Many motorcyclists have a moment when their girlfriends become so involved in the motorcycle theme that they begin to want their own motorcycle. I encountered this problem and will tell you what basic questions you will have to answer for yourself when choosing. This is not a rating, it is a list of recommendations.
As a rule, our “twos” have little equipment. The usual set is a helmet and gloves. If a girl wants a motorcycle, start by buying equipment or buy it at the same time as the motorcycle. Full equipment includes a helmet, a jacket with protection or a turtle jacket, pants with protection, motorcycle boots and gloves. It is simply unreasonable to travel without this minimum.
“...Start by buying equipment...”
Do you really need this? Go to a motorcycle school, rent a girl an instructor and a motorcycle for an hour and you’ll understand everything. She will understand too.
Should you go, or should it be beautiful?
Then it all depends on the girl’s preferences and physical characteristics. I'll look at the main motorcycle models you can try. If a girl is just starting her motorcycle career, perhaps the Yamaha YBR-125 will suit her, it is a living legend. A light and simple motorcycle, it will last for several months of training. 125 kilograms, maximum speed about 120 km/h. It is ideal for the city and there are many of them on the secondary market. The main disadvantage is the design, but many may like the classics.
If the girl is really petite, look at the Honda MSX 125 (Grom). Great handling, low center of gravity, easy to use, great design. This is a compromise between a scooter (in terms of ease of control and ease of riding) and a motorcycle. Lots of tuning, Honda reliability and comfortable fit for short girls. I simply don’t see any downsides to this model.
Now 30% of motorcycle school graduates are girls
I'm convinced that the leader in the 250-300cc class is the Kawasaki Ninja 250 or 300. It's a real little vicious monster, with a chic design and all the pros and cons of a sportbike.
At least it's all plastic. Speeds up to 180 km/h, and there's a version with ABS, which is a very useful option. Weight - 174 kilograms. as an alternative in the class - Honda CB250R. But this is already a rather dangerous technique; I would definitely not recommend these motorcycles to beginners. Start with something calmer.
The main problems of short pilots
As you know, a motorcycle, like an airplane, has the most dangerous thing: starting to move and stopping. Hence the inconvenience in moments:
- Start of movement
- Temporary stops, for example at traffic lights
- Completion of movement
- Owning a motorcycle with a passenger
When the bike is too tall, you either have to get off the bike completely when stopping, or you have to lean the bike too much before boarding, while stopping, and before getting off. Firstly, it is physically uncomfortable. Secondly, it makes you more vulnerable to external interference because you are focused on maintaining your balance and maintaining your motorcycle. Thirdly, landing takes longer.
The high seating position is one of the reasons why pilots abandon not just certain models of motorcycles, but the entire class. So, for example, tourers, for all their functional completeness, are generally quite high, even if the suspension is lowered. Although among the universal tourist monsters you can find a squat option.
Most pilots with a tall motorcycle simply hang from it when stopping, trying not to tilt the motorcycle. This requires skill.
Owning a motorcycle with a passenger is a very serious matter, since you are responsible not only for yourself, but also for another person, for his health and life. By the way, we discussed riding with a passenger in the article “What you need to know about riding a motorcycle with a passenger?” When your motorcycle is higher than it should be, taking a passenger is problematic and all because of the same conditions of boarding and disembarking. Ideally, when you take a travel companion with you, the motorcyclist sits down first, holds the motorcycle securely and levelly, and closely monitors that the passenger sits down carefully, does not put his feet on the exhaust pipe, etc. In other words, in any incomprehensible situation, the pilot takes on the weight of the motorcycle with the passenger, and also regulates any vibrations while the passenger fidgets on the unusual perch of the seat. Now imagine a situation where the bike is too big and you choose to lean the bike rather than hang from it, then if there is a passenger, the likelihood that the bike will decide to lie down is outrageously high.
I have a friend, he is a tourist to the core and has traveled to more than one country in his BMW GS 800. There are no complaints about the motorcycle, he really wanted it, but the guy is of modest height, the bike is really too tall for him. So my friend has already put his motorcycle down at a traffic light several times due to the fact that he did not have time to hang from the bike. The opposite gravity of the earth turned out to be faster... At one point the motorcycle simply outweighed due to too sharp or an unsuccessful tilt and fell. Once we got into trouble at a bus stop because of a passenger who decided to get off the motorcycle ahead of time.
If you are riding with a passenger, be sure to remind him not to try to get off the motorcycle until you give permission or at least stand on the asphalt. When a passenger tries to put his foot on the ground from a motorcycle before the driver, half of the time he will fall due to loss of balance.
Classic, chopper or sport?
The Honda CBF-250 is definitely worth a look. A classic that you won’t want to change after the first season, like the Yamaha YBR-125. The weight of the motorcycle is about 140 kilograms, the maximum speed is about 130 km/h. There is almost nothing to break in it, the price is not bad. A chic budget option.
