Getting ready to get my first bike! Advice?

[JulesAZ]

I was a passenger (on a Blackbird CBRXX 1100) for a year with the BF. Now that he is out of the picture I miss riding and decided to take the course, get my license and get my own bike.

I'm vertically challenged at 5'2" and petite. I've got a couple bikes in mind. Looking for riding advice, bike advice and advice for when I walk into the dealership or look when looking at used bikes if anyone has any to give. Need all I can get!

Bikes I'm looking at: Ninja 250, Ninja500, Ninja650R, Yamaha FZ6R, Suzuki GS500F, Suzuki GSX650F.

None of my friends ride so I will be looking for fellow Phoenicians to ride with after I get my bike too!

Thank you!

[TejasRider]

Sounds like you've got a good plan ahead of you. MSF, endorsement, then a good starter bike. At 5'2" I'd give a fair amount of consideration to the weight of the bike. When you come to a stop and you have a bit of a road rut under your foot, you can tip the bike over further than you had planned. A lighter bike will be easier to manage in those situations.

Welcome to the site and keep us posted!

[jasonn]

Welcome! I think s are more suited to shorter peeps. I'm short too at 5/6 and I can only get one foot down on my Kawi. Like Tejas said, try starting small. The new Ninja 250's are sexxaaay and are alot more manageable than the others. But if you have to go with a 600, I'd go try on zookie before you bought anything else.

[L8 Braker]

Best advice you'll hear...

--Get gear, wear it all the time, no excuses...Sweat wipes off, road rash dosen't
--Take MSF immediately if not already done
--Start small, learn to ride 1st, worry about engine size later...Ninja 250 is great, and even at 5'2", you'll not be tippy toe
--Before you even start riding, understand a harsh reality...No one sees you when you're riding...Ride defensively like you are invisible...The minute you get comfortable thinking other drivers are going to get off their cell phones to pay attention, bad things happen
--Once you have the bike, find a parking lot...Practice starts, stops, evasive manuevers...Most of all, do many, many figure 8 drills...It will help you in ways you'll never even know
--Start your street riding in rural areas where there isn't alot of traffic...Get a feel for the bike, and slowly ease your riding into town and learn to deal with traffic, non attentive drivers that are too busy talking and texting, sand, oil, animals, etc..
--Last but not least, try to have fun...It is possible to be a cautious rider and have the time of your life...

Good luck

[R1oldguy]

good plan

[PartyGurle]

All the guys above have wonderful responses!
Take it from a girl that's 4"10"....I ride a Ninja 250 and love it. It is easier to handle and an awesome bike. I love mine so much that when I"m financially ready to move to a bigger bike (hopefully by next year), I'll still be keeping my 250
The guys that I ride with don't give me any lip on riding a 250 so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I ride my own ride and they know it...

You've got an excellent start though!

[Builtgypsy]

on the Ninja 250 or any of the 500cc you mentioned.

[Sport Bike Chic]

Originally Posted by L8 Braker

Best advice you'll hear...

--Get gear, wear it all the time, no excuses...Sweat wipes off, road rash dosen't
--Take MSF immediately if not already done
--Start small, learn to ride 1st, worry about engine size later...Ninja 250 is great, and even at 5'2", you'll not be tippy toe
--Before you even start riding, understand a harsh reality...No one sees you when you're riding...Ride defensively like you are invisible...The minute you get comfortable thinking other drivers are going to get off their cell phones to pay attention, bad things happen
--Once you have the bike, find a parking lot...Practice starts, stops, evasive manuevers...Most of all, do many, many figure 8 drills...It will help you in ways you'll never even know
--Start your street riding in rural areas where there isn't alot of traffic...Get a feel for the bike, and slowly ease your riding into town and learn to deal with traffic, non attentive drivers that are too busy talking and texting, sand, oil, animals, etc..
--Last but not least, try to have fun...It is possible to be a cautious rider and have the time of your life...

Good luck

Excellent advice!!!!!!

[Whymista]

250 or 500 mainly due to your height. Even if you're naturally gifted getting used to the weight in emergency situations will be easier if you can get more planted. Plus riding is supposed to be fun and if you're afraid of ever stopping because the bike is to tall/heavy it won't be as much. 600s are almost always taller and you may look iinto the gs500 because the gsxrs usually are shorter. Run from yamaha though I'm 69" and the R6 is still not all that comfortable for me and I have a 32" inseam. Good luck and get gear for sure. PartyGurle and AC are two people you should pepper with female specific questions. Welcome!

[Electrical_Tech]

The Ninja 250 will certainly draw looks. My wife is constantly being asked if it's a 600. I had one young fellow damn near trip up in his own feet while gawking at the bike (yes it was the bike, as I was sitting on it and NOBODY spends much time gawkin at dis!!) LOL.