Need help. GF taking up riding.......

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Jul 28, 2011 | 09:28 AM

#11

Chantalj

Intermediate

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 47

Likes: 3

From: Montreal, Qc, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011FLHX103

So....rather than make the same mistake others have made...I thought I would pose this question. Would have posted directly to the ladies but apparently I'm not allowed....

Looking to start my GF on her first bike. She is 5'3", 130lbs and extremely fit. Wondering what others in that size range have started on?

**No guys...I don't have any pics...lol

I'm 5'3" and 125lbs, and 12 years ago when I said to my husband, "I want to learn how to ride a motorcycle, I do not like to be sitting in the back". I registered myself to take lessons to get my permit, so I learned on a Honda 450 they had at the school, but I knew one thing my first bike was going to be a Harley.

Initially I wanted to buy a Dyna Lowrider, that's when my husband said "darling, if you really want this bike, then go ahead and buy it, but as a first bike and since you do not want to buy anything else other than a Harley I would strongly suggest that you buy a Sporster, and then when you feel you have gained enough confidence with that bike, only then you should change it for your Dyna Lowrider.

So all in all I'm glad that I listened to my husband and bought the Sporster, because the Dyna would have been too intimidating for me to handle at the time. Mind you I kept the Sportster for 6 months and then swaped it for the Dyna.... That was 12 years ago, today I'm the proud owner of a StreetGlide.

Jul 28, 2011 | 09:33 AM

#12

dparker747

Cruiser

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 231

Likes: 1

From: Arlington, TN

After 6 months of riding behind me, my wife got tired of looking at the back of my head and wanted her own bike. Bought herself an 883, took the rider's edge course and hasn't looked back!

Jul 28, 2011 | 10:27 AM

#13

Wide_Open

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 5,294

Likes: 149

From: FL

Used metric is the best way to go until you get some confidence in your ability.

Jul 28, 2011 | 10:40 AM

#14

2011FLHX103

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 144

Likes: 0

From: New Brunswick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totally Bored

I'd be more motivated to post something if you showed us a pic of your 5'3" 130 lb extremely fit girlfriend. Just sayin.

LMAO...I'm sure you would be more motivated!!! Guess you'll have to take my word on it.

Thanks all for the great advice. She just got her permit and is enrolled in the local Bike Safety course this weekend.

K.

Jul 28, 2011 | 10:40 AM

#15

CWDoc115

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 2,671

Likes: 1

From: Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonW

When my ex wanted to start riding, we bought her a used, beat up Honda 250 Rebel as a learner bike. We made numerous trips to a large church parking lot where I taught her the basics. Of course, she dumped it several times at low speed. She then took the MSF course, and when she completed that, I sold the Rebel and bought her the new bike of her choice.

1+ this is the best way to go! I would also buy the Ride Like A Pro V DVD & practice the lessons they teach. Good Luck!

Jul 28, 2011 | 10:43 AM

#16

LadyDeluxe

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 2,249

Likes: 3

From: SE Wisconsin

I started on an 883L, at the time I thought I would be riding it for years. Wrong, after 2 months and over 2,000 miles I traded it in for a 2009 Deluxe. Learning from my mistakes, if I were doing it over again I would buy a smaller used metric knowing that in a couple of months I would be ready for my dream bike.

Jul 28, 2011 | 10:47 AM

#17

longrideshields-1

Premium Sponsor

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 6,189

Likes: 95

From: Sparks NV

I was lucky that my wife is very familiar with dirtbikes. Ridden them most her life, so she's very comfortable on a nice light bike. I've been having her practice up on my RK little at a time. Right now, she's just extremely intimidated by the bulk of the bike but has been doing extremely well. I am a nervous wreck when she's on it. Little by little, she's ganna get more comfortable with it and we'll be good to go. We plan on getting her a touring bike in the future so I want her as comfortable as possible well before we get her bike. I would suggest as the others have to have her comfortable on a nice small bike first and then go bigger.

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Jul 28, 2011 | 10:51 AM

#18

NorCalFBLO

Road Master

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 992

Likes: 20

From: Arizona

From my research, my wife is 5'2" 100 lbs:

Yamaha 650 vstar Silverado

Honda Shadow AERO 750. This model has forks & rear shocks that are 1 1/4" shorter than the other shadows in the line-up

Suzuki savage 650 or now called the s40, many new short female riders really enjoy

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Jul 28, 2011 | 10:54 AM

#19

Need4Speed305

5th Gear

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

From: Cranston, RI

Any of the 650's will do. The state of RI uses Suzuki 650's for their motorcycle safety course since they are relatively easy to use for all types of people.

Jul 28, 2011 | 11:05 AM

#20

Cometsoft

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 42

Likes: 3

From: New York

My wife is around that size. She's had several bikes (no Sportsters) and she's been happiest with a Triumph Bonneville. 2009 and after they use cast wheels so the seat is lower. Fun bike.

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