Ladies - Women's first bike choice

[maddrolla]

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW I AM 5 FT TOPS WANT T OKNOW WHAT KIND OF BIKE WOULD SUIT ME ???????????[/b]

[Spiff]

I finally fell in love with the a White Suzuki S40. It just felt right!

Good for you, amstaffmom.

I have a Suzuki S40 (formerly called the Savage), and I heartily recommend it to any beginner, although if you're nearing 6 feet or taller, it might be a bit too small.

One cylinder, air cooled, belt drive ... that means simple maintenance!

You should check out the Suzuki Savage/S40 bulletin board:

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl#general_cat

I go by the username Tammi over there. It's a fun crowd that you can learn a lot from.

Check us out!

[oc2only]

I love my Suzuki GS500. I took the MSF class and it was the best thing I ever did because I have that to refer to during an emergency situation. We rode 250's in class. I'm ready for a bigger bike and I'm keeping this one. I took the GS500 on a 1500 mile ride to CO. It handled great .

[Lun*]

I love my Suzuki GS500. I took the MSF class and it was the best thing I ever did because I have that to refer to during an emergency situation. We rode 250's in class. I'm ready for a bigger bike and I'm keeping this one. I took the GS500 on a 1500 mile ride to CO. It handled great .

In France, we've got GS500 for the formation that i'm taking and I'll passing the test to get the licence on it too ^^. Really beautiful and easy to ride!! Later I plan to buy SV 650 N. What do you think? What kind of motorbike do you, ladies, use in USA?

[Bayarea Biker]

I agree with the idea that 250s are really small. They are OK for tooling around town but not on the freeway. I live in California and never see anything less than a 650. I have a Vstar 650 and my next bike will be an 1100. I miiss having one more gear. For a first bike, though, it is fine. It took me a few weeks to get used to the size and I am 5'9''. At first I thought Oh, no, it is too big but now am happy I got this size. I have parked it with over 100 other bikes on occasion - all women riders, and nobody has a 250, most are 750 or over.

[Wendy632005]

I learned on Rebel 250 at 62, but found after 3500 miles it was feeling small. So I have a Sportster 883 upgraded to 1200 and feel very comfortable. I think starting small is good to learn the skills but it feels good to have more power now.
Wendy

[CodeMack]

Hi. Boy I feel funny reading about so many of you riding the "bigger" bikes when I have a Suzuki DRZ 125 Dual Sport! LOL I started on a 1975 Kawasaki 175 Enduro this summer (we have 35 acres so I haven't hit asphalt yet) and got just about brave enough to try the road, and then my 7 yr old and I crashed in the field! (he's got a 50cc Honda dirtbike- all 3 of my boys race) I didn't get back on that day, but I did get back on, and got more confident again so my b/f bought me the zuki. I love it, but.....I cant seem to get past the fear. I've taken it on our woods trails and have a heck of a time with it. He says its because its not powerful enough and that I should try his KDX 200 on the trails, and also that my bike isn't really made for the open road and that I should try a heavier bike. (right, like anyone's gonna loan me their bike to "try" LOL) I hurt my back at work (I'm a paramedic) so I'm also paranoid that no matter what I do I will hurt my back more. Perhaps I just find excuses not to have to learn to ride solo. Half of me really wants to, and the other half is perfectly content riding "bit$%" on the Harley with my honey. Anyone else feel like this in the beginning and care to share how they overcame the fears? Or maybe you decided to stay 2 up and why? Also, any thoughts about the whole 125cc thing? Specifically, should I sell it (it only has 180 miles on it and not one scratch), try the KDX for the trails and force myself to get maybe a Honda Rebel or something similar? Part of me wishes we'd kept the enduro, but it sure was a heavy bastrd to pick up off the ground when I had the collision with my son! BTW...I'm very new here, and am really enjoying reading the posts!

[april]

I started learning to ride in Sept. 2003. I had never rode before except on
the back of DH bikes. I bought a 2002 GZ 250cc Suzuki to learn on. I took
the MSF course in Early July 2004 and passed. Dh was very protective of
me and even after I had passed he didn't let me go on the road alone. I am
glad that I started on a smaller bike, even after you pass that test there is
a lote of experience needed yet. I laid that bike down a few times but
always got right back on. In August of 2004 I got another bike , a 2003
Honda VLX 600cc. Had to have it lowered and it was top heavy. I had a
hard time with that bike, even had to get another seat for it. I still have
both bikes but I am the proud owner of a 2006 750cc Honda Aero. I love
this bike. As soon as I sat on that bike I knew it was made for me. I
can flat foot it,( I'm 5' 3") and the seat feels great, and it is so well
balanced. It has made me a much better rider at 62 years young.

[cb360]

Beautiful bike! - keep the shiny side up - and kudos to you for riding at 62 - I plan on it myself

[High_Side]

It has made me a much better rider at 62 years young.

I'm not a cruiser guy but that is a nice bike