Bike advice please!

[xlizx]

Hey,
I'm a 4'11 female, am planning to do my test relatively soon and hopefully will pass. But once I'm done, has anyone got any good ideas what bikes are going to be right for me? Bearing in mind I'm a skint student and won't be able to buy one brand new or afford insurance for certain ones. I need something that'll be light, possibly adjustable (though I know drag links can help but don't they mess up handling?), cheap, cheap to insure and something that isn't a moped
I've heard CBRs are good for first timers and they aren't too expensive due to how their mileage can be tampered with, but I'd like a few opinions form people to help. My boyfriend rides a Daytona 600, and my feet don't touch the floor so that's a clue to how ridiculously tiny I am
Any feedback is much appreciated x

[froggy128]

SV650 is smallish so you could try one of them

[xlizx]

Have tried, but my feet can only just touch, is that recommendable, or is it better to be able to be flat-footed comfortably? Also found it a bit heavy, but I dont know if that's due to my inexperience in riding and supporting bikes?

[bish777]

make sure to wear solid soled boots (army boots, or proper motorbike boots) that will allow you to ride it ok.

Perhaps a smaller 400 would be better? I was impressed with a mates bandit 400 and that was quite low and light.
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GSXR1100J

[KevTM]

[bish777]

I like the little bandits because the frame looks like a Spondon frame! Ickle baby spondon streetfighter!
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GSXR1100J

[G]

The CBR250 and CBR400 are both quite low.

I've just got a TRX850 kinda like an older version of the SV; it's suprisingly low.


You should get used to the weight, or at least ways for it not to be a problem. I've never found it a problem, but my 13 1/2 stone of flab is good for counterbalancing .


Have a look at getting the bike supension lowered, maybe the seat lowered as well.

[Bendy]

The Ducati Monster I sat on the other day was very low indeed, on a par with the CBR400 / CBR250.

It's the width of seats as well as the height of them, the TRX that G mentioned is still quite high but it's very thin so you get a better reach to the ground as your legs are going straight down and not out the way.

Everyone always recommends the SV650 but I know a few people who actually think it's pretty tall - maybe an urban myth about it being low? I've never sat on one myself so couldn't say for sure.


Ideally, you want to be able to get tiptoes on both sides, or one foot flat and the other dangling (shift your bum over a bit to achieve this) - lots of people (including myself) manage perfectly well like that. You also have to consider things like how what you're wearing affect your reach - in normal trousers and shoes I can get my feet down better than when I'm in leathers and silly plastic boots that don't let me go on tiptoes.

When you're just starting out, the tiptoes/weight thing is more of a confidence issue cos you're not used to the large mass and what it's likely to do. Have a read of this - https://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.faq.html - it has a US bias but lots of the advice is still very relevant.

[Jrod]

ZXR400 has a very low seat height.

[xlizx]

I've heard about the SV650 being good for small people, but I DO find it a little too big, and I worry that, if pulling up to the lights or what-have-you, I'll drop it because of my lack of getting my feet on the grtound well enough, or else when I lean it to one side so my left foot's flat then pick it back up, I'll end up falling off the other side or something.
I've got Sidi Vertigo boots, but am just getting used to them as I used to wear trainers when I go as pillion, ans of course it's a big step going from something with really soft soles to something quite firm.
How much would you expect to pay for a Bandit? My boyfriend had one but didn't get on with it.

[Keith]

A friend of mine from school a few years back was also 4'11, bless, it was fun walking next to her because I'm 6'4!

Anyway, back to the point. How about an older VFR400? Quite a low seat height, good to ride, look nice and very cheap to buy these days, anything from around £600 to £2k. Couldnt see insurance being too high either.

The Bandit400 tends to sell for around a grand.
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Aprilia RSV Mille R Edwards Replica - Aprilia RS250 - Suzuki GSXR600 Supersport Race Bike

[simonthepiema...]

I recommend the Honda Hornet. It has a lower seat height than the SV for sure having riden both. I believe you can get the seat lowered further. At 5ft 6 I found the SV a bit too tall with a standard seat but then I like to have more than just my toes touching tarmac as my wee legs canna hold it after it reaches a certain angle

[jayluvmito]

[xlizx]

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it. Just booked my lessons for the end of next month...begins the 21st July. Got any tips? I got my own leathers and I know bike controls vaguely as my boyfriend has shown me and lest me start his D6 up....

[bish777]

[Biker-Kev]

My friend is selling his Honda Vision 50cc scooter on an F-reg plate. Your feet will touch the ground and he only wants around £50 so that wont break your bank account.. lol

Seriously would recommend a 250 for now because surely you will touch the floor on them. The Suzuki RG250 is quite small.

Kev
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Zhongyu ZY50, Aprilia SR50, Motorhispania RX50, Aprilia RS125, Honda VFR400 nc24 and my corsa
https://www.bikepics.com/members/bikerkev/
Theory: Passed 8/11/2005 Practical: Passed 13/12/2005 Proud holder of A2 license

[xlizx]

I hate to sound like a spoilt brat, but I really do not want a scooter, mainly for superficial reasons like I want to look cool etc. Actually, it's mainly because I'll never be able to race my boyfriend and stand a chance in winning if my engine size is a mere 50cc, and his is 600cc (or 599 to be exact).
Sounds like a real bargain though. Shame I'm so arrogant

[Jrod]

[Vespa]

.

[xlizx]

Sorry Vespa, no offence intended to you personally, it's just that, in the area I live in, scooters/mopeds are ridden only by the elderly or by chavs. Don't know where you live, hopefully it's a different scenario, but here mopeds have a bit of a bad reputation. Also, I won't be able to chase my boyfriend down the motorway on a 49cc machine, although granted it would be very useful for commuting. Thing is, I'll be off to uni in September and will need it to ride there (it's about 20 miles away) and I don't think mopeds are allowed on the roads I'll be travelling on (motorway and dual carriage way etc)
Sorry again, didn't mean to seem as though I'm tarring you with same brush as the delinquents who ride mopeds where I live

[Biker-Kev]

[Vespa]

.

[xlizx]

Assuming he's a gentleman is very presumptious
Went to the bike training centre last night, and tried out their bikes. I'm too small to learn to ride on any of them! Back to the drawing boarc for the time being, I think
Thinking of doing my theory with them and my CBT, then going to another centre which will cut the price to £545 for a 9 day intensive from £600 and something. Meanwhile, I've joined a job agency as a temporary worker to try and earn a little extra cash. Being short is really crap.
Oddly, my dad was trying to talk me into getting a moped and I wouldn't, just because of the bad reputation linked to it in my area. That, and it'll get stolen to be sold on...