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2007 (July through December) Friday, July 13 Even more for Cathy who is 5'2" and looking for a bike that is not a cruiser: I too am 5'2" and I'm not a big cruiser fan (not into the chrome), nor a sports bike fan. I was just looking for something with clean lines and that was light and that I could touch with both feet, since I'm a beginner. I actually haven't even started riding yet (am starting my courses on Monday -- it's a long process here in Quebec, Canada), but I fell in love with the Buell Blast, and after weeks of hunting, I found a nice used 2005 one that was in really good shape. I bought it last week after my boyfriend test rode it for me. I love this bike and can't wait to start riding it! I haven't been around bikes very long (only rode the dirt bike at the cottage a couple of times last year) and I have had a 50cc scooter for two years now. My boyfriend says I caught the riding bug. He's been riding the dirt bikes at the cottage since he was six and has been riding on the road for five years now. He's the one who got me into bikes and after riding on the back of his for two years now I can't wait to go riding on my own bike with him! : ) Nancy (note from Mama: thanks for sharing that like Barbara you're into the Buell Blast for your first motorcycle . . . good luck in your course next week and many happy miles thereafter!) Tuesday, July 17 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Pattie, Dear VTwin Mama, I have been riding for 3 years. My first bike was a 883 Harley sparser Hugger. I learned to ride it quite well and decided to sell and upgrade. My first choice was a Dyna Custom, but found that my 5'4", big boned 160 lb frame did not fit this bike very well. Being 46 and just starting out with a bike, wasn't really willing to loss any more of my shocks to do a lowering kit. So, what ended up fitting the best was the 1200 Sporty. So that is the bike I have now. I do love it, it is gorgeous. My difficulties are with navigating it in parking lots, gas stations etc. I seem to need 40 acres to turn this bike. I have spoken to some and get conflicting feedback. Some tell me, it is due to my inexperience which is true, others say, it is just the way a Harley rides as opposed to the tight corners Japanese cruiser bikes can do and other says, ride a Softail Deluxe. I also find the Sportster to be top heavy and a bit torky with respect to trying to keep it at lower speeds. My query is this I would love to hear if other women have had similar experiences when riding Sportsters. And would love to hear from women who have ridden Sportsters and then gone to Softail or even Dyna. Are their experiences like mine? Do they have any advice? I look forward to hearing from you, Deb from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada Dear
Deb, Sportsters, despite the lower seat heights these days, remain top heavy compared to other motorcycles. Since motorcycles pivot around their centers of gravity (where the greatest mass of the motorcycle is, i.e. the engine) for turns and curves, if the engine sits high in the frame, the pivot point is high, and gives a quicker feeling of wanting to fall over in tighter turns and often feels like it needs more countersteering work to get it around a faster road curve. That said, with all motorcycles, the specific handling characteristics can only be learned by a lot of practice sessions in an empty parking lot where markers can be put up so that skills can be tested, measured, and achievements realized. I would suggest that you look into getting the Ride Like a Pro DVD drills are outlined for you on slow maneuvers, and specific things you need to know and master are repeated so often you'll want to throw a pillow at the TV, but trust me, drilling the lessons into your brain is what gets everything to be automatic! Countless riders have noted how effective this DVD is and I think you'll find it's some of the best $$ spent. Will a Sporty ever handle a turn like another bike heck no, but that's not really the main thing master the basic skills on this motorcycle and then you'll be able to push any motorcycle to its limits in handling! You'll also know that whatever limitations the current motorcycle has, is just that, those boundaries, and then you'll decide if you want to move onto another make/model. Mama Friday, July 20 For Deb in Canada who is learning to handle a Sporty and may want to change bikes: I agree with everything Mama said about learning how to maneuver you new bike. Practice, practice, practice! But you did ask for an opinion from riders of Dynas or Softails. If you really arent happy with your new bike and are looking to change, I totally recommend a Softail Deluxe. Like you, I upgraded from an 883 Hugger (which was lowered). At 52½, I am shorter than you and think it handles great. It has superb balance and a fine turning radius. Also if you are looking for better comfort on a long ride from a stock seat -- definitely choose a Deluxe over a Dyna. Rebel. (note from Mama: how fun to hear that your upgrade is making you so happy and thank you for sharing your view on that!) Deb doesn't say what year 1200 she bought, so this is just a guess. Her 1200 probably has a different size front wheel and more rake than the 883. The taller, skinnier front tire/wheel on a Sporty can be difficult to get used to. My bike has a 21" skinnier front tire and I always feel like the front wheel is going to wash out on me. It doesn't, it is just the feeling to get used to. There is a lot of Sporty riders that can turn around on a dime. Just keep practicing and getting used to this bike. Anon. (note from Mama: good point about tires, but also about what something feels like vs. what it's actually doing! I've been through challenges where I thought it was the motorcycle, but in reality it simply was ME on THIS motorcycle! So, with practice and learning the handling limitations, it helped me become "one" with that particular make/model!) Tuesday, July 24 More for Deb in Canada who is learning to ride a Sporty and may want to change bikes: Mama, I also highly recommend the Ride