first sportbike

senni18 · 08-24-2007, 06:25 PM

Hello everyone. I am new to the sportbike community and I currently do not own a sportbike, but I am very interested in purchasing one soon. My main problem is that I am only 5'5" and I have the average strength of an 18 year old guy. I have always liked sportbikes since I was younger, but I got more interested in them when all of my friends started buying bikes. Since I will be purchasing my first sportbike, I have no idea what to look for. I am not too tall, but I want a bike that I can actually have my feet touch the ground on if I have to stop at a red light, not to mention I dont need a bike that is fast as an r6 or gsxr 600. Does anyone have any suggestions on what type of sportbike I should look at for a first bike?

Thanks
senni18

YamaFZ6 · 08-24-2007, 06:35 PM

many ppl here will recommend ninja 250. go for that if you plan on going on the highway. i'm somewhat of a noob myself so i don't know of any sportbikes that have less than 250cc. hope you find the right bike.

edit: oh yeah while strength is a plus, it is not as critical as you might think. it's more about how you position your body and how you anticipate your next move that's more important. especially when pushing the bike around and putting up/down the center stand. your arms will get stronger overtime from riding. lifting some weights can definitely help also.

MwKid19 · 08-24-2007, 10:39 PM

Word weight lifting will help you in the strength area. Do you want a bike because your friends have bikes or because you want a bike? It is a serious question you should ask yourself. That being said a good way to find out is to take the MSF beginners course. You will get to ride a 250 and see what riding is like on a bike that isn't yours. If after that you still are interested in a bike a 250 would be perfect for you. I would recomend a kawasaki ex250. Great bike to learn to ride on and learn to work on.

cnk15 · 08-24-2007, 10:41 PM

I started on a 250 and just sold it tonight. It's a great starter bike and you'll learn a lot from it. You can then move up as your skills increase.

MwKid19 · 08-24-2007, 10:47 PM

Oh yeah and buy used if dropping a new bike concerns you.

trondoctor00 · 08-24-2007, 10:49 PM

no one has preachedc the MSF course yet.....yes i'm the first in this thread woo-hoo

MwKid19 · 08-24-2007, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MwKid19

That being said a good way to find out is to take the MSF beginners course.

You must have missed my post.

trondoctor00 · 08-24-2007, 10:54 PM

$h1t thanx for ruining my night

MwKid19 · 08-24-2007, 10:55 PM

Sorry man. You can be #2.

trondoctor00 · 08-24-2007, 10:56 PM

guess i'll have to be huh......my wife just walked in with a football signed by desmond clark, so my night is no longer ruined

mac 1 · 08-24-2007, 11:00 PM

FZ-6 and have your dealer lower it to your needs !

TemplarForGod · 08-25-2007, 01:33 AM

Dont worry about strength, many women ride fine, im sure you're stronger than most female riders (no offense ladies). Agility is required and learned skill with some common sense tossed in and you're good to go.

If your naturally nimble on your feet you might not need to flat foot when you learn to ride, but it never hurts. go to the dealer and sit on bikes, have fun!

senni18 · 08-25-2007, 10:42 AM

i want a bike for myself, not because my friends got them. its been something ive been contemplating for a little bit and i really want one for myself. thanks for all of your help and i will check out your suggestions.

thanks again
senni18

donkeyman · 08-25-2007, 11:36 AM

I'm the same height as you and probably the same weight as well. I found the Ninja 500 to be a good bike as well for height and center of gravity. Not a very tipsy bike at all.

I was like you too, wanting a bike for so long, but never got around to it until I turned 28. They're fun.

MwKid19 · 08-25-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkeyman

They're fun.

Fun is an understatement.