Wife wants a bike

bowhunt · #1 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 09:28 PM

The wife just got her license and is thinking about getting her own bike, and I am trying to push her to a ducati. She has looked at and like the Multistrada 620 but she is only 4 ft 11 in. and I was wondering if the ride height could be lowered enough to fit her?

Licarbv · #2 (**permalink**) 07-22-2006, 03:31 AM

I'm in the same boat... except I'm not married yet, and mine doesn't have her license yet. OK we're in two different boats, but my lady wants a bike. What are some specs of the multi 620, maybe I will push mine that way too if it looks like something she can handle. She's never ridden a bike before, if I could find a crappy ninja 250 for next to nothing I'd snatch it up quick and let her learn on that.

throttlehead · #3 (**permalink**) 07-22-2006, 05:10 AM

anybody's first bike ever. should be one that is expected to be potentially dropped left or right...in the garage, in the driveway, when parking etc......-in other words- one that won't hurt you or your wife/girlfiend from upgrading without financial pain

bowhunt · #4 (**permalink**) 07-22-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by throttlehead

anybody's first bike ever. should be one that is expected to be potentially dropped left or right...in the garage, in the driveway, when parking etc......-in other words- one that won't hurt you or your wife/girlfiend from upgrading without financial pain

Good point but I just can't bring myself to buy a POS, I figure if I would not rid a POS then my wife is not going to either. + whatever she gets I get if you know what I mean

Licarbv · #5 (**permalink**) 07-22-2006, 05:10 PM

At first my girl wanted to get a 675!!!

After a few weeks I had talked her down to the ninja 250. Do you really wanna kill yourself before you get good at riding? No. Do you really wanna drop your brand new baby? No. Buy a shitter, drop it, beat on it, learn to ride on it, then get your dream bike... Thats what I did with a 97 POS Gixxer 750... Sure it sucks ridin with people who have brand new beautiful bikes, but it's only temporary.

ozmanyyy · #6 (**permalink**) 08-01-2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowhunt

Good point but I just can't bring myself to buy a POS, I figure if I would not rid a POS then my wife is not going to either. + whatever she gets I get if you know what I mean

Best bet is to take her to the dealer and have her sit/ride a few bikes. She may be more comfortable on a monster.

DucNCover · #7 (**permalink**) 08-06-2006, 07:38 PM

The Ducati MTS620 seat sits high. The MTS1000 is another half inch to inch higher. It can be difficult to swing your leg over especially if the bike is parked on a slope.
You wife might want to take a look at the BMW F650CS (GS is more enduro). The ergonomics (upright riding position, lower seat, wider handlebars) will probably be better for her although I'm not that thrilled about the performance of the single cylinder engine.

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/bike.jsp?b=f650cs

I love the Monster, too, but unless you enjoy being hunched over for few hours on long ride... I prefer my MTS620...

Tornado · #8 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 01:52 PM

My wife (5ft) started out on a 1988 Honda VFR 250 Interceptor. It was a little smaller than the ninja and already had a few dings and scrapes. She did have a tip over on it once but for the most part she learned without incident. She has since moved up to a Monster 620, and has been looking at the BMW FG650's.

Having been there, I would highly sugest getting a "beater" for her to learn on than investing in something nice right off the bat...but thats just my 2 cents.

Dr. Duc · #9 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by throttlehead

anybody's first bike ever. should be one that is expected to be potentially dropped left or right...in the garage, in the driveway, when parking etc......-in other words- one that won't hurt you or your wife/girlfiend from upgrading without financial pain

I definitely 2nd this motion unless you have an abundance of disposable cash at hand and do not care about the financial side. Stats for new bike owners indicate that the bike is guaranteed to be dropped within the 1st 90 days givin the amt of time spent on the bike, the condition of the roads, and or the technical aspects of the rider making last minute decisions.

In your words, a POS should be considered and then the upgrade.

Good luck!

jschmidt · #10 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 09:54 PM

Everybody drops thier first bike. Many wreck it. Buying a small, cheap starter bike is the difference between crying and laughing when the inevitable happens.

DucNCover · #11 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 11:55 PM

Sure, all beginners will drop their bikes. Ninja 250s are relatively cheap even for a new one when you compare it to a Ducati or a BMW. But the MTS620 and F650CS are relatively "naked" when compared to the full faring sport bikes...

If you can afford it (purchase costs and maintenance costs) then get it.
You gotta pay to play. Just ride like you're paranoid.

EvilTwin-05 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-09-2006, 08:21 PM

Newer SV 650's can be had for cheap. I bought the wife one and when she wants to move up I am sure another beginner will love this thing. Hell after springs, pc, and pipe I do. Maybe I'll.... nah.

She did ride into a ditch on it. No damage just ripped the signal boot out.

Dr. Duc · #13 (**permalink**) 08-17-2006, 01:01 AM

Just wanted to share this thread from another post before you buy your wife the bike and a new one at that

don't let your wife ride your exotic
http://38.119.88.24/mediah2/new_med...67_bikebabe.wmv

bowhunt · #14 (**permalink**) 08-18-2006, 07:16 PM

Hey guys thanks for all the input. we are still shopping but probably won't do anything till this winter or next year now.

hammer head · #15 (**permalink**) 08-20-2006, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jschmidt

Everybody drops thier first bike. Many wreck it. Buying a small, cheap starter bike is the difference between crying and laughing when the inevitable happens.

i was going to buy my wife a cbr600 but she has never riden before so i found a 2001 ninja 250 with 5000 miles on it and her first time out she dumped it she broke the left front marker light no big deal.anyways i would start out small and keep her alive for a couple of years or intill she grows out of a 250 inless you are looking to get rid of her

lol.good luck

ducmonster750s · #16 (**permalink**) 09-01-2006, 05:37 PM

I would also suggest getting a smaller bike to start and then upgrade. I'm 5'5", inseam is 29 inches. She'll gain a lot of confidence and not feel bad when she drops the bike. When I first started riding, my confidence level and skill level was horrible. I'm glad that I got a smaller cc bike and tried out all the bikes in a show room first. (I dropped my first bike 3 times, my current bikes at least 3 times -- and crashed the 749 2 times)

Last thing... don't teach her how to ride. Send her to MSF or another person to teach her how to ride. My fiance tried to teach me when I first started and it could have been bad (I dropped his yammie while he was taking a nap... told him 3 hours later that I dropped it on the side that was rashed up already.....)

Good thing he's an understanding guy otherwise we might not be getting married in a 1 1/2 months!

larry kahn · #17 (**permalink**) 09-07-2006, 02:38 AM

Buying a POS will be a lot better than turning a new Ducati into one by dropping it 5 or 6 times.

hawc · #18 (**permalink**) 11-11-2006, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by throttlehead

anybody's first bike ever. should be one that is expected to be potentially dropped left or right.

I'm on my 3rd bike now, but I've never agreed with the logic that your first bike should be a piece of crap. Your first bike should be the very best bike you can afford. The bike of your dreams, not some POS you hate. Don't crash it. Don't drop it. Simple as that.

hawc · #19 (**permalink**) 11-11-2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry kahn

Buying a POS will be a lot better than turning a new Ducati into one by dropping it 5 or 6 times.

I've been riding for 4 years now and have NEVER dropped a bike. Who are these people that drop bikes? Do they fall getting out of their cars too?

**Commoto** · #20 (**permalink**) 11-12-2006, 05:05 PM

I have an 2005 GSXR 1000 race bike for sale 170 rwhp, with a clean title, you can lower the seat 2" with lowering links only about $60 for the links. The bike is light 370 lbs, fast and lots of cheap spare parts availiable. Will make a great starter.