Getting ready to learn......

[BUSABABY07]

Okay I am 5'3 and want to get on a Busa but was told I need to learn on something small first. Any of you ladies who ride a Hayabusa, what did you learn on? I can barely touch the floor on a R1....Anybody have answers for me?? Thanks

[Mrs.Rubber2Burn]

I am interested in this because I am barely 5'2" and want to learn to ride as well. I told hubby that we should get him a new 08 Busa and then I could just take his 05 for me. That went over like a turd in a punch bowl.

I want at least a 600 to learn on, and he is telling me like a 500 or even less. So ladies post up and tell us what you ride, or learned on.

[BIKE DUDE]

There a alot of good starter bikes out there but if you want to stay on the sporty side maybe try a GSXR 600. These bikes are a lot lighter and may have a lower seat height and they still have lots of power to keep you satisfied.

[SpeedAdict]

An older katana 600 or even 750 is fine since they are not super sport. An sv650 also makes an excellent choice for starter bikes. You might have to get a set of lowering links for 20 bucks to make it really fit you well.

[MrsGrumpy]

I currently have a Buell Blast - the only thing that I could fit on - also what I learned on while taking the course offered here where I live. After the Spring Bash hubby and I decided to see what I could fit on. I am 5'3". So, depending on how long your legs are you may not be able to fit on any of the recommended bikes. I tried a GSX600, GSX650, SV650, and an R1. All of which I could barely reach the floor. The SV650 was the closest, so we were looking into how far it can be lowered. Hopefully you are fortunate enough to have longer legs than I do! Good luck in your search.

[Luvanicebum]

Something used, so WHEN you drop it, you won't care.
GSXR600, GS500, R6.

Good luck

[Mrs.Rubber2Burn]

I am so short it is unbelievable! Â*When I say barely 5'2" it is more like 5'1" 1/4!! Â*My other problem is upper body strength to hold the bike up! Â*I would have to start working out if I ever even thought of moving the Busa!

Hubby has a part-time job at a local motorcycle dealer, and I have looked at a few bikes (would never buy from the place because they are ridiculous on their prices), but it makes me realize just how short I am!!


had to edit my typos

[BUSABABY07]

Originally Posted by MrsGrumpy @ May 31 2008, 5:24 PM

I currently have a Buell Blast - the only thing that I could fit on - also what I learned on while taking the course offered here where I live. Â*After the Spring Bash hubby and I decided to see what I could fit on. Â*I am 5'3". Â*So, depending on how long your legs are you may not be able to fit on any of the recommended bikes. Â*I tried a GSX600, GSX650, SV650, and an R1. Â*All of which I could barely reach the floor. Â*The SV650 was the closest, so we were looking into how far it can be lowered. Â*Hopefully you are fortunate enough to have longer legs than I do! Â* Good luck in your search.

My legs are short and my upper body strength is NOT the strongest.......I know I tried a GSXR 750 lowered about 3.5" and I couldn't even do that. I think I am basically screwed on the whole bike riding thing but I am going to take a course up the street and they say they have riders that will do the trick. Thanks for the advise though.

[BUSABABY07]

What do you guys think about a Kawasaki EX500?

[DahMurf]

I wonder why you feel the need to get such a big bike. I have a blast & it's not a bad bike but it's a little punchy/jumpy for what it is and I'm not convinced it's the best starter bike. Given you description of your body stature & strength I would seriously recomend a Ninja 250 or the nighthawk 250 (do they still make them). If you're small and not the strongest as you're describing the last thing you want is a bike that feels heavy & powerful. It will intimidate you and hold you back. I started on a Sportster 883 which is very top heavy and imo not a great starter bike. My busa is much easier to ride then my sportster. The busa is very well balanced so you don't feel the weight as much but I wouldn't recommend starting on it for you. Start small even if you trade it in after 6 months. It will free you up to learn road skills and build your confidence in handling a bike without the risk or opportunity to get in over your head. Get something used cause you'll do stupid things from time to time as you learn & eventually end up dropping it. If you have something you're more comfortable on it will free your mind to get in good riding habbits like checking your mirrors, where to position yourself in refernce to other vehicles, how to corner, how to brake... on & on. If your mind is cluttered with trying not to drop a heavy bike or over-rev a powerful bike you don't leave room for getting the basics down. If I had it all to do over again I would 100% start with a smaller bike. I can still corner my blast better then my busa due to my comfort level and the busa should smoke the blast in the corners! (but of course with someone else on it! Â* )

I hope this helps you. I've been riding for 9 years now but still remember the beginning like it was yesterday! Â*

Deb

[HRHDi]

I learned to ride on the little Honda Shadow 250's that had at the course I took. Get a small, light bike and make sure you can put both feet flat on the ground. Once you get more experience, get a bigger bike. I've learned from personal experience - don't get a bike too big for you. It will freak you out and you'll never be comfortable riding.

Remember "cruiser" isn't a bad word. I honestly think those are easier to learn on.

[Wag]

+1 million bazillion on the Ninja 250. Get a USED one because at some point, you WILL drop it and besides, eventually, you know you're going to sell it for your next bike anyway.

It's not your overall body height that matters most, either. It's your leg length. If your inseam is too short, it doesn't matter how tall you are head to toe. You'll have to sit on several bikes to see which one lets you touch the ground on both sides. Flat foot on both sides. No tippie toes!

