Looking for recommendations for a bike for a short lass

[Mushu]

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...

There aren't any bikes to my knowledge that reduce visibility to the point of being dangerous, as long as you can see any area not covered by your mirrors, who cares if you can turn right around and see what's behind you, that's what the mirrors are for.

[Mushu]

My advice to the OP is find what you like and what feels comfortable try sit on as many bikes as you can. Don't let someone talk you into a specific bike because they perceive it to be safer, as long as your bike is mechanically ok, your attitude to riding is a far bigger factor in safety than what you ride, you're restricted in what you can ride on your 6L any way so look around and get what you like and what will fit your needs.

[swtfa]

Welcome to KB.
I'm only 3 inches taller (with short legs - well, short one end). My latest bike is a Kawasaki er-5 which I manage to get both feet flat on the ground, no tippy toes. It also LAMS approved.

[bikerannie]

I'm 5 foot 3 and my Honda Cbr 250 is perfect size for me

[sonicnz]

Hmmm plenty to think about and I definitely agree with the people that suggest I jump on as many bikes as I can and go with what is comfortable. I went into the Yamaha dealership today and jumped on an R150, it felt as tall as the XJ6N (which i think was the model of the 600cc bike i also jumped on) but significantly lighter. It was really easy to pull the bike up off its stand and although only 150cc I think may be a good starter bike. I think I would prefer one I am less likely to drop, then upgrade to something more powerful and heavier later.

That said, I still need to check out the kawasaki dealership, and sit on some of the bikes people have mentioned here. My budget is $10k for bike and gear, and I am pretty sure I will come in well under that.

Thanks for all the input

[george formby]

My advice to the OP is find what you like and what feels comfortable try sit on as many bikes as you can. Don't let someone talk you into a specific bike because they perceive it to be safer, as long as your bike is mechanically ok, your attitude to riding is a far bigger factor in safety than what you ride, you're restricted in what you can ride on your 6L any way so look around and get what you like and what will fit your needs.

I concur.

Prior to my G/F getting on the road I made a mental check list of what I felt was a suitable learner bike. Fit, weight, performance, mixed use on gravel tar & grass, crashability, comfort etc. We had many a good long chat about it & she sat on a few different styles of bike. Ended up with a trailie which is what I had in mind anyway.

The bike has been lowered but is still only a foot and a half for her which did cause doubts initially and a couple of drops. I anticipated this, I reckon all bikes are heavy once they get past the balance point. My logic was, better learning to look where you stop & how to handle your bike at a stand still from the start rather than wait until you shell out more money on a bigger, heavier bike then realise that your not as balanced or observant as you thought the first time you have to pick it up.

Another reason for the trailie is that I wanted her to learn a full palate of skills, off road techniques, too, not just tar seal. Be a bugger hitting a bit of gravel on the road on your first "big" bike & not having the reactions to handle it.

I have a couple of caveats with what I have written, not a recommendation to the OP, just sharing our own experience.
I knew that she would not be riding alone for quite a long time, until she was in my mind fully competent & safe.
I set my own bar as to what I thought was "safe". For my own peace of mind when she is riding.

Be well over a year that she has been on the road & she could ride just about anything now, stopping the bike on cambers or slick surfaces happens without thinking about it, stopping the bike in a position where she can ride away from the same, no footing about trying to get out of a park.

She is competent & happy riding on any surface in any weather. The weight & height of the bike are distant memories.

[SMOKEU]

I find it's easier to turn my head around to look behind on the upright push bike compared to my sports bike. It's not really a big deal though and vision is pretty good on sports bikes.

[baffa]

Start with a brand new scorpio, once you're confident, sell it on trademe for the same price you paid new for it (yeah, people are doing this) and get a sports bike.

Easy.

[Mushu]

Start with a brand new scorpio, once you're confident, sell it on trademe for the same price you paid new for it (yeah, people are doing this) and get a sports bike.

Easy.

You can't get the same price you paid for it on TM, why would somebody pay the brand new price for a second hand bike? I payed 9k for a ninja 250 last year sold it a year later for 5k maybe could have got 6 or 7 for it if I didn't sell it to my cousin but there is no point in buying a brand new bike unless you intend to keep it forever.

[Grashopper]

My budget is $10k for bike and gear, and I am pretty sure I will come in well under that.

Just don't forget to calculate insurance and rego in, too.

