Bike for the wife- new rider: GS500f, GSX650f or 650r?

[mtbjay]

Active Forum, I like it!

Kootenanny's words to the wise are taken.  I shall try my best to refrain from imposing my values upon her choices.  Unfortunately, she can't ride these bikes to know what's what.  You know how it is... even if you like a bike from the first sitting or short ride, you don't really know what you have until you really take it out in a variety of conditions.  And even then, unless you have a few other bikes to compare it too... it's hard to differentiate one from the next.  This is where my experience kicks in, I guess.  (Or, my protective nature.)  I  just want her to be in control of the damn thing, not have any serious spills and enjoy herself.  The baby Ninja would be an easy choice...  Or the GS500.  Classic recommendations.  It seems like these (rather than older bikes) will be a nice balance of modern smooth running engines/balanced chassis and good break feed-back.  Now if I can only break her of the cool factor draw of the sportier bikes!  (She sent me a link to a GSXR 750 tonight!  Easy baby, easy.  Maybe in a couple of years.  Maybe NOT!)

I know the little 250 Neenja make the most sense.... but MAN, won't that be a buzzy little machine?  I better ride one.  (I am realizing I'm a sucker for a low-revving v-twin.)  Maybe the best compromise is a the GS500, dated looking as it is.  At least she'll be more comfortable cruising along at highway speeds on that - I would think.  I guess I need to test 'em both for her.  I cant' imagine many sellers will let her roll out on their bikes fresh out of motorcycle training.   it'd be cool if they did.  I guess they'd relate as most are selling their first bikes!   We'll see!

Jason

[Open Sore]

The GS500 doesn't have that much better performance than an EX250.  The EX500 is the better bike between the Kawi and Suzi.  A lot of riders feel that the bars are too far forward on the GS.  If a newbie sits on the Kaw and Suz one right after the other, almost all of them prefer the EX.  The Kawi ergos fit are larger portion of the riders.  

Either one can be purchased as a new leftover right now for a great price.

[UHOH]

Seeking Wisdom to get my newbee wife into riding:
...
Her: age 31, new Mom, intending to take riding/safety course soon.  Somewhat timid, but great with cars (i.e. stick-shifting, loves her Infiniti G37x)
...
(She sent me a link to a GSXR 750 tonight!  Easy baby, easy.  Maybe in a couple of years.  Maybe NOT!)

you're getting close to describing the target market for the Suzuki Gladius 650 v-twin.
My son had its predecessor, the SV650 naked, and that was one sweet bike.

[McHack]

Ya know, I never really understood why everyone was so anxious to go spend a big chunk of money,  to get a bike that they are likely going to wreck...  

Small bikes = cheap,  almost disposable IF you wreck them.
Big bikes = 'spensive,  a true loss IF you wreck them.

[nater]

The GS500 doesn't have that much better performance than an EX250.  

Yeah it does.  

[denisep]

I drove a brand new baby Ninja home a couple months ago for a friend (0 miles on the odo) from the dealership.  I was shocked at how comfortable and how easily it settled into doing 70 mph on the highway.  (in response to all who are talking about how buzzy they are...  )  

I still think most new riders should drive a beater (used Ninja) for a while...  drop it 2 or 3 times, and then decide what type of bike they "really" want...  

[inosmniacsdream]

I rode my Ninja 250 for a year then sold it for $100 less than I paid for it   

This brings up a good point. I turned my wife's Ninja 250 around for really close to what I paid for it as well. There always seems to be a market of new riders looking for a used one, so getting rid of one is relatively painless.

While I did say before that my wife didn't like her's because of how much it got blown around in crosswinds, other than that, she did like it. As long as the wind wasn't approaching 30mph gusts, it wasn't bad.

I would recommend the little Ninja and just plan on trading it off in about a year or so. Since most people who haven't ridden don't really know what they want anyway, this could also keep her from being stuck with a bike that isn't really what she wants down the road. Ride the Ninja for a while and trade for something she really wants.

    ...I should be a politician for how fast I can change my story.    

[Kootenanny]

Kootenanny's words to the wise are taken.  I shall try my best to refrain from imposing my values upon her choices.  Unfortunately, she can't ride these bikes to know what's what.  You know how it is... even if you like a bike from the first sitting or short ride, you don't really know what you have until you really take it out in a variety of conditions.

