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Pricing,
specs, build a bike . . . this is a hot way to look at the new models! My
rating is WOW!
Compare bike specs for Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda and Aprilia, side-by-side! A solid article comparing 250cc bikes -- lots of info here An excellent article comparing 250cc bikes!
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2006 (January through July) Tuesday, January 3 Dear
VTwin Mama, Within a week I bought my own Buell Blast so I could continue to practice on a small bike that I was already somewhat used to. I was surprised how well I kept up with my husband's HD Heritage Classic and after many miles and smiles my first season on the Buell, I was hooked. I traded up in Spring'05 for a used '03 Dyna Low Rider which I adore. Boy is it a different ride! It was almost like learning to ride all over again! After just a few minor adjustments, (smaller grips and trigger levers) lots of encouragement and pointers from your website and lots of practice, it became my perfect ride. My husband loves to ride together and has been wonderfully encouraging and loving. My family thinks I have lost my mind, but even they can't deny the smile it puts on my face. Working in an ICU takes its toll sometimes . . . I'm so happy to have found something that brings me so much joy. Thanks for the encouragement, Michele Emerick Dear
Michele, Wednesday, January 4 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Patti, Friday, January 13 From Ben who is sharing his experiences as he enters the world of riding a motorcycle: I bought a Kawasaki 750 Vulcan Tuesday. Yep, the service manual is on back order. Might get here in February. The bike had problems, but as part of the deal, they would be fixed. The hi/low beam indicator was burned out, speedometer cable was broken and needed a replacement, and the temperature gauge was broken. In addition, I insisted they get me a new MOM. Because they would be fixing the problems, I was not really able to dicker down the price, but it came with a Mustang seat about ($400), engine guards, and the exterior was in perfect condition. I think it had been repainted. It was a little over kbb, but I liked it and felt the price seemed fair enough considering the accessories. I did try a 1982 Honda CB 750. Those 4 cylinder engines sound more like cars than motorcycles, don't you think? It felt some what lighter than the Kawasaki. . . until it ran out of gas. I tried the reserve, but didn't have much luck getting it to start up. The carbs were also in need of draining. All in all, testing bikes was fun. I'll send you a picture when I get the bike back. Ben (note from Mama: congrats on choosing your "new" bike! What fun it will be when we finally see a picture of you and the bike!) Tuesday, January 24 Dear
VTwin
Mama, Dear
Ready to Ride, 1) take an accredited motorcycle course . . . it's a good introduction to the skills you'll need and you'll start out on a 250cc bike (most likely, but ask) which gives you a beginning clue on what you think you'll be able to handle in the first 6 to 12 months. Check my Learn to Ride a Motorcycle page for courses. 2) if you're going to learn to ride on your own, than choose a used 250cc bike to start out on. Two articles comparing these size bikes can be found on my Type of Bike to Ride page in the left hand blue column. Get books and DVDs that explain the basic skills you'll need to learn and how to go about it . . . good sources for that can be found on my Education Center page! Some women do prefer to start on a mid-range bike (400 to 750cc) but then usually start with a riding course to get more clues (it's all about the weight, seat height, and reach of your arms and legs to the controls). 3) women riding groups are a good source of mentors and new friends so that you have local support . . . hop onto my Women's Sites page to find the national level organizations, then go to those sites and find their local chapters and make contact! Even if you live a bit away from a chapter's headquarters, say hi anyway! Ok, off you go to do some exploring about these things and map out the steps you feel make the make most sense to you. That's the key: do what feels RIGHT TO YOU! The other big key is practice, practice, practice! Mama Thursday, January 26 For Carol, about going to an auto tranny bike, but here is something new to consider: Yamaha is releasing an interesting bike option this year. It's the 2006 model FJR1300AE. It is a manual transmission with a computer control clutch. You can shift using the standard foot or a left hand push/pull shifter. I know it is the bike for me, but I don't know if the price is right for me at this time. List price: $15,299. Derrick (note from Mama: we're hearing more and more about bikes that are being designed to retain manual shifting but remove the horrible "tired hand clutch" syndrome. I appreciate you sharing this specific model.) Monday, January 30 Hi VTwin Mama, I'm considering buying a purple 2002 Honda 600 VLX. This bike screams girl power and is very customized. It has crash bars, highway pegs, a light bar, mustang seat w/ sissy bar, saddle bags with safety lights on the back of them . . . but it also has 22,000 miles on it. Is this too many miles for a 2002? It also has a windshield that I think is too high for me as my vision when riding it was a little distorted. What do you think? Charlene Dear
Charlene, At an average of 5,500 miles/year for this bike, that certainly is "normal," although of course some people ride more or less in a give year, but this is fine. The biggest question is whether the owner maintained the bike properly over those four years and whether it ever took a major spill. Did you ask? Were you satisfied with the answer? Does the owner have a service manual (more detailed than the owner's manual) with the bike (that shows that they have been consulting it to work on the bike). Also, the service manual would show a schedule of recommended maintenance and overhauls (at various mileage "markers"). What's it calling out at this bike's mileage? Ask. Why is the owner selling? Ask. The windshield should be cut down if it is distorting your view, and any reputable plastics shop can do this inexpensively. Read the latest letters with tips on measuring, marking, and getting it done on my Stuff for the Bike page. Mama Dear
VTwin Mama and site dwellers, I
am in Anyway,
the reason for this blurb is that just tonight I have found a bike I love!
