Wife Bike

[FJR1300Jeff]

She is currently taking the motorcycle safety couse and wants a starter bike of her own.

She has only sat on a Honda Rebel and Suzuki Boulevard model 650 something.

She liked these two do maily to the weight & her feet could reach the ground.

Any suggestions for a good bike for my 5'1 small frame wife that won't break the bank?

 

[slapnpop]

Most importantly: It entirely depends on the woman.

My pillon was a little uncomfortable on the rebel because of how small it was. We ended up getting her an old yamaha radian (600cc naked), and she liked it very much. It was a good fit for her.

In my opinion, and it retrospect, I would have rather gotten her a small sportbike, like a 250cc, or a small dualsport that's even lighter, and not as fast. Due to the weight and performance of the 600cc, she dropped it a couple times, and now is nervous in traffic, and I don't like her riding much, especially if I'm not there. I also don't like riding with her as much because I'm constantly nervous after watching her drop it twice. I think a lighter bike that she could have handled better would have been the best choice, even if she wasn't as physically comfortable on it.

I guess my point is to make sure you don't jump the gun and go all out. I know other recomend it, but I don't. I started with a cheep old honda 450cc, and it was great! It wasn't a pretty, fast, or nice ride, but I was just glad to be riding. When I did switch up to a big, fast, nice machine, I think I was better prepared.

 

[markjenn]

Cycle World just reviewed a whole bunch of small bikes under the pretense of fuel economy, but it ended up being a comparo of a variety of small bikes and scooters. Worth a read. They liked the small Ninja.

Woman really gravitate to the small cruisers for the low seat height. Which is a bit unfortunate as they're not very good all-around bikes, but if low seat height is priority #1, that's probably where you'll end up. I wouldn't guide the process too much, let her get what she wants. And don't push towards larger bikes - let her start off with what she's comfortable with. She can trade in a year or two if the bug bites.

- Mark

 

[professor]

Don't want to throw water on the fire but-- I've ridden in groups with gal riders and never thought much of any of them. Even the ones that were pretty good at handleing the bike ended up dropping it sooner or later. But thats not what would cause me to talk my wife out of rideing her own bike if she was so inclined. All of the gals seemed to have a much slower response time than the guys, and this makes it much more dangerous for them in a dangerous situation. Their brains can't seem to handle the clutch, foot shift, brake, balance combination, as quickly as guys can. I guess I'm going to catch hell from a few folks but this is my opinion based on years of observation. If my wife had her own bike, I would have her HEAVILY insured. MIKE

 

[yanktar]

Don't want to throw water on the fire but-- I've ridden in groups with gal riders and never thought much of any of them. Even the ones that were pretty good at handleing the bike ended up dropping it sooner or later. But thats not what would cause me to talk my wife out of rideing her own bike if she was so inclined. All of the gals seemed to have a much slower response time than the guys, and this makes it much more dangerous for them in a dangerous situation. Their brains can't seem to handle the clutch, foot shift, brake, balance combination, as quickly as guys can. I guess I'm going to catch hell from a few folks but this is my opinion based on years of observation. If my wife had her own bike, I would have her HEAVILY insured. MIKE

I hate to say it, but this quote is REALLY stupid and ignorant.

Sure, women drop bikes. So do men. Every man here who says he has never dropped a bike is either a beginner or a liar. I had a get-off in 2004, now nearly 2 years ago, hadn't gone down (other than a tip-over) in 24 or 25 years.

I've seen some AWESOME riders of the female persuasion. And awful ones of the other ***. And vice-versa.

If she's a small woman, try the Ninja 250 or 500. The Suzuki 650 v-twin is also a good starter bike that you don't out-grow too quickly. Cruisers are attractive because of the low seat height, but they generally are bad beginner bikes because everything else is in the wrong place for a beginner, especially if she's small.

OTOH, women's legs are generally longer in proportion so they can manage bikes men of the same height cannot. A 5'5" man will find the FZ1 a bit too tall. But a woman of the same height is usually OK on it.

 

[FJR1300Jeff]

I really appreciate the feedback.....I love tapping into the knowlage and experience on this board.

It turns out she is training on a Suzuki GZ250. She says she likes the way it feels, I agree with y'all that said, don't push her to a bigger bike.

Honestly I feel better with her on a smaller bike and I probably would only push her to a bigger big one so I would want to ride it. Not a good reason.

I'll let her decide what she wants and definetly try and ride in low traffic areas.

Thanks.

