Women - the ongoing saga of finding a bike to fit.

[janno]

Some of you will have had the frustrating experience of trying to find the right sized bike. And when you're female, often you have to also take in to account upper body strength to keep the damned thing vertical.

After going from a virago to a SV650 and dropping the friggin thing multiple times (inexperience and a slightly high C of G), I then got a tiny, tiny Honda NT650 (see profile pic) and have done about 10,000 very happy and confident km on that in the past year. So that's my bike history of the last three years.

I had assumed I would never be able to ride a "big" bike because the sheer physical size of them would always be too much.

Ex in Brisbane now has a 1999 BMW R1100rs which very cleverly has provision for multiple seat heights, 820mm down to 780mm. And the lower seat was just right for me at a snip under 5ft7. To cut a long story short, I spent seven hours (450 km) on Saturday riding the RS all throught the Sunshine Coast hinterland, which is pretty much exactly the same topography as Taranaki. So some tight twisties and a few saddles, but mainly really pleasant rolling bike roads. Heavily trafficked in places of course, it's the equivalent of the Wairarapa - ie playground of the Wgtn middleclasses.

So I got to do lots of overtaking, a couple of emergency braking manouvers as soccer mums did their usual "I'm bigger than you" u-turns, and practised crawling through touristy villages at walking pace for a couple of km while soccer mums (and dads) decided to reverse in to parking spaces half a km back etc, etc.

Not once did I have an "oh shit, I'm dropping it" moment on this bike, despite it being 45kg heavier than mine (about 240kg wet weight I think) and physically probably about 25% bigger. This included several hill starts at extreme angles (Maleny for those who know that area) and plenty of low speed manouvering in sloping car parks (coffee time again, and again, and again:niceone:) Of course thanks to the shaft drive, the BMs have a low C of G, but even so, when I first got my full licence Graeme had an 04 R1150 RS, (same size as the 1100rs) and it felt as big as the Titanic for me to sit on.

The point of this long ramble is, for women like me who have been "over horsed" on bikes early on in the piece and lost confidence and assumed they would always be stuck with physically tiny bikes - don't underestimate how much some good road miles and the right seat height will open up your choice of bikes.

I now have a whole range of bikes to choose from that I previously would not have bothered with because on paper the weight would have seemed too much. Now (if I had the money) I'd go out and buy a R1100RS or S tomorrow, and I'd be test riding quite a few others as well.

So for those of you who have been frustrated in the past with bike sizes, there are plenty of options out there if you work hard at your skills and get the right bike as an intermediate, confidence and skills building step. You won't be stuck on tiny bikes forever, just get out there, get your miles up and don't forget to keep asking questions and learning when you come across someone who's style of riding you trust.

Now I'm off to buy a lotto ticket. Or if anyone has a spare 10 grand, I'll be very happy to take that off your hands for free . . . :devil2:

[Livvy]

Brilliant advice... Cheers for that. I don't always wanna be stuck on a 250cc, so it's good to know from someone the same size (& gender! Sorry guys :)) who's done it before themselves that I can get much bigger bikes than that once I've got the experience up.

[ynot slow]

Geez mate your not only out of the kitchen ,but the bloody country as well.

Agree with your verdict of Taranaki roads,good when no cowshit on them.

Have to agree with you on bike heights though,a mate of mine had a gsx750 twin shock model 20 yrs ago,he chopped about 50 mm from seat so he could put both feet down,and is about 5'4" or so,was happy with it then,he also sat on my bike when it was introduced to him,and he thought it wasn't bad height wise.

I tried a bandit 1200 for size and can get 1 foot down ok,both at a stretch,so it's not a female thing if short at all,maybe strength is a problem,but once riding you are ok.

The choice is out there,size wise, but at what price your budget?

[merv]

You getting back with the ex so you can ride that bike more then?

[Blossom]

Thanks for the write up. It certainly is good to know that there are options out there. :cool:

[janno]

You getting back with the ex so you can ride that bike more then?

Absolutely, as soon as he moves from the arsehole of the universe also known as Brisbane, and he would let me have the bike so he could get an R1100s :lol: . . . geez I loathe Brisbane with a passion. It ranks level with Wainuiomata on my list of nasty places to live.

Yes, I hate it that much.

