hi, i really want to ride a bike, but i'm 5'3" and maybe 115 pounds. do you guys know if there is any way i can ride a bike. i heard that it might be impossible for me, but i also heard that there are exceptions. can anyone help me out?

 

you need a bike with a low enough seat so you can control the bike at slow/stop. need to be able to place feet flat on ground (some people get away with tip toes but i think thats crazy)

 

You can actually shave the seat down on a bike. It has been done!

 

so it can be done!! i'll see what happens.. thanks for the input guys.. i'll keep you guys updated on my quest for a bike.

 

shave the seat, modify the rear suspension.

i'd go to a bunch of dealers and 'try on' a bunch of beginner bikes. dont let the dealer sell you a bike, just come back and tell us what you like.

 

This I rode with a guy that was 5'1'' and he rode a 12R. When he came to a stop, he would shift hes weight to the left side. The thing is he is a VERY good rider, so not try this!!!!!!!

 

Goddamn, son! I could shot- put you! What's your inseam length? I'd have to say a nice Harley Davidson FLXGHPB4UGOTOBED would suit you, as they have seat heights somewhere around 15" or so...

 

5'3 115, god did'nt bless you did he sorry man, i'm 6'0 150 i'm 17 and want to get a bike and i was worried about it too, but i have a friend that had this older bike his senior year and came back from the army in the summer and got a 02 yellow honda cbr 600, and he is like 5'5 to 5'8 and like 130 to 140 not sure thats just est. and he rides fine

 

Im 5 10 155, no probs here. 5 3 might be a problem on a 600cc

 

get this months issue of " SPORT RIDER " it has a good article about lowering your bike the right way to suit your height.

 

Yup. Also "shaving" the existing seat or installing an aftermarket one that will help you lower ride height. Sit on a kawi 250r and let me know if you can straddle that. Perhaps look into one of those 2 stroke street bikes. I know of a couple shorter guys that do that. Respectable power and I'll be damned if they aren't the quickest flicking over in every corner.

 

so how much weight do you think i'll be able to handle with my size and weight? i'm just looking into them, and i feel like it's going to be my life's joy to ride a bike. it's kinda like one of those cheesy movies with I KNOW I CAN I KNOW I CAN. haha thanks for all the help!!

 

i have a friend that rides a CBR929 and hes 5'5 180lbs and he purposly wears shoes(platforms..j/k) that gives him about another inch, and when he's at a stop, he looks like a guy getting boned cuz he tip toes to the fullest, but he's still able to manage riding the bike and keeping the bike balanced while hes stopped..5'3 is a little, well, it might be a problem.good luck man.

 

I know a girl who is about the same size as you and she rides a suzuki katana. They are much lower to the ground and although they are a 600 they aren't as powerful as a gsx'r, go to a dealership and try one

 

katana

 

i dont know how many katana 600's have been brought back to my shop w/ the customers saying they are too damn slow, granted they are a sport cruiser, and yes they are good bikes, just dont let the look fool you, they are extremely slow for a 600.

 

it's okay, as long as it's faster than a car and get me through traffic...

 

You will most likely need to worry about the seat height only with your first bike. After that you'll have the balance right and you should be fine.

Also, Katanas are fine bikes. For a first bike you do not want any faster.

 

Well It depends on what type of Rider you are going to be, if you dont have the need for speed, nor feel the need to get down and dirty in the turns, then by all means, the katana is a fine bike, however, if you are like most people, they want an all out "***** to the wall" bike.

Maybe its just me, but Ive found that most people can handle a Gixxer, or a cbr, or an R for their first bike (thats of course if they are looking down the path of sport bikes

 

"Well It depends on what type of Rider you are going to be, if you dont have the need for speed, nor feel the need to get down and dirty in the turns, then by all means, the katana is a fine bike, however, if you are like most people, they want an all out "***** to the wall" bike.

Maybe its just me, but Ive found that most people can handle a Gixxer, or a cbr, or an R for their first bike (thats of course if they are looking down the path of sport bikes"

It depends on the rider you ARE because the rider you are going to be is not going to be riding your bike before you become him. Did I make sense

 

Please dont make Oblivious comments.....Sense you make not (as dustin says)

 

A Katana 750 was the first real bike I rode besides my 250...like I said the first real bike I rode. Coming from a 250 I thought it had tons of power and plenty of speed. It handles great and was so comfortable. Sport cruisers for first bikes

 

"Please dont make Oblivious comments.....Sense you make not (as dustin says)"

Well, I'll have to make it clearer then:

When you begin, you suck (and there is nothing wrong about that, it is to be expected). Now, when people complain about lack of speed on a Katana after a few months of riding, that is lack of awareness. I serously doubt that they are pushing the envelope of the bike beyond what a katana can handle.

Bottom line: if you want to start on anything faster than your average 600 cc, that is because of your ego, not of your skills (because you don't have much to start with).

I am on some other bike forums and most people on gixxers/Rs drop them (at least, if not crash them). The weird part is that they think it is normal to drop the bike on a regular basis. I guess you do too.

 

Lol I love people like you.

Lets see, Ive been riding off an on for about 3 years now. first bike i ever took out on the street was a TL1000R, by the end of the first weekend, i already topped it out, done many wheelies.......so my skills are for sure not lacking you *** clown.


Oh yeah, did i mention, Ive never dropped a bike before.

Dont hate on me just cuz you dont know what you are talking about

Have you worked at a Suzuki Shop for 3 years? No i dont think so, I have, and I know exactly what customers have to say about the katana, Have you riden all the suzuki bikes? NOPE you havent, so why dont you come back after working at a shop for 3 years, then we will talk.

 

"Lol I love people like you.

Lets see, Ive been riding off an on for about 3 years now. first bike i ever took out on the street was a TL1000R, by the end of the first weekend, i already topped it out, done many wheelies.......so my skills are for sure not lacking you *** clown.


Oh yeah, did i mention, Ive never dropped a bike before.

Dont hate on me just cuz you dont know what you are talking about

Have you worked at a Suzuki Shop for 3 years? No i dont think so, I have, and I know exactly what customers have to say about the katana, Have you riden all the suzuki bikes? NOPE you havent, so why dont you come back after working at a shop for 3 years, then we will talk."

Jeez man I am impressed. Doing wheelies on a twin liter bike, oh boy that is TOUGH. oh an you topped it out too, I guess you are da man. Luck comes to mind.

1- You may be good (although I doubt it because all the fast/good guys I know are somewhat more low key - humble), but - still - that does not make the other new riders good.

2- Try riding on and on for a change, put some miles.

3- You have no idea what is my riding experience.

4- I would like to get some friends to argue the point about new riders and big bikes, but two of them are kinda dead.

If you think you are good, you are probably not.





[Modified by Dropping_By, 9:29 PM 10/18/2002]