Wife bike choices

[Stoneman]

Unfortunately it's now an outdoor hockey rink. The nerve of some people!


Fun fact: That parking lot is the first place I dragged a knee. Friend of mine and I would go out there and he'd coach me on body position. Good times

That little rink is well out of the way. It's tucked over close to 3A & the defunct soccer field. I'll stop in there today on my way home and make sure. But I'm pretty sure it's not in the way of that old layout, if the markings are even still there.

The rink still leaves plenty of the area of the course exposed. I didn't stop in to see if the markings are still there, but if I remember I'll stop in this afternoon.

[Stoneman]

The Manchester dmv had it painted in a parking lot way back.

I actually found a harley course that has openings before summer!

Manchester DMV as moved at least a few times that I can think of in the past 10-15 years. I can take a spin by the newest location Monday and have a look if you'd like.

I may not make it today. If not, I'll be over that way tomorrow. I'll let you know.

[Stoneman]

The Manch DMV has a few markings in the back parking lot. Nothing like what used to be laid out in Hooksett. I'm hoping I remember to pull into the one in Hooksett BEFORE I drive past it this time!

[Stoneman]

Tri Town Arena in Hooksett still has the markings and has way more laid out than the Manch DMV. The little Mad Hockey rink that's in the parking lot has almost no effect on the course. It's quite the layout that was used for training whereas the DMV is simply for testing purposes. The key would be hitting it up on the days when not much is going on at the arena as it's in their overflow parking lot.

[Gixxer]

Any thoughts on a dr200s to learn on?

Buy it ultimately for myself to scratch the dual sport itch, but also seems like an easy bike to learn on, assuming the seat height isn’t as tall as a drz400?!

Lightweight…

[FriskyDingo]

Probably too far of a drive, but
2006 Kawasaki KLX 250 - $2,995 (Bristol)
https://providence.craigslist.org/mc...472237003.html

It has a lowering kit, installed by the previous owner which makes it easy on and off for shorter or less experienced riders.

[PurplePackage]

'busa

[MattR302]

Any thoughts on a dr200s to learn on?

Buy it ultimately for myself to scratch the dual sport itch, but also seems like an easy bike to learn on, assuming the seat height isn’t as tall as a drz400?!

Lightweight…

Should be a great choice for a learner. Specs say the seat height is almost 5” lower than a DRZ400. XT250 would be a good choice too, and the 2013+ models are EFI.

[Paul_E_D]

The DRZ 200 is a good learner bike. It's small amd lacks anough power that whiskey throttle is out of the question. LOL. That KLX250 is a much taller, heavier bike I believe. OK for a tall learner. Also lacks the power to get into trouble. If it's a bike primarily for you, then the XT 250 is a no brainer. MUCH more capable bike. The new ones are a bit snappy power wise compared to the others in this discussion. still a reasonable learner bike.

[Stoneman]

Probably too far of a drive, but
2006 Kawasaki KLX 250 - $2,995 (Bristol)
https://providence.craigslist.org/mc...472237003.html

Is that yours? I could see myself adding something just like this for use locally.

[Gixxer]

Once again… crazy market. Rebel 500s are apparently in crazy demand (or not being produced hardly), and there are no dr200s on cycletrader.

I miss the days of seeing one of every color available for models

[FriskyDingo]

Is that yours? I could see myself adding something just like this for use locally.

Nope, was thinking the same thing after cruising some local dirt roads on the Duke last week, was hesitant to post it as I was still thinking about checking it out.

[Gixxer]

Ok last call, any input on why my wife SHOULDNT buy a Honda Rebel 500 ABS?

She likes it, she’s 5’7” which the 5’6” tester on motorcycle news uk seemed to think was a good fit.

ABS, Honda reliability, yes it is brand new but the market is pretty absurd and I think she will overpay for something used.

The Rebel 300 has the same performance numbers as the Ninjette 250 I had briefly and my fat ass thought it was entertaining enough…

Anything I’m missing?

[dankatz]

Ok last call, any input on why my wife SHOULDNT buy a Honda Rebel 500 ABS?

She likes it, she’s 5’7” which the 5’6” tester on motorcycle news uk seemed to think was a good fit.

ABS, Honda reliability, yes it is brand new but the market is pretty absurd and I think she will overpay for something used.

The Rebel 300 has the same performance numbers as the Ninjette 250 I had briefly and my fat ass thought it was entertaining enough…

Anything I’m missing?

Great choice. If she regrets it she will have no issues selling it either. Seems like a great bike

[Stoneman]

What's not for a beginner to love about that bike? Small enough that the she'll feel comfortable on it, big enough she'll get a few years before thinking about an upgrade. Looks decent enough, and as you said, Honda.

Let me know when you take her to the test layout in Hooksett...

[MattR302]

FYI, @Yev is selling his wife’s XT250, it’s a EFI model in great condition
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...6124670756067/

[PurplePackage]

Ok last call, any input on why my wife SHOULDNT buy a Honda Rebel 500 ABS?

She likes it, she’s 5’7” which the 5’6” tester on motorcycle news uk seemed to think was a good fit.

ABS, Honda reliability, yes it is brand new but the market is pretty absurd and I think she will overpay for something used.

The Rebel 300 has the same performance numbers as the Ninjette 250 I had briefly and my fat ass thought it was entertaining enough…

Anything I’m missing?

https://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/d/dove...475717522.html

https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/25...-gz250-yamaha/

[Stoneman]

https://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/d/dove...475717522.html

https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/25...-gz250-yamaha/

Turn & run from Hyosung. I know of only three people that bought those. Two were cruisers, one was an SV650 lookalike. The SV lookalike lasted longer than the cruisers, but the cruisers didn't have a very long run. It was definitely a few years ago, but parts were almost nonexistent within a few years. I can't even imagine what it MAY be like to get proper parts for them now. Silly things like brake master cylinders, something with a clutch on one, and various switches & relays on all. I only know of one of those that's still going. But it's only because her boyfriend was finally able to match a few parts up from other vehicles and he worked in a machine shop so he was able to fab something else it needed.

[PurplePackage]

parts catalog: https://www.hyosungcatalog.com/colle...-gv250-catalog

[Gixxer]

I had a blast on a ninja 250 after owning bikes like a cross plane R1 and speed triple 1050 (blast might be over selling it, but fun at least) so I hope a parallel twin 471cc engine keeps her entertained for a few years.

[Stoneman]

parts catalog: https://www.hyosungcatalog.com/colle...-gv250-catalog

Just giving him what experiences I know of.

[Stoneman]

I had a blast on a ninja 250 after owning bikes like a cross plane R1 and speed triple 1050 (blast might be over selling it, but fun at least) so I hope a parallel twin 471cc engine keeps her entertained for a few years.

Going with a new Rebel then? Or is it a done deal?

[Gixxer]

Going with a new Rebel then? Or is it a done deal?

Yup, new Rebel 500 ABS. Picking it up Friday.

[Stoneman]

Yup, new Rebel 500 ABS. Picking it up Friday.

Nice! Where are you picking it up? Which color did you she go with?

[Gixxer]

New York, and white.