What is a good motorcycle for a petite woman to learn on? Are these generally available for rental?

Answer 1

The best is the Ninja 250. Read the riders review at the site below.

Answer 2

Rental, no, but you can go to a motorcycle school where you'll learn on a bike that belongs to the school. It's a good way to get started learning.

Good learning bikes that are also lightweight and low to the ground include the Honda Rebel, Buell Blast (low seat height version), Suzuki GZ250, Kawasaki Ninja 250, and Yamaha Virago 250. In fact, these are pretty common bikes at motorcycle schools. Pick which one you feel comfortable on.

Answer 3

First off, no sport bikes. So no Ninja. Why does everyone think a sport bike is a good beginner bike?

Anyway, any cruiser or standard bike 500cc or smaller should do find. You can probably find a cheap used bike in that size range. As a learner bike there's only two things you really need to make sure of. One, make sure it's low enough that you can put both feet flat on the ground while sitting on the bike. Two, make sure it's light enough that you can fairly easily balance it, and pick it up off the ground if you drop it.

Secondary concerns: Make sure it's not so pretty that you'll be upset if you drop it. You're learning, you'll probably drop the bike a couple of times. (usually when stopped and pushing the bike around) Also, make sure you can reach all the controls easily so you're not struggling just to hold on.

If you're looking for any pointers, I'd be happy to help if I can. Send me an e-mail if you have questions.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I'd start with a Honda Rebel or a Kawasaki 250, both are smaller, and have low seat heights, to learn on. Now as far as renting bikes, I've never heard of a bike rental place, outside of large tourist areas. Same reason I guess dealerships don't allow test rides, because of the liability and insurance reasons...

But if you take a safety course, they usually have their own bikes you can use.

Answer 5

I would suggest the 883 Sporster ..... it is thin and light weight,handels very comfortably .... it is the "old school" sport bike .... I have test ridden some bigger bikes like the Super Glide &Road King (to thick for comfortable handling for me) the VRod ( I really liked it but for a difference of $8,000.00 I can't justify it over an 883 Sportster for $4995.00),a 1300 V Star (really sucked for handling,just uncomfortable, a Honda Gold Wing (really ackward ride that gave me a neck and headache on a 45 minute ride) and a Honda VTX 1800F ( handled like a big Sportster,same engine as the Gold Wing but handles much much better,starts at $12,900.00,but has a big heavy giant gas tank) ...... so I would say the 883 Sportster at a price of $4995.00 .......

Answer 6

To learn on? ,a Honda Rebel ( 250 or 450 ) .Are they available for rent?, probably not. You could however, buy one for $500- $750 and resell it after you've outgrown it.
And as the others have stated, if you take the safety course you can learn on and drop their bikes rather than your own.

Answer 7

I started in June on a Virago 250cc ... best thing I ever did.
I can touch the ground, just enough power, and is a definite confidence builder. Tried the Rebel, but Virago was deifinitely a better fit. I am 5'5" ... can sit on it with feet flat on the ground and legs bent quite a bit.
No, can't rent them, but used ones can be found pretty reasonably, and low miles.

Answer 8

I think the Ninja 250 is a good choice. I advise u to get on a site called bikerkiss to get more info. There are many motorcyclists there. I think they wil give u some useful info.

Answer 9

First, take a MSF course. to find one in your area; http://www.msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm

I don't agree with the concept of "starter bikes" and would almost never recommend a 250cc bike. Once you take the course, get the biggest bike you feel comfortable on, I try to steer most new women riders towards 500 or 600 cc class cruisers like the Honda VT600 Shadow etc. If you start on a 250 Rebel, you will get tired of not being able to keep up on the highway, lack of accesories, limited carrying capacity pretty quick, and then get killed on the resale value if you try to trade up.

Good luck!

Answer 10

I'm 5'4" and ride a 1200 Harley Sportster. It's my first bike, and I did take the safety course...don't get on a bike without it! Harley rents bikes, but you'd have to look up the dealerships that do it.

Go to the Harley home page and follow the links to the rent a Harley link.