Beginner bike for my wife?

[Uno979]

That kind of riding is right in the little Ninja's wheelhouse. It'll do it all day long...

Freeways are a bit more...umm - exciting - I guess would be the word. You get knocked around pretty good by 18-wheelers and even wound all the way out doesn't really keep up with the flow of traffic. And if it does you've got nothing left in reserve if needed...

Creggur is right. All these guys are right. A 250 would be good as long as she doesn't want to commute on the hwy interstate. It will handle it but is a little scary as light as the bike is. It is still fun as heck going from one off ramp to another and yes will go fast enough to get a ticket.

Jacob, I also test rode a 125 while visiting my brother in Prince George, Canada. That thing.... I Hated it. Felt like I had to redline it just to go. With a 250, as stated by many others, is a safe route to take. It can be lowered enough and retains it's value so unless totaled you wont loose much of anything.

So yes let her sit on as many as she wants until she finds the one that suits her best. Let her decide. As long as she has options she should be happy with her choice but guidance will be needed. Most people do not choose a bike until after they have completed the MSF course and have gotten the feel and handling of motorcycles in general.

 

[stuna]

I had an 09 Ninja 250 just to play on, ended up loving to ride it so much i put 20,000+ miles on it in a year & a half. Those are great starter bikes because they are small, easy to handle & very comfortable to ride, but you can ride it all day at 90+ MPH if you want.

there was a article about the 250 , he got it for his wife and then he put on 100k on it

 

[Insure Gal]

Ninja 250 sounds like the place to start looking. By highway riding, I mean 80KPH limit 2 lane roads. She has no interest in freeway riding. I'm going ot have to get her to sit on one. Anybody have any experience with the CBR125? A bit small, but I might have a line on one...

CBR125's are pretty popular here are starters for some smaller girls and even some guys cause they are pretty cheap and very easy to handle.
My bro in law has one for his commuter and he's be riding about 20 years,,,,, he loves it!


I found the 125 a little bit too small for me.
I started out with a Suzuki GS500 that I've now passed on to my daughter. That's a good starter too and one that she won't outgrow in a hurry.

 

[creggur]

That little bike was a blast to ride. I'd take it out sometimes instead of the VFR just to sling it around.... It would cut a line through a corner like nobody's business, and the fun of revving it up and up and up and up. It truly is fun to ride a slow bike fast! It'll mess with your ego though, you start feeling like you're a better rider than you are (it's very forgiving) and then you jump back on a bigger bike and it's like, "whoah...can't slam this throttle wide open mid-corner to accelerate outa the curve."

I do miss playing on it sometimes though...

 

[JnT4Life]

Another vote for the Ninja 250 if you are planning her to upgrade to the FZ6R next spring. My wife is also a new rider (since April) and I have started her on a GS500F. I am positive she could move up to an FZ6R soon, but she loves that Suzuki! Actually she is trying to take my Vstar from me

 

[THEATH]

suggestions from a woman rider - my zoom zoom

I just began riding this year after taking a MSF class. I started with the 492cc buell blast and have put over 1500 miles on the bike since May. The bike has a very low seat height and up right seating position. The class was taught on the 205 rebel and I much prefer the blast. I am 5'4.

I did not want a "crusier" style bike, or a ugly bike. The blast is a "cute" bike and available in many colors. I was able to find a 2002 with 1200 miles and custom graphics for $1900 I put 2 new avon tires on for under 150.00. The bike is great at speeds upto 60-65. Once I get past 65, I feel the wind blows the bike around too much. However, my husband has had the bike at 90mph.

The buell handles great, over 400 of the miles on the bike are from the twisty hilly roads of yellowstone park.

I was also concered about laying down a new bike and causing a lot of damange. The good news is you can buy about any piece of plastic for the buell that you want on ebay for under $20.00.

I also looked at the ninja, but was not happy with the riding position. It also was considerably more money, especially when I was quite certian I would want an upgrade after a year or so.

I have riden the FZ6R several times and will own one as soon as my blast is sold. Beyond the power the FZ6R is taller, smoother and seems to perform better in the wind.

 

[RandiZ]

First and foremost, she should take the MSF course. It has saved my life everyday I'm on the bike. Second, the first bike should almost always be a used because it will in most likely not be the last. That being said, I bought my Vulcan 800 two weeks prior to taking MSF course because I got a great deal on one that had under 1000 miles on it. That bike sat in my friend's garage until after I took the course. I put my first 50 miles on it in his parking lot. I've heard of people starting on 250's and starting on Harley's. It is very individual.

My partner wanted to ride as a gift to herself after graduating from college. She loved riding on the back of mine. But, after a little lesson of her own, it was a big turn off for her. She just didn't like the feel of handling the motorcycle on her own. She did continue to like riding with me, though.

There is no right way to do it. Shop around. Sit on everything that strikes her fancy. She'll know which bike is hers.