WIfe's First, Reconsidered. FUEL INJECTED STARTER BIKE?

[mtbjay]

Hey, it's me again...

Today, we checked out a GS500f for my wife's first bike.  Manual Choke's scare me...  I'm old enough to have dealt with a few cars and bikes (and lawn mowers) and such to not get too freaked out when they won't/don't start... but I really don't think I want to sign her up for that.  Besides a Ninja 250 and the Honda Hornet CB600 what other easy-to-ride bikes can y'all come up with that'r fuel injected??  

She likes the initial feel of the light-weights, cruiser's and standards (Rebel, Nighthawk).  I spotted the new-to-the-US Suzuki TU250, but I have yet to see on used.  Budget $2,500 or less.

[nater]

I can't think of anything small that is fuel injected.  I wouldn't be concerned about carbarators.  Filp the choke, start it, let it warm up a little, take the choke off, go riding.  It's pretty easy.

[cultureslayer]

I know you can adjust the idle mix on the 250 carbs, I'd assume it'd be an option for the others as well.  Makes things much easier.

[Tyrroneous]

Don't be afraid of carbs.  They've done the job for a long time.  

There's a guy on here selling a super clean '96 Yamaha Seca II which would make an excellent starter bike.  

[dorklord]

My wife did just fine on a carb'd ninja 250, she'd never operated anything with a choke before. It really isn't a big deal.

On the other hand, when she was ready to move up, her bottom line requirement was FI. There is something to be said for being able to simply turn on the key, push the button, and you are ready to roll.

But most people don't keep their first bike for long (even if that first bike isn't a traditional 'starter' bike), so I wouldn't worry about it. Get her something she's comfortable with, and it'll probably make her appreciate FI later on.

[bluepoof]

What's wrong with a manual choke?    It's not really rocket science to just let the bike warm up for 2 minutes while you're putting your helmet on anyway.  

[SilverHound]

What's wrong with a manual choke?    It's not really rocket science to just let the bike warm up for 2 minutes while you're putting your helmet on anyway.  

 +1   Seriously. It's a choke not a space shuttle launch pre-flight check routine.

[ANZAC]

Don't be afraid of a bike with a choke and carbs - embrace the carbs and choke     The throttle is much smoother on a carb'd bike comapired to an FI one.  Think of the difference between analog (carb) and digital (FI).

[atadaskew]

  Besides a Ninja 250 and the Honda Hornet CB600 what other easy-to-ride bikes can y'all come up with that'r fuel injected??  

You do know that the Ninja 250 has carbs in the US?  Euro it is FI.

[Kootenanny]

I'm old enough to have dealt with a few cars and bikes (and lawn mowers) and such to not get too freaked out when they won't/don't start... but I really don't think I want to sign her up for that.

Sorry to be so blunt, but if she can't learn how to work a choke, is she really ready to ride safely on the street?

[mtbjay]

Oh, Poseur, STFU.  Anyone's who's flooded a carb knows what a pain that can be.  I don't think working a manual choke has anything to do with riding safely (or having fun doing it for that matter..).  


Two things I've learned in my queries:

   1.  Throttle response is smooth and forgiving on the GS500 carb'd bike I test rode (good for newbee).

   2.  The GS500 lacks an accelerator pump so it can't be flooded (apparently).

Thanks for all the replies everyone.  We'll what the training course brings...   She may want to start on a Rebel based on her comfort level and experiences in class.  The dominant wisdom passed along seems to be recommending the lighter, lower, slower bikes to start.  Honestly, it's been hard to view the GS500 as a "big" bike after riding one.  I'll let her decide what feels "big" after the course and support her choice for either the GS500 or Rebel.  I don't think I'll get her on a fuel injected Ninja though...

Cheers,


Jason

[ConPilot1]

Sorry to be so blunt, but if she can't learn how to work a choke, is she really ready to ride safely on the street?

There's some wisdom there.  
You should have some understanding of your machine + how it works before you mount up.

[bomber]

Here's another vote for a carbed bike -- many FI scoots are pretty sensitive to small amounts of throttle right off idle -- I would think that would be more daunting for a new rider than dealing with a choke.

[sammyseaman]

Oh, Poseur, STFU.  Anyone's who's flooded a carb knows what a pain that can be.  I don't think working a manual choke has anything to do with riding safely (or having fun doing it for that matter..).  

I...... can't........ resist. Another sign of the pussification of America. Ahhhhh..... I feel better now.

[Kootenanny]

...I don't think working a manual choke has anything to do with riding safely (or having fun doing it for that matter..).

But, it does.

Working a choke is dead easy...many people have done it for decades.  It simply requires one to do certain things in a particular order.  Now, safe riding often requires one to do certain things in a particular order--for example, at a stop sign, it is generally accepted that we stop, look both ways, determine if there is approaching traffic, then move off (which in itself requires a series of steps involving brakes, clutch, and throttle) if safe.  If we do things in the wrong order (such as, move off before determining if there is traffic approaching), we are not demonstrating safe riding.

I'm simply suggesting that if you believe your wife is capable of performing all the mental steps required to ride safely (and I'm sure she is), she certainly shouldn't have any trouble remembering to operate the choke on startup (and I doubt she would).


(Now, that all said, I admit I prefer FI myself, but I wouldn't rule out a bike simply because it doesn't have FI...indeed, the bike I've been considering for my own wife, an XT225, is carbureted;)

[bluepoof]

..indeed, the bike I've been considering for my own wife, an XT225, is carbureted;)

Off-topic:

The XT225 rocks! Such an awesome bike.  

On-topic:

You do have to warm it up for a few minutes (more than my other carb'ed bikes, to be honest), but it runs really well in general and the, like, twice I've ever flooded it just means you say "oh poo" and wait for <5 minutes then try again.

Such a great bike.  

[5nines]

I...... can't........ resist. Another sign of the pussification of America. Ahhhhh..... I feel better now.

+1

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Oh, Poseur, STFU.  Anyone's who's flooded a carb knows what a pain that can be.  I don't think working a manual choke has anything to do with riding safely (or having fun doing it for that matter..).  

I have 3 carb'ed vehicles and cannot honestly remember the last time one of them flooded. It should be a non-issue when considering which bike to buy.

[cultureslayer]

I have 3 carb'ed vehicles and cannot honestly remember the last time one of them flooded. It should be a non-issue when considering which bike to buy.

+1, only the 3 carbed bikes haven't been at the same time, and they've all been the same model.  only PITA is when I am running late for work in the winter.  

[sammyseaman]

+1, only the 3 carbed bikes haven't been at the same time, and they've all been the same model.  only PITA is when I am running late for work in the winter.  

Pfffttttt.... women