Reccomendations for bike for short newbie?

[babysmurf]

Hi all,

I just completed my MFC course and am looking for my first sportbike. I'm 5 feet tall 120 pounds...any suggestions? My preference is to purchase used for the first time, located in Dallas, TX with lots of bikes for sale around here!

Thanks for any ideas!
-lisa

[L♥VE]

Hi all,

I just completed my MFC course and am looking for my first sportbike. I'm 5 feet tall 120 pounds...any suggestions? My preference is to purchase used for the first time, located in Dallas, TX with lots of bikes for sale around here!

Thanks for any ideas!
-lisa

Hey!! Congrats and :sbgwelcome:

I am 4ft11 so I know your dilemma.
Check out this thread
http://www.sportbikegurls.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135&highlight=seat+heights

[o2lily]

There are several sites out there...I will send myself a reminder to post up seat heights for all yall!

[Cutty72]

:welcome:

as for reccomendations... grow. ;) :lol:

[GixxerChik]

I am the same height.....I have an '07 GSXR600. I liked this bike because it has a skinnier seat to where my legs are more verticle. I had to lower it with a link and I also had to raise the forks. All this was still not enough so we shaved the seat. I still cannot get both feet flat on the ground. When I come to a stop, I have to ever so slightly shift my butt over to get one foot flat. I don't know what your riding experience is besides taking the course.....but I have been riding solo since August after taking my MSF course, and this is ok for me. I know some girls who are as short who are not comfortable with only getting one foot flat.

[L♥VE]

There are several sites out there...I will send myself a reminder to post up seat heights for all yall!

Oh Maemerz
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z108/ryoryo25/forum/search.jpg

[PlayfulGod]

:welcome:

n since you're new to bikes n short I recommend a ninja 250 esp the new 08. But Getting a new bike as a first bike is risky as you will drop it. :good:

[o2lily]

LMFAO No Love I remember that thread you made but I have a list at home of JUST the bike name and seat height of sportbikes.

I added some into it bc I thought I wasnt gonna be able to flat foot a bike either...I dont know why now but yeah...

I will post it up tonight.

[Konich]

Ninja 250! Easy to handle and fun. You can probably sell it for what you bought it for in a year of so (Shortcake on the board did this before moving up to a 636) Good luck. But if you get a Suzuki I hope you break your leg. ;)

[beachbumZX6]

I am the same height.....I have an '07 GSXR600. I liked this bike because it has a skinnier seat to where my legs are more verticle. I had to lower it with a link and I also had to raise the forks. All this was still not enough so we shaved the seat. I still cannot get both feet flat on the ground. When I come to a stop, I have to ever so slightly shift my butt over to get one foot flat. I don't know what your riding experience is besides taking the course.....but I have been riding solo since August after taking my MSF course, and this is ok for me. I know some girls who are as short who are not comfortable with only getting one foot flat.

jeezy thats a lot of work:wacko:


thank god i have long legs!:smile3:

[babysmurf]

Thanks for the suggestions! I've been told about the Ninja 250 before...probably not a new one though the reviews for the 2008 look great.
Growing is not likely to happen at age 30...

thanks!!

[ravenman]

Go with the Kawi 250. After go with a 600. Being your height I suggest a Susuki 600 GSXR when your ready. Hope it helps for what it's worth.

[Greene22]

I think the Hyabusa'z have a pretty low seat...

[beachbumZX6]

I think the Hyabusa'z have a pretty low seat...

:aBigROLFMAO:

[o2lily]

Agreed MR but she wont notice it, being her first bike and first time riding.

I mean yeah it "messes" with the handling but Ive yet to hear to the point that it would mess up a new riders riding...I expect you to take it easy and soforth tho...

but seriously tho explain to me on here or in PM exactly what it effects bc I have heard from everyone that it effects it but I dont get how exactly. I mean yeah turning I can understand.
But a new rider never ridden the bike before it got lowered wouldnt expect it to turn any differently then what it always had since they had been riding it so they wouldnt notice it.


