03 Oct 2011, 11:34 am
anna-banana wrote:
IDontGetIt wrote:
Google - bikes with low seat height - and you'll find a few ideas.
Common mentions are Suzuki SV650 and GS500.
400cc bikes tend to be small, but are a bit more "grown up" than 125/250 bikes.
Also, look at replacement seats for bikes - some are sculpted, reducing the height.
Common mentions are Suzuki SV650 and GS500.
400cc bikes tend to be small, but are a bit more "grown up" than 125/250 bikes.
Also, look at replacement seats for bikes - some are sculpted, reducing the height.
I'm aware of the existence of Google but in things as crucial as personal safety I'd rather consult experts
looks like there's quite a few maniacs on WP so I'm hoping for some good info & words of encouragement (I'm probably the last person on earth who should do this 
)
I realise it's pretty much impossible to recommend Google without coming across as pointing out the obvious. I'd still recommend it though, as much as anything to search for specifications on bikes - if you find a bike with a 36" seat height it's probably not for you. By the way, I'm 6'3", I had the opposite problem. 
03 Oct 2011, 12:49 pm
Inventor wrote:
Now are we talking new or used?
definitely used for a start.
kx250rider wrote:
In traffic, I have a fairly simple set of extra "rules" that I ride by: (1) I assume that EVERY oncoming car, is going to suddenly turn left in front of me (or turn Right if as in England). I plan an escape, and I always know whether or not there is traffic or obstacles in my way if I have to suddenly swerve and there might not be time to look in an emergency. (2) I always assume that when riding along any road where cars are parked at the curb, someone WILL pop out and make a U-turn in front of me. Again, I have an escape, and I look ahead to see if I see any parked cars with a little flash of the brake lights, or any motion indicating someone's inside and might be putting the car in gear. If I'm closeby, and I see a parked car start, I'll give a polite toot of the horn, just to let them know, but not to blast them and annoy.
But no matter how well you plan, or how careful, there is always a risk. Be careful, but also have fun!
Charles
these are exactly the kinds of scenarios that I'm afraid of, but since I'm already panicking just thinking about it, there's a good chance I'll be super-careful once on the road!
thanks for all the info Charles, much appreciated.
03 Oct 2011, 12:50 pm
IDontGetIt wrote:
I realise it's pretty much impossible to recommend Google without coming across as pointing out the obvious. I'd still recommend it though, as much as anything to search for specifications on bikes - if you find a bike with a 36" seat height it's probably not for you. By the way, I'm 6'3", I had the opposite problem. 
do you not get dizzy?
03 Oct 2011, 5:48 pm
anna-banana wrote:
IDontGetIt wrote:
I realise it's pretty much impossible to recommend Google without coming across as pointing out the obvious. I'd still recommend it though, as much as anything to search for specifications on bikes - if you find a bike with a 36" seat height it's probably not for you. By the way, I'm 6'3", I had the opposite problem. do you not get dizzy?
Frequently. But I don't think it's height related.
10 Oct 2011, 11:53 am
kx250rider wrote:
I've been riding motorcycles since age 13, and I guess I have a little experience... The bottom line is that if you're feeling unsafe in traffic, you need to overcome that, or you could get in trouble in a fast-thinking situation on the bike. And the other thing is, that just as with a car or truck, anyone WILL SOONER OR LATER HAVE AN ACCIDENT. That's just logic and statistics. So with that said, you also need to know how to protect yourself as best possible, and always use the best safety equipment and use your brain.
As far as a first bike, I'd go with something you definitely can easily hold upright, and that you can lift in the event you do go down around a corner, or anything minor happens. Street bikes are easier to handle (on pavement) than enduro or on-offroad dual sport bikes. Also, dual sports are much taller than street bikes, and harder to balance. My first street bike was a Yamaha 650 Special (1978 model), and it was 3 years old at the time. Today, I'd probably get a 500 or so, and probably a sport bike due to easier handling than a cruiser (Harley-style) bike. Currently I have three street bikes: One I ride regularly; my Yamaha R1, and two collectors item bikes that I ride occasionally. One is a 1985 Honda VF1000R; the first "crotch rocket", and also a 1985 Yamaha V-Max cruiser/muscle bike (engine bigger than many small car engines). Any of those would likely lead to a terrible accident with a new rider, so please don't get something that high of performance just yet. I'm almost afraid of that V-Max, and I've been riding big powerful bikes for over 25 years.
