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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 2 Mar 2022
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That CBR300 looks like the sort of thing she might be after but from the pictures I've seen the seat height might kill it for her. It might be different in the flesh though so I'll put it on the suggestion list.

The Nighthawk looks as though it might suit her - particularly with the low seat. They haven't been around for a while though which might put her off. The styling doesn't appeal much to me but that's in the eye of the beholder and she may think differently.

Strange really that the upgrade path from 125 seems to be a fairly stoney one. Once you've chucked the L plates away it's like going from a sprat to a whale. Fine if you're 6' tall or willing to 'man up' (as per Wheelie's dangling legs discussion), but if you just want something like a 125 but better there's not much around. Back in the Stone Age the Japanese companies between them must have had some kind of bike covering every single cc of capacity from 50cc up. Times have changed.
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Old 3 Mar 2022
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Originally Posted by backofbeyond View Post
Strange really that the upgrade path from 125 seems to be a fairly stoney one. Once you've chucked the L plates away it's like going from a sprat to a whale. Fine if you're 6' tall or willing to 'man up' (as per Wheelie's dangling legs discussion), but if you just want something like a 125 but better there's not much around.
Well, it's partially a licensing thing, and partially a marketing thing. The next license limitation after a 125 is the A2 class, which is 35kW and a certain power-to-weight ratio... since so many middleweight bikes can be A2-restricted, most people just go directly to the big bike that they saw themselves on in their dreams.

I also think that if you've graduated from a 125, you can generally be trusted with a 500 that's been designed for the A2 class - that is, never meant to make more than 35kW and therefore optimized for torque and useability. That's why Honda's 500 bikes are so damn popular. By the way, if the Nighthawk is an option, have a look at the CMX500 - same engine but in a cruiser bodystyle.

Plus, in Europe and the richer parts of Asia, people who outgrew a 125 and want a somewhat faster city/tarmac machine, but don't care about looking like a cool biker, are very easily tempted into maxi-scooters. No clutch or shifting required, much bigger secure storage space, rain/wind protection, easy to get on and off... Ignore your self-image worries, and a Burgman 400 is an incredible two-wheeled machine.
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  #3  
Old 3 Mar 2022
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One thing to consider is what dealerships are close by?
Many years ago my wife bought a bike from a local main dealer and struck up a good relationship with them and it proved invaluable over the 10 years she had the bike.
The Honda CB 500 range is great so is the Yamaha MT 03/05
Triumph have some great bikes for shorter riders.

Obviously a trip round all the dealers to sit on and test ride a few bikes but also….
Go to a few bike meet places, walk around and chat to a few female riders, maybe go to a woman’s rider group - there’s plenty around: curvey riders etc.

Main thing, I think, is to not rush in, also avoid recommendations from blokes without proper research. I’ve seen so many riders, male and female, being influenced by others and buying the wrong bike - it’s a costly mistake.

Good luck to her, glad she’s on board
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  #4  
Old 3 Mar 2022
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Originally Posted by AnTyx View Post
Well, it's partially a licensing thing, and partially a marketing thing. The next license limitation after a 125 is the A2 class, which is 35kW and a certain power-to-weight ratio... since so many middleweight bikes can be A2-restricted, most people just go directly to the big bike that they saw themselves on in their dreams.

I also think that if you've graduated from a 125, you can generally be trusted with a 500 that's been designed for the A2 class - that is, never meant to make more than 35kW and therefore optimized for torque and useability. That's why Honda's 500 bikes are so damn popular. By the way, if the Nighthawk is an option, have a look at the CMX500 - same engine but in a cruiser bodystyle.

Plus, in Europe and the richer parts of Asia, people who outgrew a 125 and want a somewhat faster city/tarmac machine, but don't care about looking like a cool biker, are very easily tempted into maxi-scooters. No clutch or shifting required, much bigger secure storage space, rain/wind protection, easy to get on and off... Ignore your self-image worries, and a Burgman 400 is an incredible two-wheeled machine.
Yes, I can see the route most people (who mostly are men) would want to go down - chuck the plates away and get a 'real' bike up to the limits your licence allows. It's a p/w version of speed limits - who does 50 in a 60 limit. Having ridden with her (on 125s) I don't think the power would be intimidating or she'd get carried away; if anything she read the road and handled the bike better than I did. But she wasn't as fluid at low speeds and she was well aware of it - it was her biggest concern before the test. I'm sure it's something that'll come with practice and experience but you wouldn't want that to come by finding yourself underneath the bike in a car park.

To all of you that replied and made suggestions, thanks very much. I'll compile a list of possibilities and pass it on to her. We were supposed to be going out on a small group (4 of us) ride next Thursday but the weather looks bad so it might get postponed.
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Old 3 Mar 2022
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For low speed skills try and find a Moto Gymkhana group near you - there's a few in the UK. It's also good fun
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Old 30 Mar 2022
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A lowered KTM 390 Adventure or lowered 690 Enduro (nice for overtaking )
I am not sure, if I would recommend a vintage motorcycle for her.

Only when you can do the service yourself.
Somtimes its cheaper to spent a little bit more money on a newer bike,
instead of repairing everything in a workshop.
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Old 30 Mar 2022
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Yamaha
I see what kind of bikes you have in mind.
So I put something different on the table

Yamaha XV 535 Virago

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-...5-virago/1988/
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Old 31 Mar 2022
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I would counter that with my Virago riding experience - the feeling coming from my back after 15 minutes of riding on anything rougher than a snooker table can be summarised as "aaaaAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

Beautiful bike, but holy moly I've never been on anything quite so painful
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