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What is the best starter cruiser motorcyle...Im a big girl....5'11" 180?

by Sabrina
(Lansing, Michigan)

I have always had a dream of owning my own motorcycle and am in the process of taking the MSF class and purchasing my first bike : ) I have little experience...only driving a four wheeler.

I will admit, my first love is a Harley Davidson, but for my price range (less than $5000), about the only good used Harley Im going to get is a Sporster. I sat on a couple of these and WOW......I felt like a big clown on his little bike, lol.

I am 5'11, 180 pounds. Do any of you have any suggestions for my first cruiser bike within my price range that will fit my tall physique?

Thank you for all your help ladies!!!!!

Comments for
What is the best starter cruiser motorcyle...Im a big girl....5'11" 180?

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Dec 27, 2011
 Start with good posture
by: Anonymous

Youre tall enough for an upright riding posture and that will develop better skills. Leave the foot forward cruisers for those don't know any better,lol...
Dec 27, 2011
 You're the perfect size..
by: Anonymous

...for most bikes. Try a TU250 if you're feeling uncertain(many mc schools offer training on one) and look at dual purpose bikes ...many women don't have that option and have to go with low to the ground cruisers...
Sep 27, 2011
 Love my Harley Heritage Softtail
by: Anonymous

I'm also 5'11 though I weight a little bit more than you. I started out on a Harley Sportster but traded it in w/in 2 years for a Heritage Softtail. The Heritage fits me perfectly! I love it and plan on keeping it until the wheels fall off. Go to your local Harley dealer and test ride one and then talk budget with them. They get bikes traded in all the time and may be able to find a used one within your budget.
Sep 13, 2011
 Thank You!!!
by: Anonymous

I really appreciate everyone's comments and insight and where I should start :) I definitely need to get out and sit on some bikes to see what fits right. I do have one more question though, are forward controls pretty common for those just starting out? and is it something that can easily be installed on a used bike?
Sep 08, 2011
 i hear ya
by: Anonymous

I am 5 10 and weigh about the same. I have just started to ride because hubby was having so much fun. He bought a new bike Honda VTXR 1300 which he loved. Meaning I could have his beautiful Yamaha VStar Silverado. Well.......... Nope. Too short my knees were to high. He is 6 foot but short legged - have long legs. I just never fel comfortable. All cruisers were tooooo low and too front heavy for me. With a heavy heart he sold his baby (first bike) and I am now riding a Suzuki 650 GSXF. I LOVE it. It is not his style as he is a cruiser man. But I love it. I sit higher the front is shorter. I have a gas gage fuel injection a tach and gear indicator!! It won't be my last bike but boy it is the right bike for me to start on.

Good luck. Make sure you get the right bike for you!!!
Sep 05, 2011
 Starter Cruiser
by: Robin C

If you are looking for a good used cruiser, and are on a budget, I would encourage you to look at the V Stars. They made the Classics in 650 and 1100cc, are now making 950 and 1300 versions. I'm always getting compliments on my "Harley Heritage", even with the V Star badges on it! I ride a 650, but it is a suprisingly big bike for the engine size. My 650 lines right up with my husbands 1600 Roadstar and is about the same height and length. The big difference is in the width. I am also in the Lansing MI area, go over to Full Throttle and sit on some of their bikes, then find a nice used one on Craiglist or Ebay. The V Stars are really reliable, beautiful old style cuisers, and you can find a used one easily. Suzuki and Vulcan also makes some nice sized ones, and I think Full Throttle has those as well. I personally fell in love with the lines of the V Star Classic, and love the low maintainence and easy customization. There are a million aftermarket parts for them and they are affordable. I spent $2800 for my bike 2 years ago (2000 Classic) and had plenty left over to set her up the way I wanted and get all the gear for me too!
Sep 03, 2011
 Dakars are great for long-legged girls
by: Robin_uganda

BMW has a lot of awesome bikes & they are dependable, excellent to handle & if you want one that's specially good for longer legs, the F650 GS Dakar has a higher seat than the regular GS. You might find it fits perfectly like I did.
Sep 02, 2011
 Tall
by: colleen