You've got a really good budget for your first bike, but would still recommended a used bike. They lose so much value so quickly and you will put scratches in it. Even of you are so lucky to never drop it, you still might scratch it just by not paying attention.

It would be ideal if you could grab someone who knows a bit about bikes and then check out some private sales, too.

[Zippo]

I had the exact same issue when it came to looking for a bike. I'm 5 foot 4 and weigh 54kg but I have a really short inseam - I think it's like 29inches. In fact I couldn't even flat foot a Gn250. I admit I didn't sit on too many bikes and I was just so desperate to find one so I could start riding. My personal opinion of the bikes I've sat on:

VTR250 - was one of the shorter bikes that I sat on due to the slim seat/upright position
FZX250 Zeal -I could flat foot but it was a bit heavier/upright position
GS500f - low bike but I think this would have been to big of a bike to learn on.
ZZR250 - I found this bike to be really heavy.
GW250 Inazuma - too big for me

I ended up going with the VTR250. I could almost flat foot it which helped, but as our driveway is on a bit of a slope, i really struggled with maneuvering my bike around. I ended up getting some proper bike boots and WOW did they make a world of difference. They give me an extra inch of height and they support my ankles so when I put my feet down it keeps the bike steady. It's taken me a good 7 months to get used to the weight of a bike (I'm such a weakling). It really is all about technique. I can push my bike around on a flat easily,because when it's fully upright there isn't any weight on you, but on a slope it's a bit different. Because it's a relatively common bike I can get parts for it quite easily and lack of fairings = win.

However, when I met one of the girls from KB who owns a ZXR250 I felt slightly ripped off haha. Her bike looks great and the seat height is sooo low and her bike feels so light because it has a lower centre of gravity. She knows I'm jealous of it hahah.

Bit of a ramble, but hope it helps Definitely agree that you should sit on as many bikes as possible because despite what their specs say on paper they can have a completely different feel based on seat width, center of gravity and riding position. Also, invest in some proper bike boots!!

Just remembered I sat on a:
gsx250 (invader) - that had a super low seat as well.

[Juniper]

However, when I met one of the girls from KB who owns a ZXR250 I felt slightly ripped off haha. Her bike looks great and the seat height is sooo low and her bike feels so light because it has a lower centre of gravity. She knows I'm jealous of it hahah.
ion. Also, invest in some proper bike boots!!
.

Must admit that is the one thing I love about my bike. It is the perfect learner hight for me. If I feel unstable when I stop I can put both feet down and actually stand up.

[sonicnz]

Had some motorcycle tuition today, but I was too n00b to attempt the BHS test. Hopefully next weekend. Being able to put both feet flat is less of an issue than I thought it would be, but the lesson was on a GN250 and I could put both feet down if I wanted to. Lots of going round in circles very slowly. Quite tiring. So much fun.

I think I'm going to aim for a Ninja, not sure about 250 or 300 (I've only sat on a 300). It was by far the most comfortable bike for me, and it looks like it would last me for my learners/restricted and beyond. It seems quite hard to find decent Ninjas second hand near Hamilton though

[Zippo]

Had some motorcycle tuition today, but I was too n00b to attempt the BHS test. Hopefully next weekend. Being able to put both feet flat is less of an issue than I thought it would be, but the lesson was on a GN250 and I could put both feet down if I wanted to. Lots of going round in circles very slowly. Quite tiring. So much fun.

Haha if it makes you feel any better, it took me 3 tries to pass my BHS. First time they didn't even let me attempt the test. Half a year later I decided to give it another go and couldn't do the slalom. I went back the day after and third time = woohoo

[Mushu]

Had some motorcycle tuition today, but I was too n00b to attempt the BHS test. Hopefully next weekend. Being able to put both feet flat is less of an issue than I thought it would be, but the lesson was on a GN250 and I could put both feet down if I wanted to. Lots of going round in circles very slowly. Quite tiring. So much fun.

I think I'm going to aim for a Ninja, not sure about 250 or 300 (I've only sat on a 300). It was by far the most comfortable bike for me, and it looks like it would last me for my learners/restricted and beyond. It seems quite hard to find decent Ninjas second hand near Hamilton though

The ninja is a good choice, its what I started with, and it's still in the family (cousin bought it from me) I wouldn't bother with the 300 just yet because they are so new, you'd be able to get a 250 much cheaper and there is almost no difference between them, slightly more torque on the 300 but it really doesn't seem to make a notable difference. Plenty of nice second hand bikes in Auckland I would assume, and it's not far to go from Hamilton.