Advice?

[femaleacid]

Currently I own a Yamaha SR125 and it'll be time for me soon to be doing my modules.

But now that the law is changing in January if I'm correct I'm going to be struggling to find my first proper bike.
Any advice or suggestions to what a good 'first learner bike' is I don't want anything over 650cc and preferably a Suzuki.

I want to be leading up to a SV1000 but that wont be till a couple of years.

P.S. I'm VERY small (5ft 2" and I'm very thin so heavy is out of the equation!)

[johnnyrod]

The first question is what sort of bike do you want? there are many styles - custom, race rep, tourer etc. - and you won't like them all. Unlike driving a car, riding a bike is (as I'm sure you've found) a very tactile sort of thing so one size will never fit all. Your height might be a bit of a problem so I'd say go to a big dealer with loads of bikes and sit on as may as you can, as a first step. Finally don't assume that going up in cc is like graduating at college, bigger only means bigger, not necessarily better; the right bike can be any size.

[femaleacid]

The first question is what sort of bike do you want? there are many styles - custom, race rep, tourer etc. - and you won't like them all. Unlike driving a car, riding a bike is (as I'm sure you've found) a very tactile sort of thing so one size will never fit all. Your height might be a bit of a problem so I'd say go to a big dealer with loads of bikes and sit on as may as you can, as a first step. Finally don't assume that going up in cc is like graduating at college, bigger only means bigger, not necessarily better; the right bike can be any size.
Hmm, preferably i'd have a custom or tourer, i like to travel on bikes so I'd have something that's practical for doing long mileage.

[BoltonSte]

Neighbour is in a similar position, he has no idea what he wants, if you wanted new (or newish) the Robinsons (Rochdale), Youles (Manc, Blackburn), Rocket Centre (Blackburn), ESB (Bolton) cover pretty much all manufacturers I think and are pretty close so worth a visit and having a sit on.

As for older used, have a look in Bike trader at least for the type that floats your boat and go from there.

Like johnnyrod said (and I told the wife) Bigger doesn't always mean better, it's all about the fit;)

Ste

[BoltonSte]

Hmm, preferably i'd have a custom or tourer, i like to travel on bikes so I'd have something that's practical for doing long mileage.


Some of the older sportsbikes are pretty good tourers as well (and tourers by todays standards), so don't try and focus too much based on sales pitch.

[femaleacid]

Some of the older sportsbikes are pretty good tourers as well (and tourers by todays standards), so don't try and focus too much based on sales pitch.
Yeah that's true.

We have a few friends who live up breightmet and they have a GSXR that's 20 year old and they go EVERYWHERE on that bike and they say it's comfortable.
I just have to think practical for my height and weight and one less thing I have to think about is I wont be carrying a pillion.

[dyzio]

Kawasaki er6?
I had a sit on a few "first big bikes" a while ago, and the Kwak felt the lowest.

[Dipper]

Hmm, preferably i'd have a custom or tourer, i like to travel on bikes so I'd have something that's practical for doing long mileage.
Just done 2000 miles on a curvy SV650S in 9 days, comfortable enough and returned over 60 mpg loaded with camping gear etc.

[flymo]

I know a few might chuckle at this given my recent efforts, but take a look at the Ducati Monster. The riding position is superb, very confidence inspiring.

[femaleacid]

Just done 2000 miles on a curvy SV650S in 9 days, comfortable enough and returned over 60 mpg loaded with camping gear etc.
Yeah me and my boyfriend like to go on long journeys we did 330 the other day up to Penrith it's amazing the only drawback is the passenger seat is very slim and stiff when you've parked your bum on it longer than 2 hours :(

[femaleacid]

I know a few might chuckle at this given my recent efforts, but take a look at the Ducati Monster. The riding position is superb, very confidence inspiring.
I actually wanted a monster, really bad!

I was just unsure about the weight and height so I'll have to try it out :)

[Bibio]

if you decide to come up to the GM i can show you exactly what you will need to do to an SV650 to fit someone who is 5ft feck all with an inside leg of 25'' :-)

there are a few options at various price points with my bike being the top of the budget.

[femaleacid]

if you decide to come up to the GM i can show you exactly what you will need to do to an SV650 to fit someone who is 5ft feck all with an inside leg of 25'' :-)

there are a few options at various price points with my bike being the top of the budget.
Thank-you :)

I mean I've managed to sit up on a SV650 before but the problem is I'm tiptoeing and if I loose my footing then it's game over for the bike (and possibly me for being squished under it) lol.
I'm still unsure what to get at the moment :(

[Bibio]

i'm tippy toes ballet dancer act on a standard sv650 but i can almost flat foot both feet on mine.

the only 2 other bikes i can get feet down on with just a seat scoop is an older ducati 750ss and an older cb500 with again a seat scoop.

i have tried lots of bikes with lowered seats but none are as low as they need to be.

taller people say this and that but unless your short you have no idea what it's like. i could more than likely go out and get any bike i choose but the sv fits all my needs, ooohhh and i on average do about 300-400 miles every time i'm out on the bike.


