whitechocolate
Registered
The gs 500 is not a bad... but depending on the person a 750 is the best, can learn and keep later.
Girlfriend wants to ride
- Thread starter TXBusa05LE
- Start date
TheAtomicAss
Registered
Gotta agree with the Ninja 250. Naturally.
It's light, (lighter than the SV by 60+ lbs), it's got the lowest seat height in the sportbike class that I'm aware of, and has more than enough power for a beginner. It really CAN get out of it's own way if you don't drive it around at 20mph in 6th gear like the manual tells you.
0-60 in 6 and top speed in the triple digits. More than any beginning rider needs, IMHO. And, a used one can be had for $1K-1500, and sold for the same. $0 loss, plenty of experience gained.
It's light, (lighter than the SV by 60+ lbs), it's got the lowest seat height in the sportbike class that I'm aware of, and has more than enough power for a beginner. It really CAN get out of it's own way if you don't drive it around at 20mph in 6th gear like the manual tells you.
0-60 in 6 and top speed in the triple digits. More than any beginning rider needs, IMHO. And, a used one can be had for $1K-1500, and sold for the same. $0 loss, plenty of experience gained.
Everybody here is on the right track.
I started my wife out on a new Buell Blast for $3400 (with a ton of gear thrown in). Worked out great.
Honestly, anything in the 500cc ballpark is enough machine, it's just a question of money at that point.
Now, I honestly think the better money is spent on gear. The machine is replaceable and she most likely WILL dump it a couple or three times at low speeds if she's like just about every other beginner out there. Make sure she's got armor all over her - gloves, jacket, helmet, boots, and reinforced jeans or insert-armor pants like Rocket and others make.
Many times beginners biggest issue is lacking the confidence necessary to get the bike to do what you want it to do (looking where you want to go while turning, instead of looking at the ground... being aggressive enough with the clutch and throttle to get the thing moving... knowing that you CAN lay into the front brake and that's the only way stop the machine quickly...).
Equipping her like she's going to war cannot be underestimated in the confidence department.
I made my wife wear knee and shin pads over reinforced jeans and made her ride in a parking lot for about three weeks before she even took the class. I laid out a course for her with cone-like objects and had her work on riding the machine around them, REALLY braking, getting rolling and turning simultaneously up and down hill, etc...
Besides, you'll feel like a HUGE bunghole if she gets all scraped up because someone went cheap on the gear.
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I started my wife out on a new Buell Blast for $3400 (with a ton of gear thrown in). Worked out great.
Honestly, anything in the 500cc ballpark is enough machine, it's just a question of money at that point.
Now, I honestly think the better money is spent on gear. The machine is replaceable and she most likely WILL dump it a couple or three times at low speeds if she's like just about every other beginner out there. Make sure she's got armor all over her - gloves, jacket, helmet, boots, and reinforced jeans or insert-armor pants like Rocket and others make.
Many times beginners biggest issue is lacking the confidence necessary to get the bike to do what you want it to do (looking where you want to go while turning, instead of looking at the ground... being aggressive enough with the clutch and throttle to get the thing moving... knowing that you CAN lay into the front brake and that's the only way stop the machine quickly...).
Equipping her like she's going to war cannot be underestimated in the confidence department.
I made my wife wear knee and shin pads over reinforced jeans and made her ride in a parking lot for about three weeks before she even took the class. I laid out a course for her with cone-like objects and had her work on riding the machine around them, REALLY braking, getting rolling and turning simultaneously up and down hill, etc...
Besides, you'll feel like a HUGE bunghole if she gets all scraped up because someone went cheap on the gear.
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Reason for Edit: None given...|1138630437 -->
inthexring
Registered
nighthawk 650 would be fun
I kinda have to agree with this guy. Even as a bigger guy when I started riding (6 ft 185lbs which was back in high school) I borrowed a friends ninja 250. Yeah, I looked like Shrek driving around but it had more than enough power to learn and have fun. Even with me on it I got it to 120mph. The only thing is that after riding that for about a month I bought a Katana 600.Gotta agree with the Ninja 250. Naturally.
It's light, (lighter than the SV by 60+ lbs), it's got the lowest seat height in the sportbike class that I'm aware of, and has more than enough power for a beginner. It really CAN get out of it's own way if you don't drive it around at 20mph in 6th gear like the manual tells you.
0-60 in 6 and top speed in the triple digits. More than any beginning rider needs, IMHO. And, a used one can be had for $1K-1500, and sold for the same. $0 loss, plenty of experience gained.
It really depends on how much experience she has had on bikes. I had ridden on the back of my dads bike for 10 years and that had given me the feel for things and the learning curve was not as steep for me. If she has ridden with you or anyone else for a while I say the sv650 would be good. Then you won't have to switch between multiple bikes. But I really think it depends on the seat time she has had. And in reality, make sure she feels comfortable with whatever she gets or the bad experience may run her off from riding.
chris40oz77
Donating Member
How'd I know you'd say that?Gotta agree with the Ninja 250. Naturally.
It's light, (lighter than the SV by 60+ lbs), it's got the lowest seat height in the sportbike class that I'm aware of, and has more than enough power for a beginner. It really CAN get out of it's own way if you don't drive it around at 20mph in 6th gear like the manual tells you.
0-60 in 6 and top speed in the triple digits. More than any beginning rider needs, IMHO. And, a used one can be had for $1K-1500, and sold for the same. $0 loss, plenty of experience gained.
Chris (S10SS from ssf)
TheAtomicAss
Registered
I see you made it over here.How'd I know you'd say that?I agree with ya though. Good choice
Chris (S10SS from ssf)
paineless4u
Donating Member
kawi 636
My wife is learning on a Honda 250 Rebel. Great first bike for her, and she has no problem riding along with me on the busa. I can't imagine trying to teach someone on a 650 of any sort! They use 250s at most motorcycle training programs. Must be a reason for that!
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