What type of motorcycle would suit my small size best?

Question

I'm going to learn how to ride a motorcycle, but need advice as to what kind to buy. I'm a small person: female, 5'2'', 110 lbs

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

To learn, Honda Rebel 250, Yamaha Star ( virago) 250, or the Suzuki 250 ( a honda clone). The Kawasaki is a cool looking rocket style but at 5'2" I'm not sure your feet will fit flat to the ground when stopped. Cruisers are easier to manage for the first few months.

Very soon, you'll be faced with trading up and you will lose some money getting from one bike to a bigger bike. Any bigger rocket style will have considerable performance and you would have to be careful. Learn smaller and work up is a safe progression.

Answer 2

There are many other bikes that will fit you. With your size I would recommend you go with Kymco or Hyosung. They are both as good as if not better than the Japanese motorcycles. Honda and Kawasaki are riding on their name and charging you more for it. A Hyosung GT250 will run with a Ninja 250r and out corner it. Parts and work are much less. And these are not cheap china imports but rather quality made    good motorcycles. They have many styles to suit a rider in 250 and 650. Kymco just makes the Venox which is what I own.  The only difference in the two is the price. Name brand and the Kymco and Hyosung. And both of these companies use to make all of the small motors for the Japanese brands. They have been building motorcycles and scooters since the 60's. As a side note Kymco makes a couple of scooters that will run a ninja 250 down. Get what you feel comfortable with it is your money and make sure you take a MSF and wear a helmet. It will help you with insurance.

Answer 3

It all really depends on what type of bike you want...if you want a sport bike...the Ninja 250 is a good choice...plenty of power and speed so as you get more comfortable you will still have some power and won't get board to quick....if you are looking at a cruiser or touring bike...then I would not go lower than a 500....even that is a little small because as you get comfortable and want to travel farther it may not hold up as well...for cruisers, I would go with the Vulcan 800 or 900 to start...they are good bikes...the seats are low so they are easier to handle for smaller people, even beginning riders.  One other thing I would recommend, is buy used...and cheap...if you are just starting to ride you are going to tip it over and you don't want to do that with a brand new bike....once you are more comfortable with riding then you can look new.

Answer 4

The best beginner bike:

Kawasaki Ninja 250

Im 5'1 this was my beginner bike.

Answer 5

One woman I know about your size has a Kawasaki Eliminator 125.  But there are other bikes with low seat heights.  Generally  the lowest seat heights are on the "Cruiser" type bikes as well as small displacement bikes.  The Ninja 250 is highly regarded as an entry level bike, not too tall and easy to ride.

What you should do is go to a few motorcycle shops and sit on some bikes to see what fits you best.  I'm sure you'll find something that also appeals to your sense of style.

Answer 6

I'm 5'0" and 120 lbs.  I ride a Kawasaki Vulcan 500.  Although I can't flatfoot the cruiser, the ball of my feet are comfortable at a stop sign.

Most importantly, you should decide if you want a sports bike (aka "crotch rocket") or a cruiser.  I prefer a cruiser myself.

I'd advise you NOT to buy it brand new.  

1. You'd lose a LOT of money on the resale (as opposed to re-selling a used bike that you bought)

2. If you drop it, you won't feel too bad as opposed to dropping a $8,000 brand new bike.

Also, buy 500cc or higher.  You'll outgrow 250cc in no time!  I have a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD and LOVE it.  Great beginner bike, and I think I'll upgrade in a year or two.  Besides, it's great on insurance =)

The best advice I can give you: go into dealerships (like I did) and sit on the bikes.  They won't let you test ride them, but at least you know what you're looking for.  Then go on craigslist (or your local classifieds) to find similar USED bikes.  I bought my vulcan for $4,500 used, and will have no problem selling it at the same price that I bought it for!  Besides, it only has 5,000 kms on it and has gone through the "breaking-in" period.

Answer 7

PLEASE DO NOT GO UNDER A 600.

MY WIFE RIDES A GSXR 600 AND SHE'S ONLY 5'6"/120.

ANYTHING SMALLER THAN A 600--YOU'LL BE UNHAPPY AND WANTING TO UPGRADE WITHIN A MONTH.

Answer 8

My daughter is close to you in height and she rides a Yamaha 250 Virago (V Star). She often commutes 48 miles round trip on it.

One of our friends, also near in height, bought a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 as her first bike and later rode it long trips.

Answer 9

Here is a nice cruiser style, it may be a bit much for a beginner unless you want to avoid having to move up to a larger size later on!

http://www.womenridersnow.com/PublicFile...

Maybe a sportbike

http://www.womenridersnow.com/PublicFile...

http://www.womenridersnow.com/PublicFile...

Note: when steering a motorcycle, unlike a bicycle, to turn right, turn the handlebars to the left and vise versa! many experienced riders don't know this, even though they do it!

http://www.msf-usa.org/