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Magnolia · 09-07-2008, 09:08 PM

Hi-

I'm seventeen and interested in purchasing a motorcycle, but I'm having trouble looking for a street bike that I can handle- I'm 110 lbs. and 5'3. I'm really interested in the Kawasake 250 Ninja, but I tried out a friend's and felt that I'm not quite heavy or tall enough to safely use the bike.

Is there a bike out there for short women, or is there anything I can do to build up strength to be able to ride one comfortably?

Thanks.

sarnali2 · 09-08-2008, 06:40 AM

I'd say the 250 Ninja would be about your best bet, it's normal to be a little nervous starting out. Maybe if you practiced a little more you'd get used to it..

seruzawa · 09-08-2008, 07:06 AM

The Ninja250 can be lowered pretty easily. An inch can make all the difference in the world. Rotating the handlebar back a bit can help too.

pushrod · 09-08-2008, 07:26 AM

Magnolia,

Sachi will weigh in here in a bit. She is our 'less-tall, female' demographic representative.

There are rumors that Sachi and Longride are actually the same person, except that LR is ostensibly about two of Sachi in size, but equally ornery.

No one has ever seen both of them at the same time...

sachiwilson · 09-08-2008, 07:38 AM

Honey, 5'3" and 110 is not *that* small. There are plenty of bikes that a woman your size could safely ride, and the little Ninja is one of them. However, at this point, because you're not comfortable with the idea of riding the Ninja, I recommend that you find something that you feel better on as a first bike. Check out the 250 cc Honda Nighthawk and Rebel, and Yamaha also makes a 250 cc cruiser.

Also, take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation beginning rider's course. That will give you the information you need to start riding, and you'll also get some practice on a small bike (125 cc or 250 cc.) Make sure you get good gear, either leather or armored mesh depending on your climate, as well as a full-face helmet, leather gloves, and boots. Riding entails risk, but good gear, knowledge. and practice are the best tools for reducing that risk.

acecycleins · 09-08-2008, 08:16 AM

If you just want two wheels and aren't commited to the whole looks thing check this: scooters

If you get the 150 you should be able to hold 55mph easy. Just a thought for the vertically challanged.

newagetwotone · 09-08-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pushrod

There are rumors that Sachi and Longride are actually the same person, except that LR is ostensibly about two of Sachi in size, but equally ornery.

No one has ever seen both of them at the same time...

So what he/she is a shape shifting thing?

I feel that i've missed something here.

seruzawa · 09-08-2008, 09:03 AM

My wife is 5'2 and rides a Yamaha125 scooter. You might just pick up one of them and get some experience before deciding what you really want.

longride · 09-08-2008, 10:04 AM

Hey, if I'm twice the size then I'm half as ornery per pound! At least I got that going for me!

sachiwilson · 09-08-2008, 10:41 AM

Ornery? ME??

Pish tush.

09-07-2008, 09:08 PM	#1
Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2	Perfect Bike for a Petite Girl Hi- I'm seventeen and interested in purchasing a motorcycle, but I'm having trouble looking for a street bike that I can handle- I'm 110 lbs. and 5'3. I'm really interested in the Kawasake 250 Ninja, but I tried out a friend's and felt that I'm not quite heavy or tall enough to safely use the bike. Is there a bike out there for short women, or is there anything I can do to build up strength to be able to ride one comfortably? Thanks.

09-08-2008, 06:40 AM	#2
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,132	I'd say the 250 Ninja would be about your best bet, it's normal to be a little nervous starting out. Maybe if you practiced a little more you'd get used to it.. __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "All the BMW riders in the room, I want you to leave. Now. Out. "

09-08-2008, 07:06 AM	#3
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	The Ninja250 can be lowered pretty easily. An inch can make all the difference in the world. Rotating the handlebar back a bit can help too. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

09-08-2008, 07:26 AM	#4
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	Magnolia, Sachi will weigh in here in a bit. She is our 'less-tall, female' demographic representative. There are rumors that Sachi and Longride are actually the same person, except that LR is ostensibly about two of Sachi in size, but equally ornery. No one has ever seen both of them at the same time... __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

09-08-2008, 07:38 AM	#5
sachiwilson Women Riders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,609	Honey, 5'3" and 110 is not that small. There are plenty of bikes that a woman your size could safely ride, and the little Ninja is one of them. However, at this point, because you're not comfortable with the idea of riding the Ninja, I recommend that you find something that you feel better on as a first bike. Check out the 250 cc Honda Nighthawk and Rebel, and Yamaha also makes a 250 cc cruiser. Also, take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation beginning rider's course. That will give you the information you need to start riding, and you'll also get some practice on a small bike (125 cc or 250 cc.) Make sure you get good gear, either leather or armored mesh depending on your climate, as well as a full-face helmet, leather gloves, and boots. Riding entails risk, but good gear, knowledge. and practice are the best tools for reducing that risk. __________________ Frappé LaRue Safety Queen Are you a Rounder? Sarnali: "what could be more useless than arguing with a deaf female lawyer????"

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09-08-2008, 08:16 AM	#6
acecycleins Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 4,125	If you just want two wheels and aren't commited to the whole looks thing check this: scooters If you get the 150 you should be able to hold 55mph easy. Just a thought for the vertically challanged. __________________ "Slack" - a state of being in which everything flows smoothly.....a frame of mind so at ease that the universe naturally cooperates. Last edited by sachiwilson : 09-08-2008 at 10:26 AM.

09-08-2008, 09:03 AM	#8
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	My wife is 5'2 and rides a Yamaha125 scooter. You might just pick up one of them and get some experience before deciding what you really want. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

09-08-2008, 10:04 AM	#9
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	Hey, if I'm twice the size then I'm half as ornery per pound! At least I got that going for me! __________________ I'm a knucklehead

09-08-2008, 10:41 AM	#10
sachiwilson Women Riders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,609	Ornery? ME?? Pish tush. __________________ Frappé LaRue Safety Queen Are you a Rounder? Sarnali: "what could be more useless than arguing with a deaf female lawyer????"