First bike for small female?

**ClaireEmson21** · 13th April 2015, 23:57

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** · 14th April 2015, 00:10

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** · 14th April 2015, 00:26

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/sh...ort-young-lady
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...elp-the-newbie!
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...-shorter-women

**RogIrwin** · 14th April 2015, 00:45

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 14th April 2015, 06:23

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** · 14th April 2015, 10:21

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:Me** · 14th April 2015, 12:10

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** · 14th April 2015, 12:18

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** · 14th April 2015, 13:02

Welcome to KB

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

**Pound** · 14th April 2015, 13:04

Originally Posted by 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 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** · 14th April 2015, 13:10

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.