Triumphrat

Nelsifer

I noticed in my computer history that "Pink Motorcycle", "Ninja 250", and "Girls first motorcycle" had been searched very frequently in the last month. I asked my wife if she was considering learning to ride and she said yes.

First things first, her butt is going to MSF as soon as the snow clears because I'm not putting up with her and those guys are wicked good at what they do.

I would like to know what bike would best suit her. She is no stranger to the rear seat but is completely alien to the front. She is 5ft 3in and roughly 150lbs.

The protective husband in me wants to encourage the Ninja 250 but I, along with millions of others I'm sure, learned on a bigger bike and I don't think she would enjoy it for very long. She definitely wants a sporty bike though. I would like to put her on an older Triumph, but she likes the rigid pointy spacey look of the newer Jap bikes.

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FasTriumph

Find an old Suzuki 500GS. Perfect. Get one from the mid to late 1990's. The 2001 would be an ideal model year as they updated the carbs. These are great learner bikes that should provide at least a couple years of satisfaction before she gets her Bonneville or Street Triple! Further into the 2000's and I believe you'll find models with fairing. She might like the weather protection, although I think a more naked bike would be better to learn on.

Your wife is fabulous! How wonderful she wants to ride!

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1996 Trophy 1200 BRG
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Billbikes

The ninja 250 is a fine bike, until she decides she's ready for highway riding, although it'll do that too. Look around and see if you can find a ninja/EX 500. Still small, but more ccs. I've seen them around for pretty low.


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rallycat

Bigger than a Ninja 250 - a Ninja 300! Hard to go wrong with a used Ninja 250/CBR 250 - buy a decent used bike, ride it for a year or two & resell for minimal loss.

Consider a Suzuki SV650S (fairing equipped), smaller cc Ducati Monster, or Kawa Verys/Ninja 650. I just read that Honda will be selling a new 500 cc twin in sport/naked/touring models.

Junipero

Those examples above are good ones. My thoughts are its all about the riding position. Feet out front (i.e. cruiser) is not always good for beginners. Yeah, a really low seat might be reassuring, but not if her feet are splayed out in the wind. Feet under or slightly back is really the most confident position for newbies.

My two cents...


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Billbikes

My GF started on a Suzuki S40. Rode it for a year and a half, now rides an America. I'm trying to get her on a std Bonnie, but she's balking.


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09 Sprint ST-Trident exhaust,rear fender tidy.
You can take the boy out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the boy.

Triumphforever

My wife bought a crystal white 675 street triple last summer, she's 5 ft 2, and hadn't driven a bike for 22 yrs. She never drove anything with as much power as the streety, and I was a little scared about her owning it at first. When I took it for a drive I couldn't believe there was a road bike that handles this good. Now I'm not nervous about her going anywhere on it. She just loves the bike, and some nights after work when I've taken the D12 on my long drive to and from work and I don't feel like going for a ride or have something else to do she'll take it out by herself.
Everytime when we're out riding and stop she has a grin from ear to ear. Get your wife to check one out she'll really like the look of it. And after she takes the motorcycle saftey course, if you get one, you can rest assured she'll be riding one of the safest most fun to ride bikes out there. If it's a little to tall for her get the dealer to lower the forks and the preload.
Chris

ninjabruce

My wife has also taken the MSF riders course where she learned on a Rebel 250 and had a stint on a Kawasaki 600 that I had sitting in the garage. Even though I lowered it she still disliked the physical size. It has since been sold and I have been shopping for new bike for her. She has been wanting a newer 2008+ Ninja 250 but has recently taken a liking to the Thruxton after I showed her one the other day. Next step is to get her to size one up and see if she actually fits on one.

Scrambler900

Suzuki is now selling a great retro looking 250cc single bike, a standard motorcycle. For around $3,800. Or, the shorter and easier handling Bonneville SE edition, with smaller cast rims.

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Thruxtonbill

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