The most important thing that will play a role is appearance. And you won’t be able to convince a girl of this with a 99% probability.
Yamaha Virago is a timeless chopper. They are available in versions from 250 to 1100 cubes, and weights start from 140 kilograms. Low seat height, low center of gravity - steering this motorcycle is a pleasure. Immediately after the motorcycle starts moving, and your feet are on the pegs, it is controlled no more difficult than a bicycle.
If you like something less on the road, or just need a motorcycle for rides in the country, a pit bike is for you. And any, from 125cc to 250cc. This is quite a serious technique for the dirt of the forest, but keep in mind that here you will need separate protection in larger quantities. It is worth noting that, as a rule, pit bikes have a high saddle height, and this is not always convenient. But you can forget that motorcycles usually drive on asphalt - this will go everywhere.
You can also check out the KTM Duke up to 250cc. They are very beautiful, but in stock they have a hard seat, high cost and short engine life. If the secondary market offers options with a mileage of over 50,000 kilometers for little money, it’s not worth buying, repairs will be too expensive.
How to choose an enduro?
This type of motorcycle can be divided into 3 main groups - hard, soft and touring enduro.
The question is how to choose an enduro based on finances, needs and driving experience?
Initially, you need to decide for what purpose you are purchasing a motorcycle, where are you going to ride it?
Software _ This includes dual-purpose bikes, which can be used both to cut through off-road landscapes and to ride quietly along city avenues.
Hard . These motorcycles are distinguished by high power density, ultra-strength and excellent ride quality. When choosing this bike, keep in mind that maintenance is required more often.
Touring enduro . Everything is clear here, this motorcycle is equipped with everything necessary for long journeys, including navigation systems. You should choose an enduro if you are an avid traveler and are ready to ride around for days on end on this powerful bike. Everything is very thought out - a powerful engine and high-quality durable suspension, designed for long roads.
Remember: there is no such thing as bad technique, just bad choices.
Large range of enduro here.
Wishing you paths, future endurists!
It ended where we started
Our choice fell on the Honda MSX. The choice was spontaneous, we saw it and fell in love with it. He is the lowest and smallest of all those listed above. It does not go faster than 100 km/h, but this does not spoil the impression of the motorcycle at all. But it is clear that next season the choice of replacing Thunder will be much more thoughtful and serious.
What motorcycle would you recommend to a girl, and would you let her ride your motorcycle? How to convince a girl that Ebrik is very good?
What should a short motorcyclist do?
- Suspension adjustment
- Seat replacement
- High-soled shoes
- Selecting a different motorcycle model
Choosing a different motorcycle model is a position that solves the problem at its inception. If the motorcycle is too tall, then it is logical to look for something more suitable. You will have to try the fit on many models before you find the one that is perfect. However, it happens that a person with all his heart wants to own a certain motorcycle, which means he has to put up with its features - change it to suit himself.
The easiest way out, as we have already said, is to adjust the suspension . You lower the motorcycle using all available methods. Some don’t even skimp on replacing the wheel radius, but this is already a radical way to adjust your favorite model to your height.
Replacing the seat or re-flashing it in order to lower the seating position itself is the second most popular way to customize a motorcycle. Some dealers offer ready-made replacement seat solutions for every taste and budget, so to speak. Some people bother and remake the seat themselves, others simply order the seat reupholstered with the condition that it will be lower. The height of the seat, its shape and fastening affect the fit. By the way, you might want to brush up on some trivia about seating: “Seating and weight distribution on a motorcycle are half the success of a good motorcyclist.”
Shoes with high soles or a special platform are rare among motorcycle shoes. Therefore, motorcyclists who decide to go this route either spend a long time looking hard for the right shoes, or make a special order. In any case, such sophistications will take a lot of time.
At first, even a motorcycle that suits your height may seem tall, but this is all cured by experience. When you get used to moving a tall motorcycle from place to place or getting on/off it, the problem ceases to be acute. By the way, with new shock absorbers the motorcycle will feel higher, because with worn shock absorbers it will sink more under you. Consider how easy it is for you to get on and off the bike before purchasing. It's little things like these that make up a successful season for a motorcyclist of any skill level.
Lady Riders
After riding at the Yamaha Riding Academy, I decided that my first motorcycle would be the YBR-125. Well, as it were, the forces have been tested, the money is inexpensive (after all, you also need equipment - for rides on the Magna, I only had a JET helmet, and not mine, but the pilot’s spare one), and it’s not a problem to find one nearby.
As they say: “Go for your dreams. If you can't walk, crawl. If you can’t crawl, lie down and lie in the direction of your dreams.” I went to bed, left the newspaper and got a job as a manager at a motorcycle dealership.
