Looking for Advice

[Caba]

Here's the situation:

We're trying to decide on what bike to get for my wife. She grew up riding since she was 10 on dirtbikes and some street, so no stranger to bikes. She won't ride pillion (control issues <_< ) so she knows that if she is going to spend time with me, she'll have to get her liscence and a bike.

This summer when we go back to Idaho for the summer, she'll get a bike and get her liscence with it. She's taken the FJR for a few short rides, but doesn't want anything that big to get "back into riding" (she's only ridden a couple of times in the last 20 years). The FJR is a good height for her with no problems touching.

Right now we're looking at an FZ6. We're looking at comfort, ease of riding and control, good to get the liscence on, and the ability to generally keep up with me on 1-2 hour canyon rides.

Thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Scab]

FZ6. Great bike, great price. Light weight, easy handling, enough "umph."

 

[rushes]

I bet you could get a good deal on a 07 YZF 600. Might add bar risers.

 

[brazos parker]

I bet you could get a good deal on a 07 YZF 600. Might add bar risers.

My re-entry to riding, after taking time off for a career, was on a YZF600. Rode it for 13 months and, then, stepped up to the FJR. I called the YZF600 "FJR Junior."

 

[gypsy]

I rented an FZ6 last summer and it was a great bike. I thought about buying one but my wife insisted on the Ducati 696 because as everyone knows Ducati's make your ***** bigger. Not an issue for your wife so I believe the FZ6 would be a great ride for her. A member of this board, Flying_Monkey_Girl, rides an FZ6. You might want to ask her opinion.

gypsy

 

[twowheelnut]

DL650A. Low seat, road and dirt capable, cheap, tons of A/M farkles and a hoot to ride.

 

[keithaba]

Can't go wrong with an SV650 either. Or you could go for a VFR, that's comfy, quick, and not so big. clicky vfr forum classified

Here are some other options

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You know you can pick up an FZ1 for close to the same $ as an FZ6.

I mean, it's lighter, but not by that much. Then you could play on the FZ1 sometimes too!

 

[Scab]

A member of this board, Flying_Monkey_Girl, rides an FZ6. You might want to ask her opinion.

Member "Barb" also rides an FZ6 if you are looking for the female perspective.

 

[FJRay]

My wife rides a ZR7S Kawasaki with a Russell seat for comfort and Givi bags for storage. My daughter rides a EX500 Kawasaki and either one keeps up just fine and will travel all day.

 

[rockmurf]

I ride an fz6 and an fjr and sometimes I like the fz6 better because of its lightweight and flickability. Good gas mileage 50mpg, quick, handles great, cheap to insure, runs on reg. gas, low maintenance etc.

 

[burninrice]

Just my two cents. It depends on whether she is tall or short and if a "beginner" bike is what you seek. A couple of bikes I've owned that were great were:

Yamaha YZF600. Probably one of the best all-around "discount" sport bikes ever. Not too crothcy, decent power, with a set of risers and a Corbin a very ridable distance bike.

Kawasaki ZR7S. Old school, but very competant. Can't go wrong for the $$.

Yamaha FZ6 Gen I. What can you say about all the FZs? Great. You can pick the Gen Is up used cheap too.

Honda PC800. (yes I admit I owned one, bought it cheap used) People laugh at this milk carton with wheels until they ride one. Beginner friendly power, great handling, enough power to go anywhere, sport touring capability. The only problem is it's a bit of a cult bike and isn't the cheapest used. Not to be sexist, but a female would have a lot easier time living this one down than a guy. Kind of an 800cc, two wheeled mini van.

Bikes I've ridden and wouldn't mind owning if I had an excuse:

Suzuki V-Strom 650. Definitely for taller riders. Nice power, less crotchy than the SV.

Kawasaki Versys. Seemed like a nice all around bike, but I didn't like it as well as the V-Strom.

Honda CBR600 F4 or F4i. Very much like the YZF600.

Triumph TT600. Kind of a sleeper in this category. Not much of an RR bike, but a lot like the YZF/CBR. DIRT CHEAP USED!

Ducati Monster. It's a Ducati, both good and bad.

The bikes I would stay away from are the 500 cc sport bikes like the Ninja and GSF500. Decent around town, but a bit strained on the slab.

 

[Caba]

Thanks for the Input. I'll run through this with her tomorrow.

I definately wouldn't call her a "beginner". Her father always called her "pricess leadfoot" and stepping to a bike with less hp than the one I've got is a real tough pill for her to take. She has just been off the bikes for 20+ years.

She has a definate like for all things new (her father owned a yammy dealership for a time when she was growing up) and general comfort is important.

This gives a lot of options to check out.

Thanks,

Caba

 

[HotRodZilla]

You said she fit your FJR but just didn't like the weight? Why not try a Triumph Sprint 1050. She won't be dissapointed in the HP difference for long.

 

[Bugnatr]

+1 FZ6, I bought a new 07 last year for a day/play bike. Once she learns how to make it go you will be working to keep up with her in the twisties. The gen2 is a nice bike, great brakes and is much more comfy seat than a FZ1. MCN did a shoot out last year and the 6 blew away the SV650 & Ninja 650 in almost all departments.

 

[gr8eyes]

I bought an FZ6 for my son. We just completed the MSF course and have done some more training on our own. He is not a big boy (5'8' 145lbs), and does real well on the bike. Its a fairly tame bike in the low revs so its hard to get into alot of trouble on initial take off, but when the revs get up above 6,000 it produces great power. So Its not a bad beginner bike but will work well for him after he gets some miles under his belt.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Best bike for her? Any freeckin bike SHE picks, especially if there are control issues.

Options?

FZ6 is a great bike but revvy, especially if the Eastern European roads are frequently broken where you are.

Ducati Multistrada 620. Same idea as a DL650 WeeStrom, but a bit more refined.

DL650 does most things well. Fails my daughter's "ugly" test even more than the MultiStrada.

Beemer F650 single or 800 twin.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Another option for your wife to review is the Ninja 650R. It has an upright seating position, similar to the FJR and is a lot of fun to ride. You'll notice that quite a few of the FJR owners here share their garage with the wife's little Kawasaki. The bike weighs less than 400lbs dry and is sweet and gentle at low RPM. Crank the throttle and its teeth will be bared. My Ninja will hold 100mph with ease, but you sure know that you're going fast, unlike the FJR which convinces you that everyone else is just slow.

And that pretty blue color is just gorgeous!!!!

Jill

 

[FJRMGM]

lots of good suggestions in this thread and any one of them will work.

 

[user 6393]

FZ6. Great bike, great price. Light weight, easy handling, enough "umph."

WOOF

I love my FZ6. It is easy to ride, quick, and nimble. It is a solid ride for long tours. NO issues at all with it. Can't say enough good things about my ride. I have ridden Gordo's feej a number of times in different weather conditions as I was considering moving up, but to be honest, I am going to stick with my FZ.

:yahoo: