosum]

I need to start a thread like this...

My S/O is only 4'11', & weighs around 105 lbs...   She's not fragile,  in fact,  she does fitness competitions.   She IS, however, tentative & somewhat timid to this idea.   We've already got her first bike,  a Zook GV250,  that's not the hard part.    That hard part is,  what can she proverbially "grow into"....  

Granted they're 20+ years old at this point, but the Honda Hawk GT is a great bike for short people - it's very low to the ground.  At 6'-0", I'm really too tall for it, but it's so much fun to ride that I kinda force it.  

It's a cult bike that people tend to take good care of, so they're not THAT hard to find.  I see a nice one pop up on Craigslist every few months.  The engines are quite long-lived as well.  30K is nothing on a well-stored, well-maintained machine.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Another vote for the SV650 naked.  When I was still married that's what we got my now ex-wife.  She loves it still has it.  I tried to get her to give it to me I liked it so much    that was a no go she wanted money for it.

[McHack]

I have an SV650S,  & there's no way an SV works w/o major surgery....  to the bike, OR her.  LOL....  

4'11" is pretty short!

[jeepinbanditrider]

I have an SV650S,  & there's no way an SV works w/o major surgery....  to the bike, OR her.  LOL....  

4'11" is pretty short!

The N is a naked bike with different Ergos than the S model SVs.  I'm about her size and I fit on the N just fine.

[GoGreen]

I don't think that you can begin to make any decision until she has a chance to shop around and sit on a lot of bikes to have an idea of how they will fit. A V-Strom or a Versys are maybe places to start. I love my 650r Ninja but as I am 5'6" I am not sure if it or a similar bike would work for her. Maybe, my legs are really long and I am comfortable on it. Everyone is built different, so get her out shopping!

[Marcster]

I don't think that you can begin to make any decision until she has a chance to shop around and sit on a lot of bikes to have an idea of how they will fit. A V-Strom or a Versys are maybe places to start. I love my 650r Ninja but as I am 5'6" I am not sure if it or a similar bike would work for her. Maybe, my legs are really long and I am comfortable on it. Everyone is built different, so get her out shopping!

I'm 6' tall with a 32" inseam and the 650r Ninjas I've sat on have been quite comfortable.

[DrD]

Two differents thoughts:  

Dot is selling her SV650 (naked version).  So if she starts thinking about that route, then PM me for details.

Cruiser.  OK, before the stones are thrown my way, I have a reason for this thought.  We have a friend at work, a female who is a bit over 6' with long legs.  She got the riding bug some six years ago and she faced the problem of finding a bike that would fit her.  After trying several bikes, she found a cruiser was what she was comfortable on.  (Sorry I can't remember the model.)  She doesn't ride fast in twisties, but she likes to ride.  CT to VA.  Northern VA to Nashville, TN.  

 

[J-Mac]

EX500. 'nuff said.

[Norwegian Blue]

BMW F650GS (used) or G650GS (new).

They are the same bike, but BMW changed its nomenclature.

Street-oriented dual sport with a nice tall seat height. Great beginner bike, too. Can be purchased used at a reasonable price.

[raven]

Wish I was that tall  

[nater]

Wish I was that tall  

One foot it.