Ducati Monster Forum

As the women of the DMF are wise, merciful, svelte and selfless, I've come to you for advice. 

My gf has finally decided to take the MSF course, which means she'll need a starter bike if things go well.  Here's what I've collected so far as requirements:

• Budget is $3500.
• Ideal seat height is around 29" or less.  Rider height is 5'6", so I might be off here. 
• Her dream bike is a Bonneville, so ideally it's a cruiser.
• I don't envision her getting on the freeway right away, but it's nice if her first bike has enough power to handle freeway speeds.  This eliminates most starter bikes like a Rebel since getting it to 70mph is a minor miracle.  (At least with my fat ass on it.) 

She has some experience commuting on a scooter in Chicago, but that's about it.  Any suggestions or tips are appreciated. 

Flattery will take you very, very far....  [cheeky]

I would mention that I'm about 5'6-7", and there isn't a motorcycle I've yet found that I couldn't at least touch a secure toe on both sides. On my monster I flat foot with my knees bent.

My first bike was an old Honda Nighthawk 650, and it was perfect. Didn't matter that I dropped it a few times, I could take it on the freeway, it's easy to handle, I changed the oil myself, even took it on my first long weekend trip up over some pass in the Sierras. I sold it for only a little less than I paid for it when I upgraded to my first Monster. On that bike I learned that I wasn't really a cruiser type of rider, which eventually led me to Ducati....

My 2 cents...

I'm 5'6" - 5'7" ish and I can flat foot a Monster without a problem as well.  I cruise around on a Ninja 500R.  So far so good.  I've also ridden around on a Honda Nighthawk (450?) and it just felt really heavy to me, I'm sure that was a newbie mental trick but still wasn't my favorite. 

I started out on a GS500F, which would have been good except it was a bit too tall and heavy for me (5'4", 28" inseam).

I happen to think that a used Ninja 250 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=2613.0) is a great starting bike, and I had no problem on the freeway with it (other than trying to keep it down to the speed limit).  She would learn really quickly on it and gain confidence, helpful whether she next rides a sportbike or a cruiser.

I started on my 2007 Ninja 250 (FOR SALE BTW, central FL)......tho I have miles and miles and miles still to enjoy this bike, hubbi DID talk me into "Moving up", and now am proud mamma of 2009 Monster 696 in WHITE!!!  This bike fits me SOO perfect-but warning, you WILL want to replace grips-so went with Pazzo shorties and like nite-and-day diff-MUCH better. Stock grips ridiculous-even for large MAN-no joke. 

Anyhoo.....Like I said, Ninja 250 BRILLIANT bike to start on and gain CONFIDENCE-very "user friendly" but still sporty as hell ;)-   Would think anything larger MAY be too intimidating, just IMHO......

BUT, here is also an AWESOME website which shows pics of diff size women on diff size bikes AND we can all add to it-Hope you ladies DO-invaluable resource there. 
http://www.vtwinmama.com/motorcycle_fit_charts.htm

Good luck and keep us posted!!

If you are truly looking for a cruiser, I would HIGHLY suggest a Yamaha V-star 650.

They are a very low seat height, have enough guts to get on the highway (i've rode mine two up 4+ hours on a highway, up and down some major hills two up, and single loaded with gear, all with no issues), are plentiful to get for under $4000, and there are a TON of parts out there since they've been out since (i'm pretty confident) 1998 at least.  They are shaft drive, so little/low maintenance is needed there.  Almost any mechanic can work on them, too, if you have a need for that.  Both the V-stars i've owned have never seen the mechanic outside of regular maintenance.  And that's another thing, you can do a lot of the maintenance yourself - get a floor jack, lift it up, and away you go!

I like them SOOO much that i've owned two!  And this is a gal that has a Ducati S4R, teaches motorcycle safety classes, and has sat on/driven a ton of bikes.

If you want the sport bike variety, I can't say enough about an old or new ninja 250.  If you want a little more power, a Honda 599 (hornet) or a sv650 fit the bill.

• Her dream bike is a Bonneville, so ideally it's a cruiser.

NIIICEEEE!!!!  Hubbi JUST traded his 07 Yamaha FJR1300 for a 2008 Bonneville T100 and what a BEAUTY!!!   He is dying to get me on and riding it...I will, most DEF, soon-just that I only JUST moved up on bikes and am concentrated so much on becoming "one" with my Monster,but look forward to riding the Bonnie (hubbies dream bike since kid in England, btw)....and he owns/rides Speed Triple, sport bikes ETC....

Bonnie may very well be a GREAT starter bike for her really----low, comfie, not over-powered...can you find anice used one in ur budget maybe???  Hmmmm.

Bonnies seem to hold their value pretty well and the few I've seen for sale are around $7k. 

Going to look at V-Stars and Ninja 250s this weekend.  I'll let you know how it works out.  Her MSF course isn't until early October so we have some time. 

Thanks for the input.  I really appreciate it. 

What about letting her ride your 695?

