kawabonzai
Zone Head
Leader of the Back.
Posts: 537
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posted July 11, 2008 08:36 PM
Need a starter bike for wife.
Yup, the wife no longer wants to be on the back, she wants her own ride.
It's gotta be sporty / track-able. no cruisers, monster, motards.
She's 5'2" with a 29-inch inseam.
I've been looking at the 600 CBR F4i's, 2002 or 2003. I've heard they are good starter sport bikes.
I rode a 04 ZZR-600 but the thing was a pain starting n 1st, kept dying, too cold.
I'm trying to stay under or at $4,000.00, 600 cc's, and can be lowered.
what works out there guys?
... Bonzai
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PC-III w/USB, Muzzys M14 + Carbon Oval + M10, BMC Race Filter, Flies Out, Buell Pegs, Heli Risers
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butta4hc
Expert Class
Posts: 313
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posted July 11, 2008 08:49 PM
That new Ninja 250 is nice. Looks good and there is no surpises like buying a used bike. Brand new for $3499. Show her this link:
http://www.kawasaki.com/PRODUCTS/Detail.aspx?id=263
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Butta
Hot Commodities MC
Paterson, NJ
2006 Black ZX-14 - Recall Frame Swap, Full Muzzy GP Exhaust, PCIII, BMC Race Filter, Flies Out, Braided Front Brake & Cutch Lines, Muzzy's Radiator Fan, Engine Ice Coolant, Frame Sliders, SubFrame Sliders, Puig Dark Smoke Windscreen, Powerbronze Hugger, Cox Radiator Guard, Unswitched Powerlet Outlet under seat, Switched Powerlet Outlet On Right Duct Panel, Intergrated Tail Light, HID lights high and low beam, Blue corner marker lights, Eclipse License Plate Blackout Kit, Black Pazzo Levers, Scorpio Alarm, Lojack Theft Recovery System, Rapid Transit Triple Tree Bag, Cortech Tank, Tail & Saddle Bags and the bragging rights for being "The Fastest 14 In The Country" for a few weeks when the 14 made it's debut here in the states.
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kawabonzai
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Leader of the Back.
Posts: 537
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posted July 11, 2008 08:56 PM
quote:
That new Ninja 250 is nice.
Yeah, but everyone i spoke to says the bike wont get out of it's own way unless you are heavy on the rpm's.
High rpm's isn't exactly first time rider friendly.
Thx for the feedback tho, I'll still show her the link.
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PC-III w/USB, Muzzys M14 + Carbon Oval + M10, BMC Race Filter, Flies Out, Buell Pegs, Heli Risers
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Bawls
Needs a job
re-learning to ride
Posts: 2701
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posted July 11, 2008 09:25 PM
quote:
quote:
That new Ninja 250 is nice.
High rpm's isn't exactly first time rider friendly.
quote]
LMFAO, it is when the bike makes 25hp lol.
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Best 60ft: 1.42
Best 1/8th: 5.97
Best 1/8th MPH: 119
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kawabonzai
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posted July 11, 2008 09:26 PM
Yeah, hehe saw 16 pounds of torque at 9k rpm.
I have more torque than that pushing a wheel barrel.
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fifth
Expert Class
The Magnificent Bastard
Posts: 303
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posted July 11, 2008 11:49 PM
 Edited By: fifth on 12 Jul 2008 00:55
Get a used 2006-2008 ZZR-600 (same as the '98-'02 ZX-6r). You can pick up a sub-1000 mile '07 for around $5k-ish. Maybe less if you find a motivated seller.
My wife is about 5' 2" and couldn't sit on anything. I checked around and found I could lower the ZZR 4 inches, and it already had the lowest seat height of anything in the store (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki dealership) I put the lowering links on and then lowered the front end 2 inches. She can sit on it and touch the ground solidly with the balls of her feet. The power is enough for her to enjoy the bike, but not so much that it will run off and leave her if she twists a little too much throttle on accident. Once she has broken it in good, she should be able to sustain 70-75 mph on the highway without a problem or the constant 15k rpm whine of a smaller bike. The ZZR's are very smooth shifting and very smooth power cure/riding feel. She was also concerned about weight and the ZZR is pretty balanced and relatively light. I have not been able to find frame sliders worth a darn. I am thinking so "race rails" would probably be the best bet as a safety measure.
