Ideas for a new bike for maduck [Archive]

FROSTY

3rd February 2005, 09:01

From her previous thread you can see Maduck aint too happy with her SV650
Its the Nekkid version and the suspension still hasn't been set up for her propperly.
S hows about a few suggestions of bikes for her to look at as replacements.
Important detail is that it needs to be short in the seat height/width department but must be good handling.
At this stage size doesn't matter.
Can we gather the seat height etc info for her so she can make a decision.

Blakamin

3rd February 2005, 10:37

monster......

and no, not coz its a ducati.... mainly because a lot of adjustment is available for height...

scroter

3rd February 2005, 10:57

is the SV650 to high for her or just handles poorly. robert taylor does an upgrade for the front of those for about 1 grand i think.

Stroker Girl

3rd February 2005, 15:08

From a every so slightly biased point of view :whistle: , I think the VFR400 NC30 or CBR400RR are both good bikes. The VFR's seat height is quite low, I'm about 5'5 and can put both feet flat on the ground. Its also very compact, easy to manoveur, and has great handling esp. on the twisties. Only down side (for me) is the riding position. Wrists and knees and butt start to get bit sore after 200km.

Biff

3rd February 2005, 15:12

I'd recommend she gave some serious thought to a CB600 (maybe even an FS version) Hornet. Great fun, super smooth, great handling, low ish seat (lower than a sports anyway), well priced and great build quality.

Paul in NZ

3rd February 2005, 15:24

Class...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-21913748.htm

FROSTY

3rd February 2005, 15:24

is the SV650 to high for her or just handles poorly. robert taylor does an upgrade for the front of those for about 1 grand i think.
One Major issue for her is she feels the bike is too tall for her. There are a heap of other issues too but that is the biggie

Blakamin

3rd February 2005, 15:28

Class...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-21913748.htm
I was looking at that, but I want more cc's

Waylander

3rd February 2005, 15:29

if it doesnt matter if cruiser or not you could try a yamaha virago 250 or 750(if you can find one) they are great bikes good handling and good acceleration and a decent enough top speed.

XTC

3rd February 2005, 15:42

BMW F650CS Scarver..... Sweet bike low seat height and should be easy to get a demo ride on one.... Fuel injected too.

White trash

3rd February 2005, 15:52

Class...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-21913748.htm

I think she wants a bike to ride, not push......

Hooks

3rd February 2005, 16:01

I think she wants a bike to ride, not push......

:blank: Oh that was cutting ..... :lol: Still I reckon there are some good GSXR's out there that would do her well too !!! The 600 is OK for the vertically challenged and has all the shizniks for any rider !! I was hoping to go that way soon myself !! ..... maybe ... kinda .... I hope .... :love2:

Paul in NZ

3rd February 2005, 16:01

I think she wants a bike to ride, not push......

I take it back... You just ain't cool anymore man.... :lol:

Least you would pushing a classy bit of kit! They go prety good them things. A few tricks to learn and they aint no Suzuki for sure (thats just one thing to like) but the are light, easy to ride and more fun than the hall of mirrors in a nudist colonies fun park.

Paul N

SPman

3rd February 2005, 16:10

How about a Gurney Alligator.
Low seat height,140 MPH from a big bore XR650 motor and good handling apparently.
???

White trash

3rd February 2005, 16:14

I take it back... You just ain't cool anymore man.... :lol:

Least you would pushing a classy bit of kit! They go prety good them things. A few tricks to learn and they aint no Suzuki for sure (thats just one thing to like) but the are light, easy to ride and more fun than the hall of mirrors in a nudist colonies fun park.

Paul N

I'm hearin' ya.

I almost bought a 650 Lario as they look just like my dads MK IV only littler. My Dad then proceeded to beat me severely about the ears and I haven't entertained the thought since.

I will, however, one day own a Lario when he's not looking....

Waylander

3rd February 2005, 16:20

How about a Gurney Alligator.
Low seat height,140 MPH from a big bore XR650 motor and good handling apparently.
???
I dare someone to classify that bike. what do you think Crotch rocket? Cruiser? Scooter?

Paul in NZ

3rd February 2005, 16:26

I'm hearin' ya.

I almost bought a 650 Lario as they look just like my dads MK IV only littler. My Dad then proceeded to beat me severely about the ears and I haven't entertained the thought since.

I will, however, one day own a Lario when he's not looking....

A V65 Lario has the 4valve engine which has a personality disorder. People still duck behind solid objects when one turns up at a Guzzi rally in case they fragment.

