[BouncingRadical]

My girlfriend has been wanting a bike and was wondering what kinds of bikes someone would start on who is 5′ even, 100 lbs and a 27″ inseam. I’ve seen the Buell Blast recommend for small people but I didn’t know if it was too powerful for a beginner as I have never ridden one. Any suggestions?

[briderdt]

These are the bikes that they use in the Harley version of the MSF beginner class. I wouldn’t think they’d be putting you on something too powerful.

Also look at the V-star, virago, and maybe the Suzuki M40/C40. Depends a lot on the style of bike that she would want to ride, though. These are all cruiser types.

[SafetyFirst]

07 or older Kawasaki Ninja 250. They won’t do her wrong.

I did notice the Suzuki GZ250 is really low to ground from the ones in MSF BRC class, BUT I strongly disagree with how the bike has your feet in a very forward position. That’s not a defensive riding position! Save the lazy-boy posture for watching TV.

[ranette]

I assumed that one of the cruiser riders would have chimed in by now. I ride a standard, love having my feet under me, have no idea why anybody would want theirs in front or in back of them. However, for you to come out with a blanket statement maligning cruisers-“Save the lazy-boy posture for watching TV.”- is absolutely ridiculous. You’ve been riding for how long??? I also rode a GZ250 in the BRC and hated it as well, however, to each his or her own. If you’re going to throw out all cruisers as appropriate beginner bikes you’ll pretty much be left with…oh yeah a Ninja 250, god’s gift to the beginner.

[JackTrade]

I have one, and they are indeed a good fit for the vertically challenged. The low-profile seat option is only 25.5 inches off the ground, so it’ll fit most any one. Also is very light weight.

Engine is a 500cc single, but it’s a “cruiser” 500ccs (it’s 1/2 of a Sportster 883 motor), so it’s not exactly comparable to a sportbike 500…but it does have a decent amount of off the line torque, so it definitely moves around town just fine. But it’s hard to overwhelm yourself, and the power is very linear.

They’re standards in style/riding position, so about halfway between the sportbike crouch and the cruiser layback. Handling is exceptional…almost telepathic.

Overall, they’re great beginner bikes…very forgiving, extremely simple to maintain, and start-it-and-go setup. Sounds like a riding lawnmower on steroids…sorta a weaker-toned sport V-twin rasp like Ducatis and the bigger Buells have….imagine something between the cruiser rumble and the sportbike whine.

On the con side, they’re not powerful, they have almost no bells and whistles, they shake like a paint mixer at idle, and build quality is famously hit or miss.

You can easily get one used w/low miles very cheaply, as they’re not longer-term keepers like say a Ninja. I’ve had mine for about 8 months now, and will likely sell it before the end of the year. For someone just getting into riding (like me), it was a great choice and I’d do it again.

BTW here’s a more complete review, with good pics:

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=852

[Munch]

Saw it, read it, decided to leave it alone. Though appreciate you taking up the call Ranette. It’s a constant thing and me personally I ride with anyone. Wether it be another person that rides a lazy boy or old man bike, or a sporty/crotch rocket that likes to ride w/ that super man feeling, or even dual sports that seem not to be able to make up their minds what turf suits them. We all anjoy the same things.
Being that cruisers have been around longer and have a emphasis on cruising and not taking off at neck break speeds (though some can, twist my 9 to hard and you’ll pull a neck muscle) and have a larger variety for displacements generally make it a “GoTo” style bike for learners. Standards are among those to.
My advice to the Lil’ lady is to take her to do what most (not all) women love doing most…… shop! Have her go to bike shops with ya, make her butt test everything. Heck even gives you a chance to oggle at all the bling and leather yourself. My youngest daughter jumps at every chance to go with me to the bike store. Every time we walk in she makes the odd statement of how she likes the way the place smells. If I ask if she wants to ride, she has her helmet on before I can even get my keys.
So get HER to butt test, narrow down the viable options and make her research em. Also don’t forget to ask the Service dept. what can be done to get the bike to fit her better. Not the sales guy , the Service guys.

[BouncingRadical]

The butt test is happening for sure, I wouldn’t help her get a bike sight unseen. It’s just that there are few bikes for short people and I was fishing for suggestions, various types that would fit her, its not like the Buell is the one or anything. Thanks for the suggestions so far, though, gives more options to put her cute butt on.

I didn’t mean to start the eternal debate between cruisers and sport bikes though. But any purest would know dual sport is the only way to go xD Just joking!

[SafetyFirst]

Now look what I’ve started.

Ride whatever you want to ride. I really don’t care. My uncle in the next state rides a big-ass Harley cruiser. Would I ride with him? Sure I would. He was a motorcycle cop and I bet he could still kick my rear-end in a low-speed skills on his lazy-boy on 2-wheels, with CD changer.

Just for fun, can you disprove that the 250 isn’t god’s gift to the beginner, especially a smaller rider? They are easy to find in good condition used, around 2K more or less, parallel-twin, not single cyl, have strong front brakes, are pretty light (especially the 07 and older), redline high, and so on and so forth.

[ranette]

Like I said don’t own a cruiser, probably never will. However, you state with authority that cruisers are inferior beginner bikes. I’ve been riding since July of last year with about 8000 miles total between my scooter and motorcycle; I consider myself a newbie, I still listen more than I speak as I realize, despite a year of incident free riding-“not if but when” is absolute bullshit-that my knowledge and skill set barely scratch the level of competence. However, I believe that I have a good deal more experience than you and I’m simply calling you on your original statement that cruisers are inferior due to their seating position. Bullshit. How much experience do you have on them? Are you telling me that riders who started on Vulcans, V Stars, Boulevards and of course even the big man’s Sporty, end up being less skilled than those who start on standards or detuned sport bikes? Maybe if your ultimate goal is to pass Rossi on The Corkscrew, but all we’re trying to do is become good safe street riders. I don’t mean to be rude but don’t make blanket statements on subjects on which you have no experience-and no two days of MSF does not qualify as experience, and even if it did it is your personal experience, not fact, yet you stated it as a fact “That’s not a defensive riding position! Save the lazy-boy posture for watching TV.” I repeat, for the third time, Bullshit!

Personally I have nothing against the Ninja 250 and don’t dispute any of the facts that you give, and yes they are facts. My initially snarky comment about the Ninja is simply a reaction to an opinion that it is the only bike to start riding on. Judging from everything I have read I have no doubt that it is an excellent bike to start with, however, it is not the only one. Obviously “god’s gift” was said in jest as everyone knows that all two wheeled vehicles sent directly from heaven have “Ducati” emblazoned on the tank.

[SafetyFirst]

Man, I love getting my ass handed to me on a golden platter. You win.

[BouncingRadical]

The seat heights look perfect on those, and I know the rebel is good, but sometiems hard to find bike, cuz its seat is about shin high! Thanks for the info Elwood.

[owlie]

The other thing, be sure to have her take the MSF contemporaneously (or after) the butt testing. The first time I tried the blast, I thought that the regular seat was too high, but it was because I didn’t know how to relax into the the seat. Not really afraid of the bike, just not comfortable on it. After I took the class, it was a whole different story.

I’m not much taller than your lady, and I was really surprised to discover that most of the bikes that are listed as “beginner bikes” actually fit me pretty well from the flat-foot point of view.

[BouncingRadical]

Will do. She is taking the MSF where I took it and they have Nighthawks and Rebels, both good short beginner bikes she can see what she likes there to.

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