Her 1st bike

[liferider]

Well CeCe has asked me that this summer if she could take the HD Riders Edge course. She wants a bike when she turns 17. I explained she had to complete the course and only ride with me the first year! Now I have thought about what bike to get her. Needs to be something that she will be comfortable on, remember she is 5'3" 105 lb. very petite. I looked at a Buell Bladter but everyone says its like riding a jack hammer! Maybe a HD Sportster 883? What do yall think. This was her at 10 on her YZ 80

 

[BWG56]

Kool pic, I would think its what she would be comfortable with

 

[liferider]

This is what I would love to find her! A 1985 Harley Davidson XR1000!!!!!

 

[07bigdog]

Sportsters are not the best balanced bike. I would look for something like a HD Lowrider. Have you checked out the new Indian Scout that Polaris is manufacturing?

 

[Biker Babe]

I know I say this all the time on here but the Sportster isn't a great bike for women even though it seems to be marketed that way. Women's strength is in their legs. They have a low center of gravity and the Sportster is very top heavy.
Most of my female friends who ride are petite like that and have no problem with even a chopper. You may just need to get a bike lowered.

 

[liferider]

I loved my 96 HD low rider. That may be where I should start. I could ride that bike for HOURS!

 

[woodbutcher]

check local regs. and see if there is a maximum cc for riders under 18. would hate to get her something that the law would say is illegal for her age especially after completing the course and knows she can handle it.

 

[liferider]

That's very funny this is Louisiana if there 16 years old and under 28,000 GVW then they can drive it ride it whatever they want

 

[liferider]

She actually Drives my truck two days a week to school

 

[BadDawg Bill]

My wife was 5' and 99 lbs. I bought her a Rebel 250 to start and she did great on it for about a year. She then wanted a Harley. I bought her a sportster, lowered it and she immediately went out, dumped it and broke her right ankle. 6 weeks later she took it out, dumped it and broke her left ankle.

About 3 months later she dumped it and lost the hearing in her left ear. (and some common sense) I sold the bike and bought her an Intruder 800 and lowered it. She loved it and never dumped it. She could also keep up with us Harley guys.

Sportsters are top heavy and hard to balance. You have to remember they are girls and don't have the strength like us guys so do her and yourself a favor and get her a Honda Rebel 250 to start and learn on.

 

[Brew]

Have you thought about a deluxe? They're one of the lowest bikes from the factory.

 

[aspen874]

I bought my wife a Dyna Low Rider, we lowered the bike and changed the seat. My wife is very petite, she loved it. I agree with Kathy on her comments about the Sportster, even the owner of Docs Harley Davidson in St. Louis who happens to be a woman told me the same about the Sportster and recommended the Dyna Low Rider.

 

[liferider]

I'm liking what Baddog Bill said about the 250 Rebel. It's lite, will give her control & confidence. After 4-6 months go to a lowered Low Rider!

 

[TapioK]

I was asked the same question not long ago by a lady who used to ride a small bike when she was young, she would like to start again after about 30 years. First bike that came to my mind was Yamaha 500 SR. Light, one cylinder- nice torque for a smallish bike. Turn that to a bobber and it would make a nice bike for a woman to start riding again. I think.



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Tapio

 

[Nukeranger]

Stephanie is also 5'3" around 100 lbs and she rides a Triumph which we lowered 2". She started on a Rebel and we wish we didn't sell it since it got 70 mpg!

 

[liferider]

Nuke, the Rebel 250 or 400?

 

[BadDawg Bill]

Nuke, the Rebel 250 or 400?

The 400 is a better bike but they only made them for a couple of years so they are hard to find and get parts for.

The 250 has enough power and there are a lot of good ones for sale. Also, when she is ready look into the Intruder 800. You can put Honda 250 shocks on it to lower it 3", a custom seat to lower it another 1" or cut down the stock one and you have a great dependable bike that anyone can ride. As you can see in the second pic I got the Intruder lower than the Honda. For reference she was 4' 11 1/2 inches tall.

 

[Diesel Dan]

That's very funny this is Louisiana if there 16 years old and under 28,000 GVW then they can drive it ride it whatever they want

LOL.........That's true,Iam sure she will love whatever you get her man...:2thumbs:

 

[firedog19]

Harley has the new 500 and 750 streets the motor is based on the vrod platform

 

[TapioK]

Harley has the new 500 and 750 streets the motor is based on the vrod platform

They claim the ones that are sold in USA are made in USA, Rest are made in India.
The ones I have seen looked like they were made in India with Russian parts.


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Tapio