What would a good motorcyle to learn on be for a woman who is only 5' 3" tall?

Question

Hi, I am a 30 year old woman who has been the passenger on the back of a bike for far too long and I am ready to learn to ride myself. My question is for other woman riders or actually for anyone who knows *wink*. I am only 5' 3" and 125 lbs and I am wondering what might be a good starter bike for me. Thanks in advance for answering! :o)

Answer 1

What about a sportster? That is what I was looking at back before a baby entered my life. They are small, still a harley, and nice looking.

Sport bikes are gross. Nice for gay guys, but not for a real woman.

Answer 2

Well, I would recommend learning in a class, see link below. After you've taken that, you can move onto something larger if you wish.

Most people here will tell you to start small. They aren't wrong, but my own policy has been to get a bike large enough that you aren't regretting your purchase within a couple of weeks.
I don't propose going huge or powerful right off the bat, but you don't have to start out on a 250 either.

You don't have to hit the open road first thing. Find an empty lot where you can ride around and get the feel for it first. That's a good idea regardless of what size you get.

If I could do it over, I'd choose the Magna as my first bike. It's about 500 pounds, and it has a low seat height - 28" or so.

I'm also 5'3 and I was able to reach the ground quite firmly. However, I wanted a little extra stability so I had it lowered. That did wonders for my confidence!

The Magna is a V4 750, which means it's got some balls. If you're into speed or power, this would be a good choice. You're limited to buying a used one because they no longer make them.

One more thing - put crash bars on whatever you get. I dropped my first bike first time out, and broke off the clutch lever. We got the crash bars AFTER that! Then when I got the Magna, we had them put on right away. I never dropped it, but there WAS a kickstand incident at the gas station (don't ask), and they prevented any damage when it slowly tipped over.

Answer 3

A Sportster might be too much bike for a beginner. I'd recommend a more modest, lower cc Japanese cruiser, 250-750cc, late model. You have lots of choices in this range: Honda Rebel, Honda Shadow, Yamaha Virago (if you can find a Virago 750, grab it--- they're really fun bikes but Yamaha has only been making the 250 version for about 8 years now, no more 750's), Kawasaki Vulcan, etc.

You want to start out with a less expensive bike, no matter what model/make you end up with. That's because new riders are generally hard on the clutch (which in turn overworks the starter since you stall frequently). You're also more likely to drop or even crash the bike while you're still learning; even learning the "right" way to park on gravel, hills or crowded city streets can take a bit of time. Repairing a Harley is not cheap, even if you're just trying to get some scratches buffed out or a mirror replaced. Start with something that won't send you to the poorhouse if you happen to kill the clutch or knock it over; after you get a little experience, you can sell it and usually get close to what you paid for it.

I also strongly recommend taking the MSF Basic Riding Class. Check your local community college for offerings. When you pass the class, you automatically get credit for the driving part of the licensing test and most insurance companies give you a discount on your motorcycle insurance, too. Plus you get your very first experience on someone else's bike!

Answer 4

The Honda Rebel, Yamaha Virago 250, and Suzuki GZ250 are all pretty good choices if you want a cruiser, and don't need to ride it on the freeway. For cruisers with more power, look at the Honda Shadow VLX, Kawasaki Vulcan 500, or Suzuki Savage / S40.

For sport bikes, check out the Buell Blast or Kawasaki Ninja 250. All of the above bikes should be little trouble for you to handle.

Some bikes that may work but may be difficult would include the Suzuki GS500 and the Kawasaki Ninja 500.

Answer 5

I am almost your size at 5'4" 128 pounds and actually 30 years old also. I recently purchased a 2006 Honda Rebel and am really loving it. I have been learning on it and it fits just right. One of the reasons I got the Rebel was because of its smaller size and lighter weight. I have heard that everyone drops their first bike and fortunately for me, the Rebel is light enough that I was able to hold it up more than once. If it was a bigger and heavier back it would be all scratched up by now.
Find yourself a nice Rebel and ride it for a year than move up. That's my plan anyway.

I just want to add that many many people told me to get a bigger bike because I would regret purchasing the Honda Rebel after a few weeks. Well, that's not true. I do not regret my purchase. On the contrary, I am loving it and it is excellent to learn on.

Answer 6

I bought my first bike in July, I'm 5'6" and the girlfriend that I'd been riding with is 5'2"...even she could easily flat foot my Yamaha V-Star 650. It's a good size, both height and weight...not too tall and not too heavy, but will keep up on the highway so I can enjoy riding with my friends...

Try various bikes...go to bike shops and sit on some and see what you like...do your feet comfortably touch the ground...are your arms not over extended...think about the type of riding you hope to do (just short around town trips or some road trips too) and think about how comfortable you will be in the riding position for that particular bike.

My short girlfriend's first bike was an HD Dyna Lowrider and "lowrider" was an oxymoron for her, because she never could flat foot that bike (toes down only). That's just not safe...especially for someone just learning to ride...make sure you can reach the ground and the controls comfortably...whatever you decide to buy...

Answer 7

I am 5'8'' and was 160 pounds when I learned to ride, and I had a Kawasaki Eliminator that was absolutely excellent. It's a small bike and low to the ground, but has plenty of power for a beginner. It's also just a great-looking bike that doesn't look like a "small bike." Riding is tons of fun, and the MSF Safety Class is hectic but a must! Have a great time, and I hope there are many winding roads to enjoy ahead!

Answer 8

A Honda 450 Rebel would be a great choice for you. They are low to the ground, are freeway legal and capable, they are easy to maintain, and are not so heavy.
There are smaller bikes that might do better as a starter bike, but if you are as independent as you sound you would be looking for an upgrade in a few weeks.
When you ride remember the most important lesson a motorcycle rider has to learn. Consider yourself invisible, meaning other drivers can't see you. That will teach you to be more defensive. Save the riding on the Bott dots (the bumps in the white lines) for much later in your motorcycling days.

Answer 9

The Sportsters have a higher seat than some of the big twins with the exception of the new 883L.
Most women I know that ride started out on smaller dirt bikes, moved up to single cylinder or twin street bikes with lower seats (and center of gravity) like the Honda Rebel, Nighthawk, or Suzuki Savage (now called the S40).
If you start on a lighter easier to control bike you'll be able to concentrate on the clutch, shifting, braking, and the other aspects of riding rather than trying to "wrestle" the bike.
Whatever you decide on, have fun, and ride like you're invisible, because to some drivers, you are.

Answer 10

A good starter bike for a short woman would be a honda rebel its only a 250 c c and a low profile style. If you want to start with something with more power then check out the honda shadow it has a 600 c c engine and is a low profile as well, my wife is your height and started out on the shadow and loved it, 3 yrs. later she still loves it. Go to the dealer and sit on these two bikes, see which is more comfortable for you.

Answer 11

What a severe high quality submit! plenty junk in this internet site! Kudos to you! in case you like the cruiser seem, this is advisable to look on the Yamaha Vstar 650 Silverado. i'm short, (5'6") and that i will positioned my ft flat on the floor. i admire the bike relatively plenty. numerous power and no vibration at 60+ mph. approximately 50 mpg for mileage. a competent bike for shorties. somebody else stated reducing the Harley, this is relatively worth finding into, yet once you may no longer do the artwork your self. . . nicely, it ought to get costly. do no longer sign a settlement till you have a company quote. Motorcycling may well be distinctive exciting, i'm a photographer and my bike take me places i wouldn't in any respect bypass in a automobile. And it does not must be risky, basically %. the bike, your friends, and the line with care. (yet that's good advice for each little thing of your existence!)