Total Motorcycle Community Forums

After checking out the Nighthawk 750 in person yesterday, it's no longer a contender for the wife's new ride. High Side, you were spot on when you said it's a budget bike. Overall it just had a real tin can feel, and I was less than impressed. I guess I had been hoping to find something more akin to the quality of the Magna I just sold, but it wasn't close.

Zootech... stick with the 80's models. Conceptually, the new bike meets the needs as we discussed before, but if the 80's versions were not built to a price point then they are better and the 90's are, as you said, a step backwards.

Sevulturus... she sat on the 599 and the leading edge of her toes just touched the floor. Too tippy. Same with the FZ1 and FZ6. However, on the 919 she was on the balls of her feet. Go figure. She said the 599 seat felt a lot fatter so maybe that's the difference. No Bandits anywhere to try out.

And the dealer, as nice as they were, weren't going to work an acceptable deal, in my opinion. And after looking at the Nighthawk in mint condition, I'm still of the opinion her VLX is worth a little more.

What do y'all know about Buells? Not the little Blast, but the larger displacement models. She saw the listed seat heights and likes the looks. I've read they are problematic and have had a lot of recalls... true? She also sort of liked a Ninja 500 she sat on, although the graphics schemes on those things are not her taste. Opinions there? She's got some skills, she's been riding for a while so we don't want an entry level machine. She rode my Magna just fine but she didn't like the weight.

V4underme wrote:What do y'all know about Buells? Not the little Blast, but the larger displacement models.

Had a look at this post? http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?t=3121

Much mixed emotion out there. Good luck on your quest

The Bandit would still be worth the effort to find one IMO, but if she had trouble with the 599 it might be too tall as well. My wife found the 599 the best of the bunch for her short frame at the bike show, but the Bandit was close and we weren't sure if it's adjustable seat was lowered all of the way down.(keep in mind that only the '05s are adjustable).
The EX500 is a great bike as well that is very low. It's older technology as it hasn't been updated since '93 however. They do handle well, just the same and should be a step up in power from the VLX if she is willing to rev it. If she doesn't like the graphics, look for a low mileage used one of a different year with different graphics(all the way back to '93 gets you esentially the same bike). If you buy well, you should be able to keep it for a year or two and lose next to nothing on it as well. She could just use it as a stepping stone until this comes along :

forget the wife, I want that for ME!


The Bandit is the only "main" one she hasn't sat on yet (can't find onw anywhere). We've been able to eliminate most everything else, but we always seem to find something new to check out. This time it's Buell.


At least with a Bandit the seat could be lowered easily.


Hypedog, thanks for the link.

Hmmm, read the info here and on some other boards regarding Buells. Seems to be a pattern here... HD company, problems with the bikes, problems resolved in newer models. Allegedly. Pretty fat price tag, too, even on used ones. I dunno... not looking like Buell and my bank account will cross paths anytime soon. I'd like to see several more years of bikes with no problems first. Reputations, both good and bad, aren't gained or changed very quickly.

Then again, if the wife wants one...

V4underme wrote:Then again, if the wife wants one...

Well said

I really love my Buell XB9, being female and 5'6" I can related to the problem of not being able to reach the ground (or barely) with some bikes, the Buells come with a Low seat, so it's not an issue. My only complaint is the lack of ability to carry stuff, otherwise it's just brilliant!
I think there is a lower seat option with BMW's too! (BMW also does a Ladies test drive day, which might give your wife the opportunity to try some of the different models, it's put on by the manufacturer not a bike dealership so there's no pressure to buy)
Seeing as so many women are starting to ride you'd think more makes would come with the Low seat option by now.
In so far as mechanical problems, I've had none, I think that issue relates to some of the older models. Buell comes with the 2 year warranty, no limit on the mileage.

What about an FZX 750, They are a good allrounder, They are good for speed, comfortable for touring, handles excellent on bends, and taking off is very quick. And they are fairly low, seat height, Dave actually lowered our 1997 FZX 750 and has both feet flat on the ground even me, all 4'11" can touch the ground with the balls of my feet.

Buelligan... I looked at the 12's Buells over lunch today, even sat on them, and they are as tall as the others (at least to me, I'm 6'1" w/ 33/34 inseam). I like the fact that Buell at least offers a low seat option.

barmy... that FZX is a nice nice nice looking machine. In fact, in profile view, I see a hint of the Vmax shape. It would be sweet next to my max! Trouble is, we can't find one to sit on. But if you can touch ground at your height then the wife might not have a problem on an un-lowered one given she's 5'5". This may have moved to the top of my "try to persuade her into" list just because of the faint vmax resemblance!

The HD/Buell dealer had a treat for me... a used ZRX 1100. First one I've ever seen in person. Surprisingly light for a bigger bike... now, to get teh wife interested in that, too!

EDIT: what years was the FZX in production? anyone?

I'm not sure the FZX ever made it to North America. I've never seen one. But that might not mean anything, there could be thousands of them over here.....