best bike for petite woman (cruiser)
Can you give suggestions for the best (lowest seat) bikes out there? I understand Honda Rebel, Shadow VLX, and Shadow Spirit 750 all are some of the lowest seats, along with the Harley XL883L (is that too much bike?) Also, what about the reach to the handlebars - are some bikes closer than others? And the clutch and brake system...I was told in my motorcycle safety class that you can get something to make the shifting easier for those of us with short fingers!
Please guide me in the right direction ...
thank you
Seats heights....you got your
Seats heights....you got your list already .... HOWEVER..... aftermarket seats (in your personalizing process) can typically lower seat height by as much as 2 inches, in the cruiser world that as, such as Mustang and Saddleman. Or you can try the more expensive lowering kits. Reach can be remedied very easily and cheaply by getting handle bar riders. Typically they move the bars up and back and you can adjust the placement of the grips at install to giving you a wide range of tinkering. For levers (clutch and brake) you can find after market shorty levers.
Remember....no bike is ever perfect outta the box, out the door. Some can come darned close though.
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You might also look at
You might also look at Suzuki's line up of cruisers. You're suggestions run the gamut on power, so you might try their GZ250, TU250X and the S40 (which is a 650). All of them have comparable seat heights to the Rebel. The S40 has more of the cruiser styling with a slightly longer rake, while the other two are standards.
thanks for the Suzuki
thanks for the Suzuki suggestions - i have them listed as a little higher than the others, 27.6 (S40) and 27.8 (GZ250) and when your short, it makes a big difference.
Not sure how short you are.
Not sure how short you are. I'm 5'2", and the S40 is plenty low for me. I think it would probably be fine for someone who is another 4-5" shorter than me, but you just have to sit on them to figure it out.
petite
thanks for the info. I've learned it also depends on your torso and legs - which make up the height! I am 5' 1 1/2", but have shorter legs than torso!
Moto Guzzi Breva 750
Moto Guzzi Breva 750
You did not mention
You did not mention experience. You mentioned the class, so I assume a first bike?
If so, add weight to the equation. I started on a Sportster 883. Nice machine and I just love my Sporty, but at nearly 600 lbs it is a VERY heavy bike to try and learn on. The lighter the bike, the easier it will be to learn. Just something to consider. The 250's make the best trainers, always have. Something like the S-40 is a good first bike, but more difficult than a 250 as well. Can you live with extra effort and risk of drops and falls? (-;
Most of the bikes you listed would work fine. What was missing is any thought of weight, and it will matter, trust me. Starting on anything larger than a 250 requires more personal risk tolerance and the heavier and more powerful, the higher the threshold for personal ability to adapt and learn.
If the larger bikes are what you want, there is always the option to go with a used Rebel for 5 or ten thousand miles, then go to a Sporty or the like. (-;
2006 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Sales, Peterson's North Miami Store
Suzuki s40/50
My wife is also a very short woman. She did not like the honda 750 due to the forward controls. the Suzuki's fit her best as she didn't feel as though she was reaching for everything. The S50 fit her so well it looked as though they made it just for her ( posture was great and all controls in easy reach ). I will lower it for her so that she will be able to touch flat-footed ,but talking only an inch. The S40 is a very mild performer and will make a great first bike with a possible S50 to graduate up to. my wife is only 5' tall with a 26 or so inseam and she still fits a bike that states it is taller than it seems to be. check them out and I think you will be glad that you gave the Suzuki's a look. Take care and God bless. Jon D.