Like A Pro DVD. I ride the same bike as Deb, a 1200 Sportster Custom, I've had my bike now for 3 years. I love my Sporty! The fact that it is torquey is a plus in my book. Top-heavy? You get used to it, like anything, once you learn the bike, "become one with it" if you will, you don't even notice it. Since I picked up the Ride Like a Pro DVD I can do a full-lock turn and flick the Sporty around like nuthin'. What a great learning tool! I've improved my confidence tremendously and have put over 7,000kms on my Sporty since I took her out of storage in May. My hubby used to work for Harley, he has said in the past that if you can ride a Sportster, you will be able to ride any of the other Dynas or Softails easily. The Sporty is a tough bike to handle at first. Really girls, this DVD is good, maybe a little cheesy, but all of the exercises in it will help anyone, even the most experienced riders. Gracie from Southwestern Ontario, Canada (note from Mama: I just love products that really make a difference!) Tuesday, July 24 Hello VTwin Mama, Dear
Ron, In my estimation, one should look for cheap, used, but running 250cc bikes in the local area for sale and get it. I wouldn't worry to much about which one as long as her feet can reach the ground comfortably and arms and legs get to the controls ok. Since a Rebel seats lowest at 26.6", that's where I'd begin my hunt. The Virago is next at 27.0" and the GZ is highest at 27.8". An inch does make a difference for shorter riders. That can be assisted by buying riding boots with a bit more heel or overall sole (think hiking boots at Wal-Mart to keep initial costs down if necessary). You can also quickly open up a seat cover, shave some of the padding out, and re-staple the seat material. Then spend anywhere from 3-6 months doing parking lot practice and area rides, but don't expect that to keep up with your Nighthawk on highways (yes, it can do the speed, but is so susceptible to wind conditions at her lighter weight). Then I'd sell it, and with the riding knowledge, look for that gotta have motorcycle! Now, some women do come out of a course with great ease and are ready for a slightly more powerful bike. There I'd hunt for something in the 500cc range to do that initial 6 month period. I hope this helps you envision how to proceed with confidence! Mama Dear VTwin Mama, I currently share a Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic with my husband. Well, I did up until this past June when my husband and I went down and therefore the bike is still in the shop awaiting finalization from the insurance company and the dealership to get their "act" together. I have longed for my own bike for years but at the time we purchased the V-Star I was more interested in saving money and the 1100 seemed fitting for solo riding and more importantly dual riding. I love the bike but feel "a little less bike, might be more enjoyable". That's where the dilemma comes in. I have been riding on and off for 17 years (give or take a few) and this is my history. My "first bike" concerns were to find a bike that I could touch the ground flat footed while seated, felt light enough but also had enough power. I loved the feel and look of the Honda Rebel (introduction year) but the salesman talked us into buying a Honda CB400 due do the increase in cc. I absolutely hated that bike and wished I would have bought the Rebel, even if it was only a 250. The CB400 was very easy to manage but the weight distribution was very noticeable when cornering at all speeds. My husband at the time had a Honda CB650 Custom with fairing which sitting still and leaning with it seemed much lighter than the 400. I never got to drive it as my husband felt I wasn't ready for the effects the fairing would create. (ie: the fairing doesn't turn with the handlebars therefore giving an effect the bike won't go the direction the operator is steering in). Nice of him to be concerned but I wasn't "skeered". Next came the Honda Hurricane. It truly was a very enjoyable bike. Great acceleration, corner control and weightlessness. Very fun bike but uncomfortable for long distances. That bike was stolen and I divorced my husband before he bought a new one. My CB400 had been sold many years earlier and now I was without a bike and someone to enjoy riding with. Many years went by in which the only enjoyment I had was riding as a passenger and on "dirt bikes" of all beasts. Fun bikes, but I'm sure it would be much more fun to be in control. That brings us to 2005 where I was once again married and expressed my interest in having a bike and discovered my husband was quite excited at the thought. We did some research on HD, Honda and Yamaha and settled on buying the Yamaha V-Star. Since then I have taken the MSF Rider Safety Course and obtained my license. I highly recommend this course to all new and also experienced riders. They have courses for both. I signed up for this course, not to learn something, but merely to obtain my license. I had always just renewed my permit 'cuz I thought I would get too nervous taking the DMV road test and do something stupid like dropping my bike or other stupid driving errors so I avoided it all together. Low and behold though, I have learned a great deal of information from the course, acquired an extreme amount of confidence in riding (something I thought I already achieved), meet some great people and had a blast riding on their provided 250 cc bikes. I drove a Yamaha Virago during the course and enjoyed it more than the V-Star 1100. The Virago was like riding a bicycle. Maybe even better than that, after all, it has a motor to carry you instead of relying on pedal power. Here is the dilemma. I would like to find the "mix breed" of the Hurricane, Rebel, Virago and the V-Star. I would prefer to obtain this with my next purchase, not two, three or more bikes later. I want to spend my money wisely and obtain a bike that is mechanically dependable, affordable and give me all that I desire. Hopefully someone else has been where I am now and has found their "true love" of motorcycles. I am 43, 5'6" and weigh 125 lbs. and live in Kentucky. The following further summarizes what I am looking for: Dependable and affordable BUT most of all comfortable and fun to ride in town but can handle long distances. I find the V-Star 1100 is great for traveling (except the seat) but feels like too much bike for in town adventures. The weight of the bike is nicely distributed and unnoticeable at cruising speeds but creates discomfort when traveling below 40 mph and therefore the nerves start to set in and it's just a matter of time before I make some dumb mistake and the public will laugh. I want a bike that will help me maintain my confidence so I can enjoy going to rallies, poker runs, shopping malls, etc. Any where there is a high volume of people and those men who gawk at lady riders just waiting for them to mess up to confirm their belief that "women don't have any right being on a bike". I would greatly appreciate all feedback and thanks for "listening". Keep up the good work!! Sincerely, Minx Dear
Minx, When I started in 1979 it was on a Kawi 750 and I followed that up with a Honda Shadow 750. I spent about 4 years on the Honda, which I found to be very useful for not only runs around town, but day trips and it also carried me on long vacation cruises. 750s are not overpowering in my estimation but still manage to handle the job for longer trips as long as you're not pushing huge mileage in any given day (IMHO that is 300-350 miles/day). My only complaint was that at 5'10" I felt my legs were a bit cramped for space on long riding days (even with engine guard highway pegs). But at your height, I think they would fit the bill. So, I'm going to recommend you look into the vast line-up of the Honda Shadow series, which range from 583-1100cc and $5,800 to $8,700 (new 2007). You wouldn't go wrong with a used, low mileage one. I'd be looking for belt or shaft drive for dependability, and fuel-injection if you'll be riding at varying altitudes over the course of your travels. Air cooled is just fine as long as you aren't trapped in traffic on the hottest of days, and that just means you might want to pull over if it's really bad. The seat heights are low (the Shadow Spirit 750 is at 25.7") and the accessories for modification are never ending. Since the 2008 models are coming in very soon, a local dealer may be getting ready to off load a 2007 model they have on the showroom floor, and a slight reduction in price could be negotiated. All additions and modifications are best negotiated with the sale when possible as you'll get the best price. Now, that doesn't mean that there aren't other make/models to consider, but my thoughts on the 750-800cc is really where I'm at on all of this. Because you have your license, don't be shy to visit with your hubby and test ride when possible or consider renting a model of interest for a day to determine it's overall wow factor! If you would like a nice tool to help you narrow the vast array of offerings, I would recommend that you go to Want Facts. This online source (choose Research New, Motorcycles, Search by Feature) allows you to check boxes for manufacturers you would consider, price range, displacement (cc), etc. and it will bring up a short list to work with! You can also hop onto my Motorcycles for Short Riders page, where you will see motorcycles organized by manufacturer, that include the rider's height and any modifications they made to for comfort and fit. Happy shopping! Mama Thursday, July 26 For Minx who is looking for that "just right" motorcycle: I too had all the issues that you were looking for. I didn't want to buy
something that would only last me a season, then have to trade up. I wanted
something with enough weight to stay on the road for long trips, comfy seat
(a must), leg room, good balance of the bike, and some power when you need
it, keeps it value, and has a low "wrench to road" ratio : ) Dear VTwin Mama, Being that I've never rode before, I'm in the process of getting my class M license and would like to know what advice you can give on a bike? I'd like the Kawasaki 500 but I'm hearing the 250 is a better choice for shorter beginners (just doesn't look as nice, in my opinion). I'm open to other brands as well, I'd just want to have a positive experience. Anything comparable that's fun as well? Of course I'm interested in lowering whatever I get so I will be able to be comfortable at stop lights, etc. This will be a daily driver. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks in advance! Eric Dear
Eric, On my Motorcycles for Short Riders page, you'll find input from people 5'6" and under, the bike they chose, their height, and the modifications they made to make it all work. At the beginning of this page are the top ideas on how motorcycles can be modified. This list does to tend to be cruiser-style heavy though, but you'll find a smattering of sport bikes as well. In the past it seems, sport bikes had less lowering options. You could shorten the shock setting or get a shorter shock, but it was rare to find an actual lowering kit. I think this is in large part because sport styles were understood that they might be going off road, and there of course you want ground clearance for unpaved surfaces. But things are changing. On the other hand, sport-style bikes rarely have a deeply padded seat to begin with, so it's difficult to shave out anything, but some manufacturers are now offering seats that lower into the frame a bit more. You are most likely taking that course on a 250cc motorcycle and that will help you decide what you think you can handle in your next step. I think you might like the Buell Blast, which has 492cc of power and a seat height of 25.5" or 27.5" (your choice) and is sporty looking. It's a good combination and at $4695 MSRP won't break the bank. Other 500cc class bikes started at seat heights of 30.5" (like the Kawasaki Ninja 500R) and that could be a real challenge as 3" makes a difference at your 5'2" height. So, why not start with the Blast and take a look. It will give you a good place to continue your comparison shopping. Mama Friday, July 27 Even more for Deb in Canada learning to ride a Sporty and may want to change bikes: I'm a very new rider