But know nothing about hate that feeling! There is a 2006 Vento V
Thunder for sale here for $4500 which seems like a great price and looks
gorgeous. Here is the link if anyone is interested http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=46751662
. What
I want to know is, are these bikes any good? Have any of you ridden one or
know of one? Do they hold their value for resale? Any responses would be
much appreciated Thanks Dear
Jennie, Vento, which is Italian for "wind," was founded in Mexico in 1996. Parts come from Italy, China, Japan and Taiwan. In 1998 an assembly and quality control plant was opened in Laredo, Texas. Hmmmmm . . . so now my big question for you is . . . is there a local support system for parts and service? And why are they selling this bike so soon? I mean, someone put on about 1,000km (or less) and they are selling? Hmmmmm . . . Given the information you noted about beginning riders in New Zealand having to spend 9 months on a 250cc bike or smaller, I highly doubt you would lose any money on this bike, depending on how much mileage you piled on in the next 9 months (there's a stream of new riders coming through who will be interested in a purchase when you are ready to move up in size). There have been previous postings that smaller bike engines manufactured in China and Mexico don't hold up over time. What warranty would this bike come with . . . it should be all-inclusive, and again, who would actually uphold the warranty . . . a local dealership? So, I'd be asking a lot of questions and seeing how the seller responds. Mama Thursday, February 9 From Jennie who was considering a Vento bike to get started on: Thanks for your homework re: the V
Thunder by Vento. It is dearer here because of the exchange rate, but not
as dear as it should be, so something doesnt add up. So, in the meantime
I have found and bought my dream bike (for the 250cc class). I am about to
pick up a yellow 1998 Honda Rebel which is very, very cute! I will be
riding it home on Saturday which will be a bit nerve wracking as its about
100 miles or so away. My partner will be on his bike with me so it should
be fine fingers crossed X. Tuesday, February 21 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Gail, Of course, BMW makes lots of models and I'm not sure which ones you're interested in. It's important to note that it's not just the engine placement that makes a model so wonderful on curves, where COG plays such an important role . . . it's overall design, front end rake, tires, etc. I'd go for test rides either at the dealer, find rallies/shows with test rides or rent the bikes you're interested in for a day to get the feel so you can compare. The overall fit and handling is specific to each rider. There is a woman's review of the BMW R1200GS on the Women Riders Now site, also a boxer engine, but a sporty bike rather than my cruiser. Mama Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Diamond Lil, Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
No Name, For No Name who was interested in Street Bob input: My advice to "no name" is to go out and demo the bike if she can before she buys it. After riding the Bob for about two months, I noticed that I am having a hard time with the slow tight turns due to the mini apes. This has presented a problem for me because I can't stretch my arms far enough to turn the bars without feeling like I am going to drop it. This is very weird and maybe the problem is me - when I bought the bike, I rode it around in the HD parking lot for about a half hour and I was making some pretty slow, tight turns and I didn't have a problem there, but later on after riding it, seems that I just freaked out with those turns, I felt like my arms weren't able to stretch enough to get it where I wanted it to go. Also - I haven't quite got the height problem adjusted yet. I still can't put my left foot all the way down since the primary sticks out so far and forget about backing the bike up. The slightest incline foils me every time. Because of the battery box being located on the side of the bike and not under the seat, I can't plug in my electric clothes anymore so I am missing out on some good riding this winter. Last but not least is the engine - at low speeds, it feels like it is going to stall out because of the way the engine is mounted to the frame, very vibrate-y and it freaks me out. I took the seat to an upholstery shop to have it modified and it didn't quite work out the way I wanted it to, they need to make some more adjustments for me. My other choice is to replace the handle bars with some that come back more towards me which is fine but it still doesn't fix the height problem I am having. My only other option is to take the bike to a shop and see what they can do with it. This will cost me a lot of money that I just don't have right now but it's either that or lose money when / if I try to sell it. On the plus side, the bike is very powerful and will withstand the long distance riding that I do. I sat on a Honda something or other a few weeks ago (I forgot the name of the model, I think it was a 750 cc) and it fit like a glove. I want the power of a HD but the fit of that Honda. I wish I had thought to demo the bike and also gave some thought to the electric clothes problem BEFORE I bought it. I am actually thinking of selling the bike right now (which I don't want to do because I will lose a lot of $$$). It's just not the bike for me and if I had to do it all over again, I would not buy it. "No name" didn't say a lot about herself, but if she is a taller woman (taller then me and I am 5'3") she most likely won't have the same problems I am having with the bike. If she is my height, I would say "save your money" and buy something else. There are a lot of great bikes out there from every manufacturer and she should test them all out (or at least sit on them) before making a decision. If she is dead set on an HD, look into the Low Rider or Night Train. Doreen from NJ (note from Mama: thanks for sharing your observations on the Street Bob . . . it's greatly appreciated!) Thursday, March 9 For Doreen who offered input on her HD Street Bob: The battery on my FLSTS is under the seat as it is on the Street Bob. I have a connector attached to my battery which come out under the front edge of my seat. I use it to attach my Battery Tender and I also plug my heated vest into it. Depending upon what type of heated clothes you have, I'm sure there's a connector available to attach "permanently" to your battery which will give you access to plug in. Penny Price (note from Mama: it sounds like one could query the heated garment vendor or bike dealer on finding a connector that would