Bike for the girl - Page 2

RedRider2k2 · 04-13-2009, 01:23 PM

Her first bike doesnt need to be new. It's more than likely going to go pavement surfing at least once while she learns.

I recently picked up an 86 VF500F for my GF to learn on. Does the job just fine plus it's even fun for me to screw around on.

Rangerscott · 04-14-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRider2k2

Her first bike doesnt need to be new. It's more than likely going to go pavement surfing at least once while she learns.

I recently picked up an 86 VF500F for my GF to learn on. Does the job just fine plus it's even fun for me to screw around on.

I'm gonna have to become a thief and come visit you.

tached1000rr · 04-13-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoomm

I'm with the other women.... Let HER decide.

Fwiw, the f4i is a huge bike compared to what is now available. No way would that be one of my first suggestions.....

F4I huge??? My wife is 5'1" at most, she rode the Ninja 500 prior to the F4i, for HER there was no comparison between the ride and which one SHE rode better, the F4I weighs slightly less the the Ninja 500 dry. She could not wait to get off the Ninja, whereas she has that I want to play some more look when she gets off the F4I.

I also think that the compression braking and general engine characteristics of a twin, (low end torque and such) relatively speaking sometimes can be more of a deterrent than the smoothness of an I4 style engine. My wife certainly felt that way at least.

As mentioned everyone will have their own choices/preferences but in the end it's her choice and as Lauralynne was alluding to most female riders can start off with bikes that perhaps teenage or younger males should not because most women are not looking to prove anything.

racedoll · 04-13-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauralynne

Um....what does SHE want. Have her sit on bikes - there's going to be a matter of what is physically comfortable. It's not a power issue for girls. In either direction. How long are her legs, how big are her hands, is she more comfortable with sport position or standard?

Agreed. Although I pretty much bought what my now husband suggested. And I liked it. A lot of women like the SV but I do not and she might not either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tached1000rr

F4I huge??? My wife is 5'1" at most, she rode the Ninja 500 prior to the F4i, for HER there was no comparison between the ride and which one SHE rode better, the F4I weighs slightly less the the Ninja 500 dry.

She will do everything better if she is able to get the bike that is more comfortable for her. She will trust it and feel all around better therefore allowing herself the freedom to learn and just ride.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tached1000rr

As mentioned everyone will have their own choices/preferences but in the end it's her choice and as Lauralynne was alluding to most female riders can start off with bikes that perhaps teenage or younger males should not because most women are not looking to prove anything.

That is exactly what I was told at the track too, that the women tend to learn more and better because they "don't have anything to prove".

I started on a 250 Ninja and loved it. Looking back my hubby said he would have rather I started on the 500 since it's a little more powerful. I could have ridden it a little longer, but he broke me by letting me ride his ZX9. It was downhill from there (in me getting a 600).

tached1000rr · 04-13-2009, 07:19 PM

In our riding group, all of our wives or girlfriends ride their own bikes or are in the process of gaining experience. The most experienced in terms of years riding and mileage is about 2 years/12,000 miles she started on a Ninja 250 went to a katana 600 to her present 07 GSXR 600. My wife started on the 500 because I bought it at a good she deal hated it, and then moved up to the F4I which she loves and feels completely confident/comfortable and it shows big time. The other women started out on 06 and 07 R6s with one having some dirt bike experience and the other having no experience at all. We have one more just learning on her boyfriends GSXR.

Not a single one has crashed or had any type of incident. For the most part I'd bet the farm with a group of guys the story would be different.

azoomm · 04-13-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tached1000rr

In our riding group, all of our wives or girlfriends ride their own bikes or are in the process of gaining experience. The most experienced in terms of years riding and mileage is about 2 years/12,000 miles she started on a Ninja 250 went to a katana 600 to her present 07 GSXR 600. My wife started on the 500 because I bought it at a good she deal hated it, and then moved up to the F4I which she loves and feels completely confident/comfortable and it shows big time. The other women started out on 06 and 07 R6s with one having some dirt bike experience and the other having no experience at all. We have one more just learning on her boyfriends GSXR.

