The Wife and Motorcycle - Part 2

[Goat_Herder]

This is a continuation of an older thread I posted last Summer where I found an Aprilia RS50 for my wife.  I didn't revive it since it's too old.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=30180.0

So, the Wife was happy with the scooter and put the Aprilia idea to rest.  Then came the spring of 2010.  All of a sudden she started to reconsider the idea of getting a proper motorcycle.  Not sure why...  I am a feeling this might be an unfulfilled dream of her younger days.  Anyway, we are looking at MSF classes for her for August/September. 

Now comes to the difficult part - which bike should we get?  She is petite (5'1 or 5'2) and not very strong.  So I have ruled out most of the bikes out there.  We are current considering a Ninja 250 (with suspension mod needed to lower front and rear).  The Aprilia RS50 might still be a posibility.  I wish Honda brings the CBR125 here.  Other than that, there isn't much else...  Ideas?

Another possibility would be the Rebel 250.  She is not too keen on the cruiser style bike but is warming up to it after seeing a cool chick on a HD Sportster.  I mentioned Suzuki TU250 but didn't pass the cuteness/coolness test.

So I guess the story didn't end last September   

[muskrat]

a sporster is easy to handle and parts are a plenty.

[SacDuc]

My wife is 5'2". When I met her she rode an 05 monster 620 with a lowering link and a scooped seat. I bet you could find a 620 pretty cheap about now.

Definitely worth considering. She won't out grow that as fast as a Ninja 250. I just took that 620 out for a spin this weekend and it plenty past for tight twisty roads.

sac

[Spidey]

Ninja 250.  You get can a used Gen One bike already lowered for pretty cheap. If she wants cute/cool, then look at a Gen Two (which is much sportier).  You *may* be able to pick one up already lowered, but they tend to be a bit pricey and I'd hate to see a newer bike dropped on it's expensive plastic fairings (which wouldn't be a problem with a Rebel).    

A Rebel 250 is ok, I guess, but it's a whole different kinda bike and different kinda riding.  A Nighthawk 250 came to mind, but I can't remember when they last made those.

Is there a reason you want to get such a small cc bike (50cc?).  There are plenty of short women who ride larger motorcycles.  To be sure, learning on a smaller bike is better, but at some point, you are basically looking at a hairdryer with two wheels.  

[Goat_Herder]

a sporster is easy to handle and parts are a plenty.

I am concerned with the 550lb dry weight.  The Wife is a girly girl.  She has little to no muscle in her body.  

My wife is 5'2". When I met her she rode an 05 monster 620 with a lowering link and a scooped seat. I bet you could find a 620 pretty cheap about now.

There is no way I can get her to ride my M620, which I just sold.  I think the size of the bike really intimidated her.  

[1KDS]

suzuki drz400sm is an option, i think they have a 200 or 250 also

[Goat_Herder]

@ Spidey.  I agree the 2008+ Ninja are a lot nicer looking but more expensive to fix (she WILL drop the bike).  I am starting with 250cc since they are a lot smaller and lighter.  At the moment, she freaks out and get bend out of shape when she has to tip toe.  So for now, we will start with that.  After she passes MSF, we will see how she feels

[Spidey]

At 5' or so, she may have trouble finding a bike that she can flatfoot even after it's been lowered a bit.  Like you said, MSF will help a lot with her confidence, but getting something light and narrow is important.  A Sportser is way too heavy.

Oh, and most turbo busas have pretty low seats.  How much do you like having her around?  

[DarkDuc696]

Goat,
   My wife is 5'2" as well. We just recently got her a new style Ninja 250. It fit her perfectly, without a need for a lowering link. None of the other bikes had the level of comfort that it provided to her. (She wasn't into the cruiser style either).  My suggestion is take her into the showroom and have her sit on it first. Make sure she takes a proper pair of boots so she can truly get the feel of the ride height.  I would suggest getting the frame sliders and putting those on before she really rides it. They're like $100 for frame sliders and rear swing arm spools.

[Goat_Herder]

Oh, and most turbo busas have pretty low seats.  How much do you like having her around?   

I think I would like her to stick around at little longer.

I think I can lower a Ninja 250 by about 2 inches.  And with riding boots on, she will just tip toe a little bit.  That would be good enough.  She can flat foot on a Rebel.  And with its lower center of gravity, she felt really safe on it (standing still).

[Goat_Herder]

Thanks for the feedback, DarkDuc.  We were just at at dealer last weekend but she only had sandals on.  Having boots on would make a difference, for sure!

Thanks for all the feedbacks so far!

[mraff]

a sporster is easy to handle and parts are a plenty.

Bought my wife a 99 Sportster 1200 last year when she decided she wanted to learn to ride. Only hiccup turned out to be the clutch lever pull, caused her hand to cramp up after about 20 minutes of riding. Had to install an easy pull kit on the clutch, but after that, nothing but smiles.

BTW, nice thing about buying a highly depreciated Sportster, you can sell it again in a few years for just about what you paid for it.

[slyfox]

What about Kawasaki ER6n? ...... I would say it's an extremely good beginners bike ...

[Goat_Herder]

I think a Sportster 883 or a light to midweight nake bike would be good, if she continues down the road.  Just as long as she is comfortable with the seat height.  So I wouldn't rule out the Sportster 883 or ER-6.  Maybe a Buell Blast, if I can find one.  Heck, I would evn throw in a M696 (wishful thinking  ) or a Triumph Bonneville for future consideration. These 2 would be awesome for me, too.

We went out and looked at a couple bikes on CL, just give her an idea on what she is looking at.  First up was a 96 Rebel 250.  It's in really good shape.  She was ok with it and can see herself riding it.  Next up is a 04 Ninja 250.  She has to tip toe on it.  But if I lower it just a bit, she'd perfectly fine on it. 

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/1860873573.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/mcy/1865767779.html

[muskrat]

I am concerned with the 550lb dry weight.  The Wife is a girly girl.  She has little to no muscle in her body.  

go ride one, you'll be surprised if that's the direction you want to take.  They are very balanced but another alternative is a Buell Blast which are cheap cheap cheap.  That is, if there's no Duc in her future.