| Author | Message | ||
     03firebolt |
Hey im trying to help my mom find her a bike, Me and my dad went by the triumph shop today and we really liked the bonneville, but i think theres got to be a couple more options to consider. I think a blast, although a very good bike, is just a little too small, and a XB has just a little too much power. Is there anybike other than harleys (my dad owns 3, so he kinda wants to get her something else) I should look at for her? Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this, but im just looking for some good advice. Anyways, any suggestions? EDIT: anyone ever rode the Ducati GT1000? She likes the look of the classic itailian bikes, But i know ducatis are known for power and it being a 1000 could be pretty stout. But im wondering about the handling and power. (Message edited by 03firebolt on April 25, 2009) | ||
| Ourdee |
What does she want? | ||
| 03firebolt |
Uhh she doesnt really know, were just looking, like my edit said, she likes the look of the twin cylinder sport-touring bikes, but she needs something comfortable and that handles well. She really just wants a bike, she took the riders edge class, and now shes just wants something thats her own. And i figured id be the best son i could and try and help her out a little bit. | ||
| Sleez |
if she likes the GT1000, and likes the bonneville, check out a thruxton. my girlfriend really wants one bad!!! | ||
| Doubled |
Monster Aprilia Shiver SV650 though it might be a little tall Moto Guzzi Breva For a few of the more sporty, less cruiser types. Poke around on the net and see what you find. | ||
| Vito |
Blasts are great machines and if she did Riders Edge, she'll be really comfortable. One bike that Harley really designed with women in mind is the Softail Deluxe. It has the lowest seat height of any Harley and is one of the easier Harleys to ride due to its ergonomics. Its got that 50's style to it so it looks classy. All that said, an XB is only as powerful as you twist the throttle. Best piece of advice is to ask her a bunch of questions. Start with what does SHE want? Does she want something with fast and responsive handling? Is a flexible bike more her style (removeable bags, windshields, etc.)? Have her sit on a bunch, and ride as many as she can. Ultimately it needs to be something that she is comfortable with. I helped a lady I was seeing a few years ago get into the MSF class and Rider's Edge class, too. She had her heart set on a Sportster. That bike today has a pink flamed tank on it and she loves it, and she can ride the snot out of that. I let her ride my Lighting once and she hated it. I think what got her on that was she grabbed a handful of throttle and was a bit gun shy after that. She loved my Wide Glide and rode that once-the forward controls were not something she liked, although she liked how she looked on it. Never did get her to try the Electra Classic. She rode a friends Triumph and really liked that. What I got out of that is she is more into a standard type bike. I had an FXDX for a bit and she really liked that. Mid controls, upright seating, great handling. My .02 | ||
| Ec12r |
have you looked at the new ninja 250? Bought one for my wife last March she loves it. It is light, handles well and has more of an upright riding position than most sport bikes. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Is she buying new? Got a lot of coin to drop? The new "little" BMW parallel twin adventure bike is probably a nice all around machine. A Wee Strom is a nice bike in terms of "willing to compromise on the bike to get bang for the buck". And an XB9SL is not that intimidating a bike... it would be hard to beat a $4500 used XB9SL, or any XB9S with the low seat added... thats the "not willing to compromise on the bike to get bang for the buck" option. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
You haven't said anything about mom's riding experience so it's hard to tell. Anybody going for the first time would do well to look at the Kawasaki and Honda first time promos. See it as a one year starter and then move on. (Assuming you've got similar first year deals like in Canada.) | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
+1 on the Ninja 250. A lady friend of mine bought one, as her street bike, she rides a Triumph 675 on the track. She loves the Ninja, has no trouble keeping up with everyone in the twisties. I rode it myself, and I really enjoyed it. It had plenty of power and handles like a dream. Looks very cool too.  | ||
| Sifo |
How about the Suzuki Gladius. It has some of the Ducati styling ques, and the 650 V-twin is a proven power plant. Compromises were made to make a price point, but your mom doesn't sound like she would care much about thinks like an aluminum frame and top notch suspension at this point. | ||