I learned my "wisdom" the hard way! Thankfully, my wife is a saint

And I agree completely, a beginner doesn't have the experience required to make a proper choice.  Sitting on bikes in dealerships is nice, but that is a poor way to decide...if we all chose bikes by how they feel in the showroom, we'd all own  big-ass heavy cruisers, with the wide, plush seats set nice and low, bars that come to you, and nice, comfy floorboards.  But of course, we choose bikes based on how they feel when they're in motion, going down the road--or we should, and this is the heart of the problem (and one reason I think that cruisers are so popular among new riders).  A complete newbie doesn't know how a bike is supposed to feel in motion; this experience takes a few years to develop, and is one reason I recommend doing "demo days" rides, and riding bikes of all different types (how do you know you won't like riding a sportbike, or a cruiser, unless you've actually ridden one?).

So, this is why I suggest you offer information--tell your wife what you think the pros and cons are of each bike, without (too obviously) trying to influence her decision.  One thing I've discovered is that we're not all looking for the same riding experience...

[Grainbelt]

Well, based on the list of bikes, I may as well chime in.

I took the MSF in May '05, just after buying a '93 GS500E. Rode that for a year and about 4,000 miles, then purchased an '06 Ninja 650R.  Just sold it this summer after putting 24,000 miles on it. In between I also bought and sold a Suzuki DR650.  I now ride a Yamaha FZ6.

The GS500 was the right bike for me to start with. Stone simple, reliable, smooth, easy to ride. Mine had a fork brace and progressive springs up front, and handled very well. I took it out on Minneapolis interstates about a month after I got it, that was my first chance to get on the throttle hard, having been doing sub-50pmh surface streets downtown before that. It has plenty of power, rated at thirty-something hp, and I had to slow down to merge on my first onramp.    With a six speed transmission, keeping it in the power isn't hard. I never should have sold that bike - with a topcase, it is the perfect commuter/spare bike for friends. I really don't like the newer faired versions as well, but whatever. The EX500 would be a great choice as well - it is liquid cooled and makes a bit more power. Believe both have a centerstand for easy chain maintenance.

The Ninja 650R is a nonstop grin inducing hooligan machine. The fuel injection is spot-on, and it will power wheelie in first gear without much effort due to all the torque. In fact, my first ever wheelie on a bike was by accident, on the Ninja. I had mine set up with GPS, sliders, full Givi cases, taller seat, etc. It is a nice, straightforward design, very low, and very narrow between the knees. Felt the same size as the GS500.  The fit and finish was a little rough, there was a rattle in the inner fairing that never went away, and there is no way to fit a centerstand due to the exhaust location, so touring is a pita.

The DR650 is the best city bike of the bunch, and depending on what kind of riding your wife is going to do, I wouldn't discount an XT250, KLX250, DR650, or G650S, depending on her height. Big singles are easy to ride, the suspension is cushy, and you have a great view of traffic. Not great street bikes, but again, a bike you could keep for dirt duty when it comes time to move on. All are available cheap used, and crash well.

I just bought the FZ6, and don't know much about it yet, other than it is smooooooth. Sewing machine smooth. Now that I have everything adjusted like I like, it is a docile little bike around town, under 6k. There just isn't any power, so you seemingly coast around everywhere. Comfortable, very well finished, centerstand, great aftermarket, I think I'm going to like it. I just miss the instant torque of the 650 twin. May have to get a motard for around town.  

I'd recommend the any 250 or 500, potentially a 650 thumper, and the FZ6. The 650 twins can get hairy in a hurry. On the other hand, Canada is getting a sleeved down 400cc Ninja this year, the US may get it soon. Would be a great choice - it is identical to the 650, just less motor.

Happy shopping! And don't forget - make it her choice, and she'll be much happier.  

[Chuck 500]

I can't say enough good about the GS500F.  Comments in this thread are spot on.  The bike is reliable, has plenty of power for commuting and light travel.  I find it handles wind OK.  Here in Houston we regularly have high winds.  It takes some getting used to.

I am a new rider (2 yrs) with about 11,000 miles on my GS500F.  I have dropped it (more than once ).  On most occasions damage was confined to scratches, no repair needed.  If needed, the fairings seem to relatively inexpensive.

Maintenance costs are low, and I have it all done by a dealer.

The biggest issue will be seat height.  Can your wife sit on the bike and hold it up?

Good luck with your search,

Chuck  

[cultureslayer]

I know the little 250 Neenja make the most sense.... but MAN, won't that be a buzzy little machine?  I better ride one.  (I am realizing I'm a sucker for a low-revving v-twin.)  Maybe the best compromise is a the GS500, dated looking as it is.  At least she'll be more comfortable cruising along at highway speeds on that - I would think.  I guess I need to test 'em both for her.  I cant' imagine many sellers will let her roll out on their bikes fresh out of motorcycle training.   it'd be cool if they did.  I guess they'd relate as most are selling their first bikes!   We'll see!

