Wifes first Bike.

[Duck-Stew]

The '02 750 is just about the exact same power and characteristics as the 620's are.  If she's short, there is a low-seat available and some members will trade you straight across high-seat for low-seat.

That said, I would start with a UJM (universal Japanese Machine) of small displacement first.  If you buy it for $800-$1200, drop it X times, it'll still be saleable for $800-$1200.  Even if you took a couple hundred $ loss on it, it would be nothing compared to the Monster if it went down (steel tanks aren't cheap to repair).

[teddy037.2]

durrr...

first bike, not just first duc. 

this thd makes me look like one of those mid-sized-as-a-starter-guys

make the beast with two backs it! buy her an R1! it's all about personal control, not power! 

[causeofkaos]

make the beast with two backs it! buy her an R1! it's all about personal control, not power! 

BUSA baby yeah!

[DucatiTorrey]

My wife will chime in but she will most likely be forever annoyed that people talked her out of starting on a 250-much easier to ride, lighter (which is oh so important when you're smaller and have weaker legs) etc etc.

I think ducs are bad first bikes.

Thats weird, cause i heard from a lot of new rider (me included) the 696 is a GREAT first bike.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Thats weird, cause i heard from a lot of new rider (me included) the 696 is a GREAT first bike.

I would argue that new riders do not have the experience to know otherwise.


Or for an analogy, the average new drinker will tell you Milwaukee's Best is a good beer.

[hadesducati848]

i think its all about the person and their own abilities. for myself i started on a used R1 that was modded out and only dropped it once when me and and ex were making out onit. as for my GF now she started with a honda shadow 600 and dropped that a few times with no worries, but perfers the low ride height of that bike to her new 696 that still scares the hell out of her .

[RC Fan]

Thats weird, cause i heard from a lot of new rider (me included) the 696 is a GREAT first bike.

I think it is a decent first bike as far as power output, but would be a poor first bike if you happened to drop it.  I don't even want to think about it.

[Loyalizer]

I would think height and build of said woman makes a difference. Shorter than 5'3", and not really a physical type, I would think Ninja 250. A taller woman who is athletic in build or personality would be just fine with a Monster 600, 620, 695, or 750.

[JEFF_H]

My wife's bike progression

88 Kawi EX500-->97 M750-->08 Hypermotard 1100

she's ~ 5'5"
seat height is a more important issue for the first year or two when you are learning
monsters not a bad first bike, so long as you dont mind a potential for a couple drops at low speed

good info-http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.faq.html

[corey]

i would imagine a 620, 750, or even S2R800 is a great first bike... so long as you dont mind the higher-than-average repair costs for when you slip up and she takes a tumble. Keri started out on an SV-650, and dropped it a good 8 times from what she tells me. Cheap to fix, and pretty slick looking too.
Had the insurance for my monster not been so cheap as to offset the cheaper price + higher insurance of the SV, i probably would have the SV650 instead of the S2R800.

[Maratom]

I started out with a Suzuki Bandit 400. It's got less power (especially at low revs) than the Duc so it's a bit easier to handle. For example, if you handle the throttle bad in corners or on wet roads you don't go down as easy. And it isn't as stubborn as the twin at low revs. I rode it for about a year before I got my 695. It really helped improving my drivingskills at a "safe" way.

[junior varsity]

I very much approve of this as a starter bike, especially for 'larger'* ladies that feel too tall on a 250 (ninja, nighthawk, etc).


*Clarification: I meant in height, not in girth. Refer back to others posts about athletic nature and the like. None of you ladies are big in that other way. Promise.

[somegirl]

BTW, duci05, please let your wife know she is more than welcome to join our Women's forum, she can find support and advice there about being a small female beginning rider.

Also, a while ago I put together a FAQ for short riders.  One of the links in there is the same one that Jeff posted.

Finally, this is not directed at her, but I really like this BARF post about first bikes:
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5380523&postcount=8

[Johnny OrganDonor]

My wife will chime in but she will most likely be forever annoyed that people talked her out of starting on a 250-much easier to ride, lighter (which is oh so important when you're smaller and have weaker legs) etc etc.

I think ducs are bad first bikes.

Agree.  A Monster would be a bad first bike.  At parking lot speeds, they handle like pigs.  A M620 is not a small bike either - it could get a beginner in trouble real quick.  Get her anything 250cc or less that she can straddle with both feet flat on the ground.  Save the Monster for later.

[RC Fan]

I started out with a Suzuki Bandit 400. It's got less power (especially at low revs) than the Duc so it's a bit easier to handle. For example, if you handle the throttle bad in corners or on wet roads you don't go down as easy. And it isn't as stubborn as the twin at low revs. I rode it for about a year before I got my 695. It really helped improving my drivingskills at a "safe" way.

A Bandit 400 could be OK, but the 600 (or current GSX-650F) and up are very top-heavy, and not an ideal starter bike for a short person.