Recommend a bike for my wife

[DUCAUDI]

Currently riding a Rebel 500.

I should mention she's a shortarse at only 5' 2" and doesn't feel confident handling heavy bikes. The Rebel was a perfect starter bike for her as it's both very lightweight AND has a very very low seat height.

She wants to change to something with a bit (or a lot) more wind protection.

She says she's happy with the 47bhp on the Rebel 500 and says she doesn't need/want to go any faster but personally I think she's outgrown the bike but doesn't realise what she's missing out on and that it's not all about blisteringly quick acceleration and outright top speed, but the point of having more power on tap is to make overtakes easy and cruising more relaxed, not increasing your overall riding speed or style.

Anyway that aside, she is complaining from the wind blast on her helmet and chest and isn't comfortable riding much over 50-60mph because she feels like she's hanging on for dear life LOL.

I suggested a Ninja 650 to her as it's a fully faired bike, relatively light and low. But she said it's too sporty for her.

I'm thinking Tiger 900 GT Low (the one lowered from the factory) with the lowered seat in its lowest position. The reduced height seat might make for a firm ride but once she gets used to the bike and gains confidence on it I'm thinking maybe upgrade the seat to a comfort seat which will probably raise her up a couple of CM but hopefully won't be a problem if she's used to the bike by that time.

She's not convinced about the Tiger and says it looks huge. There aren't many in stock in dealers around here. There's one in Croydon so we were going to have a ride there at some point to see it in the flesh so she can sit on it and see how she feels about it.

In the meantime however, any other suggestions? Any obvious bikes I've overlooked?

Criteria are:
Lightweight
Low seat height
Front fairing with windscreen to deflect wind and keep her in a calm riding bubble

A GSA has already been suggested to me by some funny fucker! Serious recommendations only please LOL.
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2023 DucAudi Mehrstraße V4 Hechte Gipfel - "Objectively the best motorcycle ever produced" - "You can have any colour, as long as it's red"
2021 Honda CMX500 Rebel S

[Kentol750]

You say light, rebel is about 180kg!

KTM duke 790. Add a screen.

Hornet 600, screen needed too.

BMW r1200r with lowered seat, heavier, but Mrs k at 5'3" could flat foot it.
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Some bikes.

[MCN]

BCF policy: Pictures of 'wife' or we won't believe you.

Kawasaki ERF 600. Parrlel Twin.
Looks pretty and the fairing gives a little wind protection.
Fairly manageable dimensionally and for manoeuvrability.
A bit vibey due to the twin.
Not too aggressive in the power thing.
Comfortable.

Only negative I found was the brakes could be better.
Maybe Brembo pads would help that.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[stinkwheel]

They make a version of the BMW F800GT with a low seat.

ER6F is also a good shout.
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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.

[A100man]

tiger 660 with low seat ?
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[Robby]

If she's happy with the current bike, you can get fairly big handlebar mounted batwing fairings for them. May also be able to get some of lower cruiser fairing, I haven't looked.

If she's happy with the power, she's happy with the power. I like having about 50hp in a bike built for it, it's enough to enjoy at legal speeds with enough left over to be a bit silly. 100+hp is fun, but a lot harder to enjoy at lower speeds.

[Easy-X]

I had this screen on my Rebel:

https://i.imgur.com/Sc2IjNO.jpg

IIRC it made a fair difference. You can go bigger...

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0087/0324/6396/products/Puig-Batwing-SML-Touring-Screen-BlackLight-Smoke-Honda-CMX-500-Rebel-20172019-Screens-M21060H.jpg?v=1649421819
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[DUCAUDI]

Thanks to everyone for your input!

I should have said we're probably looking at a new bike, so something still in production today, or if we did go used would be 2020 or later.

[Kentol750]

The 750gs sport comes in a low version, we have one in work and apart from being very heavy is quite good for shorter riders.
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Some bikes.

[Robby]

Moto Guzzi V85 with a touring screen could be worth a look then.

[stinkwheel]

What about a super-scooter? Mate had a Honda X-adv and it was no slouch.
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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.

[jeffyjeff]

Did somebody say Sportster? I'm sure you can get a flyscreen for the Sportster, although that Puig batwing looks pretty cool.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[DUCAUDI]

[MCN]

[DUCAUDI]

Agreed.

However a crude yardstick such as taking seat height alone can wittle an expansive list down to a nice shortlist of a handful of bikes to consider / sit on in the showroom.
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2023 DucAudi Mehrstraße V4 Hechte Gipfel - "Objectively the best motorcycle ever produced" - "You can have any colour, as long as it's red"
2021 Honda CMX500 Rebel S

[DUCAUDI]

[UncleFester]

F750GS low seat is fine for an inseam of 28". Anything 800mm plus is going to feel like a wobbler.

Anything that has all hell sculpted out of the seat foam will be uncomfortable unless you're a masochist.

I think something designed to be a certain height is better than something that you have to fettle to a certain height.

One of the last model Tiger 800 low models would probably be nice too.

I wouldn't kid yourself that BMW are made of better chinesium because they aren't.
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Module 1 and 2 passed - October 2014. Happy owner of a 2017 Z1000SX, ex owner of a YBR125 / CB500 / VFR800.

[stinkwheel]

[Robby]

You'll have to go to a few big dealerships and sit on some bikes. It sounds like your budget will cover lots, so that constraint can be largely ignored for now.

You want a bike that can be handled by short person, with some wind protection and over 50hp. You've ruled out sports bikes and cruisers.

That doesn't leave a lot of easy choices. Cruisers are good for shorties and can have fairings. Adventures bikes will meet the power and comfort requirements, but are tricky on seat height. Classically-styled bikes are unlikely to meet the wind protection without looking ugly. Proper tourers are fairly rare now apart from big, heavy machines.

So it looks like your best bet is some kind of middleweight adventure bike with a lowering kit. The advantage is that a lot of the R&D money over the last decade has gone into them, so they tend to have nice gimmicks and plenty of accessories available.

Also it's a wife bike, so prettiness is important. If you're going to Croydon for a look, also pop into In-moto, my local dealer. They have KTM, Ducati and Moto Guzzi.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[Arfa__]

My wife is also a short arse, 5'1 3/4". She had a lowered CBF500 for a while and is now riding a 2020 Triumph Street Twin. She loves it, with the stock seat it's lower enough for her to be comfortable and confident on it. The Twin 900cc engine gives about 64bhp which is enough to have fun on the backroads and sit comfortably long distances on motorways.

Granted, there's not a huge amount of wind protection. She has the little fly screen which is a small improvement. Think there are larger screens about if desired.

Might be worth a test ride anyways.
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Beginner Biker Adventures Blog
Yamaha FZ6 S2 2007

[MCN]

What is it with all you growed men with petite wives?

Am ah missing something?

Perverts
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[Robby]

They get taller after GCSEs.

[Nobby the Bastard]