I rode a ninja 250 over 800 miles in one day.  I preferred it to the 636, which is why I sold the 636 and kept the 250.  Perfect city or highway bike.  about $200 turns it into a completely different machine (new fork oil and springs, ebc HH front pads, and a 15T front sprocket)  If you want a 500, go with the ninja.

[mtbjay]

Thanks for all the reply everyone!  I thought I'd let you know, I finally got my wife to straddle a few bikes at a dealership today... We were lucky enough to have a woman helping as she really helped identify (and reinforce) the importance of initial comfort with the size and weight of a woman's first motorcycle.  While Carla loves the looks of all the fast sport bikes, when she swung a leg over them and tried balancing them a little from side-to-side, she ended up liking a little Honda Nighthawk (CB250) best.  The dealer is asking w-a-y too much for their "new" '08 w/600 miles, so we looked on Craig's List and found a Honda CMX Rebel 250 for $2,500.  It's sits 2" lower than the Nighthawk (and my wife is 5'9"), but is a nice color and has at least one disc brake and the same smooth parallel-twin engine.   We fired up the little Honda at the dealer, it sounded good; smooth and responsive on the throttle.  (It reminds me of the Honda Twinstar that was my first street motorcycle when I was 17.)

For anyone reading this who is also hoping to someday get their wife/girlfriend into motorcycling, I leave this final thought.  I'll admit, I think I underestimated my wife's nervousness and inexperience.  I was recapping how I first got into motorcycles and all the different two-wheeled experiences  I have had (motorized AND self-powered).  It amounted to COUNTLESS hours of time perfecting my skills that she is just beginning to develop (much later in life.)  So... the little flat-feet-on-the-ground, simple, light-weight, back-nearly-straight Honda Rebel is just fine for starters.  I figure if she's apt to stick to it, a little cruiser like that won't discourage her in any way.  Then, if she wants more speed and responsiveness, we'll start looking at maybe the 350-500cc range.  This makes perfect sense to me; start small/cheap before going in deep with a 600cc+ bike.  You gotta crawl before you can walk before you can run.  

Jason

[McHack]

......
For anyone reading this who is also hoping to someday get their wife/girlfriend into motorcycling, I leave this final thought.  I'll admit, I think I underestimated my wife's nervousness and inexperience. ......

I did the exact same thing...   My GF is a tiny (4'11"),  sassy country girl,  & grew up riding little dirt bikes, & atv's...  She's majorly into fitness, & has done figure competitions.   We had done quite a bit of riding,  & really always enjoyed it, except when we went farther than an SV650S can be ridden comfortably 2-up.    I just knew she'd love riding a street bike,  & started trying to talk her into getting her endorsement.

With that resume,  I just assumed she'd do really well, & it was real eye-opener,  when I realized how nervous she was.  
She went out & got a used Suzi GZ250,  before she took the MSF course.    One week prior she was really freaking out,  & wanted to get a little bit of practice riding it...  So, we rode over to the local campus, & putted around the parking lot...  her following me,,   me trying to re-enforce things I remembered form the class.    I thought she did great!

Then,  she refused to let me come watch her take the MSF course.   Last weekend was the first time that she's actually let me see her ride!    Seeing her just jump on, & go tearing thru intersections,  no longer the timid girl...   well,  I was really proud of her, & a little hurt that she couldn't let me be part of it.  

[Kootenanny]

I'll admit, I think I underestimated my wife's nervousness and inexperience.  I was recapping how I first got into motorcycles and all the different two-wheeled experiences  I have had (motorized AND self-powered).  It amounted to COUNTLESS hours of time perfecting my skills that she is just beginning to develop (much later in life.)...You gotta crawl before you can walk before you can run.  

This is exactly what I was trying to get at earlier...as an experienced rider, you tend to forget how intimidating motorcycles can be to a newcomer.  You have skills you forget ever learning.

Small and light is the ticket!

And as McHack found out, for some reason wives (and probably husbands) seem to learn better from others (preferably professionals) than from their spouses.  I have firsthand experience with this...when I met my wife, I was working as a full-time ski instructor...she was skiing, but at a low-intermediate level...for whatever reason, she remains the one person I simply cannot teach to ski better...

[McHack]

And as McHack found out, for some reason wives (and probably husbands) seem to learn better from others (preferably professionals) than from their spouses.  I have firsthand experience with this...when I met my wife, I was working as a full-time ski instructor...she was skiing, but at a low-intermediate level...for whatever reason, she remains the one person I simply cannot teach to ski better...

Its funny,  I grew up on skis & I got her into skiing too.   I actually recommended she take lessons for this very reason you mention.   she's just not that comfortable skiing,  & since we live in Ohio...  its like,  yea,  so what.   If we dont ski,  were not missing anything here.  LOL