do the job.) (3/10: added note from Penny: I had to ask my "sweetie" how he hooked it up. He says it's a common connector, and thinks one came with both my heated vest and the battery tender. He said that Doreen could take her heated clothes to an auto parts story or hardware store etc. and they could get her the necessary parts. He says it's a very common polarized two-pole connector and it's just attached to the battery poles then is run out from under the seat which it's readily accessible. So there!) I sure wish more lady riders would get over the idea that they have to get a Harley. There are any number of bikes out there that are far less expensive and easier to set up for short riders than any HD model is. I have tried several -- including Marauder, Intruder, an old Shovelhead and now I ride a 1200 Sporty. For each bike, due to my being 5'1", I have had to spend a bit of money to make the bike fit me. If you cannot flat foot your ride and cannot back up the bike than you really should find something that fits you. If you are determined to keep your bike than you will have to bite the bullet and spend some bucks on new bars and Progressive shocks to lower the bike. That also most likely means rerouting clutch and brake cables, etc. Costly yes -- but only you can decide it it's worth it to you. A great bike with plenty of power that can be easily lowered is the Suzuki Intruder 1400. I had one that was lowered 2 inches so I was bent kneed and totally flat footed. Put buckhorn bars on so my arms felt great on even the tightest turns. Dorathy (note from Mama: I agree that a bike that fits the rider is more important than the manufacture's name on the bike, especially for a new rider. Still, for some riders, a particular mfg. is "the dream" and there's just no denying it! And then, yes, it's a matter of realizing it may take some $$$ to make it fit correctly.) Friday, March 24 Hi Mama, Dear
Anon, Monday, April 10 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Witchymeme, From what little I could see doing an Internet search, the bike you refer to was made in the 1970s. If you go to this page on eBay, you can look at pictures of a 1976 model. The bottom line is that this is an interesting vintage bike and if you're just learning to ride it would work just fine as a 250cc engine a good size for starting out. Whether it's running and your husband can keep it running is another point to consider. If it's seriously being considered, the main point is that you need to make sure the bike fits you in terms of your arm/leg reach to controls and feet-to-ground contact . . . as it's highly unlikely you would find stuff to modify the bike to fit. If it doesn't fit, don't get it unless your husband is a lover of old bikes and wants to restore it. Mama Friday, April 14 Dear VTwin Mama, Realizing how important it is for your bike to fit you, where can one turn to for help looking at the myriad of issues to be considered, including fork length, handlebar height (in addition to width), distance from seat to handlebars, placement of foot pegs in relation to seat placement, overall bike length and the list can go on at some length. I find that while I can arguably think of a number of these issues, I don't how to analyze the impact of any changes to things like length, distance, placement, etc. In hindsight, it makes perfect sense that Laurie was having trouble with tight right hand turns because the handlebars are too wide, but like her, I wouldn't have figured it out myself. And while talking about these types of things, (bike ergonomics?), helps, it's just not the same as a hands-on approach with you on your bike and someone simply going over the different types of factors that will effect a bike's performance given the particular rider. So, oh Wise and Wonderful Mama, any ideas where to go for this type of information? And by the way, I can't help but think this would be a good workshop topic at a bike conference or rally. Keep up the good work Mama, and you go girl as you make the move to being a full time Mama. Ab Dear Ab, Now, on to bike fit. You're right . . . what a pill. I've often thought that someone should design a machine booth that you could sit in with your arms and legs in a comfortable, relaxed riding position, and lasers would measure everything up and ta-da . . . the basic bike of your choice (engine size, style) would then be configured at the right height and outfitted with protruding parts that make sense! Do I smell an entrepreneurial whiff of intelligent design here?! Is anyone listening? No. So, we're back to square one where you get a bike you think that will be pretty darn close, you spend thousands of miles on it, modifying as you go along, and then, when you've got it as close as possible to perfect, you decide you need more cc power and start all over again . . . although with more clues. Dastardly you say? Not fair? Well, we're not in the business of manufacturing and selling bikes, are we?! And that's why the VTwin Mama site exists . . . to discuss issues at hand and share information. The fact is that even if a miracle measuring machine was available, it can't take into account our presence of mind. And by that I mean, each rider develops at a different pace in a different way with a different bike setup and a . . . wait for it . . . different outcome! One person is going to love wide handlebars for the comfort and look and to heck with the tight turns . . . they'll duck walk the darn thing! Maybe we can pitch the topic for the next AMA/FIM Women's Conference! I'll make a note to send an email after this upcoming one. Meanwhile, let's hang out together at VTwin Mama and keep talking! Mama Dear VTwin Mama, Since the bike was imported from China, I will need a TON of documents in order to get this thing on the road. Documents that I do not have by the way. The motorcycle was paid for upfront (no financing), so I received a Bill of Sale (which I think is actually from the California DMV (where the seller lives). And I also received a Certificate of Origin which is basically a paper from the Lifan Company in China stating that they sold it to the dealer in California and it lists the VIN, year, model weight etc. Anyway, I was told by the dealer (a very large eBay dealer) that these two forms are all I would need to get this thing on the road. But unfortunately that is not the case. So I contacted the seller today and told him this information. And he said he has never had this type of problem before, but I'm betting that is because he mostly sells the motors and not the entire bikes (based on my research on him). Anyway, so now I have to mail all this paperwork back to him in California, and he has