myself. So new, I only have my permit. I have a HD '07 Nightster, a lower (same height as the Hugger), thinner, and lighter version of the 1200 Sportster Low. My boyfriend has the 1200 Sporty Low, is 5' 6" and 190 lbs. Both of us agree with the comments about the center of gravity and the handling to some extent. When my boyfriend took his riding test for his license, he missed most of the weaving cones, and he's been riding bikes since he was knee high to a grasshopper! I will say he has no problems riding around parking lots and pulling into a parking spot. He can drive both our bikes into the 1 parking space we share with another large Honda, meaning there is the Honda bike, then the Nightster, space for his bike, and a car beside him, and he's threading the needle in a space only big enough for the bike at a good speed too. It's so tight that the car next to bikes, usually mine or his, has to watch the door when getting in and out. My point is, I don't think it's the bike itself that's giving you problems in the parking lot. I would look into your handlebars and how comfortable they are in the slow, tight turns. Are you over extending one arm or leaning your shoulder into the bike to give you a little more turning ability? I think the handlebars could be the problem considering your years of experience. I have to walk my bike into a place, and after talking with other Harley riders, we've come to the conclusion the handlebars don't fit me and my short arms! The Nightster has a different, straighter, handlebar than the Sportster causing my arms to be practically locked, but I have the same problem (but not as much) on his bike, and it did caused me to drop his bike the first time I tried to make a slow tight turn. It fell right out of my right hand, and landed on the ground. Good thing he's patient with me! Now, I've learned not to try it, and power walk it into place. My next investment is going to be new handle bars and an Easy Boy clutch for my little hands. This site has great comments about getting fitted for handlebars under Bike Fix, Hand/Foot Controls. Even Mama has said she's never kept the original bars for her bikes. It's important your bike, including the bars, fit like a glove! For the shorter people out there, I'm 5' 0" tall. I love my Nightster. I haven't had to make any adjustments to my bike to accommodate my height other than wanting to change handlebars and "helping" the clutch with the Easy Boy. Even though I want to make those changes, I'm not in a rush to do so. I flat foot the bike at stops except for the occasional dip in the road where I'm half-footed, and I really like the thinner gas tank allowing my legs to sit more closely together and therefore, more comfortable than the wider bikes. While my boyfriend still likes his Sporty more than my Nightster, he does tell me my bike is more maneuverable than his because of thinner and lighter design. He thought about taking my bike for the riding test because of the weaving portion. Lighter also means, I have a half a chance to pick it up if I need to; I can't pick up the Sportster. Plus, I'm real happy I didn't get the 883 because I think I may have been bored with the smaller cc after awhile. I'm glad I upgraded to the 1200cc and a better fit. I think I'll keep this bike for a while. By the way, I've been riding for 2 1/2 months now. I would like to encourage everyone that wants to learn to try it, and stick with it! Take the rider safety course first to get your feet wet and learn the basics, and get a riding buddy with patience. Moments have been very frustrating, particularly when I dropped my pretty new bike because I hadn't come to the conclusion the bars didn't fit me. Through perseverance, I've overcome my frustrations, and now enjoy riding my bike. I rode it over 3 hours straight last weekend! It would have been real easy for me to quit, but my boyfriend wouldn't let me. I have to thank him for not letting me quit. That and the fact the control freak in me felt less safe on the back of his bike now that I know what all the sounds and feels mean. They scare me because I'm not the one in control. I will never be on back of a bike again! Now, where's the DMV? I need to get my license so I can go out on my own! Happy Riding! Newbie on the Nighty (note from Mama: thanks for sharing your perspective on what you've been learning over these last months!) Monday, July 30 For Eric and other shorter riders interested in sporty-style motorcycles: This site might be useful to people who are vertically challenged but
want to ride a sports bike rather than a cruiser: www.bikegirl.co.uk Monday, July 30 Hi VTwin Mama, Dear
Tony, Now, having said this, it isn't absolutely necessary to be able to flat-foot at a stop, but it's a help for newer/re-entry riders. It also impacts your ability to back out of a parking space or even maneuver on a level surface. That foot-to-ground traction is why many riders will explore options, so as you visit the dealers or used bikes for sale, keep that list of mods in mind and ask the salesperson what changes are possible for a particular make/model. For out-of-production models, that means a talk with the dealer's parts/service departments, but you might come up short on solutions. Whatever you choose, remember that the motorcycle and you must become one, and that's best done in an empty parking lot to allow you a distraction-free zone to work through the basic skill sets. Every motorcycle has its specific handling characteristics and the place to learn these are NOT on the road in traffic! Mama Thursday, August 2 Dear VTwin Mama, Okay, several seconds later, I now want my dream bike -- a front and rear lowered 1993 Softail Nostalgic (FLSTN) or CowGlide to those in the know! I do worry that the weight will go up another couple hundred lbs, but heck, I handled 580 lbs, so why not 730 and change. I really think I could learn to ride anything if my feet are on the ground. The
VStar 650 is an awesome bike, tolerable, but not the greatest for highway
travel and is happiest under 65 mph. My worry is that the 1993
non-counterbalanced engine on the Moo, may be a difficult ride.
