Bike suggestions for a really short rider?

[jaffaonajappa]

For ease of handling, she will basically be limited to the cruisers.

While you're not keen on a 250, I personally think she would be better on a 250. She'd be fine on something like a Yamaha Virago 250 - at 5 foot she should be almost flat-footed when sitting on it.

Perhaps a Suzuki Boulevard 650 - but they are a cheaply built commuter bike, single cylinder, with crap suspension.

If she's determined to get on something bigger, get her to sit on a Honda Shadow 750 - it's got the lowest seat in the mid-sized class. But it's pretty heavy - without height she needs her own weight to balance the weight of the bike. If she's lightly built herself, she's going to drop a big bike quite regularly, and not be able to pick it up.

Yeah, some good points.
Im not ruling out 250's, just mean the CC rating is not a constraint - am happy going bigger.

The Virago 250 - I was looking at one on the showroom floor recently, very nice. But assumes they would be a bit gutless on the open roads? And to be honest - the 250's dont seem to be as good value for money as the bigger bikes.

The Boulevard - Suzuki 650 single. It has a poor reputation? I havent seen any....may have to visit Colemans to have a look. Commuters are fine - kind of like the older jappa bikes - most of them would be classed as a commuter these days. Im thinking a 650 single would be fine at the open road speeds, 90 to 110. (I did say shes not into going fast!) Seems like pretty good value actually....looking at this one. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-319827773.htm

and yes, ease of handling, carparks - driveways - stopping - im guessing these would all be primary areas of concern for a really short rider. Especially one thats used to a 100 kg scooter, not a 200-250 kg bike. So being able to easily reach the ground outweighs any other consideration.

[MadDuck]

How tall are you madduck? If ya dont mind my asking....too much?

I am taller than your girlfriend but not by very much

She really needs to go out and try some for size. It should be her call what she feels comfy with. Dont let weight be an issue, mine is 253kg dry and I can pick it up....I know this through experience.

[Virago]

...The Virago 250 - I was looking at one on the showroom floor recently, very nice. But assumes they would be a bit gutless on the open roads? And to be honest - the 250's dont seem to be as good value for money as the bigger bikes...

You'd be suprised. My beloved is of fairly solid build, and tends to load her 250 up when we're touring (women never travel light...). She can sit comfortably at 100-110, and can wind it up to 130ish (with a bit of a run-up). She gets a bit frustrated on hills, but she's happy on her 250.

The Boulevard - Suzuki 650 single. It has a poor reputation? I havent seen any....may have to visit Colemans to have a look...

A friend had one - it would "bound" around corners - the rear suspension was useless. The belt-drive was always playing up too. She traded it on a Kawasaki VN900, and never looked back.

...and yes, ease of handling, carparks - driveways - stopping - im guessing these would all be primary areas of concern for a really short rider. Especially one thats used to a 100 kg scooter, not a 200-250 kg bike. So being able to easily reach the ground outweighs any other consideration.

Seat height can be misleading - most mid-sized or large cruisers are quite wide - meaning it's hard for short-arses to get solid footing. Balancing 250kg on tip-toes can be a problem, and if you can't push the bike backwards using your feet, you're in trouble.

Footpeg position is also an issue - feet on ground is one issue - if she can't comfortably reach the controls it's rather pointless. She needs to sit on as many bikes as possible.

Also with cruisers, look for something with "buckhorn" bars, they'll suit her shorter arms. The stubby "drag bars" can be a bit of a stretch.

[jaffaonajappa]

Thank you - yeah, guess she needs to try some out. Was thinking of a surprise buy, but hmmm.

Any thoughts on them low seat height 883's?
Im thinking a HD would hold its value better? - last longer? - definitely would provide her with some serious ownership 'pride', - easy to handle for a learner?

[Edbear]

Thank you - yeah, guess she needs to try some out. Was thinking of a surprise buy, but hmmm.

Any thoughts on them low seat height 883's?
Im thinking a HD would hold its value better? - last longer? - definitely would provide her with some serious ownership 'pride', - easy to handle for a learner?

Can I modestly suggest you take a look at mine..?

[jaffaonajappa]

Can I modestly suggest you take a look at mine..?

C50T?
Ok, im really Not a huge cruiser fan. And I dont know the bikes....but the C50T looks like a large and heavy cruiser? Vs an 883 or S40 looking small and ummmm petite.
Or, do the pics not do the bike justice. Scuse my ignorance here....

[Virago]

Thank you - yeah, guess she needs to try some out. Was thinking of a surprise buy, but hmmm...