[merv]

So he's more of an "on-hold" than an "ex" then?

As for Brissie I've just been over there and for me I enjoy every minute of being there - except for the humidity perhaps.

[jrandom]

What's so bad about Wainuiomata?

:confused:

[mstriumph]

good write-up!

[Mom]

Thanks for the encouragment mate! Us gurls need to learn what fits and what does not. I am delighted with my "little bike". I have not actually measured the seat height but it is perfect for my lofty 5'2 and a tiny bit".

Problems really kick in for us vertically challenged riders, I have had the humilliating, and very funny experience of sitting on a rather HUGE V-Rod, and being delighted that my feet were flat on the deck, only to find I cant reach the pegs :o

At "a snip under 5ft7" your optons are much bigger :yes:

Sorry for the terrible pun.

[jrandom]

I have had the humilliating, and very funny experience of sitting on a rather HUGE V-Rod, and being delighted that my feet were flat on the deck, only to find I cant reach the pegs :o

:killingme

Oh yes, I can imagine it right now...

[Mom]

:killingme

Oh yes, I can imagine it right now...

I would call you a rude name, but I would get infracted...:nono:
Ooops I mean I am far too nice...:blip:

It was funny though, DMNTD rode this shining chrome covered beast down to a little do we had. That should have been the biggest giggle of the night, but noooooooo... I have to have a little sit on, and stand it up, turn. Thank goodness the "blokes that are my friends" were there as catchers/laughers because there was but no way my feet would reach, they did suggest wooden blocks though teh bastards!

[Goblin]

Some of you will have had the frustrating experience of trying to find the right sized bike. And when you're female, often you have to also take in to account upper body strength to keep the damned thing vertical.

Sorry Janno but I think this is a myth and this kind of thought process puts doubt in women's mind's as to what size bike they can actually ride. Handling/riding/controlling any bike has nothing to do with upper body strength, weight etc. and everything to do with balance.



The point of this long ramble is, for women like me who have been "over horsed" on bikes early on in the piece and lost confidence and assumed they would always be stuck with physically tiny bikes - don't underestimate how much some good road miles and the right seat height will open up your choice of bikes.

Once again seat height doesn't have to restrict you either. If you can get one foot tippy toe on the ground, it's easy to hop off and move the bike around by walking next to it. Balance! As long as you can reach the pegs there's no reason you cant ride it.


Now I'm off to buy a lotto ticket. Or if anyone has a spare 10 grand, I'll be very happy to take that off your hands for free . . . :devil2:I get tired of the "ducks disease" threads and wimen complaining about seat height. Hell I'm only 5'6, weigh fuk all and would ride any bike of any size and enjoy the experience! Seat height and body strength is an excuse and a cop out. It's all to do with balance and technique.


Oh and good luck with the lotto!:2thumbsup

[jrandom]

Hell I'm only 5'6, weight fuk all and would ride any bike of any size and enjoy the experience!

Right, that's it, missy, you're riding Betty next chance I get to put you on her.

:niceone:

[Goblin]

Right, that's it, missy, you're riding Betty next chance I get to put you on her.

:niceone:Dammit! Pity I'm waving flags Friday. :bye:

[doc]

Sorry Janno but I think this is a myth and this kind of thought process puts doubt in women's mind's
I get tired of the "ducks disease" threads and wimen complaining about seat height. Hell I'm only 5'6, weight fuk all and would ride any bike of any size and enjoy the experience! Seat height and body strength is an excuse and a cop out. It's all to do with balance and technique.

There was site I read where the tetesterone challenged demonstrated with the correct technique, they could lift a big block Harley if they dropped it. That seems to be most of the problem with shelias riding bigger bikes, cos they are scared of what if they dropped it, how do you pick it up.

[Goblin]

...they could lift a big block Harley if they dropped it.
But they dont fall over very far if you drop them.:rolleyes:

[idleidolidyll]

we did the rounds recently looking for a nice bike for mrs idleidolidyll

best we found was the new triumph street triple 675, there's a 4" lowering link available and those forks would drop right through the yokes.

you'd have to get Mr Gisler or Taylor etc to make the suspension work right

mrs idleidolidyll is 5'1....and a half! her buell blast is the current best fit in something she wouldn't feel embarrassed riding; she's ridden bikes for 30 years now!