I'm 5'11" also and I would encourage you to shop around till you find one that fits your height! For me, it had less to do with the engine size and all about the actual size of the bike. I was riding an older Kawasaki (kz400), but it was like sitting on a 2x4 and I felt like my knees were right up by the handlebars! I was told that Sportys would likely feel a bit cramped as well so I tried a Harley Super Glide (FXD) and it fits well with forward controls. From looking at saddle heights, most Harley's are all about the same (some are a few inches shorter than others) so for me it was making sure I found one with forward controls. My husband is several inches shorter than me and when he rides my bike his legs are fully stretched to reach the forward controls. My legs are still slightly bent, but it is a good fit. Maybe look for something in your price range and think about forward controls. Good luck!
Sep 02, 2011
 Suzuki
by: Sandra

I have a Suzuki Boulevard C50C for sale at $4000. It's an 800 cc bike, and looks every bit as big as hubby's Harley Heritage, but much lighter in weight (about 600 pounds). MI isn't too far from me - I'm near Chicago - if you are interested search out "cruiser bikes" on E-bay's CLASSIFIEDS tab with a zip code of 60548 - it should pop right up!
Sep 02, 2011
 Your Choice
by: sassy2731

First off remember ity will be your choice. With your height you should be comfortable on just about any bikeyou choose. I on the otherhand have the opposite problem as I am only 5'2" so I cannot really relate, but you do have options. If I were you I would sit on as many bikes as possible first to get a feel of which bike style will fit you comfortably. Then once you get that choice made you can start looking for the perfect bike for you. Check in Craigslist also as I have several friends that have found some great bikes there that were reasonably priced. I would say with your height you should not have a problem. I do know that the Harley Fatboy, Deluxe and Heritage lines are great sized bikes for most women as they can be adjusted to fit women. You can change handlebars to a short ape type to give you comfort. These 3 bikes do basically have the same frame and are well balanced for us women.
Sep 01, 2011
 Starter bike.
by: Bob

I guess technically, as a guy, I shouldn't be here, however, my wife commented here, and I thought I'd a, dd some insight as a 6', over 200# person. First, decide what type of riding appeals to you, if you're going to just ride to Hooters for bike night, an easily customized cruiser would be a good choice, if you're going to hotrod, then think sportbike, touring well, a touring bike. I ride a 1250 Suzuki Bandit, good all-around bike, you can propbably find a used one for a reasonable price, also look at the 1200 Bandit. For a cruiser, the V-Star line is popular, dependable and you shouldn't be disappointed, we've had three of them. Go to the dealership, and sit on a few, see what you're comfortable on, then go to bike night and talk to the people that have what you like, and see what they have to say about them. Good luck and hope to see you on the road!
Sep 01, 2011
 Take yer time getten one!
by: Gina

Hey Girl,
I too am 5"11", don't get one too small for a start. Sporsters are too small for us, go to a Harley dealer and site on a few off and on for a few eeks just get get yer mind thinken and feelen good about it. Also look for a good school and take some lessons. I've been ridden all my life, that over 45 yrs on the rode. Remember take your time trainnen and buyen, it will be worth the wait.
gg
Sep 01, 2011
 Feel it.
by: Dawn

Take the class. You need to get a feel for what will work for you. I started on a 500, moved to a 650, 1100, and now, I own a 1900 Stratoliner Deluxe. I'm only 5'4"... it's not about if you think it is too small of an engine or too big, it's what will fit you when you ride it down the road. No one can really tell you one way or the other if it works for you. It will be trial and error. I can only suggest that you need to start out on something you feel comfortable about handling and then move up from there.
Sep 01, 2011
 Starter cruiser motorcycle
by: GOGO

Try forward foot controls and mini ape handlebars on the Sportie? My first was a 750cc, Honda Shadow Spirit. I so loved that bike, traded in for my 09 Iron Sportster. Best of luck to ya!!!

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