Motorbike Advice

NatMast_2

I'd always planned to get a car, simply because it's what you do for travel when you're sick of public transport. But after being on the back of a motorbike..I realised just how amazing it felt. Admittedly yes it was with a hell of a view for a few days BUT I know that I want to ride a bike. It's not about costs and everything, it's about the ride itself.

ANYWAY, there is a main point to this. I'm turning 23 soon enough, I know that I can get my A2 license, which doesn't bother me too much not getting the full A license because it's all valuable experience. However, I know this is thinking ahead but I would be unsure what bike to get. Ideally, looks wise, I like chunkier, heavier bikes rather than light weight sporty ones but I am also aware that my height and stature may provide limitations. I'm a 5ft 1 female. I didn't know if anyone could offer advice on what bikes may be the most suitable for me? It would be used on a regular daily basis for short commutes...and no motorways for me!

Or in fact, any advice in general would be very much appreciated. Should be sitting CBT in the next 5 weeks, then moving onto A1/A2 but I have to revolve everything around work!

Also, best/recommended gear for women clothes wise and helmets etc in general. I am unsure about my standing about riding a bike in certain conditions but rain doesn't bother me at all.

Thank you in advance!

Emmamumof2

My best advice would be go and try some in a show room to decide. You might want to start with something a bit smaller like a 600, plenty around. The last track day we did one of the ladies had a triumph.






Same with clothes you need to try really but we've always had Alpine stars, Arai helmets and a couple of types of boots Alpine Stars and Frank Thomas.




Be warned it isn't an inexpensive dodge around a car! And if you're thinking of commuting remember some days will be throwing it down!
We're fair weather riders only - hobby - so not run into this but the odd time husband has been out and its rained I've been v worried and he hasn't enjoyed that part of the ride out....
It is amazing if you enjoy it though!
Good luck finding the right thing for you!

Buzby

Don't buy new - start with a 125cc, a scooter is ideal as you can store your helmet under the seat and get a good feel for it before you get into serious money.

After a few drenchings, you appreciate it a lot more!

forgotmyname

Personally i would say get a car 1st and safely learn what idiots there are on the road and what dangers to look out for.

Ive seen lots of near misses and incidents with bikes. When i got my scooter to commute in knew where all the dangers were.

Nodding_Donkey

If you prefer the tourer rather than the sports bike look then a Honda Deauville is worth a look especially for the er, shorter rider

Great reliability, cheap insurance and great weather protection

Arfa__

On your list of bikes to check out, sit on and get a feel for should be:-

KTM Duke 390 - small, light, nimble, reasonable price new (£4k), bit desirable to bike thieves though and too new to find 2nd hand.
CB500/CBF500 - Fairly standard naked commuter bike. Easy to lower (seat and suspension). Dead cheap and two-a-penny 2nd hand, reliable. Same later CBF's have ABS too (handy when a bit newbie). Older ones may have done loads of miles and maybe money pits.
BMW F650GS - Quality upright touring/adventure style bike, but BMW do a lowered seat and suspension to bring it really low. Fuel tank is actually under seat, so centre of gravity is low too, making it a doddle to handle. Note: early ones are single cylinder 650cc, later ones (2008+) are twin cylinder, and actually 800cc and have ABS. BMW Prices though.
Ducati Monster M600 (or similar)- low, narrow, nice looking and not crazy powerful. Hold value well though, so 2nd hand ones don't drop below £2k until their 15-20 years old.
Honda Shadow - If you like the low down, sit back cruiser styles, most up to the VT750 can be restricted for A2 license.

Otherwise there's loads of little 250's about second hand, or you could check out some of the more exotic 400cc imports (usually sports bikes though). But do sit on bikes, it won't just be seat height that's a factor, width is an issue, many 4 cylinder bikes are too wide; and weight, you won't want something too heavy to manoeuvre about. My wife is of a similar statue to yourself, made the mistake of buying a 20 year old Kawasaki ZZR400 - too heavy, too wide, too much of a stretch over tank to handlebars, too old, maintenance money pit...

[Deleted User]

Arfa gives some great suggestions on bikes. Being honest you are going to struggle to find many bikes you can ride. I am a lot, lot taller than you, but there are many bikes even I cannot reach the floor on.

You first bike should be cheap as you will most likely drop it. No point in damaging something expensive.

