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Selecting a Motorcycle

by Holley
(Vancouver, Wa)

Ok, so here it goes. I am tiny, 4'9" and 105 lbs looking to buy my first motorcycle, but from what I've seen so far, they are all too big (I can't put my feet flat on the ground). Any suggestions?

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Selecting a Motorcycle

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Jun 20, 2009
 Selecting a Motorcycle
by: Laura

Hi Holly,

I also started out with a Honda Rebel 250, I rode for a year, it really helped me get the feel for riding a bike, but it was to small after a while. I bought a Vulcan 500 last year and had it lowered, this is my second year on the bike and I am just starting to get the feel of it. It's pretty cool when you take curves and don't have to think to much about it, like driving a car you just do it! I am 48, 5'1" and 116, the Vulcan is a wonderful bike to move up to. You should have fun with either bike. You should also take the MSF course, which I feel has helped me be a better rider. Have fun and wear your helmet!
Jun 19, 2009
 *sigh*
by: Anonymous

I didn't end up getting a bike because my car was stolen. Grrrr. . . even carrying full coverage on my car I still had to dip heavily into my moto savings. I am pretty irritated.
Jun 19, 2009
 Short Too
by: Patricia

Hi Holley,

I'm also a shorty and I am currently looking into my first motorcycle. I am 4'11" and 95lbs and was wondering what you ended up with and how it is working for you or if you got any other good suggestions along the way...?
Jul 16, 2008
 Bikes for shorter gals
by: Linda

Hi Holly, I am also on the short side, about
5' 5", I learned to ride on a Honda Rebel 250 and rode that for 2 seasons, I then felt ready to "upgrade" to a bigger bike and bought a Sportster 883 "low" model which I can put my feet flat on the ground when sitting on it, the other models of Sportsters I was on my tip toes! I have a friend who also learned on the Rebel 250, she now has a Honda Spirit 750 which sits lower than some bikes also. Have fun!!
Jul 15, 2008
 Thanks!
by: Anonymous

I just wanted to tell you all thanks for the hints, ideas and sharing of knowledge!
Holley
Jul 14, 2008
 Size of Bike for You
by: gina

Hi there I just recently bought a honda rebel 250. I bought with the thinking of weight verse how tall the bike is. Since I am a begnnier rider I think it was good fit, I'm 5'7, now that I have seen other bikes an tried other styles I feel it could be a bit small for me. I learned about the balance of a bike an were the foot pegs an such, verse power and style.

I still like the bike but I know mostly like will be looking for bigger bike myself next year.

So if you are buying used verse new from a dealer I would differently check out if bike can be lowered for you. I don't regret buying the Honda Rebel as it fits my needs now but I think in the long run I will be trading up.
Jul 14, 2008
 Reaching the ground
by: Laura

First, have you taken the MSF course? The bikes that we used were short, and I could reach pretty good with the Virago 250 I used. So I bought a Virago 535 and rode it for about 8 months, found a larger one,Vulcan 800, and of course lowered it, trimmed down the seat myself, and have pretty thick soles on my boots. I eventually ended up with my baby, 05' V-Star 1100, very comfy ride. I am 5',weigh 118,and am 52 years young, by the way. If you can learn to ride a smaller bike, you can find ways to adapt for a larger one. Read all you can about bikes, articles on-line, mags, everything. The more you learn the easier it all will be!! Ride On!
Jul 14, 2008
 Seats!
by: Jenny

I am taller than you, so I cannot swear that this will help, but I just purchased a Virago 535, and I can put my feet flat on the ground. I had ridden another Virago 535 a few years back (both made in 1995), and I was unable to reach the ground. The difference in the two bikes was the seat. One was an after market seat, and one was the stock seat (I can reach the ground in the stock seat, but the after market seat was "cushier" and wider and just all around bigger).

I went to a dealer and sat on a bunch of bikes. I found that I was very easily able to reach the ground on every 250 that I sat on. The other bikes varied. Some of them were too tall, and some of them were close. If you talk with them at the bike shop, they'll probably have suggestions for lowering suspension or different seats that take an inch or two off the height of the bikes you buy.

While I was at the shop, they gave me a copy of a Harley magazine for women that talked about how to lower a bike (I found it interesting that the magazine said that a short woman can't fit on a Harley but with all these extra customizations, you'll have a great ride built for you! I think that if they are really trying to market to women, they might want to consider having a shorter bike available so you don't need to add customizations). I wish I'd read the article more closely; I'd have more hints to give you!

Jul 12, 2008
 Selecting a motorcycle
by: Laura

Hi Holley, I am 5'1" and 116, I just bought a Vulcan 500, I had the same problem, the dealership said they could lower my bike with a lowering kit so I would be able to touch flat footed.

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