Ladies - Women's first bike choice

[NJ-Pinay]

I just joined today. Hello everyone.

I just wanted to say that I've always been a passenger. I finally took the course this past March and bought my first bike after Easter. My husband was shopping with me, sat on a lot of bikes (cruisers & sportbikes) (he owns and rides the V-Star 1100). I am 38 y/o, 5-2 and 115 lbs. I like the cruisers b/c they were very comfortable but, to me, all were extremely heavy. My husband wasn't keen on me getting a sportbike but after a lot of research, I bought a blue '05 GS500F. Just like oc2only...I LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT.

Amber - I think you should also get the Ninja500 instead of the 250. I was looking at a 250 but my husband knew that I would get bored of it instantly.

Popular first sportbikes for women (I was told) would be the Ninja 250 or 500. But there's a a growing popularity with the GS500.

[Loonette]

Glad you made it to "The Lounge"! That's a great choice of bike you picked up for yourself. Have fun!

Cheers,
Loonette

[kait]

okay, so I am fairly new to TMF, but I just read this whole thread and not one person spoke about my bike. the '01 Kawasaki Vulcan 750. I am just barely 5'6" and well, my weight is no business of yours, heck, I don't even want to know. I flat foot while sitting on and I love the power this bike has and the ease with which I can turn, even tight right handers. It doesn't feel heavy to me, (only 483 lbs. dry) and though I haven't dropped it (yet) I have zero problem getting it on its center stand. Okay this wasn't my very first bike, when I was really young (nineteenish) I had a Suzuki GS250T. It was a great bike, but squirrelly when I had to ride home from college to a house on a very gravelly road. But I learned (self-taught) how to ride then. I didn't ride again for 20 years. Now it's well, like riding a bicycle, okay a motorcycle - it seems to have come back to me and the hp of the Vulcan is great for passing the big trucks and the bigger motorcycles. I love this bike and I think anyone with a 28" inseam or greater would do really well to look at this bike. cheers!

[NJ-Pinay]

I love my Suzuki GS500. I took the MSF class and it was the best thing I ever did because I have that to refer to during an emergency situation. We rode 250's in class. I'm ready for a bigger bike and I'm keeping this one. I took the GS500 on a 1500 mile ride to CO. It handled great .

+1 . I love my 05 GS500!!!!

[just hanging]

For my first bike bought a XLH 883 hugger...I stand 5"9 knees bent feet grounded...I have had alot of women tell me that they would love to ride but they can"t find a bike that they can touch the ground sitting on..I let them sit on mine and they are shocked..also their is a lowering kit for these bikes....what can I say , there's nothing like a harley for the ride of your life...I say check em out you won't be disappointed.....

[MonkeyMaw]

I just bought my first bike a week ago, a 1985 Yamaha FJ600. At 5'7'', I can sit comfortably on it. I also got a really good deal on it and think it looks super cool. After reading a lot of people's suggestions, I'm hoping I haven't gotten in over my head. I'm taking the MSF on Sept. 29, and hope to have plenty of confidence when I complete it. See my intro (Newbie From the SC) back in "Start Your Engines" for an account of my first day on her.

[jct]

I've been tooling around on my husband's Virago 250 over the past week and I've had a great time. He recently moved to a H-D XL1200 Low and was amazed at how much more stable the ride was for him -- he loved the Virago, but did not love the "blown around" feeling on the highway.

The other day he had me try his bike -- it felt great (wow was the gearbox smooth) but felt top-heavy to me. Apparently he dropped by the Harley dealership (hmmm, conveniently 5 mins from our house...) on the way to work yesterday to talk to them and then tried out one of the 2007 XL833 Low bikes and discovered (much to his surprise) that the center of gravity was much lower and felt much more like the Virago.

End result? He just surprised me with a White Gold Pearl 2007 XL833 Low -- delivery set for 2 Oct.

I'm pretty excited!

