First bike for small female?

[ClaireEmson21]

So I'm sure this has been asked a hundred times but all I can find is it being asked by tall people!

Being a 64kg 5'6ish ( at the most ) female I'm wanting my first bike to be smallish so i can have both feet on the ground!

Have an absolute love of KTM so was looking at the RC390 last a good few years before needing to upgrade and looks like a good learner bike

RC390 or ninja 300 or R3

As its going to be my daily i was looking for something with abs but undecided whether to get cheap thing and then upgrade to ktm in a few months? or just go straight to KTM? Cant say it would be very forgiving if i dropped it but then i dont want to buy cheap gear and then buy the ktm gear because lets face it ktm matching gear is pretty dam sexy.

I live out rolleston way in christchurch so lots of back roads to practise and im about to take a novice lesson

Hard talking to bike shops as they just want to sell you something expensive

any advise would be amazing!

[kiwi-on-wheels]

Have a look at some of the old japanese 250s, likes of the late 8ps early 90s cbr, zzr etc, very small frame.

I'm 6ft 1 ish, and i could flat foot both feet on my cbr, stand up, drop clutch and watch the bike disappear without moving lol i swear the seat height is like 650mm or so... its tiny. awesome for traffic though.

[Gremlin]

Read the numerous threads re first bike for general advice. Most learners will have moments when learning, dropping, stalling, sometimes the odd crash etc. Going for something expensive or nice may result in more tears. Best to start with something cheap, learn the basics then move on.

Re short (and 5'6 isn't THAT short):
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/141561-Good-starting-bike-for-a-short-young-lady
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/146173-Not-as-tall-ladies-Please-help-the-newbie!
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/162293-Bikes-for-shorter-women

[RogIrwin]

Read the numerous threads re first bike for general advice. Most learners will have moments when learning, dropping, stalling, sometimes the odd crash etc. Going for something expensive or nice may result in more tears. Best to start with something cheap, learn the basics then move on.

I agree, Personally I learnt to ride on dirt bikes... most of the time you get away with falling off. And when you meet that unexpected bit of gravel around a corner you know what to do.

There's nothing wrong with something boring like a GN250.

[mossy1200]

Your call but a rc390 if you drop it wont look nice. I would pick up a cheaper bike for the winter then upgrade as the weather is getting better. Don't buy anything that is likely to expire and you should get your money back at the end of winter.

[Tazz]

I second some of the older 250's having a nice midget friendly seat height. See what's on trademe and go swing a leg over one or there might be someone on here out that way with a 250.
Cruiser style bikes are usually quite low too.

Your call on the new bike. If you're paying cash then maybe. finance, maybe not imo.

[nodrog]

Who the fuck wants a shitty 20 year old 250 to learn on?
Get whatever you want, they invented something called insurance a couple of years ago.

[haydes55]

Yamaha Scorpio 225.
Suzuki GN250
those would be my top pick for about $2000, learn on it until you are on restricted/full and confident. Then spend more on the toys.

[swtfa]

Welcome to KB :)

My daughter is close to your size and lately she has been riding a ninja 300. Absolutely loves it!

[Pound]

So I'm sure this has been asked a hundred times but all I can find is it being asked by tall people!

Being a 64kg 5'6ish ( at the most ) female

I would say you need to get yourself a big bike and then be sure to attach a "wide load" sticker above the plate.

[Mike.Gayner]

5'6" isn't short, and in fact for a woman is above average. I'm around 5'6" (male) and there's almost nothing I can't ride. Though I struggle a bit with tall adventure bikes.

[swtfa]

any advise would be amazing!

Occasionally not all advice on KB is amazing - unfortunately.
Re Pound comment as above #10... WHY?

[Pound]

Occasionally not all advice on KB is amazing - unfortunately.
Re Pound comment as above #10... WHY?


Because 5 foot 6 and 64kgs for a female is not "smallish"

[swtfa]

Because 5 foot 6 and 64kgs for a female is not "smallish"

Fair enough when you put it that way, however your first comment did seem a little harsh :gob:

[Rhys]

I remember when I was 64 kgs, I was 10 <_<

[Grashopper]

5'6" isn't short, and in fact for a woman is above average. I'm around 5'6" (male) and there's almost nothing I can't ride. Though I struggle a bit with tall adventure bikes.

A lot comes down to confidence. Tall, heavy bikes are not very confidence inspiring for a female learner and no confidence can easily change into fear and avoidance. Seat height or weight of a bike might not make a difference when you're riding at speed, but when you're just learning you won't go fast. You will practise slow speed riding, starting, and stopping.

I'm 5'4 and I can flat foot my little 250 Honda Spada, which is one of the reasons I decided to go for that bike.

I would not go for something new(ish) and expensive as a first bike. Get an old CBR250, VTR250, Spada or similar first. Unless money is not an issue. Then go for this http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-871089016.htm, the RC390, the R3 or the Ninja300.

Additionally, I find this website very useful: http://cycle-ergo.com You can choose whichever bike you've got your eye on, enter your height in there and it will show you your riding position on that specific bike, including if you would get your feet down or not.

[Banditbandit]

I remember when I was 64 kgs, I was 10

And a woman then too ???

[Devil]

5'6" isn't short, and in fact for a woman is above average. I'm around 5'6" (male) and there's almost nothing I can't ride. Though I struggle a bit with tall adventure bikes.

Yeh what he said.

