i have my permit... this winter i want to buy a bike for the summer im 5'1 and weight 135, i am a female, this will be my 1st bike... what type of bike would you recommend to be my 1st bike
2006-11-10 04:00:32 · 13 answers · asked by nez 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
A great 1st street bike for a short framed person is the Kawasaki Ninja 250. It is light, responsive, and even decent for short road trips. You won't spend too much or end up with a bike too big for your needs.
2006-11-10 04:12:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My wife started (after taking her MSF class) on a Rebel (250cc) and went to a Shadow VLX (600). Unfortunately it was too large for her so she went to an Aprilia scooter and from there is now on a Kawasaki Ninja 250.
Just giving you a bit of history. She's about your height and weight.
She rides with thicker soled boots so she can flatfoot on the bike. She loves that it's light. The seat height on the Rebel is lower than the Ninja however the width of the seat also comes into play. If the seat is wider but the height is shorter, you still will have a problem because your legs will be wider effectively making the seat height higher.
She's an older rider as well and prefers the leaning forward position of the sportbike over the sit up or lean back position of the Rebel and the Shadow. The leaned over position really keeps the strain off of her back (I went from a Harley to a Hayabusa for similar reasons).
These guys have a beginners section where you can pose questions like this and get lots of answers and advise. There are ladies sections as well so you can get information from the woman's point of view. FarkledUp.com is a sport-touring site and there are quite a few women riders.
http://www.sportbikes.net
http://www.farlkedup.com
Good luck and be careful.
2006-11-10 12:55:21 · answer #2 · answered by dm_gsxr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had a few friends with similar physical traits, get into motorcycles recently. The bike which is most comfortable to you is what you should get. Typically, this means any bike which you can flat foot AND push around without any trouble. Stay away from anything over 500 cc's. I'll repeat, stay away from anything over 500 cc's. Although having more power is great, it makes learning to ride much more difficult. You'll learn way more about handling a bike if you start out smaller. I believe in the UK, you are forced to start with a small displacement bike. The most common bike which fits your size requirement is the Honda Shadow (250 cc). If you prefer sportbikes, the most popular starter is the Kawasaki Ninja 250. The Shadow is much shorter than the Ninja which makes learning to maneuver a bike a bit easier. Both are great bikes, and you can find used models pretty easily. Resale after a new purchase of either of these is not so great. I almost always recommend new riders to buy a newer but used model as you can usually get most of your money back.
2006-11-10 12:13:01 · answer #3 · answered by cantstandya 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Okay, I'll spare you some grief (and I'm talking from personal experience). Buy a bike you can pick up off the deck BY YOURSELF when it falls over or you drop it. And you're not over-tall, shall we say, so you need a bike that's not too high in the saddle so you can set your feet down safely and feel secure. Tippy toes on wet tarmac (or wet white arrows) aren't good enough. One slip while you're stopped at a red light and down you go...
Most embarrassing...Been there, done that!! :)
Buy the best helmet you can lay your hands on. There's an old saying: "If you've got a two-dollar head, wear a two-dollar helmet."
Okay? You can replace the helmet, but not your head...
If you're riding mainly on good roads, you need a road bike. If you'll be riding on a lot of rough stuff it has to be a dirt bike. So think about that first. And it's hard to find a good dirt bike with a seat low enough for you.
As it's your first bike you probably have a restriction on how many cc's it can have. The 250's these days have plenty of get up and go and you can break any speed limit in the country on one with no problem...
Stay away from anything really exoctic. The more popular, the more repair shops there are and the cheaper the spares.
If you're in the US you have a massive range to choose from. I'd suggest you actually contact a local club and get a bit of advice, specially ne that has women riders. (Many do.) They will be able to steer you in the right direction.
Good luck, take your time to choose,and have a great time on two wheels!
Lenky
PS The Harleys are great but you might want something a bit smaller to start with! :)
And PLEASE...Wear gloves and something to protect your legs. It's great to wear shorts on a hot day but if some idiot car driver 'doesn't see you" and cuts you off and you hit the deck... OMG... Falling onto tarmac at even thirty miles an hour is like leaning yourself against a big grinding wheel. Think about that...Skin grafts are no joke, I can tell you. So get good gloves and decent leg protection and use them, even on a hot day. One day you'll be grateful for them.
2006-11-10 12:23:04 · answer #4 · answered by Lenky 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Something in the 250 cc range. If you have never ridden take a safety class these days when you complete the class you get your license. Also you can learn on their bikes so you don't have to worry about damaging yours. Besides you would be surprised at how much you do not know. Many people also find out that they do not like the feeling of riding once they do it. It is one thing to think you want to ride but it is scary when they actually do it. Especially when you have 4000 lb. weapons comming at you. The instructors will have a great idea of what type of bike would be good for you . There are alot of female instructors at these classes as well so they can relate to you that much more. Good luck keep the rubber down
2006-11-10 12:10:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are several bikes that would work for your stature, but what I would consider more important than what specific bike is getting the proper training. I don't know your skill level, so I am not talkining down to you, I just think that if you have the proper training and skills it will make owning and riding your bike much more pleasurable. With that said, just look for a bike that you feel comfortable on, one that you can easily handle whether it's a moped or a full dressed Hog. Good luck.
2006-11-10 12:08:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your first bike? Ninja 250 or a honda reble 250
NImble bikes, forgiving to new riders
Read these pages to find out why:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/good_first_motorcycles.htm
http://motorcycles.about.com/cs/beginners/a/beginnerbikes.htm
And locate your nearest MSF class and take that before you get your license.
2006-11-10 12:55:43 · answer #7 · answered by arus.geo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're thinking, "cruiser", look at the Honda VT600-C Shadow VLX, or the Kawasaki VN500 Vulcan. Both make good power, handle well, and sit low.
2006-11-10 19:26:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ninja 250 or a V-Max.
2006-11-10 20:12:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Harley sportster. It is a good beginners bike, low to the ground, built for the road, inexpensive and cute.
2006-11-10 12:05:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