So I've taken this girl on about 10 or so rides and now she wants her own bike. 5'0" and about 100lbs. What would be good for her?
Smallllll supermoto, so she can 1) reach the ground (at least mostly would be good) and so she can 2) drop it a million times and not hurt it.
Or one of the smaller displacement older japanese bikes, as the size and power would be good, though with those, the weight may be intimidating for a newb.
Go make her take the MSF, then tell her to buy a bike.
Turbo 'Busa
:) - I have no idea, the new WR250X looks pretty cool though if she's lookin' SuMo.
Quote from: labbedds on August 06, 2008, 12:17:00 AM
So I've taken this girl on about 10 or so rides and now she wants her own bike. 5'0" and about 100lbs. What would be good for her?
A dinner date... ;D
But seriously: the mighty Ninja 250 is always a good bet. As is a GS500e.
Quote from: desmoquattro on August 06, 2008, 07:33:05 AM
A dinner date... ;D
But seriously: the mighty Ninja 250 is always a good bet. As is a GS500e.
The ball and chain thought the gs500 was a bit tall for her (5'4")-may be too high for a 5 footer. Depends on how long her legs are. So, I suppose I'll have to say it.
This thread is useless without pics. ;D [cheeky]
I think she wants to get a kawi eliminator 250. Low seat height [thumbsup]
What's wrong with a Monster?
nothing other than she's 5'0 tall and only weighs a sack of potatoes 100lbs
Quote from: labbedds on August 06, 2008, 09:30:44 AM
nothing other than she's 5'0 tall and only weighs a sack of potatoes 100lbs
She's not carrying it on her shoulders, she's riding it. [cheeky] As long as it's balanced, the weight isn't much of an issue. And let's just say that it falls over...once we're talking anything over a couple hundred lbs. lifting the bike is just hard. Period. Doesn't matter if it's a Ninja or a Monster. Check in the women's forum--lots of shorter/smaller riders go for the smaller displacement Monsters. A 620 or 695/6 is very reasonable for a small woman. They aren't tall and they really aren't all that heavy. Perhaps you don't like the idea that your bike is an ideal "chick bike" but facts is facts, man. :-* Btw, I weigh in at a whopping 110 lbs. and ride a 944. I got it after I'd been riding 4 months. I shared time between it and a GS500 and the Monster was ergonomically a better fit from the get-go.
Quote from: mostrobelle on August 06, 2008, 09:38:19 AMPerhaps you don't like the idea that your bike is an ideal "chick bike" but facts is facts, man. :-*
(http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/02/served.jpg)
Quote from: mostrobelle on August 06, 2008, 09:38:19 AM
She's not carrying it on her shoulders, she's riding it. [cheeky] As long as it's balanced, the weight isn't much of an issue. And let's just say that it falls over...once we're talking anything over a couple hundred lbs. lifting the bike is just hard. Period. Doesn't matter if it's a Ninja or a Monster. Check in the women's forum--lots of shorter/smaller riders go for the smaller displacement Monsters. A 620 or 695/6 is very reasonable for a small woman. They aren't tall and they really aren't all that heavy. Perhaps you don't like the idea that your bike is an ideal "chick bike" but facts is facts, man. :-* Btw, I weigh in at a whopping 110 lbs. and ride a 944. I got it after I'd been riding 4 months. I shared time between it and a GS500 and the Monster was ergonomically a better fit from the get-go.
My g/f is pretty athletic (jogging/cycling/joga/surfing/etc., is 5'6" and still finds the Monster 695 to be hard to handle. However, she LOVES her Ninja 250.
I would never recommend a Monster to a brand new rider and I'd never recommend one to someone who barely reaches 5' tall. That's not to say I don't believe this has worked out for new riders in the past, but I just believe that some people would benefit a lot more starting on a smaller/lighter motorcycle.
Come on motorcyclin' is easy! :D
When I was at the T-Hill I was chatting it up with a guy about some tips for me at the track, his tips for T-Hill, "Its easy man, just brake, turn, squirt and hold on"
It's the best motorcycling advice I've ever got.