Also, since my wife has small hands, I ordered a clutch lever assembly from an 08 EX650R to replace the ZZR assembly. The ZZR assembly does not have any adjuster on the clutch lever (however the clutch lever does). The 650r has both the levers with the twist adjuster on the levers. Since changing the lever assembly out, she can easily reach the clutch lever without straining.
Below is a picture of my wife's 2008 ZZR with just under 600 miles as it sits on top of Mount Scott in the Wichita Mountains in Oklahoma. If you look at the front forks, you can see how much I lowered the front end.
******************************************************************
PS - and the fender eliminator is a royal PITA. You hae to tear apart the whole rear end off the bike to get the plastic tray out to cut off the rear fender. It's all one piece from the fender to the part that tucks under the back of the gas tank.
And as for the front turn signals on the bike: They totally suck. I had to heaviliy modifiy the mounts and the stem to get them to even remotely look like they belong on the bike. If I had it to do over again, I would absolutely not buy this type. I would go with the type that sit partially recessed in the opening left by the stock blinkers.
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kawabonzai
Zone Head
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Posts: 537
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posted July 11, 2008 11:53 PM
Nice ZZR.
did you have a post a while back of your Zx-14 and then tagged a few of these pics along?
I rode a 04 ZZR-600 and it was a dog. Stalled 4+ times waiting for it to get warmed up. Are the 2005+ fuel injected?
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PC-III w/USB, Muzzys M14 + Carbon Oval + M10, BMC Race Filter, Flies Out, Buell Pegs, Heli Risers
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fifth
Expert Class
The Magnificent Bastard
Posts: 303
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posted July 11, 2008 11:57 PM
No, still carbs. I haen't had a problem stalling hers. You just have to allow it time to run a little.
Yes I had some other pics of her bike. The one above was taken on the 5th of July.
I still believe for the amount of bike you get at almost half the cost of the other 600's, you can't beat the ZZR.
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Bawls
Needs a job
re-learning to ride
Posts: 2701
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posted July 12, 2008 04:52 AM
Mt. Scott is good stuff. I've got family in chikasha and cement ok. We used to go up to Mt. scott, and frontier city all the time when i was a kid. I've caught lots of mexican collared lizards up there lol.
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Best 60ft: 1.42
Best 1/8th: 5.97
Best 1/8th MPH: 119
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fifth
Expert Class
The Magnificent Bastard
Posts: 303
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posted July 12, 2008 05:16 AM
Never seen one of those in real life. Must be like the Horn'd Toads that we used to catch by the 100's in the alleys in Abilene back in the 70's and early 80's. You can't find them anymore up there. I was talking to some of my youngster cousins up there last year and they looked at me like I was talking about a unicorn or something.......
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Tool man
Needs a job
Posts: 4493
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posted July 12, 2008 05:27 AM
Edited By: Tool man on 12 Jul 2008 06:31
I bought my wife an EX 500 for a first bike, she is also 5'2. Good starter bike, torquey power and a little lower than a butt high undertail exhaust 600.
You can find a cheap one, and resell a year later for the same $$.
Her 2nd was an SV 650, and now she is ripping around on a 636.
Which BTW with her lite weight is a mean combo. 
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The banks are failing..
The banks are failing...
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butterthegreat
Expert Class
Posts: 329
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posted July 12, 2008 08:08 AM
I got my wife a ninja 650....great starter bike....you can lower it, but my wife was o.k. with it and she is 5'4" and it's fuel injected...no stinkin carbs!!!
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BIGZXDADDY
Expert Class
Posts: 270
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posted July 12, 2008 09:49 AM
+1 on the ninja 650. my wife got one last year for mothers day. it's very user freindly and at 5'6" she can plant both feet easily. it's got enough power that i don't think it will get out grown anytime soon. i've been commuting on it alot this year because of gas prices and it cruises very comfortably at 80-90mph and i'm pretty sure it handles alot better than my old zzr600 did
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"never drive faster than you can see, besides it's all in the reflexes"
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200hp_zx14
Expert Class
Posts: 134
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posted July 12, 2008 10:01 AM
I'd say if you wanted to buy new, I'd say go for a 250 Ninja. Those little things look pretty nice and should top out around 100mph or so. If you wanted used, I would look for an '06 R6. All R6's have a real weak bottom end and should be very easy to learn on. Seriously you could dump the clutch at 4k rpm and all the bike is going to do is stall.
