Starter bike for very short rider?

[Kestrel]

Adapt. Seriously. You don't need to put both feet on the ground, and a new riders should be taught that from the get go so they don't feel subconscious about it. Also, changing the linkage usually messes up the handling of the bike—not a proper solution.

Almost every new rider I've ever spoken with (and worked with) is always afraid of putting just one foot down. With experience, they don't care anymore, but without experience, it's frightening... Factor in the paranoia about dropping a motorcycle, and it's even worse.

So unfortunately, that's not helpful advice at all.

I'll second finding a bike with a lower seat height. Lowering links and dropping the forks can really mess up the geometry of a bike if not done correctly. Comfort in the saddle is everything; without feeling at ease, a new rider isn't going to stay a rider for very long. With the rider population declining in general, 'get good' isn't going to cut it anymore.

 

[Surj]

Adapt. Seriously. You don't need to put both feet on the ground, and a new riders should be taught that from the get go so they don't feel subconscious about it.

This is the second thread you've posted this moto-splaining in today. It's simply not true. Telling someone they shouldn't care about getting their feet down doesn't make it so, posting an exceptional video as "evidence" doesn't make it so. May as well post a video of Rossi with a "See, it's easy, dumbass," caption.

I've been riding a long fucking time, and still prefer to be able to get a foot down flat without too much drama, and prefer both feet if possible. I guess I'm subconscious. :laughing

In other news, the Rebel 500 is a hell of a motorcycle. It's basically the same bike as the 300, with a bit more power—so still easy to learn on, but with enough power to be reasonable on the freeway. Incredibly easy to ride, cool-looking, Honda reliability... I could go on, but I have to get back to feeling like a poser because I like to be able to get a foot on the ground.

 

[HadesOmega]

 

[ToraTora]

This is the second thread you've posted this moto-splaining in today. It's simply not true. Telling someone they shouldn't care about getting their feet down doesn't make it so, posting an exceptional video as "evidence" doesn't make it so. May as well post a video of Rossi with a "See, it's easy, dumbass," caption.

I've been riding a long fucking time, and still prefer to be able to get a foot down flat without too much drama, and prefer both feet if possible. I guess I'm subconscious. :laughing

Just because you disagree with me doesn't make it not true. I didn't say that they shouldn't care, nor that it wasn't an issue. I said they should adapt. And the sooner they understand it the better off they will be—carrying an issue like that around for "a long fucking time" can wreak havoc on one's mentality. It will steal their confidence—which on a bike is a big deal. But if they deal with it, and get over it then it will no longer be an issue.

And seriously Surj if you can't tell the difference between Rossi and the guy in the video I posted do you really have a strong position to refute what I said? Not really. That guy wanted to ride so he over came the seat height issue. It's proof that even with in extreme situation seat height is something that can be adapted.

I also mentioned that motocross bikes have this same issue. People learn how to deal with it, and then it's not a thing. Maybe you need more time on a dirt bike to get over your anxiety.

 

[ToraTora]

Almost every new rider I've ever spoken with (and worked with) is always afraid of putting just one foot down. With experience, they don't care anymore, but without experience, it's frightening... Factor in the paranoia about dropping a motorcycle, and it's even worse.

So unfortunately, that's not helpful advice at all.

I'll second finding a bike with a lower seat height. Lowering links and dropping the forks can really mess up the geometry of a bike if not done correctly. Comfort in the saddle is everything; without feeling at ease, a new rider isn't going to stay a rider for very long. With the rider population declining in general, 'get good' isn't going to cut it anymore.

It's funny that you claim to disagree with me, and then make a statement backing up my position.

And like I said to Surj, I didn't say it wasn't an issue, I said adapt. That means to learn how to deal with an issue. By your own words once they adapt it's no longer an issue.

 

[HadesOmega]

I would seriously just get a bike that fits you properly. The best way is to throw you leg over a bike and you'll know that bike fits you. I have a buddy that's pretty short and it sucks for him because he's limited in the bike selection. I watch him try to back up his bike which I'm like a monster on and he has such a hard time pushing it back or even duck walking forward with it. For me I like it if I am either tippy toes or front balls of my feet on the ground. That's why whenever I do a ride review on a particular bike I give my height and weight so people will get an idea if they'll fit the bike in relation to my size.


youtu.be/kRFyw57o_Ic

 

[Guoseph]

+ New Rebel

Or actually a scooter of any kind for that matter, remove clutch and focus on other skills first.

Learning to ride a motorcycle is not easy, it’s a dangerous activity. There is no reason to make the learning process any harder than it is.

 

[Sofa88]

If we’re going to promote motorcycling to someone who’s apprehensive I’m definitely going to side with finding a bike that lets them put both feet down. Make it easier and that person will want to continue and learn. The more they learn the sooner they’ll get comfortable and confident with only needing to put one foot down. Adjusting to different learning curves just makes sense, one foot or two feet down I don’t care just as long as someone learns and wants to ride.

