After seeing how much fun I'm having with my bike, my wife is very *very* interested in riding also. She's going to take her riding course in the next few weeks.
Question : what are some good bike options for her, given that she's five foot nothing. She tried sitting on my GS500F, but she's entirely on the tips of her feet. I guess a modified seat and some lowering might do the trick, but I'm wondering if there are better small bikes out there?
One of my co-workers has a Ducati Monster 620, and she's quite petite (5'3, 5'4). But it's not a cheap bike. We could spring for it if it's the best option available, but I'm wondering if anyone out there has other suggestions?
I think a Ninja 250 would fit a small rider, also it's lighter and thiner than GS, and I suppouse she's new at riding, otherwise she would know what bike she likes, so it may work.
I've seen monsters go for great prices. Just look around and you might be surprised. I really don't like those ex250's so I just might be biased.
I really don't know monsters, but Ninja 250 is a nice little bike and seat height is only 29.3...
Not sure if available in Canada/US but there is a Yamaha 535cc shaft drive that is styled something between a cruiser and an orthodox street bike that is greatly favoured by the ladies and shorter-of-stature over here.
How about a Savage? I know of a lot of shorties who've started on those. Really low seat height, low weight, but more power than the little 250 cruisers.
jeff
honda rebel 250 is the bike they used in my msf class, and they are very small too. you will have better luck looking at small entry level cruisers. they tend to have lower seats than sportbikes or standards.
Quote from: sys49152Question : what are some good bike options for her, given that she's five foot nothing. She tried sitting on my GS500F, but she's entirely on the tips of her feet. I guess a modified seat and some lowering might do the trick, but I'm wondering if there are better small bikes out there?
Take a look at the Short Bikers List.
http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.sbl.html#standard
Nighthawk 250! :thumb:
More of a standard than a cruiser, so it's cooler than a Rebel or a Thilly Thavage. The Ninja 250 is low, but having ridden one before my GS, it's a pain to manuever around a garage.
I'm on the balls of my feet, but it's a darn sight better than the bike I had before. I once stalled the GS in the middle of a turn when cold, :( , and despite flailing, I could catch it before it fell and start it again. Its low weight helps.
I tried a few cruisers, including the Savage, and just didn't feel comfy with the controls; I liked the sportbike stance better. I'd agree with the Ninja 250 suggestion. Once she's comfy with that, she can take your GS... :)
The Rebel and the Savage don't handle very well. The front ends on both of these tend to fall into turns at low speeds. First hand experience.
I'll second the 535 Virago, or even the 250 Virago/Route 66.
Don't know about Suzuki's GZ250, but I dig the styling.
if u r gona get a 250 for her, then i hear ninja250's pretty reliable and fun to ride. seat height's about 29" or somethin.. since u already have a gs, i don't think a cruiser will good with yours when you ride together :)
You can lower the GS by just over an inch by making longer shock linkages (dog bones 5mm/1/4 inch longer) and dropping the front shocks 1". cutting down the seat is another option as you mentioned. Maybe you should look for a used GS to make these modifications. Anne went from tip toes to being comfortably on the balls of her feet. It made a big difference.
The Virago 535 is also a very nice bike. If your wife likes a cruiser style then it would be a good option. If she likes sportier bikes then the GS is the way to go. a used GS, lowered and new BT45's in stock size and it will handle like a dream :thumb:
Virago 535 all the way... 87-90 virago's had the fake tank... take it and the chrome doo dad's off and the side covers too... leave them home when learning, fit a dirt bike MSR dominator bar on it, and GS brake and clutch fitting's (mainly for the mirrors at the right angle)... and its totally crash able wihout costing anyhting to fix ... BTW the 535 also handles great, has great brakes and is ridiculously simple to work on... carbs and valves are all external in it.
Cool.
Srinath.
I had a Kawasaki 454Ltd and it handled great! Easily kept up with an Aprilia Falco. I just dig little bikes. Small-bore Japanese bikes are the best.
Buell Blast comes with choice of 27 or 25 inch seat. Very beginner friendly, maintenance is simple, very solid and dependable and the nice thing is you can modify the HELL out of them. Plus dealers are letting them go cheap because of the bad rap they got in their first few years. Just an abby normal poster child's opinion. Love the GS, forum is pretty neat too.
C.......
try an alphasports gt250 you can get a new one for about $3000 and it loos suspiciously like an sv.