[idleidolidyll]

But they dont fall over very far if you drop them.:rolleyes:

honda goldwings are cured.............they don't even fall over, they just lean on their cyliners

[Big Dave]

The girls I've introduced to the Buell City-X all want one.

[janno]

Sorry Janno but I think this is a myth and this kind of thought process puts doubt in women's mind's as to what size bike they can actually ride. Handling/riding/controlling any bike has nothing to do with upper body strength, weight etc. and everything to do with balance.






It's great that you obviously haven't had a problem, but for many women they do or have, and it's nothing to do with what others have planted in their brain. I dropped the SV multiple times because of inexperience and having a pre-existing medical condition which leaves me less strong than a healthy person. I physically would not be able to handle a bike that I could only tip toe on, and wouldn't want the hassle of always being hypervigilant about where you were about to put your foot down. Obviously I'm always aware, but it's nice not to have to be paranoid about it.

The point about my post is that when you are starting out, and when you are in that intermediate stage, many need the right bike fit to get confidence, but that can and will change exponentially when you have some skill under your belt. For some women that might be a few months, for others like me it's been longer.

Then there are other women such as yourself that have not had a problem.

I've met plenty of women who have found big bikes daunting and had to hunt around for bikes to fit, and this is their own preference, not as a reaction to what people are telling them.

[Mom]

cos they are scared of what if they dropped it, how do you pick it up.

Then they need to learn how, it is all technique not brute strength..


The girls I've introduced to the Buell City-X all want one.

I love the Buel look, would be a choice of mine if funds permit, and I feel happy that I can manage one, the Triumph 675 is a close second.


.... and everything to do with balance.
Once again seat height doesn't have to restrict you either. If you can get one foot tippy toe on the ground, it's easy to hop off and move the bike around by walking next to it. Balance! As long as you can reach the pegs there's no reason you cant ride it.



I am going to agree, and very much dissgree! Balance is everything, I agree!! Riding is all about balance, though when you are moving that is simple.

Seat height is VERY important for us smaller girls. I have done my tip toe time! Balancing on the very tip of my toe at a red light the corner of East Tamaki Rd and Te Rakau Dr, eventually running the red because I did not trigger the signal, having to have a catcher in place when I come into the pits etc.

Returning to riding after a break raising kids, being able to have at least the balls of my feet (or one at a pinch :pinch:) on the ground when I stop is a minimum.

Getting off and holding the bike up at lights is simply not an option, nor is having one foot on the ground and the leg half over the seat at lights ok for me either.

Must be getting old :yes:

[Goblin]

...I dropped the SV multiple times because of inexperience and having a pre-existing medical condition which leaves me less strong than a healthy person. I physically would not be able to handle a bike that I could only tip toe on, and wouldn't want the hassle of always being hypervigilant about where you were about to put your foot down. Obviously I'm always aware, but it's nice not to have to be paranoid about it.

I've met plenty of women who have found big bikes daunting and had to hunt around for bikes to fit, and this is their own preference, not as a reaction to what people are telling them.There again I still reckon it's mind over matter. If you can balance a bike with one foot there's no need to drop it. If your medical condition affects your balance the maybe you shouldnt be on two wheels. Funnily enough, I was inexperienced in the beginning too. I did the occasional drop but learnt to balance the bike. Ive dropped bikes with stuffed steering head bearings cos it hit the notch in the middle. Replaced bearings/races and the bike behaves again.


Then they need to learn how, it is all technique not brute strength..

I am going to agree, and very much dissgree! Balance is everything, I agree!! Riding is all about balance, though when you are moving that is simple.
Go on Mom...you'd look cute with a cheek off the seat at the lights. ;)

[Pussy]

You looked like you enjoyed the sem fiddy the other day, Janno. Bloody hoon!

[janno]

You looked like you enjoyed the sem fiddy the other day, Janno. Bloody hoon!

Well, truth be told I wouldn't have ridden the beemer if I hadn't ridden your gixxer. I was thinking of your words of wisdom - it's just another bike . . . :msn-wink:

[nadroj]

The girls I've introduced to the Buell City-X all want one.

.....and what do they think of the bike?

