Looking for advice for a new female rider...

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Looking for advice for a new female rider...

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Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 10:42:19 AM

08HSTC

Posts: 16
Joined: 5/20/2008
Status: offline

Looking for some advice. My wife is a new rider with about 1500-2000 miles experience. She has taken to riding like a duck takes to water and really enjoys it. She has a '99 Sporty XL 883. The bike is top heavy and at 5'5' and 130 lbs, she struggles a lot with handling the bike from getting on it to being truly comfortable while riding. We are thinking of getting rid of the Sporty and getting her something in the bigger v-twin. Any suggestions on what to get that will help her be more comfortable and be easier for her to handle?

Post #: 1

RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 10:44:00 AM

boone432

Posts: 599
Joined: 3/24/2007
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deluxe

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RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 10:46:50 AM

Jetpat

Posts: 570
Joined: 11/12/2007
Status: offline

I'd say either Dyna or Softy. Both have pretty good low center of gravity with low seats. Since she already rides, take her to the dealer - have her sit on every single bike she can. Then when she finds one that feels good, take that hummer for a demo. She'll find one that fits.

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RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 10:49:39 AM

BadBoyFLSTC

Posts: 2152
Joined: 8/6/2007
From: Southern California
Status: offline

Got my wife a Dyna Lowrider and she loves it. She's 5' 1", so I had to do everything I could to get it lower than stock (shocks, front forks dropped 1", lowering kit, re-done seat), but you would probably not have to go to those lengths at 5' 5".

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RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 10:49:50 AM

08HSTC

Posts: 16
Joined: 5/20/2008
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Thanks. We're going to do that this Saturday. Do you think I should look into a lowering kit also?

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Post #: 5

RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 10:52:18 AM

08HSTC

Posts: 16
Joined: 5/20/2008
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Does she have any trouble getting it the Lowrider off the stand?

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RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 10:53:21 AM

Jetpat

Posts: 570
Joined: 11/12/2007
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Eh....lowering kits seem more for look than function. I think she'll do just fine with her height. Check the Lowrider, Street Bob and Deluxe.

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RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 10:56:05 AM

GeorgiaGirl

Posts: 9701
Joined: 10/19/2006
From: Georgia
Status: offline

At 5'5" she shouldn't need to have a dyna or a deluxe lowered. Just let her sit on a bunch of different bikes and test ride whatever she can. I found that riding the models I was interested in made all the difference in making a final decision.

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RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 12:12:35 PM

TwiggyAZ

Posts: 1378
Joined: 10/16/2007
From: AZ
Status: offline

I had a friend who was riding a sporty that was too top heavy and she kept dropping it on turns. I told her to ride my bike just once. She did and got a Heritage Softy a couple days later!! The Deluxe, the Heritage, the Low Rider are all good bikes for women. The Deluxe is the most balanced one and easiest to pick up. You can just turn the wheel to the right and it almost picks itself up. Our upper body strength and height are condusive to these models IMO.

Good luck

You might want to read this thread also.

http://www.hdforums.com/m_3363327/tm.htm

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Post #: 9

RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 1:12:28 PM

Lowridin packer

Posts: 71
Joined: 5/2/2008
Status: online

Low Rider - I have one - previous owner was a Women - 5'2". She has a Deluxe now and wants to switch back. My Lowrider has 11" shocks - it is really low and incredibly stable - even at a stop, no less slow riding.....

Low Ridin Packer

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Post #: 10

RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 1:29:14 PM

steelhorse 1971

Posts: 266
Joined: 1/9/2008
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At Myrtle this week my wife sat on a few and liked the dyna low the best.I think the deluxe seat was too wide or she might have liked it better.She is 5'6 and still could not flat foot but she has short legs,have her sit on a few and see what she likes.

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RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 2:31:54 PM

oldgeezer

Posts: 3528
Joined: 12/12/2004
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My wife rides the ultimate chick bike, the Deluxe.

She's about the size of your wife, didn't get the bike lowered and hasn't had a problem.

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RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 5:39:52 PM

Old Bones

Posts: 508
Joined: 2/14/2008
From: NH
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: oldgeezer

My wife rides the ultimate chick bike, the Deluxe.

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RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 5:48:09 PM

dirtnap664

Posts: 1586
Joined: 3/30/2005
From: NH
Status: offline

Add me to the pool that votes Lowrider or Deluxe. I think Deluxe has the lowest seat height right now but I'd let her sit on both and give it a try. See if you can demo them, if not, rent one and see how she likes it. Good luck and don't push anything on her. Let her pick otherwise you'll pay in the long run!!

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RE: Looking for advice for a new female rider... - 5/20/2008 5:56:34 PM

Sleeko Deluxe

Posts: 173
Joined: 3/6/2008
Status: offline

Need I say more . . .

.

Or for a different look, try the rocker. Same seat height as the Deluxe at 24 1/5 inches. Have a look . . .

http://www.womenridersnow.com/PublicFiles/Departmentviewer.asp?ArticleID=728

< Message edited by Sleeko Deluxe -- 5/20/2008 7:11:21 PM >

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