G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile


Buell Motorcycle Forum » Quick Board Archives » Archive through April 21, 2006 » Bike for my wife « Previous Next »

  Thread Last Poster Posts Pages Last Post
Archive through April 17, 2006Billfish30 04-17-06  10:05 pm
         

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Jlnance
Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 09:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

FWIW, I think it's important to make sure she knows you're going to be ok if she wants a bike you don't like.

My g/f is learning to ride. I'm the proud owner of 2 Buells, and past owner of a third. So the g/f knows it would tickle me pink if she was to ride one too. But she really prefers the Suzuki cruisers. I'm not saying that would be a good fist bike, but things will obviously work out better if she knows she can ride something she likes.

Of course that particular issue has become a moot point since I got a Uly with a comfy seat and the beaver tail back rest.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bigdaddy
Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 09:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"beaver tail back rest"
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Essthreetee
Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 10:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My wife has had 3 bikes...started out on an 883 and rode it everywhere...then we got her a Springer Softail, and she rode it about 5 times...We purchased another 883 (Custom this time) last April...she didn't ride it much, but that was because it wasn't "hers". After we did some things to it (handlebars, and chrome doodads...soon to be doing a 1200 conversion), she loves it and is riding again (when we have time and someone to watch the babies).

Get her whatever she feels comfortable on and INSPIRES her to ride...if she doesn't like it, she may not ride it...

my .02
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sonomacyclone
Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 03:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My wife rides a Suzuki Intruder 800 (VS 800). She absolutely loves it. We swapped out the bars for a more comfortable set (the stock ones are lousy) but other than that it's stock. It's been very reliable has good power and she can put in long hours without getting fatigued - we've taken various trips logging 8-13 hrs. in the saddle per day. For a starter bike, you can pick up a used on at a reasonable price.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Fastgirl
Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 06:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm 5'4". I started on a 250 Suzuki in '81 and progressed to an 883, a couple of Softails and Lowriders. I now have a 2006 Road King and a 1999 Buell X1. First, wait until after she takes the safety course and SHE decides she can't live without a motorcycle. Then she can choose something small, used and cheap that fits her. Also she won't feel like cutting her wrists or your throat when she drops that $10,000 Sporty - and like it or not she will.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tramp
Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 07:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

i disagree with starting lighter, shorter riders on harley twins.
any machine which outweighs the rider by more than 3x is too much,
sure, anyone can start on anything, but the lighter, shorter rider will devlop too many bad habits on a heavy machine, which requires too much speed in order to bring it about in clean arcs.
she'll develop too many bad, choppy riding habits on a harley twin.
Old Honda Rebels are outstanding first machines for the under 5'5/under 150 lb set.
plus, you can find used ones crazy cheap, and you won't get upset when she drops it.
avoid harley twins as first bikes for the light and short.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Natexlh1000
Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 12:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I maintain that a dual purpose bike is the best thing to start with.
Light weight is better than just about any other criteria in my opinion.

(also, you can drop them like an idiot and they don't break as much ask me how I know this)

Start em off with a nice light thumper.
Mine was a KLR250. I got 28,000 miles out of it before I sold it to the boneyard for $400.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tramp
Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 07:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

dualsport's best on many levels, sometimes it's difficult to find a short one, though.
i agree that the dualsport's best for beginners.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Natexlh1000
Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 08:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

solution?

d
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Whatever
Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 08:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Who are you calling short ??? Or er um shorter... I resemble that remark !!!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bomber
Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 11:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

don't think anyone's mentioned what I'd consider a good choice for a smaller rider

Triumph Bonnies are one fo the few bikes out there with what used to be standard ergos without also having the traditional Dualsport height restrictions -- not feet forward cruiser style, not rearset pegs to any degree, but like most bikes used to have

they are light, nuetral handling, and good all round performers -- they are also pretty good bargains

more data for the big chart in the sky
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Natexlh1000
Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 07:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You mean the old "real" ones with pushrods and drum brakes?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tramp
Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 08:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

tr6 is more reliable, although an inch taller.
honda rebel is lower and weighs half.
bonnie is one incredible handling machine, though.... just a tad heavy for lightwieght beegweener
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Garrett1998s1
Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 02:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well gotta say you people havent helped me narrow the options down very much. So the search continues......
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tramp
Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 07:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

that's a good thing, though.
the world is yer oyster....
(and me buell is de pearl)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bomber
Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 09:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Tramp -- yessir, it is a bit heavy for a stone newbie, agreed -- won't be outgrowed quite so quickly, though, which is a feature AND a benefit

Nate -- er, the lady in question HAD a puchrod/drum brake Bonnie, back when my hair was blond -- don't think one of those was ever in consideration as a primary ride ;-}

I'm thinkin it's tough to buy a bad motorcycle today -- THESE are the good old daze, ain't they?
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and custodians may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration