Dilema

Bod · Traffic Copper Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

Hi all, my girlfriend wants to learn how to ride a bike. Thats the easy bit. She is 5 " 1 or there abouts, and we went to a bike shop to try some out for size............FORGET IT. Because of her height she cannot get on most things. However, we did see and Aprilia RS 125 which she liked the looks of. Now, is it worth her starting off on a 125 with a CBT and ride it for two years and get the auto upgrade whilst gaining experience then move to a bigger cc.

Or, do her direct access get the full lot now, and get something like a 400 depending on the size of the bike?
Cheers
Bod

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

I would say to do the DAS and get a 400/500cc bike rather than spending time and money on buying a 125 then selling it once she's passed her test.

Anna is about that height and manages fine on a CBR400.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Honda H100, you will get a very good one for under 500 quid, they are diminutive, reliable, cheap to run and cheap to insure. Great fun to ride, 60mph flat out. Get one for her to do the CBT and ride about on for a bit, then if she likes it she can decide if she wants to stick with the H100 for a bit or do her test. You will get back what you paid for the bike providing it is not crashed.
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Bod · Traffic Copper Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

Yeah, this is it, I would rather get her a 125 or something small to let her get used to it. But whats best in the long run?

stryker · Brolly Dolly Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Karma :

Its possible to lower some bikes at the suspension. There is another thread on bikes for the 5 foot rider here in general chat.

HTH

Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

Get her a Harley Razz

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Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Personally I am an advocate of people getting a small bike and getting a bit of experience before they do their test (DAS or otherwise).

The H100 is a good choice, except that you can no longer use them for doing your test on (must be over 120cc, unless you are doing the light motorcycle test which is fairly useless).

The RS125 is not a small bike, for a 125. The NSR is definatly a slimmer and lower bike (and there are other slim 125 sports bikes such as the TZR125 and the Cagiva Freccia).

The only problem with DAS is finding somewhere to teach her that has suitably low bikes. Once she has passed her test a CBR400 should be low enough (and there are plenty of less sporting bikes).

All the best

Keith
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Bod · Traffic Copper Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

Right ok, would it be safer and better for her to do her cbt and get used to a 125 first. She has been driving a car for 2-3 years now so thats not a problem.

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

What does she feel she wants to do?

It's really down to the individual in the end, you'll get arguments for and against every way of doing it.

Visitor Q · $25 whore Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Karma :

Well we are selling a hartford legion 125 which has just had 200 quids worth of work on it for about 450 i think. Maybe less.
Looks scabby as hell, but its bulletproof. Think SR125 with a car tyre on the back.
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Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

Andy99 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Karma :

I've always been a fan of learning on small bikes then moving up,but then i'm old,and thats what i did and thats what my friends did.Personally i loved my 125 and have very fond memories of learning to ride and would recommend doing it that way.
However quite a few people here did it the DAS way and recommend that.
Look at your budget,decide what kind of use the bikes going to get(is it her only transport,will she want to do long distance or local only).Sit on a few bikes to find out what she feels comfortable on and confident enough to ride then decide.
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