I'm starting to lose hope...

[Pixie]

Likewise I can't reach the ground on a GN250. (they were made for a hobbit I think.)(dwarfs are shorter) I feel I need to have both feet on the ground as a more safer position for me. I think it's a confidence thing. Also I don't have very good balance as I am missing my big toe on my right foot - long story, lost it as a 3 year old on a push bike.

I was going to say that I'm on tippy toes on the bandit,and you get used to it.
But the missing toe would be a real problem

[Pixie]

You need a Gurney Alligator


http://www.allamericanracers.com/all...ator_home.html

[Wolf]

You need a Gurney Alligator

http://www.allamericanracers.com/all...ator_home.html

So who mated a sprots bike with a cruiser?

[Pixie]

So who mated a sprots bike with a cruiser?

Totally different beast
When Bike magazine tested one,they found it was 1sec faster in the quarter mile and had a higher top speed than any of the 600 sportbikes.
All from a 700cc single

[strayjuliet]

That Gator looks kinda cool. I think I've found the perfect bike for me. Kinda sad that I won't be able to start learning to ride on my dream bike, (an Indian Scout or Spirit.)

[WINJA]

DROP THE FORKS AND MAKE LONGER DOG BONES FOR THE REAR SHOCK LINKAGE OR GET A TR110 STREET MAGIC OR TR50 STREET MAGIC , YOU CAN TRY MINE ROUND THESE COUNTRY ROADS IF YOU WANT , BEWARE THE MAGIC IN NOT JUST A TOY

[Ixion]

A scooter would be alright, but Wolf doesn't like them very much and I'm not too keen on them myself, most cars around here (Hamilton) don't even bother to allow room for the poor person stuck in the cycle lane on a scooter. I would also like to have a bike that I can keep up with wolf on, once he gets himself another bike. I am not sure but I think on a scooter I would be limited as to what speed I can get up to.

Woz wrong with 160kph. They have big scooters y'know Burgman 650cc , Piaggio 500cc, kymco 500cc, bunch of 400s.

[WINJA]

Woz wrong with 160kph. They have big scooters y'know Burgman 650cc , Piaggio 500cc, kymco 500cc, bunch of 400s.

AND WHO MAKES THE DRAGSTAR THATS A FABULOUS BIKE WITH A GHEY NAME , SOUNDS LIKE A TRANSVESTITE KINDA NAME

[Waylander]

Got that Rebel down here if ya want to come have a sit on it. No handlebars at the moment though, havn't put them back on yet. It's about the same size as the Virago, roughly. Also, Waikato Yamaha has a 250 Virago at thier shop. Bit expensive but atleast you can sit on it to check size.

[Virago]

At a height of 4' 11 & 1/4", Mrs V is flat-footed sitting on a Virago 250. We pick hers up in under 3 hours

[Beemer]

I'm 5'1" and have had three bikes I can handle in my lifetime - the mighty Suzuku RG150 (had the forks adjusted and the seat scooped out and then it was perfect!), the BMW F650CS - on tip toes but I can ride it, and now the Suzuki SG350 (Goose), which apart from the hard seat, is perfect for a shortie like me! I not only am short, I have short legs too, so I need a bike that is pretty narrow.

That's where the BMW falls down - it's quite wide and I don't feel as confident on tip toes. With the other two, I can get either my feet flat on the floor or at least the balls of my feet down on both sides - which I personally feel happier with.

Keep looking, there is a bike for you out there!

[magicfairy]

My 2cents. I am only 5ft 1. Female Got a V-Twin that I had to tippy toe (I have full license, but gained it on a scooter 20 years ago so am really just learning on "proper bikes")
I ended up dropping it a few times , getting caught out garages, dips in road. Confidence severly dented, felt nervous all the time riding and was seriously considering going back to a scooter. Bought a cruiser, Suzuki Savage (called s-40) and the difference was amazing. Which is very low and I can flat foot it.
Love riding now, not scared.
I know some people can tippy toe - but wasn't working for me at all. The right bike made a huge difference.

[Hitcher]

Mrs H (who is 5'2") got the soles of her biker boots built up by about an inch, in the old money. While she still fails to stand like a Colossus astride bikes, she now realises that a range of bikes, other than crusiers(TM), is now tantalisingly within reach (e.g. the SV650, Z750 and CB900), but for the fact that no dealer will make any effort to lower a bike for her to test ride. I often ponder how many motorcycles could be sold in New Zealand if dealers actually showed some enthusiasm, got off their arses, and made an effort...

[Keystone19]

Mrs H (who is 5'2") got the soles of her biker boots built up by about an inch, in the old money. While she still fails to stand like a Colossus astride bikes, she now realises that a range of bikes, other than crusiers(TM), is now tantalisingly within reach (e.g. the SV650, Z750 and CB900), but for the fact that no dealer will make any effort to lower a bike for her to test ride. I often ponder how many motorcycles could be sold in New Zealand if dealers actually showed some enthusiasm, got off their arses, and made an effort...

Yep, if motorcycle dealers got off their arses and had a look at catering more effectively to the lucrative female market, everybody would win. As it is, many motorcycle shops are dominated by those who consider motorcycling the last male bastion. If they know you personally then it's all good. If you walk in off the street and they don't know you, generally I find that although polite, I am rarely taken seriously.

Sorry, it's just that I've had some frustrating experiences. For example:

Me: 'my bike is leaking coolant'
Shop: 'oh, what colour is it?'
Me: 'duh, green, of course'
Shop: 'Are you sure it was green?'
Me: 'No, it might have been pink...'

So, I do find that I tend to shop at particular shops who are willing to go out of their way to cater to the female market. Good luck in your search for a shop that will help you find a suitable bike. I know quite a few SVs have been lowered - mine hasn't - but when I was looking at the second hand market there were a few.

[magicfairy]

Totally agree. That was my experience. Dealers weren't interested in helping before the purchase. I had a few that said "if you buy the bike, then I am sure we can try lower it, get some of the seat cut out..." but they expected me to buy first and then try and get it to fit later.
Although I am 5Ft 1" I have short legs, so it was like trying to find a bike for a dwarf. Even current scooters over 50cc, and 50cc vespas are too high for me.