ozzy
Needs a job
need guberment cheese
Posts: 3172
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posted March 10, 2005 05:43 AM
Entry level bikes. . . .
My wife has recently expressed interest in learning to ride. We spent last Saturday looking at new bikes that she would like. The EX250/500 were not to her liking, and even if they were are just something to grow out of in a few months. Neither is a decent distance bike, not that either cant do it. My daughter had an EX 250 and rode it all over, but when she got her FZR600 she thought she had a gold wing on long rides.
The Honda 919 and the Kawi Z1K were on the wifes like list, but both are tippy toe bikes for her.
Wife also liked the SV650, but not as well as the other 2 . It also was a tippy toe bike, but is easliy lowered, either with links and sliding the tubes, or just hacking 2" of foam out of the nearly 4" thick slab zook put in there to start with.
Is the SV a good longer ride bike?
The new Kawi Z750 is a possiblility , but we never saw one to even look at .
And yes I know that smaller is better when learning to ride. But as important I believe is being confident with the feel of the bike, the riders perception of being in control.
As for power, my Z1K has such a soft power band that it would not be a problem for a beginner, it doesnt leap when twisted, just rolls on like a big marshmellow. Above 8k it gets going, but from low speeds it is real soft. I have no idea about the 919.
32" seat height is now considered low! Only a few years ago that would have been hi, how things change.
If I remember correctly my 93 ZX11C had a seat height of 30.5".
It would be nice if the manufacturers offered a low seat version or kit for the inseam impaired people.
Take for example my Z1K, you can put some lowering links on the back and drop it a bunch, while messing up the suspension rate. But want to drop the front? The fork tubes are tapered. Slide them up in the clamps over 1/2 inch and they no longer fit in the lower clamp.
What does a person do?
Spend $300-500 on having the forks and shock reworked by Race Tech or some other suspension shop. Then have a bike that can't cheaply be returned to stock height!
  
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Just Joy
Needs a job
Posts: 3976
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posted March 10, 2005 07:10 AM
As a female rider, for me the best fit is a Honda....either the CBR600RR or the CBRF4I. The tank is lower and flatter on the top (does not get in the way of the boobs), and the seat height is currently one of the lowest at 31", so for someone like me (5.3"), I'm on the ball of both feet...... on the "F's", the reach is shorter so you sit up a little straighter, which is great for a new rider, not as an aggressive reach as say the Kawi or Suzuki, the RR is more like those two.
I have a F4 and its great for long distance travel, comfy on the back, arms, legs and butt. Put on just over 9,000km last riding season (aprox 4 months) and truly enjoyed every minute.
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Miklos
Expert Class
Posts: 246
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posted March 10, 2005 09:04 AM
When my wife first gained interest in riding, I started her out on a VTR250 that we picked up used for a very good price. I fully expected her to shortly outgrow it, but there is no more forgiving "sport" style bike to start out on that the little 250's. The lack of power made it un-intimadating for a first time rider. The first time she rode it was in a parking lot that she drove to, while I rode the bike there for here. First lesson taught was brakes. Take off in first gear and safely stop. Then turning. Then shifting. Once or twice a week for three weeks in a parking lot and a few short secondary road rides later, she was ready for the safety class. She easily passed due to month of riding she had already done. Two months later, she let me know she was ready for more power. Sold the 250 for what we paid for it and found an older CBR-600 with slightly sagging suspension that allowed her 5'4" height to touch easily. That bike was a good fit and she rode it for three years. She did drop it once on gravel in a parking lot. Then she moved to a newer ZX-6r and finally we bought her a brand spankin new yellow ZX-6r in 2002. To make it a useable height for her I shaved the underside of the seat foam, slid the forks up about 7/8" and removed the rear shock shim. Lowering links were tried, but they really ruined the cornering. Remember that bike was re-badged to be the current ZZR-600, don't rule it out of the search....
