Quote:
Originally Posted by JulesAZ
I'm vertically challenged at 5'2" and 105lbs. Got a couple bikes in mind. Looking for riding advice, bike advice and advice for when I walk into the dealership if anyone has any to give. Need all I can get!
I would be doing mostly highway riding so I think a 250 would not be enough and I would out grow it quickly ... but that is just my uneducated thought.
Thank you! Jules
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Well, first off I'd like to say good luck in your quest. Riding is truly addicting and liberating, as I'm sure you'll soon find out.
My $0.02 or so, as a rider with nearly 35 years of experience on road (and another 5 off road):
1) Vertically challenged - Your height is not important, but your inseam length IS. You should be able to flatfoot on one site, I personally think it's critical to gaining confidence in slow speed maneuvers, especially on uneven and non-paved surfaces. Seat height of the any bikes you're considering, along with the seat width, will help determine how well you fit the bike.
2) As to you qualifying what I just put in boldface, I'm glad you did. There seems to be a large contingent of people out in the sport bike world who feel that way, (or have heard it so often, they think it's true) but the funny thing is, most of these people couldn't or haven't ridden my choice of 250, a Ninja 250, or else they would see the fallacy of that statement.
Now, I'm not petite li'l thing like you. I'm old, unfit, and quite overweight at this point in time. Yet, of all the bikes I've ridden over the past few decades, everything from 55cc mini Cafe Racers, to 1000cc superbikes, the mint condition '95 Ninja 250 I bought for my Nephew to learn on was among the most fun rides I've ever had the pleasure of strafing the local twisties on!
I'm probably a good 100lb over the target audience the manufacturer envisioned when creating these bikes, yet when I slabbed it up I-5 to deliver to him in Seattle, a distance of 160 miles, even with my weight, I had NO problem whatsoever cruising at 75-80 mph with a good bit of power left. The trick on those bikes is to ride it like an old 2-stroke, right on the power band, keeping it between 6,000 - 9,000 rpm.
The bikes you're looking at aren't necessarily unsuitable as beginner bikes; they're certainly a MUCH better choice than a 600cc super sport. But don't discount the 250 as something you'll be bored with. It's a very, very fun ride. The initial cost is considerably less, as is the cost for insurance, too. Don't forget to factor that in, also.
I wish you lots of luck and a lot of fun learning to ride.
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