I bought an 07 R6 for my wife and its the perfect bike for her. Its a little tall but it can be lowered pretty easily. Very trackable, and the perfect street bike for her.
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207HP* '06 Candy Blue ZX-14
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Best run - 10.19@137.40mph
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted July 12, 2008 10:26 AM
we needed another "starter bike debate" thread :P
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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kawabonzai
Zone Head
Leader of the Back.
Posts: 537
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posted July 12, 2008 10:35 AM
Steve,
I dont think there is any debate here, just good sources of material.
Thanks guys.
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted July 12, 2008 10:37 AM
yeah you're right, never take me seriously anyway
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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07zx14blk
Expert Class
ZX6R, ZX9R,ZX12R,ZX14
Posts: 252
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posted July 12, 2008 10:52 AM
I picked up a black 2008 ZX650 for my wife (a first time rider) in late May of this year…
Not only is the bike fuel injected and very easy to ride for a smaller new rider (I cranked it down 2” my wife is 5’4”, but there really was no requirement) but this bike looks great.
I highly recommend it and you may be able to pick up a use on for close to your range. I bet the resale on it is going to be good as well.
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kawabonzai
Zone Head
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posted July 14, 2008 08:15 PM
Got it!
Ok, got a bike for the wife.
2003 GSX-R 600, Special Edition Alstare, 11k miles, 2nd owner, no race/stunt/downage ...
Now to lower this thing, her feet dont touch, lol.
i'm gonna shave the seat first, and also skinny it up, then if needed lower the rear with adjustable dogbones from Soupy, then slide the front triple tree down the forks.
i'm wondering ... the clip-ons are below the triple clamp. Can I slide the triples down about 1.5 inches then put the clip-on's above the triple?
Thx,
-B
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wrenchhead
Novice Class
Posts: 76
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posted July 15, 2008 06:18 AM
hey fifth where did you get the lowering links for the zzr. My girlfriend wants to buy a zzr but cannot find any lowering links. She will need to lower it 3-4 inches since she is 5'1".
Thanks!
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted July 15, 2008 08:02 AM
You will probably hit the fairing/windshield if you try and put the clipons above the triple clamp. Worth a shot though... I do find it amusing that you picked the one bike no one mentioned as a starter bike. Whats the friggin point of the thread if you're gonna ignore it?! ... jeez, impulse buyers...
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PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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Some Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 144
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posted July 15, 2008 08:19 AM
There's been some great suggestions so far. Have you considered an older bike? Not a bad idea for a starter. My wife's first bike was a 1985 Kawasaki Eliminator. Sits very low and is super super light. Easy clutch.
My 85 900 has a 29" seat height, though it's a little heavy.
Lastly I've included a picture of her '07 650r. Kawasaki sells a seat for this bike that is 1" lower. We will be ordering that so I could keep you posted on its comfort, ie better or worse than stock. I'll try posting some pics.
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'08 SE ZX-14
'14 1000r Ninja (wife's)
1985 900 Ninja
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Some Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 144
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posted July 15, 2008 08:23 AM
Here's a few pics of her 650r. Notice my 900 in Black/Red this time. Same bike, I just have a ton of plastics for it. (I'm currently working on a Green/White scheme).
IMG]http://i325.photobucket.com/albums/k393/ssl509/3copy.jpg[/IMG]
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'08 SE ZX-14
'14 1000r Ninja (wife's)
1985 900 Ninja
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Some Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 144
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posted July 15, 2008 08:25 AM
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'08 SE ZX-14
'14 1000r Ninja (wife's)
1985 900 Ninja
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port_angeles_ninja
Expert Class
Posts: 388
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posted July 15, 2008 11:09 AM
some guy,.
where did you get the extra plastics. My 900 was my first bike and i beat it up some. I would like to find some new plastics for it but have not seen anything decent on the web anywhere.
thanks,
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Red/Black 85' GPZ900
Blue 07' ZX14
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