A couple of notes:
Most women will select a bike more on what looks nice to them, rather that on specs.
Keep your ego completely out of it.
Don't send her to safety class with no experience. Buy a bike first so she can learn to ride first at HER pace. Not your pace. Not an instructors pace. If she goes to the safety class and dumps a bike, chances are she will be too embarassed to continue riding.
If you can, take the safety class with her. I did even though I had been riding for ten years. It won't hurt you and you might learn something.
When you ride with her, ride at her pace. She will probably want you to ride in front, but this doesn't mean at a fast pace. Use your mirrors to keep an eye on her and to keep your pace to hers. If you want to ride balls out, ride with the boys, or by yourself.
As she gains experience and confidence, her speed will pick up. Also at that point, she will be more comfortable with you blasting a couple miles of corners and slowing up to wait for her.
Women in a way make better riders than us guys because they have a better grasp on their own mortality and lack the testostorone that makes us do really stupid shit.
My wife has been riding for almost ten years now and we have had some great times. Enjoy the fact you have a wife that is interested in your motorcycle passion.
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The problem with other countries is they are all ran by foreigners.
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted March 10, 2005 11:54 AM
If your looking for something new, get one of those ZZR600's, they are just rebadged ZX-6R's from 2002 and prior. It's a great all-around bike and is great for long term trips as well. I have riden the 919 and personally didnt prefer it. The wind deflection is very poor, and would grow tiresome after extended trips. I have heard the SV650S is better than the non-S version for long trips and comfort, but I have not riden either. One nice thing about sticking with Kawi is you may have more interchangability since your other bikes are Kawi. Just my two cents man.
On a side note, wormser77 (jason) from this board is now working at Westside Motorsports off x-276 on the interstate here in Spokane so maybe you can get a good deal through him. I'm curious if Roundy's is going to have less haggle room with their prices after they spent all that money to move into that new building up north of Spokane on the way to Newport.
Dont forget to get her gear! But I'm sure you already know this.
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foxylady
Expert Class
Posts: 122
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posted March 10, 2005 12:38 PM
Personally when I started out I had a 2 stroke for the same reason as when you learn to drive it is best to learn standard, after that anything is easy. I had an NSR400 and a RZ350, both were great learning bikes as you really had to pay attention to powerbands and what you were doing, both are light and have short seat heights, I felt very comfortable on both. When I progressed to my ZX6 I gave up some seat height as I am on my tippy toes but by that point I was comfortable enough with my riding skills that this was ok and felt like I was in heaven riding a 4 stroke. I originally lowered my forks and shock as much as I could to lower the seat height but found it threw off the handling, I recently had my suspension professionally adjusted and once again can barely touch, but the ride is uncomparable. If I was not already comfortable riding the height might be intimidating. Just my opinion but sometimes better to take things in stages rather than planning for what will be the best bike in the long run, find the best bike that will make her comfortable now and ensure that she enjoys the experience and wants to keep going, even if this means buying a used one as after the first season you can probably sell for what you paid for it and get something else.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21895
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posted March 11, 2005 08:46 AM
Ozzy... did you read my review of the Z750S? It would diffinetely make a good entry bike and a commuter... was pretty light (430 dry... felt about 450 wet)... definelty not overpowered at al etc..
BUT.... I would still make her start on a 250 or something like that... how 'bout a course? many courses include bikes to start on... then she could decide after trying out some different machines first hand?
As for the tippy toe factor... you can always change the links or carve down the seat to get an extra inch or two...
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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jumpin j
Expert Class
quien se pappa
Posts: 452
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posted March 12, 2005 03:33 AM
hey ozzy.... I'd say go with the SV650, I've put quite a few miles on my brother in laws. and the seating position is very comfortable and it's a bike she could keep forever. It has very light handling and the power is down low but not abrupt. and plus it has that twin sound. the wind protection is good. a decent all around bike
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it's nice to be nice to the nice
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