Good motorcycle for a girl?

Question

i'm a girl and I'm 5'9". Anmd i've never ridden before. i want a bike that will keep up with the flow of traffic on the highway. About 60 mph. I won't be doing any interstate driving. I don't want anything that's hard to drive or too powerful, I just want something that will get me from one place to the other and keep up with traffic.

Answer 1

Kawasaki Ninja 250 is really a great option for you. It's plenty fast for the highway and have a low seat height that is easy to ride for beginners.

Answer 2

awww  how sweet, bless your little heart !

Kawasaki 250 Ninja

when I see a girl riding a 250 Ninja my heart melts like butter

Answer 3

I agree with the others, the Ninja 250 would probably be a good bike for you.  It is powerful enough to ride on the highway at the speed you mentioned (and then some).  You should be able to get a decent used one in the sub-$2000 range from a private seller.  There are other great beginner bikes too, but going with a good used bike is usually a smart idea for a beginner.

I recommend going to a motorcycle shop and asking permission to sit on a bunch of models, just to find what fits and which ones have the looks you like.  Don't let the salesmen pressure you into anything.  You are pretty tall, so you will be able to touch your toes to the ground while in the saddle of most of them.  Your height will make the reach to the handlebars comfortable on most bikes also.

Consider taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCourse too.  It's affordable and you'll learn a lot:  http://www.msf-usa.org

I've also included links below to 3 totally different types of Kawasaki motorcycles (just to show the range of styles from one manufacturer) and a review site to help you get started.  Good luck!

Answer 4

I was all set for my pat Honda rebel answer but I think you will fit a Kawasaki Ninja 250 very well. Look there. Buy a helmet and gloves of course.

Answer 5

Go to a motorcycle showroom and sit on a few bikes. This is fun, and it will also be immediately apparent to you which bikes work for you, and which don't ( dumb riding position, feet don;t touch the ground properly etc) You'll probably also find there are one or two that you like. From there, you can't really go far wrong. The reason the others are all talking about the Kawasaki 250 Ninja is that this has been a big selling, well liked small starter/commuter bike for years, and it has recently been redesigned. You won't go wrong with it, but there are a million other bikes out there for you too

Answer 6

I would suggest you look at the KYMCO and HYOSUNG lines they have several models that will do what you want and you do not have to break the bank to by one. They are both well made quality machines not made in china. I own a Kymco Venox my self and have been riding it steady for 3 years with out a problem and it will run 80+ when i want it to. Taken a trip of 900 miles with it and enjoyed every minute and that is for motorcycle brand new out the door for less than  $4500. Also you should take the safety course always wear a helmet

Answer 7

First, invest the time and money in a MSF Basic Rider Course. You will get to ride their bikes, usually in the 250cc range, and you will get over that fear of changing gears. Also you will learn some things that could save your life, and get a good idea if you are cut out for motorcycles. After the course go shopping and have fun.

Answer 8

NINJA..............  whats the deal here..  they must be on a commision deal with Kawasaki.........

look at Honda ...  & Yamaha...& Suzuki....& any other make around..

& as a learner...   the cruiser bikes in the 250cc range are great bikes....

but being 5'9"..  maybe look at the Suzuki Savage..650cc single cylinder..  good acceleration.. top speed around 75MPH...  & a bit bigger ( so you can streach your legs out...)

Answer 9

Im a 5'0 girl and a first time rider too but the Ninja 250's are on national backorder so you have a better chance at getting a Ninja 500.  I got one and yes, laid it down (today actually was my first time riding it so you can tell Im new and not comfortable yet) but they're nice bikes.  They dont look as sporty as a 250 but h**l, they get you from point A to point B. Enjoy!

Answer 10

Get a Ninja 250. Now for all intensive purposes you're getting one for the mileage but chicks look hot on them ;)

Answer 11

Honda Reflex, Yamaha Majesty, Suzuki Burgman, Kymco Xciting 250 or Grand Vista.  In that order, personally.  I own a Reflex, have ridden a Majesty and a Burgman enough to have an opinion and we have a Kymco on the showroom floor.  The Reflex may now be hard to find , however, as Honda has recently seen fit to discontinue it.  The Yamaha is a good riding bike, it just has small footwells, that's why I bought the Reflex.  The quality on the Burgman does not measure up to those two in my (probably biased) opinion.  The jury is out on the Kymco.  We have sold a few and the customers seem satisfied, but I would like to see a few more months go by with no problems before I move it up the list.  They would all meet your needs thoroughly.  You might also consider the Kymco People S 200 or People 150.  The are much less expensive and can still meet all your requirements.  Don't let anybody give you any c**p about these bikes being "just scooters".  They move millions of people all over the world every day.  They just have not quite caught on in the USA, yet!

Edited 06/18/2008

I should have included the all important message that Larry D. gave you.  Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation beginners class.  That's really the best advice here.  Thumbs up Larry D.

Answer 12

like every1 said get a ninja 250