lets talk motorcycles - Page 2

John Rambo · 10-01-2012, 09:12

$2000 for a 250? Nah, I wouldn't do it. I spent 700 bucks on my first bike, it was a 750. But it was also really old. A 250 is a very slow and underpowered cruiser. Almost to the point of being dangerous. I'd get her something a little bigger. Great to take your riding test on but no good if you've got highway riding to do.

RC-RAMIE · 10-01-2012, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halojumper

Even a small girl can "pick up" a full dress Harley.

Hint: it's in the technique, not the strength.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geeorge

YouTube (Short URL)

MSF class than a used Rebel is a great start into the world of motorcycling.

John43 · 10-01-2012, 09:32

250 is to small for the highway. Need to get up in the 500 class. MSf classes are good but may be too much for a new rider.

fnfalman · 10-01-2012, 09:36

To belabor the obvious and to reinforce others have said:

A. Have her take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider course.

B. Start small, light AND well used/cheap.

C. Don't choose the bike for her, she'll know what she wants after the course.

D. Riding gear is your friend. It won't stop you from getting hurt but it will help quite a bit with the severity of the incurred injury.

fnfalman · 10-01-2012, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Rambo

$2000 for a 250? Nah, I wouldn't do it. I spent 700 bucks on my first bike, it was a 750. But it was also really old. A 250 is a very slow and underpowered cruiser. Almost to the point of being dangerous. I'd get her something a little bigger. Great to take your riding test on but no good if you've got highway riding to do.

Not every 250 is a "cruiser".

eaglefrq · 10-01-2012, 09:39

Definitely buy a used one for her first bike. She will drop it, it is a simple fact. Most new riders wind up dropping their bikes while doing low speed maneuvering like tight turning in a parking lot. I've seen new riders (and experienced ones) drop their bikes at a stop sign because they forgot to put their feet down.

I would look at the 500cc bikes, because she will quickly outgrow the 250.

eaglefrq · 10-01-2012, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnfalman

C. Don't choose the bike for her, she'll know what she wants after the course.

D. Riding gear is your friend. It won't stop you from getting hurt but it will help quite a bit with the severity of the incurred injury.

I completely agree with these statements, especially D. I walked away from a 60mph lowside with only a small spot of road rash on my wrist where my jacket rode up slightly.

Jim B in CO · 10-01-2012, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by RC-RAMIE

http://youtu.be/YDR856eBy1c

She looks like a grown woman, not a "small girl".

fnfalman · 10-01-2012, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B in CO

She looks like a grown woman, not a "small girl".

What about a lady of certain maturity?

RC-RAMIE · 10-01-2012, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B in CO

She looks like a grown woman, not a "small girl".

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

Small enough?

fnfalman · 10-01-2012, 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by RC-RAMIE

Small enough?

I'm willing to bet that those two skinny chicks are actually body building camouflaged to look female and dainty.

It takes a real man to lift those big, heavy manly motorcycles. Techniques don't got nuthin' to do with it, it's all pure muscle strength...So them itty bitty wimmin need to stick to them itty bitty bikes and leave the big bikes to the real men.

Happypuppy · 10-01-2012, 11:23

Lifting a bike on a flat surface is one thing, doing it in gravel, on a uneven roadside is another. Females in distress do have some advantages

Sent via Messenger Pigeon

LAWDOGKMS · 10-01-2012, 11:33

A Yamaha XT225 dualsport is what many MSF classes use for class-bikes.. They can be found cheap, have a low seat height, are not intimidating, and can be sold quickly when/if she outgrows it..

We did this a few years back...a DR350 for me, XT226 for her (both plated dualsports)..

She might have ridden with me 5-6 times in 3 years...always had an excuse why she didn't want to...I think she just wasn't that interested in riding..

Finally she told me: "I'd love to hop on the back of yours and go for a ride, but I just don't really have a whole lot of interest in driving myself..it's not really fun for me"..."

So....the idea of his/hers bikes didn't work for us...

As far as gear, get her a good fullface helmet (a flip up will help with claustrophobia if she doesn't like the full face confinement) and a very good biking jacket with armored elbows and back, and good gloves..

LAWDOGKMS · 10-01-2012, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happypuppy

Lifting a bike on a flat surface is one thing, doing it in gravel, on a uneven roadside is another. Females in distress do have some advantages

Sent via Messenger Pigeon

Is the blonde the deputy chick from longmire...?

Zukoda · 10-01-2012, 11:45

Not to beat a horse to death - but a safety course is your best bet.

If that is not an option though, a big question is can she drive a manual transmission car? Knowing how a clutch and gear shift works will greatly aid in learning how to ride a motorcycle. Yes, there are some automatics out there, but not many and that would limit your choices, especially when looking at used bikes.

Zukoda

Happypuppy · 10-01-2012, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAWDOGKMS

Is the blonde the deputy chick from longmire...?

Yep. Both were on Battlestar Gallactica as well. They really do ride all over the place.

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Just_plinking · 10-01-2012, 12:32

I vote for a ninja 250, old or new gen depending on how much you want to spend.

fnfalman · 10-01-2012, 12:38

It just make things more difficult, but nothing changes.

BTW, those two chicks wouldn't need any help at all. Cylons are usually stronger than humans.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happypuppy

Lifting a bike on a flat surface is one thing, doing it in gravel, on a uneven roadside is another. Females in distress do have some advantages

Sent via Messenger Pigeon

John Rambo · 10-01-2012, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAWDOGKMS

Is the blonde the deputy chick from longmire...?

Thats gender-bender Starbuck.

John Rambo · 10-01-2012, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnfalman

Not every 250 is a "cruiser".

Very true, but we're talking motorcycles in this thread, not plastic toys.

fnfalman · 10-01-2012, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Rambo

Very true, but we're talking motorcycles in this thread, not plastic toys.

Exactly. Cruisers aren't real motorcycles. That's why they're referred to as "scooters" regardless of engine displacement and weight.

John Rambo · 10-01-2012, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnfalman

Exactly. Cruisers aren't real motorcycles. That's why they're referred to as "scooters" regardless of engine displacement and weight.

Scooters are what fat chicks ride.

Halojumper · 10-01-2012, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B in CO

She looks like a grown woman, not a "small girl".

Look on the ride like a pro video. He uses a smaller woman to demonstrate it there.

fnfalman · 10-01-2012, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Rambo

Scooters are what fat chicks ride.

Scooters are what fat dudes in assless chaps ride as well.

ray9898 · 10-01-2012, 14:27

As above....a MSF course is a must but I don't think a rider with zero experience would do well. She will need something just to learn the controls so she will be comfortable before a class.

I know several guys who got their wives involved. The ones who succeeded picked up small 250's which helped build confidence while they learned the basics. Two still ride them this day, the rest sold them later on for pretty much what they had in them. I know two who started with a full size cruisers and neither took to it because they were never comfortable learning on a heavy bike.