| 03firebolt |
Wow, thanks for all the advice. Her riding experience is only a little bit on her own. except for the riders edge class. Shes been riding for years on the back but that really means nothing. My dad actually had a deluxe and its just a little too heavy for her, ergonomics and comfort are both great, she just had a little trouble holding it up on her own without being afraid of dropping it, which is why im trying to find her something a little lighter than a harley. I have a sportster and i just think it may be a little to uncomfortable. So shes just not sure yet of what she wants, Im sure itll be bought new so it has a good warranty and the money side depends on what kinda bike it is. but anyways, thanks for all the help though, i now have a couple ideas to show her. | ||
| Chippy |
p.s. that gladius is quite pretty in person. | ||
| Jraice |
Cant go wrong with a ninja 250... An XB9 wouldnt be a horrible choice either and would last longer. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
+1 on the Wee strom and the shiver, if she is ok with that much power. 650 cc's plus can be a lotta power for someone who is brand new. And sorry, it's been my experience that if someone gets in over their head right after they are endorsed and has a freakout moment with a bike with "too much power" may hang it up for good and just live with being a backrest. I've seen students in my classes as re-rides who are traumatized after getting more than they planned from the throttle and it scared them. Hate to say it, but when it comes to riding a m/c, we chicks can be different critters. Some of us didn't grow up on bikes with dads that said "here its yours. Have fun but be safe". The blast may be a great low-cost starter bike for her. Depending on her skills and comfort level, and what she is comfortable with regarding seating position, she may also consider a GZ250 or a Honda Nighthawk. These are inexpensive, so the pocketbook hurts less when you drop them and they retain their value pretty well. Good luck, keep us posted on her progress. If she'd like, you or she can pm me with questions. I deal with this all day every day and don't mind. | ||
| Xbgeorge |
I'll have to throw another + at the Suzuki Gladius. It is a naked sport geared toward women. http://www.gladiusstyle.com/ Is your mother in good shape? How tall? How old? Would she be able to handle the sport bike position? I ask because it would suck for her to buy a bike that she would hate later. The HD XR1200 would be fun and let her ride with your Dad's Harleys. http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2 009_Motorcycles/xr1200.jsp?locale=en_US | ||
| Jraice |
+1 XR1200 might be a good candidate. Still a harley but with a different look and much sportier in terms of handling, better power plant as well but should be somewhat beginner friendly if the rider is not to apprehensive. It is a much longer wheelbase then the XB, so it wont handle u-turns as well but it also will be less prone to wheelies (oh man was my test ride on a LONG v-rod awesome, only bike I ever felt comfortable wacking it WOT in 1st gear the first time I gased the thing, front end doesnt even try to come up but that thing RIPS to 9,000rpm). | ||
| Hughlysses |
First bike? Whatever it is, it'd be best if it's U-S-E-D. Like you said, she really doesn't know what she wants, and she won't know until she's ridden for a while. Buy something used that she can sell later for close to what she paid for it. There are lots of good standards available out there. Once she's ridden a while she'll have a lot better idea of the bike she really wants and she can buy a new one then. | ||
| Lighting |
I would say let her sit in on one of the new BMW's, they make some really user friendly bikes with very good handling and braking. Quality, is what you expect from BMW, outstanding. | ||
| 1_mike |
On a somewhat fun note...really was.. When my mom was in her early teens, she was on the back of a guys bike and was hit by a truck. It ripped her calf muscle basically off. After my youngest brother was born, she finally had to have her lower leg taken off for medical reasons. Skip ahead many years to me buying my first bike. She wasn't exactly happy, she just told me to be careful. She always wanted a ride on the back with me. I kept telling her no (I had my reasons). Much later on, she died of a heart attack. We, as a family had her cremated. I went to pick up her remains while on my bike, strapped the box to the back and took off. In town, I started splitting lanes...unconsiously (out loud) I said, "pull your legs in tight", to her. I smiled...and kept going. Mike | ||
| Pogue_mahone |
good deal mike..the little stuff is soo more important and we usually dont see till much later when ya cant fix it. scott |
