Best bike for newbee female?

[Midnightmotorsports]

A good friend of mine is thinking of getting a sportbike looking for sugstions? She is about 5'7 and has experience on quads. Shes never been on a streetbike. She wants something that she can keep awhile and grow into. I sugested CBRF4I. Mine seems pretty forgiving and is faster and better handling than I will ever use. We went to a couple dealers and she likes the new CBR600RR best. I told her thats too much bike. She thinks I just dont want hers to be better than mine. Ideas?

[FJMam]

Good for you to tell her that today's 600 are way more bike then she might start with. You might think about stirring her toward a nice used 350/400. Or even a sweet little 250.

If she drops it a few times it wont hurt so much she'll find out if sport bikes fit her. I'm 5'8" and fit is important and lucky for us we can seat most bikes unlike our more petite friends.

Maybe you can get some ideas from WOW (Women on Wheels). I don't know if they have a forum but I'd bet they do.

Good Luck and Hurray for your friend!!

[Xusia]

600RR?!? I was going to suggest a Ninja 500. It's no screamer on the straights, but it'll keep up in the corners. My wife has one and we ride 2 up all the time. We have no trouble keeping up in the corners. As a matter of fact, we're usually towards the front. I love the look on people's faces when they realize the bike they can't through the corners is a 1988 Ninja EX500!

I think even an F4i is too much for a starter bike. Quads have a completely different feel, and a completely different throttle mechanism - she shouldn't be using that as a basis for her skill. If she wants to learn to ride well, she should check her pride and start with something that will make it easier for her learn.

[Asphalt Surfer]

600RR?!? I was going to suggest a Ninja 500. It's no screamer on the straights, but it'll keep up in the corners.
:plusone:
I think even an F4i is too much for a starter bike. Quads have a completely different feel, and a completely different throttle mechanism - she shouldn't be using that as a basis for her skill. If she wants to learn to ride well, she should check her pride and start with something that will make it easier for her learn.

My best advice is to take the MSF course and see how she feels about the bike she is using. We have a MSF instructor on here. I'm sure he will put some suggestions up as well.:ride:
OK "b" put some suggestions up!

[ash]

600RR?!? I was going to suggest a Ninja 500.

:plusone:


I think even an F4i is too much for a starter bike.

i got an R6 as a starter bike. maybe i'm just crazy or stupid.:idunno:
a guy i work with got a 250 ninja. for him it was a good choice. the drops it at intersections pretty much everyday and he can barely handle the power of a 250. i think it depends on the person and the teacher.:2cents:




My best advice is to take the MSF course and see how she feels about the bike she is using.

:plusone:

[Skinny]

When I first started to ride, my buddy taught me on his Harley. We went out for a few sessions and he taught me the basics. I then went out and bought a 250 Ninja. I suggest that bike to just about everyone (either that or a 500 depending). I rode that bike for a year and loved it (then it was stolen :yell:). It is light enough that if you start to drop it, you can put a foot down and keep it from hitting the ground. In fact, my girlfriend wants to learn how to ride and I'm looking at getting her a 250.

I also agree with the MSF course. I took mine in California but I'm assuming they are pretty much the same course anywhere. It's a good course to learn the basics. I suggest either a 250 or 500 for a starter bike but that's just my :2cents:. Let us know what she decides.

[Rev. Fatty Bulger]

I understand the concept of not wanting to spend money twice. It seems more efficient to get the bike you want now instead of buying a learner and then upgrading. I've seen this work and I've seen it not. Just make sure she understands new riders do silly things to make the bike fall down and go boom, even at a stop. On a new 600 (especially Honda, parts are made of gold!) repair costs can be spendy. If insurance covers it then she'll pay in the long run.

If she can afford a beater learner I'd recomend it. Make her mistakes on that than then move up. She can pick up a 250 for 2k or under on craigslist. I'd prefer to drop that then a $9k RR.

The other danger I see is early success can breed arrogance. A 600 super bike with that kind of performance can get her in a lot of trouble real quick. That was the cause of my first get off.

[Xusia]

I understand the concept of not wanting to spend money twice. It seems more efficient to get the bike you want now instead of buying a learner and then upgrading. I've seen this work and I've seen it not. Just make sure she understands new riders do silly things to make the bike fall down and go boom, even at a stop. On a new 600 (especially Honda, parts are made of gold!) repair costs can be spendy. If insurance covers it then she'll pay in the long run.

