Help for yet another Noob?

[Kiwi.in.transit]

Hi everyone,
I'm completely new to everything about motorbikes including this forum and was hoping you guys could help me out with a few things as I start looking around.

I've looked at a few bikes, but discovered the other day that (being on the short side... just under 5' 3"...) I have difficulty getting my feet on the ground! How important is this? And what's a good bike to learn on with a short seat?!

The other thing I have a small problem with is reaching the clutch... small hands too, y'see.

[Mom]

What bikes have you been looking at? I am not a "big" person and have never had a problem reaching the hand controls of a bike.....hmmmmm interesting problem.

[janno]

Have a gander at this site, lots of helpful information.

http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.faq.html#who

IMO, you need a really low bike to start with, a cruiser if necessary even if they don't do it for you, so that you can quickly gain confidence and learn how to operate your motorcycle.

A mighty Virago 250 or similar is a popular choice and they hold their value well. I'm not sure of the low seat sportsbike style 250ccs. There must be some out there.

Once you've got your skills up, the seat height of the bike becomes much less important. You see some real shorties out there on 1000cc sportsbikes. But they have learnt a great deal of skill in handling their chosen steed.

Hands and clutch issue - when you get your first bike, you'll need someone experienced to go over brake and clutch levers, and foot brake and clutch shifter to get them right for you. They are all designed to be adjusted to fit the rider.

Have fun!

Jan.

[Kiwi.in.transit]

I was hoping to find a low sports bike to do the trick, but if I really can't find anything then I guess I'll start looking at cruisers. A friend said that Kawasaki tend to put out low-ish bikes? I'm not sure whether that was a guess or he knew what he was talking about, hehe.

And I can't remember the which bike I couldn't reach the clutch on

[Jinx3d]

Lots of bikes have adjustable ride height, if you only need 20mm or so you might be able to get it by winding out the spring and dropping the triple clamps on the forks.

If you got really desperate, you could get half the padding removed from the seat!!

I think there are low sporty bikes out there, just need to keep looking...

[Her_C4]

.... or even build up your bike boots!!!!

[Drum]

Welcome to the site K.I.T.

I'm not sure about the low sprotbikes, but the Virago and Kawasaki Eliminator are both pretty low cruisiers.

Have you tried sitting on a GN250? Was that too high for you? There's also the Yamaha Scorpio which seems to get good reviews.

[Biff]

I'll vote with Drum. Try a GN250 for size.

Or if you prefer a more of a traditional style bike try a Honda 250 Hornet.

[BigRed2007]

Man seriously cruisers are awesome. Its not only great to learn on, but you dont have to be nervous about taking corners, tired wrists etc:P. Then again it depends on your preference.

I am learning on a GZ250 , and she is a beauty

Good luck mate, give me a pm or add me on msn if you never need to talk about a bike.

Big Red

[Kiwi.in.transit]

Thanks for the advice guys. Nah, haven't tried a GN yet as I was looking mainly at sports bikes, but from what people have been saying I might have to change my mind! I'm going to look for hornet to try though, and also a friend suggested a zeal? So might keep an eye out for one of those too. Looks like it might take me a bit longer to get a bike that I'd hoped!

Also, if some random adds you on msn, Big Red, it's probably me!

Cheers

[tri boy]

Welcome K.I.T,
Have a sit on a Suzi Volty. Not very fast,(like the GN), but better styl'n IMHO.
Check out Kannys new baby in Biker Angels.

[LardEmbargo]

I've looked at a few bikes, but discovered the other day that (being on the short side... just under 5' 3"...:o) I have difficulty getting my feet on the ground! How important is this? And what's a good bike to learn on with a short seat?!

I've heard 2 lots of wisdom about being able to get both your feet on the ground - one was that once you've already got some practice and confidence riding it doesn't make much difference. But the other was that if you're just starting out learning, being able to touch the ground fairly easily is really helpful in the building confidence thing. I started out learning feeling really wobbly, hugely uncoordinated and generally crap (and probably haven't progressed all that much further since then either) so there was no way I wanted a bike I felt I couldn't touch down comfortably on whenever I needed. I'm not that tall either so some bikes just weren't going to suit. What you want to do is go and sit on some and see how they feel - even if you just try them for size in the shop. You may find that the style of bike you kind of saw yourself on just doesn't come low enough and have to re-think, but you wanna be guided by how you feel about them when you try them on.

I ended up with VTR250 - fairly low seat and quite upright. My girlfriend got a GPX250 which is also small (and possibly lower than mine) - styled a bit more like a sports bike but actually quite upright too. Cruisers are often lower again, but you have to get your head around the whole feet first thing :)

The other thing I have a small problem with is reaching the clutch... small hands too, y'see.

Well, depending on the bike you settle on and how much you feel like modifying it - you might be able to adjust the levers so they're closer, or (possibly) fit different ones that don't arc so far away from the grip. People sometimes bend them closer too but I guess you'd want to be careful with that, mine are only alloy so there's always that vague concern it's one pull away from snapping off :o

[riffer]

Zeal or VTR250 may be the go. Check out TSS in Alicetown. They have both bikes there too.

Something that may be possible too is to get a shoe repairer to put some bigger soles on some bike boots too. Don't laugh - it may make all the difference.

There's plenty of women riders around 5 foot 3 on this site.

[_Shrek_]

Thanks for the advice guys. Nah, haven't tried a GN yet as I was looking mainly at sports bikes, but from what people have been saying I might have to change my mind! I'm going to look for hornet to try though, and also a friend suggested a zeal? So might keep an eye out for one of those too. Looks like it might take me a bit longer to get a bike that I'd hoped!

Also, if some random adds you on msn, Big Red, it's probably me!

Cheers

hiya K.I.T i started 2 of my kids on Gn250's they are low and reliable easy to ride have fun

[Wannabiker]

My partner is in the same boat as you as she had same problem with seat height and clutch/ brake levers too
She wanted faired sports bike to learn on, so she didn't look too outa place following the duczilla. Settled on a Suzuki FXR 150. It has it all. Fairing, yes. Low seat height, yes, and best of all, it is nice and light for her to move around to park and manouvre at low speed.and she can put 2 feet down. Still has plenty of get-up-and-go for a beginner and is great in traffic as a commuter. I have had plenty of fun on it too (but I am 6'tall so feels a little small for me) does 140kmh with me on it, so not all bad.The FXR150 is quite capable of a long trip too. Its a four stroke, so it doesnt rev like a demented chainsaw as you are riding, and has a smooth power delivery, unlike some two stokes.

PM me if you want to come over and meet another beginner chick in the welly area and have a sit on the bike for size and chat. I was originally trying to get her on a 250 but too big for beginner. Since she has now learned to ride she has ridden my sons Hyosung GT250r, which is about the biggsst 250 you could find....can handle it but feels like she has to stretch, and has a big gas tank for her to reach over.

Levers...Hmm well she has small hands and the bike had heated grips when we got it...she dfinitely couldnt reach the levers...Get the smallest Diameter comfortable grips you can. This will allow your hand to close around the bar properly, and will give you that little extra reach too. The levers can be adjusted in a bit too.

Ross and Juliette: