First bike for GF suggestions ?????

[sweetlilchit]

As a woman who just recently got her license........ hubby wanted me to get at least a 600 or 750, I disagreed. I got what I felt comfortable on... a Suzuki GZ250 just like they used in class. I have only had it a week so far and I am learning and feel like I can handle that bike for now. Hubby thinks by the end of summer I will be ready for something bigger but I am glad to have started with something small first that I can build confidence. I think if I would have bought a bigger bike to start off with I would have been scared to ride it and would have given up the idea all together.

Just my .02 as a new woman rider.


My dream ride is a 750 Shadow Aero... maybe by next year

[hunnus2000]

BTW, I forgot to mention that an HD Sporty 883L is also an execellent choice for a first bike as long as it's 2005 and above.

HD has done a great job of designing these bikes for smaller framed people and the clutch is nice and easy to grab. The bike also rides like a standard with a low center of gravity and there is more then enough power for a rider to grow into but not too much to intimidate a new rider. It's also more affordable.

It's really an easy bike to ride and my wife loves hers.

[Hondaguy]

Originally Posted by chornbe

Sorry, posted this on the quick earlier.

The GS looks like this:


It's a standard seating position, feet under you, standard bars, little or no lean-over. It is *NOT* a sport bike. It is a tame, well-mannered, smooth and easy-to-ride bike with good breaks and a very, very streetable power curve.

It is *the* starter bike!

I concur...........with the caveat to throw in the slightly more powerful Ninja 500R for less money. i have been looking for a smallish Sport type bike to hold me over (until I can decide on the Concours vs the FJR) to have along with my Shadow and to maybe teach the wife to ride. So I have been extensively researching the mid standards. For $3000 used you really cannot go wrong with either choice.



Heres a good write up comparing both.

http://www.rememberourpets.com/mcn/m...comparo07a.pdf

In the end I have to choose the Ninja (even though the Suzi looks less dated)

The ninja is water cooled... the GS is air cooled

Cheaper to operate.
Valve adj interval on Suzuki 3500
Valve adj interval on Ninja 12,000
Ninja gets 15 MORE MPG despite 20% more HP on tap

Cost of ownership of Suzuki can be 3X as much!!


The ninja is a 4 valve per cylinder motor, the GS is a 2 valve per cylinder motor (Much longer valve adjust interval 3500 Suzuki vs 12,000 Ninja)

The ninja makes 50rwhp, the GS makes 40rwhp
The ninja is a full 498cc, the GS is a 487cc
The ninja revs up to 11,000rpm, the GS revs up to 9,500rpm.

The Ninja is less expensive and has much more after market support.

The Suzuki LOOKS better. (who cares about looks on a bike?)


Learning on a standard sport type bike is a great idea for reasons Chornbe can better reveal.

[Barney-Bike]

My wife is taking the class this month. When she gets her license I am going to give her Barney Bike (My 750 spirit.)
It is a good learner bike, not too fast, not too slow. reliable and comfortable in the street or the highway. the low seat makes it sitable for most anyone.

I would keep it, but since she likes it I am using it as an excuse to go bigger.