Oh and another vote for the new rebel 300 for a short rider, if it were out at the time my 5’2” wife would have gone with that over her v-star250.

 

[Junkie]

Too much bike for a petite first time rider

The dyno charts I'm seeing indicate 35-40hp to the ground. Hardly "too much bike". That's significantly less than the 500 twins.

 

[jwb]

I would seriously just get a bike that fits you properly. The best way is to throw you leg over a bike and you'll know that bike fits you. I have a buddy that's pretty short and it sucks for him because he's limited in the bike selection. I watch him try to back up his bike which I'm like a monster on and he has such a hard time pushing it back or even duck walking forward with it. For me I like it if I am either tippy toes or front balls of my feet on the ground. That's why whenever I do a ride review on a particular bike I give my height and weight so people will get an idea if they'll fit the bike in relation to my size.


youtu.be/kRFyw57o_Ic

Wait, you can wheelie a GS? So confused.

 

[zelig]

Yep, that's the video I was thinking of when I posted this in the secret cabal thread.

Seat height is definitely a factor for novices. Look at bicycles for an example, specifically...
(1) the number of semi-recumbent pushbikes that enable proper leg extension in conjunction with flat-footing ergos (think cruiser), and
(2) the number of cyclists who run the seat too low on a "conventional" double-diamond frame, sacrificing their knees to get both feet down.

Little folks on tall bikes are definitely inspirational (where's that one of the guy with the big GSA?), but IMO that's more mad skills than basics.

But back to the OP, Grom or Rebel are good options. And definitely not new, unless you're just made of money and looking to help out the struggling powersports industry.

 

[Surj]

Just because you disagree with me doesn't make it not true. I didn't say that they shouldn't care, nor that it wasn't an issue. I said they should adapt. And the sooner they understand it the better off they will be—carrying an issue like that around for "a long fucking time" can wreak havoc on one's mentality. It will steal their confidence—which on a bike is a big deal. But if they deal with it, and get over it then it will no longer be an issue.

And seriously Surj if you can't tell the difference between Rossi and the guy in the video I posted do you really have a strong position to refute what I said? Not really. That guy wanted to ride so he over came the seat height issue. It's proof that even with in extreme situation seat height is something that can be adapted.

I also mentioned that motocross bikes have this same issue. People learn how to deal with it, and then it's not a thing. Maybe you need more time on a dirt bike to get over your anxiety.

I don't know why I bother even engaging with you.

It's not just opinion-based "disagreement," which you so easily dismiss, but the result of thoughtful analysis of how people work with bikes. Bikes that fit riders are less imposing, less threatening. This idea that the rider should form his or herself to the bike, instead of vice versa, is just silly, especially for a new rider.

Riders like you are so off-putting to new riders. You act like you have so much to offer, and instead you just preach your own misguided gospel, and refuse to listen to reason.

All that other nonsense you said? Not gonna bother, when you're clearly not interested in considering anything that you didn't spew yourself. "Carrying around an issue like that." : |

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Personally I'd recommend a smaller rider be able to put their feet down from my own limited riding experience. I'm 6' tall with a long inseam so it's never been an issue.

I feel with experience and confidence a rider can ride whatever they want, but Id not start off a petite rider and say just suck it up.

 

[ctrvl]

Personally I'd recommend a smaller rider be able to put their feet down from my own limited riding experience. I'm 6' tall with a long inseam so it's never been an issue.

I feel with experience and confidence a rider can ride whatever they want, but Id not start off a petite rider and say just suck it up.

Agreed. Also +1 to Grom, what a great bike.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

A grom would be a fun city bike

 

[mrzuzzo]

Grom is a great choice because it's got low seat height, low weight, and it's really easy to ride.

My wife struggled a bit during MSF but with the Grom she was able to ride no problem at all.

In fact she rode Grom all over the place including many camping trips, a trip to Santa Barbara and back, etc. With a few easy mods it's more than capable of highway speeds.

It's super reliable and parts for it are dirt cheap. An new set of OEM plastics is under $200.

 

[jwb]

Grom as a starter bike sounds like a really dumb idea. You can't leave your town on it! Rebel seems far superior.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Grom as a starter bike sounds like a really dumb idea. You can't leave your town on it! Rebel seems far superior.

it's like a scooter that you shift gears and has more of a motorcycle seating. I see it as a more versatile scooter, but I agree with you.

 

[mrzuzzo]

it's like a scooter that you shift gears and has more of a motorcycle seating. I see it as a more versatile scooter, but I agree with you.

It's not like a scooter at all. It's a small motorcycle.

And there are plenty of scooters that are faster than a Grom, but none that are nearly as fun.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

I'm not sure what the distinction from a scooter to moto is...scooters to me have small wheels and are typically automatic transmission or just no gears at all. I meantit's like a scooter in terms of power perhaps and inability to take it on the highway (though I've seen plenty of high displacement "scooters" on the highway)