Bike Selection....

[WishayKillie]

My GF has expressed (to my surprise) a big intrest in doing her test and getting a bike next year . I'm all for this and have no doubt that she will pass her test. The only thing is that she is 5'1" and I was wondering what bike she could get? She is very keen on the 600 sports bike's CBR in particular. Any advice??
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Current; 10' Aprilia Dorsoduro 750.
Previous; 05 Triumph Daytona 600, 08' Ducati 1098s.
"Needs a check-up, fae the neck up!"

[Mr.Everready]

400 will be the way to go I recon.
My m8 Brian (was on the run we had) is only 5'2" but he only tip toes on his Thundercat and if it goes over she'd have no chance of holding it up.


unless shes a hammer thrower !
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the undemocratically unelected mod of the Scottish section

[Bendy]

It's how long her legs are that matters than her actual height.

It's also not all about seat height, but seat width.

On the face of it, I'd say the sports 400s are all fair game, but really she needs to go sit on some things to get a better idea - if her legs are long for her height she might be okay on somethings you wouldn't immediately think she'd be able to reach on.

[instigator]

You could always look into getting lowering kits. Not sure how common they are for the cbr6 but I'm sure they're available.

[Mr.Everready]

whats she like on your Daytona ?
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the undemocratically unelected mod of the Scottish section

[Silver]

VFR400 sounds like a good bet. Jeanette is a bit taller at 5ft 7in, but she didn't want anything as big as a 600. She was very comfortable on the VFR.

[dodsi]

The same con-artists FI-international who make restriction kits make lowering kits

[Mr.Everready]

I 'm not sure if the lowering kits go that far Greg.
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the undemocratically unelected mod of the Scottish section

[colin1]

I have heard of small people on big bikes, using devilish tactics, such as having it tilted at an angle when at rest so on foot can reach the floor. This wd require more skill and balance that someone who is the right size for the bike.

If she is 5'1 I think a minimoto wd be great for her unfortunately they are not allowed on the roads. Good fun tho.

Monkey bikes are allowed on the road. They are fun and small.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[WishayKillie]

Cheers for the replies Yeah I forgot to say that she likes the 400's as well but with the way things are going the 600's are getting smaller and smaller every year. Only thing with a 400 is their age. I would prefer her to have something a bit newish that will be fairly reliable. Not that im saying that a 400 will break down all the time just you know with age and all that. I showed her the new ER-6 but I think she would prefer a sports bike Thats ma girl

@Bendy: She has quite long legs it think she has a 26" inside leg. I'll check it out with a measuring tape tomorow

@Mr Everready: I dont think she would have a hope in hell on my Daytona it's huge compared to the other 600's which suits me cause im a 6'3" streak of pish
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Current; 10' Aprilia Dorsoduro 750.
Previous; 05 Triumph Daytona 600, 08' Ducati 1098s.
"Needs a check-up, fae the neck up!"

[Bendy]

With reasonably long legs, she might just manage it. I think I'm a 28 inch inside leg and I manage the CBR okay. And I've seen lowering links for them on ebay.

What I would say is that a bike you can only just reach the ground on isn't great as a *first* bike. Some time spent on something she can flatfoot would stand her in good stead. It's entirely a head thing, but I wouldn't like to be worrying about that at the same time as you're trying to remember all the other stuff you've just learnt.

Yet another plug for the Short Bikes FAQ - it's a bit American but it's got some good stuff. https://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.faq.html

[WishayKillie]

Cheers for the link Once I get her to sit on a couple of bikes to see what suits her best I think we'll have a better idea. My mates got a GSXR400 sitting in his garage waiting on a engine I'll see what she is like on that.
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Current; 10' Aprilia Dorsoduro 750.
Previous; 05 Triumph Daytona 600, 08' Ducati 1098s.
"Needs a check-up, fae the neck up!"

[stinkwheel]

The height of your bike is irrelevant if you are confident riding it. My mate rode my MZ baghira over Llanberis pass at a good old lick and he is about 5'5". The bike had a 910mm seat and a foot of suspension travel at each end.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Bendy]

The height of your bike is irrelevant when you're moving. It's the stopping that sucks.

Ask your mate to nip it through central London with loads of traffic light stops next to expensive cars and he might not have been so keen.

[stinkwheel]

[Bendy]

One foot's plenty.

From your description it sounded like me on Kev's old jacked up streetfighter, dangling with both feet a clear 6 inches off the ground and no chance of either touching down until the whole thing was at least 45 degrees over.

[map]

FWIW was told as a benchmark stand a bike upright on the wheels (no stand) and then stand by the seat where you'd sit. If it reaches your hip then it should be ok to ride when sat on.

Also FWIW the October issue of RiDE magazine has the Rider Power 2005 survey. Most popular bikes for those under 5ft 4in are:
Honda CB600 Hornet
Honda CBR600
Yamaha Fazer
Suzuki SV650
Honda CBR400RR


HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?