to get customs forms, DOT declarations forms, Original Bond Release letter from the US DOT-NHTSA and each form requires an original customs inspector's stamp and signature . . . and so on . . . blah, blah, blah . . . Very complicated matter now. Looks like I am never going to be able to ride my new bike. And it's my first bike too. Maybe this is a bad sign?? hahahahahaha. It's okay though, I'm not ready for the real roads yet, still need some practice yet anyway. Just wanted to update you on this stuff so that you could let the readers know about the headaches I am having with this bike. Looking back now, I wish I would have spent the extra $1700 and just went with the original 2006 Yamaha Virago 250. Oh well, too late now . . . maybe that can be my next bike. Take care, Maria (aka Mia) Dear Maria, Tuesday, April 18 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Sharon, Tuesday, May 2 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Beth and John, I'm assuming you are both new riders looking for an inexpensive option to get started on. The owner should demonstrate that bike running if you are not in position to take it for a spin for yourselves. It's also helpful to establish why the owner is selling and how long they have been trying to sell it and if the bike has been sitting without riding for a significant time (more than 1 year) as this is not good for a bike. Please note if the bike smokes from the exhaust pipes in any way, as this can be an indicator of wear in the cylinders and pistons, and would require an expensive tear down. You should also talk about the maintenance history, when the last full round of routine maintenance was done, whether they bike has ever been dropped while riding, and if the owners and service manual come with the bike. An owner with a service manual is a better indication that they at least were willing to open it up and follow procedures! Of course a clear title is important. I hope this helps . . . good luck!
Mama Tuesday, May 2 Dear VTwin Mama, Never buy a bike that falls over and you can't get it up by yourself. One way is to to find this out is take the bike and lay it on it's side on a quilt. Then you'll know. Some new bikes like a Gold Wing 1800, even with the shaved Corbin seat are just to heavy (960lbs). They are also very unstable a slow speeds . . . coming up on a light . . . especially with a 70 tire instead of 60 tire. Remember one thing if you lower the bike . . . do it front and rear . . . especially the new riders. Otherwise if you get in trouble you might not like the result. This coming from 46 years worth of riding and driving motorcycles & race cars & numerous driving schools & riding schools. My 2 cents. Kenny Dear Kenny, Tuesday, May 2 From Monica who passed her course and now has delivery of her new bike: For all of you that have been crossing your fingers for me - I'm happy to report that the Softail Deluxe came home on Saturday in the biggest rainstorm I've seen in a long time! My BF rode it home, and he has been grinning from ear to ear since then. What a beautiful ride! Yesterday was a sunny day and I let the clutch out for the first time. Up went my feet and off I went. My intention was to just ride it around the cul-de-sacs and around the neighborhood side streets, but the ride was so sweet and she handled so nice, I ventured out into town on my own for a 30 minute ride. Later on in the afternoon, my boyfriend pulled his Nostalgia out of the garage and we went on another loop around town. All the tossing and turning and envisioning my ride was worth it. My biggest concern was how I would handle going from a 200 pound bike to a 700 pound bike. There was hardly any transition at all . . . this bike rides like a big ole' Cadillac and to me, is much easier to handle than a smaller, top- heavy bike. Not to worry though, I'm well aware that I'm hardly an expert with only 75 miles under my belt, (grin) but I just wanted to share the start of my new adventure. This is awesome! (pics forthcoming soon). Monica (note from Mama: we are all totally jazzed for you! Congrats and thanks for sharing how things are going for you!) Tuesday, May 30 Dear VTwin Mama, I did take a safety course. Just finished Sunday!!! I now have a new respect for riders . . . there's so much more to it than I ever thought. It was a Honda Nighthawk 250. I think the instructor had the handlebars raised and the arm reach was good. My legs were crunched for room so I figured whatever I get I would need forward controls probably. I was comfortable with the power of the bike (or should I say lack there of...lol). I told my husband I would prefer to do some more practicing on a bike that size or a little bigger. And yes, I think I am physically strong. Any help or recommendations you could give me will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!! Cassey Dear Cassey, As you wish to practice for awhile on a motorcycle near the power range of your course bike, I would take a look at local ads for inexpensive bikes for sale and see what's available first. Then look up the motorcycle on the Internet for a picture and specifications. Then the question is, can the bike be modified? Handlebars can be raised with an add-on riser. Foot controls can be moved for more leg room with forward controls. Although these changes aren't always cheap (for new), a search on eBay may result in the used part you need. For instance, I know that a Honda Rebel (250cc) can be modified with Mapam forward controls (about $385), but found them for $290 on eBay. In one article online comparing the 250cc bikes, a 6' tall rider noted that they liked and were completely satisfied with the Yamaha Virago 250. It was also noted that the Suzuki GZ250 got high marks for not feeling cramped (and looking at a picture I got the feeling it might do well for you). From the 250cc class bike, the next step is 500cc for standard cruisers. This is considered the "bottom end" of mid-range power. Although one would think this more powerful bike would be bigger overall, and in many cases the wheel base is in fact longer, it doesn't necessarily translate that there will be more leg room. It's back to looking at pictures and checking for modification possibilities. These are heavier bikes, but a tall strong gal like yourself should have little trouble. Online catalogs of motorcycle specifications and pictures can be found all over the place and I'll simply point you to BikeZ and WantFacts to get started. Remember that this first step isn't necessarily all
about your "dream" bike . . . it's to get one for practice and
then when you're ready you'll be able to test and/or rent bikes with
confidence to see where your ultimate dream lies!
