New bike for the woman

[BottleRocket]

Well, its getting close to time to get Lindsay on to a new bike. Right now she is riding a Kawasaki Ninja EX250. It is a 1997 and has just under 5000 miles on it. Its in decent shape, been down a couple times very lightly, but the motor is great. It was recently refreshed by Scott at Cyclewerkz. Even still the bike is "loose", but that is just the nature of the EX250. Its actually more of a challenge to ride that bike than any other bike I've ever ridden, so needless to say the bike isnt doing her any favors. Nothing wrong with it, but in general those bikes have mushy suspension, mediocre brakes, and a powerband that is severly lacking. Its a good learner and VERY forgiving, but she is growing past that point.

Moving on, Im looking at what she can get in the near future. I had really planned on an SV650 or SV650S for her since its an obvious choice. She weighs about 105lbs and isnt very tall (about 5'5), so the 650 would be more than enough for her. She sat on one up in Denton and said that it felt just a little bigger than what she wanted. She then proceeded to sit on every bike in the shop and by the time she left, she was very interested in a small cruiser (600-750cc). I was shocked and mildly dissapointed, but if its what she wants, then let her be happy. Anyway, I took her riding the other day, and asked her how she felt about the power of the EX250 (or lack thereof) and she told me its way too slow and maybe the cruiser wouldnt be much better (which it wouldnt). So now Im contemplating various bikes to point her towards. She isnt going to get anything brand new, probably '02 or '03. Here is what I have in mind so far:

SV650S
CBR600F4i
YZF-600R
FZ6

and any other recomendations you guys might have. I know the YZF-600R is ugly as fuck, but at least its more comfortable than the F4i, and at this point comfort is one of the goals while still having good power. My first choice is probably the FZ6. Plenty of power, looks good and its comfortable. The 600R and the SV650S are tied at second (one is comfy, the other is good looking), and the F4i is last, with just good looks going for it, and alot more power than the SV, thus why it comes after it.

[stunter bob]

get the f4i...they sit the lowest so if shes short it will be great for her....and imo...the sv650s are junk....one of my girl friends had one and within the first month it started having all kinds of problems

[BottleRocket]

the 600R and the F4i have identical seat height. The FZ6 is the lowest of the bunch actually.

[stunter bob]

eh well id still get the f4i

[BottleRocket]

Seat height

600R: 31.7"
F4i: 31.7
SV650S: 31.5"
FZ6: 31.3"

[BottleRocket]

eh well id still get the f4i

I understand, but this is not from a performance standpoint. Right now she rides an Inline-2 250cc bike. A 500cc would be a step up, but she wants to ditch the I-2 setup. The F4i is probably the fastest of the bunch, but that is the least of the priorities, if not a downfall.

[SNEAKY]

http://www.dfwstangs.net/forums/showthread.php?t=274530&highlight=ninja

[ram57ta]

F4i
F4i
F4i
F4i
F4i

Oh...and I personally would recommend the Honda CBR600 F4i :D

[BottleRocket]

http://www.dfwstangs.net/forums/showthread.php?t=274530&highlight=ninja

I would consider it, but she really doesnt want something brand new, or even an 05 or anything like that. Just an 02-03 to save money.

[BottleRocket]

F4i
F4i
F4i
F4i
F4i

Oh...and I personally would recommend the Honda CBR600 F4i :D


any particular reason other than the fact that you own a honda?

[coupedeville]

get her an older f3 then

[BottleRocket]

get her an older f3 then

she really wants a newer bike, the F3 is gonna be tough to find in good shape, and for the price you pay, you can throw down a few more bucks and get an F4/F4i.

[coupedeville]

im on my first bike that is 1348cc what are you wantin her to get the best thing for her would be an f4i if that is too much you could always get a katana!

[BottleRocket]

im on my first bike that is 1348cc what are you wantin her to get the best thing for her would be an f4i if that is too much you could always get a katana!


lol, and I thought that the 600R is ugly...

[stunter bob]

she really wants a newer bike, the F3 is gonna be tough to find in good shape, and for the price you pay, you can throw down a few more bucks and get an F4/F4i.
u can get clean f3s for 2500-3500 all day long..and i mean super clean
go look on stuntlife.com there are a few for sale in the classifieds

[BottleRocket]

actually the front end isnt as bad as I recall, and the Katana has a VERY low seat... hmmm.....

[BottleRocket]

u can get clean f3s for 2500-3500 all day long..and i mean super clean
go look on stuntlife.com there are a few for sale in the classifieds

Im sure you can, but you know how women are, very materialistic in general. She needs something newer lol :rolleyes:

[coupedeville]

i know a guy that has one in good shape.....never been laid down

[BottleRocket]

i know a guy that has one in good shape.....never been laid down

Katana? got any pics? details?

[coupedeville]

i can pm you his number where you located he is in the dallas area

[Super Coupe]

I wouldn't put her on a V-twin. Although it has less power overall the low end is a lot snappier. The guy that bought my 636 said it was for his wife to ride. People say the newer 636 has the friendliest ergonomics (or however you spell that) so you might want to sit on one of those.

[BottleRocket]

I wouldn't put her on a V-twin. Although it has less power overall the low end is a lot snappier. The guy that bought my 636 said it was for his wife to ride. People say the newer 636 has the friendliest ergonomics (or however you spell that) so you might want to sit on one of those.

lol, i highly doubt the 636 will be more comfy than a katana or an F4i

[Super Coupe]

lol, i highly doubt the 636 will be more comfy than a katana or an F4i

If you get anything get an f4i. Katanas are not near the bike of an f4i and im not talking about just power.

[BottleRocket]

If you get anything get an f4i. Katanas are not near the bike of an f4i and im not talking about just power.

I understand that. I had her over tonite and the list changed lol! She doesnt like the look of the FZ6, and the 600R is too heavy so right now its looking like...


SV650S (yea its naked, but you can get fairings for it)
CBR600F4i
GSX600 Katana
ZZR600

[bullet]

I think this would be a nice step up from the 250

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/GS500FK6/Default.aspx

[BottleRocket]

still an inline-2. might as well get an EX500.

[Super Coupe]

Yeah my vote goes for the zzr after you showed me this picture.

http://www.raymermotorsports.com/kawasaki/motorcycles/sportbikes/images/zzr600.jpg

[reaper75032]

F4i
F4i
F4i
F4i
F4i

Oh...and I personally would recommend the Honda CBR600 F4i :D


ummm what other kind of F4i is there besides a honda??????