New to KB & vertically challenged (tuzaizi)

[martybabe]

Thanks for the warm welcomes, advice and suggestions. I'll definitely take 'em on. And it is awesome to see so many female bikers!

Awsome,It's spiggin scary and most of em ride better than me! No it is good to see,still a rare sight in britland.

[Fatjim]

Im a tad shorter than some of you and

I though Tad meant "slightly"?

Welcome to KB, have fun looking for a bike, just go about sitting on a bunch of different bikes until you find something that "fits".

Do couches come with 2 wheels?

[PrincessBandit]

hi tuzaizi, great to hear you're keen to get onto two wheels! I am only about 156cm and 55kg, and I started out on a GN250. I know cruisers are not everyones cup of tea but it was a fantastic bike to learn on - lightweight, easy to control, very forgiving. I was going to go for something smaller but was advised to go for the 250 as most likely I'd "outgrow" anything smaller very quickly. That advice worked brilliantly for me, but your priority is your own comfort zone. I had no previous experience on other bikes before purchasing the GN and had no difficulty whatsoever with handling it. Gave me the confidence to move to my new bike with ease. All the very best for whatever you buy - you go for it!

[sweetp]

Hi, thought I would throw in my 2 cents on the FXR150. I am 157cm tall and can handle it fine. I can get one full foot down and the toe on the other - but that is ok as I only have one foot down when I stop anyway. I apply the front break when I get on to allow me to overcome any stability issues that not having two full feet on the ground may bring.

As for going for a 250 in case you "outgrow" something less I dispute that. My little baby is fantastic. I ride 110km each day on my commute and then I chase the big boys on the weekend (partner has a ducati 900). I also did the 1000km ride in early november and wasn't the last bike home. See here for my report (look above it for Grubs as he raves about my baby a bit as well http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...36#post1280336)

The bike is as good as what you want to make them - they flick through corners well and have really good pick up. While I wouldn't recomend overtaking a bus, for a learner bike they are easy, agile, responsive and not boring.

While I am happy to rave for hours about them it does come down to personal preferance. I cant stand a crusier and love sports bikes. Once your confidence grows you will enjoy a bike a lot more and really the FXR is up to the challenge.

PS I can't tell you what speed I can get up to but lets just say it is far far more than the 70km limit.

[breakaway]

Hi everyone, I had a search for all things motorcycle and came across this site which lend me some good reading material for a while now.

I just recently did my basic handling skills test, and plan to go for my learners soon.

I'm hoping to get some suggestions for my first bike. As the thread topic states, I'm 'vertially challenged' (158cm on a good day), so I'm looking for a bike that has a low seat height, and light weight.

I think cruisers are generally lower? But not really digging those, but haven't ruled them out yet.

Cheers!

p.s. feel free to move this thread if it is in the wrong section, or to direct me to existing threads giving the same information.

158 is vertically challenged? Oh dear

[crashe]

158 is vertically challenged? Oh dear

yep that is 5 foot 2 & 1/4 inches tall
or
62 inches......

when converted over from 158 cm.





but then I am only 4 ft 12 inches tall..... and I ride a cruiser......
But I have also ridden a 1985 SRX250 and a 1981 Virago 750 bike
Both these bikes make me really stretch the leg to touch the ground.

[tri boy]

Cough, "Volty", cough, cough........scuse me, froggy in throat.
Oh yeah, welcome.

[Beemer]

158cm - luxury! I'm only 153cm and have ridden a few different bikes - RG150 (had it lowered!), XRB200 (same) and a BMW F650CS (got the lower seat option) - now I have a Suzuki Goose and didn't have to do anything to it.

The FXRs are a tad high, I found I could only just touch with tiptoes when I tried one.

As for cruisers, that will depend on whether you like that style of riding. For most of us, you like that riding position or you don't. I personally don't, and I look shocking in tassels...

[Pwalo]

Don't think I can suggest anything other than what people have already done, except perhaps an older SR or GN250 (because they're cheap, and if you're careful last pretty well).

I'm just pleased that there are so many people out there shorter than me. Bless you all.

[Blue Velvet]

158cm - luxury! I'm only 153cm and have ridden a few different bikes - RG150 (had it lowered!), XRB200 (same) and a BMW F650CS (got the lower seat option) - now I have a Suzuki Goose and didn't have to do anything to it.

The FXRs are a tad high, I found I could only just touch with tiptoes when I tried one.

As for cruisers, that will depend on whether you like that style of riding. For most of us, you like that riding position or you don't. I personally don't, and I look shocking in tassels...

Wow. I thought I had it bad at 155cm.

I had an off-road requirement when I was learning so bought a trail bike (Yamaha XG250), but finding one I could touch the ground on was a mission. Most dual purpose bikes were too high. Looked at the Kawasaki Sherpa too, which was first choice until I found the XG (790cm seat height).

Good luck, and welcome to KB Tuzaizi.

[Keystone19]

That new Honda cbr125 is a gorgeous looking bike. Don't know how tall it is but if you like the sports styling it would definitely be worth sitting on.