The couple on the 1200GS and the VTR250, Sat. arvo!

[Edbear]

Now look what you've done! You've given me a little problem!

You see, it's like this.
A mate has just bought a '96 1200 Bandit S so he and his Missus can go riding and she immediately started nagging my wife to get some gear so she can hop on the back of mine and we can all go riding together! Now, my wife has been a bit reluctant to get back on in her old age and I haven't pushed the issue as I'm quite happy going off solo. But she decided that maybe she could join in and I suggested we check out Cycle Spot's deal on a full outfit for $599. Not bad and similar to what I got three years ago from them, so have been planning to pop in and have her try some gear on.

Now, on Sat. arvo we were on our way to a wedding and passed the above chap on his new GS following whom we assumed was his Missus on the VTR just past the Tristram St on-ramp heading South on the Northern Motorway before Takapuna. My dearly beloved suddenly piped up and said, "Now if I had my OWN bike... I'd find it MUCH more fun!" "Of course," she went on, "it would have to be able to keep up with you guys!" So, now thanks to the said couple, I've got to find a suitable 250 plus the full gear for my wife!

Seriously, I'm happy to get her back into biking and welcome suggestions as to a suitable bike for her. I lean towards a cruiser style as I think she'd find one more comfortable and controllable, something like a Virago or Suzuki. Have to be fairly cheap though. Yes, I know the venerable GN is popular, but "everyone has one" and I really would like her to feel a bit more stylish.

So if the above mentioned bikers are KB'rs, thanks! You stand to cost me a bit of money!

(But I really don't mind... )

[Jonny Rotten]

if she can hang on till january i have a nice lil VTR coming up for sale

[Edbear]

I like the little VTR's but think maybe they're a bit sporty for a novice?

[hXc]

Definately not too sporty mate. If you can, get her on a Spada. Quite rare to find in NZ, but damn good bikes.

[crashe]

Cruiser - A Virago 250cc

Now you know that I highly recommend them...
They are great to ride... and are great around town and also great out there on the country roads.....


There is a new one sitting at Henderson Motorcycles at the moment..
but you can buy a good secondhand one as well.

[limbimtimwim]

Spadas are not rare!

The VTR250 is the perfect first bike, not too sporty at all. But not cheap.

Avoid the hyosung 250..

[bell]

Blairos might be selling his VTR if he gets his Full on 5th Dec. Send him a PM?

[Edbear]

Naturally you're all giving completely neutral and unbiased advice, here....

I'll take her for a ride first and see how she likes it and see what turns up as far as a suitable bike. Still lean towards the cruiser style but as I said I do like the VTR's. Of course, like most women, her choice will be based on considered research into a particular bike's suitablility - namely colour and style...!

[fozz rock]

she immediately started nagging my wife to get some gear so she can hop on the back of mine and we can all go riding together!

his Missus on the VTR just past the Tristram St on-ramp heading South on the Northern Motorway before Takapuna. My dearly beloved suddenly piped up and said, "Now if I had my OWN bike...

can she test ride on said vtr??

[ajturbo]

Coooool... another biker chick to perv at...mmmmmm

[yungatart]

I have a Kawasaki Eliminator EL250 - criuser style, low to the ground and VERY user friendly - not too many of them around - but a very stylish bike. I've never seen another one here in the bay, but Drum had one too.
Good luck - it can be loads of fun going off for a pootle together.
Check my profile for a pic of one....

[Str8 Jacket]

My KR150 is up for sale... Its been a perfect learners bike and a great commuter!

[Keystone19]

The VTR250 is a very good first bike. Solid, reliable, easy to ride and is a nice compromise between a cruiser and a sportsbike.

Naturally it was my first ever bike so I am a little biased. Send your wife to a bike shop and get her to have a look at some styles and see what takes her fancy. Don't go with her as you will influence her. Let her have a look by herself (that way she can have the nice salespeople either completely ignore her because she is a woman or be extremely attentive because she is a woman). She will get a feel for what she likes the look of pretty quickly I would guess.

[sunhuntin]

ive just bought a virago, and love it!! i also had a gn250 which i caned all over the show. it wasnt very good at keeping up though [top speed i ever got was 120k, and that couldnt be maintained for long] im not sure what top speed ill reach on the virago as i havent fully tested her yet.

as suggested, drop her off near some bike shops, and let her look for herself.

[topher]

Does she already have a licence? You said "getting back into riding" if so, you needn't limit her to 250. My Missus has just got back into riding after (fuck, better get this right, she gets vividly pissed if I get ages, years and stuff wrong) 25 years and is happy as on a CM450 Honda cruiser thing. Her legs are barely long enough to keep her arse off the ground but she can still get both heels down on the CM. It's got "polite" power and can cruise at highway speeds without any effort on her or the bke's part.