What Type of Bike

What Type of Bike

by Kitty
(Montreal, QC - CANADA)

I'm petite. No, really, I'm 5'2" tall & I weigh 100lbs, soaking wet. I want to learn how to drive a bike, instead of always having to ride as a passenger, but most motorcycles are too big for me. Either the seat's too high & I've gotta try sliding off to one side while slowing down in order to get a foot flat on the ground when stopping, or it's just too damned heavy for me to maneuver it on my my own.

So, barring telling me that I should just buy a scooter & deal w/ it, what bike(s) would you suggest?

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What Type of Bike

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Dec 28, 2010

Cruiser vs. Sport
by: Anonymous

I am a motorcycle instructor in Toronto. Lots of women who are our height (5'2") who have absolutely no experience with motorcycles have a difficult time with the CBR 125 sport bike. Sport bikes are TOP HEAVY so all of the weight is up high. Many women our height drop the CBR 125 constantly, but once on a cruiser they do fine and pass the course. Cruisers have a low center of gravity so the weight is down low making it much easier to handle. Get something that is used and not too expensive, once you are comfortable with it trade up. I started 23 years ago on a 1984 Yamaha Maxim 400cc, then a Honda Magna 500, Harley Sportster Deluxe, Kawasaki Vulcan Classic 800, Harley Fatboy 1450. I currently ride a 2008 Harley Street Glide 1584cc.

Nov 22, 2010

What type of bike?
by: Anonymous

For Cruisers try the Honda Shadow, Victory also has one model specifically for women, HD has couple with low seat heights.

For Sport bikes.. the BMW 800 has a 29" seat height AND is very light and easy to handle, also the Ninja 250 is a very good starter bike.

As mentioned Cruisers tend to be a little harder to handle because of the rake, foot position and weight, the smaller sport bike (IE: above) are a little more nimble.

But go and sit on all of them and ride as many as you can.

Good luck!

Nov 20, 2010

What do you like!!
by: Julie Nix

First figure out exactly what type of bike you are interested in. Sport or cruiser? Sit on as many bikes as you possibly can. Most bikes can be lowered with a kit and in Canada it is only about $150.00. I am also 5"2 and I started on a 500 Honda Shadow but for me something just didn't feel right.. I now ride a 250 Ninja ZZR, and I am telling you it is an awesome bike. Easy cornering, light, very forgiving and very nice looking. Room for upgrades but it is a excellent bike to start on and when and if you want to move up to a 600cc you will get a good return on your bike:) Best of luck and remember to sit on as many as you can!!! Julie

Nov 20, 2010

Well, it's like this..
by: Quicklimegirl

First off, you don't "drive" a bike, you ride it. Sorry for the nitpicking but that always irritates me!

Anyway, it sounds like you're concerned with the heft of most bikes. That's the problem with Cruisers; their design enables them to have very low seat heights, permitting inseam challenged folks to flatfoot while sitting on them, which makes a big difference in developing confidence with slow speed maneuvers. However, this same factor (weight and length/size) is somewhat of a drawback. They generally have a less steep fork rake (angle of how far ahead the bottom sits from where they are attached to the frame at the triple clamp) which results is slower steering input and generally more difficulty in these slow speed maneuvers, along with the strength required to hold them up if you cannot flat foot on both sides.

What is your inseam length?? That's far more important that actual height, because it will determine whether you can touch both feet down partly or all the way.

There are a couple of more standard style and slightly sport styled bikes which have comfortable ergonomics and lower than normal seat heights in which a primary design aspect was to consider shorter riders, especially women. These bikes, while having very low seat heights (but not quite as low as some Cruiser styles) are much lighter, with steeper fork rakes. Both of these attributes can make for a less-intimidating experience while learning.

Among these are the '89 to '07 Kawasaki Ninja 250; the Moto Guzzi Brevia 750 (about '04 to present, I think) and the Kawasaki 650R Ninja 2 cylinder model; the two Kawasaki's are NOT all-out sport bikes, so they aren't anything to be afraid of.

You also might want to consider a very versatile, do-everything learner bike like an old vintage 100cc street legal dirt bike. These were far better on pavement than dirt, are VERY light and have low seat heights. Very, very easy to learn on something like the an XL100 Honda, KE100 Kawasaki, or similar.

You need to visit many dealerships and sit on everything first to see what feels the most comfortable.

Good luck in your quest!

Nov 20, 2010

What type of bike?
by: Anonymous

Jillian Micheals the trainer from the Biggest loser is petite and slim. She rides a Harley but she has been riding for a long time.

There is a girl that commutes in my area that is very petite and she rides a Harley. I am not pushing a Harley but it seems that other petite women will ride bigger bikes when they are ready.

Best thing to do is go shopping and sit on the bikes and also figure out what type of riding are you going to be doing. Touring, commuting, off road etc. Check out the Moto Guzzi esp the California or a used Jackal. A Johnny Pag is a good starterd bike. His dad use to design 30K bikes back in the day. Johnny's mission is to design bikes that people can afford. They are good bikes for a smaller person. Honda Rebel is a nice bike also.

Have fun shopping for bikes.

Nov 16, 2010

Type of Bike
by: Anonymous

No you should not ride a Scooter you should ride a Bike. I am the same exact height as you and weight just a little bit more than you. I ride an 1100 Yamaha Silverado. Remember this while out shopping for a Bike. You might have to customize the Bike to fit you. That is what I had to do. I had to have it lowered, pull back riser put on, a heavy duty spring install because of lowering and clutch kit making it easier for my small hands. Before you buy anything make sure you can custom fit it first!!! Especially if it does not fit you. I have sat on hundreds of Bikes first and none of them fit me. So it was all about customizing. Have fun shopping!

Nov 15, 2010

Try It
by: Twitch

The best way to find a bike that fits you is to try them. Go to a local dealer and have a look at the bikes and try sitting on them until you find one that fits your body best. Don't stop at the first one that feels okay though, keep trying and you'll get a good idea of what feels right and what doesn't. If you're lucky you'll find a salesperson who will help and they can help hold the bike upright whilst you test it. It may not happen at the first dealership you try but keep looking and you'll find something for you.

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