Daughter's First Bike Recommendation

skydivr: Is right you will have a very fast turn over rate from one bike to another. BUT I completely disagree with the idea of getting 500 or greater. I'm very thankful I didn't spring for the 600 for my g/f because of her learning style. Reasons: 1. She has dumped the Ninja multiple times, which is less expensive to fix on 250 Ninja than bigger bikes, 2. It's much easier to gain those basic braking, accelerating, and cornering techniques on smaller bikes, 3. piece of mind, from what I saw with my g/f she couldn't have handled a 600 no matter how she approached it.

For instance, we were pulled over on the right shoulder a few months ago getting her some road time on the Ninja b/c I thought she was ready and could handle it. From the right shoulder we were making a U-turn because she was uncomfortable leaning on the bike she unexpectedly dumped it over right there in the middle of the road. SCARED the hell outta me! I took from that we have more work to do.
 
QUE5710N said:
skydivr: Is right you will have a very fast turn over rate from one bike to another. BUT I completely disagree with the idea of getting 500 or greater. I'm very thankful I didn't spring for the 600 for my g/f because of her learning style. Reasons: 1. She has dumped the Ninja multiple times, which is less expensive to fix on 250 Ninja than bigger bikes, 2. It's much easier to gain those basic braking, accelerating, and cornering techniques on smaller bikes, 3. piece of mind, from what I saw with my g/f she couldn't have handled a 600 no matter how she approached it.

For instance, we were pulled over on the right shoulder a few months ago getting her some road time on the Ninja b/c I thought she was ready and could handle it. From the right shoulder we were making a U-turn because she was uncomfortable leaning on the bike she unexpectedly dumped it over right there in the middle of the road. SCARED the hell outta me! I took from that we have more work to do.
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Has she taken the MSF class? It did wonders for my daughter and I felt better that she dropped their bike and not mine :laugh:
 
A good response. I would say not all 5-600 CC bikes are the same. For example, my wife's 650CS is not nearly as responsive as a GSXR600, but both will comfortably run at interstate speeds. My dad went out and bought a Suzuki 250; and it won't go over 55 downhill in a hurricane (I've ridden it). But he doesn't need a bigger bike because he's not gotten the hang of it; but my wife has. Really, in the end, it depends on the rider. Some women (and men) can step up without issue; some can't.
 
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S-40 thumpers look good, get a lot of attention, are fun to drive, low seat height, great forum, good low end torque. Best of all: light weight. She could probably pick it up by herself.

A little shy of power for two-up on a highway incline out west but other than that great all-around fun. An AirHawk makes the seat OK for all day rides.
 
whitele said:
I'm worried she'll tear herself up on it! :poke:

Lots of good advice. Here's what I'm weighing..

Ninja 250 -
Plus - looks cool. She likes it. Good resale value.
Minus - It's a Ninja :laugh: expensive plastics.

Virago 535
Plus - Cheap. Good condition. She likes it. Won't get into too much trouble.
Minus - 15 years old. No umph for interstates.

Rebel
Plus - Can find them cheap. Hold resale value.
Minus - Hold resale value - people want crazy prices. Slightly underpowered.

Does anyone know if the Ninja can handle highway speeds ok?
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2003 gixxer 600R beautiful bike 2300 cash come pick it up.

2009-07-05-boys-bike.jpg
 
My duaghter is the same size but a couple years older same experience. She got a harley 883. My son started out same experience on a R6. All depends on what they want to ride and if they know how throttle control works . ( Some people should not get on a sport bike and we can useually tell who by personallity )
 
I don't know your daughter but I wouldn't even go that big of a bike.

I would start her on a dirtbike so she can get use to all the controls and figuring it all out before she's in the middle of traffic. You could get one with or without a clutch so she can practice shifting.

If you/she doesn't want to do the dirtbike, I would get her a Scooter to ride around town. That will give her LOTS of experience getting familiar with the controls and handling around town WITHOUT getting on the Highway... ;)

Plus they get 90mpg...
09%20Metropolitan_Ghost%20BIG.jpg


Once she grows out of it you can use it for a pit bike... ;)
 
Don't have a real good recommendation besides a cheap one and if it has plastics get fram sliders and tell her your'll get her a better bikee when she gets more experinced
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jeepinocala said:
2003 gixxer 600R beautiful bike 2300 cash come pick it up.
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That's too beautiful. The first time she drops it, I'll cry!

Got Busa said:
If you/she doesn't want to do the dirtbike, I would get her a Scooter to ride around town. That will give her LOTS of experience getting familiar with the controls and handling around town WITHOUT getting on the Highway...
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I asked her about scooter, she said 'no'. Showed her a Burgman, she still said no. Didn't tell her it could go triple digits :laugh:
 
Why start her out on a GSXR600? Why not jump right to the GSXR1000? Once she gets a couple of weeks experience on the 600 its gonna be holdin her back on the track and she'll just be bored gettin passed by the 1000's!:sarcasm:
 
whitele said:
I asked her about scooter, she said 'no'. Showed her a Burgman, she still said no. Didn't tell her it could go triple digits :laugh:
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Depending on her attitude, I would say this could be the place to draw the line. Until she proves she can handle a scooter I don't really think what SHE wants matters. I'm more concerned with her safety then how she looks on it... ;)
 
Got-Busa? said:
Depending on her attitude, I would say this could be the place to draw the line. Until she proves she can handle a scooter I don't really think what SHE wants matters. I'm more concerned with her safety then how she looks on it... ;)
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Good point. I think she was along the lines of a scooter is a little putt-putt and she would like a motorcycle.

She's not set on a particular model. I think she wants the experience of shifting, clutch, brakes, etc and not just gun-and-go

She's quite mature for her age. During MSF, we actually had to tell her to go faster she was so careful! :thumbsup:
 
Another addition to great list of starter bikes, IMHO a used SV650 fits the bill quite well.

cheap
no plastic fairings
low maintenance
has enough grunt for long trips
rides comfortably
cheap replacement parts

It might be a bike you should take it into consideration for your daughter.
 
You might look into a Honda cx500. Bike runs for ever and is very forgiving. They are fairly cheap and easy to work on. Just my 2 cents.
 
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