Suggest a bike for Mrs Oakie

[magicfairy]

Hate to say it, again, but get her to perch on the Savage, she will be surprised just how right it feels - narrow and low.

[yungatart]

At the risk of repeating myself,... the Eliminator....it is just such a cool bike....low seat height, comfortable riding position, economical, very learner friendly, stylish... I could go on..but, what more could Mrs Oakie want?

[Oakie]

Hate to say it, again, but get her to perch on the Savage, she will be surprised just how right it feels - narrow and low.

She did perch on one with no prompting from me and reckoned it was really good. Got off pretty fast when I told her it was a 650 though. Still, it could be a starter for a future bike once she's got her confidence and skills at the right level

[Oakie]

...low seat height, comfortable riding position, economical, very learner friendly, stylish... I could go on..but, what more could Mrs Oakie want?

So that's why she likes the Eliminator. Except for the 'low seat height', it's just like me.....

[yungatart]

So that's why she likes the Eliminator. Except for the 'low seat height', it's just like me.....

We haven't met, so I will just have to reserve judgement on that

[magicfairy]

She did perch on one with no prompting from me and reckoned it was really good. Got off pretty fast when I told her it was a 650 though. Still, it could be a starter for a future bike once she's got her confidence and skills at the right level

It is a decidely gutless 650 - she has her full license I thought?
Believe me she will NOT come to grief on it, very kind bike for newbies. I went to mine only after riding scooters and never had any problems at all.

[pritch]

A while back I was searching the 'Net for options for a vertically challenged friend. I came across a website that lists bikes grouped according to the required height of the rider.
No, it did not start Honda RC212V - 5 Foot 2.

Here is another such: http://www.vtwinmama.com/motorcycles...ort_riders.htm

[Oakie]

It is a decidely gutless 650 - she has her full license I thought?

Yep, full licence. She just hasn't ridden for about 23/24 years.

[magicfairy]

Perhaps you could take one out for a test ride and see what you think. If she ends up on a bike that she has to tippy toe, even if it is a 250, sooner or later she will get caught out on high ground and go over. And confidence will go down.
I think being able to flat foot and have a very light bike to move around will more than compensate for that extra bit of power she is concerned about. I think newbies tend to drop their bikes more cos they get caught out doing low speed stuff, than crash due to high speeds. (unless of course they are young and over confident which I am sure Mrs Oakie is not)
I am only 5ft 1, but have short "ample" legs and a lot of the bikes like the GN even, were tippy toe for me. Not the Savage which I why I loved it from day 1.

[granma2]

He he. Mrs Oakie is only 5 foot tall and is also a Granma (x1) but has frequently wished I'd lower my bike for her. (This is partly why she's getting one of her own.)

So is there any reason why you cant lower a bike like yours? Buy her one and get it lowered. Costs around $200 to $300 to have it done professionally.
The CB400/Ducati Monster 400 range is pretty good on height and can be lowered quite nicely if you wish.
Well thats what they told me at most bike shops.
I really liked the Monster but just didnt have the open road speed I needed. It would be fine for Mrs Granma x1.

[SDU]

I'm almost 5' 1 & was able to test ride the monster 900 & 400 I was tippy toes but with both feet for a change which gave the advantage of getting 1 foot more or less down.

If Mrs Oakie wanted to see how much/little power a suzuki 650 has she is welcome to try my DR650SE it will be tippy toe for her but it is light. Better be quick as I'm selling it.

[Oakie]

She was supposed to be taking the Eliminator out last Saturday but they'd been busy and had only just started preparing it Hopefully this Friday / Saturday. She sat on the Rebel and she actually looked to big for it! Said it didn't feel right either so the Eliminator is looking pretty good at the moment ... especially at $4200 with 8000k on the clock. There are a couple of Viragos in other shops but nothing under $4999.

[yungatart]

Good Luck with the EL, I'm sure she will love it, they are an awesome wee beastie!

[R1madness]

How about a XV400 Virago? Can do you a tidy one with 5000km in Red/silver for $5000 including 6months rego/wof and freight.

[Oakie]

How about a XV400 Virago? Can do you a tidy one with 5000km in Red/silver for $5000 including 6months rego/wof and freight.

Hey Ian...It's the Eliminator at YOUR shop she's coming to ride. LOL!
If you've got the Virago in shop she'll have a look at it too I guess.
Cheers
Richard