Anybody out there ride a pre-2000 Fatboy or Softtail? I am curious
what I might be getting into. Maybe I have fallen in love with the
wrong bike. The bike is collectable, although I fully intend to ride it,
so no one is real keen on allowing a test ride! Love the website,
love the exchange of information. Thanks Mama! Dear
Leda, In terms of handling, the overview notes: "To ride, it's inevitably much like any other Softail, particularly the Classic or Fat Boy (with which it shares wheel sizes), steering geometry (32-degrees rake, 5.8in/147mm trail), forks, footboards, handlebars and almost every other relevant dimension. The only significant differences are a fuel tank almost 1/4 gallon (1 litre) larger and the addition of a hefty 93 lbs (42kg) of mass compared to the basic Softail model. With suspension springing as soft as the CowGlide's considerable weight will allow, handling falls somewhere between sedate and ponderous. Over bumps, the steering is vague and accompanied by a slow weave whenever the road turns lumpy. As with the brakes, it's adequate if it is ridden with prudence." That said, falling in love with a motorcycle, despite any perceived shortcomings, is something that comes straight from the heart. I fell in love with a '76 SuperGlide and rode it for 10 years before finally admitting that while I had many happy miles, it really was a challenging ride because the balance around fast curves was never something I considered as top notch (as compared to other makes/models). But this only revealed itself when I moved to the edge of the Sierra Nevada mountain range! In the flat Midwest, it was just fine and given the high level of customization, it never failed to draw attention and spark conversation! Each motorcycle has its own handling characteristics, and as I always say, the trick to becoming one with a certain bike is to start in an empty parking lot and begin riding drills right from the very simplest of skills. This allows you to really get the feel of things and put you and the beastie through various stuff without distraction. Setting up cones/markers helps you understand things like limits of the turning radius, stopping distances, clutch friction zone control, response to countersteering, the weight, etc. If you love it because your heart tells you so, go for it! There appears to be an active interest in this model, so if down the road you want to change, selling it should not prove too difficult. Enjoy! Mama Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Alisa, And here you are telling us your story and with a happy ending! I'm glad to hear that while the Rebel didn't do the trick for you, it's probably by now in the hands of a new owner (those smaller ones can sell fast!), and you're finding the Yami to your liking. Yahoo and many happy road miles to you and your husband. Mama Tuesday, August 7 For Alisa who doesn't think a Honda Rebel is really a motorcycle for the highways: Why not ride it on the highway? I learned on a 1987 Rebel and rode it on I-40. I also know of a woman who rode her Rebel from CA to Buckhannon, WV to a Women and Motorcycling Conference. VTwin Sister Bobbye (note from Mama: allow me to find a balance on these statements; clearly there are examples of riders who enjoy a Rebel for all types of rides, while others have noted that the lighter weight can be a concern in higher winds and 18-wheelers going by. I always say that's why there are so many makes/models there are so many different types of riders and comfort levels!) Thursday, August 16 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Amber, Currently, the lowest seat height on a sport bike that I know of is the Buell Blast, a 492cc motorcycle that has a low seat option at 25.5". In general, sport bikes tend to have a seat height of about 30-32" and have less lowering options and typically what can be done is to get a shorter shock. Hopefully the list and Blast will get you moving forward on your research! Mama Wednesday, August 29 Dear VTwin Mama, So, I'm 4'11" (but says I'm 5'0"on my license) and I'm 35 years old and 116 lbs. I live on Long Island, NY where there is heavy vehicle traffic. I'm trying to decide between a two cylinder Honda Rebel 250 and a one cylinder Suzuki S40 650. Any suggestions, comments, etc.? Everyone tells me the 250 will not be enough power, but other people tell me the one cylinder 650 will also not be enough oomph. Help. Jen I. Dear
Jen, From Chopper.com, "Motorcycle engines have mostly, but not exclusively, been produced with one to four cylinders, and designers have tried every imaginable layout. Engines with more cylinders provide more power for the same displacement, and feel smoother to ride. Engines with fewer cylinders are cheaper, lighter and easier to maintain." So, if both bikes had the same cc (Rebel at 234cc and the S40 at 650cc), then one cylinder wouldn't deliver as much power. But that's not the case in comparing these two. Oomph is important and depends on what type of oomph you're looking for! Some motorcycles are quick off the starting line while others are geared and powered to cruise nicely at higher speeds. Bigger cc bikes do that better than smaller ones; you don't feel like you're straining the bike at top speeds. However, even a nice mid-range 650cc bike has its limits. It's just never going to be a 1200cc! Another factor is weight. Smaller, lighter motorcycles are more easily "pushed around" by Mother Nature's winds and big 18 wheelers. There's 50 more pounds on that S40. My advice: if your riding lessons go well and you feel you're ready, head straight for the mid-range section. If you're struggling with the basics and know you're in for lots more practice before attempting neighborhood and road rides, give that Rebel a shot, or any other 250cc bike that is used, running, and cheap. Ride it for 6 months and then sell. You'll be in even better position to really find that dream bike then! Mama Monday, September 3 Dear VTwin Mama, At the moment, I'm building a special like you would not believe. Please, would you combine a desired seat-height figure with an arm-reach figure and hand-grip height. Many thanks. Peter Gregory Dear