If she can afford a beater learner I'd recomend it. Make her mistakes on that than then move up. She can pick up a 250 for 2k or under on craigslist. I'd prefer to drop that then a $9k RR.

The other danger I see is early success can breed arrogance. A 600 super bike with that kind of performance can get her in a lot of trouble real quick. That was the cause of my first get off.

Amen, brother! Well said. I learned on a 750 and didnt' take the MSF course. Although I was a "success" story, having done it that way I realize the folly of it and the fact that I didn't wreck initially was sheer stupid luck.

I recommended the 500 because she wanted to have something she could grow with and I personally feel a 250 just doesn't have enough power. The 500 gives you enough to really be in it with the other bikes, but not so much you'll have a hard time learning. And although any bike can get a rider into trouble really quick, the more power a bike has, the more likely that scenario is and the more skill (I would actually term it "finesse") required to safely handle it. That is just a lot less likely to happen on a 500. We picked up my wife's 500 used for $1850. It's already been down a couple times, and you can't even tell. I think I've only had to replace each lever once and that's it. Grand total <$60.

She shoudl also bear in mind that crashes on a street bike are different. I've crashed my quad plenty and never hurt a thing. My first motorcycle accident (first of only 2 in 17 years) resulted in a broken wrist and lots of scrapes - and I was lucky. When you crash you hit pavement, concrete barricades, and other really hard objects. You are not hitting dirt, mud, etc. (usually).

[MEP1000]

My wife has a Ninja 500 and loves it. I've ridden it a couple times myself and its actually a blast. Todays modern sportbikes are very powerful and can catch you out if not prepared. Start small then work your way up. I hope your friend finally listens to ya

[lotsamtbottls]

ok... being a woman, especially a petite one (5'3") who is still new-ish, i think i can give a pretty accurate opinion. a 250 is just NOT ENOUGH BIKE. she will outgrow it really fast, especially if she is 5'7". a 250 feels too small even to me. i learned on a 500 and that was such an awesome bike. it corners fantastic and feels like its glued to the road. i had mine almost 2 years and dropped it many times (due mostly to my short legs), and i can attest to how well they handle being thrown on the ground. i probably threw it down close to 15 times (always at a stop) and never had any real damage on the bike... broken clutch lever and a couple minor scrapes. thats IT. they are MADE to be dropped... kawi knows its going to be sold as a starter bike and i think they designed accordingly. they are so much more forgiving than a 600 will be. imo a 600 would be a hard bike to learn on (even though lots of people start off with one), even if she has quad experience. a 500 will last forever, get killer gas mileage (mine got about 55-60mpg), corner better than most 600's and liter bikes, and teach her many good lessons along the way. if i had gotten my way, i would have started on a 600 gixxer (the only 600 i can touch the ground on)... but i'm really, really glad that my dad put his foot down. just tell her that she can start on a 500 for a while, see how she does... then she can always move up to a bigger bike when she's REALLY comfortable with the one she's been riding. the 500's hold their resale value really well, so its not like she'll lose a bunch of money in it.

[FJMam]

Hope your head is spinning.

I did learn on '72 CB750. 6 months later I bought a KZ650. A very forgiving machine. Of course this was ages ago. I am a success story (so far) 20+ years without a wreck. (crosses fingers)

[Nicegy525]

I started on a 1990 Suzuki Katana 750 for $1500 and was a success story. (read: I was a Puss and never opened it up) I dropped it three times at a stand still though. I put on a new chain & sprockets and new mirrors and sold it 8 months later for $1500. I bought my current bike ZZR-600 and I absolutely love it! If your friend has the right confidence and respect for the sport, there is no reason why the ZZR wouldnt be a good starter bike. It is about equal to the F4i but I think the ZZR comes with a fully adjustable suspension (not sure about the F4i)

I would definitely buy used because SHE WILL drop it. Probably more than once. and lets not forget about sufficient gear as well! Good luck and hope to see her on the roads soon!

[Midnightmotorsports]

I apreciate all the responses. She is my ex so there is no telling her anything. Seems shes got her heart set on a brand new CBR600RR. At least mine will still be shiny at the end of summer. (hopefully.) She did sign up for Team Oregon today. Dont wanna see her get hurt and I honestly think she would have more fun with a Ninja500 or Ninja650R at least in the begining. Ill let her read this one of these days. Anyone got links to horror stories? Later.

