Motorcycles for Girls

the megster

I am interested in getting a motorcycle in time for summer. I have lots of questions concerning whether this is practical - especially given the fact that I'm 4' 11'' and weigh about a hundred pounds. Is there a bike out there that I should begin to look for, that would suit a casual, and small, weekender? Does anyone know of any particularly good websites for researching potential motorcycles?

Thanks for any advice.

Barrakketh

the megster wrote: »

I am interested in getting a motorcycle in time for summer. I have lots of questions concerning whether this is practical - especially given the fact that I'm 4' 11'' and weigh about a hundred pounds. Is there a bike out there that I should begin to look for, that would suit a casual, and small, weekender? Does anyone know of any particularly good websites for researching potential motorcycles?

Thanks for any advice.

Check out the Kawasaki Ninja 250R. It's a very forgiving bike that received an overhaul back in 2008 and is good for beginners and people of smaller stature (it's a bit narrower than it's larger brethren). The seat isn't that much lower than the 650R (by 1/2 inch), and if width isn't an issue and you wanted "more" bike you can get a lower seat for the 650R that'll lower it's seat by about 1.2 inches. You could probably haggle with the dealer to get it thrown in cheap/free.

The 250R is a good starting point, though.

Santa Claustrophobia

If you're interested in highway riding, you need to look at bikes at least 250cc in size. (At least here in California is required. Check your local laws, etc.) 250's are definitely smaller and probably right up your alley for your concerns about power.

The folks at the American Motorcyclist Association might be able to help in searching. Perhaps if there are any motorcycle clubs in your area that might be able to help.

Also, you may want to contact your local DMV (or check through the AMA) for a rider training course. It can get you some time on a real bike in a closed environment and in many cases, provide a discount on insurance.

Good luck.

VeritasVR

Barrakketh wrote: »

the megster wrote: »

I am interested in getting a motorcycle in time for summer. I have lots of questions concerning whether this is practical - especially given the fact that I'm 4' 11'' and weigh about a hundred pounds. Is there a bike out there that I should begin to look for, that would suit a casual, and small, weekender? Does anyone know of any particularly good websites for researching potential motorcycles?

Thanks for any advice.

Check out the Kawasaki Ninja 250R. It's a very forgiving bike that received an overhaul back in 2008 and is good for beginners and people of smaller stature (it's a bit narrower than it's larger brethren). The seat isn't that much lower than the 650R (by 1/2 inch), and if width isn't an issue and you wanted "more" bike you can get a lower seat for the 650R that'll lower it's seat by about 1.2 inches. You could probably haggle with the dealer to get it thrown in cheap/free.

The 250R is a good starting point, though.

I have one from 2005. The older models are actually a better starting bike, IMO. If you drop it, you won't feel as bad because it's less expensive and not as shiny. Basically the same bike with a new fairing.

It's an excellent bike. I've raved a few times here about it. My first bike too, and I'm not really craving a different one any time soon.

dispatch.o

Take a course offered by the highway patrol in your state. Ask the instructor, they typically provide everything you need to ride and it gets you a waiver for the street course portion of a class m test. Which is great.

This will let you decide if riding is even FOR you, without having to buy anything.

Fats

dispatch.o wrote: »

Take a course offered by the highway patrol in your state. Ask the instructor, they typically provide everything you need to ride and it gets you a waiver for the street course portion of a class m test. Which is great.

This will let you decide if riding is even FOR you, without having to buy anything.

Yes, take this class! A number of places offer it but the MSF is probably the most common. Many states subsidize the price so it ends up being free or very cheap, too.

Edit: Also, full face helmet. Full face helmet. Accept no substitutes.

Esh

Fats wrote: »

dispatch.o wrote: »

Take a course offered by the highway patrol in your state. Ask the instructor, they typically provide everything you need to ride and it gets you a waiver for the street course portion of a class m test. Which is great.

This will let you decide if riding is even FOR you, without having to buy anything.

Yes, take this class! A number of places offer it but the MSF is probably the most common. Many states subsidize the price so it ends up being free or very cheap, too.

Edit: Also, full face helmet. Full face helmet. Accept no substitutes.

From someone who used to wear a half-shell and then had his face meet the headset of his Lambretta,
full face is the only way to go. I was lucky and only broke my nose and had some stitches under my chin.

A Bear

A Ninja 250 is a great starter bike, and a great bike for smaller people. Take off the farings for a bit while you are learning to ride though, unless you don't mind the plastic getting all messed up.