Otherwise tho does it have any effect of the chasis or even as much as the engine?
hehe I am a brain sucker I love to learn stuffs.

[o2lily]

And here is the list.


Motorcycle Seat Height in Inches

Inches / Year / Manufacturer / Motorcycle Model

24.5 2006 Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe FLSTN/I
24.9 2006 Harley-Davidson Springer Softail FXSTS/I
25.2 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider FXDLI
25.2 2006 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard FXST/I
25.4 2006 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy FLSTF/I
25.5 2006 Buell Blast (low profile)
25.5 2006 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic FLSTC/I
25.5 2006 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail FLST/I
25.6 2006 Honda Shadow VLX
25.6 2006 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe
25.7 2006 Victory Ness Signature Series Vegas Jackpot
25.7 2006 Victory Vegas Jackpot
25.8 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna Street Bob FXDBI
25.8 2006 Yamaha Morphous
25.9 2006 Harley-Davidson Softail Springer Classic FLSTSC/I
25.9 2006 Honda Shadow Aero
26.0 2006 Harley-Davidson Night Train FXSTB/I
26.0 2006 Harley-Davidson Softail Deuce FXSTD/I
26.0 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883L
26.0 2006 Harley-Davidson V-Rod VRSCA
26.0 2006 Harley-Davidson VRSCD Night Rod
26.1 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King Custom FLHRS/I
26.2 2006 Honda Helix
26.25 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200L
26.3 2006 Harley-Davidson Street Glide FLHX/I
26.4 2006 Victory Hammer
26.5 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883C
26.5 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200C
26.5 2006 Victory Kingpin
26.5 2006 Victory Vegas
26.5 2006 Victory Vegas 8-Ball
26.6 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide FXDI
26.6 2006 Honda Rebel
26.6 2006 Honda Shadow Spirit 750
26.8 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna 35th Anniversary Super Glide FXDI35
26.8 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide Custom FXDCI
26.8 2006 Kawasaki Eliminator 125
26.8 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000
26.8 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Classic
26.8 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Classic LT
26.8 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Limited
26.9 2006 Harley-Davidson Road Glide FLTRI
26.9 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic FLHRCI
27.0 2006 Yamaha Virago 250
27.2 2006 Honda Shadow Sabre
27.2 2006 Yamaha V Star 1100 Custom
27.3 2006 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Classic FLHTC/I
27.3 2006 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard FLHT/I
27.3 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King FLHR/I
27.3 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883
27.3 2006 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide FLHTCUI
27.35 2006 Honda VTX1300R
27.35 2006 Honda VTX1300S
27.4 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic
27.4 2006 Suzuki Burgman 400
27.4 2006 Suzuki Burgman 400 Type S
27.4 2006 Yamaha V Star Custom
27.46 2006 Honda VTX1300C
27.5 2006 Buell Blast
27.5 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide FXDWGI
27.6 2006 Honda VTX1800F
27.6 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic
27.6 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard M109R
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard M50
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Black
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C90
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C90 Black
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C90T
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50 Black
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50T
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard S50
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard S40
27.8 2006 Suzuki GZ250
27.9 2006 Yamaha Road Star
27.9 2006 Yamaha Road Star Midnight
27.9 2006 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Silverado