Peter, I always hoped someone would build a machine that you could sit in and then superimpose the selected year/make/model of a particular bike underneath. Then the bike could be manipulated to show how to achieve the perfect fit through available modifications at the click of some computer buttons. Now that would be some invention, wouldn't it?! It would negate the need to sit on bikes and imagine changes ... thus removing guesswork! Ok, somebody get cracking on this concept! Mama Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Jenny, If you haven't taken or signed up for a motorcycle riding course, this may be your first action item! It'll give you a chance to learn some basic road rules and riding skills you'll need. It will also give you a better idea of what you think you can handle on your own for those first 6 months to a year. 250cc motorcycles are great for those that come out of a course and need some more practice time on something smaller, or for those learning on their own (like I did!). Find something used, cheap and running. This includes the Honda Rebel or Nighthawk, Yamaha Virago, and Suzuki GZ250 (among others). There are some good comparison article links on my Type of Bike to Ride page. New ones run from about $3200-$3500. If you did well in a riding course or feel you can handle something just a bit bigger, than you can head to the Buell Blast, Honda Shadows, Yamaha VStars, or Suzuki Boulevards, which offer models in the 500-750cc range. Anywhere from $4700-$6800 new. I'd sign up for a class and visit dealers and sit on bikes (take along a notebook so you can jot down thoughts!). Some may sit too high for your comfort, so go to my Motorcycles for Short Riders list to see the best ways to handle that ... you'll be able to talk with a salesperson more easily! Have fun starting your new adventure! Mama Thursday, September 6 Hi Petra, I rode for 2 more months and then got a 2008 XL883L Sportster. I had the Harley place put 10 shocks from Lickscycles.com on it. I changed out the seat to a Reach Solo Seat. I then took my mens elevator boots from Richlee and took those to a shoe cobbler and he added 1/2 sole on them. I cannot flat foot, but I can ride. I also had engine guards put on my bike, and am planning on switching to Heritage handle bars so I dont have to lean forward slightly. That is what a really short rider goes through to ride! Thanks for all the advise and encouragement. Your site helped me to realize my dream of 25+ years. Thanks, Gigie Hyneman Dear
Gigie, Congrats on passing your course and getting the bike and many happy road miles to you! I'm glad this site was able to help you noodle out some things. Mama Friday, September 7 First let me say that I just started reading your site yestereay and am going to subscribe to you newsletter asap. I am that impressed with you VTwin Mama. [thanks!] I have been scanning some topics and am proud of the ladies with the big bikes. I have a 2003 Ridley automatic 700. I love it. No shifting what so ever. Plus I am short (5'3"), the seat is only 24" off the ground. It only weighs 480 lbs so that's a plus too. I had never rode one before I got this one a few months ago (only on the back). I have 3,200 miles under my belt. I did take a MSF and learned so much more than friends could tell me. Keep up the good work. Deb (note from Mama: the Ridleys are definitely gaining popularity and I loved the handling of it when I had a chance for a test spin. Other than this knee jerk reaction of trying to clutch my way through a slow turn, I was at one with the motorcycle!) Monday, September 10 Glad to see you're still going strong. So am I. I've sold a couple of my bikes and settled happily on two Buells. I still ride the Blast to work and recommend it to beginners, small people like me, and those who want to save some bucks at the gas pump. My other Buell is a Lightning Long, which is a little tall even with a lowering seat from Sargeant's, but I'm talking to my mechanic about lowering it a bit more with custom shocks. I like the handling and transmission, seating position, everything. It's no slouch on fuel economy also. Thanks again for all your encouragement during my low period (sometimes at ground level). Viva la V-Twin Mama. Regards, Sarah (note from Mama: how wonderful to hear that you've doing well on your Buell and I'm glad I could be of help when things weren't going quite as smoothly! Another think I like about the Buells is that riding courses offered by Harley-Davidson dealers use the Buell for training, so it's a good opportunity to see how you like it and where to go from there if desired!) Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Billie, Sportys got a bad rap on handling because of their center of gravity. That's where the mass of the bike is located (engine) and on Sportys it sits higher than other makes/models. This is important as it impacts handling slow turns and higher speed curves. But like everything else, one learns the nuances of the specific handling characteristics of a motorcycle and gets on with it! Comfort is specific to the rider and there are lots of solutions. Everything from the seat to the position of the handlebar, etc. Hop onto my Motorcycles for Short Riders list to expand your view of bikes that women your height ride and the modifications they made to make it all work for them! If you are determined to stay with the HD brand, there's been lots of chatter that the Fat Boy is a better choice than a Sporty. It's more ccs and heavier, but I hear the handling is so awesome that you would love it! Mama Wednesday, September 12 For Billie who is 5'2" and looking at a Sporty 1200: HD's for shorter women: try out the Deluxe, the Heritage, or the Fat
