Suggest a bike for Mrs Oakie

**Oakie** · 8th March 2007, 20:26

Hi ladies
Mrs Oakie is seriously considering swapping the pillion seat on my bike for a bike of her own. I've taken her down to a local shop but she didn't really find anything suitable there so I thought I'd ask for some bike suggestions here. The relevant data:

>She has her full licence but hasn't ridden for about 25 years so her first bike back needs to be an easy one to ride and one that will build her confidence. Doesn't have to be under 250cc though.

>Vertically challenged at 5 foot nothing (152cm) so a fairly low seat height would be good.

>Bike needs to be up to open road riding but doesn't have to be a rocket ship. If it'll cruise at 100km to 110Km comfortably and has enough guts to pass the occasional slow vehicle that'll do the trick. (She won't have to keep up with me ... I'll follow her at whatever speed she's comfortable at)

>Bike won't need to carry luggage as when we go touring that'll just go on my bike. For this reason a decent 250 would probably be OK.

>Probably an upright 'tourer' riding style would be prefered to a leant forward 'sports' style.

>Budget is probably up to $5k

There it is ladies. Any suggestions you can make be appreciated. (Oh yeah, it's not important but she used to ride a CG125 and from time to time, my Z400)

**Motu** · 8th March 2007, 20:38

My wife wants and Enfield....meets all of your requirements.Dunno if your wife could handle one of those,but mine can.

**James Deuce** · 8th March 2007, 20:39

Kawasaki ER5 or Suzuki GS500E.

**Trudes** · 8th March 2007, 20:43

Has she had a look at a Bandit? They're quite low to ground for us shortys and is an easy riding position.

**KLOWN** · 8th March 2007, 20:54

I saw a sv650 today parked next to my bike. Looked the biz and it was lower and smaller then mine.

**SpinFx** · 8th March 2007, 21:01

My partner just got a Yamaha xv250T Virago as her first bike, she's short too so no worries there, they are around the 5k mark and hold there value well, A nice cruiser bike ( even has forward controls ). Heaps of members on here with them too, I do the same, follow her around at her speed........... it beats looking behind you all the time to see if shes ok.

**crashe** · 8th March 2007, 23:14

VIRAGO

Second hand 250 Virago you can buy for around $4000
You can still buy the 750 Virago.......
and also the 1100 Virago.

All ideal for the shorter person.........
The 1100 Virago is a lot heavier to shift thou....

**scumdog** · 8th March 2007, 23:17

My 1200 Harley, twice the price, half the grunt and four times the reliability.

**magicfairy** · 9th March 2007, 07:28

Originally Posted by Oakie

Hi ladies

>She has her full licence but hasn't ridden for about 25 years so her first bike back needs to be an easy one to ride and one that will build her confidence. Doesn't have to be under 250cc though.

>Vertically challenged at 5 foot nothing (152cm) so a fairly low seat height would be good.

>Bike needs to be up to open road riding but doesn't have to be a rocket ship. If it'll cruise at 100km to 110Km comfortably and has enough guts to pass the occasional slow vehicle that'll do the trick. (She won't have to keep up with me ... I'll follow her at whatever speed she's comfortable at)

>Bike won't need to carry luggage as when we go touring that'll just go on my bike. For this reason a decent 250 would probably be OK.

>Probably an upright 'tourer' riding style would be prefered to a leant forward 'sports' style.

>Budget is probably up to $5k

That was me 18 months ago, full license, hadn't ridden anything but scooters for 20 years. 5ft nothing, wanting a real bike.
Got a Suzuki Savage, now called S40. 650cc single, cruiser. Very light and nimble for a cruiser, great fuel miser and probably one of the lowest and narrowist bikes around. One of the very few I could flat foot. Around $7500 brand new, I did around 14000k on mine till I upgraded to the 800cc S50.
Really reliable, never missed a beat. Belt drive so pretty good clearance.
No trip meter, and backfired a bit as it is tuned lean. But I reckon you should look at one, it really helped me with my confidence, being so easy to manage and ride.

Great web site http://www.suzukisavage.com

**Jimmy B** · 9th March 2007, 07:36

Originally Posted by Jim2

Kawasaki ER5 or Suzuki GS500E.

I like Jim2's suggestion, check this out:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...9957&key=35968

**Oakie** · 9th March 2007, 07:58

I quite like both those bikes myself. In fact if I was in the market for a replacement for mine I would be looking at those 2 models. Perhaps we could by one and share? Oh no, hang on. Bad idea.

**Jimmy B** · 9th March 2007, 08:04

Originally Posted by Oakie

I quite like both those bikes myself. In fact if I was in the market for a replacement for mine I would be looking at those 2 models. Perhaps we could by one and share? Oh no, hang on. Bad idea.

Tis easy Oakie, get the ER5 and decide who gets to ride what by way of simple competition, I suggest the person that can stuff the most marshmellows into their mouth in 1 minute gets their choice

**MSTRS:Me** · 9th March 2007, 08:13

Kawasaki Eliminator is very low too.
Or BMW F650GS
Remember, there are a lot of 'marginal' bikes which are capable of being lowered in the suspension or the seat (or both) - that ability widens the range of possibles