27.9 2006 Yamaha Road Star Silverado
27.9 2006 Yamaha V Star 1100 Silverado
27.9 2006 Yamaha V Star Classic
27.9 2006 Yamaha V Star Silverado
28.0 2006 Yamaha V Star 1100 Classic
28.1 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883R
28.1 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200R
28.1 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD
28.1 2006 Yamaha Warrior
28.2 - 28.7 2006 Honda Big Ruckus
28.3 2006 Honda Reflex
28.3 2006 Honda Reflex ABS
28.3 2006 Honda Reflex Sport
28.3 2006 Honda Reflex Sport ABS
28.3 2006 Kawasaki 1600 Nomad
28.3 2006 Victory Touring Cruiser
28.6 2006 Buell Lightning XB12Scg
28.7 2006 Honda Shadow Spirit
28.9 2006 Honda Metropolitan
28.9 2006 Honda Ruckus
28.9 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 750
28.9 2006 Yamaha Roadliner
28.9 2006 Yamaha Roadliner Midnight
28.9 2006 Yamaha Roadliner S
28.9 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner
28.9 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner Midnight
28.9 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner S
29.1 2004 BMW R1200C Montauk
29.1 2004 BMW R1200C Classic
29.1 2006 Honda Gold Wing GL1800
29.1 2006 Suzuki Boulevard S83
29.1 2006 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe
29.3 2004 BMW R1200CL
29.3 2006 Honda Nighthawk
29.3 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250R
29.5 low seat & 30.7 2005 BMW F650GS
29.5 2006 Suzuki Burgman 650
29.5 2006 Suzuki Burgman 650 Exec
29.5 2006 Yamaha Majesty
29.5 2006 Yamaha Royal Star Venture
29.7 2005 Aprilia Mojito Custom 150
29.7 2006 Honda Elite 80
29.7 2006 Honda Silver Wing
29.7 2006 Honda Silver Wing ABS
29.9 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter
29.9 2006 Yamaha Vino 125
30.0 2006 Harley-Davidson VRSCR Street Rod
30.1 2006 Buell Lightning XB12S
30.1 2006 Yamaha V Max
30.3 2005 Aprilia Atlantic 200
30.3 2005 Aprilia Atlantic 500
30.3 2005 BMW K1200LT
30.3 & 31.5 2004 BMW K1200RS
30.5 2006 Buell Firebolt XB9R
30.5 2006 Buell Firebolt XB12R
30.5 2006 Buell Lightning XB12Ss Long
30.5 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 500R
30.7 2005 BMW F650CS
30.7 & 31.5 (low seat) OR 32.3 & 33.1 (reg. seat) 2005 BMW R1200RT
30.7 & 31.5 (low seat) OR 31.9 & 32.7 (reg. seat) 2005 BMW R1200ST
30.7 2006 Piaggio X9 500
30.9 2006 Piaggio BV250
30.9 2006 Piaggio BV500
30.9 2006 Piaggio FLY150
30.9 2006 Suzuki Katana 600
31.1 & 32.3 2004 BMW K1200GT
31.1 & 32.3 2005 BMW K1200S
31.1 & 31.9 & 32.7 2004 BMW R1150RS
31.1 2006 Honda 599
31.1 2006 Suzuki GS500F
31.1 2006 Suzuki Katana 750
31.3 2006 Honda 919
31.4 2006 Buell Lightning CityX XB9SX
31.5 2005 Aprilia Scarabeo 150
31.5 2005 Aprilia Scarabeo 500
31.5 2004 BMW R1100S
31.5 2004 BMW R1150R
31.5 2006 Suzuki SV650
31.5 2006 Suzuki SV650S
31.5 2006 Suzuki SV1000S
31.5 2006 Yamaha FZ6
31.7 & 32.5 & 33.3 2004 BMW R1150RT
31.7 2006 Honda Interceptor
31.7 2006 Honda Interceptor ABS
31.7 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa 1300 Limited
31.7 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa 1300
31.7 2006 Yamaha FJR1300A
31.7 2006 Yamaha FJR1300AE
31.7 2006 Yamaha YZF600R
31.9 2006 Honda CBR600F4i
31.9 2006 Suzuki DR200SE
31.9 2006 Suzuki GSX-R1000
31.9 2006 Suzuki GSX-R750
31.9 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600
32.1 2006 Kawasaki Z750S
32.1 2006 Yamaha FZ1
32.3 2006 Honda CBR600RR
32.3 2006 Honda CBR1000RR
32.3 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
32.3 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6RR
32.3 2006 Kawasaki Z1000
32.3 2006 Kawasaki ZZR600
32.3 2006 Suzuki V-Strom 650
32.3 2006 Yamaha YZF-R6S
32.5 2006 Honda RC51
32.9 2004 BMW R1150R Rockster
32.9 2006 Yamaha YZF-R1
32.9 2006 Yamaha YZF-R1 LE
33.0 - 34.8 2006 Suzuki DR650SE
33.1 2005 BMW R1200GS
33.1 2006 Buell Ulysses XB12X
33.1 2006 Suzuki V-Strom 1000
33.5 2006 Yamaha YZF-R6
33.9 2005 BMW R1100S BoxerCup Replika
34.3 2005 BMW F650GS Dakar
34.8 2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
35.0 2006 Kawasaki KLR650
35.0 2006 Suzuki DR-Z400SM
35.4 2004 BMW R1150GS Adventure
36.8 2006 Suzuki DR-Z400S