Boy (as Mama said). I know shorter women (5'1" to 5'3")
who own each of those and they manage just fine. I have an 883
Sporty (2003 Hugger) and find no problem with the handling of the bike as
far as center of gravity goes, but I'm 5'7". I learned on
this bike and it has been fabulous for me. (Note: the previous
owner of my bike is 5'1" and she rode this bike for two years -
putting 24,000+ miles on it -- before moving up to the Heritage.) Thursday, September 13 More for Billie who is 5'2" and looking at a Sporty 1200: I am 5 2 too and I have a 07 1200 Custom. I find I fit very well on this bike and I dont find it top heavy, although I only have other Sportsters, a Honda and a Suzuki to compare it to. I do have a 29 inseam and I also wear 2 heel boots, but I feel very comfortable on this bike. I agree with Rose on sitting on a lot of different models, that way you will have a better idea on what really fits you. When I first sat on my 1200c, it felt a lot bigger, because of the larger tank, I think. But, after I started riding it I just got used to it. Lisa (note from Mama: thanks for sharing how you fit on the Sporty 1200 Custom!) Monday, September 17 Even more for Billie who is 5'2" and looking at a Sporty 1200: I ride a beautiful 2007 Sportster Low. I am
5
maybe 1. And 49 years young. I have had this ride since last Christmas and have
put 5,600 miles on her. I love this ride
I REALLY do. BUT
I put a
reach seat on her
. it gave me a teensy bit more reach. I wear an Icon
Bombshell Boot which gives me a flat foot effect. I have put the
Sportster apes on her with a 4 inch riser but I still sit leaning
too far forward so I am just about to put 12 inch apes on her to see if
that doesnt get me sitting upright with a straighter back. The ride is fast if I want it to be (and I want it to
be) and I think she handles great in the corners at speed. But I tend to
ride her as if she were a metric sports bike. Lean-Lean-Lean and lay the
bike over. I will say that the slow speed handling is more difficult for
me
. BUT, I am not certain that is all attributable to the bike size. I
think that my size on the bike has to be taken into account coupled with
my own lack of confidence in this area
though I do fairly well I wish
I could do better. I know that the height of the bike plays a big part in
this for me. I do not find the bike top heavy as much as I find I sit less
inside the bike and feel more on top of it (if my feet met the ground in a
natural way I think this feeling would be lessened). This, to me, is not
the same as feeling as though the bikes weight is too high. I dont feel
the bikes weight is too high in terms of center of gravity. It is a fun, fun ride. BUT, When I sit on a
cruiser that fits me, there is just a different feel
.. its
heavier, there is a definite feeling that there is more balance and
because we are talking about almost 100 to 150 pounds, in some cases, of
weight distribution that would make sense. There is more weight down
lower. I would still have to adjust the bars to come closer to me and I
would still have to put on a reach seat
. but I can tell just by
sitting on them that it would be a more luxurious ride, shall we say. I am going from NJ to Hey Mama, Dear
Kelcy, If you were going to wear tennis shoes, but have hiking boots with more heel, bring both pairs when you sit on the bikes. 4'8" is short and you're going to need every "trick" in the book! If you don't have something with more heel, go to Wal-Mart and get something ... it's an investment into your confidence level. Add lifts for inside the boots ... that will help. A beginner bike at your height is a real challenge. We usually think of beginner bikes in the 250cc range. You would need to lower the bike, shave out the seat, get those good heel boots with lifts, and prepare to still maybe be on partial tippy toes at stops. Sorry I can't be more specific ... you're simply at the far end of the short range ... it's like trying to advise a professional basketball player (7') on a bike. There is only so much you can do. Still, where there is a will there is a way, but understand that extra $$ are going to be needed to modify things to work for you. I see 4'9" gals on my Motorcycles for Short Riders list, and while these are generally bigger motorcycles, they are making them fit ... you may have to continue your adventure after the course on a mid-range cc bike so you have better fit options ... Mama Wednesday, October 31 For Kelcy who at 4'8" is working out ideas on how to make motorcycles fit her: You are two inches shorter than I am and I did several things which has enabled me to ride a Yamaha 1100 Silverado. I had Harley D. boots and took them into the shoe repair place to have an additional 1/2 inch added but they couldn't do it because the soles and heels are plastic and they would not hold extra additions to them. So, I purchased a boot with rubber heal and sole and that worked. My sole and heel was the highest I could find and the additional height helped bunches. I had the bike lowered 2 inches but it was too low. I hit a speed bump and really banged the bike .... was lucky that it didn't throw me over the handle bars. Had to have it raised again 1" and that solved the problem. Now that added 1 and 1/2 inches to my height but it still wasn't enough. Next, I had my seat cut out and that lowered me another 1/2 inch. Next I had handle bar risers put on ... .I now have over 28,000 miles on my beautiful bike. Hope this helps. Barbara (note from Mama: a realistic look at what much shorter riders have to do for correct fit! Kelcy did email in and noted that she contacted the riding course to ensure she got the lowest sitting bike, the shock was at it's lowest setting, and they advised she come in for the class with at least 2" soles on her footwear.) Wednesday, November 7 Dear