There was a bit of a misunderstanding about the valve springs at the factory and they went out with coil springs from the front end off a mack truck and basically they pulled the tops off the valves. Not good.

Easy sorted though! Suzuki valves (I think) and springs from a GN or something. Go as good as anything else of the era...

The V50 was the normal non sports small block. (500cc sports model was the Monza) They all have a similar problem in that they use Herron heads which limit design and power. The key thing is to keep the oil leaks to a minimum and keep them clean. Change the U/J regularly and fit electronic ignition. The V50 mk 2 had electronic ign I think but the Mk3 went back to distributor? Can't remember why! Probably ran out of credit at the ignition company...

If you let the u/j get to the stage where it blows, it takes out the arse of the gearbox.

With a few basic mods they are capable of some quite serious use.

Paul N

jrandom

3rd February 2005, 16:31

coil springs from the front end off a mack truck and basically they pulled the tops off the valves.... The V50 mk 2 had electronic ign I think but the Mk3 went back to distributor? Can't remember why! Probably ran out of credit at the ignition company...

If you let the u/j get to the stage where it blows, it takes out the arse of the gearbox.

With a few basic mods they may not actually kill you, but don't count on it.

Old Guzzis, eh.

The horror. The horror!

toads

3rd February 2005, 16:39

I think a cruiser is excellent for seat height but they do tend to get big and heavy in the higher cc range I've noticed. I personally like the look of the honda magna, and apparently they are really comfortable and reliable, the thing would be to test ride a bike on a decent run, not just in the yard behind the bike shop.

Waylander

3rd February 2005, 16:41

Paul in NZ

3rd February 2005, 16:48

Old Guzzis, eh.

The horror. The horror!

Shit yeah! An Fzx250 is waaay cooler... Not! :lol:

Mate! Guzzi were not the only maker to drop the old mechanical football from time to time. Remember those smallblock motors are used to power spy plans for the us army. They are generally pretty damn good (no I still would not take a ride in a Guzzi powered plane) :bye:

Kickaha

3rd February 2005, 17:46

Least you would pushing a classy bit of kit! They go prety good them things. A few tricks to learn and they aint no Suzuki for sure (thats just one thing to like) but the are light, easy to ride and more fun than the hall of mirrors in a nudist colonies fun park.

Paul N

They're the only Guzzi I have ever ridden,awesome little bike,not particulary fast but great brakes and handling,although this one did have a little end let go and do a chainsaw impression on the inside of the motor

Midnight 82

3rd February 2005, 18:03

:sweatdrop How about Jim2s bananna bike thats low and very cool. :brick:
sorry guys could not help myself :whistle:

Rainbow Wizard

3rd February 2005, 18:08

I almost bought a 650 Lario...My Dad then proceeded to beat me severely about the ears and I haven't entertained the thought since.

A good sized bike for a lady though, but finding a goodie nowdays might be a bit difficult.

Paul in NZ

3rd February 2005, 18:40

A good sized bike for a lady though, but finding a goodie nowdays might be a bit difficult.

Finding a good one when they were new was a problem too....

Antallica

3rd February 2005, 19:46

Grab a Suzi 650 Burgman ;)

Paul in NZ

3rd February 2005, 19:58

Grab a Suzi 650 Burgman ;)

- and BURN it 'cos they are evil.....

Motu

3rd February 2005, 20:34

A V50 was the first Guzzi I rode,back in 1980,I was impressed enough then to still want one now,they are just soooo nice to ride.

Is the DL650 taller than the SV? The better riding position will give her more confidance.The Goose,as mentioned.The F650 also,the Scarver is the lowest,and the ugliest.Then the grunty semi cruisers like the Marauder.

merv

3rd February 2005, 20:51

Is the DL650 taller than the SV? The better riding position will give her more confidance.

Yep it is 820mm seat versus 800mm in stock trim and it weighs more. The SV she has is the high bars model, not the S with clipons isn't it. WT might be able to tell us but I would have thought the SV is a good size. The DL's are quite large bikes and quite intimidating in that respect for a small rider in comparison. So that's why on the last thread I was saying I thought the SV could have been set up right with a careful look at the suspension. If necessary the handlebars can be changed easily too.

ajturbo

3rd February 2005, 22:23

ajturbo

3rd February 2005, 22:35

like Frosty said... the sv is just too tall for her,
i poped up to say hi, and she showed me the problem....

really nice bike.. but it was/ is just toooo high for her... ..hey what if she put some of those really small wheels on it??? :whistle:

sorry MD.. just had too

FROSTY

3rd February 2005, 22:46

sorry guys Maduck and I had a convo a few months ago and she doesn't like cruisers or plastic fantastics--a preference for nakeds.
I was wondering about the zdr400 -the naked version .
I even wondered about a grunty cruiser and getting the front end tweaked inwards a few degrees.

jrandom

3rd February 2005, 22:59

Thats why a Virago 750 should be ok cause they arn't all that heavy and still got the abillities to be fun to ride.

