Learner bike for shorties?

[Brettus]

Anyone got any suggestions on a 125 that is suitable for someone around the 5` mark? my wife is tentatively interested in learning so wondered if there were any suitably low bikes that she could feel confident on to start with? I seem to recall the SR125 being pretty low but couldn't be sure as I'm quite tall so don't pay much attention to height.
I already suggested platform biking boots but that didn't go down very well :smt075

Any thoughts?

[flibble]

How tall is she, I'm 5'4'' and easily managed the TW125 as my first bike :)

[sv_rider1990]

Honda CBR125 small and very good 4T learner

[Brettus]

We have a CBR125 that would have been ideal but its quite tall, the suspension Isn't adjustable either so not much to gain I think.
will have another look at it tonight though, she is nervous of heights and consequently won't go pillion as its high and she isn't in control hence the need for feet to easily touch the floor.
Could be a tricky one, she is pretty much 5` exactly.
Compared with my lanky 6`2 frame I can touch the floor with my K6 parked on top of a kerb! bit of a contrast heh.

Hmm after a quick googling, it appears the CBR seat height is 776mm whereas the tw125 is 805mm, maybe will have to investigate the CBR more....

Thanks for the suggestions

[Brettus]

Hmm after some searching around and checking various models I could think of I've come up with a few stats, might prove useful to someone else sometime perhaps so thought I'd post them up here too:
Manufacturer Model Seat Height (mm)
Hyosung Aquilla 665
Honda VT 125 Shadow 680
Yamaha SR125 730
Suzuki VanVan 770
Honda 125 Pantheon 770
Honda CBR125r 776
Honda CG 125 781
Hyosung RT125d 790
Suzuki SV650S 800
Honda Varadero 802
Yamaha TW125 805

[mrs mousetrapper]

Anyone got any suggestions on a 125 that is suitable for someone around the 5` mark? my wife is tentatively interested in learning so wondered if there were any suitably low bikes that she could feel confident on to start with? I seem to recall the SR125 being pretty low but couldn't be sure as I'm quite tall so don't pay much attention to height.
I already suggested platform biking boots but that didn't go down very well :smt075

Any thoughts?

I did my CBT on an SR and it was quite low and more comfortable than the CG. I have subsequently bought a YG and it too is v. comfy and I can easily get both feet flat on the floor (I'm about 5'4).
Don't know if that helps but thought I'd give you another possibility!

[JamesMio]

My G/F's not much taller than that (couple of inches at most) and manages on her wee CG125 no bother at all

[kitkat]

best to actually sit on the various bikes. dont go just on seat height as some seats are high but narrow and others are low and wide. i have short legs 27 inside leg but manage to reach the ground on most 125s except tall trailies. the wee 400s are usually quite low too

[Dangerous Dave]

Any of the basic 125's have a short seat height, SR, CG, etc...

[Moffatt666]

The sr125 feels like your backside is 3mm from the road and they're pretty good as learner machines.

[maultin]

I did my CBT & direct access on a Suzuki VanVan & it was absolutely excellent. I am 5' 2" & found the VanVan very easy to use. Both feet down at the lights is very easliy done.

Hope this helps, Alan

[Razor]

Both my shorty learner friends have vanvans, It's a good fun little bike.

[northwind]

Vanvan's ace, wish I'd bought one. Same for the Trailway actually.

The learner legal cruisers are incredibly low, it also makes them more managable than the taller bikes- when I sold my Virago, the lady who bought it was terrified of dropping it. To show her not to worry, i laid it down on some grass and got her to pick it up again, with one hand :D The centre of gravity is freakishly low. Makes them hilarious to ride too.

[Brettus]

Hmm lots of interesting posts, thanks for all the help and advice, She tried out the CBR125 and could touch the floor reasonably well, lends credence to the bike riding theory anyhow. the vanvan looks pretty cool, I did debate cruisers but thought with the controls being out in front on most its a little bit awkward because I suspect if she does do the CBT she will enjoy it and want to move on eventually.
Time will tell anyhow, might be next year yet but all the advice and opinions have been very helpful :)