what bike is best?

what bike is best?

by Melanie

I'm kind of small, i'm 5'5 and i weigh about 125, what bike is best for me to ride?
i was looking at all these bikes online but i just dont know what bike i should be looking at as my 'starting bike'.
whats the easiest bike to ride for a girl my size?
i was looking at Harley Sportsters and a few others...any ideas?

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what bike is best?

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Aug 03, 2009

Suzuki SV650
by: Liza

I am 5.5 and fit almost everything, currently have a Suzuki SV650. Think you just need to get out there and test drive a few!

May 15, 2009

QLINK Legacy 250 (Automatic!)
by: Anonymous

Im a shorty/light weight/1st time rider myself (5'2" 100lbs) and for my 1st bike I bought a QLINK Legacy 250 ... it is automatic ... no shifting or anything. It is a motorcycle-lite (but NOT a scooter). It looks just like a motorcycle. Just goggle it to see pics. It goes up to about 65mph, but I hear the next model 2010 might go up to 75 or 80 ... but I'm good with 65 for now.

Oct 06, 2008

What Bike is Best
by: Anonymous

The Heritage Softail Deluxe is the best bike for smaller riders...I am a couple inches under 5 ft. tall. Weighing under 115...my husband bought me an 08 Deluxe. He lowered the front and we bought a Reach Seat. It is the best!!! I love this bike. I had an 883 and it was awful!!! Too top heavy.

Sep 05, 2008

1200L HD
by: Sharon

Hi! I just purchased 2 months ago a HD 1200L . Of course it did feel heavy at first but you Will get use to it. I am about your size and my weight is 135. Everyone said i was doing great! I had a crash bar put on it so in case i dropped it it would be OK. Which i did and it was ok. Good Luck! I really am happy with mine 1200L HD. Sharon

Sep 05, 2008

Apr 26, 2008

first bike
by: Anonymous

If you aren't set on a HD I would recommend the Suzuki S40 or S50. They are lightweight yet have enough power to keep up, but not so much power that you will wrestle the bike. You don't get the frog legs going as these two are narrow. Great starter bikes! Get the S40 if you don't mind one cylinder, otherwise go for the S50.

Mar 11, 2008

1200 over 883
by: Anonymous

Hi Melanie, I just wanted to give you a bit of info on the Harley Sportster. I have the 1200L which is designed for the shorter people and mainly for women. I tried to take the 883 off the kick stand and I couldn't. The 1200L I had no problem. I personally think that the 883 is top heavy. Plus my theory is that if you want to trade in the 1200 I believe that it would be a much better trade than the 883. I have a friend that has an 883 and she complained about not being able to keep up with the other bigger bikes. I have no problem. When we went on trips she was the one who always had to stop and get gas. The 1200 now has a 4.5 gas tank. I get over 50 miles on a gallon. But I think the gas mileage is decreasing as the prices get higher. Also this is my "starting" bike. It weighs 695 with the gas tank full. I love it and have had ample amounts of compliments. People say they can't believe it is a sporty. It is going on 2 years now since I got it. over 7800 miles on it. I live in Upstate NY (north) lots of snow and ice this year.

Good luck and happy riding. KTRA Terri

Mar 11, 2008

Choosing a Bike for Newbie
by: Laura

First read (hopefully you already have) as many magazine articles about all the different bikes available, and become knowledgeable. That is a great 1st step. Then go to all the bike shops you can find and sit on as many as you can, test them if you are able, and are confident enough to. inquire if they can be modified (by you), but I highly rec getting a used bike, practice A LOT, then you can figure out what bike you want for long haul. You can easily find a used smaller bike for around 1100-1500, or less to begin on. Just don't be pressured into buying a big new bike that you might be intimidated with at first. Good Luck, I've been down that road, as we all have, have fun and ride safely.

Mar 10, 2008

Type of Bike to Buy
by: Lynette

Since I'm a Harley rider, of course, I'm going to recommend a HD. My first bike was a Sportser 883. I would recommend a 1200. Since 2004 the engines are rubber mounted and a lot more comfortable to ride. The 1200 gives you a lot more rev and I think the 1200 now comes in a "low" which is an inch or so lower than the regular 1200. I now ride a Dyna Superglide after two years of riding the Sportser. Check the arm reach. Be sure the bars are not too wide so you can turn the bike when backing into a parking spot. I don't like drag bars because of the stretch on the arms and shoulders. They look cool, but after a few days of riding, your shoulders hurt. If you get forward controls, just be sure you can reach. I loved mine on the Sporty but I don't have them on the Dyna.

