Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I took my wife back to our local bike shop to look at some of the models. I have learned a lot from reading the posts on here so I knew a little more what to look for when we went. I sat on the Rebel and a guy walked by and said I was too big for it. I am about 6 foot, 195 pounds. (He suggested a Honda Shadow for my first bike but it is so much money!) Anyway, I had my wife sit on it and she could not (or wouldn't try) to move it. I myself was amazed at how heavy the bike was and it is so little! I can't imagine trying to balance that thing while moving. She right away started to back out of the idea of taking the MSF course with me. Do these bikes balance better when moving? Could a 150 pound woman without much muscle ride one of these? I took her by the MSF course and we saw all the bikes and they looked like Rebels to my untrained eye. I would hate for her to get hurt taking the class and I would also hate for her not to try when it came time for the riding portion. I am just wondering if you are smaller or if your wife has any suggestions on how to balance them. I hope this makes some sense...

Thanks,
Eric

Once they get moving, they pretty much balance themselves. And yes, the MSF bikes are most likely Rebels. Could also be GZ250's or Nighthawk 250's.

No worries there.

Motorcycles balance themselves as they start moving. The force on the rear wheel keeps it up the same way it does on your bicycle. Faster you go the more the bike wants to be kept upright.

My girlfriend is 140 soaking wet. She can easily handle her 85 Magna (~450 lbs). At the DC bike show she was able to get all the monsters up (and with some of the custom bikes I do mean monsters).

It doesn't get much smaller than a Rebel, so if the weight of one is that intimidating you may have one helluva uphill battle on your hands. But, once you become a competent rider, you'll be handling 800lb bikes with ease.

ZooTech wrote:It doesn't get much smaller than a Rebel, so if the weight of one is that intimidating you may have one helluva uphill battle on your hands. But, once you become a competent rider, you'll be handling 800lb bikes with ease.

I just did not think it would be that heavy. It didn't look like it would be. I sat on the Ninja 250 and that felt comfortable and lighter. I just don't know how you switch gears with your feet where they are. I am interested to see how you change gears when I take the MSF course.

your a big lad you can handle it,

It's not too small. As soon as someone with an average build or just slightly larger walks in and sits on a smaller engine, the first thing salespeople say is it's too small for you. Balls.

I know plenty of people who are heavier than I am and taller than I am who are happy on thier smaller bikes. Having said that, I was not and wanted to move up in class. What's good for you is good for you and who cares what's good for the sales guy especially if it's seemingly to increase the amount of cash you spend.

Your wife weighs more than me (not an insult or anything, just a statement).

I'm 145 and didn't have a problem with the MSF bikes. They really do balance themselves out.

I'm a 5'11" male by the way.


It's like a bicycle, the faster you go, the more stable you are

But I wouldn't go too fast. Don't wanna hit one of those 'unknown' factors out there. Like a deer....


I'd say take the MSF. She can always back out after it but she won't know until she tries. It's pretty fun, really.

In our course, the instructor mentioned that there were gyroscopic forces generated with the engine running which helped stabilize the bike even at rest or very slow speeds. The first thing we did on the bikes in the course was have a partner push us across the parking lot. It was awful trying to balance the bike, and we were just riding little 125 cc singles! But once the engine was running it was a different story. Anyway, the point is that I think even small bikes are going to feel heavy when they're not running.

Just my .02 worth. I won't be offended if someone challenges my physics!!

I'm 5'8", 146lbs and I had no problems with my first bike ('83 Suzuki GS650GL - ~550lbs wet) and I have no problems with my current ride ('05 Kawasaki KLR650 - ~400lbs wet). Rolling the bike with the engine off is still a chore, but no problems at all with it running.

Once you have the engine going and the bike rolling, you will be amazed at actually how light the bike feels, especially a 250 Rebel.

Get the Rebel if that's what you want and to hell with what the salesman tries to tell you. If you are comfortable sitting on the bike, that is the most important thing.