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Yamaha Jog (CE50, CG50, CY50)
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ranetteParticipant
What about a smaller cruiser like an S40. It’s 600+cc but is a thumper and after a few months on a Rebel it probably wouldn’t be too much of a stretch. Low seat height, enough oomph for the BQE without being scary. Owlie can chime in with some firsthand experience.
ranetteParticipantThe trellis frame and the red tank in your pic does make it look a bit like a Monster.
ranetteParticipantI learned on a larger bike than most on this site and things have worked out well. Mine was 100lbs lighter, but then again I had the clutch to learn so that probably evened things out.
The reason for my response was more a feeling that it’s best to learn on a geared bike because that is what most bikes are and you’ll be limited in your choice because of a limited skill set. Personally I’m glad that I learned without ABS, though it would certainly be something to look for should I be in the market for another bike.
I think the Mana is a beautiful bike. Though not a typical choice for a beginner, would the 10 or so HP and 100lbs that it has above an SV650(I guess the largest bike that is generally recommended as suitable for any beginner) be offset by not having to learn to use a clutch? Since I’ve never ridden one I can’t give an honest opinion. All I can say first hand is that learning to ride an automatic, in my case a 150cc scooter, was an excellent first step on two wheels.
Other factors would also come into play, your age and maturity level, where you’d be learning(urban, suburban, rural), do you have someone to ride with or would you be on your own, your physical size and condition(you’re talking about a 500lb+ piece of machinery that I guarantee at more than one point you will be trying to catch before it hits the ground), etc.
ranetteParticipantWe’re always screwed because it seems that everything is always too long for us, I wouldn’t have thought you’d be having as much trouble finding stuff as you are; 5’10” is tall, but it’s not like you’re 6’6″.
As much as dealing with local shops is good in every way, sometimes they just don’t have the inventory for every size and shape. I’ve always had good luck with http://www.revzilla.com, just call them up, tell them your size, the issues you’ve been having and let them come up with suggestions. At least in my opinion the sales staff there seem to be more informed than at some of the other major web retailers. They also have an excellent exchange policy if it doesn’t fit. The other way, but you’re talking about a serious investment, is to bite the bullet and have something custom made exactly to your measurements. Serious $$$ yes, but that is the type of thing you don’t replace every year, more like maybe every decade. http://www.vansonleathers.com/measure1/how%20to%20measure.htm
ranetteParticipantWould the issue with your left hand absolutely keep you from using a clutch, or would it just be a bit of an inconvenience? If it’s just an inconvenience I’d also urge you to learn to ride a standard transmission. Learning to only ride an automatic will severely limit your choice of rides as you go forward. Take the BRC, learn to ride a traditional bike, once you’ve done that, if you still feel the need, go with something like a Mana or one of the maxiscoots. The DN-01? The look??? The Price??? Has anybody seen one outside of a dealership?
If the clutch is a deal breaker, why not start on a scooter and move up to one of the larger automatics once you have a feel for two wheels?
ranetteParticipantCorazzo and Dainese, especially Dainese, run on the pricier side for gear. However we’re happy with the quality we’ve seen from them.
Since you’re tall you’ll certainly run into different issues than my wife. She’s 5’2″ and sleeves and inseams are always too long for her. I remember when looking for pants for her that one of the Icons came long and let you trim them yourself to the proper length. They are leather, and I’m not sure if that concept will work with textile pants, but here is a link for you to check out.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/2/50/2186/ITEM/Icon-Womens-Bombshell-Pants.aspxIf you were interested in leather those pants matched with the Icon Bombshell jacket, which has a retro, flat track look to it, seems to be a steal at $350 US for both pieces.
ranetteParticipantYou should give us a little more specific information as to what you are looking for. Warm weather, cold weather, leather, textile, etc.
