Should I get a motorbike?

[Stacy_83]

Good morning,

 

Thank you for accepting me into your forum.

I am thinking of buying a motorbike, I have always wanted one but never had the guts to get one. 

I worry that I am only 5 foot 1 and I won't be able to put both feet on the floor.

I have looked at different makes and models and I don't really know enough to make a decision on which would be best. 

I want one that is quite fuel efficient, I do around 35 miles a day. I like the styles of the Yamaha V-Star 250, and the Harley Davison Low Rider. I don't need a super fast one but want a bit of a kick. 

Would someone be able to give me soke advice please? I am booking in for lessons and see how I feel, my dad had a couple bikes when I was younger and he had a seriously crash so want to make sure I feel safe on the road as a friend of mine said she felt really unsafe and that people didn't look out for her. How do others feel please?

 

Thank you for reading!

 

[bonio]

Hi there and welcome

At 5'1" your choice of bikes is going to be limited, but you will be able to find a bike you can ride comfortably. Cruisers like the ones you've mentioned are lower than other bikes and so are most likely to work out for you. If you've not come across it already, there's a web site, cycle-ergo.com, where you can put in your height and get an idea of how well you can reach the floor on various bikes. It's not as good as sitting on them for real and trying them out, but it's a lot easier and a good way of coming up with a short list.

35 miles a day is a perfectly reasonable commute on a bike. You'll need reasonable quality all-weather kit to keep dry and warm in the winter months - easy enough to find.

Of course a bike gives you a lot less protection than a car, and you will feel very exposed when you first start riding. But good training and defensive riding can make you safer, and with experience you'll find you feel more comfortable on the bike - and this will come fairly quickly if you're riding every day. But it can feel a tad scary when you start out.

[NeilM]

Yes

[Bender]

Yes

[Gerontious]

There are options available for those with a short inside leg after the test is passed. For instance the Honda Rebel 500 has a 25” seat height which will decrease somewhat with your weight upon it. Many other bikes have lowering options, often quite affordable ones. Your first goal is to find a bike school that can provide a bike to suit your needs and then perhaps ask about a try-out/taster day, which many offer. And then take it from there.

[husoi]

Regret things you've done not the ones you haven't  

[Throttled]

I would suggest you look at the Royal Enfield Meteor 350. Very low seat, light, great reviews and brand new starts at just under £4000.

 

 

[MikeHorton]

1 hour ago, Throttled said:

I would suggest you look at the Royal Enfield Meteor 350. Very low seat, light, great reviews and brand new starts at just under £4000.

 

 

That's a good suggestion v understressed engine just pick a good dealer with RE I had a shocking one when I had my himmy, Cooperb are v reputable dealers for anything enfield

[Stacy_83]

7 hours ago, bonio said:

Hi there and welcome

At 5'1" your choice of bikes is going to be limited, but you will be able to find a bike you can ride comfortably. Cruisers like the ones you've mentioned are lower than other bikes and so are most likely to work out for you. If you've not come across it already, there's a web site, cycle-ergo.com, where you can put in your height and get an idea of how well you can reach the floor on various bikes. It's not as good as sitting on them for real and trying them out, but it's a lot easier and a good way of coming up with a short list.

35 miles a day is a perfectly reasonable commute on a bike. You'll need reasonable quality all-weather kit to keep dry and warm in the winter months - easy enough to find.

Of course a bike gives you a lot less protection than a car, and you will feel very exposed when you first start riding. But good training and defensive riding can make you safer, and with experience you'll find you feel more comfortable on the bike - and this will come fairly quickly if you're riding every day. But it can feel a tad scary when you start out.

Thank you, I will look at cruisers and definitely look at the website you have recommended! 

Probably a bit of an obvious question but do you get too hot in summer?

[Stacy_83]

4 hours ago, Throttled said:

I would suggest you look at the Royal Enfield Meteor 350. Very low seat, light, great reviews and brand new starts at just under £4000.

 

 

I will have a look at these. Thank you. 

[Stacy_83]

6 hours ago, Gerontious said:

There are options available for those with a short inside leg after the test is passed. For instance the Honda Rebel 500 has a 25” seat height which will decrease somewhat with your weight upon it. Many other bikes have lowering options, often quite affordable ones. Your first goal is to find a bike school that can provide a bike to suit your needs and then perhaps ask about a try-out/taster day, which many offer. And then take it from there.

Ooh a taster day sounds like a great idea!

[MikeHorton]

3 minutes ago, Stacy_83 said:

Thank you, I will look at cruisers and definitely look at the website you have recommended! 

Probably a bit of an obvious question but do you get too hot in summer?

You can do but I have some lighter weight clothing for summer. In general when you are moving it's not too bad. Lets face it in the UK we only have to worry about heat for around 2 weeks a year

[Mickly]

8 hours ago, Stacy_83 said:

Good morning,

 

Thank you for accepting me into your forum.

I am thinking of buying a motorbike, I have always wanted one but never had the guts to get one. 

I worry that I am only 5 foot 1 and I won't be able to put both feet on the floor.

I have looked at different makes and models and I don't really know enough to make a decision on which would be best. 

I want one that is quite fuel efficient, I do around 35 miles a day. I like the styles of the Yamaha V-Star 250, and the Harley Davison Low Rider. I don't need a super fast one but want a bit of a kick. 

Would someone be able to give me soke advice please? I am booking in for lessons and see how I feel, my dad had a couple bikes when I was younger and he had a seriously crash so want to make sure I feel safe on the road as a friend of mine said she felt really unsafe and that people didn't look out for her. How do others feel please?

 

Thank you for reading!

 

Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it

[dynax]

Your size is pretty much irrelevant, it's more about technique, have a watch of some of Jocelin Snow's videos.

Here's one to get you started.

 

 

[KiwiBob]

If you get some boots like these it will help with a hight issue!

 

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/250072

[bonio]

1 hour ago, Stacy_83 said:

Probably a bit of an obvious question but do you get too hot in summer?

I've a jacket that lets the wind through (an air jacket) for those few days when the thermometer heads towards 30C.

[geofferz]

Didn't read the post, just the title, but yes. Unless you are scared of or allergic to motorcycles