Adrienne Wants a Bike!

[mjmorrismd]

So Adrienne really wants to learn how to ride and is looking new/used bikes!

Be still my beating heart. The vision of us riding skyline me on my K1300GT and her on...dare I say....an F800ST...I'm getting lightheaded.

Do any of the ladies out there own an F800ST? If so, thoughts on that bike and others. She is 5'6 125lbs (um...was I supposed to disclose that?) and confidence is not her problem. She loves the look of the sport/touring bikes not the doual sports.

Thoughts all,
M

[Sundevil2]

I had a 2007 F800ST for 2 years. I think it would be a great touring bike -- IF -- you could make it comfortable, which I could not.
The forward riding posture put too much pressure on my sensitive anatomy parts. One way to mitigate this was to lie with my torso resting on my tank bag, but this put unnatural extension in my neck.
We tried bar risers and an expensive custom seat. Both helped, but neither were satisfactory for me to feel comfortable with long days in the saddle.

I know several folks that love the 800ST. It's a great bike, in general; it just didn't fit me. I would recommend an extended test ride (if possible) to make sure the bike will be suitable to her anatomy.

Hope that helps.
Karen

[RJP3579]

Congrats to hear about your wife wanting to ride. I too recommend the BRC. Also take a look at those new Honda CBR250 w/ABS. Nice looking bike with ABS.
As for the 800ST, I was all set to buy when when they came out till I rode one. Great bike but I was a little too far forward for my comfort even with the bar risers that were on Bob's demo bike but she would need to ride it for sure.

[ObiWan]

So Adrienne really wants to learn how to ride and is looking new/used bikes!
Do any of the ladies out there own an F800ST? If so, thoughts on that bike and others. She is 5'6 xxxlbs (um...was I supposed to disclose that?) and confidence is not her problem. She loves the look of the sport/touring bikes not the doual sports.

Thoughts all,
M

Having just been through this (see http://www.bmwbmw.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=19353) last week, I will add just a bit from that process. FWIW, the Missus took the BRC before she did any street riding and it helped tremendously. She had ridden her trainer around here, though only sparingly prior to MSF.

The best tool out there so "see" if a bike will fit is: http://cycle-ergo.com/ You put in height and select a bike. The site places a stick figure drawing on a picture of whatever bike you selected and shows degree of knee bend and forward lean angle. Both of those factors greatly affect comfort. You can compare different models in the same window (the website does tabs).

The Missus wanted to see the F800ST also. But, after riding the Ducati Monster on a test ride (same angle specs as the ST) she decided it was too far forward. She experienced what Sundevil2 did, pulling and strain on her lower back. FWIW, the ST and the Monster are both rather far leaning (about 33 degrees, though not as far as say a GSXR at 54 degrees).

So, use the site and browse models from different manufacturers (if you do not have brand bias). After that, go sit on the bikes and perhaps even test ride them. As someone pointed out, you have to have a Motorcycle Endorsement before you can test ride. Well, if you want to test ride at a dealer. Your friends and club members may not ask to see a license first...

If it is sport touring you are after, the bike we ended up with will do that quite well. You can add luggage and a tank bag to just about anything...

That is our recent experience.

[mjmorrismd]

ObiWan....thanks for the fresh and relevant feedback. Nice bike your lady got. Adrienne is looking at the same bike as well. When the time comes can we get together for a couples ride so the ladies can discuss pros/cons of the bikes, process, and learning to ride?

Cheers,
M

[Bicyclist]

http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/sh ... hp?t=20110

This is over on the Versys forum I read. No personal knowledge of the bike or owner.

[RJP3579]

Good luck Adrienne!!! Keep us posted on her progress, mjmorrismd....

[cliffy109]

I know you said she wasn't into the dual sport look, but if you can figure out a way to do it, get her on a G650GS or older F650GS. The newer F650 twin is great as well, but the single cylinder is less expensive and a pretty mild and easy bike to learn on. That style of bike has a lot going for it, especially for a new rider. It is comfortable, upright, fairly light weight and just very VERY easy to ride at all speeds. Perhaps wait until after she takes the MSF class and take her down to Mortons and have her ride a few bikes. Make the G650 the last one of the day. I'm betting that once she tries a few other bikes, she will notice things that she doesn't like about each. The 650 will likely look pretty good to her at that point, in spite of the DS look.

[adooley]

Splitting this thread might be a little tricky since most people's opinions (especially about training) are mixed into their answers (if there was an answer and not a defense/confrontation). To be fair, I will remove everyone's commentary that dealt with primarily instruction and/or debate on other's comments and leave the original topic with comments related directly to the question in place for Matthew to give us updates on.


Unfortunately, this is somewhat of a tricky decision and I will do my best to be reasonable and thoughtful about what I remove from this topic. My apologies if anyone is offended by my removing their post. Thanks.

[Wild Pig]

Good call on the split. A good healthy debate is always fun, but I'd hate to see Adrienne get lost in the stampede of opinions.

Not that we are a loud and opinionated lot sometimes.

[mjmorrismd]

Status Update: Star Date 5049.11....

Last weekend Adrienne got on my K bike and I walked her through basic controls. She picked it up in minutes as she loves manual cars. We then went to a few bike shops and sat on various models from various makes. Net net is she is in love with the F800ST but doesnt want to learn on it. She's leaning toward starting on a Ninja 250 then move up to the BMW if she likes riding. I think that is perfect but I may look at used F800STs anyway......just sayin.

Now...what's the number to BMW Financial Services again...oh yeah, its on the invoice for the R bike....

Cheers,
M

[mjmorrismd]

Oh, and forgot....one of the major pluses about the BMW in her mind is it is the only make that provides a gear indicator. Many of us grew up on dirt bikes with barely a spedo on them so a fancy shmancy gear indicator isnt really needed. However, think about it...you are a new rider and you are going out in traffic in the Metro DC area. Perhaps it is worth the extra money on a BMW to get a gear indicator when first learning to ride. Hmmm...never really thought about that.

Later,
M

[Genen8kua]

Miss Kitty on one of these threads had a line on a lightly used Honda CBR250RA - very much like the Ninja, but with ABS. Well worth a look (used or new). I believe every rider should practice their braking and develop their skills to a high level and never count on ABS as a substitute for skills. I also believe that ABS can save your butt even if you're very, very good.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a non-ABS bike if I planned to actually put road miles on it. More so if I were buying for a family member. But I've seen others make different choices.

In the mid 80s, when I learned on my KZ400, it wasn't yet an option even for those early-adopting BMW weirdos.

[drewalex]

+1 on Gene's recommmendation, it's also fuel injected and keeps a higher resale value!

[guitardad]

Sounds like a plan to me! I know there are aftermarket gear indicators available out there. Depending on the model, you may need to have both an electronic tach and speedo, or it may come with magnetic sensors you clip on. I remember a discussion about it on SVRiders.com back when I had my SV650. Worth a google, anyway.