Yes, I noticed a certain XV750 filtering with reasonable rapidity in traffic this morning along the northwestern motorway...

Couldn't have been our very own Dr Bob, of course. He's far too old and professorial for that sort of behaviour.

jrandom

3rd February 2005, 23:06

sorry guys Maduck and I had a convo a few months ago and she doesn't like cruisers or plastic fantastics--a preference for nakeds.

A slightly less sporty commuter twin seems indicated, then.

GS500?

ER5 (the Industrial Cooking Motorcycle)?

She should probably take a CB600 Hornet for a play, too, just to see how it feels. They're pretty small.

The main problem with most of the big thumpers on the market is that they all seem to be pretty tall, due to their dual-purpose aspirations. The Buell Blast is probably the only one that breaks that mold. But it's hardly 'on the market', now, is it?

Zapf

3rd February 2005, 23:32

Yep, either a CB600 Hornet. Seat hight 790mmLink (http://www.hondahornet.co.uk/600spec.html)
http://www.hondahornet.co.uk/images/2003blue.jpg

Or the CB400 SFIII Seat hight 755mm
http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/cb400sf/image/cb400sf_index_main.jpg

FOR Reference
- SV650's seat hight is 800mm
- VTR250's seat hight is 780mm

loosebruce

3rd February 2005, 23:41

V - Rod, 26 inches with 180 pound rider :sly: think thats 570mm or so (didnt make it past Standard 4 maths), handles well, pretty damn quick, brakes i dunno (WT filll us in plz). Okay maybe a little on the heavy side of things but "who cares" when it looks so good.

Draco

4th February 2005, 07:58

Along with the hornet 600 etc, has she looked at a Bros? I sat on one the other day and could put both feet down and i'm only marginally taller than MD. I also found the height of the TRX850 not bad but can't remember if i was tiptoeing or not, so might still be too high. The old GSXR750's have a really low seat, not far off my CBR400, if she could find one in good nick that would be worth looking at too even though i know she's not into plastic, at the end of the day, like me, her choices are limited. Has she sued her parents for bad genes yet? :ar15:

XTC

4th February 2005, 08:05

Or Maybe a F650CS......

Stroker Girl

4th February 2005, 09:31

Sooooo what you are saying........ is that you want us to follow you around and every 200ks or so stop and .......make us rub your butt??? :banana: :lol:

Rub it? Hell no, by that stage my butt is so numb that it needs to be spanked severly to get the blood circulating again!! :devil2:

FROSTY

4th February 2005, 18:36

I FOUND IT I FOUND IT--I bum measured a bunch of bikes and i think I've found the bike for Madduck--2001 Cagiva raptor.

Waylander

4th February 2005, 18:42

Rub it? Hell no, by that stage my butt is so numb that it needs to be spanked severly to get the blood circulating again!! :devil2:
I here by officially post my offer to aply a thurough spanking after every ride.:o

Paul in NZ

4th February 2005, 19:31

I here by officially post my offer to aply a thurough spanking after every ride.:o

Consider yourself appointed.

Several 340lb Village people biker man clones are currently winging it to your place for some spankin' followed by some fine lovin'

Paul N

Waylander

4th February 2005, 19:35

Consider yourself appointed.

Several 340lb Village people biker man clones are currently winging it to your place for some spankin' followed by some fine lovin'

Paul N
Be a good time to find my nice double bareled shotgun aye.:2guns: :ar15:

gav

4th February 2005, 20:15

I guess though Madduck is looking for a new bike, some of these suggested are getting pretty old? How about an Aprilia RS125 or 250? or god forbid dont Harley do the 883 with a low seat (thats lower than standard)
XL883R (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-22050365.htm)

MadDuck

4th February 2005, 20:29

Well thanks for the thread Frosty ...but dammit at your age you should have learned not to give a girl too many options cos we just cant decide.