Mama Dear VTwin Mama, Dear KSC, At your height and weight I'm thinking you'll have less physical issues with a bigger bike, but as always, I feel that good physical condition (leg and arm strength) go a long way to being comfortable with a bigger motorcycle. If you have a good sense of balance this also helps! Although the 650 has more power than a typical motorcycle used in a course, even a 250cc bike needs to be treated with respect. This means taking whatever bike you choose to a wide, empty parking lot for practice, and more practice, before taking short, preplanned road rides. Mapping out baby steps is the key to becoming one with your bike and keeps you from becoming overwhelmed. I wish you the best in your October course and remember,
learning is always good, so no matter what happens, learn, learn, learn!
Then practice, practice, practice!
Mama Wednesday, June 7 For KSC who is considering a VStar 650 as a first motorcycle: I purchased a 2005 650 V-Star. Can't say enough good things about it. It handles great. Adding a windshield makes it much easier to ride in wind, etc. I'm 200 pounds and have no trouble cruising at 70 mph. Would not recommend two up on the bike. Many extras you can buy for this bike. 45 mpg not to shabby. No chain to fool with. Foot pads for comfort long rides. Jos (note from Mama: thanks for sharing!) Thursday, June 8 Dear VTwin Mama, The Hyosung model is a little hard to find in the Midwest (relatively new here compared to others) but I like both . Wondering if any one has input on either (especially the GV250 -- info is more readily available on the V-Star) Any one out there ridden the GV250? All reviews and articles claim much more power, not to mention better looks and fit for taller people (I'm 5'10") than other 250's. A little hesitant about such a small engine as I'm in a rural area and have to be on highways to get around, but think maybe starting smaller and then moving up might be a good idea. Your thoughts? Midwest Gal Dear Midwest Gal, On my Type of Bike to Ride pages you'll find links to 250cc bike comparison articles in the left hand column which you may find interesting. You might also want to visit Korider.com, which is a site for all things Hyosung, with its own discussion forums and information! Given the Hyosung is difficult to find in your area, make sure that parts and service are available nearby! You don't mention in this letter how you'll be learning, but I offer a wonderful learning to ride article that helps new riders understand more about their options (course or self taught), things about themselves and learning, and tons of tips and insights from women who have been there and done that! It really helps one noodle out steps and things to consider! Otherwise, you can hop onto my Education Center page for lots of books and DVDs to help! Many women report they prefer to start smaller and then move up, some have started mid-range (like that VStar) and then had to "come back down" for awhile, while others wished they had started mid-range to begin with! Which is best for you? Hard to say. I'll simply add that confidence lost is harder to regain than the "pain in the butt" of buying small and then selling to move up, especially if it happens fast (i.e. your learning curve is fast). Whatever direction you decide to take, it takes
practice. Ok, off you go to do some more thinking about all of this.
Remember to follow your gut, and whatever opinions you receive, make sure
that YOU are doing what YOU think is best.
Mama Saturday, June 10 Hi Petra, So, in 2 riding seasons I have gone from the 125 Suzuki., to a 500 Vulcan, to a 650 VStar . . . and now I just brought home my new love, another VStar. This one is a 1100. I just love it. I find that all the fears of a bigger cc, bigger tank/seat, heaver bike, were all fears for nothing. The bike rides and handles better than any of the others I have ridden. Then today my darling husband treated me with the keys to his '89 Harley Davidson FLH (this was a fear and longing that I have had for a long time ). I wanted to ride a Harley really bad. Before I bought the V* 1100 I test rode a 1200 Sporty. Found that the Sporty was not the type of ride I was after and bought the V*. Now after riding the FLH and the Sporty I can compare the two. Well there is no comparison. I love the FLH, but I love the V* also. They are quick with power, but they are comfortable for longer rides. Did I mention how happy and excited I am!!! My hubby has warned me not to be getting any big ideas about moving into his bike . . . lol. Finally being able to experience and live out your dream is a wonderful thing. Trying to stifle out a dream is a very unhealthy and sad thing. M. Wright Dear M., NOT! I'm soooo jazzed for you . . . such great accomplishments in two riding seasons is awesome and that hubby handed over his beloved motorcycle for a test spin is testament to your hard work in overcoming challenges. More and more I'm noting incoming letters about transitioning to a bigger bike, and that in the balance of things, it's not as big a deal for many as they thought it would be. It's one of the hardest "things" to get across and I see that no matter how much we say it, the fact is that each rider has to cross that "jump" herself to know it! And if it does prove to be a challenge, then practice is the key! Congratulations on the newest motorcycle . . . I'm just
grinning knowing you're out on the road living your dream of being a
confident rider and sharing that joy with your hubby dearest.