Depending on the type of riding you will be doing, be sure the bike doesn't stretch you out (arms, legs, back), You can always ride a Dyna. They are heavier with a bigger engine, but sit lower. I love my Dyna. Not too big, not too small, but keeps up with the big guys. My recommendation is: get a bike you feel comfortable pushing backwards, uphill, while turning. Keep it comfortable.

Mar 10, 2008

First Bike
by: Jacee

Ooooh . . . you're tall compared to me. I'm 4'10" so seat height was definitely an issue for me. But it won't be such an issue for you - you will most likely be able to flat-foot on any bike. But inseam is an important factor. However, seats and suspensions CAN be lowered. I have had all 3 of my bike seats lowered by an auto upholstery shop. You'd be surprised how much difference one inch can make. The most useful trimming was that he carved each side of the seat so that I could put my legs straight down. That really helped!

I don't believe the weight of the bike should be an issue, other than don't go for the huge cruisers. You have to be able to sit on the bike and stand it up. If a cruiser is what you want, sit on several. Yes the HD Sportster is a smaller bike, but there are others that are probably less expensive and less prone to breaking down. (HDs are not known for their robustness.) I started with a Yamaha Virago 550, then graduated to a Suzuki Intruder 800. If you practice, practice, practice on whatever bike you choose, weight is not the issue. If a person can't learn to balance on the bike, they shouldn't be riding at all. The only time you should be concerned about the weight of the bike is if you drop it and have to pick it up. We all hope that will never happen. It does on occasion, so ride with at least one other person, for lots of safety reasons, other than help in picking up a bike.

There are many considerations in choosing the right bike for you. Just go sit on some and most of your concerns will be resolved. The sales people can be really helpful - they know a lot about the bikes they sell.

Mar 10, 2008

Inseam length vs. height
by: Quicklimegirl

First of all, height doesn't matter when looking for a bike; inseam length does. This will determine whether or not you can easily flatfoot while sitting on a given bike, or have to tiptoe.

That said, it sounds like you have so far been looking exclusively at Cruiser-style bikes. Many people who have never ridden gravitate towards this style because the historical market-awareness domination of Harley. In non-riders' minds, they equate "Motorcycle" with HD before they know of anything else.

The sole advantage of learning on a HD or other Cruiser style bike is the very low seat heights they entail, usually between 26"-28." This enables even very short-inseamed (and short overall) people to comfortably flat-foot the ground while seated.

However, this style of bike is VERY heavy, with slower steering response due to their overall wheelbase length and fork rake (the angle the front forks stick out from the frame). So, they are inherently more "clumsy" handling than standard or sport-oriented type motorcycles. They generally don't have equal levels off of brake o suspension technology; you'll notice most HDs an Cruisers still carry dual shock absorbers on the back, rather than the more modern single shock in from of the swingarm...the suspension piece attaching the rear wheel to the frame.

The exception to mostly very heavy Cruiser style bikes are the Honda Rebel 250cc and 450cc models, and the Kawasaki 125cc Eliminator models. Their combination of low seat heights and far lighter weight than the average bike of that type of style.

If you are "set" on that style I would consider those models first. Do you really want to try wrestling with an 700-800 bike to learn on?

If you are open to considering other styles, like standard or sport-oriented, I would strongly suggest a older, used "standard" like a Honda Nighthawk 450. For sport-oriented, stay FAR, FAR away from "Supersport" or Race-replicas such as the Suzuki GSXR600/Yamaha R6/Kawasaki 636/Honda CBR600RR; while street legal, they are designed primarily for racing and are wholly unsuitable for learning due to their hair-trigger responses to throttle/braking/steering input. Rather, for this genre, the best choice would be the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, a very forgiving bike with modern suspension, brakes and a fairly low seat height, about 29." Others to consider would be the GS500 Suzuki or Ninja 500 twin-cylinder.

Take your time sitting on bikes and getting the feel of them both ergonomically and weight-wise.
Don't get "stars in your eyes" about any particular model or style.

Get your full gear first and then start looking.

Good luck!

Judy - Vancouver

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