I've created a monster

[abnviffer]

So, I'm seeing this girl who has never been on a bike before but has always wanted to. I used this to my advantage but thats a different story. On the first decent day we have I take her on her first ride. Nothing big. Just 30 or so min on some back roads with some twisty's but mostly straight country roads. Well, needless to so say she is hooked. She keeps telling me how she needs her "therapy" on every decent day we have. Of course I do it, she's hot.
So now she want a bike of her own. Being she's only 5'5, 113 lbs a Viffer is way to big for her. She can barely touch her tippy toes when sitting on it. Not to mention the weight. We have been looking around and she really likes the Kawasaki 250. Not a bad beginner bike IMO. Light, not to much umph. and not a bad looking bike, and fairly priced. '09 for $3999.
Just want some feedback on any other beginner bikes for someone of her size/weight. And if anyone has had experiences with Kawasaki 250's. Any feedback would be great.

[Cundalini]

Just buy a sidecar......

[abnviffer]

umm, I'm gonna go with no on that one. Besides, I'd rather have her sitting behind with arms around me...

[Cundalini]

Im kidding, I am looking for something suitable for my wife. I thought my bike would be good one for her to learn on, but I was wrong. Only cost me a brake lever and a turn signal. And she hurt her leg. That was just leaving the driveway.
I was looking at a rebel 250 for her, and then liking the way a 250 kawi was looking also, but I think she might grow out of that way too fast. Im in the same boat is you my friend. Luckily on our budget we have a looong time to shop

[Cundalini]

Damn you responded fast. HAH.

[abnviffer]

Sitting at work in from of a comp. Bored. Surprised someone was actually on.
I thought about a Rebel because would rather get a Honda but she wants a sport bike. I figure no use learning on a cruiser if you're gonna ride a sport. I think the Kawa will be good for at least a year. If she keeps it decent she'll be able to sell it for a good price being it's Kawa's best selling bike.

[abnviffer]

where at in Cali are you?

[Cundalini]

Other then the growing out of it part that is the same thing I would get my wife. She is much bigger then your girl thoagh, 5'9 so I think I will start her off on something off road to get the hang of sshifting, breaking balancing and all that, and then maybe up to a 500 or so to learn the street basics...you know, countersteering, assholes that turn left in front of you etc etc. Im off to bed good luck, ill keep checking this thread to see the outcome.

[Cundalini]

where at in Cali are you?

Norcal on the edge of sacto

[Cundalini]

hey do you wrench or just ride?

[abnviffer]

Mostly just ride but a little wrenching here and there. I grew up in Fairfield. My lil bro lives in Sac and my sister in Fairfield. Be down for a visit sometime this summer
I will post our results. She is getting info on the Basic Riders Course as we speak. Already booked till August. Not a bad course for $25.00. I took it 2 years ago.
She wants a bike by the end of the month. put my viffer on the center stand and had her going through the gears to get here used to using the clutch. We'll see how it goes. Will be in touch.

[Cundalini]

aight dude L8rs

[soundmaster31]

If she's stuck on looks you'll be hard pressed to find anything sportier than 2008+ Ninja 250R's.


If she's not totally stuck on looks but wants more of a sporty ride than cruiser, then a Buell Blast 500cc (single cylinder) is not a bad idea at all. Power and Torque figures are a wee bit higher than the Ninja especially torque. Buell has 34hp and 30ft/lbs while Ninja has 26.4 hp and 16.2 ft/lb (Gawd that is really low lol). The buell might last her a wee bit longer than the Ninja.










Buell Video LINK with Vance&Hines Pipe - not the best quality but you get the idea.





My Buddy's Buell(the little one and his 1996 Daytona 955i)



As you said resale of the Ninja would be easy. I'm not sure about how much you'll get back on it though. The Buell is priced $1,300 more but it has been around for a long time so you should be able find a used one relatively cheap and the design hasn't changed much on it. Where as the Ninja has a much more boxy/classic fairing design 2007 and earlier.

Either way, hard to beat each for a beginner bike. They both get about the same mileage too. Had a buddy use a Blast for a summer as his commuter and got great mileage 50-70mpg depending on how he rode. Had a nice thumper sound to it with an after market pipe. Drowned out my staintune pretty well But what do you expect from a SINGLE 500cc cylinder? lol

[sneaky291]

I had an 08 Ninja 250 which I bought last year as a first bike. I loved it, and I still maintain it as a great bike that was predictable and allowed me to learn the basics of riding while still being a heck of a lot of fun. It's as quick as most cars on the road, it doesn't look like a 250, for shorter people it's 'dimensionally forgiving', and sips gas. I love my VFR and don't think I could go back, but I have 2 friends who watched me ride last year on my Ninja and now have new 09 250's of their own. I've had to pick both of their bikes up from the dealer and I have to say I still think it's a really nice bike. The only thing I'm not too keen on is the engine break-in period. The engine doesn't even really start breathing until 9000rpm, so your first few weeks of riding are going to be slow, as the 250 is only doing 35-40 mph at 4000RPM in sixth. If you plan on doing any freeway riding I recommend going from a 15 tooth to a 14 tooth sprocket in the front as well as the 250 revs about 7500rpm at 60mph. Other than that, I would whole-heartedly suggest at least taking a good honest look at the 250.