Mama Saturday, June 10 Dear VTwin Mama, They've been selling 250 Pagsta's here in Oz for about a year now. I think these 250 choppers are going to be a huge hit worldwide, especially with countries like Oz that have a 250cc learners limit for a year in some states. The price is great, just the thing for local/city riding, and leaves every other 250 Japanese custom for dead. Kevin in Sydney Dear Kevin, Sunday, June 11 Dear Mama, Dear Pirate Girl, Hopping onto the Vento USA site, I see lots of information and a decent enough dealer network. The question is this though, how many of these bikes has your dealer sold, and more importantly, done maintenance on and serviced for problems. Now is the time to ask direct questions! I can appreciate that the pricing for the Rebellian is attractive, but exercise caution. When you grow out of this size motorcycle (very possible), you'll want to sell it, and even the NADA motorcycle used value guideline has nothing listed for Ventos as they don't have enough data to go on. Here is a posting on the PowerSports
Network is about a 2006 Vento Rebellian. I would hardly discourage
your purchase based on one negative review, but if you read the posting,
you'll come up with more questions to ask the dealer. That would be good!
Mama Monday, June 12 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Gerri, Then it's a matter of choosing whether you want to dink around with a clutch (manual transmission) or glide away on an auto tranny. If you want an auto shift bike, then check Ridley Motorcycles. If you would prefer a manual transmission, then it's a question of what type of riding you are planning. Short local trips can be handled on a smaller bike (250-500cc), weekend getaways (maybe the 500-800cc range) and long cross country hauls are best done on a touring bike (1200cc and over). That's just a general guideline. Ok, off you to shop!
Mama Dear VTwin Mama, I will now read with "renewed" interest the rest of the posts here as I continue my journey on riding. I will be searching for parking lots in the Los Angeles area to better hone my skills. Not sure I'm ready for LA traffic just yet. Don't have a bike yet but it will be fun shopping as I now think I know what I can handle ( its not a lot yet :-)) Thanks again for this wonderful informational site. Open to any suggestions for a starter bike; I''m 6 ft tall with a 35 1/2 inseam and weigh about 155lbs. Good luck to everyone else waiting to take the MSF course. Shelley in Los Angeles Dear Shelley, So, it's on to shopping! I'd look at anything that captures your eye first, your heart second, and then third, you'll want to look at the placement of the foot controls. You'll find forward controls allow a more relaxed position for longer legs (can be standard to the bike, but many can be modified easily enough) and when a highway (crash) bar is added, with integrated pegs, it gives long legs a second resting position (the crash bar saves wear and tear on parts if the bike takes a nap on you, and the pegs may be something for your future rides). If you're going to get something smaller for a course-to-real-riding transition phase, then I wouldn't sweat to many of the details unless you think being cramped (on a particular bike) is going to hinder your learning curve. Of course, you can always add an exterior gel pad for comfort and to lift you up a bit (how weird, as we're almost always talking about how to lower things!). Do you have a motorcycle show, rally, poker run, or
other m/c-related event coming to your specific LA area soon? There's
nothing like walking through rows of bikes, focusing on specific details
of interest and getting a sense of it all.
Mama Wednesday, June 14 For Shelley who is 6' tall and looking for a starter motorcycle: There are a few events going on in the LA area on the
weekend of June 24th. One of them is the Rose Bowl
Bikefest in I have the same build and ride a 2005 XL 883C Sportster. Not for everyone, but a nice bike. Forward controls and plenty of umph! A little top heavy, but nice! JoJo (note from Mama: thanks for sharing!) I'm 2 inches shorter and a few pounds heavier but our inseam is about the same. This might sound strange but I'm very happy with my 2005 HD 883L. Because it is a little lower, it is not quite as top heavy as other Sporties. It comes with mid controls but I put highway pegs on it to give a couple of different foot positions, they are mounted at the bottom front of the frame and adjustable to 3 different positions. I added crash bars but if you tried to put integral highway pegs on the crash bars, you would really be stretching your legs out on this bike. For seat comfort, I added a Mustang Vintage solo seat, which raised the height just a little. Most definitely the most comfortable seat I have ever had. I haven't had one case of "butt ache" since I put it on and I know "butt ache" after riding hardtails for years! Another plus about the 883L is it should be easier to resell since it is a lower bike, of course I'm not looking to try this theory any time soon. A Sporty may be more bike than you are looking for right now but that is a decision only you can make for yourself. I road as a passenger only in LA traffic for 2 1/2 years. This has to be scary as a new rider but once you gain your confidence in LA, you should be able to ride anywhere! California is the only place I have ever seen bikes splitting lanes. I understand why it is done but it can be hair raising at times. And don't even get me started on California rain grooves. Wonderful places to ride in California once you get out of LA. Tricia (note from Mama: thanks for these specific thoughts!) Friday, June 16 Dear VTwin Mama, December 2002 I gave myself a Master's Graduation and birthday present of a new 2003 V-Star 1100 Classic. This one I had painted "Don't Hit Me! Pink" since someone very close to me had recently been hit from the rear nearly killing him. I was not ever going to ride another black motorcycle for the very reason they are harder to see. I also repainted my 650 to the brightest RED I could find, Viper Red! I still own and ride both the V-Stars, even though I have yet to figure out how to ride them both at the same time. I became a grandmother in May 2006 and have plans of having a new passenger in a couple years. For now, my dog, Maslow, is my passenger. Maslow loves riding with me and loves all the attention he gets when we are on the road together. Morgen Dear Morgen, Tuesday, June 27 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Harley Dave, So, instead, I'll point you to Motorcycle
Cruiser
magazine's review of the 2006 Street Glide as a starting point. Then
this PowerSportNetwork
page currently has 90 rider reviews. And you'll find American
Rider
magazine's review here. Hope it helps!
