Looking for recommendations for a bike for a short lass

[Drew]

low power yep but i get a thrill outa riding bikes like that, and i dont reckon spending $6995 on an intruder
will gain you anymore street cred

I get a kick out of playing silly buggers on them, don't get me wrong.

But with the LAMs bikes available, it's possible to buy a bike you don't want to burn the second you get your full license.

[fridayflash]

you have a good point there...its a new way of thinking now
gs500e be a good low seat bike or like my lady had gb400
although theyre older bikes now
i lower my dr650 occasionally and she rides it ok..and like the lady above
is only 5'3

[Mushu]

that's the sort of advice that gets people into trouble, let her learn with a bike she's comfortable on and then she can make a desicion if she's got enough experience to cope with an extra issue like this. You've only got one life don't waste it on buying a bike you can't cope with

I'm not suggesting she go get a super high seat bike, just that there's no need to get a cruiser just because that's the only thing she can get her feet flat on. (if she's comfortable on it a CBR250 would be fine) I doubt there's any increase in the risk of her dying because she can't get her feet flat, a higher chance of dropping it, yes, but how many people die on bikes that aren't moving. She should buy something that she won't be devastated if she drops anyway since learners are likely to drop their first bike at some stage

[jellywrestler]

Low thrill, low capability, low feeling when people see your bike...

way out of touch again Drew, many a person has had a GN250 or have had a mate with one and know how damn good they do what they do. There's probably more stories about GN250's than any other bike over the last thirty years in NZ.

[Grashopper]

I really think with your weight and height a GN would be pretty ideal as a learner's bike. It has a low seat, low weight, doesn't mind if you drop it and is cheap to get even with low kms. It doesn't mean you have to keep it forever. Keep it until your restricted or until you feel confident enough. (In case you want to keep it, though, contact ducatilover about putting a 500cc engine in .... hm, maybe I should...)

What is your budget anyway?

[Mushu]

way out of touch again Drew, many a person has had a GN250 or have had a mate with one and know how damn good they do what they do. There's probably more stories about GN250's than any other bike over the last thirty years in NZ.

Depends on how you intend to ride it, they're good fun around town but I like to ride out of town and they don't really have enough power for the open road I wouldn't own one but plenty of people do, I don't think any less of them for it though.

[Drew]

way out of touch again Drew, many a person has had a GN250 or have had a mate with one and know how damn good they do what they do. There's probably more stories about GN250's than any other bike over the last thirty years in NZ.

Not at all bro. I've spent a bit of time on them. Done some cool stupid stuff on them, and managed to wheelie a 125 quite respectably to boot.

However, given the option of doubling my initial spend for a 400 savage (or whatever they're called now), or a GN, I know what path I'm taking.

Plus, those stories you are prolly correct in thinking are out there, are likely 90% the early 'original' GNs. Not the chinese ones on offer these days.

[jellywrestler]

I actually prefer the sports bike riding position

the sports bike position restricts your vision way more than a more upright bike, just another thing to throw in the mix...

[russd7]

the sports bike position restricts your vision way more than a more upright bike, just another thing to throw in the mix...

dont understand this statement, i ride both a tourer (whisperjet) and a sports tourer (zzr) and have good vision on both, only place is at intersections when i have to turn my head to look behind me

[Drew]

dont understand this statement, i ride both a tourer (whisperjet) and a sports tourer (zzr) and have good vision on both, only place is at intersections when i have to turn my head to look behind me

ZZR is not currently classed anywhere near 'sports' in seating position.

Head movement is restricted when your weight is on your arms and leaning forward. Try it on a table or summat.

[russd7]

ZZR is not currently classed anywhere near 'sports' in seating position.

Head movement is restricted when your weight is on your arms and leaning forward. Try it on a table or summat.

not a lot of difference in seating posi on zzr from a sports, have riden plenty of sports bikes as well and i understand the concept of having to hold your head back when on a sports but it still does not really affect your forward or perepheral vision and you do have mirrors to see behind you

[Drew]

not a lot of difference in seating posi on zzr from a sports, have riden plenty of sports bikes as well and i understand the concept of having to hold your head back when on a sports but it still does not really affect your forward or perepheral vision and you do have mirrors to see behind you

Lowers the ability to "head check". Kiwi drivers and riders are fucken useless at it already, making it hard for learners isn't ideal I wouldn't have thought.

[russd7]

Lowers the ability to "head check". Kiwi drivers and riders are fucken useless at it already, making it hard for learners isn't ideal I wouldn't have thought.

dont agree, i head check all the time when changing lanes or starting an overtaking maneuver when i know there are other bikes or cars around me and i dont have a problem, i think people put issues in that are not there or think that every one else suffers from their own inadequacies

[Mushu]

I have no problem performing head checks on my R6, sure you can't look directly behind you (like I can on the DR) but you can look around enough to see anything that's not in your mirrors.

[jellywrestler]

dont understand this statement, i ride both a tourer (whisperjet) and a sports tourer (zzr) and have good vision on both, only place is at intersections when i have to turn my head to look behind me

once again an experienced rider is probably unaware that this is the case fact as they compensate for it whereas a learner needs every bit of help and vision they can have in my opinion, just saying what I reckon...