In traffic, I have a fairly simple set of extra "rules" that I ride by: (1) I assume that EVERY oncoming car, is going to suddenly turn left in front of me (or turn Right if as in England). I plan an escape, and I always know whether or not there is traffic or obstacles in my way if I have to suddenly swerve and there might not be time to look in an emergency. (2) I always assume that when riding along any road where cars are parked at the curb, someone WILL pop out and make a U-turn in front of me. Again, I have an escape, and I look ahead to see if I see any parked cars with a little flash of the brake lights, or any motion indicating someone's inside and might be putting the car in gear. If I'm closeby, and I see a parked car start, I'll give a polite toot of the horn, just to let them know, but not to blast them and annoy.
But no matter how well you plan, or how careful, there is always a risk. Be careful, but also have fun!
Charles
As far as a first bike, I'd go with something you definitely can easily hold upright, and that you can lift in the event you do go down around a corner, or anything minor happens. Street bikes are easier to handle (on pavement) than enduro or on-offroad dual sport bikes. Also, dual sports are much taller than street bikes, and harder to balance. My first street bike was a Yamaha 650 Special (1978 model), and it was 3 years old at the time. Today, I'd probably get a 500 or so, and probably a sport bike due to easier handling than a cruiser (Harley-style) bike. Currently I have three street bikes: One I ride regularly; my Yamaha R1, and two collectors item bikes that I ride occasionally. One is a 1985 Honda VF1000R; the first "crotch rocket", and also a 1985 Yamaha V-Max cruiser/muscle bike (engine bigger than many small car engines). Any of those would likely lead to a terrible accident with a new rider, so please don't get something that high of performance just yet. I'm almost afraid of that V-Max, and I've been riding big powerful bikes for over 25 years.
In traffic, I have a fairly simple set of extra "rules" that I ride by: (1) I assume that EVERY oncoming car, is going to suddenly turn left in front of me (or turn Right if as in England). I plan an escape, and I always know whether or not there is traffic or obstacles in my way if I have to suddenly swerve and there might not be time to look in an emergency. (2) I always assume that when riding along any road where cars are parked at the curb, someone WILL pop out and make a U-turn in front of me. Again, I have an escape, and I look ahead to see if I see any parked cars with a little flash of the brake lights, or any motion indicating someone's inside and might be putting the car in gear. If I'm closeby, and I see a parked car start, I'll give a polite toot of the horn, just to let them know, but not to blast them and annoy.
But no matter how well you plan, or how careful, there is always a risk. Be careful, but also have fun!
Charles
Now there's some pretty sound advice.
Personally, I have a soft spot for twins (as well as two cylinder motorcycles) and retro/classics so the bikes I tend to recommend reflect that. Also, forget two-stoke engined bikes... always go for a four-stroke if you're going to be going any kind of distance at all.
Here are one or two twin cylinder starter/intermediate bikes that spring to mind off the top of my head:
Kawasaki GPz500 (a very light and extremely economic little sports-tourer/commuter - the EN500 was the custom version but it was much heavier and didn't handle anywhere near as well)
Yamaha XS650 (based on the BSA A50/65, this was a very nice little upright twin - the custom version was brilliant for the vertically challenged)
Kawasaki W650 (even more similar to the A50/65, this is a terrific little bike)
Triumph Thruxton 900 (a larger capacity, actually 865cc, and an utterly wonderful machine - not too bad a bike to move up to as an intermediate rider)
.. and a couple of four pot bikes that might also be worth thinking about:
Yamaha XJ650 (a very nice sports tourer - absolutely bomb proof - I think it might also have been fitted with a shaft drive, which would save on replacement chains but slightly increase rear tyre wear)
Suzuki GS550 (another nice bomb proof bike)
11 Oct 2011, 12:25 pm
^^cheers keef!
I'm really excited about the idea, just need to move first & find a place with a parking space & get the license & save some money & gain some muscle and that's it I think! wish me luck!