A lovely thought, but not wise. Bike fit is absolutely critical for the short-arses.

Any thoughts on them low seat height 883's?
Im thinking a HD would hold its value better? - last longer? - definitely would provide her with some serious ownership 'pride', - easy to handle for a learner?

The 883 Sporty is an awesome bike - although I've not seen one of the new Superlow bikes in the flesh. Good value for money. Mid-mounted foot-controls (not a big stretch) - same as the the buckhorn bars. A bike actually built for shorties...

[Virago]

C50T?
Ok, im really Not a huge cruiser fan. And I dont know the bikes....but the C50T looks like a large and heavy cruiser?

Seriously too big...

[jaffaonajappa]

A lovely thought, but not wise. Bike fit is absolutely critical for the short-arses.



The 883 Sporty is an awesome bike - although I've not seen one of the new Superlow bikes in the flesh. Good value for money. Mid-mounted foot-controls (not a big stretch) - same as the the buckhorn bars. A bike actually built for shorties...

Cheers Virago - Im not yet sure if I do a surprise buy, or somehow get her to try heaps of bikes and then do a surprise buy, or just be a sensible prick and let her chose one. And its still probably two months or so till I get any monies.

A 2nd hand S40 or similar may be the way to go, possibly a cruiser 250. around 5k for a good one. otherwise around 12k for whats probably her 'ultimate dream' type bike - an 883.

Could be touring this summer

[baptist]

Cheers Virago - Im not yet sure if I do a surprise buy, or somehow get her to try heaps of bikes and then do a surprise buy, or just be a sensible prick and let her chose one. And its still probably two months or so till I get any monies.

A 2nd hand S40 or similar may be the way to go, possibly a cruiser 250. around 5k for a good one. otherwise around 12k for whats probably her 'ultimate dream' type bike - an 883.

Could be touring this summer

I have an S40 OK so I like cheap singles that lack power but other than that it's OK. Open road speeds are fine (I have a givi screen) as long as she is not into going to much over the legal limit. I read good and bad reports about them, so figured I would give one a go, so far so good. Everyone likes different things, get her to try one. I know on longer rides they are not the most comfortable bikes (mine is a 2004 though, oh and I am fat!!!!!).

[scumdog]

The 883 Sporty is an awesome bike - although I've not seen one of the new Superlow bikes in the flesh. Good value for money. Mid-mounted foot-controls (not a big stretch) - same as the the buckhorn bars. A bike actually built for shorties...

Yep, I'd recommend trying a Superlow - remembering the ground clearance is not as good as say a 1200Sportser 'S'.

Or swap yer doris for a big leggy mare that can ride anything...

[Gone Burger]

I am 5 foot 4 and had a Boulevard M50z. Great height for me, and would still be pretty darn good for someone shorter. Only downside was it weighed about 275kg and was a super heavy bike to park etc. I did get used to it, but it took me a little while as I'm only 48kg (45 now after this bloody accident! - Not on the bully).

It wasn't a harley but it had a great almost agressive muscle look to it and often got mistaken for a harley. Beautiful ride too. Served me very well.

[jaffaonajappa]

Or swap yer doris for a big leggy mare that can ride anything...

Heh. But. I like the fact Doris is unlucky with her choice in Rides. Whereas a leggy mare might jump a fence.....?

[jaffaonajappa]

I am 5 foot 4 and had a Boulevard M50z. Great height for me, and would still be pretty darn good for someone shorter. Only downside was it weighed about 275kg and was a super heavy bike to park etc. I did get used to it, but it took me a little while as I'm only 48kg (45 now after this bloody accident! - Not on the bully).

It wasn't a harley but it had a great almost agressive muscle look to it and often got mistaken for a harley. Beautiful ride too. Served me very well.

Whoa, kudos. Thats a big bike.....and yeah, my ga;l is 5 foot flat (no, not flat headed)....and well....i guess i can ask her.... But im sure shed freak out at trying to manouver a bike that big (M50).

[Virago]

I am 5 foot 4 and had a Boulevard M50z. Great height for me, and would still be pretty darn good for someone shorter. Only downside was it weighed about 275kg and was a super heavy bike to park etc. I did get used to it, but it took me a little while as I'm only 48kg (45 now after this bloody accident! - Not on the bully).

It wasn't a harley but it had a great almost agressive muscle look to it and often got mistaken for a harley. Beautiful ride too. Served me very well.

Yeah, I'm impressed that you could handle it - well done. Body weight makes a huge difference when handling a big cruiser - just lifting it off the side stand can be a challenge for the light-framed shorter riders.