[Asphalt Surfer]

I apreciate all the responses. She is my ex so there is no telling her anything. Seems shes got her heart set on a brand new CBR600RR. At least mine will still be shiny at the end of summer. (hopefully.) She did sign up for Team Oregon today. Dont wanna see her get hurt and I honestly think she would have more fun with a Ninja500 or Ninja650R at least in the begining. Ill let her read this one of these days. Anyone got links to horror stories? Later.
Who's do you want to hear? :haha:

[Summer4ever]

I apreciate all the responses. She is my ex so there is no telling her anything. Seems shes got her heart set on a brand new CBR600RR. At least mine will still be shiny at the end of summer. (hopefully.) She did sign up for Team Oregon today. Dont wanna see her get hurt and I honestly think she would have more fun with a Ninja500 or Ninja650R at least in the begining. Ill let her read this one of these days. Anyone got links to horror stories? Later.


I'm a bit torn on this one. I started on a Ninja 500, and it's a GREAT bike to start on (and as Xusia pointed out...it's a cornering MACHINE!!) but it was so underpowered and forgiving that I feel I didn't have enough respect for the power a motorcycle can have when I got my R1. Hmmm... horror stories, I took the R1 140' off the side of a mountain. I am a miracle because somehow I walked away from it, but a month later a man went off in almost the same location and lost his life. I probably would have crashed on the 500 sooner or later anyways though because I was testing the limits of my abilities all the time at that point (the only place for that is at the track).... so I guess I really feel that it depends on the rider more than the bike. I know lots of women that ride so conservatively that they could ride pretty much anything. It doesn't go fast if you don't twist the throttle...:smilewink:


Here's a good example of what can happen when you try to ride above your ability level... on little to no sleep... and have the power to get there in a hurry...

[chakup]

I'll suggest the bike I always do- sv-650(s). Great first bikes, and great experienced bikes. very forgiving, still has plenty of power if you want to use it, but not like a 600 where it can come up on ya.

[Toxxic]

I'll suggest the bike I always do- sv-650(s). Great first bikes, and great experienced bikes. very forgiving, still has plenty of power if you want to use it, but not like a 600 where it can come up on ya.

2nd the SV, great bike to learn on and build confidence that you would not out grow in a short period of time

[Fade]

I've got a 500, and am defintely ready to move up to the 600's, but I dont regret starting on a 500 for a second. It was perfect, forgiving, didnt cost a ton when dropped at a stop, plenty fast for someone who had never been on a bike period, and in general put a huge grin on my face :thumbup: Anyways, before I found the ninja 500, i was considering a sv650 or a f4i. I think I would have been fine with the sv, but the f4i Im glad I didnt go for. But yes...it does depend on the person.

[eezz]

Sounds like its too late, but I would also have recommended the 500 ninja or the SV 650.

[speedracer42]

Ok time for the alternative opinion here. It is 150% about the rider and has ZERO to do with the bike. You could put the right newb girl on a MotoGP bike and she would be fine and never drop it. I am not saying she would become an AMA champ but could handle it. My gf is fairly tall @ 5'10" so that helps, but she started on my 2001 GSXR 600 race bike. She had her moments and was timid at first but learned well and never dropped it once. I recommend MSF just to get the basics, but if she is wise she will let you teach her seperatly on the 600RR or whatever else she gets. Here is what I did. I took my gf to the parking lot after literally two weeks of just talking to her about some of the many riding scenarios she would run into. First she started just riding figure 8's (lots of them) Then when she was comfortable I made her do 2nd gear race roll on's (my 600 is MUCH faster than a new stock one) until I felt like she was really using the power. Then I taught her to brake as hard as possible from 65 to 0. Once we had done that for a few weeks we started riding around industrial parks and progressed until she had several hundred street miles and completed her first summer with a track day. Let her get what she wants. If she can't handle it physically or mentally she will wreck it, moped or ZX-10. It does not matter. And just FYI the new sportbikes are so smooth and easy to ride I can't even believe it. If they are smart and don't pin it at 8k rpm's it is like riding a moped, although slightly heavier.

[Cornholio]

I'll suggest the bike I always do- sv-650(s). Great first bikes, and great experienced bikes. very forgiving, still has plenty of power if you want to use it, but not like a 600 where it can come up on ya.Agreed. It's just a great all-around bike and it works for beginners and experienced riders alike.

