Girlfriend want's to get a motorcycle. Help

[J_Walker]

No this isn't me being sexist. I love it that she wants to get her own after riding with me... But she's 5'2" and well. She can't even sit on my stock GS without barely the tips of her toes touching the ground. But she doesn't wanna start off big. so what are her choices? Help me GSTwins guys! I'd like for her to get a GS. but idk about the height issue.

[Big Rich]

Look for an older Honda CB350. They are cheap, easy to work on, and have a very low seat height. Or maybe an older GS450 - the seat can be trimmed down for shorter legs too.

[J_Walker]

Look for an older Honda CB350. They are cheap, easy to work on, and have a very low seat height. Or maybe an older GS450 - the seat can be trimmed down for shorter legs too.

How is finding parts and stuff for the CB350? Expensive? Also how is it at riding highway speeds? 65-70?

[Big Rich]

They made thousands upon thousands of them between 68 and 73. And being one of the first "UJM's", parts from other models bolt right up. So with a little research they can be pretty cheap.

It will do highway speeds, but it can be harder on the rider than the bike.

[ivany]

My g/f is just over 5' 1" and has no trouble with her Ninja 250R. We got lowering links for it, this helped a lot of learning (lots of parking lot stuff). It's slightly lower (1"?) but not so bad that turning is significantly affected. She is fine now without the links.

The bike is fine on the freeway. It is a screamer but it'll do roughly the same speeds as our bikes without trouble. It is loads of fun to ride, you feel like a racer while barely doing over 40

[mister]

Ninja 250
VTR 250
Suzuki Intruder 250 cruiser
Virago 250 cruiser (don't dis either of these bikes, I know people who ride them and they do VERY well with them.

GS500 with cut down seat.

Here's a CB400 modded for a woman who is 5'1...





Michael

[slipperymongoose]

Yeah I agree with mister but my case rests with the vtr 250 it's naked, a Honda, a v twin, and cheap to own and run. And lots of parts from other bikes fit it and lots of parts available online.

[Big Rich]

As much as I agree with Mister as well, let's remember that the US market is primarily larger bikes.

I would however love to own that CB400.......

[Tombstones81]

As much as I agree with Mister as well, let's remember that the US market is primarily larger bikes.

I would however love to own that CB400.......

yeah that is a Very nice bike!

[BaltimoreGS]

My first street bike was a '73 CB350.  Lead sled but reliable.  What about Suzuki's new TU250?  Retro looks, modern fuel delivery.  Adfalchius is about 5' 4" and has lowering links on her GS.  She built her confidence on a Nighthawk 250.

-Jessie

[Unsane]

I would suggest a CBR250RR - provided you don't mind her beating you everywhere!

Seat height is 55mm lower,
Bike weight is 37kg less
Engine only 40 hp & 23 nm but they pull hard all the way to their 19500rpm redline
Twin discs on the front
They are learner-legal (in Aus)

[twocool]

No this isn't me being sexist. I love it that she wants to get her own after riding with me... But she's 5'2" and well. She can't even sit on my stock GS without barely the tips of her toes touching the ground. But she doesn't wanna start off big. so what are her choices? Help me GSTwins guys! I'd like for her to get a GS. but idk about the height issue.

Honda Rebel...lots of 'em on Craigslist with less than 1000 miles on 'em............great bike...(still in production too....not too $$$  can resell after a year for same $$$


Cookie

[Adfalchius]

My first street bike was a '73 CB350.  Lead sled but reliable.  What about Suzuki's new TU250?  Retro looks, modern fuel delivery.  Adfalchius is about 5' 4" and has lowering links on her GS.  She built her confidence on a Nighthawk 250.

-Jessie

Actually I'm 5' 2".  The Honda Nighthawk was a great bike to practice on- low height, easy to maneuver, drum brakes (forces you to get in the habit of braking early!), standard seating position...plus they are super cheap and easy to find on craigslist.  Like Baltgs said, it really did help me build confidence.  My E model GS is lowered 1.5 inches.  Do you have an F- aren't they even higher than E's?

Oh, the New Rider Course is a smart idea and an excellent investment!

[Kijona]

I would suggest a CBR250RR - provided you don't mind her beating you everywhere!

Seat height is 55mm lower,
Bike weight is 37kg less
Engine only 40 hp & 23 nm but they pull hard all the way to their 19500rpm redline
Twin discs on the front
They are learner-legal (in Aus)

That looks like a vintage VFR750 Interceptor. Hmm! Interesting! Headlight is different though.

[The Buddha]

An F I have felt is lower than an E, it is wide seat and so on and makes it look higher, but oddly the width of the seat soesn't splay your legs more making you feel shorter ... the F's seat overflows on the sides and somehow lets your legs sit closer to your center line as much a sthe pegs allow.

However for a short person I cant think of a better bike than a virago 535. A second choice is an old 450 rebel.
Cool.
Buddha.

[Kijona]

What about a Honda Shadow 250? It's a 250 parallel twin.

[BaltimoreGS]

What about a Honda Shadow 250? It's a 250 parallel twin.

Are you referring to the Rebel?

-Jessie

[J_Walker]

Guys she kinda wants a sports bike. Something with fairings.. what about bikes that can be lowered?

[Twisted]

Guys she kinda wants a sports bike. Something with fairings.. what about bikes that can be lowered?

Just about any bike can be lowered. If she wants a bike with fairings you can't go past a Ninja 250.

[Twisted]

As much as I agree with Mister as well, let's remember that the US market is primarily larger bikes.

I would however love to own that CB400.......

Me too but they are seriously overpriced. You can get 2 GS's for one of these new.