Jeff

 

[slapnpop]

Don't want to throw water on the fire but--  I've ridden in groups with gal riders and never thought much of any of them.  Even the ones that were pretty good at handleing the bike ended up dropping it sooner or later.  But thats not what would cause me to talk my wife out of rideing her own bike if she was so inclined.  All of the gals seemed to have a much slower response time than the guys, and this makes it much more dangerous for them in a dangerous situation. Their brains can't seem to handle the clutch, foot shift, brake, balance combination, as quickly as guys can.  I guess I'm going to catch hell from a few folks but this is my opinion based on years of observation.  If my wife had her own bike, I would have her HEAVILY insured.    MIKE

I have to disagree with you entirely. It is true for some women, like my pillion. BUT, there are VERY capable women riders out there. At last years EOM, I spent nearly the entire weekend following luvtoride becuase of how well she rode! Sure, I *could* go faster, but she was going plenty fast enough and I thought it more responsible to ride behind her at a still brisk, but not so insane, pace.

And there was one woman who schooled our whole group on her FJR, but for the life of me I don't remember her name, and don't think she's a board memeber. She and her husband FLEW around us on one of the parkways like we were standing still.

There are certainly very capable women riders.

 

[Shane]

Don't want to throw water on the fire but--  I've ridden in groups with gal riders and never thought much of any of them.  Even the ones that were pretty good at handleing the bike ended up dropping it sooner or later.  But thats not what would cause me to talk my wife out of rideing her own bike if she was so inclined.  All of the gals seemed to have a much slower response time than the guys, and this makes it much more dangerous for them in a dangerous situation. Their brains can't seem to handle the clutch, foot shift, brake, balance combination, as quickly as guys can.  I guess I'm going to catch hell from a few folks but this is my opinion based on years of observation.  If my wife had her own bike, I would have her HEAVILY insured.    MIKE

@ Mike,

Maybe I should introduce you to some women racers at BIR this Summer. That's Brainerd International Raceway, in Minnesota. They might even teach you a thing or two. Oh yeah, bring the group you ride with, sounds like they could use a lesson.

I'm sure Jessica would love to say howdy...

A gal rider you might not think much of..click here

No offense, I'm just sayin'...

(Taking umbrage with your post on behalf of my Wife, who happens to ride very well.)

Shane

 

[sparky3008]

Man, where to start.

I know for me I learned on a Yamaha Maxim 550. Probably not the best bike to learn on as it is heavy and not the best handler but I enjoyed my time on it.

I think I learned the most riding my YZ 250. I was able to corner as fast as I wanted and go down time and time and time again with out ever injuring myself. Maybe a bent shift lever here and a bent handle bar lever there but no big deal.

On the street I am still too scared to go that far because I know the price and injury level just jumped astronomical.

So I always will recommend some time on a dirt bike. You can go all out without a lot of money and with riding gear injury is minimal. Droping a dirt bike does almost nothing.

Now onto other skills. My wife drives a stick so she mentally understands the reasons and concept of changing gears and being in the right gear at the right time. If your wife has never driven manual this is something that you may want to just start on a car and go from there.

Now onto street. I definitely think the Ninja 250 is a bike to take a serious look at. I have seen many woman on that bike and is a great street bike starter.

Good luck.

 

[twowheelnut]

Don't want to throw water on the fire but--  I've ridden in groups with gal riders and never thought much of any of them.  Even the ones that were pretty good at handleing the bike ended up dropping it sooner or later.  But thats not what would cause me to talk my wife out of rideing her own bike if she was so inclined.  All of the gals seemed to have a much slower response time than the guys, and this makes it much more dangerous for them in a dangerous situation. Their brains can't seem to handle the clutch, foot shift, brake, balance combination, as quickly as guys can.  I guess I'm going to catch hell from a few folks but this is my opinion based on years of observation.  If my wife had her own bike, I would have her HEAVILY insured.    MIKE

Betcha yer glad you penned that lil jewel, no?!

Check ou this video: https://www.youtube.com/?v=cjomhbr7480 Then let me know what you think of the rider in front of me, the cameraman. FWIW, that individual is all of 5'-2" and might weigh 95 lbs and has only been riding street for a couple of years and has her throttle hand metering the gas of a 145 HP motor.

 

[sparky3008]

Oh my TWN. I thought that was a 1 way road the way you all were taking those left hand turns until I saw the bikes coming the other way.

Damn I hope no head ons happen too often on that road.

Nice rear wheel spin though.

I had a rear wheel lock up on me 2 nights ago. I had to take a ride and it was a dark road with lots of twisties here in Frederick. There is one that loops back and I came up on it way to fast. Locked the rear, headed for the ditch and lucky enough to be able to let off the rear lean rehit the brakes, let off again just in time to avoid the grass. Got my heart going.