Kit wise a lot of womens' bike kit is rubbish. No really I don't want matching leathers to 'look nice' in, and the Joan Jett fringed jacket look is not really me. However, the inside pockets on my jacket are so useful. They are just where my boobs are so I can really fit loads in that pocket! Not sure how easy it will be to buy kit for smaller women, but if you are taller then German and Austrian makers do decent fitting kit.

Richard53

I'm not fully up to speed on the new licence requirements, but you need to watch the bhp of the bike you are thinking of - I think the A2 licence restricts you to something like 45 bhp. This is plenty of power to have some fun with, but reasonably unthreatening for a new rider. Best would be to speak to a dealer, who will have a lot of bikes you can try for size, and will know good local training companies. Maybe even throw in some training FOC if you buy there, who knows?


A couple of bikes from my own history:


BMW F650GS (the single-cylinder bike) - quick for a single, low CoG, easy to handle, low seat (and lower seats available). Bulletproof reliability; people have ridden them round the world. However, amazingly poor quality of materials and finish. Rust, peeling lacquer, seized fasteners - awful.


Triumph Bonneville (not sure if this will suit the A2 licence) - great bike, plenty of go, easy to ride, safe and solid although heavy for its size. I'm 6ft and it felt like riding a roller skate for me, so it may suit the vertically-challenged rider.


Suzuki GS500 - plenty around, as they are the favourites of riding schools. I had one as a loan bike, and it was fun to ride, and very easy and predictable. I'd have one happily as a winter bike.


If you are commuting, get a decent textile suit. Not as glamorous as leathers, but ought to be waterproof and with removeable liners will suit all seasons. Get a helmet for fit and comfort rather than paint and gimmicks, decent boots and gloves, and you're ready.

BeenThroughItAll

Another vote for the BMW F650GS (which may be either a 650 single or an 800cc twin; both brilliant) with the lowered suspension.


Having said that, in my local riding group there's a lass about your height who rides an R1200GS exactly like mine but with the factory lowered suspension and a Touratech Kahedo X-Low seat, and she's very confident and capable on it.


Also worth knowing that you can get boots like the Daytona Ladystar GTX which have a built up sole to add about an inch in height.


Worth a look too at the Kawasaki ER-6N or ER6-F (identical bar fairings so choose on looks). They're excellent little fizzy twins which ride lovely.

OnanTheBarbarian

May be suited more to a cruiser style bike which are often quite low, so you can paddle about on them with your feet on the ground rather than managing to get one foot down and leaning over.

There are loads of "Harley style" cruisers about which are cheap. Harleys are overpriced bits of agriculture though, where the throttle is more of a volume control than anything else.

The Jap cruisers will be ideal for a novice rider to get some experience on.

The good thing with bikes, especially older stuff (10-20 year old) is that they don't lose money much at all, so if you get something and it's not for you, often you can move it on without losing any money and sometimes even make money.

If you just want to dip your toe in the water and have a 125, then you have stuff like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-XVS125-DRAGSTAR-03-/251578301397?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3a933c3bd5

or a 650 like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-XVS650-A-DRAGSTAR-CLASSIC-1999-FULL-MOT-28000-MILES-READY-GOOD-RUNNER-/121379961871?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item1c42cf3c0f

BeenThroughItAll

OnanTheBarbarian wrote: »

May be suited more to a cruiser style bike which are often quite low, so you can paddle about on them with your feet on the ground rather than managing to get one foot down and leaning over.

There are loads of "Harley style" cruisers about which are cheap. Harleys are overpriced bits of agriculture though, where the throttle is more of a volume control than anything else.

Now I'm not having a go here, and the OP may well like the cruiser idea.


However, we're not all blessed with tall stature and a complete lack of taste


Nothing under any circumstances (aside from a lobotomy) would make me want a Harley or anything even remotely like one. Cruisers are horrible. IMO.


I'm only 5'7" and I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with my R1200GS (which incidentally does have the BMW low seat on, but I have ridden others with the standard seat in the low position and they're equally fine) and I cannot get both feet flat.


OP - if you really want to ride, you'll find a way to do it. Most if not all bikes can be made lower to fit a rider - but don't compromise what you want just to get something low. Decide what you like the look of, then ask in the dealers, ask owners, ask on the forums. You're not the first smaller lady to want to ride a bike.


Hell, short riders can get away with almost anything if they have the determination:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRFyw57o_Ic