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A bike for the girlfriend

  1. #1
    The Antique Bike Hoarder Fatman's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    My girlfriend wants to get a bike. I'm not sure what would be a good bike for her to start on, so I figured I'd ask you guys. I would appreciate any input you could give me. She wants a race bike, but I'm not sure that's so wise for someone who's only been on the back of my bike. Thanks much guys!!

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  2. #2
    NESR ruined my life. chr|s sedition's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    1. take the MSF course.

    2. get a used early 1990's 600cc bike.

    3. ride it for a season and then sell / get a newer 600cc bike.

    4. rock with your bad-self


    -chr|s sedition

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  3. #3
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    well... does she have ANY experience whatsoever? I'm guessing that alot of the guys on here would say the best course of action is taking the MSF course before getting a bike... just to make sure she wants to hop off the back of yours & onto her own.

    if she's still all for it, then i'd go w/ something like a Ninja 500 or early-mid 600cc bike like chr|s said... CBR F1, F2 or F3.... I'd say nothing newer than 2000 if it's a 600cc sportbike, unless it's something like an SV650... but then again, that's not a SuperSport

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  4. #4
    Lifer oreo_n2's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    depending on her size of course...
    the 500 is probably the best bet, i bought 2 different older 600's for my ex before we discovered that the 500 was what she was comfy with. and when she got on it, she rode really well, really quick, she just needed a machine she was comfy with. (she took the msf first)

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  5. #5
    Got Boost? katana0215's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    you could buy my 99 Katana 600 in the for sale forum. Definately not too much power for a newbie


    http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...786#post144786


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  6. #6
    Lifer
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    The MSF course is definately the best way to go. They provide the bike, and teach the correct, safe way to ride. I have been in the same boat with snow skiing and have paid for my girlfriends to have private lessons by professional instructors. I use the line "I love you too much to teach you to ski." A lot of fights and hurt feelings have been avoided.
    As for the bike, the same requirements you use should apply to her. It should be a machine she is comfortable on. As a new rider she should be able to touch the ground solidly with both feet, and the power level should be high enough to be enjoyable, but not too high to get her into trouble fast. The particular bike depends on her size and strength. Typically the EX 500, and GS 500 make good bikes for the first few years. Depending on her skill level after the course you might want to consider prepping the bike for parking lot drops. Good Luck...

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  7. #7
    Lifer LuvDog's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    I'll jump on the bandwagon.

    MSF first... no compromise there.

    Not to be too nosey, but how big is she? and what kind of riding will she be doing?

    Lots of highway? back roads....???

    I'd suggest a ninja 250 or ninja 500.

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  8. #8
    Lifer richw's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    MY advise

    Make sure she knows that she will crash and probably will have some body trauma or scars as a result.

    Make her make the final choice between 2 or 3 starter bikes like a Ninja 250, but make it her final decision.

    Pivotal question when she rode down a big hill on her bicycle did she go

    "Weeeee" or "EEEEEeK"

    if it was eeeek then question the whole thing

    "So now I'm waiting for the end of time..."

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  9. #9
    Senior Member Buddhaman's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    Yep what they said.

    Also, one of the members is selling her 250. Thay would make a great starter bike. Here is the Link

    http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...threadid=12535

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  10. #10
    Lifer oreo_n2's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    also... i used to steal her ninja 500 all the time, it was actually a fun little bike. and parts were dirt cheap on ebay cause so many people race them. It would actually hold its own pretty good on the road.
    It is so damn light, if you have some riding experience, you'll get on the thing, get in teh twisties and be amazed at how easily you can keep a very respectable pace on that thing, you know, when your bike breaks for some reason or needs maintenance or whatever.
    also... it makes a very economical commuter. i think i was getting over 50 or 55 mpg and at the time my commute was like 40+ miles each way on the highway.

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  11. #11
    Hood Rich Lucky13's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    If she's never ever ridden a bike I'd say something < 600cc's. Even though she'd be taking the MSF, she'll still need something small and forgiving to get used to the physics of motorcycling. Better to start small and build confidence.

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  12. #12
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    Rob, buy yourself an SV or that cruiser you've been considering and sell your bike to her. It's a good bike to learn on since it's relativly mild-mannered and it's a good bike.

    As both very well know, first bikes hit the ground no matter what you do to stop them. Keep her away from a bike that will crack like an egg when this happens, or she will be down a couple thousand bucks easily if enough plastic gets damaged.

    What she needs first is a good, brand new helmet, a good leather jacket, real boots, real riding gloves, and maybe even a decent set of riding pants. If she is that serious about getting a bike, having that stuff first will make the MSF course much better for her and she'll start riding the right way.

    Or you could just wait until your neighbors lay their 600's down with their chrome skull caps on and you can buy them off their widows cheap

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  13. #13
    Senior Member Buddhaman's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    Originally posted by oreo_n2
    also... i used to steal her ninja 500 all the time, it was actually a fun little bike. and parts were dirt cheap on ebay cause so many people race them. It would actually hold its own pretty good on the road.
    It is so damn light, if you have some riding experience, you'll get on the thing, get in teh twisties and be amazed at how easily you can keep a very respectable pace on that thing, you know, when your bike breaks for some reason or needs maintenance or whatever.
    also... it makes a very economical commuter. i think i was getting over 50 or 55 mpg and at the time my commute was like 40+ miles each way on the highway.
    He is right, its not about the bike its the rider. I went on one ride with a few of the guys on here and I was last in line. Cheese was on his 250(or was it a 500) and he was smoking me becuase he is a better rider with more experience. He also had no problem keeping up with the Jays TLR and and a zx9r on the back roads.

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  14. #14
    Hungry like a wolf... MissTwisties's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    eh thanks!!

    Yup, my 250 is for sale. I've had lot of fun with this bike, light, very forgiving (God only knows I needed that from my bike), lot of fun in the twisties and backroads. Would make a real nice bike for your wife.


    Originally posted by Buddhaman
    Yep what they said.

    Also, one of the members is selling her 250. Thay would make a great starter bike. Here is the Link

    http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...threadid=12535

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  15. #15
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    Originally posted by MissTwisties
    eh thanks!!

    Yup, my 250 is for sale. I've had lot of fun with this bike, light, very forgiving (God only knows I needed that from my bike), lot of fun in the twisties and backroads. Would make a real nice bike for your wife.


    HA HA HA HA!!!

    WIFE!!!

    HA HA HA HA!!!

    Miss.Twisties, I think you just lost a sale

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  16. #16
    Hungry like a wolf... MissTwisties's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    ummm...very sorry bout this....GIRLFRIEND...hmm...

    (now will you consider my bike?)

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  17. #17
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    Rob, I've worked on Miss.Twisties bike. It's in great shape and she takes very good care of it. Well worth the consideration!

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  18. #18
    KB KB's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    How much for the 250 that would be a good Deals beater!!

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  19. #19
    mtn biking season! skiierx's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    Originally posted by rmbbikes
    How much for the 250 that would be a good Deals beater!!
    Your fatass would break that bike!

    Jamie

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  20. #20
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    Originally posted by skiierx
    Your fatass would break that bike!

    Jamie

    Still be faster than you, old man

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  21. #21
    Hungry like a wolf... MissTwisties's Avatar
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    A bike for the girlfriend

    Hey man...this bike is not a beater!! lol it's in showroom condition, it DESERVES to be threated NICELY, mmmkay?? (but if you really want to buy it...I'll let you beat it..hehehe)

    TheIglu, thanks for the good word.

    Originally posted by rmbbikes
    How much for the 250 that would be a good Deals beater!!

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