When buying stuff for my wife the one thing that always seems to reoccur is that the Italian manufacturers, specifically Dainese and Alpinestars run very small. Her textile jacket is American made, Corazzo, great stuff but not well known outside of scooter culture, small fits her perfectly. Searching for a leather jacket, the Italians strike again as she’ll need a 42 or 44 if she goes with Dainese. Much like helmets, you’ll never know for certain until you try them on.
ranetteParticipantMaybe a compromise between the Suzuki and the Triumph?
http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/en_US/prodotti/naked/v7_classic/v7_classic/immagini.aspxA few pounds lighter, a couple fewer hp, about a 1/2″ lower seat height than the Scrambler. Certainly more capable than the Suzuki on the highway. Not that the other two aren’t, but I think the V7 Classic is a gorgeous bike. I believe they run in the same price range as the Scramblers. The thing that you have to be concerned about Moto Guzzi is the scarcity of dealers, though I did check, there is one in Sacramento. Whether they have a decent supply of bikes and parts is something you’d have to evaluate firsthand.
Here’s a very positive review of the Guzzi that speaks to both newbies and experienced riders alike. http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/2008-moto-guzzi-v7-classic-review-84978.html
ranetteParticipantMy Alpinestars boots are the Harlems. Believe they’ve been discontinued; kind of a somewhat fashionable urban riding boot, and they are definitely designed for a wide foot. So it doesn’t surprise me that another item in their line might run a bit wide as well.
ranetteParticipantI would have to respectfully disagree with your suggestion that a 4 wheeler might be something to try. My one stint on a 4 wheeler was a disaster, and if I could give one reason I would say it was because though it may share similar controls to a motorcycle, the skills are in no way similar. Basically because it looked something like a motorcycle I believe that I was trying to use subtle inputs, including countersteering, when to properly ride an ATV your inputs have to be anything but subtle. I was trying to dance with it when I should have been trying to wrestle with it.
It anybody on the board has extensive experience with 4 wheelers and disagrees, they might be right, but from my very limited experience I’d suggest sticking with the previous advice of a dirt bike or a scooter for some experience.
ranetteParticipantI also lust for a Griso. Have you seen the 8V SE? Oh my!!!!
http://www.stayontheblack.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/GRISO-8V-SE-1.jpgUnfortunately they’re not being imported to the US.
ranetteParticipantI had read that also. Last night was the first time I wore it at highway speeds and it didn’t seem exceptionally noisy. Then again, the only thing I can compare it to is a Nolan N 102 modular which also has a reputation for being noisy. It certainly wasn’t like riding in a Crown Vic, but it seems reasonable to me. What I loved was how aerodynamic it is. Turn your head for a lane change and you don’t get a blast of wind and noise.
The other thing I had read is that they run very small and that is absolutely true. I’m usually a medium, but ordered a large in the Suomy. It fits well but even the large is tight in the cheeks. Suomy is letting me swap out the cheek pads for XL’s; small company, excellent customer service. The idea of me needing anything in an XL leaves me wondering if anyone who normally wears an XL could even fit their largest size, which I believe is an XXL.
The other thing that you read about them is that fit an finish are superb, and that is also 100% true.
ranetteParticipantI just picked up a Suomy Spec 1R. A beautiful helmet and so far the airflow is exceptional. In the hot muggy weather last week my head stayed cool and the thing did not fog at all. My Nolan, even with the anti fog insert, would definitely have steamed up.
http://www.revzilla.com/product_images/0011/2286/Suomy_Spec_1R_Gadea_Helmet_Yellow_zoom.jpgranetteParticipantI would check out Competition Accessories, http://www.compacc.com, they are a very large Shoei dealer and the prices can’t be beat. Not sure about the X-11 but for the RF-1100 you can “Click for a Special Price” which ended up being $309 for the solids, $359 for the graphics which is by far the lowest I’ve seen them. I’ve bought a bunch of stuff from them and have always had a good experience.
ranetteParticipantOnly you can evaluate whether you want to pursue this or not; it is true that riding is not for everybody. However, if you do have a desire to continue, don’t let one little bump in the road get you down.
I’ll go back to my original post about a scooter. Taking one factor out of the equation of learning to ride can make it a far easier task. Once you’ve learned to ride a small, automatic, motorcycle, essentially what a scooter is, learning to ride a motorcycle is a much smaller jump than what you’re trying to learn right now(this I know firsthand). Not denigrating the idea of a dirtbike to learn on, just don’t have any personal experience, coupled with the fact that a dirtbike is purely for enjoyment, a scooter, depending on where you live, can be used for the practical things, like commuting, that we use our bikes for.
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