My mom is looking for a bike

[fineout]

there are easy ways of lowering a versys, this lowering kit is easily found http://www.shop.motowerk.com/Versys_c2.htm and also, there are many lower seats that are made for it too, if you do want to look into them theres a ton of info on kawasakiversys.com

[SRTie4k]

Just found a Versys local to her. I'll have her swing a leg over it and see how she likes it, and if she could handle it if it were lowered 2-3".

[nhbubba]

I honestly don't think you can lower a Versys enough to get a 5' 6" rider to flat foot. No way.

If she had and liked the V-Strom, she'd probably like the Versys though.

Cruisers are silly-ass low.

Also on the radar is the new Honda NC700x. Budget doesn't fit as it is brand new and not available used. But I hear they are fairly low in the saddle and easy to ride thanks to the forward banked engine config. This thing doesn't do much for me as I'd rather have a Versys or V-Strom (in fact, I do!). But YMMV.

[KawiSmurf]

I think a Nighthawk 750 might fit all the needs you're looking to fill. Pretty sure they stopped making them in '03, so they might be slightly harder to track down, but they're out there.

I did find this listing, so there are decent ones still around:
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2...hawk-104061533

[TheIglu]

Another vote for the Bonnie. They are rock solid, handle well, comfortable and low. The engine/tranny is buttery smooth.

[SRTie4k]

One thing she asked me is if modern Triumphs still have the shifter and brake swapped?

[TheIglu]

No, they don't. Standard controls.

[SRTie4k]

The Bonneville is looking better and better. I'll have her swing by the Triumph dealer in Greenfield MA to sit on one.

Not many used ones on craigslist, though. Either they are that fantastic that nobody wants to sell it, or they are not very popular.

[KB]

Check out the Hyosung line. Cheap first bikes and pretty solid.

KB

[jbmass]

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...s-300-ltd.html

How bout this? Im a little flexible on the price.

[TheIglu]

The Bonneville is looking better and better. I'll have her swing by the Triumph dealer in Greenfield MA to sit on one.

Not many used ones on craigslist, though. Either they are that fantastic that nobody wants to sell it, or they are not very popular.

They are very well liked. I rode one and can understand why.

[KB]

Still waiting for pics of your mom!

KB

[golden chicken]

SV650N or Gladius? Lots of aftermarket support for SV's

[Hammerspur]

Cruisers are silly-ass low.

Yep...


But Vive La Difference, that's part of their fun!

[StrayNut]

2002 Honda Nighthawk CB750, 8210 miles, $3250. Upright seat position and I think seat height is 30.7"

edit: whoops, looks like a duplicate of the one kawismurf found.

[StrayNut]

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...s-300-ltd.html

How bout this? Im a little flexible on the price.

Dang! If I had seen that last year when I was looking, I totally would have picked it up. But then I wouldn't have the sweet little CB-1, so not too gutted. It's pretty

[SVRACER01]

guy at work is selling his sportster. its really nice and makes good power. hed probably take $5k for it. let me know and i can probably get more info on it

[Rossco]

To the OP, Suzuki dropped the "Bandit" nameplate from their bikes years ago.

The modern incarnation is called the GSX650F/GSX1250F depending on engine size.

[mell0]

If you want to deal with carbs here are a couple for you. 2009+ are fuel injected, but it's tough to find one under $6,000.
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/mcy/3046771418.html
http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/3026589818.html

[ThisBitch]

My 57 year old mom started on a Honda Shadow. She eventually upgraded to a Night Hawk. She loved both and could flat foot at 5'6

[SRTie4k]

If you want to deal with carbs here are a couple for you. 2009+ are fuel injected, but it's tough to find one under $6,000.
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/mcy/3046771418.html
http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/3026589818.html

I was looking at those two last week.

We decided to head down to the Triumph dealership in Greenfield Mass to sit on a Bonnie this coming Saturday. She loves the look of it, and if she likes the comfort, I'll be looking for one on craigslist.

[SprintPoser]

Another vote for the Bonnie. They are rock solid, handle well, comfortable and low. The engine/tranny is buttery smooth.

And...a Bonneville seems to have a center of gravity/mass somewhere around the ankles.

There's a Triumph dealer in Greenfield? I did not know this. Very cool.

[dankatz]

So far, I think the TU250X and the Bonneville are probably some of the best runners-up. She's not entirely convinced by the cruiser style, although I told her to at least try sitting on an 883 to see how she likes it, so maybe that will open her up to more cruisers if she does.

I checked out this bike for my wife. It is literally new - 93 miles! Beautiful bike. I wish she wanted it (I kind of wanted it as well in the back of my mind, but have enough bikes), but being a newbie my wife wants a cheaper clunker that she will not feel bad if she dropped. Girl's name is Amy and you can mention that the guy who saw the bike with his wife is who referred you to her.
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/mcy/3040883254.html

[SRTie4k]

Well today was the day. My mom, my dad, my wife and I all jumped in the car and headed down to Second Wind BMW in Merrimack NH. They were all really awesome there, and let her take the one Bonneville they had on the show floor out for a test ride. She loved it....

...And promptly put a down payment on it! After searching for used Bonneville's on craigslist, we've found that there really aren't many and the ones that are for sale are pretty expensive.

So my mom is going to be the owner of a new 2012 Triumph Bonneville in black. They had a deal going where she gets a free luggage rack, center stand, locking gas cap and a few other odds and ends, plus she also bought a gel seat and a wind screen. She'll be going to pick it up next Friday.

[SprintPoser]

Congratulations to your mom, and welcome her to the Triumph owners group!

Have her check out TriumphRat.net where she'll find many fellow Bonneville riders, and a good many of them are women.