I took the VTR in for a service and went next door to look an SV for a test ride. I could only get onto the damn thing by pushing it over to the kerb so i could get my leg over :lol: . I LOVED IT - its called impulse buying. But when they lowered it they kinda changed the handling of the whole thing and I have had a big mind FU&^ going cos every time I ride it it feels different. Any one that has followed me on a KB ride would piss themselves and think - what that girl knows how to ride? ...lmfao

I will find the bike for me but I did sit on a Cagiva and it kinda didnt do it for me. Keep the advice going cos I am sure I will find the bike that fits

XTC

4th February 2005, 20:51

BMW F650CS??...... :)

Seat height 780mm with 750mm optional.

SV650 seat height 800mm

Just an Idea. Maybe worth a try. Take one for a demo and enter the kiwi rider promotion and you might just win one.

crashe

4th February 2005, 20:55

stevedee

4th February 2005, 21:06

Um for what its worth you can handle a 650 no worries so why not have a look at a Kawasaki Z 750? sure its more capacity but it is real nice to ride, brakes are controllable, suspension is fine, and the power can be used to ride sedately or abused to be a an urban cowgirl. It is heavier than an SV but when you ride it, it is like a smaller bike, you can leave it in 6th and ride at 55Km/h and it will still pull away cleanly and smoothly. I am 165lbs and 5'4" it is rarely a problem size wise, and after riding it for a bit you may well find it fits perfect? Just a thought. Hey and you would look so cool on a streetfighter!

Midnight 82

4th February 2005, 21:08

Rub it? Hell no, by that stage my butt is so numb that it needs to be spanked severly to get the blood circulating again!! :devil2:

:shit: :shit: :shit: Shit you have that problem 2 :first:

XTC

4th February 2005, 21:12

MadDuck, all the best in finding the RIGHT bike for you...
That bike is out there just waiting for you to come along and sit on it.... and go "YAY this is it".

Off Topic: Yamaha Virago 750.... would be interested in just sitting on one for height size for me.. sat on Briano's 1100 but its miles to heavy for me...
So if anyone knows where there is one in a shop etc... can ya let me know. Yep I still love my baby, but curious to size etc....
Thanks in advance..

Bike point show that red baron have one and also henderson motorcycles.
What about the VN800?? Gets my vote for the best looking cruiser.

Waylander

4th February 2005, 21:14

MadDuck, all the best in finding the RIGHT bike for you...
That bike is out there just waiting for you to come along and sit on it.... and go "YAY this is it".

Off Topic: Yamaha Virago 750.... would be interested in just sitting on one for height size for me.. sat on Briano's 1100 but its miles to heavy for me...
So if anyone knows where there is one in a shop etc... can ya let me know. Yep I still love my baby, but curious to size etc....
Thanks in advance..
Just did a google on them and there seem to be a few in ausie on sale dont remember the site cause my net crashed and i couldnt get the info so just give that a shot. and the 750 looks like the 1100 but smaller and lighter with a lower seat hieght.

crashe

4th February 2005, 21:17

Bike point show that red baron have one and also henderson motorcycles.
What about the VN800?? Gets my vote for the best looking cruiser.

Cheers for that... will go check out Henderson Bikes on Monday as they are closer then Red Baron... its just to get an idea as I'm 4ft 12inches tall.. and dam it there aint many bikes that I can get both feet to touch the ground, when just sitting on them.

XTC

4th February 2005, 21:37

Glad I could help... Hope it's still there for you to try. Some times Bikepoint is sooo out of date. 4' 12" you say..... Damn! ;)

moko

8th February 2005, 08:27

First off have you considered the obvious solution,getting the seat chopped? the previous owner of my Fazer had a good 2 inches taken out,whoever did it knew their stuff and unless you see mine next to a standard machine I doubt anyone would notice.........I didnt when I bought it.Pro job here would cost you £100 or so,about $260 I think,a lot less than you`ll get stuffed on a trade-in from a dealer.
Failing that if you`re that small I think you`d find the Hornet still overly tall,though as any Fazer rider will tell you they`re definately a girl`s bike.I`d suggest the Honda CBF500 as an ideal bike for you but I dont think you get those in N.Z.,very versatile bike with superb handling and an un-4 stroke like power-band that you only find if you wring it`s neck.
http://www.hoc.org.uk/2004/MCBF520043BA.jpg

Failing that the 400 Honda someone posted a pic of here looks about right but we dont get those in the U.K. so I cant comment on it.
Cagiva? Dont,spares are a nightmare to source even in Europe as the factory lurches from disaster to disaster,shame as the 650 Raptor would otherwise probably sell very well.
ER5`s o.k. but build quality is a bit shoddy,CBF500 is much better,which isn`t a pile of good to you.GS500 has bugger-all bottom end and twitchy steering,no more than an o.k. bike these days.