It was my first bike after not riding for a few years, and it was perfect.  I'm 5'5" with a 30" inseam and could easily flat foot it.  My hubby and I looked at oodles of bikes before deciding on the 695 for me. 

My 695 is up for sale and will be gone as soon as the Cali DMV sends me a title.  I talked to her about riding the 695, but she's just not into it and all of my attempts at reasoning failed.

You may not know this, but women can be downright stubborn at times.   ;)

 Yes, I know. [roll]

Sugarcrook,

I'm not far if you want someone to check out a bike for you.

a bonneville is not a cruiser.  do you mean she wants a retro standard?  if so, nighthawk 250 is a good cheap starter (i think it'll make highway speeds, but can't speak personally).  599 or small bandit?  small shadow?  as always, something used and a little battered already for the inevitable learner drops.

5'4" with a 29" inseam.

First bike - 1998 GS500E  - bought off Craig's List (with some minor repairs) for about 2K

Now riding, 2005 620 - while it's not quite as flat footed as the GS was, it's close enough.

I think there is probably more to think about than just being able to flat-foot the bike.  I understand that you would like it to be able to handle the highway, but is she going to be comfortable right away on the highway?  I picked up the GS in May and rode it all summer.  Finally got comfortable enough with my abilities to handle the Monster.  The Monster is a different animal. 

Have her sit on lots of different bikes.  The ergonomics are going to be different and something that you feel may be perfect for her, she may not like.  Granted, most things can be modified, but only to some degree.  If she is completely uncomfortable, you will have wasted time and money.

Details...  :)

We drove around a bit this weekend and were unable to find any Nighthawks or Rebels for her to look at, so we'll keep looking.  It's a process...

Overall, I'm unimpressed with the dealers we visited in the South Bay.  Bad inventory and indifferent customer service. 

I hear what you're saying, but her primary motivation in riding is reducing commute time, so she'll need to get comfortable on the freeway in relatively short order. 

i am 5'4" too and i started on a ninja 250 too. then a had a buell blast 500 which i hated cause the vibration will knock your fillings out!  ;D i was very happy starting on a small block cause i was paranoid about wheelie-ing if i juiced the gas. i love my 695 now, but would have been petrified if that was my first! good luck!
tara

I ride a 1991 Suzuki Bandit 400. It's my first bike, and I love it more each day I ride it. It takes a fall extremely well with frame sliders, and has plenty of power for a beginner (don't let the 400 fool you... it scoots. So well, in fact, that my beau put more miles on it this spring than he did his monster and multi). They are a somewhat rare beast, and the carbs can be a little finicky if it has been neglected, but if you find one that has been well taken care of or if you have a decent mechanical background it wouldn't be a big deal. You would be able to take one home for well under your budget, and it is fun as hell! Redline is 14k, so highway speeds are a little buzzy. 8k or 9k or so.

If I were taller (27" inseam) I would have been hot on the heels of an SV650, but I just don't have the height for it, not to start out anyway.

Seat height is all relative.  Granted I've been riding a few years, but I don't have issues on a DRZ.  I'm 5'4" and come nowhere near flat footing on either side unless my ass is out of the seat.  The trick is to be able to handle the weight at a lean if you need to.  The DRZ is manageable because I'm not really supporting all that much and the suspension is... well, it's a supermotard.  Also keep in mind that seat modification is a great way to get those tootsies a bit flatter.  I wouldn't have a seat height number be a rigid factor. 

I had been riding around with just a couple of gallons of gas in my tank at a time to keep the weight down. Now that I'm used to managing the bike, I filled it up the other night and I could almost flatfoot both sides.  [laugh]

Yep, also depends on the seat width, weight distribution of the bike, suspension setup, etc.

The Short Rider FAQ (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1853.0) might be of some help.

Have you checked out MotoJava (http://www.motojava.com/) (in SF)?

I haven't been there.  This is the first I've heard of it. 

Seeing as they buy bikes, I'll have to stop by. 

So we weighed all of your valuable advice, debated, fought, laughed, cried and drank furiously.  Then she bought a 2007 Triumph Bonneville.  Takes delivery on Saturday.   [moto]

Congrats and we will want to see pictures of course! ;D

Good choice.

Don't push her on the freeway business. Someone told me my first year of riding that I should only go as fast as I was comfortable doing an emergency stop from.  I didn't take the freeway for ten weeks (and it scared the bejeezus out of me).

Weather and schedules finally worked in our favor.  We went about 50 miles around San Jose, up to Los Altos and back on San Tomas, Lawrence Expy, and surface streets.  She did very well, even in moderate traffic.  Next stop, the Salt Flats.   [moto]

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/3054627814_591099b875_o.jpg)

Congratulations! Nice bikes, and I am really impressed about the riding in San Jose city traffic! We live in a mountain town and it's very quiet here, only 2 lane roads and not too much traffic especially in the Fall and Spring.

It was early Sunday, so not much traffic to start, but it did pick up as the day went on.  For the amount of time she's had in the saddle, she did very well.