Quantcast
First bike help for girlfriend - Beyond.ca - Car Forums
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 27

Thread: First bike help for girlfriend

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Medicine Hat
    Posts
    931
    Rep Power
    16

    Default First bike help for girlfriend

    Looking at picking up my girlfriend her first bike. She enjoys riding with me, and had mentioned maybe getting her own someday. I figured i would surprise her and pick something up for this season. I am considering a couple options, just looking for opinions on experience with these. She is only 5'4 and all of 120lbs. I would like something she can sit on comfortably, and easy to learn on.

    I have looked at so far:

    Honda CBR 125R

    I love the way these look for a entry bike. Super cheap to buy (most I see are $1400-$1800), tons for sale. My concern is the speed is limited to about 70MPH. Which for in city is fine, but I fear it may be sketchy on highway trips down the road.

    Ninja 250

    Looks OK, but costs near double the CBR, or you have to buy an older one. No idea how they ride or how reliable they are. No idea how much better top end these are than the 125 CBR.

    Does anyone have something else I should look at? I don't want to spend a bunch in case she finds its not something she wants to get in to, or the bike is outgrown fast, than its easy to get out of.

    Cheers!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    Pushbroom
    Posts
    1,258
    Rep Power
    25

    Default

    Give a look to the KTM Duke 390. They're about $6K brand new but have a low seat height if she's short, and excellent resale value. Sounds like it might fit what you're looking for.
    ...

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    YYC & a huge farm in the (deep) south, central Sask
    My Ride
    12 cars trucks & bikes. From 1938 till new.
    Posts
    5,996
    Rep Power
    25

    Default

    Oh man, search dude, this has been discussed so many times it's crazy. If you don't want to spend money on something she'll outgrow, don't waste a second on the CBR 125. She'll out grow that in about two weeks. That's why you see so many for sale with under 3k kms on them. After two weeks, she'll want something with more power, perhaps a month, tops. They can do 70 MPH? Oh okay news to me, perhaps downhill with a good back wind. That must be absolutely flat out. Passing people on the highway or Deerfoot? Forget it. The lack of power is more unsafe then you'd think. Unless her entire riding will be done on residential roads and whatnot with speeds under 90, don't even bother. Seriously. You'll thank me later

    I'd very highly recommend the ninja 250 or 300. The 300's are more, but their EFI, unlike the 250 that they replaced. They handle much the same and are very light usable bikes that have way more power. She won't outgrow one anytime soon, and have a lot higher resale for that reason alone.
    Yeah the 250's and 300's are more money, but trust me, you get what you pay for.
    Last edited by Graham_A_M; 07-27-2015 at 12:14 PM.
    "The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side"

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Medicine Hat
    Posts
    931
    Rep Power
    16

    Default

    Originally posted by Graham_A_M
    Oh man, search dude, this has been discussed so many times it's crazy. If you don't want to spend money on something she'll outgrow, don't waste a second on the CBR 125. She'll out grow that in about two weeks. That's why you see so many for sale with under 3k kms on them. After two weeks, she'll want something with more power, perhaps a month, tops. They can do 70 MPH? Oh okay news to me, perhaps downhill with a good back wind. That must be absolutely flat out. Passing people on the highway or Deerfoot? Forget it. The lack of power is more unsafe then you'd think. Unless her entire riding will be done on residential roads and whatnot with speeds under 90, don't even bother. Seriously. You'll thank me later

    I'd very highly recommend the ninja 250 or 300. The 300's are more, but their EFI, unlike the 250 that they replaced. They handle much the same and are very light usable bikes that have way more power. She won't outgrow one anytime soon, and have a lot higher resale for that reason alone.
    Yeah the 250's and 300's are more money, but trust me, you get what you pay for.
    Thanks, I did search but mostly it was guys asking about themselves, and 9/10 they are quite a bit bigger than her (was hoping to hear what other guys wives ride). I found a decent ninja 250 I am going to have a look at. I thought about lowering my old F4I but she wasn't keen on riding it for a starter. The more I look around I think the Ninja 250 or CBR 250 (forgot they made these) will be my bike of choice.

    As for the 125 70MPH top speed, dont know how incredibly accurate the speedo is, but I had my nephews going that fast on the highway. It did sound like it was going to combust however.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Strathmore
    My Ride
    2005 Dirtymax
    Posts
    2,222
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    People seem to forget that just because a bike has a bunch of power doesn't mean you need to use that power.

    Bigger bikes can sometimes mean more weight to the bike but if you own a bike you should be able to handle that weight and especially moreso when it falls over.

    If you can't pick up the bike your riding you shouldn't be riding it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Moo Town
    My Ride
    (0^oo^0)~
    Posts
    746
    Rep Power
    23

    Default

    I have looked at Ninja 250's on Kijiji.

    Some of the ones have 13,000 km's or more on them but they're selling for roughly $2400, so definitely not nearly double the price of CBR 125's like you suggested.

    You could probably pick it up for $2200 if the guy is willing to deal.

    I don't ride but I've been interested in picking up a bike for a while now, so I search on Kijiji every so often to see what they'r'e worth.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Medicine Hat
    Posts
    931
    Rep Power
    16

    Default

    Originally posted by rx7boi
    I have looked at Ninja 250's on Kijiji.

    Some of the ones have 13,000 km's or more on them but they're selling for roughly $2400, so definitely not nearly double the price of CBR 125's like you suggested.

    You could probably pick it up for $2200 if the guy is willing to deal.

