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hey.
Hey, I'm 18 years old and looking into my first motorcycle. I'm really into classic/vintage looking motorcycles, but nothing resembling a chopper. I prefer standard/cruiser. What are suggestions for a first bike? I am 5'7" and 130 pounds.
I decided I would look a standard motorcycle.
Answer
Motorcycling is not about weight or strength, it's about balance and finesse, so women have an advantage!
The problem is that you are what we call 'inseam challenged'. You want to be able to sit on a bike with both feet flat on the ground, and that's especially important for your first bike.
I'm guessing most standards are going to be too tall for you. They publish seat heights in the specs for the bikes, but the seats are all shaped differently so the only way to tell is to find one and sit on it. Dealers will let you do this. Every motorcycle has a different arrangement between seat, handlebars and footpegs so you would never really know how a bike feels without sitting on it.
But cruisers have a lower seat and you put your legs out in front of you rather than fold them beneath you. And cruisers have other advantages. They have a lower center of gravity so they are easier to manage for their size. 500-650cc is a good starting size, but you could go up to 750cc, it's not that much bigger, and a bike that size can cruise at highway speed all day without breathing hard.
Cruisers are statistically safer, and I think this is because they support a laid-back, relaxed riding style.
All the Japanese brands are good. And I'd say you should start on a used bike. You can get a nice one for maybe $2000-3000.
I would recommend the MSF course (Motorcyle Safety Foundation) as a good break-in. In fact they provide the bike so you can take the course totally cold, having never ridden a bike before.
And save room in the budget for a helmet, jacket and gloves, at least. The jacket and gloves are to protect you from sliding on the street if you fall (of which there is a distinct possibility, probably less on a cruiser, maybe less for a girl.)
I have a friend, a lady who's maybe an inch taller than you, that just bought a Harley. It's a Heritage Softail, maybe the biggest, heaviest bike Harley ever made. She was a little intimidated at first (she asked me to ride it home for her while she followed in her car). But now she's fearless. And though I am not a cruiser person myself, I totally love it. But she's been riding a number of years, I wouldn't recommend anything that big for a beginner.
Motorcycling is not about weight or strength, it's about balance and finesse, so women have an advantage!
The problem is that you are what we call 'inseam challenged'. You want to be able to sit on a bike with both feet flat on the ground, and that's especially important for your first bike.
I'm guessing most standards are going to be too tall for you. They publish seat heights in the specs for the bikes, but the seats are all shaped differently so the only way to tell is to find one and sit on it. Dealers will let you do this. Every motorcycle has a different arrangement between seat, handlebars and footpegs so you would never really know how a bike feels without sitting on it.
But cruisers have a lower seat and you put your legs out in front of you rather than fold them beneath you. And cruisers have other advantages. They have a lower center of gravity so they are easier to manage for their size. 500-650cc is a good starting size, but you could go up to 750cc, it's not that much bigger, and a bike that size can cruise at highway speed all day without breathing hard.
Cruisers are statistically safer, and I think this is because they support a laid-back, relaxed riding style.
All the Japanese brands are good. And I'd say you should start on a used bike. You can get a nice one for maybe $2000-3000.
I would recommend the MSF course (Motorcyle Safety Foundation) as a good break-in. In fact they provide the bike so you can take the course totally cold, having never ridden a bike before.
And save room in the budget for a helmet, jacket and gloves, at least. The jacket and gloves are to protect you from sliding on the street if you fall (of which there is a distinct possibility, probably less on a cruiser, maybe less for a girl.)
I have a friend, a lady who's maybe an inch taller than you, that just bought a Harley. It's a Heritage Softail, maybe the biggest, heaviest bike Harley ever made. She was a little intimidated at first (she asked me to ride it home for her while she followed in her car). But now she's fearless. And though I am not a cruiser person myself, I totally love it. But she's been riding a number of years, I wouldn't recommend anything that big for a beginner.
I'd like to hear thoughts from women who motorcycle cruise as passangers?
goforitgam
Packing clothes, is it a long day in the saddle? Any input would be helpful. We'd like to try it but need a bike upgrade.
Answer
rent a Harley for a day, preferably a 1200 sportster (the 883 is a bit cramped)
get protective kit - borrow it to save capital on something you may not like.
assure yourself that the pilot has experience carrying pillion, if not, do not try it.
Learn and fully understand how to be a pillion; thou shalt not wriggle, thou must lean with the plot but not too soon and not too much, thou shall grasp the cissy rail at all times and develop good neck muscles to not bang helmets together on every gear change or braking.
Discuss with the pilot before you set out; will you look over pilot's left or right shoulder, what signals to use for eg 'stop immediately I have become incontinent' (oh yes you will) or of course, spend a load of dough on intercoms, but that's less fun.
On the rental bike, aim for a few laps of the side streets or better, a big empty car park. After 10 minutes, get off, stretch, discuss the experience. Try not to strangle the pilot.
When totally confident with each other, and the bike, poodle off for an hour's ride, best if away from traffic, too. An hour will be more than enough. Get off, stretch, walk about a bit before setting off for home. Cup of coffee, piggy, whatever. After a relax, decide if you want another go. If you do, you are hooked, but keep the time and mileage down until you are used to it.
A 500 mile day is a really big one for a pilot, and virtually unbearable pillion; think in terms of 100 miles tops.
enjoy
rent a Harley for a day, preferably a 1200 sportster (the 883 is a bit cramped)
get protective kit - borrow it to save capital on something you may not like.
assure yourself that the pilot has experience carrying pillion, if not, do not try it.
Learn and fully understand how to be a pillion; thou shalt not wriggle, thou must lean with the plot but not too soon and not too much, thou shall grasp the cissy rail at all times and develop good neck muscles to not bang helmets together on every gear change or braking.
Discuss with the pilot before you set out; will you look over pilot's left or right shoulder, what signals to use for eg 'stop immediately I have become incontinent' (oh yes you will) or of course, spend a load of dough on intercoms, but that's less fun.
On the rental bike, aim for a few laps of the side streets or better, a big empty car park. After 10 minutes, get off, stretch, discuss the experience. Try not to strangle the pilot.
When totally confident with each other, and the bike, poodle off for an hour's ride, best if away from traffic, too. An hour will be more than enough. Get off, stretch, walk about a bit before setting off for home. Cup of coffee, piggy, whatever. After a relax, decide if you want another go. If you do, you are hooked, but keep the time and mileage down until you are used to it.
A 500 mile day is a really big one for a pilot, and virtually unbearable pillion; think in terms of 100 miles tops.
enjoy
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