Bike recommendations

[msincredible]

Sounds like the OP should take her current bike to a track school if afraid of leaning.

Learning how to corner correctly is a vital piece of knowledge to have in your bag of survival tricks.

I got the impression she meant having the bike leaned while stopped.

One thing you might consider is to practice, on your current bike, the art of one-flat-foot-down, other foot up, bike leaned over. This is a really good technique for the short-legged, and will greatly increase both the number of bikes you can ride right from the get-go, and your confidence on all bikes. It may be easier to get comfortable doing that on the bike you're already comfortable on - then you have a skill you can take to any bike. You can tweak a bike to fit you, for sure, but it's so limiting to have to cross bikes off of your list on the basis of seat height alone.


It seems counter-intuitive, but having the bike leaned over a bit is actually more stable. When it's straight up and down, it's a bit precarious, and wants to lean randomly to one side or the other. When it's leaned to the left, it stays that way, and your leg is in control.

Another option is to slide your butt off to the side that you have your foot down on. Then you can have one foot down, one foot up, bike more upright. How much lean is comfy depends on bike weight and center of gravity and rider leg length and strength.

 

[crick]

Nightmonkey which 650 are you referring to?

I just test rode the BMW f650 and it's really tall but I could tip-toe on it. There's a way to lower it - the guy selling it has the bars the last owner (a short gal) had installed.

My inseam is about 29.5 inches I would guess. I'm actually not that short, just inherited my dads stumpy legs. Makes finding the right bike difficult.

I've tried out the ninja and it's out for me. Don't like to lean that far over. But thanks for the other suggestion. Will check them out.

they sell a lowseat that can fix that.

i have an f800st lowered suspension model, and with the low seat, it's pretty darn low.

 

[Justav]

Try sitting on this one...

SV650, Owned, and now being sold by a female owner with ~30" inseam.

Nothing beats a hands-on (butt on?) experience if you want to know how a specific bike fits you. Very reliable bike, 50+ mpg unless you are really pushing it, been on several 1000+ mile camping trips without problems, and suspension concerns seem to be mostly coming from folks weighing much beyond 150#.

Just don't plan on riding 2-up too far...

Hey folks

I'm looking to trade up from my 500cc bike and am looking at 650's. Does anyone have a good recommendation? Maneuverability, comfort on long freeway commutes, good gas mileage, reliability and a frame that fits (or can be lowered) to fit my less than 30 inch inseam (I'm a girl, and cant fit tall sport bikes) are important factors.

Checking out a BMW f650 GS today but am also in the market for a Suzuki SV 650 but see it gets pretty low gas mileage (specs say 40mpg). I was told the BMW gets crap gas mileage but specs say its about 60mph which is comperable to my current bike. I'm also concerned that the BMW = More time in the shop than on the road.

Thoughts? Feedback? Much appreciated.

-JJ

 

[GAJ]

I got the impression she meant having the bike leaned while stopped.

Gotcha.

 

[crick]

2 very different bikes. The SV is much more tossable, and has a ton of aftermarket support. MPG specs are BS, 60mpg for the BMW? Probably never. And my 1st gen (carburated) SV averaged 45-50 highway.

that's actually believable. i avrg 55mpg on my beemer, and that's with unnecessary blipping. I can get maybe 60'ish or more if i'm more gas conscientious.

 

[unhinged]

see gary856s response. I personally have never owned a SV650, but i respect the bikes for what they were.

Well, you and he didn't go into any details about what exactly is the issue with the Gladius. I was speculating but I too have never owned either one.

 

[davidji]

I got the impression she meant having the bike leaned while stopped.

I thought she meant forward lean while in riding position.

That's why I thought she'd like the Versys. Still do, but might prefer it lowered in seat if not suspension too.

If that's it Jordanaj, look here if you haven't:
www.cycle-ergo.com

Also you could do some combination of bar risers + low seat on a Ninja 650R.

When my daughter was just out of MSF, my Ninja 650R felt too tall for her. I got her a Seca 2 with a lowered seat. Later I think she was fine with the Ninja.

 

[Jordanaj]

I don't think I am using the right language here. Am a newby to the list. But what I meant was I don't like the positioning on the ninja. I'd rather sit more upright while riding. It's too sporty and I'm intersted in more of a commuter bike. I have no issues about leaning left or right. I would love to get even more comfortable on the twisties by taking a track course. But I've had my license since '99 and have been riding regularly for the last 5 years so I think, by now, I've got basic cornering covered.

I do appreciate the tips on stopping with the bike leaned slightly left. I'll try more often to get more comfortable not being entirely centered while stopped.

So hmm. Still am not sure which route to take between the sv650 and the BMW f650. Both seem to have pluses and minuses. Just curious if anyone has more to say about the f650?

