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Best 500cc+ motorcycle for 5'1" rider?

RebelGirl

RebelGirl

STEMinist
Joined
Sep 21, 2013
Location
Hayward, CA
Moto(s)
2007 Honda Rebel CMX250, 2015 Yamaha YZF-R3
Name
Miranda
Hi BARF!

I've been riding about a year and a half now and have put almost 9k miles on my little 250cc Honda Rebel. She was fun to learn on, and gets me places.. but certainly isn't as capable as I'd like (as far as freeway speeds go..).

I'm looking for a new bike >$3,000-$4,000 (used) that I can flatfoot, or at least, manage without many problems that is at least 500cc+. :) I'm only 5'1" (barely) and have the issue of finding bikes that are low enough, but much too wide for my hips! :(

EDIT: Please note that I weigh under 100 lbs as well. Would not like a bike that is 6x my own weight.

Thank you for any suggestions!

- Miranda
 
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You might want to check out the yamaha fz6r and maybe a Corbin seat to help lower the seat height rather than lowering the bike.
 
How about a Harley Sportster -26.5" seat height.
 
Hawk GT 650

single sided pretty.
 
you can ride almost anything if you learn to shift your body off to one side at a stop. practice on your current bike to get the hang of it. but yeah - if you want to go full flat foot while fully upright, at your height, the sportster suggestion is a good one. with regard to the monster, i'm 5'4" and when my bike is straight up, i have to tippy toe it.
 
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Big E said:
You might want to check out the yamaha fz6r and maybe a Corbin seat to help lower the seat height rather than lowering the bike.
Click to expand...

Noted! How much would one of those seats costs, do you know? :)

anytwowilldo said:
How about a Harley Sportster -26.5" seat height.
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I've checked out a couple of Harley's low bikes (including the Sportster), but again, the issue of width.

matt1216 said:
Indian Scout:cool

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/scout-indian-red
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I would love a Scout. Unfortunately they are out of my price range. :(

algs26 said:
http://cycle-ergo.com/

It just came out and isn't within your price range but the fz-07 felt like it had a very low seat height. Fun bike.
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Thank you for the suggestion, but I am a poor college student surviving on Financial Aid and meager income from a part-time job. :( Someday..!
 
Have you considered a V-Star 650?
They are a bit heavy, but the center of gravity is low, and I am sure you can flat foot it.
A dear friend of mine rides one, and she is about your height.

They have been produced for a very long time, and haven't changed much, they are cheap and easy to fix and there are plenty of parts available for them.
You should be able to pick up a used one in good condition for $2400.

/Soren
 
ninja 500, cheap, reliable, 136mph indicated top speed, easy to learn on, can lower it or shave seat if needed quite easily.
 
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RebelGirl said:
Noted! How much would one of those seats costs, do you know? :)

I'm guessing in the range of 300.00. If you go that route, ride to Corbin and have it custom made to you likings. My wife loves hers and she's about 5'2". She went from tippy toes to the ball of her foot
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buellistic said:
A Duc monster is low
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littlebeast said:
you can ride almost anything if you learn to shift your body off to one side at a stop. practice on your current bike to get the hang of it. but yeah - if you want to go full flat foot while fully upright, at your height, the sportster suggestion is a good one. with regard to the monster, i'm 5'4" and when my bike is straight up, i have to tippy toe it.
Click to expand...

Hmm, maybe I'll check out the Sportster more. I'm a bit hesitant to get a Harley. As to the monster, if you're 5'4" and have to tippy toe, I'd be dancing on it!

AeroSFCity said:
Hawk GT 650

single sided pretty.
Click to expand...

I couldn't find any on sale on Craigslist in the whole SF Bay Area.. I'll do some more probing, though. Thanks!

sjuels said:
Have you considered a V-Star 650?
They are a bit heavy, but the center of gravity is low, and I am sure you can flat foot it.
A dear friend of mine rides one, and she is about your height.

They have been produced for a very long time, and haven't changed much, they are cheap and easy to fix and there are plenty of parts available for them.
You should be able to pick up a used one in good condition for $2400.

/Soren
Click to expand...

I knew a girl who rode a V-Star 650. :p I found one in my city for $4,400.. Thanks for the input. :)

xiodinc said:
ninja 500, cheap, reliable, 136mph indicated top speed, easy to learn on, can lower it or shave seat if needed quite easily.
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Noted! I've checked some out before.

Aeroslash said:
Honda cb-1. 400cc, my first bike, great fun, very reliable, likes to rev, low seat height, bit of a cult classic that you will sell for.$2k when you're done with it.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/mcy/4663427403.html

Pretty sure this same bike is in the for sale section on BARF too. :thumbup

KAWK w650 is cool too, like a faux triumph boneville.

http://modesto.craigslist.org/mcy/4635244605.html
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Ooh, thanks! $2k is definitely more ideal. The Kawasaki W650 looks awesome. :) Definitely out of my price range, though.

Big E said:
RebelGirl said:
Noted! How much would one of those seats costs, do you know? :)

I'm guessing in the range of 300.00. If you go that route, ride to Corbin and have it custom made to you likings. My wife loves hers and she's about 5'2". She went from tippy toes to the ball of her foot
Click to expand...

That's something I'll probably have to consider for the future when I get a better job with more hours. /: Thank you, though!
Click to expand...
 
Keep in mind that the Rebel was an air-cooled 250, and less powerful than modern water-cooled 250s.

For example the Honda Rebel makes maybe 16hp, the CBR250 maybe 23hp, Ninja 250 maybe 24, and the Ninja 300 maybe 35. These last 3 have no problem at freeway speeds. I think these bikes will also have better brakes and handling than your Rebel. Not saying you shouldn't get something with a bigger engine. Only pointing out that the shortcomings of your Rebel don't apply to all small displacement bikes. Don't know how well they'll fit you, but plenty of short riders seem to ride them. And they seem well suited to a student on a budget.

If you still want a cruiser, there are plenty of low choices. The Suzuki S40/Savage is pretty low, and seems very cool, if a bit rough. Inexpensive on the used market.
 
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You being no more than 100lbs and on a light weight bike at freeway speed must be scary.

You should shave down the seat to any bike you buy. It helps with the width too.

Ninja 500R with shaved seat if you want more "Sporty" bike. Ninja 500 handles freeway speed just fine.
Sportster with shaved seat if you want a cruiser. The Sportster is smaller, lighter and more powerful than most Japanese cruisers (They look longer too).
 
come on, my sister is 5'2, 105 lbs and is getting a gsxr600 to replace her R6. why limit your choices just because you're not comfortable with doing one foot
 
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