[Dapper]

Ha! Harley is the first on the list.

"Harley for the Handicapped" ;)

Listen to DK...
Suzuki's suck, that's why so many people like them.

[babysmurf]

Thanks for the great list of seat heights! I've been looking at the Kawasaki 250s on craigslist.

Ya'll can keep up the fun suggestions though if you think of anything!!
-lisa

[o2lily]

Ha! Harley is the first on the list.

"Harley for the Handicapped" ;)

Listen to DK...
Suzuki's suck, that's why so many people like them.



Yeah thats Y you have a zuki LOL

[o2lily]

Here is the best way I can sum it up for you hunnie. I agree about the new rider stuff, however as you get better on a bike you tend to push it more but let me run down my big issues with lowering a sportbike.

First and foremost is ground clearance-if you corner very aggressively, you will drag parts sooner and easier than another rider on a standard-suspended machine. Some of these parts-like engine case covers or exhaust systems-can lever the rear tire off the ground if you're not careful. The ground clearance factor means there's also a limit to how much you can lower a sportbike. Almost all of the suspension technicians I know say those who don't intend to drag race, 1.5 inches is the limit they would be comfortable with for shortening suspension. Anymore than that severely restricts the amount of lean angle the bike can achieve without running into ground clearance problems.

Its all about the lean angle with me and the reason I say don't do it. It can be done and it really is all about the rider too. Just make sure what is lowered in the back.........is the same as what is lowered in the front. Even on the city streets of Tampa bay we toss our bikes around and get into some serious lean angles, I don't want to just flip off my R1 cuz I am smokin Greene on an off ramp.


See I figured it might have something to do with the lean bc, common sense, lower parts are to the ground easier they are to scrape.

Is that really it tho? Iz a big gurl :) I can take it!

Well than and I am a glutton for knowledge!!!
anyone else with knowledge on this can post too ya know :tongue:

[o2lily]

Thanks for the great list of seat heights! I've been looking at the Kawasaki 250s on craigslist.

Ya'll can keep up the fun suggestions though if you think of anything!!
-lisa


Glad the list helped ya Lisa!
An good luck in w/e you choose!

[o2lily]

Yeaaaaaaaah nor do I at ALL bc that is what got me into this to begin with.

I aint gonna ride no pro track or nothing but yeah I'd like to go out to a track once in a while and go play just to enjoy the feel

[PlayfulGod]

See I figured it might have something to do with the lean bc, common sense, lower parts are to the ground easier they are to scrape.

Is that really it tho? Iz a big gurl :) I can take it!

Well than and I am a glutton for knowledge!!!
anyone else with knowledge on this can post too ya know :tongue:

Think of it like this. The manufacturer spent endless amounts of time and money in R&D to come up with the best combo for handling for each bike. Now grant it, normal street riding one would prolly never notice the cons from lowering a sportbike (chops, cruisers are a diff world). But if you push the bike in the twisties, track it, etc you would notice the decreased lean angle, parts scrapping sooner, or posibliby even crashing from said scrapping parts lifting the rear tire off the ground.

[o2lily]

true PG agreed.

I think this is a good thread for the "shorties" to learn bout what to expect from their low bike :)

I likey dis thread!

[Cutty72]

:werd:

[NinjaRider]

get yourself a ninja 250 or 500 if you have no experience.....they just re did the body style so they look a little better. Cost is pretty cheap and they re-sell for only a little less....get it lowered and you'll be on your way!