Also, as stated before, take the MSF, and always wear your gear. All your gear. When you wipe out you will be very thankful for it.

Awk

4'11" ? Before making a purchase, make sure you sit on the bike, put it up straight, and plant both feet on the floor. If this is impossible, reconsider the purchase. You might be forced to get a bike lowered considering how tiny you are.

Scalfin

Maybe an underbone? The Honda Wave Series can make highway speeds, but it might not meet state size requirements.

A Bear

Awk wrote: »

4'11" ? Before making a purchase, make sure you sit on the bike, put it up straight, and plant both feet on the floor. If this is impossible, reconsider the purchase. You might be forced to get a bike lowered considering how tiny you are.

This is important to check. Also, some bikes have aftermarket seats that slightly lower riding height. I know the Ninja 250 does, but I haven't tried it.

Just_Bri_Thanks

Full face helmet. Imagine cutting yourself shaving non-stop when you drive in rain otherwise.

Also, I have dumped a bike before. Full face helmet.

Doc

The Honda Rebel 250 is an absolutely classic starter bike, and it works well for shorter riders. You will find both these and the Ninja 250s in abundance on Craigslist if you live near a large enough city.

Should be able to find a used one in good shape for around $2000.

Ninjas will be a bit more, but you get better performance out of them, as well.

Santa Claustrophobia

Doc wrote: »

The Honda Rebel 250 is an absolutely classic starter bike, and it works well for shorter riders. You will find both these and the Ninja 250s in abundance on Craigslist if you live near a large enough city.

Should be able to find a used one in good shape for around $2000.

Ninjas will be a bit more, but you get better performance out of them, as well.

In this vein, keep in mind that sport bikes, like the Ninja, will cost more for insurance. Standards, like the Rebel, will be a bit less. Even if, functionally, there is no other difference than appearance.

2868

I second or third the Honda Rebel. My ex girlfriend was 5'0", she rode it fine.

The Black Hunter

I only know two gems of motorcyclist advice


1. Buy a bike you can pick up off the ground

2. If you can't afford the proper safety gear, you can't afford the bike

VeritasVR

Santa Claustrophobia wrote: »

Doc wrote: »

The Honda Rebel 250 is an absolutely classic starter bike, and it works well for shorter riders. You will find both these and the Ninja 250s in abundance on Craigslist if you live near a large enough city.

Should be able to find a used one in good shape for around $2000.

Ninjas will be a bit more, but you get better performance out of them, as well.

In this vein, keep in mind that sport bikes, like the Ninja, will cost more for insurance. Standards, like the Rebel, will be a bit less. Even if, functionally, there is no other difference than appearance.

State Farm classifies both as 250cc and thus they both cost the same. Other companies are different though.

Also, a Rebel won't have the same performance as a Ninja even though both have the same engine displacement. The Ninja is a standard/sport bike designed to use those 250cc's efficiently. The Rebel is a cruiser built for style and comfort.

All other advice about gear and training is spot on.

the megster

Okay - lots of good advice, and everyone is pretty much on the same page, which is awesome.

1. Safety gear - absolutely
2. Take a course through the DMV

And you gave me two bikes to look for.

Thank you all.

Cecilsan

Another possible bike to look into is a Buell Blast (formally made by Harley-Davidson). They are 500cc four stroke, single cylinder naked bikes that are great for beginners in my opinion. HD also uses them in their Riders Edge program

I bought my 2003 Blast about a year ago w/ 5k miles on for $1,900. I now have about 8.4k on it. Prior to buying it I knew nothing of motorcycle riding or their maintenance but have since learned a lot with the help of great forums and have had no problems getting comfortable riding. They have a 2.8 GAL tank (2.0 main, .8 reserve) that got me about 67MPG before hitting reserve when I first started riding. Depending on the year you buy the top speed is around 90-100 but I have yet to test that out

The stock riding position is more upright then that of a crotch rocket but you can easily swap out the bars for lower ones to give the leaned over position (first mod I did, bars cost a whole $20). They also have a lower seat available at 25.5" instead of the stock 27"

Like mentioned above, if possible your best bet is to sit on the bikes you're thinking of buying. Your biggest issue will be your height but really it comes down to personal preference and what works for you. I love my Blast and not many people around my area own Buells so it always gets a look.

VeritasVR

It's usually a good idea to buy a popular bike so you can get replacement parts or sell the bike later on. An obscure model might be tough to service.

I'm also going to post this link to the Ninja 250 page again, because it's great for new riders even if you don't get a Ninja.