A girl's first cruiser?

Question

I'm looking into getting my first bike. I know I want to get a 250, preferably used, and I've narrowed it down to three. So now I need opinions from yahoo answerers. I'm 5'6 and weigh 120lbs (and female, if you haven't figured it out yet). I've been a rider many times, but never a driver. So, Yamaha V Star 250, Suzuki GZ250, or Honda Rebel? and why?

Answer 1

the other answers have all said it well.... one more worth pondering will be the buell blast, it fits in there with the rebel and has a little more power... and then it's not imported... support your own economy!

Answer 2

First take a MSF class.  They usually have 150-250cc bikes for you to ride during class.  It will give you an idea whether you like them or not.  Honda's are very reliable adn the Rebel is well known.  The other two should also be fine.  Go with what you like and feel comfortable with.

Answer 3

I won't repeat the excellent advice already given, I just wanted to add that you should very seriously consider getting used for your first bike, don't spend a lot of money until you have been riding for awhile and know what you really want.

Answer 4

Before you put your money  down  You might want to look at a Kymco or Hyosung. The bike in the link before me is a Hyosung that  has been re  badged. The Kymco Venox is really nice bike and has it hands down over a rebel. Hyosung has 250 and 650 motorcycles both brands are quality machines  not to be confused with the import from china junk out there

Answer 5

You should be tall enough to ride most bikes, but you should still take the seat height into consideration.

You have to be able to balance the bike while stopped in traffic.  Best if you can sit and put both feet flat on the ground.  With a seat too high, you will only be able to put one foot on the ground.  You may be forced to lean the bike to the side and can easily lose your balance and drop the bike.

Honda Shadow VLX.  It has the lowest seat height that I have seen, 25.6".  This is a small cruiser.  This is a 538 CC liquid cooled V-twin.  It should have plenty of power for you.  I would go to a dealer and sit on one first and see how well you can put both feet on the ground while stopped.  They sell new for $5500.  You may be able to find a good used one if this is too much.  I realize this has a larger engine than what you are looking for.  But I added it for comparison.

If you want something with a smaller engine, the Honda Rebel has a 234CC parallel twin engine.  It has a 26.6" heat height.  They go new for about $3200.  They have been around a while so you might be able to find a good used one.  This is also considered a small cruiser.

The Yamaha Star V-Star 250 might be acceptable with a seat height of 27"  This is a cruiser style V-twin.  This bike should also work. These sell new for about $3700.

The Suzuki GZ 250 is considered a standard bike.  It has a 250 CC single cylinder engine.  This bike has a 27.8" seat height.  This should still work for you.  These sell for about $3250

The Honda Night Hawk has same 234CC engine as the Honda Rebel, but has a higher seat at 29.3"  This may be too high.

Some people might say the Kawasaki Ninja 250R. This is a sport bike, not a cruiser.  However this bike has a seat height of 30.5".  This would be a poor choice for someone with short legs.

Get yourself enrolled in a motorcycle safety course.

Answer 6

Look into the V -star 650 very comfortable Bike look at www.650ccnd.com

Answer 7

Ninja 250.. they will keep up with a lot of bikes twice there size, I ride a 1250cc, and when I rode my son's ninja 250, I was impressed, the bike just wants to be revved out, 14,000 rpm red line, it goes, good for the highway.

Answer 8

Honda{rebel} they've been around for some time and have proven they are worthy. I also agree with others you may want to go bigger, but go with what your comfortable with. You can all ways go bigger later once you build confidence.

Answer 9

My wife is 5'6" and 108 lbs.  I bought her a Honda Shadow VLX 600.  She can easily flat-foot the bike, and it's not too heavy for her to back it up when necessary.

Take the MSF class!  They may have Honda Rebels there to learn/practice your riding skills.  My class did.

Answer 10

Hey YOU

see the link below, and rethink a honda rebel

Answer 11

LOL, you people kill me...

a dude asks about a rebel, and you shun him, when a chick asks, you're all about them...

A rebel 250 will be struggling to keep up with traffic, get at least 500CC's on a cruiser...BARE MINIMUM

you're going to want at least 33 hp...

Answer 12

The Honda Rebel is probably one of the best small bikes ever made.Very dependable,cheap to operate,lots of used parts for them.I know a few people that had them and they all loved them.I don't know anything about the other two so i can't comment on them.

Answer 13

Honda Rebels are very reliable bikes and extremely forgiving for a beginner to learn on, after that I would go with the Yamaha V Star these are good bikes as well for starting out with

Answer 14

My daughter is 23, slightly shorter than you,  and has ridden less than a year.  She rides a 250cc Yamaha Virago (VStar). Its seat is low enough for her to "flat foot"  when the bike is stopped and its comfortable enough for her to ride to  her job in the next town, 24 miles away.

I rode it at 70 mph into a headwind across an arched bridge. It handles well and looks good.  I understand that it makes more power than the Rebel, which is important for getting out of hazardous situations.

Answer 15

all the ones you asked about are good starter bikes . i would go and sit on each one to see which is the most comfortable to  you . take it from another girl rider comfort matters .

Answer 16

Most girls I know of who ride like the Honda Rebel.  You may want to try test riding the bikes first.

Answer 17

120 pound person riding a Rebel on the highway, better hope a semi truck passing by doesn't blow you over.

I would suggest something a little larger/heavier around 500cc