Mama Dear VTwin Mama, I do not have a bike but am actively looking. I am 6' and weigh about 210, and have long legs. All the bikes I am looking at (I want to stay in the 650/750 range, everyone is trying to talk me into going bigger, but I am not interested as I tried my boss' 650 and that is plenty big for me), all the seats seem really LOW! On the bikes at the training school, I was on a 200 Dual Sport and at least it was a little higher, but once my feet were on the pegs, my knees were still too high. What should I be looking for to help solve the problem? I have rheumatoid arthritis, although it is under control, which is why I want to stay with a bike that is a tad easier to handle. My first times out are going to be the "parking lot experience"! I am not in a hurry, shopping around and looking for a good used bike. Thanks for your help, I read the website all the time and have found many helpful hints. I don't know many woman riders in this area, but that is not going to stop me! Debbie Dear Debbie, It's good you know your own mind about the size cc motorcycle you would like to start with. There are certainly a number of make/models and I would be looking for one that has forward foot controls as stock or can be modified with a forward control kit. That will help stretch those long legs out! The addition of an engine guard (often called a highway bar) with integrated highway pegs, will not only protect the engine in case of an oopsie, but give your long legs another resting position on longer hauls (when you get to that point!). If a bike you find that meets your requirements has handlebars that are cramping your arm stretch, then you can change out the handlebar for something else! In looking at a picture compilation of new motorcycles in the 650-750cc range, it looks like the Honda Shadow series (especially the Spirit or Aero) may be of interest to you as it appears that hand and foot controls are not yanked in towards the rider. Visit the local dealer and check it out! Depending on where you live, I would check for a local chapter of a national women's riding organization nearest to you. Just because they aren't headquartered right in your city/town doesn't mean that members don't come from all over the region! Check my Women's Sites page to begin exploration and make contact! Mama Saturday, July 15 For Debbie who is pondering her first bike choices: Sometimes (always?) rheumatoid arthritis can affect a persons back. In which case feet forward controls may not be the best solution. A taller standard MC might feel better. The KLR650 is a real popular MC among taller people who put a lot of miles on their MC's. Too bad I'm not tall enough to ride one. Kevin (note from Mama: oh dear, I should have considered this aspect a bit more closely. I'll send a message to Debbie to hopefully get more input exactly where the RA is and how that will affect her choices. Thanks for pointing out my error of omission.) If you find most bikes' seats too low, I recommend looking at an 883 Sportster (OK, I'm biased). I'm also 6' tall, and love my '04 Custom, although mine is the 1200. I've never found the bike to be top heavy, as some claim. It's light, handles well, and is very comfortable. I just had to change out the stock seat. The '04 and late models have rubber engine mounts to reduce vibration, and the '07 models will be fuel injected. They're great, reliable, super fun motorcycles. Li (note from Mama: and they've been working on making that clutch pull a lot easier, an important consideration for the RA aspect of things!) Sunday, July 16 For David who is shorter but found the pathway to making a Sporty 883 work for him: Just so everyone knows, the 883L is not just for vertically challenged riders. I'm 5'10" and I have an 883L. I love the bike. The mid controls are very comfortable for my 36" inseam. I did add highway pegs so I can stretch my legs if I want. It isn't top heavy. My husband is the same height and he rides without additional highway pegs. Just want everyone to know how versatile the Sportster line is. Ok, I'll admit it, I am a little prejudice towards Sportsters. Thanks, Tricia (note from Mama: we're allowed to crow about a motorcycle we love! Thanks for sharing how this model is working for you!) Monday, July 17 For Maria who was having problems registering her Lifan motorcycle: I saw your post about the difficulty in registering your Lifan. I just registered mine in NY Friday. I bought mine from a dealer in CT. I had a CT bill of sale and the Lifan Certificate of Origin. At first, I had problems. NY wanted the dealer's ID number in CT, and the Bill Of Sale on the dealer's letterhead. Once I had that - along with my insurance card, it went right through. I have the LFGY200-2, dual sport. BTW, my speedo cable is also broken! Rich in NY (note from Mama: thanks for sharing the documentation that made your registration happen!) Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Beginner Biker Babe, Shadows are nice mid-range motorcycles which have enough power for highway cruises and easy enough to handle in practice given your height. If your arms/legs reach controls with comfort, your feet are flat on the ground at a stop and you can duck walk the bike with some ease (given the weight), you've got a winner! NADA suggests an average retail value of $3,525, but that doesn't take into account extras like saddlebags, windshield, engine guard, condition, etc. You'll want to question the owner about the maintenance, how it was stored, has it been run lately (vs. sitting around somewhere), and if it's ever been dropped. They should have the owner's manual for you and a good indicator is if they have the service manual for you also! Whether you get this bike or something else, make sure you start out with practice sessions in a big, empty