Motorbike Advice

bod1467

You may wish to consider something like the Yamaha XJ600. There's the old versions (XJ600N for the naked, XJ600S for the half-faired "Diversion" model), and also newer models of naked and faired/half-faired versions. The old versions are cheap as chips, easy to maintain and fix (so if you drop it you don't have to worry about your wallet/purse), can be lowered if necessary, and can be easily restricted/derestricted as required.

Lots of info about these at http://diversionclub.proboards.com/ (I post there as El Fuego, and I used to have a Yamaha XJ900S Diversion).

Shielder

As a shorter male (5'6" in stocking feet), I'm looking to go for a bigger bike, but I am also having difficulty finding a bike to fit me. I've got a great X-reg Suzuki Intruder 125 (twin pot, looks and sounds much bigger than it is) that cruises at 65-70 (indicated) along the motorway easily.

For the vertically challenged rider, I would recommend a cruiser type bike.

Personally, I'd love a Trophy, but may have to 'settle' for a Bonnie or Speedmaster (can you see the theme here?).

I used this bike to take my test (before the A1/A2 silliness), and I even managed to get the U-turn sorted with it.

Hope this helps.

Andy

BeenThroughItAll

Shielder wrote: »

As a shorter male (5'6" in stocking feet), I'm looking to go for a bigger bike, but I am also having difficulty finding a bike to fit me. I've got a great X-reg Suzuki Intruder 125 (twin pot, looks and sounds much bigger than it is) that cruises at 65-70 (indicated) along the motorway easily.

For the vertically challenged rider, I would recommend a cruiser type bike.

Personally, I'd love a Trophy, but may have to 'settle' for a Bonnie or Speedmaster (can you see the theme here?).

I used this bike to take my test (before the A1/A2 silliness), and I even managed to get the U-turn sorted with it.

Hope this helps.

Andy

Seriously, as I said in my post above, and as the YouTube link I posted demonstrates, decide what you really want and then research making it fit. You can ride whatever the hell you want. I never thought I'd be able to ride a 1200GS until one day I just decided to bloody well get on with it


Incidentally, I am so happy and confident on the GS that I have become a much better rider and way more skilled on the road than I was before (I can go quickly and without fear on the track, but have a healthy sense of fear on the road); even to the point that having been hit by a van from behind at 20-30mph whilst stationary at a roundabout I managed to keep the bike upright and ride to a stopping point at the side of the road to exchange details without falling off. I'd never have managed that on my other bikes.

tykesi

Slightly off topic but perhaps the OP can help me?

Where do I go about finding these 23 year old girls who are so enthusiastic about getting into biking? I want me one of those

BeenThroughItAll

tykesi wrote: »

Slightly off topic but perhaps the OP can help me?

Where do I go about finding these 23 year old girls who are so enthusiastic about getting into biking? I want me one of those

Join the queue!

Tinks74

NatMast

With regard to helmets the most important thing about a helmet is that it fits your head properly not what it looks like, who it is made by or how much it costs (although this is always going to have a casting vote in the matter).

It doesn't matter that the latest Arai has proven amazing in magazine tests, the Schuberth has an anti fog visor, the Shark looks pretty or my mate swears by an AVG. if the helmet doesn't fit the shape of your head it is not going to do its job in the event of an accident.

It is like bras, just because it is your size doesn't mean it fits.

A helmet should be a snug fit all over, but it should also be comfortable.

Go to some shops and try them on, there is no shortcut to this, try as many on as you can for as long as you can, if it feels comfortable immediately leave it on for a bit longer, then when you think of taking it off leave it on a little bit longer, walk around the store, make sure you are happy with it, that the firm hold on your temples doesn't transform a headache inducing vice like grip after 5 minutes.

But finally, enjoy it

BeenThroughItAll

Tinks74 wrote: »

It is like bras, just because it is your size doesn't mean it fits.

Also just like bras, if you ask any biker for advice, they'll be happy to take a look at the fit for you.


On a more serious note though - when it comes to gear a good local store is invaluable. Yeah, kit'll be cheaper online, but if everyone buys online and all the shops go out of business, where will you try gear on?


So support your local bike gear seller. Their knowledge and experience is invaluable.


Ask around for recommendations for local places. I don't know where you're based, but I can recommend some great places in the North East, and East Anglia if needs be.

Arfa__

One other thing regarding helmets: yes, it is the fit that matters more than anything else. However it is worth checking the SHARP rating of any helmets you find fits at http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

I say this, as when I first got a bike, we popped into our local Hein Gericke (now defunct) bought two lids at about £100 each, but have since found out mine was a 4 star rating (out of five), but my wife's is only a 1 star rating and came up rock bottom for side protection. Granted it's met the legal minimum standard, but hardly fills us with confidence, and I feel a bit ripped off considering there's several 5 stars rated lids on the market for similar or less money!

tykesi

Plenty of articles out there showing how Sharp ratings are flawed though. I don't pay attention to that when I buy my lids.

fannyadams

Hi :waves: welcome to 'the dark side'.
here are a few suggestions that I have picked up along the way...
go and find out where the local MAG and BMF riders rights groups hang out and go there and look at the bikes, bikers and their kit.
ask nicely if you can have a sit on a bike that takes your fancy - most (not all) people are happy to let you ahve a sit to see how high the bike is (I won't as my bike is my pride and joy and I'm neurotic about who sits/rides it but HWTHMBO will let anyone have a go on his).
Ask people there and at bike shops about what kit they ride in (ignore the flip-flops and t-shirt brigade) - if you can get a dispatch rider to talk to you ask them what kit they wear (they are the most rigourous testers of waterproof kit on the planet).
IMHO MOST girlie kit is designed to make you look pretty whilst you are on the back of your boyfriend's bike and as such it isn't going to protect you as well as some of the stuff the boys wear.
recently I got the waterproof kit from ALDI and it's great.
I also wear leather trousers and leather jacket and they are blokes ones because that's the way I am built.
I am sure I don't need to tell you not to buy a second hand helmet. there's a saying in the biker community "got a £10 head? get a £10 helmet". you do get what you pay for and expect to pay apprx £200+ for a good one - that sad you CAN pick up a reasonable lid for around £50 if you time it right (new colours come out the others are last season and get heavily reduced)
--
my credentials?
I am female, 5'6", ridden a lot of different bikes (current ride CB500R-E 95 spec) been riding about 20+years (still crash) and belong to a fairly large international bike club.