Suggest a bike for Mrs Oakie

[FREE2B]

Don't be put off by that - it may be a 650, but it is NOT powerful. I found mine as smooth and easy to ride as the GN 250 I used on the training course. Probably cos it is a single.
Nothing like the power of a 650 twin / sports bike.
In the US where beginners can ride anything, lots of women for it cos it is so light and low powered, and often grow out of it in a few months.

That little bit of extra power over a 250 can really help when on the open road and getting out of trouble. Maybe take one for a ride yourself and you will see what I mean. But of course only if she likes it. It is really low to the ground which makes it EASY to manage.

I so agree its not scary at all and the extra power is there if your passing. I would definitely recomend she at least gives it a go.

[SDU]

I agree with Magicfairy & Free2b that the Suzuki LS650 is not going to be scary. I have ridden one & found it easy to handle straight off. It will not take long for Mrs O to gain confidence on one.
I have a DR650SE which is my first bike bigger than a 250, I found it safer & better on the open road over the 250's I'd had, the power comes on with no surprises and gained confidence with it quickly, it was never scary (just the height), the LS650 is smoother again being set up for the road only.
Some 250's are more scary the way the power comes on than the Suzuki 650 singles.
Good luck

[Oakie]

If the cc rating of the LS650 didn't put her off, the price-tag would have. It was $7495 but our budget is only $5k.

[magicfairy]

If the cc rating of the LS650 didn't put her off, the price-tag would have. It was $7495 but our budget is only $5k.

Wellington Motorcycles have 3 (including my 13 month old LS650 - $6000) for $4800 to $6000
I know they'd take less.

[Blackbird]

If the cc rating of the LS650 didn't put her off, the price-tag would have. It was $7495 but our budget is only $5k.

See my post today on: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...126#post996126. Tokoroa is probably a long way to come but the price would be well within your posted range.

[SDU]

If the cc rating of the LS650 didn't put her off, the price-tag would have. It was $7495 but our budget is only $5k.

Money the root of all evil. Know how it is. Except I always blow my budget when it comes to bikes. we have a far too understanding bank manager.
Oh well, Something will turn up in the price range that she'll like.

[yungatart]

The Eliminator is a cool bike!
Sits quite comfortably at 120 but can be pushed to 140ish - not that I've ever done that
Low seat height, very easy to ride. Extremely comfortable with a nice upright seating position. Foot pegs are not forward control.
It has Kawasaki's positive neutral finder.
Does about 200 ish k's to a tank, give or take.
It has the same engine as the GPX, GPZ and ZZR so parts are not difficult to find.
It has that "special X factor", not very many of them around - unlike the Virago......

[Oakie]

Thanks for that Yungatart. Helpful info. The upright seating is probably important for Mrs Oakie as she has had a dodgy back until recently and would like to keep it that way (un-dodgy). That forward control thing seems inclined to put a lot of pressure on the lower back as it won't be supported by the legs straight underneath.
Apart from that ... the Eliminator is black like my bike so it must be a good choice!

[Idol Rider]

What about a honda VTR 250. Fairly low seat. Very light, not a rocket ship but can easily get along at a fair clip. Good looking. Get a great 2nd hander for 5k. She would love one!

[yungatart]

Thanks for that Yungatart. Helpful info. The upright seating is probably important for Mrs Oakie as she has had a dodgy back until recently and would like to keep it that way (un-dodgy). That forward control thing seems inclined to put a lot of pressure on the lower back as it won't be supported by the legs straight underneath.
Apart from that ... the Eliminator is black like my bike so it must be a good choice!

They are quite a sexy looking beastie, I reckon! Mine is black too, although a little scuffed around the edges, bit like me really....
Mstrs always gets his nose out of joint when people admire my bike and take no notice of his Gixxer - nice to know that there are still some of us with good taste!

[Oakie]

On the other hand she could pick up a pretty new GN250 to re-learn on for a year or so then figure out what sort of bike she wants at the end of that.

$3300 for a 2006 model with minimal ks doesn't sound too stupid does it? Probably just put decent rubber on it and that would be fine.

What sort of speed will a GN do on the open road without straining it? (GN probably wouldn't be a long-term solution, just a short term intermediate step).

[MSTRS:Me]

Aren't they that brand new?? GN is usually a good choice for beginners. Will do up to 120 tapped out

[Macktheknife]

Aren't they that brand new?? GN is usually a good choice for beginners. Will do up to 120 tapped out

Downhill with a tail-wind.

[SDU]

Will do 110, 120 ok but takes awhile to wind up to it & to over take anything.

[Oakie]

OK. Spoke to a guy today who knows his stuff and the GN (at least the current 'Made in China' model is off the menu.
It's a duel between the Virago and the Eliminator (with perhaps a small look in from the Yamaha Scorpio)