Claire - don't think you cant ride big bikes because of your size. While I understand while you're learning you may wish to have both feet down for peace of mind, the sooner you learn to only put one foot down the sooner you'll be able to ride anything. The limiting factor is in your head - not in the length of your leg.

The Kwaka 300 or a KTM Duke 390 would be epic to learn on.

[jellywrestler]

try this

http://cycle-ergo.com/

[mossy1200]

I stalked OP facebook and shes tiny. More like 55kg

[Oakie]

Suzuki LS650 cruiser. Single cylinder with low seat. Heaps of them, around. LAMS apparently. eg http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-806152222.htm

Mrs Oakie had a Kawasaki Eliminator which had the standard Kwaka 250 engine wrapped in a low seat cruiser frame.

[ClaireEmson21]

I stalked OP facebook and shes tiny. More like 55kg


Hahaha not sure if I should take this as a compliment or not

Pretty sure you're not meant to admit to stalking peoples fbs

[ClaireEmson21]

Who the fuck wants a shitty 20 year old 250 to learn on?
Get whatever you want, they invented something called insurance a couple of years ago.

Haha yeah that's what I thought budget went from 3k to fuck it ill get a 9k KTM and then I layed awake at 2am horrified at the possibility i could drop it

And I just don't know if I could forgive myself

[mossy1200]

Hahaha not sure if I should take this as a compliment or not

Pretty sure you're not meant to admit to stalking peoples fbs

Im not sure if its still stalking if I don't hide it.:innocent:

If you do buy the dream bike as a first bike just take it easy and always respect it.
They are a great looking bike.

[thepom]

My ex bought a vtr250 and I rode it home,,,,fantastic little bike...

[samgab]

My ex bought a vtr250 and I rode it home,,,,fantastic little bike...

I'll second that. I owned a Honda VTR250 for a while when I was on my restricted, and it's a brilliant little bike. Low seating position. Really light and chuckable. Handles great. Good engine with a gentle power curve and plenty of torque (for a 250). Light clutch, and a strong, forgiving gearbox. Excellent road handling, especially after I bought a set of good tyres for it... I can't find much negative stuff to say about the VTR250.

But I'd say if you've got your heart set on the KTM, just go ahead and do it. And just be really careful, you'll be fine. It's a good looking bike.

[Tazz]

Who the fuck wants a shitty 20 year old 250 to learn on?
Get whatever you want, they invented something called insurance a couple of years ago.

Under 25 on a 9k bike will be over 1k a year, plus excess. A lot of dead money, depending on how much you earn.

[NZM0NK3Y]

Hiya,
My bikes for sale - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=872973548

I guess being up in AKL it's not so good for you though

For what it's worth - I'm a 5'4" 68kg (male) and one of the reasons I went for the Duke 390 in the first place is weight. 30 odd kgs lighter than most of the comparable bikes. Not only does it make it great to ride but heaps easier when your trying to paddle it round. Can't quite flat foot it but close enough to never feel concerned

Cheers

[flashg]

Under 25 on a 9k bike will be over 1k a year, plus excess. A lot of dead money, depending on how much you earn.


My son bought an 08 R1 brand new the day he turned 18 and put it on tick. Ring vero insurance chch, get put through to motorcycle division ( David Golightly scheme) cheaper than you think. His insurance was the same cost as mine, i also had an 08 R1. I have many years of experience with no claims at the time.
David Golightly told me they insure the bike and not worried about experience. If you total it or it gets stolen within the first year you get a new bike.
And your gear is covered at no extra cost.
Wouldn't hurt to ring them for more accurate information
Good luck with whatever you decide.

[nodrog]

Under 25 on a 9k bike will be over 1k a year, plus excess. A lot of dead money, depending on how much you earn.

That's nearly the same per day as feeding one of those skinny black cunts from Ethiopia.

I know what I would prefer.

[Katman]

I know what I would prefer.

<img src="http://www.registeredrunaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/world_vision.jpg"/>

You're a beautiful man Gordie.

:love:

[boman]

So I'm sure this has been asked a hundred times but all I can find is it being asked by tall people!

Being a 64kg 5'6ish ( at the most ) female I'm wanting my first bike to be smallish so i can have both feet on the ground!

Have an absolute love of KTM so was looking at the RC390 last a good few years before needing to upgrade and looks like a good learner bike

RC390 or ninja 300 or R3

As its going to be my daily i was looking for something with abs but undecided whether to get cheap thing and then upgrade to ktm in a few months? or just go straight to KTM? Cant say it would be very forgiving if i dropped it but then i dont want to buy cheap gear and then buy the ktm gear because lets face it ktm matching gear is pretty dam sexy.

I live out rolleston way in christchurch so lots of back roads to practise and im about to take a novice lesson

Hard talking to bike shops as they just want to sell you something expensive

any advise would be amazing!


My other half is 5'2. She rides a Ducati 696. If you have the money they also do a 636 Ducati which is learner approved. It goes well, and handles great too. Would not need to be replace too fast either, as I don't think you would get to bored with it.

[rastuscat]

Just a random comment from left field.

Had a random experience today. I was riding the company troll bike down Moorhouse Ave, and I saw a little black bike go past with the L plate obscuring the number plate.

Taking time for a chat, I met my first LAMS Harley Davidson.

Good chat later, the guy rode off with no tickets and I learned about wee Harleys.

$10.5 K apparently, so a bit dear, but a Harley is a Harley. Except this one started first time.

[mossy1200]

Harley is a Harley. Except this one started first time.

Great work story.