Nice video...

 

[skyway]

FWIW, that individual is all of 5'-2" and might weigh 95 lbs and has only been riding street for a couple of years and has her throttle hand metering the gas of a 145 HP motor.

Without getting too far of topic. TWN is this Heidi(?) IIRC she was on the ride to Kings Canyon (3 River's?) near Fresno that you set up?

I'll let her decide what she wants and definetly try and ride in low traffic areas.

You have already answered your own question, by far the safest way to ride some miles with your SO. This is best way to start out for anyone IMO. Flat footed instill's a lot of confidence for a new rider. If you can swing this with an SV650 (via dogbones & fork tube drop) it is a great first bike that offers a lot of potential room for growth.

 

[Ice Man]

There are reallly good deals on a used Suzuki Savage (650 cc single cylinder). It weighs around 350 lbs and is easy to ride -- sits low -- has very adequate get up and go. I enjoy riding it occasionally.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

There are reallly good deals on a used Suzuki Savage (650 cc single cylinder). It weighs around 350 lbs and is easy to ride -- sits low -- has very adequate get up and go. I enjoy riding it occasionally.

My friend has a Savage. They have quite the following in EU and therefore there are abundant inexpensive parts for them too. They are easy to work on even. at 5'1" and seeing it's her first bike, I'd say an R1 and platform boots

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[exskibum]

Similar situation, and GF is supposed to register for the MSF course next week -- to be held in late March here.

I've posted on a couple boards about it and got some good feedback. I've been riding a little over 40 years, and it's easy to forget what it was like to begin. But long story short: if she wants to go on after taking the MSF course, we're probably going to be looking for a Kawasaki Ninja 500 used, or maybe a GS 500 (or is that a 550?) as a first bike. If she were to buy a new bike that would be with her for a longer while, we'd surely check out the new Ninja 650 as a first choice (she's just under 5'4").

She falls in love with every Yamaha FZ6 she sees, but I've convinced her that it's a bit too much bike as a starter (HP and esp. matching its power band to feathering the clutch from a standing start). I've got plenty of concerns about her riding, but it's up to her, and my role is to guide her as intelligently as I can. If she proves she can handle a bike safely, I'm all for her experiencing what it is that makes me love motorcycling. If she looks like she's lacking an aptitude or concentration level that concerns me, though, I'm going to be completely candid about that and its negative effect on her safety if she continues. After all, she caught the bug riding pillion with me.

 

[slapnpop]

Why are you looking at the Ninja (636 i believe) and not the fz6? The ninja actually has more displacement, and is just a powerful/light. If you're looking at the small ninja for her, I would think the 250, maybe the 500. IMHO

 

[Bananas]

Hey Jeff,

My wife is 5'1", weighs 108 lbs. Three years ago she decided that she wanted her own bike. She had ridden in the past, so this wasn't a new experience for her, but it had been about 24 years since she last rode.

Her criteria for a bike was that it had to have proper seat height, so that she could touch the ground, be able to go down the road at highway speeds, and be void of excess vibration. With that, she went shopping.

At bike week in Daytona all of the Motorcycle Manufacturers set up at the Daytona Speedway Parking lot to exhibit thier wares. They also offer demo rides. Being that most bike shops won't allow test rides on thier new bikes, I suggested that she go to Daytona and see if she could demo some of the bikes at the speedway.

She went the the Yamaha tent and talked to a rep and was pointed to a 650 V-Star. She rode it and found that it was way under powered and that she didn't like the power stroke pulse (vibrated to much for her). They moved her up to the 1100 V-Star which had more power, but vibration is a big factor for her, she didn't like this one either.

She went to the Honda tent and rode a VTX 1300. Didn't like it either. Was told by the Honda Rep that she should seek out a Honda Magna (which they didn't have on hand because they don't make them anymore) and try that on for size. She found one in the paper and went out to see it / ride it, liked it but didn't like the color. Found a black and blue one and bought it.

The bike is 750cc , low enough for her to easily touch the ground, has very little vibration and is a worthy road machine. The top end on this little bike is 135 mph and will get there right quick if you have a mind to go that fast! We have ridden many miles together and the little bike has performed flawlessly. It will go down the road with the best of them.

Food for thought.

Bananas!

 

[tripletango]

A Moto Guzzi Breva 750 with the Ladies seat installed is one sweet ride for the gals. Heck I even ride one! My bike has the regular seat. Riding it from NC to TX tomorrow.

Looking forward to riding my FJR again, she's waiting for me in TX!

 

[TheRepairMan]

Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout !