Whats a good bike for a 5ft 2 petite lady Biker?

Question

Hello! Im a 5ft 2 petite lady who has been riding bikes for most of my life (all 22 years heehee) and i have just passed my test.

I currently own a Jinlun 125cc which is a crusier. Its big, but not fast.. and as my husband has just bought a Yamaha Fazer 600cc i need something to catch up!
I have to be able to touch the floor easy, but as im only little it cant be too heavy either, as i'll drop the thing! I want to move away from crusiers more to a road bike, i love the look of the Fazer/ Ninja/ CBR.
If anybody has an idea of what would be great i'd appciate the help!
Thanks, Nicole

WOW! Thanks for the answers from everybody so far! Ive gots lots of lovely ideas... Thanks again!

Answer 1

What about a nice wee CBR400 (RR) my wee cousin is only 5 foot 3 and she couldnt get her feet down on a 600.
They hold their price so you wont get any real depreciation if you keep it in good condition, down shot though is that they hold their price so expect to pay 2500 to 4000 for a good condition one. Make sure it runs well, has service history and has no accident damage. Obviously you cant buy them new either.

Answer 2

Pretty much all the bikes on here are good suggestions. My wife (similar height) has an Aprilia RS125, which will keep up with much bigger bikes once it's derestricted. It's small and light so not too daunting, and amazingly fast so don't let people talk you off one just because it's a 125.

Another bike that hasn't been mentioned yet is the BMW F650 - of the "big" bikes, I believe that has the lowest seat on the market - escept for cruisers - as standard, and it can be lowered further. It's also very easy to ride.

If it were me, I'd look at the Ducati Monster. It fits your criteria I think, and if you can cope with the cost of running a Ducati, it's got a great image.

Enjoy the hunt - few things are more fun than bike shopping!

Answer 3

All decent suggestions, although to keep up with a Fazer 600 you need something with a bit of poke and cruisers won't really cut the mustard.

You might look at the Ducati Monstroso or a Buell (neither as expensive as you might think, and both quite petite bikes that handle, start and stop very well.). Several of each ridden by the women in my motorcycle club.

For something less exotic, think about the new Kawasaki E-6N (or the 6f for a version with a fairing), seat heights only about 78-79 Cm or just under 31 inches, but they drop when you sit on them!...Link below for a picture (PS the fazer- FZ6 seat is slighly higher at 31.3 inches, but not enough to notice..second link)

The small capacity Aprilas are excellent but quite highly tuned so reliability is an issue... pretty things though.

Answer 4

You need a bike that has a low seat, and low center of gravity. You need to be able to plant your feet firmly on the ground when seated and the bike is upright, and be able to rock it back and forth slightly without much difficulty..
You also would want something a little lighter than the big bulky cruisers popular now.
To ride on the highway, you want at least 500cc, but I wouldn't go much larger than 750cc for your size.

There's so much variety in makes/models nowadays, the best thing I can suggest is go to a dealer with a large stock, and just sit on a few 'til you find one that feels right.

Personally, I'm a Yamaha fan, both cruisers and sport. The old Virago line was the best. I still have my '95 Virago 1100 and will never part with it.

Answer 5

SV 650 is the first bike that comes to mind and Suzuki do a narrow seat for the vertically challenged.

When you sit on a bike look at the width of the seat. If you imagine standing with your legs apart over the seat, the wider the seat the wider your legs need to be apart, the wider your stance the shorter your vertical reach.

By simply removing the bulk from the edge of the seat you can easily gain an extra inch of height, which will take you from being on tip toe to a comfortable stance. Most bike shops have someone who will do the work for reasonable money. Its a common problem.
Also look at you boots a pair of good touring boots with thick commando soles can help.

Answer 6

Suzuki Boulevard 40 or 50 series have a 27.6" seat height.

These are both cruisers. The 40 series have 40 Cubic Inch motors, about 650 CC, single cylinder. The 50 series have 50 Cubic inch motors, about 820 CC, V Twin.

I also agree that the Harley XL 883L Sporster is a good choice. This has a 25.3" seat height These can be equipped with lowering kits, making them even lower.

If you are going for a used bike, look for a Suzuki Intruder 800. I recently bought one and I am quite happy with it. I am not very tall and like the low seat.

Answer 7

My favorite type of bike is a mid-sized dual sport bike, something big enough to haul me and my camping gear to either coast on any kind of road, with or without pavement. Ideally, it will also be light enough to negotiate tight single track, but I don't insist on that, as I have dirt bikes for that kind of riding. I have a lot of bikes, but the ones I ride right now are the dual sports. Of these, my favorite is the Suzuki DR650. With the IMS tank it has a range of over 200 miles, not as much as some, but enough to get me just about anywhere I want to go. The modified Corbin seat is quite simply the most comfortable motorcycle seat I have ever used. This bike is good for a couple weeks in the mountains of mexico, or on a dual sport ride that might encounter a couple of tight sections of woods. For street bikes, I ride European twins, and i also like to tootle around on East European 2-strokes.

Answer 8

My wife is only 5' tall. She rides a Suzuki Intruder Volusia, which is an 800cc cruiser style bike. Suzuki changed the name a few years back and the same bike is now called the Boulevard C-50. It's a nice looking bike with a low seat height and plenty of power for a light to medium weight rider.

Answer 9

Personal choice but I would get out there to the dealers and try out a few for size and comfort

Keep all your money in yout pocket til you find the bike that suits you

Then keep it in there a bit longer and make the salesman work hard for you. Try to get a good run out on exactly waht you fancy

Be prepared to walk away as there is always a deal to be made elsewhere if your salesman can't or won't make the deal right for you

Once it all comes together you will know instinctively if it is right for you

Good luck with the riding and keep safe

Answer 10

well to be honest if you have the penny's for a new set a wheels why not take a few for a test ride, get the feel for them, def the Honda sounds good i like Honda good bike nice feel smooth through the corners and the gear changes.

not being funny but the jinlun looks the business from about 50 feet but up close dam, the sounder you part ex it off the better.

i wish you luck in your hunt and remember test a few do not go for the first one you like

regards x Kitti x

Answer 11

Hi I am only 5ft 1 and own a 06 harley 883 sportster.I had dealership lower 2 inches and change seat.Also put on a set of easy reach handlebars.I can touch the ground almost flat footed.