[RedMenace]

Any thoughts on used?
It is going to tip over, and plenty of small mishaps.
Won't break your heart when it does, and takes a lot of nervousness out of new riders.
Lotta cool, small, classics out there. For 4k (price of Ninja) you can get a great looking bike that will bring lots of attention in parking lots.

[two4one]

There's no question a Ninja 250 is your best choice here for her first bike. As mentioned, if she's not completely in love with the new styling, used ones can be had all over the place real cheap.

[300shooter]

Any thoughts on used?
It is going to tip over, and plenty of small mishaps.
Won't break your heart when it does, and takes a lot of nervousness out of new riders.
Lotta cool, small, classics out there. For 4k (price of Ninja) you can get a great looking bike that will bring lots of attention in parking lots.

Yeah, definitely go used, knowing full well that it's going down at some point and going away at another, less $$$ loss, less insurance, less anxiety. JM2$W

[joner7777]

My ex was short, she had a yam 550 virago, they have a low seat

[abnviffer]

Thanks for all the input. Mentioned the Buell to her last night. I think her exact words were something like "Hell No". Not even going to mention the Virago to her. No cruisers. Just sport bikes.
So, she is trying to accomplish a couple of things here. First and formost is learning to ride and getting her very own bike. Second is to get some kind of credit established. money isn't an issue so she wants to buy new so she can finance half. Not much but it'll help when she goes to buy a house next year. She's only 22 and has no real credit history. I think I hit the jackpot with this one though. Great job (she works same place I do), smart, sexy, and she thinks my Viffer is the $hit. Shoulda saw the look on her face when I showed her the pics of all the VFR's at SLO III. All good!

[Bubba Zanetti]

I'll second Two4One's endorsment of the Ninja 250.

Great bike.

BZ

[joshbea6]

This thread is useless without pics... of the girls... lol

[02 VFR Rider]

cant go wrong w/ ninja 250 - go for it already

[nvoges]

This thread is useless without pics... of the girls... lol

+1 on the pics........

For the record, she is going to build credit much faster by using (and paying on monthly) credit cards than she will with an auto/motorcycle loan.

[jay956]

theres only one right answer here, a ninja 250.


i had mine for about a year and 10k miles. its a perfect first bike. and with someone that small it would be even better.

[joshbea6]

theres only one right answer here, a ninja 250.


i had mine for about a year and 10k miles. its a perfect first bike. and with someone that small it would be even better.

I've seen a couple girls of about his girlfriend's description riding stuff upwards of 600cc's around here.

I however agree that the ninja 250 would be a fantastic choice.

[soundmaster31]

Mentioned the Buell to her last night. I think her exact words were something like "Hell No".

Noob. lol


of the girl. +1

[vfrhusband]

Her first was a '82 k-305 that she quickly blew up on a 160 mile trip I told her was a bad idea on the little thing. then a 600 shadow vlx, she had a back surgery and the forward controls killed her. That and the 4 speed just sucked. She is now on a '92 gen 3. (stand by for pics of her with that bike when I get it set up & repainted for the season and hook her up with the photogapher)

[mello dude]

The Kawi 250 is a good choise, but its still kinda full sized. Take her to a Dealer and see if she can sit on it and get her feet on the floor, or at least the balls of her feet.

MD

[squirrelman]

The Ninja 250 is a fine little toy, but be prepared for well-known chronic valve adjustment problems.....

I have for sale a much better 250 toy, a 1988 VTR 250 Interceptor that has just finished a winter going-over in depth and super cleaning. This little beauty is faster than the Ninja, and because it has much more torque (V-twin) is more fun to ride without constant gear shifting.

Has only 1200 miles since new, lightly crashed by new rider in 1992 and stored since then.

Now restored and ready for her first test ride and mounting of bodywork as soon as we get some days of good weather....

This is the perfect beginner bike !!
(And not far from Cleveland)

Another great beginner bike for shorter/smaller person is the Honda NT 650 Hawk.....if she can get YOU off it !

[vfrhusband]

Awesome 250, Squirrelman. Be a perfect bike for our 16 year old daughter. Youngtown area here. but she has become a cafe bike snob since she has been surfing the net.