If that's too much then there's always something like this available: :ride:
http://graphics.samsclub.com/images/products/0040626278929_LG.jpg

[Xusia]

Ok time for the alternative opinion here. It is 150% about the rider and has ZERO to do with the bike. You could put the right newb girl on a MotoGP bike and she would be fine and never drop it. I am not saying she would become an AMA champ but could handle it. My gf is fairly tall @ 5'10" so that helps, but she started on my 2001 GSXR 600 race bike. She had her moments and was timid at first but learned well and never dropped it once. I recommend MSF just to get the basics, but if she is wise she will let you teach her seperatly on the 600RR or whatever else she gets. Here is what I did. I took my gf to the parking lot after literally two weeks of just talking to her about some of the many riding scenarios she would run into. First she started just riding figure 8's (lots of them) Then when she was comfortable I made her do 2nd gear race roll on's (my 600 is MUCH faster than a new stock one) until I felt like she was really using the power. Then I taught her to brake as hard as possible from 65 to 0. Once we had done that for a few weeks we started riding around industrial parks and progressed until she had several hundred street miles and completed her first summer with a track day. Let her get what she wants. If she can't handle it physically or mentally she will wreck it, moped or ZX-10. It does not matter. And just FYI the new sportbikes are so smooth and easy to ride I can't even believe it. If they are smart and don't pin it at 8k rpm's it is like riding a moped, although slightly heavier.

I don't think anyone was suggesting she COULDN'T handle it. Personally I was suggesting a 500 (or an SV650) would be EASIER to learn on. Never said impossible. Just suggesting a course of action that stacks the odds in her favor the most.

[bloominr6]

I started on a 600 and glad I did. I agree with Speed... its the rider not the machine. All personal preference. If you know her well then maybe you know what would be best for her to start with. People that new me new that I would have been fine on whatever I started with. Probably not happy with anything other then a 600 though. I'm only 5'4 and that has been the most difficult thing for me. Tip toe....I figured it out... It would be nice to have flat feet sometimes though....hills..parking...etc. Oh well. Cant grow and wont lower the bike. Hopefully she makes the right choice for her.

[Midnightmotorsports]

Yeah, I know her. She is super competitive. Especialy with me. First it was cars then quads now bikes. I just dont want to see her get hurt. I think she woulld have more fun and get more use out of something a bit more tame. Id like to see her gain some exsperience and respect for it before she jumps in.

[bloominr6]

Yeah, I know her. She is super competitive. Especialy with me. First it was cars then quads now bikes. I just dont want to see her get hurt. I think she woulld have more fun and get more use out of something a bit more tame. Id like to see her gain some exsperience and respect for it before she jumps in.
Sounds like shes getting the 600 and you probably wont be able to change her mind on that. Maybe you can get her to do some track days so she can get comfortable on the bike in a safe environment. ?? Good luck

[Xusia]

Competitiveness and stubbornness are a recipe for disaster. For her sake, I hope you are able to change her mind.

[ash]

Competitiveness and stubbornness are a recipe for disaster. For her sake, I hope you are able to change her mind.

:plusone:

[vorderma]

The SV650 was the top rated beginner bike since it debuted. The v-twin gives it a fair amount of torque while the 650 ccs keeps the horsepower down. So while it is a good beginner bike, it is also remarkably competitive. It has an amazingly large following in club level racing. The ricing position on a modern sportbike is so focussed that it is difficult for beginners to take in everything that is going on around them while still concentrating on the bike and maneuvering properly. If you can't talk her into it with any sense of logic or begging when it gets right down to it... at least insist that she get quality gear. Definitely not some stylized bling from icon.

[Midnightmotorsports]

Thats funny. She likes Icon and already has an "outfit" piced out.

[vorderma]

Hahaha, she's gonna get the "kitty" jacket and chaps isn't she? No track days with those.

P.S. Hurray for assless chaps!!!!!!!

[Jane Honda]

Hahaha, she's gonna get the "kitty" jacket and chaps isn't she? No track days with those.

P.S. Hurray for assless chaps!!!!!!!



Noooooo, assless chaps.... noooooo..... The only place they are useful is for photoshoots off the bike...

[FJMam]

maybe I'm confused.........chaps don't have an ass, no matter how you look at them. Now chaps alone makes for a very intersting sight...for good or bad.


:idunno: :confused: :idunno: :confused: :eek:

[vorderma]

"Assless chaps", just for redundancy and clarification and redundancy. You gotta admit, they can make an ass look really good, as long as you get to see it before the pavement does.
:on-crutches::whip: