Heya all, a newbie here! I joined this site probably a couple of days ago after work when I randomly found it on the net. I spontaneously said last month that I wanted to go for my motorbike test (I do weird things like that all the time) and last weekend past it first time after coming back from holidays in Thailand (yes, I did play around with a scooter over there and freaked out since it was the first time I touched one ). Now I'm looking around for which bike would be the best for me since I had heaps of fun doing the learners motorbike course. What bike does everyone recommend for a 5'1" female rider? I was looking towards either a Honda CBR 250 or a Kawasaki Ninja 250 to start with and get another bike later on. Noted that I may drop a bike (touch wood) depending on the overall weight!
Welcome Kittyz, I'm a newbie as well so yeah can't really help you too much with your bike choice maybe a naked?? The other boys will have some valuable info for you
Hey Kittyz Welcome aboard, you picked 2 solid performers in the CBR250 and the Ninja 250, they are the 2 top sellers in the 250cc class. I think the important thing is to ride each of them and see which one feels right to you, by that I mean being able to touch the ground when sititng on it, ease of reading your gauges and generally feeling comfortable on it. We have all dropped a bike in our time, if it worries you, I would invest in a set of frame sliders ( see pic below) which bolts onto your bike and if you do go over, the frame sliders gets scratched but your paintwork is saved. Dont forget to ensure you have a decent jacket, gloves and helmet before hitting the road. Cheers Kiffsta
to the community If your buying new then go along to the dealers and start by sitting on them ..... and dont be overwhelmed by the sales man ....... and as mentioned a test ride Even if you are buying second hand u can still 'try out' the new models Feel free to come back here and ask as many questions as needed. Heres a few seat heights of some common bikes.... Honda VTR250 Seat Height 760 mm Suzuki Across Seat Height 770 mm Yamaha FZR250 3LN 735mm Kawasaki ZXR250 735 mm Hyosung GT250R Seat height 780 mm Honda CBR250R 780 mm Yamaha Virago 250 Seat Height 685 mm Daelim VJF250 Seat Height 780 mm Suzuki Inazuma GW250 Seat Height 780mm Kawasaki ZZR250 seat height 760mm Kawasaki Ninja 250R 775 mm 2013 Model Line Up
Welcome. As stated above, go to the dealers and sit on anything you like the look of to get an idea of what will suit you. What bike did you use for the learners course? Were you comfortable on it? My lady friend is short also and can only touch the ground comfortable on a Yamaha 250 Virago. They are a good little bike for learners.
Hey Kittyz Welcome to the forum, you will get plenty of sound advise here. If you survived scootering in Thailand, don't think you got any problems here, the range of bikes on offer is huge. Have a good look around, test ride as many as possible and by that stage you will have a pretty good idea which one is the bike for you. Keep us posted, again welcome.
Hi Kittyz, Welcome from another newbie. As the boys said, bikes are about personal preference. I'm fairly short myself (just under 5'7") so being able to get both feet down was important to me, but also just being comfortable sitting on it as well. Some bikes have quite wide fairings so I felt that that my legs were stretched too wide from the hips, and a long ride would end up more painful than enjoyable. Sit on plenty of bikes, test ride a lot and take you time. You will just know when the bike is the right fit for you. and Phil - lol so true. Scootering in Thailand is an experience that stays with you!
Welcome Kittyz....I think it comes down to what is the most comfortable of the two for you,they are both excellent bikes for a newcomer and which one fits you better of the two is probably the most important.I always remember a short arse....sorry vertically challenged rider on a motorcross/enduro/trail bike in front of me at the traffic lights years ago....he was so short...i think it was a he???...they where so short that they where standing at the lights with one leg on the deck and the other draped over the bike seat,when the lights changed he/they gassed the bike and jumped onto the seat, now this bike was WAAAAY to big for them, but he was so used to the bike it was a easy thing for them to do....you dont want to be even considering something as dumb as that person....find the model that fits your height,then worry about the other things....and again welcome to the forum and welcome to the best form of transport us mere mortals can buy....
kityz, sit on many bikes for fit...leg angle, feet on ground,back angle. you will soon know what suits you and look for quality and reliability.most likely japanese manufacture.
Hi welcome, I own a Suzuki Inazuma it is a very very easy bike to ride and I can touch the floor ok I am small 5'6" try one you will love it. Scoot