Ride that 250 like you stole it for as long as it takes for you to get comfortable on it. Ride it everywhere, every day and then, when you feel like it's a part of your own body, then you should migrate upward. Just don't jump the gun to a bigger bike too soon.

From there, you can find a lot of good bikes which can be lowered quite well. My wife is 5'5" and has short legs. There is no chance on earth that she is ever going to be able to ride a Busa without lowering it A LOT. She has her Gixxer 1000 lowered quite a bit and it's perfect for her so probably, she will never ride a Busa. Without training wheels, that is!!!

My wife started on a 250 VTR Honda and did so well with it that after a couple months, she moved up to a GS500F for a year, then the Gixxer 1000. She was on the 1000 doing VERY well far sooner than most people would be on a Gixxer 600 starting out. She's a very good rider now and loves it.

Take some classes. MSF is only the beginning. I've been riding 30 years or so and I still go for training whenever possible. It's a necessity.

Okay, I'll stop lecturing. I only hope that you'll continue your thoughtful approach.

Cheers!

--Wag--

[BUSABABY07]

Originally Posted by Wag @ Jun. 01 2008, 7:38 AM

+1 million bazillion on the Ninja 250. Â*Get a USED one because at some point, you WILL drop it and besides, eventually, you know you're going to sell it for your next bike anyway. Â*

It's not your overall body height that matters most, either. Â*It's your leg length. Â*If your inseam is too short, it doesn't matter how tall you are head to toe. Â*You'll have to sit on several bikes to see which one lets you touch the ground on both sides. Â*Flat foot on both sides. Â*No tippie toes!

Ride that 250 like you stole it for as long as it takes for you to get comfortable on it. Â*Ride it everywhere, every day and then, when you feel like it's a part of your own body, then you should migrate upward. Â*Just don't jump the gun to a bigger bike too soon.

From there, you can find a lot of good bikes which can be lowered quite well. Â*My wife is 5'5" and has short legs. Â*There is no chance on earth that she is ever going to be able to ride a Busa without lowering it A LOT. Â*She has her Gixxer 1000 lowered quite a bit and it's perfect for her so probably, she will never ride a Busa. Â*Without training wheels, that is!!! Â*

My wife started on a 250 VTR Honda and did so well with it that after a couple months, she moved up to a GS500F for a year, then the Gixxer 1000. Â*She was on the 1000 doing VERY well far sooner than most people would be on a Gixxer 600 starting out. Â*She's a very good rider now and loves it. Â*

Take some classes. Â*MSF is only the beginning. Â*I've been riding 30 years or so and I still go for training whenever possible. It's a necessity.

Okay, I'll stop lecturing. Â*I only hope that you'll continue your thoughtful approach.

Cheers!

--Wag--

Thanks for the advice I think I will try a 250 for a while but trying to find a bike that I can touch the ground flat is going to be almost impossible even with it lowered. I will keep everyone posted on what happens next. Thanks

[Double D]

I am 5'2 and ride a busa and I had to drop it 3 inches for me to reach the ground. You can learn on anything really cause if its a bike for you then just get it lowered to fit you right. I do have to say that I am getting a 600 and the best one was the Suzuki, it was the lowest one and I can tiptoe on both feet where the other 600's I could barely touch the ground with one foot. Just go and sit on some bikes at the showroom and get a feel for it. I am also very excited for you, you are gonna love riding..

[Double D]

I just wanted to give you an idea on how low my bike is and how my feet touch the ground. And remember you are an inch taller than me. Not only do you lower your bike but shaving the seat works a little bit.

[Busa Jules]

I learned on a Ninja 600 that was Lowered 2 inches.. I am 5'8"... but I only have a 28" inseam... yeah short stubby legs.. that's me!

Now my Busa is lowered 2" too.. and have a TOBIN seat on there.. sets me down about another inch or so... and it confortable too.. not like these "fly by night" I can do it myself type seat jobs!

Get a light bike.... especially if you don't have the upper body strength.... A 600 would be good or even an SV... those are really FUN bikes... not too heavy... but you won't get bored of them as fast as you would a 250.

Good LUCK.. and remember ATGATT!! (All the gear all the time!) (Dress for the crash, not the ride)

[DahMurf]

Don't forget you can also get some platform type boots to give you a bit of a rise too. I have a pair of Harley boots *gasp* that are like work boots and have about a 1 1/2 inch heal & 1 inch sole. They got me through many years!!! I'm now comfortable if I can't flat foot but will still wear those boots if I need the comfort. I actually wore them on my busa until I lowered it about 1 1/2 inches in the back. I'm just about 5'3" and I think my inseam is 30" (I guess I'll have to go measure! lol)

Deb

[ktw88q]

Well busababy I am local and would love to let you ride a busa........ THE BACK OF MYNE....

[SAMBUSA]

Originally Posted by ktw88q @ Jun. 02 2008, 12:51 AM

Well busababy I am local and would love to let you ride a busa........ THE BACK OF MYNE.... Â*

Um yeah, she's prolly another members wife. And this is the ladies lair, so the fellas prolly shouldn't be postin up.

[ktw88q]

Then he can come talk to me......Do you like lurking in the ladies lair Sam....