Not a single one has crashed or had any type of incident. For the most part I'd bet the farm with a group of guys the story would be different.

[sarcasm] So, what you're saying is we should send all women to your riding group to learn to ride?

annawil · 04-13-2009, 07:22 PM

If she's short and a small build it will limit the majority of bikes for her. I'm 5'2 and about 110lbs. and only have about a 29" inseam. I can't reach the ground on either the Ninja 500 or the F4i. When I say can't reach the ground I mean there's a good few inches between my tipy tiptoes and the ground. It would take some major lowering for me to be able to ride either of those bikes.....or have someone waiting for me to hold the bike up when I came to a stop each time.

I strongly agree with everyone's comments to take her to sit on a few bikes and see what she likes. She'll know what she's comfortable with or not. I'd also recommend she go through the MSF class before you guys went bike shopping or you took her out in the dirt. My boyfriend tried to teach me how to ride back in college and all that did was annoy me and make me want to kill him. Neither of us had the patience for that.

tached1000rr · 04-13-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annawil

If she's short and a small build it will limit the majority of bikes for her. I'm 5'2 and about 110lbs. and only have about a 29" inseam. I can't reach the ground on either the Ninja 500 or the F4i. When I say can't reach the ground I mean there's a good few inches between my tipy tiptoes and the ground. It would take some major lowering for me to be able to ride either of those bikes.....or have someone waiting for me to hold the bike up when I came to a stop each time.

I strongly agree with everyone's comments to take her to sit on a few bikes and see what she likes. She'll know what she's comfortable with or not. I'd also recommend she go through the MSF class before you guys went bike shopping or you took her out in the dirt. My boyfriend tried to teach me how to ride back in college and all that did was annoy me and make me want to kill him. Neither of us had the patience for that.

What bike do you own/ride now? We did lower than ninja about 3/4" and I lowered the F4i about 2.5 inches for her.

04-13-2009, 01:23 PM	#1
RedRider2k2 Holier Than Thou Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: N.B, Canada Moto: 06 ZX10R, 18 400 Ninja, 11 KLX250s Posts: 463	Her first bike doesnt need to be new. It's more than likely going to go pavement surfing at least once while she learns. I recently picked up an 86 VF500F for my GF to learn on. Does the job just fine plus it's even fun for me to screw around on. __________________ Good judgement is the product of experience...Experience is the product of bad judgement. Sometimes The Faster It Gets, The Less You Need To Know. But You Gotta Remember The Smarter It Gets, The Furthur It's Gonna Go.

04-13-2009, 07:19 PM	#5
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	In our riding group, all of our wives or girlfriends ride their own bikes or are in the process of gaining experience. The most experienced in terms of years riding and mileage is about 2 years/12,000 miles she started on a Ninja 250 went to a katana 600 to her present 07 GSXR 600. My wife started on the 500 because I bought it at a good she deal hated it, and then moved up to the F4I which she loves and feels completely confident/comfortable and it shows big time. The other women started out on 06 and 07 R6s with one having some dirt bike experience and the other having no experience at all. We have one more just learning on her boyfriends GSXR. Not a single one has crashed or had any type of incident. For the most part I'd bet the farm with a group of guys the story would be different. Last edited by tached1000rr; 04-13-2009 at 07:25 PM..

04-13-2009, 07:22 PM	#7
annawil Trailer Queen Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: IA Posts: 22	If she's short and a small build it will limit the majority of bikes for her. I'm 5'2 and about 110lbs. and only have about a 29" inseam. I can't reach the ground on either the Ninja 500 or the F4i. When I say can't reach the ground I mean there's a good few inches between my tipy tiptoes and the ground. It would take some major lowering for me to be able to ride either of those bikes.....or have someone waiting for me to hold the bike up when I came to a stop each time. I strongly agree with everyone's comments to take her to sit on a few bikes and see what she likes. She'll know what she's comfortable with or not. I'd also recommend she go through the MSF class before you guys went bike shopping or you took her out in the dirt. My boyfriend tried to teach me how to ride back in college and all that did was annoy me and make me want to kill him. Neither of us had the patience for that.