Women - the ongoing saga of finding a bike to fit.

[doc]

Sorry Janno but I think this is a myth and this kind of thought process puts doubt in women's mind's
I get tired of the "ducks disease" threads and wimen complaining about seat height. Hell I'm only 5'6, weight fuk all and would ride any bike of any size and enjoy the experience! Seat height and body strength is an excuse and a cop out. It's all to do with balance and technique.

There was site I read where the tetesterone challenged demonstrated with the correct technique, they could lift a big block Harley if they dropped it. That seems to be most of the problem with shelias riding bigger bikes, cos they are scared of what if they dropped it, how do you pick it up.

[Goblin]

...they could lift a big block Harley if they dropped it.

But they dont fall over very far if you drop them.

[idleidolidyll]

we did the rounds recently looking for a nice bike for mrs idleidolidyll

best we found was the new triumph street triple 675, there's a 4" lowering link available and those forks would drop right through the yokes.

you'd have to get Mr Gisler or Taylor etc to make the suspension work right

mrs idleidolidyll is 5'1....and a half! her buell blast is the current best fit in something she wouldn't feel embarrassed riding; she's ridden bikes for 30 years now!

[idleidolidyll]

But they dont fall over very far if you drop them.

honda goldwings are cured.............they don't even fall over, they just lean on their cyliners

[Big Dave]

The girls I've introduced to the Buell City-X all want one.

[janno]

Sorry Janno but I think this is a myth and this kind of thought process puts doubt in women's mind's as to what size bike they can actually ride. Handling/riding/controlling any bike has nothing to do with upper body strength, weight etc. and everything to do with balance.

It's great that you obviously haven't had a problem, but for many women they do or have, and it's nothing to do with what others have planted in their brain. I dropped the SV multiple times because of inexperience and having a pre-existing medical condition which leaves me less strong than a healthy person. I physically would not be able to handle a bike that I could only tip toe on, and wouldn't want the hassle of always being hypervigilant about where you were about to put your foot down. Obviously I'm always aware, but it's nice not to have to be paranoid about it.

The point about my post is that when you are starting out, and when you are in that intermediate stage, many need the right bike fit to get confidence, but that can and will change exponentially when you have some skill under your belt. For some women that might be a few months, for others like me it's been longer.

Then there are other women such as yourself that have not had a problem.

I've met plenty of women who have found big bikes daunting and had to hunt around for bikes to fit, and this is their own preference, not as a reaction to what people are telling them.

[Mom]

cos they are scared of what if they dropped it, how do you pick it up.

Then they need to learn how, it is all technique not brute strength..

The girls I've introduced to the Buell City-X all want one.

I love the Buel look, would be a choice of mine if funds permit, and I feel happy that I can manage one, the Triumph 675 is a close second.

.... and everything to do with balance.
Once again seat height doesn't have to restrict you either. If you can get one foot tippy toe on the ground, it's easy to hop off and move the bike around by walking next to it. Balance! As long as you can reach the pegs there's no reason you cant ride it.

I am going to agree, and very much dissgree! Balance is everything, I agree!! Riding is all about balance, though when you are moving that is simple.

Seat height is VERY important for us smaller girls. I have done my tip toe time! Balancing on the very tip of my toe at a red light the corner of East Tamaki Rd and Te Rakau Dr, eventually running the red because I did not trigger the signal, having to have a catcher in place when I come into the pits etc.

Returning to riding after a break raising kids, being able to have at least the balls of my feet (or one at a pinch ) on the ground when I stop is a minimum.

Getting off and holding the bike up at lights is simply not an option, nor is having one foot on the ground and the leg half over the seat at lights ok for me either.

Must be getting old

[Goblin]

...I dropped the SV multiple times because of inexperience and having a pre-existing medical condition which leaves me less strong than a healthy person. I physically would not be able to handle a bike that I could only tip toe on, and wouldn't want the hassle of always being hypervigilant about where you were about to put your foot down. Obviously I'm always aware, but it's nice not to have to be paranoid about it.

I've met plenty of women who have found big bikes daunting and had to hunt around for bikes to fit, and this is their own preference, not as a reaction to what people are telling them.

There again I still reckon it's mind over matter. If you can balance a bike with one foot there's no need to drop it. If your medical condition affects your balance the maybe you shouldnt be on two wheels. Funnily enough, I was inexperienced in the beginning too. I did the occasional drop but learnt to balance the bike. Ive dropped bikes with stuffed steering head bearings cos it hit the notch in the middle. Replaced bearings/races and the bike behaves again.

Then they need to learn how, it is all technique not brute strength..

I am going to agree, and very much dissgree! Balance is everything, I agree!! Riding is all about balance, though when you are moving that is simple.

Go on Mom...you'd look cute with a cheek off the seat at the lights.

[Pussy]

You looked like you enjoyed the sem fiddy the other day, Janno. Bloody hoon!

[janno]

You looked like you enjoyed the sem fiddy the other day, Janno. Bloody hoon!

Well, truth be told I wouldn't have ridden the beemer if I hadn't ridden your gixxer. I was thinking of your words of wisdom - it's just another bike . . .

[nadroj]

The girls I've introduced to the Buell City-X all want one.

.....and what do they think of the bike?

[Goblin]

Well, truth be told I wouldn't have ridden the beemer if I hadn't ridden your gixxer. I was thinking of your words of wisdom - it's just another bike . . .

Bingo! Its just another bike! No matter how big it is you will still be able to ride it. If a bike looks big and daunting, embrace the fear and tell yourself you can do it. When you've done it you feel great.

[ynot slow]

Well, truth be told I wouldn't have ridden the beemer if I hadn't ridden your gixxer. I was thinking of your words of wisdom - it's just another bike . . .

Good quote just another bike,wise words.Exactly that,mind you riding say a Britten could be a wee bit daunting,fun yep.

[Big Dave]

.....and what do they think of the bike?

It's a cross I bear.

[FROSTY:Me]

Janno What happened to you is exactly why I'm moving Jorja up in bike size/capacity in easy steps.
(Im very lucky in that she trusts me completely)
She's now sitting on my latest commuter --a GS500 and thinking -hey this is stuff all heavier than my bike.
I agree its in the mind -confidence inspired by uncreasing competence