 

[budgie45]

I don't think I am using the right language here. Am a newby to the list. But what I meant was I don't like the positioning on the ninja. I'd rather sit more upright while riding. It's too sporty and I'm intersted in more of a commuter bike. I have no issues about leaning left or right. I would love to get even more comfortable on the twisties by taking a track course. But I've had my license since '99 and have been riding regularly for the last 5 years so I think, by now, I've got basic cornering covered.

I do appreciate the tips on stopping with the bike leaned slightly left. I'll try more often to get more comfortable not being entirely centered while stopped.

So hmm. Still am not sure which route to take between the sv650 and the BMW f650. Both seem to have pluses and minuses. Just curious if anyone has more to say about the f650?

Get a Harley and be hated by most people on barf na im kiddin dont get one if you dont want to be hated

 

[crick]

I don't think I am using the right language here. Am a newby to the list. But what I meant was I don't like the positioning on the ninja. I'd rather sit more upright while riding. It's too sporty and I'm intersted in more of a commuter bike. I have no issues about leaning left or right. I would love to get even more comfortable on the twisties by taking a track course. But I've had my license since '99 and have been riding regularly for the last 5 years so I think, by now, I've got basic cornering covered.

I do appreciate the tips on stopping with the bike leaned slightly left. I'll try more often to get more comfortable not being entirely centered while stopped.

So hmm. Still am not sure which route to take between the sv650 and the BMW f650. Both seem to have pluses and minuses. Just curious if anyone has more to say about the f650?

actually yah - when you're talkinga bout the F650GS, are you talking about the older f650 single or the newer f650 parallel twins? in any regards the two bikes - the sv650 and the F650gs (the newer one) are pretty different, with 650GS being more comfy and with anemities like heated grips, and you can farkle the craziness out of it because bmw owners love to do that to their bikes (huge aftermarket for the beamers, which means a huge list of used stuff as well - i got myself a nice sargeant seat for dirt cheap and some pazzo levers that were barely used).

the only issue i see is the seat height, but i do think they sell a lower seat option. There's the F800ST that bmw sells with a lowered suspension + ultra lowseat - bringing the seat height down to a fancy 28 inches i think? the unfortunate thing tho is it cramps the legs a little - but lowered foot pegs remedies that purty good - u suffer at the loss of ground clearance but unless your knee dragging, i dont think u have to worry.

if you're thinking of freeway commutes, the f800st Lowered Suspension sounds like a better route.

in regards to most motorcycle ergonomics, i think you can farkle it like crazy till you get something you're comfy with. I've seen people on gsxr600's that added bar-risers and taller windscreen to get it more of a comfy ride? :/

 

[davidji]

... I don't like the positioning on the ninja. I'd rather sit more upright while riding. It's too sporty and I'm intersted in more of a commuter bike.
...
Still am not sure which route to take between the sv650 and the BMW f650. Both seem to have pluses and minuses. Just curious if anyone has more to say about the f650?

As I remember it, the nekkid SV650 has more a little more forward lean then the Ninja 650R. Some owners do install bar risers on either bike though.

If you checked out the cycle-ergo link I posted earlier, it will adjust the numbers for bar risers.

It was a demo ride on an F650GS (800 twin) at Diablo Kawasaki BMW that sold me on the Versys. When I was riding the BMW I was wishing I was on the Versys on the showroom floor. I needed a bike so I bought the Versys instead.

You might love the F650GS. I expected it to make a good commuter bike for me, but we didn't bond.

IMS in San Mateo might be a good place to sit on or demo lots of bikes.

 

[flying_hun]

Also, It vibrates like crazy (speaking from owning the '13 and reading reviews) so, just be ready for not being able to see clearly in mirrors. I still love my 650, I'm just giving as much helpful info as possible and make sure you are aware of the "issues".

Have you taken your 650 back to have it tuned up, including a throttle body balance? I have two 650 Kawasaki twins, and have owned inline 4's that shook more. For a parallel twin it's pretty smooth.

The new versys might be the best compromise between the two. Its a pretty swank bike.

THE VERSYS IS THE BEST BIKE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!!!!1111

There, got that off my chest. That said, it's probably taller than the OP wants

One thing you might consider is to practice, on your current bike, the art of one-flat-foot-down, other foot up, bike leaned over. This is a really good technique for the short-legged, and will greatly increase both the number of bikes you can ride right from the get-go, and your confidence on all bikes. It may be easier to get comfortable doing that on the bike you're already comfortable on - then you have a skill you can take to any bike. You can tweak a bike to fit you, for sure, but it's so limiting to have to cross bikes off of your list on the basis of seat height alone.


It seems counter-intuitive, but having the bike leaned over a bit is actually more stable. When it's straight up and down, it's a bit precarious, and wants to lean randomly to one side or the other. When it's leaned to the left, it stays that way, and your leg is in control.

This, this, oh lord almighty, this!

OP, lots of good choices out there, but R'Gal has your best interests at heart.

BTW, the BMW F800/650 twins get remarkable mileage. Seriously. I've spent a lot of time riding with friends on them, and they ALWAYS require less fuel than my Versys, which is not exactly a thirsty bike.


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