JT

[Loonette]

I just bought my first bike a week ago, a 1985 Yamaha FJ600...I'm hoping I haven't gotten in over my head...I'm taking the MSF on Sept. 29

Your class is coming up pretty soon, eh? That bike looks great, and it should be fine for you. Just take it out for lots of practice once you've completed the MSF course. Enjoy!!

Cheers,
Loonette

[Loonette]

End result? He just surprised me with a White Gold Pearl 2007 XL833 Low -- delivery set for 2 Oct.

I'm pretty excited!

You must be very excited. Congratulations - enjoy the new ride.

Cheers,
Loonette

[Candy750]

I hope I haven't posted this before...

I started with a 250 Rebel which was all wrong. I almost gave up - too small, hard to shift, my feet too big for the shifter, just wrong. Traded up to the Shadow vlx 600. Too light - I got blown around on the road from trucks, wind, etc. Traded again to the Shadow AERO 750 and I love it - with a few little bumps in the beginning... going up by 60 pounds, the chubbier frame, and from 4 gears on the vlx to 5 on the AERO.

The biggest problem is that I dropped the AERO going in and out of the garage (once on the in, once on the out). It was all about the bad arrangement in the garage, .. ANd I knew I dropped it over something DUMB, but it rattled me more than it should have.

That all being said, I never rode anything but a bicycle before the MSF. I THINK I would have been better to start on the vlx 600, but would have ended up with the 750 Aero anyway. I'm just not so sure the 750 would have been a great first. I think I would have been overwhelmed with out anything to keep me going.

[deedee1]

My hubby has been after me for years to learn to ride. I finally have decided to and he bought me a Kawasaki ninja 250. So far I love it. He has let me ride it three times so far. I know not much but I am just learning and wont ride without him on the road with me. I am taking the MSF course next month. (hubbys requirement for me to continue riding) Is there anyting else I should know or do? Thanks for any and all suggestions.

Deedee

[NJ-Pinay]

Besides all your riding gear, sounds like you should be ready to go after you pass the course. Keep us updated and send pictures!

[deedee1]

I do have all my gear (hubby ownt let me ride without it event hough its blazing hot here). Helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, and of course jeans at all times as well as insurance and my permit. I will post pics as soon as I can get my camera working.

[KarateChick]

Sounds like you are doing well so far and have a super supporter in terms of your hubby. Have fun, enjoy the riding and kudos to both of you.

[deedee1]

Thanks so much for the welcome. My hubby is great and has been very patient with me. I am glad I have him to teach me.

I am not sure if this is the right place to post this question but here it goes.

I was out riding for the 4th time last night up and down the street. I finally mastered shifting into second and back down. So I started practicing shifting to third. Hubby took me out to a different road to have enough space to be able to get to speed. I was doing fine upshifting but when it came to down shifting I couldn't seem to figure out what gear I was in. Even my check for neutral from first wasn't working for me. What can I do to make sure I am in first when I stop besides the neutral check? Hubby ended up getting off his bike and checking mine out for me to see what gear it was in.

Also how do you all deal with the people out there that can't resist messing with a person on a motorcycle? I had a guy that kept pulling in behind me and gunning his engine yesterday. Hubby got mad and was reving his bike to let the guy know he was there. (He had gone ahead of me as I was suppose to try to keep up with him while shifting to third) I have to say it did make me very nervous and i put the bike away for the night. It hasn't put me off completely I will be going back out if I can get hubby out this evening.

Thanks for any responses and sorry again of this is the wrong place to post this.

Deedee

[KarateChick]

Hey deedee,

Feel free to start a new post/thread if you have questions. I'm sure the mods won't mind.

When I began riding, I got in the habit of counting up my gears as I went up & keeping track as I went down again. When you get more familiar with your bike, you should be able to tell what gear you are in based on engine noise relative to your speed and/or the tach reading. As for stopping, you should learn this in the msf course: get in the habit of stepping down on the shifter a few times as you come to a stop (tap-tap-tap with maybe an extra 1 or 2 taps to be sure) to ensure you are in 1st when stopped. I don't recommend sitting in neutral at a stop cause you never know when you may need to move quickly (which also reminds me, keep an eye on your mirrors of what's coming up behind you). All good stuff though which the instructors should go over in the course.

