For all you ladies out there that are skeptical about getting a motorcycle but feel this dire need to get one. Fear no more!!! This message isnt just for the short ones, this is for any beginning rider.
Hey gals or guys,
I'm 5'2 118lbs. Yes I work out a bit. And yes I have a bit more muscle in my upper body. But I only train to get more control. You don't need to be super strong in order to ride a motorcycle!
Or for those of you that are scared to get a bike, because you're too short, I'm here to tell you ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!
There are lowering kits and other ways around it! Trust me! When I bought my first motorcycle, it was a 2002 Yamaha YZF600R. I was tippy toeing it, and my father didnt feel comfortable enough for me to get it unless I could touch with the balls of my feet. So we went on a hunt to find out the best ways to solve that problem. We were suggested to shave the seat cushion for my inner thighs to be able to come together more. Wear thick soled shoes, I didnt like any of those ideas. It wasnt until I came back to a dealership with a highly respected mechanic that told me, I can lower it for you, free of charge! All was needed was two dog bones and some bolts. He lowered it 3 inches. And I was able to touch with the balls of my feet! I rode that bike for about a year and a half, until I bought my 2004 Yamaha R6. I was able to ride it without lowering it, but I wanted to see what it would feel like lowered due to having a lowered bike for so long. I went back to the same mechanic, and this time he didnt even have to buy extra parts, he just flipped the triple dog bone in the middle suspension. Lowered it 3 inches easy. I rode it like that for a couple months, but thats when I was really getting into stunt riding and realized that lowering a bike does however effect your wheelies and stoppies so I raised it back up myself. After so long and years of experience of riding, Im now comfortable enough to just lean to one side of the bike to support myself when Im at a stop having only one foot down. I dont think I will ever lower another bike. However, I do recommend it to any one that is shorter than me, and or just starting out and can only touch with their tippy toes.
I suggest either a Yamaha or a Honda for your first bikes. I do not recommend a 250cc or 500cc. Two reasons why, I've heard the story way too many times!
"After a month of riding my 250/500, I got sick and tired of it, not being able to keep up with the rest of the riders. and it just got boring fast!"
Start with a 600cc!!! I did... and any of you can! Dont let your boyfriend tell you otherwise! I do however Require you all take the MSF safety course... they're located everywhere in the nation... you can find a class anywhere! Look it up and TAKE IT! I did, and I learned A LOT from it! They will teach you the clutch, friction point, throttle... leaning... urgent stops... turns...motorcycle signals... everything that has to do with motorcycles!
Here are my opinions about taste in bikes for the 600 class.
The 03-05 Yamaha R6's are for one really light and IMO very fitting to my body...almost feels like it was made for a woman. Haha sorry guys! It can be lowered 3 inches without even buying a lowering kit. If you want to know how, email me. I love my R6 because it feels like I can throw it around like its nothing and it responds really well to my body. And I think it is the sexiest looking bike made! In the 600 class of course. However, I will say, I don't know what happened in the 06-07 class, they sit very very high, and the lower end torque is out of Wack.. i do not like the new R6's at all :( they don't look that bad though. ha
The Hondas are light too, specifically the F4is and the 600rrs... and very form fitting/comfy...the throttle is very forgiving on them and its not as twitchy as the R6s. Smooth throttle roll. Im not too sure if you can lower them without a lowering kit... but you can definitely lower them. And again are very comfy for the shorties. Engines seem to be more reliable on these bikes than any others. The f4i's can take a major beating too... not only are their frames solid.. but they don't call them f4eazy's for nuttin!
04-05( or older)Gixxers are great street bikes if you know how to ride already and or are tall enough to touch with both feet down, I do not recommend it as a first bike for anyone thats short! They feel heavier and bulky feeling compared to the others... I do not like the older Gixxers for agility or street riding but I think its due to me being short, I feel the most vulnerable on the older gixxers than any other. People could just push me with one finger, and I would fall over with the bike. If you are taller, then this bike could be your best friend. Definitely not a good friend to shorties like me. BUT the new 06-and up... OMG are they the best bike EVER!!! I freaking LOVE my 06 GSXR600... for everything... stunting.. street riding.. track... Suzuki hands down blew EVERYONE out of the water!! look out for the 08's!
Kawasaki 636's are EXCELLENT stunt bikes. The new 06's are flawless... (Except about how they look, I'm not really a fan of their look, haha) the 03-04's are sleeker looking, but i've heard of the forks having a bad rep for snapping. 05-06 are pretty freaking sweet... drifters in the house much?!!? They are a little more of a bulky feeling though... and you sit up higher on them, They are very smooth and also great for street riding to. all around... I hand it to them.. they are pretty sick bikes.
To round up my collection in a nutshell;
I love them all for different reasons and use each of mine for different things...
to answer the questions of what bikes i have...
I have an 03 Honda F4i, it's my practice bike for stunt riding.. I love it for doin' dem slow whoolies!
I have an 04 Yamaha R6, it's my custom show bike.. my pretty bike...
I also have an 06 Suzuki GSXR600 it's my street and track bike... it's the child I never had and always wanted lol...
and possibly adding a kawasaki to the family soon, what will i use it for? my nice stunt bike.. hahaha
and then yes I have a honda crf150 and a lil fiddy :)