I want a big motorbike but will my height and size be an issue ?

Question

Hey all,

I want to get my 1st and New motorbike. However with nothing but negative comments like "you can't handle it" , "your to small" or "your a girl". I'm left with no choice to ask you!

I'm a 20yrs old female, 5' 7", 122lbs. And i want a motorbike!! However all the bikes that i go look at, only the big ones, the larger and faster ones catsh my eye. Will this be an issue being a beginner?

I'm looking at Yamaha, honda and ducati. I have no price limit which is even more tempting. I like models like; # FZ6 Fazer ABS Yamaha. # Superbike 1098s Ducati. and many other models.

So what would be the right thing to do? Can i be a slim person and still have a big bike? Is there a bike out there for me, where i can be proud to have... Or am i doomed to the baby versions of the motorbike world?

I understand that with my height and size that i can't pick up a big motorbike. But there has to be some good models? there has to be something that would be right for me?

Thank you !

Answer 1

I have a family member about your height and weight and rides an ex-police Harley Road King.  This is her second motorcycle.  I believe she started with a 1200 Harley Sportster.  She is very long legged and is in great shape.

  

It is interesting that you are considering the Ducati.  I would love to have one but they are too small and cramped for my 6'1" frame.  I always felt they were designed for a 5'5" rider.  Plus the sport bike ergonomics are just not suitable for long distance riding.  Try riding 500 to 700 miles in a day on a sport bike.  

That is why I am not a fan of sport bikes despite their amazing performance.  Why do I need a machine that will top out a 180 mph when the fastest I will travel is around 80 mph.  

Keep in mind that a sport bike will cost a great deal more to insure.  Too much performance in the hands of brand new no skill/no experience riders = accidents, injuries, death.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Go to several dealerships and throw a leg over a few. See how heavy they are and consider that you MAY have to lift that bad boy one day off the ground. Also there are times when you weren't exactly expecting to have to catch it before it fell and that weight is going to fall directly on your leg if you don't. Remember that that power can be enough to get you out of shape and lose control. My sincere suggestion is to buy a smaller bike and LEARN to handle it and THEN consider a bigger one.At my age and size I opted for a 750 instead of 1100 because I had experience riding and had doubts about my ability to handle a larger bike. I DID sit on a few larger ones in the showroom but kept coming back to 750 because it felt good to me. Nothing to prove to others by what you ride. If you want to impress me go out there and ride safe and often. I'd rather see a smaller bike ridden than a bigger one crashed.

Answer 3

fazer should be spot on for you son  got one he is 5,6" las in our bike club has one she loves it first bike she has felt comfortable on she is 5,5!  also you could have foam taken out of seat to lower it but  you should not need to do that if you are 5.7", the fazer is  a nice bike to ride handles really well, smooth & responsive,

if you get the fazer  you will not go far wrong go sit on one the riding position is nice & comfy make sure they take it of the centre stand so you can see how your feet touch the floor? perfect isnt it

Answer 4

You can ride any bike you want.

The negative comments are warnings. Not knowing you I can say that they are most probably correct, based on my experiences. Some people have enough natural talent that they can jump onto anything and ride like they've been doing it for years. I am well over twice your age, have know thousands of bikers, and I've only met two people like that.

Start with a beginning rider class from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or a similar group. You'll learn on 125 and 250cc bikes. Get a little experience and move up to a bit bigger bike. Work your way up to what you want. As you are working your way up, take the experienced rider and advanced rider classes. I would buy used bikes as you are learning and moving up. Don't waste money on a new one until you know exactly what you want and have tried it out. A friend of mine went through 4 brand new bikes in 3 years before he found one that he liked. Very expensive!

Don't worry about picking the bike up. You'll learn how. Its not hard if you do it right. I've seen a 5'0 girl in the motor officer class the the police academy throwing an 850 pound Harley around like it was a moped. (She was one of the two.)

Answer 5

If you've got the budget for a Ducati 1098, you've got the money to buy a 10 year old 600cc sport bike and spend a couple months learning on it.

You're not too short for those bikes and being a girl has nothing to do with anything. But if you hop on a supersport bike like that and twist the throttle a little too hard, you could flip it on top of yourself the first day you get it.

There's no reason to rush. Even a couple of months riding a weaker bike will go a long way to keeping you safe.

Answer 6

5' 7' is no problem. You should find a bike just for you. Most crotch rockets sit high. It is the nature of th beast. So, sit till you fit, feet nearly flat on the ground. Rockets also  tend to be light weight and high horsepower. For your first year why not ride a cruiser? These are easy to ride, low seat height and low center of gravity. Look at a Honda Shadow 750 w shaft drive. Try for a couple years old and clean. Later trade in on the bike of your dreams. Have fun.

Answer 7

I am female and got my new bike about a year ago. I had been riding for awhile so it wasn't a first bike. I am 5' 7" and purchased a Ninja 650. My advice is DO NOT BUY A NEW BIKE and definitely NOT a 1000 for your first one. It is not a matter of if, but when you will crash. You don't want to drop your dream bike and mess it up. You also don't want to crash on a 1000 because more than likely you are going to make a mistake, panic and crack back the throttle. When you do, you don't want to be on one of those big sport bikes. Since funds don't seem to be a problem, I would recommend that you don't buy anything bigger than a 600. Depending on where you live, the Ninja 250 is actually a perfect bike to learn on. From your term 'Motorbike', I am going to assume that you might not be from the US. If you are, there are plenty of those around for a good price. If not, it may take some searching depending on your location. What ever you choose, make sure you wear all of the proper safety gear and take a motorcycle safety course if available. Oh, and DO NOT listen to some of these yahoos who respond and try to tell you that you can ride whatever you want. It isn't their life that is on the line. You need to learn slowly and do it safely. Otherwise the only thing you might be riding is a motorized wheelchair.

Answer 8

I know smaller people than you that ride full size harleys

and love it..

Buy what you want the first time, don't buy some under

sized under powered bike that you will ride for a year

and then trade off for the bike you wanted in the first

place.

just don't over ride your ability.

Answer 9

at this point your size is not the biggest issue, inexperience is.  1093 cc bike is too big for a beginner.  Never mind how pretty a bike is or how you look on it.  Your first bike may not be exactly what you want but you need to get experience riding before jumping on a bigger powerful bike.  You will then know what you can handle.  Take a rider training course.

Answer 10

You need to start out at with something smaller until you have more experience and then get your dream bike.  There's nothing wrong with riding something smaller for a while, you will be thankful you did.

Answer 11

bigger bike more for touring and longer trips (comfort) body size doesn't matter as long as you feel you handle bike women ride using roadkings,fat boys and ultra they don't have as very much upper body strenght, they handle bikes bigger than them... make sure seat and handlebars are comfortable to you!

always wear a helmet!