parking lot and put yourself through the very same drills you did during the course. It's time to become one with your new motorcycle! Mama Dear VTwin Mama, I saw a comment from you where a reader mentioned starting off on a VLX but then decided to downgrade to a 250cc bike and switched to Virago, but would have preferred the Rebel instead. Could you elaborate a little on this? I find a lot of reviews about the Rebel on the Web but not many about the Virago. As my commute involves 20 miles, 15 miles of which involves riding on the freeway, and as I do not plan to upgrade to a powerful model, I am favoring the Virago but I would like get your expert insight. It will be greatly appreciated. Veeren Dear Veeren, Meanwhile, if you go to my Type of Bike to Ride page, you'll find several links to articles comparing the 250cc motorcycles, including the Virago. The motorcycles are comparable in terms of seat height, weight and gas tank capacity, with a few more cc's on the Virago (249cc vs. the 234cc on the Rebel) but the Virago base retail price is $400 more. I would definitely head to dealers to sit on both these bikes and check your arm/leg reach to controls for comfort, overall body positioning, and let's not forget the heart . . . one may just "call out to you" more than the other in terms of styling, color, options, and overall looks! Mama Wednesday, July 19 For Veeren who is deciding between a Rebel and a Virago: I don't think I'm the one Veeren is referring to but my
situation was similar. I started on the VLX, which turned out to be
horrifying for me, and stepped down to the Virago. I was looking for a Rebel
at first because I rode one in one of the safety classes. We found Rebels,
Suzukis, and Kawasakis, but no Viragos. The Rebel seemed like it had wide
handlebars, and the Suzuki just wasn't comfortable. The Kawi was a 125 and
we both thought that might be too small. I rode one in my second safety
class, a week or so after that, and did okay but I really didn't care for
that one either. I had remembered liking the Virago at the International
Motorcycle Show a couple years earlier, so I called around to find one I
could sit on to refresh my memory. I finally found one, but had to travel to
see it. So out the door we went. I took my time thinking about it and the
salesman was kind of a jerk anyway; I was invisible but my husband wasn't.
The salesman (not a rider, I'm guessing) was making a lot of references to
crashing and such, so I was determined not to give him the sale. We went
back to our dealer (State8) and they located one for me and trucked it in
from out of state. The rest was magic. Thursday, July 20 From Beginner Biker Babe who was wondering about starting out on a 600cc bike: Well, I did it! After reading your advice I bought the Honda Shadow VLX. It is the most fun I have ever had with my clothes on. Now I know what I have been missing -- the power, freedom, and exhilaration of having my own bike. Thanks for the advice and I am now a regular reader. There are so many things that I am learning from your column. You rock, Mama! Beginner Biker Babe (note from Mama: yahoo! There is nothing like the thrill of your first actual own motorcycle and I'm glad I could assist in looking at the issues you had. From all the women riders who frequent this site, I know one of us will be giving you a biker wave real soon!) Friday, July 21 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Karen, What I mean is, despite the fracture (yikes!), how did you feel about your handling skills by the end of the course? If you felt you had control of the motorcycle by just a small margin, then I would advocate on getting a cheap, used 250cc bike for more practice. Yes, within months you could be ready to move up, but those months are truly crucial to a rider's confidence level, and confidence once lost is hard to regain. Also, with more riding time and skills, you'll be in better position to define exactly what your dream bike constitutes! If, however, you feel confident in moving up a step in size so that you can practice but also have a big enough bike to work with on the road, then a mid-range bike (maybe in the 500-800cc range) makes sense. Again, consider cheap and used but running well! The reason I note this again is that a new bike can set up jitters in a new rider because you're not only worried about handling the bigger bike, but you've got the brand new "cosmetics" of the bike to worry about. Ick. Still, you may be a rider that is ready to delve right into the dream bike. Is that why you mentioned the Sporty?! Truly, the newest Sportys are greatly improved over previous years in that the seat height was lowered and the clutch lever is an easier pull and the 2007 models will have fuel-injection! As I don't know your height, if you are 5'6" or under, please visit my Motorcycles for Short Riders list, which helps shorter riders noodle out ways to modify the dream bike to fit right. If this is not a concern, then I would visit every bike event and dealer and start sitting on bikes, making notes on arm/leg reach to control comfort, sitting comfort, weight comfort and style/options. It's true that sometimes new riders choose what they think is going to be their dream bike, only to find out (with time and miles) that it's not. This happens, but unfortunately no matter how many opinions you receive concerning your choice, ultimately it will be time and miles that show you the way. Doesn't that sound terribly unfair?! Maybe, but that's were researching resale value comes in handy! It's all part of the process. Yikes, I still didn't really name any make/models, but then, I never do. So many choices and such a personal one. Shop, shop, shop and then listen to your gut on how you wish to proceed. Mama |
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