oooops i'll add one more a vrap with no modifications what so ever just ask dizzy :-)

[femaleacid]

i'm tippy toes ballet dancer act on a standard sv650 but i can almost flat foot both feet on mine.

the only 2 other bikes i can get feet down on with just a seat scoop is an older ducati 750ss and an older cb500 with again a seat scoop.

i have tried lots of bikes with lowered seats but none are as low as they need to be.

taller people say this and that but unless your short you have no idea what it's like. i could more than likely go out and get any bike i choose but the sv fits all my needs, ooohhh and i on average do about 300-400 miles every time i'm out on the bike.


oooops i'll add one more a vrap with no modifications what so ever just ask dizzy :-)
I agree with you there, it's definitely one of those situations were you wouldn't understand how awkward it is unless you're short yourself.
It's not that it's uncomfortable it's mostly the fact of balance and if you slip just once especially in wet and slippy conditions it's game over - especially if you're on a brand new bike!

My Yamaha is custom but i fit both feet flat on the floor and it's so much easier and practical I have more confidence knowing I have full control and not relying on the stand to hold me up incase I cruckle.

[dizzyblonde]

oooops i'll add one more a vrap with no modifications what so ever just ask dizzy :-)

Was just going to say....ya missed one out!! Me ears were burnin ;)


A Cagiva Raptor 650 would suit you very well young lady(not you Bibio!)
I'm 5ft7 and the raptor seems tiny to me, much shorter in the seat height than my SV.

They are an SV650 engine, and are superb for the shorter person.
MUCH BETTER....than one of those rubbish Ducati monster jobbies.

And.....if you want to progress to the 1000(better than the SV1000 by far), then read this. TL1000s engine, covered by an awesome Italian suit. Bibio the dwarf sat on my VRaptor and fell love with the fact he didn't need a set of steps to climb over onto the seat :lol:
This article I suppose could also be written about the 650, as its basically the same suit.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/289/1538/Motorcycle-Article/Memorable-MC-Cagiva-Raptor-1000.aspx

People may take the pith out of my bike, but they really are bikings best kept secret :smt040

[Bibio]

if your happy riding a custom styled bike that go that route if you feel safer. confidence is everything when riding a bike so go with what you feel confident on.

get out and go round the shops now and sit on as many bikes as you can,find one you like even if it is a little to tall there are things you can do to get it to fit.

[femaleacid]

Was just going to say....ya missed one out!! Me ears were burnin ;)


A Cagiva Raptor 650 would suit you very well young lady(not you Bibio!)
I'm 5ft7 and the raptor seems tiny to me, much shorter in the seat height than my SV.

They are an SV650 engine, and are superb for the shorter person.
MUCH BETTER....than one of those rubbish Ducati monster jobbies.

And.....if you want to progress to the 1000(better than the SV1000 by far), then read this. TL1000s engine, covered by an awesome Italian suit. Bibio the dwarf sat on my VRaptor and fell love with the fact he didn't need a set of steps to climb over onto the seat :lol:
This article I suppose could also be written about the 650, as its basically the same suit.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/289/1538/Motorcycle-Article/Memorable-MC-Cagiva-Raptor-1000.aspx

People may take the pith out of my bike, but they really are bikings best kept secret :smt040
Thanks dizzy! :)

I'll certainly have a look at the Raptor then and see what it's like an hopefully have a sit on one and see what it's like!

Thanks again for your advice :D

[dizzyblonde]

Well, if you find yourself near Halifax, I might let you sit on mine....they're a rare breed, so finding one in the first place is a task in itself!

[femaleacid]

Well, if you find yourself near Halifax, I might let you sit on mine....they're a rare breed, so finding one in the first place is a task in itself!
Thanks Dizzy :)

If we ever drive up towards Halifax I'll drop you in a message

[femaleacid]

if your happy riding a custom styled bike that go that route if you feel safer. confidence is everything when riding a bike so go with what you feel confident on.

get out and go round the shops now and sit on as many bikes as you can,find one you like even if it is a little to tall there are things you can do to get it to fit.
I agree with you there.

Not being confident on a bike is what causes most accidents!
I think for now I'll stick to my Yamaha and see whats available

[Mrs DJ Fridge]

Try the Monster, they are lovely, I had one as my first big bike. My dad has a Gladius (same engine as the SV650) he likes it because it is so low, he is short. I was actually built with women in mind and is a very easy bike to ride and is therefore an excellent first big bike.

[Bibio]

she wont get on a gladdy as i cant even with their supposed lowered seat.

[johnnyrod]

Test rides test rides test rides! Not easy when you're a learner as shops don't like the look of you but really there's no other way to tell if a bike is for you. You could line up the "same" bike from different manufacturers and they'd all feel different e.g. ER6/GS500/CB500. Custom style might not be a bad option as they can be comfortable and tend to be low, every time you go up in bike size they feel heavy and fast till you get used to it. Did I mention test rides?