I want to buy a motorcycle, any suggestions?

Question

I have been in the market for a V-Twin but most of the ones I try to ride are made for taller and heavier people. I'm 5'5 and I have short legs and arms. Am I better off buying a kit bike or something completely custom? Any suggestions?

Answer 1

The Honda VLX is good for short legs. They come with forward controls, but they aren't so forward they will be hard to reach. Also, if you are in the mood for an American bike, the Harley Fat Boy is low to the ground. The Sportster Low is pretty low, too. The Sportster has mid-controls, easy to reach. You can also get handle bars that have a shorter reach, that will make it easier to ride.

Answer 2

Get a rigid framed bike (they are much kooler), they can be much lower, you can run lower tire pressure in the back to soften the ride (I used to run 12-14lbs in my '49 rigid panhead), on a bad bump stand up on the pegs or at least pull your weight off the seat...
For bikes with rear suspension, I guess you found out that "lowering " kits are available? White brothers make a better shock (shorter too) than factory shocks.and choose "shotgun" style exhaust for the best ground clearance.
and you should be aware that factory bikes (like H-D, etc...) come with something akin to a couch, not a seat. So include the price of an aftermarket (LaPera is my favorite) or even a custom made seat for it, to get it even lower. Don't worry aboout handle bars either, there are millions in the catalogs to choose from, the problem with changing bars is that you will need new clutch and throttle cables and brake hose, and extended wire bundle. Any decent shop can do that, or maybe even yourself.

Answer 3

You should be able to find a stock bike that will work.. the VLX is a good choice, the Suzuki Boulevard line is also a good option. Suzuki changed their nomenclature a couple yrs ago... now it's Boulevards.. used to be Intruders and Mauraders.
try an 800 Intruder,, I think they are now called s50. Those should be low enough without any need to lower with kits.
Honda Shadows are good also.
I have an 86 Honda Shadow 1100. Would not trade it for anything! Pay special attention that you can 'flat foot' while straddle the bike.

Answer 4

Try a Yamaha Virago 250 or 535. They're quite short and may just your ticket to ride.

If you can do without a V-Twin, try Honda's 250 Rebel.

Stay away from buying any Suzukis! My brother and I bought 2 new bikes for a summer vacation. His 1200 Bandit leaked gas and ruined the motor before it got 2000 miles. We asked Suzuki to replace the motor so we could go on vacation.
It took 2 months to get a rep, then he said it’s to expensive and would cost $3000. After 4 months and the vacation gone they got the motor rebuilt at a their cost of $3700. The dealer wanted to replace the motor but Suzuki Rep squashed that.
The gas stained cases and burnt exhaust pipes were not replaced. The bike got nicked and scratched all over from being apart for 6 months. The rep rode it and looked at it, then said it’ good as new. It ran like crap and looked worse.
We called Japan, and even wrote the US CEO all for nothing. We spent $15,000 for the bikes to get ripped off by Suzuki. We spent our vacation hassling with Suzuki, and not one person there gave a damn!
Beware Suzuki’s warranty is not worth the paper it’s on! Buy one of their lemons, get shafted, we did!
I’m a 30 yr garage vet and I know when a rep and a manufacturer have ripped off a customer. This one stinks to high heaven! RUN from buying any Suzuki!

Answer 5

I question the "v-twin" choice ... 50s technology that peaked in development about thirty years ago. There are lots of singles out there - Beemers, Yamahas, Hondas - that are tons of fun and made to smaller scale.
But if you are dead set on a potato-potato-potato machine, go Harley. It will hold its value indefinitely.
As far as having stubby little limbs, don't sweat it. Bikes can be set up with low seats, long bars, you name it. Get the bike and take it to a wrench and tell him what you want. It'll cost a few bucks, but if you're already thinking kit bike or custom, money is evidently no object anyway.
Cheers.

Answer 6

Get something small - many people buy bikes that are bigger than they can handle. If you don' t NEED a V-twin, try the Honda Rebel - if not the 600 shadow is a good choice. Make sure whatever you buy - that you can put both feet flat on the ground when you are stopped. Get on a whole lot of different bikes to find what is comfortable for you.

Answer 7

If you want a V-twin cruiser made for a short, lightweight person, take a look at a Yamaha Virago 250 - or Virago 535 if you're considering used. They're some of the smallest framed V-twin bikes around. Also look at Honda's Shadow VLX.

Answer 8

I second the motion for a HD Sportster; the 883 is low to the ground and is relatively easy to ride. 883's are about 26 -27 inches off the ground. Try to stay away from "forward controls" (brakes, pegs, shifter moved closer to the forks) unless you are familiar with 'em. Put your gas in some American class. ;-)

Answer 9

Harley has a sportster they refer to as (the hugger) it is lowered from the factory. Additionally if you are short ,you are better off to stick with mid controlls rather than forwards. custom seat shorter shocks and lowering fork tubes in the triple clamp are easy ways to lower any bike.

Answer 10

If you aren't dead set on a twin, consider the Honda Magna. It's a 4, but it'll probably fit you like a glove. I'm 5'3 and was perfectly comfortable on it. The seat height is 28" stock, but you can have it lowered (I did).