Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi everyone. New to the board. I have been reading a lot about the best beginner bikes. The 250 and 500 ninja, and also the suzuki gs500f.

I'm a small guy, only 5'6. My inseam is 30. I 'm 51 years old, and I was wondering if the kawasaki 500, and the suzuki gs 500f would be to tall for me? I've noticed that you can get a good used 500 in either kawasaki or suzuki for about the same price as a 250 ninja on ebay sometimes.

My son has an 800cc honda crotchrocket. I believe it's the "interceptor" model. I've sit on the honda before and I can't flat foot it...only tippy toe with both feet. Don't worry I didn't start it or ride it.lol.

Anyway, the honda seemed way to big and heavy for me. I couldn't ever ride one of those no matter how much experience I get. I sit on it and leaned it from side to side..kinda like they have you do in the msf course, and theirs no way I would ever feel comfortable on that bike. I believe the seat height on the honda is 31 inches.

I was wondering if their were any kawasaki 500 or suzuki gs500f riders out there that is short like me? I did a search but didn't come up with info about short people on either of the 500's.

I'm leaning more to getting a good used 250 ninja. However, my son thinks I will get tired of it pretty quick and want to move up to a bigger bike. he said the 500 would be perfect. His first bike was a 600cc interceptor honda. He rode it for a couple of years and then moved up to a 800cc..now he is about to buy a 1000cc.

I should tell everyone that most of my riding will be around town..doing errands and things like that. I do plan on doing longer rides of up to 150 miles one way when I get used to whichever of the 3 bikes I choose.

I have kinfolks that live 150 miles away and would enjoy going and visiting them on my bike. Most of the 150 miles would be interstate riding.

I'm leaning toward buying a good used 250 ninja off ebay. However, I really like the looks of the suzuki gs500f, and as I previously stated. You can sometimes find them on ebay almost as cheap as a 250. I just want to be able to flat foot the bike when I come to a complete stop. I'm afraid that both the 500 suzuki and the 500 kawasaki maybe a little tall for me.

Is there any short people on here that drive a suzuki gs500f or kawasaki 500? Are you comfortable with it? Would riding either 3 of these beginner bikes around town the majority of time be bad on the engine? Thanks in advance for the replies.

check this page out for seat heights...

http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?t=7851

Just thought I'd comment. I'm a 31-32 inch inseam (seems to change dependent on who measures me).

I've sat on a GS500, EX500/250 and on all of them I could flat foot with knee bending room. So you'll probably be good to go.

Just go down to a dealership and ask if you can sit on one. They'll most likely let you.

Shiv wrote:Just thought I'd comment. I'm a 31-32 inch inseam (seems to change dependent on who measures me).

Some people aren't shy about where they put that measuring tape, either that or you were measured with heels on, supposed to be no shoes.

Shiv wrote:Just go down to a dealership and ask if you can sit on one. They'll most likely let you.

+1. Except don't even ask..... They have all those bikes there for a reason. (I say don't ask, because then you got a punk kid following you around. And your son should be enough information you need at this stage; no need for a salesman.)

I would say the 500's would be fine for you. I have a 30-32 inch inseam and I flatfooted and then some my 2005 GS500F, and I can easily flatfoot my SV. To be honest, the only bikes that I've felt uncomfortable on was the V-Strom and the taller dirtbikes.

Don't worry much about it.

Check out this site: http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.faq.html

"The Short Bike List"

P

Thanks for the replies everyone. Everyone really has some good advice. I think I'll go down to both dealerships and sit on the suzuki gs500f and kawasaki 500.

Lady_Lion thanks for the link to the article pertaining to short people on bikes. Thanks for the link to the seat heights. I'm not in any hurry to purchase a bike right now, with winter coming up.

I'm also seriously looking at the new 2008 250 ninjas very seriously. The 250 will most likely be the bike I purchase. I called the nearest kawasaki dealership in my area. The woman said they still have 3 2007 250 ninjas in stock, and they aren't planning on getting any 2008 model ninjas till next spring

She said they were going to sale the 3 remaining 2007 250 ninjas before they get any 2008 models. I want to wait and see some reviews on the 2008 250 ninja before I buy one.

dr_bar, thanks for the link to the seat heights.