- This topic has 4 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 8 months ago by Munch.
Hi, from Louisiana
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August 6, 2009 at 4:25 am #3249SweetbabeParticipant
I should’ve found this forum first. My name is Beth. I am 5’1″ and weigh 95 lbs. I’ve been riding a little over two years with the first year being on a Vino 125cc Scooter. I loved it but hubby could not get his over 45mph because of his weight. Last year he upgraded to a Honda Shadow 750. Obviously I couldn’t ride with him if I was on a scooter. So I took the Motorcycle Safety Course on a Honda Rebel 250. Had problems completing the figure 8 but with some extra afterhour work on hubby’s 750 I passed the course. We looked for me a 250 and there were NONE at all to be found in our area.
We finally found a new 2009 Vulcan 500. We bought it for me. I found the center of gravity to be too high and I had balance problems from day one with the bike. Once going I was fine but the u-turn around the median in front of the house scared me. I had trouble with slow speed turns because the balance on the bike felt weird. And like described in another forum the handlebars would go full direction and I would be off balance resulting in laying the bike over (although it wasn’t because of me hitting the brake). I only did that 2-3 times but it was enough to make me fear the weight of the bike. I could ride his 750 easier than I could ride my 500.
In February a driver ran a stop sign and pulled out in front of my husband resulting in his bike being totalled. I gave him my Vulcan. He immediately began to complain about the balance of the bike and the center of gravity being so much different than his Shadow had been. We found me a used Virago 250. Although the weight is much better, after riding the 500 I am not at all happy with the 250. Hubby will leave me in the dust (on the Vulcan) and I have to catch up at the next red light (55mph zone).
Hubby couldn’t stand the Vulcan and bought himself a V-Star 950 yesterday. My options in bikes are very limited because of my own light weight. I’ve done a lot of research and don’t want to buy something comparible to what I already have (ie S40). I looked at the V-Star 650 Classic but am fearful of the weight after the Vulcan. The dealer showed me a V-Star 650 Custom which is smaller and a little lighter and he assures me it is the right bike for me. Hubby agrees with him because of the balance of the Vulcan vs. other bikes and the fact that I could drive his Honda 750. I am afraid of making another costly mistake. My options are: 1) keep the Virago and really get left behind by hubby now! Limit interstate travel and hubby will have to hang back on any trips so I can keep up. 2) go back to the Vulcan instead of selling it; although I am somewhat afraid of it. 3) buy the V-Star 650 and hope the third time is a charm.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I also put this in the Vulcan vs V-Star 650 forum before I found this forum. This website has such great advice I have been reading here for several weeks before I finally joined tonight.
Beth
August 6, 2009 at 10:39 am #21313MunchParticipantHuh…. actually I had a Vulcan 500. The thing did not feel top heavy to me at all. I wonder if it is a different feel from the extreme low CoG on scooters that you were used to. When you did your tight turns how were you doing them? Draggin the rear brake while utilizing the friction zone and throttle control?
The V500 is not gonna fit everybody. However before you give up on it since you already have it. Go back through your MSF basics one step at a time and get acquainted with it. Re drill yourself on the friction zone….duck walk it, slow crawl it…and work yourself back up. Sounds like the first couple of spills may have taken a toll on confidence a bit. Might even be worth mentioning to look at scootworks.com and see if you can find any comfort bolt ons like risers (for more handle bar pull back) and other things to help the bike fit you better. I do know they also have a lowering kit for it. Admittedly the bike can be tall for the short wheel length it has.
After that if your still not comfortable with it see if you can trade it on close to square for a Vstar. I know the 650’s seat sinks in more behind the gas tank then the V500 having a sway back type feel to it and getting your rear closer to the ground.
As far as your weight goes….. that shouldn’t limit your bike choices. I have seen women of about a buck 30 total weight handle a huge Valkerie easily. Its all about confidence, skill, and technique. Even if you drop the bike learning how to life it up properly will not limit you. There have been videos of smaller framed ladies picking up Goldwings after a drop.
Don’t cut yourself short.August 6, 2009 at 10:40 am #21314MunchParticipantOh …and welcome!
August 6, 2009 at 5:23 pm #21316SweetbabeParticipantMunch, that you so much for your comments and advice. Hubby feels the Vulcan’s center of gravity is different too and he is comparing it to his old Honda Shadow 750. I haven’t been on a scooter in over a year and a half now and can’t even remember what that felt like.
I will follow your advice and take the bike up to the parking lot where the MSF course was this weekend and practice basic skills again. The spills definitely took a toll on my confidence. No doubt about that.
They are not willing to trade square for the Vstar. They only want to give $3600 for the Vulcan which is why we didn’t trade it on hubby’s V-Star 950. Figured we’d do better to sell it outright ourselves. They want over $6k for the V-Star 650 Custom.
Evidently I am weaker than other women my size. But at my size there is a big difference between 95 lbs and 120 lbs too. I have learned how to lift properly and the MSF instructor worked with me one and one and I still had problems even lifting the 250 from a fall. With the bigger bikes I cannot lift anything bigger than 650 even off of it’s kickstand, much less if it fell over. I will say though whenever I have dropped the Vulcan within minutes some nice wonderful man has stopped to help me get it up. I love riding but I am almost ready to give it up. I know the technique, the skill I’m sure needs improved, and the confidence at this point is zilch! Those videos made it look so easy and in practice I just can’t do it.
August 7, 2009 at 3:22 am #21347MunchParticipantahhh, got confidence in ya…..just act like your husband told you it’s something you he forbids you to do…that should fire up the ole “Oh yea…watch me!”
Being under the bike no one can hardly pick up. With the 500 the best way is ofcourse shut the engine down. IF the kickstand is on the highside… flip it “down” to stand the bike on when its right. grab the handle bars with one arm/ hand…and the fender just behind the seat with the other…. of course you should be squatting at this point and back your back up against the bike…with a solid motion just lift.
As far as gaining confidence…. do the rock first… sit on it… get your head on the task…..NOTHING ELSE…just the task. Start her up, breathe, put it into first whole keeping the clutch in and then slowly let out ( I am assuming of course you are flat footing on both sides) and then slowly..ever so slowly let the clutch out until you feel the bike pull you up to your toes. The pull the clutch back in and rock back to flat foot. Do this until your completely comfortable with it. No rush… remember you have already been on the streets. This excersize just gets your body in tune with the bike. Then go back up with the duck walk !
MOST IMPORTANTLY>>> MIND ON THE TASK!!!! -
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