Total Motorcycle Forums • View topic - best bike for little me?
Total Motorcycle Forums - The friendlist forums on the internet!

Main Site

Forums


Photo Gallery

Back to Main Site Main Site . * Login   * Register .    * Search .  . New Total Motorcycle Photo Gallery Photo Gallery

All times are UTC - 7 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: best bike for little me?
Unread postPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 3:10 pm 
Tricycle Squid
Tricycle Squid

Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2008 2:44 pm
Posts: 1
I am 5 feet tall and have a 28 inch inseam. I want something really light but I want to be able to take it on the freeway. I am not a really experienced rider so I need something good for starters. What's a good bike for me?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Small Bike
Unread postPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:04 pm 
Rookie
Rookie
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:20 am
Posts: 13
Location: Texas
I'm 5' 1". My first bike is a Honda Rebel. It's the only bike that I have found that I can reach everything. I feel very comfortable with it now that I have taken the Honda riding school and have practice.

Have a great day!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
Unread postPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:12 pm 
Regular
Regular
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:08 pm
Posts: 33
Location: Washington State
I'm a newbie rider too. I'm 5'4" and my inseam is about 29 - 30". I bought a suzuki S40. It's perfect for me. I can stand flat footed and it's light enough to handle. I suggest that you go to different shops and sit on different bikes to make sure you feel comfortable on them.

_________________
Stay Safe,

Biker Nana AKA Sandy

************************
2007 Suzuki C40 (Mine)
2007 Ninja 250 (My first but Hubby wanted me to have something w/more ccs.)
2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 (Hubby's)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
Unread postPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:46 pm 
Moderator
Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 9:28 pm
Posts: 8682
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Sex: Female
Years Riding: 9
My Motorcycle: 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 900
The Yamaha 250 is also a good option. Kawasaki makes a 500cc Vulcan that may fit
Also a Kawasaki 250 Ninja.

....go to the shops and start sitting n the bikes.

:welcome: to TMW.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
Unread postPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 7:22 pm 
Site Supporter - Gold
Site Supporter - Gold

Joined: Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:42 am
Posts: 3467
I second the Vulcan 500. The seat height is low, but it you can't flat foot it, its probably the width taking up the extra room. Skim some fat from the width of the seat and you're golden.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
Unread postPosted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:59 am 
Regular
Regular
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:24 am
Posts: 47
I just bought a Yahama V-Star Custom 1100, but it also comes in a 650. I am only 5' 4" and had a hard time flat footing my Honda 650 and started looking at the cruisers because of the lower slung seat. I am able to flat foot this bike and it's a very comfortable ride.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
Unread postPosted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:01 pm 
Legendary 300
Legendary 300
User avatar

Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:57 pm
Posts: 325
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains
Well I am a HD person, I am 5'3" with an inseam of 27" I use to have a sportster L and can touch flat footed on the ground (did have to change the shocks to shorter ones), and I currently have a Streetglide and handle it just fine with both feet on the ground (seat had to be shaved down).

_________________
I follow a new highway I haven't traveled before.

Image Image


IBA Member: SS1000, BB1500, BBGold

HD 07 Street Glide-mine
HD 02 Road King-ours
Honda 06 ST1300-ours
Honda 97 ST1100-mine


Top
 Profile  
 
Unread postPosted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:29 pm 
Moderator
Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 11:44 am
Posts: 1947
Location: Reisterstown, MD
Sex: Female
Years Riding: 11
My Motorcycle: 2004 BMW R1150R Rockster Limited Edition
lostsoulstav wrote:
I am 5 feet tall and have a 28 inch inseam. I want something really light but I want to be able to take it on the freeway. I am not a really experienced rider so I need something good for starters. What's a good bike for me?


Have you taken the MSF course? Do that first. Most places use the Honda Rebel or Suzuki GZ250 as range bikes (along with the Nighthawk 250) will give you a chance to check them out.

For someone your size, you don't have to worry about needing a lot of power. A 250 will do the job. You DO want to beware of getting something HEAVY for your first bike.

P

_________________
ATGATT: Becuase walking away in disgust beats riding away in an ambulance.
Admitted BMW MC snob.

Image


Top
 Profile  
 
Unread postPosted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 8:16 pm 
Elite
Elite
User avatar

Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 2:33 pm
Posts: 133
Location: New Castle County, Delaware
Real Name: Belynn
Sex: Female
Years Riding: 4
My Motorcycle: 2007 Yamaha Virago 250
I learned on the Kawaski Eliminator 125cc in the Basic Ride Course.

I'm 4'11" with a 28" inseam. I sat on a Honda Rebel, but didn't like how the battery dug into the side of my thighs when I flat-foot it.

The Yamaha Virago 250cc is the bike I bought. I've enjoyed every aspect of learning how to ride a motorcycle with this bike. It's even more comfortable to ride around town now that I've added a windshield. To get out of our neighborhood you have a choice of a 50mph or 55mph state road.

It really doesn't like to stay in first gear, so that's really been the challenging part for me especially taking a left or right turn from a stop.

When I go riding with my husband and others who have larger bikes, they've been great about letting me lead. In this way, I don't have to stress out about keeping up with the pack.

Enjoy shopping for your bike!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
Unread postPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:46 pm 
Rookie
Rookie
User avatar

Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:10 pm
Posts: 7
Location: Pacific Northwest
Not for nothing but the V-Twin Mama web site has an excellent section on bike types/sizes for women with pictures and reviews. It's pretty good, check it out. What's your price range? If you have money to burn, there are some Harleys that target the smaller or newer rider with ultra low seat heights and that cool tater sound. If you like cruisers, you have the small Hondas (Honda VLX 600 is a sweet little cruiser) that are very nice and less money. If you are sporty, the ninja 250 is supposed to be a light and fun bike.

If you are a small, new rider, try a used small bike and know that you will probably drop it until you gain experience (that's why a first bike should be used). If you haven't already, take the MSF Rining Course.

_________________
Currently Own: 2006 Honda VTX 1300C

*****Old Broads Rule!*****


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: BobK, psbot [Picsearch] and 23 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2013 phpBB Group