If she's comfy on the bike...whatever brand/style... you can always lower it. I've dropped a brand new Ninja 250 about 2" for a gal who was 4'9". The same can be done for a monster. It takes a bit more work than just a lowering link, or adjusting this or that.
When she finds something she likes, drop Rob @ Evolution a line and see what can be done.
Also check out the Short Rider FAQ (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1853.0).
Quote from: mostrobelle on August 06, 2008, 09:38:19 AM
She's not carrying it on her shoulders, she's riding it. [cheeky] As long as it's balanced, the weight isn't much of an issue. And let's just say that it falls over...once we're talking anything over a couple hundred lbs. lifting the bike is just hard. Period. Doesn't matter if it's a Ninja or a Monster. Check in the women's forum--lots of shorter/smaller riders go for the smaller displacement Monsters. A 620 or 695/6 is very reasonable for a small woman. They aren't tall and they really aren't all that heavy. Perhaps you don't like the idea that your bike is an ideal "chick bike" but facts is facts, man. :-* Btw, I weigh in at a whopping 110 lbs. and ride a 944. I got it after I'd been riding 4 months. I shared time between it and a GS500 and the Monster was ergonomically a better fit from the get-go.
I love my "chick" bike, and if I could find her another "chick" bike made by Ducati that could be lowered enough for her to ride we might just have a winner. Donovan, you're not helping.... Kthnxbye
No Rebel 250? Anyone?
Cheap - check
Low to the ground - check
Noob friendly - check
What's not to like? (other than the appearance, of course...)
Quote from: Michael Moore on August 06, 2008, 03:00:50 PM
No Rebel 250? Anyone?
Cheap - check
Low to the ground - check
Noob friendly - check
What's not to like? (other than the appearance, of course...)
It's not a Turbo 'Busa [laugh]
Quote from: labbedds on August 06, 2008, 02:24:26 PM
I love my "chick" bike, and if I could find her another "chick" bike made by Ducati that could be lowered enough for her to ride we might just have a winner. Donovan, you're not helping.... Kthnxbye
I'm just not sure why I'm sensing so much resistance to a Monster as a first bike. Many, many women like them and the lowering link makes them very shortie-friendly. Given that this is a Monster forum, I'm a shorter woman, and I've ridden a few different bikes, I don't understand why my advice isn't being taken as gospel. [cheeky]
The Buel Blast has an optional seat that is 25.5 inches Vs the standard 27.5 http://buell.com/en_us/bikes/blast/features.asp
Anyone know a 5 footer who can comfortably ride a monster?
Quote from: labbedds on August 06, 2008, 04:53:22 PM
Anyone know a 5 footer who can comfortably ride a monster?
Valerie from Hattar is 5 feet tall (I think) and rides a Multistrada... ! [cheeky]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfducatigirl/2740281724/
stephanie, i'd like to know how i could find out what she did to her bike to make it work???
Quote from: labbedds on August 06, 2008, 06:03:31 PM
stephanie, i'd like to know how i could find out what she did to her bike to make it work???
I'll email you her email address IF you send me the pediatric article and the pics of our ride last time.... [cheeky]
Quote from: labbedds on August 06, 2008, 06:03:31 PM
stephanie, i'd like to know how i could find out what she did to her bike to make it work???
ohhh and work with me here... it's "Charlie" - how is my nickname ever going to stick if no one uses it? :-* ;D [cheeky]
Quote from: labbedds on August 06, 2008, 06:03:31 PM
i'd like to know how i could find out what she did to her bike to make it work???
We did Multi620 conversions while I was at Evolution, using Gixxer internals, that would reduce overall height, but give more usable suspension travel. It's actually quite simple to do.
Quote from: duckwrench13 on August 06, 2008, 06:11:56 PM
We did Multi620 conversions while I was at Evolution, using Gixxer internals, that would reduce overall height, but give more usable suspension travel. It's actually quite simple to do.
Now that the SS is back to normal position, I'm thinking about shaving the seat to lower it an inch...or do you recommend doing something else?
Shaving it is the easiest way to go. But you need to do it correctly, or you'll have a craptastic looking seat.
I can do it for you, and I'll have M do the recovering. Should be better than new for ya!
danistheman [thumbsup]