VTwin Mama, PASSED my skills test and now have my endorsement! Passed on the Rebel. Practiced right hand U turns for three days. Missed a couple of cones but knew I would. Passed with 93%. If you didn't passed your skills test don't give up. I'm 63 in ten days and never rode before. I really like it. Love my new ride. Thanks for your site! Billie Gray Dear
Billie, This is an inspirational message to any rider who is wondering what and how long it takes to reach the goal of riding. It takes as long as it needs to take, with review of choices and steps along the way, keeping the vision clear in your head, until the desired outcome is achieved. And here is Billie, a positive testament that if you really want something, it can be done! Kudos to you Billie and I'm so glad you shared your victory with us! Mama Wednesday, November 7 Dear
VTwin Mama, I have always dreamed of riding a sports bike (I want to get the Ninja 250). My instructor however tells me that I should stay away form the Ninja and start with a Nighthawk or Rebel because of my throttle/clutch apprehension. I don't like the look of those bikes though. What should I do? Anonymous Dear
Anon, I can appreciate that the negative messages you have gotten doesn't help, but then it sounds like you're ready to move past that and explore your own pathway. After all, it's YOUR adventure, YOUR opinion that counts, and YOUR resolve to learn that matters. So, I would get the Ninja if that's what you're interested in. The beginning practice drills are the most important and can be a real confidence booster if you take your time and pay attention to the small steps you'll need to take. The first drill is the duck walk. Now, I taught a gal who was struggling with your very same issues on a sport-style bike, and what I learned is that these more aggressive bikes have very little room for clutch lever management ... they will stall immediately if they don't have gas. So, this is what we figured out: with the bike in first gear, give it just the smallest amount of steady gas. Steady is the key word here. With steady gas, slowly let that clutch out until you have the engage point of the clutch and duck walk. The moment you feel out of control, or can't keep up with the duck walk, pull the clutch in. Remember, with the clutch lever pulled in, it doesn't matter how much gas you give it ... it's not going anywhere! Holding steady gas isn't always the easiest thing for a new rider, but that's the point of practice ... to learn! How can you tell about when you've got it right? If the bike shudders or stalls, you aren't holding steady gas or not giving it quite enough. It's a fine balance, but it's doable. The gal I mentioned practiced on and off for several hours, but in the end, she got it! The next day, she had to start over again, but within 1/4 hour, had the control again, and was duck walking very nicely. If anything, the mental aspect of remembering the small nuances were the most tiring, so do your practice sessions in 15 minute intervals, take a break, and try again. With this understanding of how much gas she needed in order to move smoothly forward, she was then able to fully let the clutch out with gas and pick up her feet to the pegs. Again, the reminder is that if something feels too fast, pull that clutch in to remove the power and then apply the brakes. Then try it again. And for goodness sake, do this is an place without ditches or other obstacles and lots of room to move. When you come to the end of a stretch, put the bike in neutral, walk it around to face the other way, and continue! Would a bike like the Rebel be a bit easier to learn on? Perhaps, but the drill is the same ... you have to duck walk until you're good and sick of it because it's the best drill to learn the specific characteristics of that bike's clutch and throttle coordination. There simply are no shortcuts. My final thought is that you have control over your feelings. If you go into the practice session thinking every negative thing, nothing good comes from it. Take a positive view and tell yourself that learning takes time and practice, and you will be happy with each small victory. Small accomplishments slowly bring you to your goal, which is to ride safely and with confidence. So, off you go to make a bike choice decision and plan out your practice sessions. Smile the whole time you're learning because soon you'll be joining the 4 million women motorcycle riders on the road, who not only know what you've accomplished, but are ready to share their beginning stories as well. I'll start. When I got on my first bike, I think I stalled it a gazillion times before I got the hang of things ... Mama Tuesday, December 4 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Ana, I know of no search tool that allows you to choose by seat height, so the next best thing is to go to Want Facts, choose Research New, Motorcycles, By Feature, and then enter the manufacturers to consider, sport and standard models, and then limit the cc engine displacement from say 900-1100cc. Now you'll have to click through to see seat heights, but it will help narrow down your research! Mama |
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