Weight of bikes...

[Metalor]

Shiiiiit, GSXR is a pretty big leap up from gn. If you were looking at something like that I'd be more inclined to suggest a Gladius (not that i'm any sort of an expert) as they've had EXCELLENT reviews and are regarded to be a good step up from a 250.

I reckon they look damn sexy too! Dunno why some people think they look 'feminine" .

[Thani-B]

Shiiiiit, GSXR is a pretty big leap up from gn. If you were looking at something like that I'd be more inclined to suggest a Gladius (not that i'm any sort of an expert) as they've had EXCELLENT reviews and are regarded to be a good step up from a 250.

I reckon they look damn sexy too! Dunno why some people think they look 'feminine" .

Lol wasnt going to go straight to a GSXR. Prob buy a CB400 or something and get used to that first. And then move up to something bigger. I quite like the look of a Gladius, havent actually seen one in real life yet though.

[James Deuce]

The Gladius is a damn sight sexier in Real Life (tm) than photos. It's tiny, it looks really well finished, and it is covered in little details that make the sort of difference that can result in Pride Of Ownership (tm).

IMNSHO of course.

[Thani-B]

The Gladius is a damn sight sexier in Real Life (tm) than photos. It's tiny, it looks really well finished, and it is covered in little details that make the sort of difference that can result in Pride Of Ownership (tm).

IMNSHO of course.

Yea Mr Motorcycles doesnt have one and isnt planning on getting one in anytime soon and I havent had time to go into any of the bike shops in town. Will do that sometime in the near future hopefully so I can check it out.

[klyong82]

Just go and test ride as many bikes to see which is suitable for you. I'm only a little taller than you and have had no problems tip toeing on all 4 of my CBR Fireblades.

[rosie631]

Don't think it matters. My bike is a heavy old mare and I can handle her ok.

[madbikeboy]

Okay, there is a mix of advice here.

First thing - the weight isn't the issue. Planning is. When you park a bike, or move a bike, or 180 turn, it's about chosing a course that helps you.

For example, when parking a bike, you can either ride into the park, and then have the frustration of trying to push it back out, or you can let gravity help you stick in the right place in the first place. Example - my driveway is downhill towards the garage - so I use the turnaround to allow me to point the back of the bike towards the garage - then I simply let gravity roll me back into the garage.

Forward planning beats muscle any day of the week.

So long as you can touch the ground, as others have pointed out, the bike will happily stand / roll / move so long as you balance correctly.

I can lift a GSXR off the deck, one handed with the correct technique.

Okay, since you bought up GSXR's - I reckon a GSXR is actually a good next step - it's a very forgiving bike, and if you ride with care, it's an excellent learning tool for 95% of situations. I have a GSXR1000 and a GSXR600 (track bike). GSXRTrace has a lot more experience on the road (she's been riding a while), but she's fine on her K7 GSXR600, she's your height, and she uses a lowering kit.

She is a very accomplished rider, recommend that you PM her and ask her thoughts.

You're more than welcome to have a go on the GSXR600 in a carpark, 99% of your fears are unfounded.

I've seen a chick your size ride a GullWing, complete with fridge, CB, mini bar, spa pool, and trailer. It's just technique.

[Mom]

I am only a short arse and dont weigh in excess of what I should. My own bike is heavy, but it has a low centre of gravity and it makes it easy for me to manage. I think it has been said in here anyway, it is not so much the weight of the bike, it is how the weight is distributed. For me the biggest problem I have finding a bike that fits is finding one that I can rest a reasonable portion of my feet on the ground. If I can do that then I need to be able to reach the handlebars with ease, and worst of all on one notable occassion while I could happily sit astride this bike, I could not reach the pegs

As far as picking heavy bikes up off the ground it is technique not pure muscle power that is the trick.

[Mom]

Okay, there is a mix of advice here.

First thing - the weight isn't the issue. Planning is. When you park a bike, or move a bike, or 180 turn, it's about chosing a course that helps you.

You very quickly get in the habit of surveying where to stop when you are vertically challenged. I got caught at one stop on what looked like level ground as far as the sidestand went. When I went to move backwards out of the place I had stopped I could not gain any backward momentum, there was a slight upwards slope. Luckily I am a girl and am sometimes happy to ask for some big manly bloke to turn my bike around for me

[PrincessBandit]

I too am a short arse and not overly developed in the muscle dept. which makes manhandling my bike a bit of a challenge. As others have said, it's not usually the riding that's the problem - it's the low speed, awkward shifting, loose gravel shit that creates the challenge. I seriously considered whether to get a lighter bike than the bandit ( 215 kg dry) but figured that if I still couldn't pick up a lighter bike then what was the point. May as well stick with the bike I have and love!

I have seen the "how to pick your bike up on your own" vid but have not tried it yet. I've always been lucky enough to have a kind man around to help me. And I don't fancy lying my bike over just to practice - too many sticky outy things to snap off. However there may well come a day when there is no one around to help me so I keep that vid uppermost in my mind whenever I'm out riding alone.

[Katman]

And I don't fancy lying my bike over just to practice - too many sticky outy things to snap off.

I will lay your bike down one day, very gentle-like, and give you the learnson.

[Thani-B]

Went and sat on a Gladius today. I loved it. Will go back when I have my full (hopefully next month) and then take it for a test ride.

madbikeboy - thanks for the advice and the offer, I might take you up on that sometime soon in the future.

[Metalor]

Awesome! I wants one

[Motu]

I've always been lucky enough to have a kind man around to help me.

Big guys are handy like that - I've had them step in and pick my bike up for me too.The trick is to look helpless,then they fall over themselves trying to help.

[AllanB]

I too am a short arse and not overly developed in the muscle dept. which makes manhandling my bike a bit of a challenge. As others have said, it's not usually the riding that's the problem - it's the low speed, awkward shifting, loose gravel shit that creates the challenge. I seriously considered whether to get a lighter bike than the bandit ( 215 kg dry) but figured that if I still couldn't pick up a lighter bike then what was the point. May as well stick with the bike I have and love!

This is some very good advice. In reality at your size if the bike is 170 or 220 kg you probably won't pick it up. Stuff it and ignore that as a purchasing consideration and buy what you like and just enjoy it.

Treat it like a pair of womens shoes - you know those heels are a bit radical, but you just have to have them........(well that's how I buy womens shoes, bahhha haaaaaaaaaa).