Then I crawled - I stopped buying clothes for myself, going to sushi bars with my friends, taking taxis once again instead of hated minibuses... I denied myself all possible pleasures and began to slowly save money, simultaneously thinking about the right choice and consulting with fellow motorcyclists.
Opinions about the YBR-125 were divided 50 to 50. The pros are small, light, weak, doesn’t rush, doesn’t eat, don’t mind dropping, easy to resell... Some “against” are similar to the pros – moped, bicycle, not rushing , after a week it will get boring, it will blow away on the highway, etc.
I didn't bother for a long time. Then, out of curiosity, I started looking at advertisements for the sale of various small-capacity bikes - with my short stature, low weight and almost zero riding experience, I was afraid to look at anything larger than 200cc. And then I was drawn to China...
The first misconception was Stels Flame 200.
Cute. Small. Easy. Inexpensive. I found one in my city for the price of a used Yubra. I’m calling a friend, my eyes are burning, my hands are shaking... - Are we going to watch stealth? Pause. - She doesn’t seem blonde... Why do you need a Chinese? You won't sell it later! Yes, and that’s the only way they fall out. Look for Yubra. - Well okay...
I continue to persistently type 125-200 cubes into the search box on the ad site. Here comes attempt number 2!
Now, for the life of me, I won’t even remember who it is, what his name is, and why I wanted him... Oh, well, design. Yes, the Chinese know how to create beautiful things. TVS RTR 180 Apache. This one is actually Indian. A friend drove an Apache 150 and had no complaints. But RTR 180 is a new model, the price tag is 90 thousand. There was no need to dissuade her, she “turned on” the toad.
I realized that the new Chinese is a utopia, and the old one even more so. And I rushed to look at the Japanese. Tiny athletic Japanese.
Such as the Honda CBR125RR, for example. There are at most a couple of them traveling around Russia with documents. Spare parts are a problem. The price is inadequate. But Repsol captivates... The same goes for the Honda CBR250RR. In the advertisements, this motorcycle is either shaggy years old or not cleared through customs. But he’s also terribly handsome and still Japanese! But we have one such handsome Honda NSR250 in the whole city. The owner doesn’t seem to be complaining yet, but how much he bought it for and how much he will sell it for is a good question. Now it seems to me that the difference will be huge...
Then the endurists woke up and began to lure me into their sect. They offered a very interesting option - Honda XL 250 Degree. One of the lowest enduro motorcycles with an indestructible engine, an excellent option for both the city and off-road.
I spent several winter months searching for this motorcycle - a mechanic added fuel to the fire of my desire to become the owner of a mini-endurik, assuring me that it was on this motorcycle that he taught his girlfriend how to steer two-wheeled vehicles. The only downside was the price tag - about 100,000 rubles. But it was he who became decisive.
Then it was the turn of the 250 cc classics...
Liked Honda VTR 250
But there were practically none of them in our area, and if there were, they were very, very tired, at a price of 400 kopecks.
I began to slowly go crazy - every day I found a motorcycle that seemed to suit me, and every day it turned out that this was not an option at all for one reason or another.
I was very seriously puzzled by the purchase of the Suzuki GSF 250 Bandit.
Beautiful. Small. Japanese. Well, what else do you need for happiness? I found a couple of options and puzzled a friend so that he would go and have a look.
It didn't work out. One was without documents, the other had mistakes. And the price tag is decent, by the way. If I'm not confused, around 90,000 rubles for 250 cubes, which require additional investments.
Somehow, gradually, quietly and smoothly, I reached 400 currents. In principle, I didn’t consider sports and choppers; I decided that the first moto would be a road worker. The Yamaha Fazer and Suzuki RF immediately dropped out of the line of motorcycles I was considering due to the abundance of plastic, the Honda CB-1 was embarrassing due to its age (consider it an oddity, but I wouldn’t really like to ride a motorcycle that is older than me).
As a result, of all, all, all options, only the Suzuki GSF 400 Bandit and Honda CB 400 Super Four remained. Both suited the description and I liked the look too. I started reading forums, websites, asking familiar and unfamiliar owners.
In the toga, it was decided - I’ll look at both the sea bream and the bandos. My motorcycle will find me itself.
What is enduro?
The name comes from the word “indurare”, which in Latin means “hardy”, “patient”. Indeed, a motorcycle of this class is mainly intended for off-road use, but it is widely in demand not only because of this - it is comfortable and fast, like a meteor.
Historically, the bike is associated with motorsports - racing with obstacles on roads (which can only be called such), requiring courage, strength and endurance from the motorcyclist and his iron horse. Over the course of its evolution, enduro began to be used in several areas, including amateur racing on regular roads.
Characteristic features of enduro motorcycles are:
- relatively small weight category;
- one (two) cylinder engine;
- larger diameter front wheel;
- wide, high-set steering wheel;
- low power;
- large suspension span;
- low motor sound.