[Goblin]

Well, truth be told I wouldn't have ridden the beemer if I hadn't ridden your gixxer. I was thinking of your words of wisdom - it's just another bike . . . :msn-wink::eek: Bingo! Its just another bike! No matter how big it is you will still be able to ride it.:niceone: If a bike looks big and daunting, embrace the fear and tell yourself you can do it. When you've done it you feel great.:sunny:

[ynot slow]

Well, truth be told I wouldn't have ridden the beemer if I hadn't ridden your gixxer. I was thinking of your words of wisdom - it's just another bike . . . :msn-wink:

Good quote just another bike,wise words.Exactly that,mind you riding say a Britten could be a wee bit daunting,fun yep.

[Big Dave]

.....and what do they think of the bike?

It's a cross I bear.

[FROSTY]

Janno What happened to you is exactly why I'm moving Jorja up in bike size/capacity in easy steps.
(Im very lucky in that she trusts me completely)
She's now sitting on my latest commuter --a GS500 and thinking -hey this is stuff all heavier than my bike.
I agree its in the mind -confidence inspired by uncreasing competence

[janno]

Actually I don't believe it's all in the mind when you are starting out. I believe it's in increased skill and experience. There is a huge difference between the two.

No matter how confident any smallish person is, I do not believe many women out there could jump on a 245kg sportsbike or sport tourer when they are learning, and even in the intermediate stage, and not do some serious damage to themselves and the bike, just through lack of road smarts and handling skills. However, yes there will always be exceptions to that generalisation, and I envy them!

I think the right bike for the right stage of your motorcycling career makes all the difference in hooking someone in to the biking bug for life. :niceone:

[Okey Dokey]

With determination a woman can master any bike.

But it's probably wiser to learn incrementally, matching a more challenging bike to a rider with experience and confidence to match. Not always possible depending on finances.

Great write up of finding your mojo on a bike that suits you. Good Luck on the lotto!

[Goblin]

No matter how confident any smallish person is, I do not believe many women out there could jump on a 245kg sportsbike or sport tourer when they are learning, and even in the intermediate stage, and not do some serious damage to themselves and the bike, just through lack of road smarts and handling skills. However, yes there will always be exceptions to that generalisation, and I envy them!

I think the right bike for the right stage of your motorcycling career makes all the difference in hooking someone in to the biking bug for life. :niceone:The sad thing is, most women have talked themselves out of it before they even try.
There are small guys who ride big bikes really bloody well. Why does it have to be different for women? Telling women they have to learn on a small bike where both feet have to be flat on the ground is limiting them. Tell them they can actually handle something bigger and you open up more options.

I'm really pleased for you riding a GSXR and the RS. Must have been a great day for ya. :yes: I admire your strength and courage for doing it. :niceone:

[Ocean1]

:mad::girlfight::angry2:


:shake::girlfight::nya:

Y'know, this'd be way more fun with jelly.

And pic's.

[EXDUNK]

I dove straight into the deep end and pre-ordered a Kawasaki ZX6R before getting my full licence and only had experience (apart from farm bikes & quads) on a performance scooter. I'm 5'10" though and the 636 was a perfect fit. Getting used to the weight and riding position was the issue but that only made me concentrate 100% of the time I spent riding it. Sold it for car (but don't hold that against me.

Would I buy another sportsbike of same size & cc rating? Possibly but I'm now keen to go Monster for riding position.

[janno]

Y'know, this'd be way more fun with jelly.

And pic's.

Get back in the kitchen, bitch :nono:

And stop making me laugh. That's illegal. . .

[magicfairy]

And the lower seat was just right for me at a snip under 5ft7. ..
So for those of you who have been frustrated in the past with bike sizes, there are plenty of options out there if you work hard at your skills and get the right bike as an intermediate, confidence and skills building step. You won't be stuck on tiny bikes forever, just get out there, get your miles up and don't forget to keep asking questions and learning when you come across someone who's style of riding you trust.



I dream of being 5ft 7, or even 5ft 2.
At 5ft only, there are very few bikes I can even get the balls of my feet down on the ground with.
I need a seat height of 700mm just to do that.

[Ocean1]

Get back in the kitchen, bitch :nono:

Yas'm, right away Ma'am.




Lime or raspberry?