Bike recommendation - new rider

TheRiddler

TheRiddler

Riddle me this.
Hi all! My girlfriend is looking for her first street bike. She has a TTR125 (the small one) that she rode a little when she was younger, and wants something similar but street legal.

Some challenges:
- I'm buying it, and my budget is about $2k
- She's about 5'3" and doesn't want anything too tall.
- She doesn't want an old-gen (pre 2008) Ninja 250, but could go for the last gen 250
- Needs to have an electric start
- Little to no freeway use, mostly around town.

There's a great looking DR350 for sale on BARF that I consider lowering for her, but it's kickstart only. I've considered a TW200 but can't find them anywhere for sale at a reasonable price. CRF250 and DRZ200 seem too tall based on my experience. I'm thinking a standard bike may also be a decent choice, like a Nighthawk 250? I've ridden GZ250s and Rebels and didn't enjoy either, so those are out.

Suggestions?
 
Cincinnatus

Cincinnatus

Not-quite retired Army
TheRiddler said:
Hi all! My girlfriend is looking for her first street bike. She has a TTR125 (the small one) that she rode a little when she was younger, and wants something similar but street legal.

Some challenges:
- I'm buying it, and my budget is about $2k
- She's about 5'3" and doesn't want anything too tall.
- She doesn't want an old-gen (pre 2008) Ninja 250, but could go for the last gen 250
- Needs to have an electric start
- Little to no freeway use, mostly around town.

There's a great looking DR350 for sale on BARF that I consider lowering for her, but it's kickstart only. I've considered a TW200 but can't find them anywhere for sale at a reasonable price. CRF250 and DRZ200 seem too tall based on my experience. I'm thinking a standard bike may also be a decent choice, like a Nighthawk 250? I've ridden GZ250s and Rebels and didn't enjoy either, so those are out.

Suggestions?
Click to expand...

Just because YOU rode the GZ250s & Rebels & didn't like them, does that mean that your GF won't either?
 
ThumperX

ThumperX

Well-known member
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/4426641294.html

00000_aU3UgBl00YK_600x450.jpg

We have a great condition 92 xt225. Tires have 90% remaining. Carb just rebuilt. Bike runs fantastic. Zero issues. Ready to ride! Perfect learner bike, and a great all around city bike. Comes with rear rack, but no bag. Electric and kick start. Everything works. Only 9k miles. Never abused. Well maintained. My girl upgraded, and this one needs a new home. Gets well over 50 mpg.

Not looking for any trades.

:ride

:thumbup
 
TheRiddler

TheRiddler

Riddle me this.
Cincinnatus said:
Just because YOU rode the GZ250s & Rebels & didn't like them, does that mean that your GF won't either?
Click to expand...

She said she doesn't like the cruiser styling, either. We also have similar tastes on almost everything, including cars, and I wouldn't be surprised if that translated to motorcycles.
 
TheRiddler

TheRiddler

Riddle me this.
ThumperX said:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/4426641294.html

00000_aU3UgBl00YK_600x450.jpg

We have a great condition 92 xt225. Tires have 90% remaining. Carb just rebuilt. Bike runs fantastic. Zero issues. Ready to ride! Perfect learner bike, and a great all around city bike. Comes with rear rack, but no bag. Electric and kick start. Everything works. Only 9k miles. Never abused. Well maintained. My girl upgraded, and this one needs a new home. Gets well over 50 mpg.

Not looking for any trades.

:ride

:thumbup
Click to expand...

Heeey nice find! I might call this guy.
 
vought

vought

Riding every day
You should definitely buy the low low low miles GS500 I am selling next week. Cream puff, set up for fun, and you can ride it home same day with cash on the barrel.
 
1

1footdown

a little gimpy
Tell her the old gen ninja 250r is faster than the new gen.

Tell her I only gots $2000, and since I is paying, you can ride what I buy or throw down your own $ for a new-gen.

Kidding aside, I've heard a rebel250 is a great learning bike; especially for mostly around town rides
 
xiodinc

xiodinc

Well-known member
cafe racer honda rebel... I miss it
 

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HappyHighwayman

HappyHighwayman

Warning: Do Not Engage
Gotta be honest, you should get her the Ninja 250 she doesn't like the styling of. She's not paying, the budget is $2k and she dares to express aesthetic displeasure with one of the few bikes in the range?

Maybe she can kick in an extra $2k so she can get a pretty bike.
 
ThumperX

ThumperX

Well-known member
A funny thing about being short and female.
People are always trying to put on Rebels, Ninja 250s, and teh like.

The fact is, these bikes may be far from ideal to achieve the goals that the OP has laid out.

The ninja 250 is still a heavy bike with respect to it's size and displacement, fairings pose a major obstacle with confidence building, every drop shows and leaves a scar. Sure you can buy one that's pre-rashed but perhaps OP's girlfriend isn't thrilled with riding something that looks like a POS.

The Rebel although solid is so small that even my 5'2" frame feels cramped after about 40 miles.

The K bike? Really? Are you out of your mind? The bike is longer than she is tall she will be stretched out just to reach the bars.

The GS500 is definitely worth a look. and can graduate up to track days no problemo.

My :2cents
 
Z3n

Z3n

Squid.
It's her first bike, not her last. She should buy a pre-trashed ninja 250, ride it until she gets comfortable and a bit more money together, and then sell it and buy the bike she really wants. She won't know what she really likes out of riding until she has a chance to do it anyways, so it's pointless to spend a bunch of money on getting her the perfect bike when she has no idea what she's going to like yet, especially when nearly everything under the sun will be either heavier or less good at freeway/all around use than an old gen ninja 250. If it's going to be around town only, that XT looks like a good option. If she wants to use the freeway, the 250 is going to be a much better choice. GS500 is heavier, Ninja 500 is heavier, most dual sports will be too tall, those that aren't will be miserable on the freeway, most small cruisers suffer from the same problems as the dual sports, although low seat height can be a lifesaver there, but still pretty cramped...

The ninja 250 is really the best option. Cheap, loads of spares, easy to resell, unintimidating, reasonably low seat height, street legal, more freeway capable than other bikes in that displacement/weight range, etc.
 
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ThumperX

ThumperX

Well-known member
:barf

Actually, that little XT225 works airtle better in urban environments. Super kind geometry. Easy to pick up. PlSticd bend right back.

<<<<<< not a fan of 1000000000 RPMs :laughing
 
P

Pluot

Well-known member
I started on a 500 and so far I love it. Seat height was a huge issue for me though, the first time I dropped a bike was because I couldn't touch the ground when I stalled stopping behind a car coming out of a parking lot. I'm 5'4, 128lbs and the GS500 is perfect for me. Haven't been on a 250, so can't give you feedback on that.
 
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