Neutral - doesn't your Kawi have that positive neutral finder from 1st btw?

M-C messers...well I won't tell you what I Really want to do to them. But stay calm and don't let them put you of of your comfort zone by doing something you wouldn't normally do. Then when it's safe to do so, change lanes or pull over & let them pass if there isn't another lane. And of course if there is, keep an eye out cause the a$$wipe will likely swerve over & scream by you with honking and rude gestures as soon as he can. Just remember, some people are jerks no matter what so just be careful out there and hopefully it won't put you off riding. (By way of example, a guy that left turned into me - scary near miss - gave ME the finger... )

P.S. - msf course next month? Lucky you! Next month (hope not but) may likely be the time I'll have to winterize my bike til next season

[deedee1]

Yes it does have a positive neutral finder. That is how I make sure I have her in first.(Because it wont go into second when stopped) After doing that when I am not sure I put it back into first right away. The thing is I had thought I counted all the way down and was in first. Then hubby said it sounded like she was in second and I couldn't get it to shift. (didnt want to let the clutch goe and stall her out.) I will get it will take time and pratice but it is well worth it. I love riding even tough I have jsut started.

I am not going to let the idiots put me off but until I am more experienced and have taken my MSF course I think I will stick to my little street here.
I told my hubby that I just wanted to go in as it was getting dark anyway and that kind of made me shaky so better to put it away for the night then keep riding and make stupid mistakes. The idiot last night did finally blow by me when he realised hubby was just up ahead. Then he had the nerve to blow by my hubby and honk at him (hubby was sitting in the road and revving his engine to let the guy know he was there with me.) He thinks the guy thought I was alone out there which made it a little scarier to me.

But Like I said I love riding so far even if I haven't gone past third gear. I will get to where i am riding like a pro though it may take time but it is well worth it.

[Duffy]

Hi, I'm new here. I think this site is great. I also plan on owning a bike someday and I am already researching what would fit my needs and wants best. So far the BMW 650 GS fits the bill. Small, versatile, looks sharp and good reviews from women and begginer riders. Hopefully some day I will get the chance to post my pic riding my 'new' baby

[Candy750]

I still count my gears - but it comes naturally now. I don't forget "where I am" anymore! The shift dow to first usually makes a "klunk" compared to the other gears as it passes neutral. I also agree with completing the shift down into 1st as you stop - that's how I was taught at MSF - both brakes and a downshift.

As for those assinine drives who try to intimidate you like that - I know exactly how you feel! When I first startedm I rode up and down my road, and around the little lake near my house. I can't understand how they couldn't figure out I was new!! I have red hair, and my ponytail alwys sticks out the back of my helmet. So I started kind of "making it known" to my neighbors and locals that it was ME on the black rebel withthe red pony tail, and to please cut me some slack.

Having your supportive hubby ahead or behind you might help - but I think it would be better if he followed. That way, he can deal with the close drivers, and sort of be your buffer to keep you cool.

I don't think there is much to be said for flipping them off, because they are just too stupid to realize the deal! Also, if they are your neighbors or locals, it just gives them fodder to be fools.

Don't worry - you'll be a great rider for your practice and hubby's help, and all the anxiety will be waaay behind you in the wind!!

[deedee1]

I have gotten much better at figuring out which gear I am in. YAY. I started doing the counting thing and have not had to many problem figuring it out.

Hubby has started staying with me since then. He is either right beside me or a little in front. If he sees a car coming up behind he gets behind me and beep his horn letting me know theres some one there and to let the car know to go around as he motions them. He rides a Roadstar which is bigger than my ex250 so most people tend to leave him alone plus its loud. lol

I did take her out solo while hubby was out there working on the car.I was a bit nervous at first but when I got going and started the "drills" hubby has had me doing I was fine. He said next is cornering. Wish Me Luck.

DeeDee