    I don't ride but I've been interested in picking up a bike for a while now, so I search on Kijiji every so often to see what they'r'e worth.
    found 5 cbr 125's for $1200. So thats really splitting hairs, ok not half more like 40-48% cheaper

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    1917 Model T, VW Baja, '18 Ram 2500 CTD/6spd
    Posts
    655
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    Or, send her to a quality bike school that has a ton of different bikes to try, and let her see which she likes. As a bonus, she'll actually learn to ride.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    237
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Originally posted by carson blocks
    Or, send her to a quality bike school that has a ton of different bikes to try, and let her see which she likes. As a bonus, she'll actually learn to ride.
    What a crazy idea, where on earth did you come up with such madness?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    1917 Model T, VW Baja, '18 Ram 2500 CTD/6spd
    Posts
    655
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    Originally posted by Mista Bob


    What a crazy idea, where on earth did you come up with such madness?
    I drank the kool-aid.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    YYC & a huge farm in the (deep) south, central Sask
    My Ride
    12 cars trucks & bikes. From 1938 till new.
    Posts
    5,996
    Rep Power
    25

    Default

    Yeah the difference between the CBR 250 and ninja 250 is the fact the CBR is still a single cylinder. The ninja 250 and 300's are inline twins. So the ninjas will have more power and it'll be a lot smoother too, but with the added cylinder, you have a bit more weight too obviously. I'd check out both and see which one she likes best, but yeah a 250 would be the smallest I'd ever go.
    "The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side"

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Calgary AB
    Posts
    296
    Rep Power
    13

    Default

    Or look at something older that you won't regret being dropped. Paid $2000 for my 2001 Ninja 500. 500CC inline twin. Not so powerful that it was hard to control, and enough power to still have fun and ride it.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Vancouver
    My Ride
    Harley Nightster
    Posts
    108
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Yeah like others posted, don't get a 125. Shit, I started at 1200cc as my first bike at 170lbs haha, doesn't mean you use all that power (though obviously I don't recommend it).

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Moo Town
    My Ride
    (0^oo^0)~
    Posts
    746
    Rep Power
    23

    Default

    Originally posted by Skrilla


    found 5 cbr 125's for $1200. So thats really splitting hairs, ok not half more like 40-48% cheaper
    Ok ok, maybe they are really that cheap. I was wanting a CBR 125 till I started looking and saw how cheap Ninja 250's were.

    PS: Link to those CBR's please because for $1200 I might actually pick one up to play around on haha.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Blackfalds aka north RD, AB
    My Ride
    Bikes.Car.Truck
    Posts
    1,208
    Rep Power
    16

    Default

    Graham is always against the CBR 125.

    Firstly, since I own one, let me tell you how it rides.

    Clutch is so damn smooth, it glides like a bar of Crisco over a nice hardwood floor.
    Smoothest shifting Honda I have ever owned.
    Yes, fairly gutless.
    Fastest I could get it going was 125 kph on level grade… and it took a long time to get there.
    It's a Honda, so its reliable.

    I still think it's one of the best beginner bikes out there.
    I witnessed some crazy shit go down where a beginner lost control. I couldn't imagine if that beginner was on a bigger machine… It would have been mayhem.


    I say send her to motorcycle school.
    Looking around
    Wondering what became
    Of what I once knew

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    1290SDR, 701SM
    Posts
    430
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Originally posted by firebane
    People seem to forget that just because a bike has a bunch of power doesn't mean you need to use that power.
    QFT

    I hate all topics relating to starter bikes.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Medicine Hat
    Posts
    931
    Rep Power
    16

    Default

    Originally posted by firebane
    People seem to forget that just because a bike has a bunch of power doesn't mean you need to use that power.
    It never was about the power as much as the weight of the bike, and overall comfort when riding. I don't think there is anything wrong with someone riding a 250CC IMO, if that's all the power they feel they will need. Just because they make 1000cc+ super-bike's doesn't mean you have to buy one. Most people that ride larger displacement bikes never use them to their potential anyway, and they are a waste. But being able to say "I ride a *insert biggest/fastest bike made here*" sounds cool I guess

    She and I are both attending a school regardless of the bike chosen. Anyways, I bought a bike last night for her. Thanks for the helpful responses, went with the Ninja 250R!

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Strathmore
    My Ride
    2005 Dirtymax
    Posts
    2,222
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    Originally posted by Skrilla


    It never was about the power as much as the weight of the bike, and overall comfort when riding. I don't think there is anything wrong with someone riding a 250CC IMO, if that's all the power they feel they will need. Just because they make 1000cc+ super-bike's doesn't mean you have to buy one. Most people that ride larger displacement bikes never use them to their potential anyway, and they are a waste. But being able to say "I ride a *insert biggest/fastest bike made here*" sounds cool I guess

    She and I are both attending a school regardless of the bike chosen. Anyways, I bought a bike last night for her. Thanks for the helpful responses, went with the Ninja 250R!
    I would never start anyone on a 125... 250 is a perfect starting size and weight and its what I started out on.

    I had a 198x Yamaha SR250 bike which was a lot of fun.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Medicine Hat
    Posts
    931
    Rep Power
    16

    Default

    Originally posted by snowcat


    QFT

    I hate all topics relating to starter bikes.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Medicine Hat
    Posts
    931
    Rep Power
    16

    Default

    Originally posted by firebane


    I would never start anyone on a 125... 250 is a perfect starting size and weight and its what I started out on.

    I had a 198x Yamaha SR250 bike which was a lot of fun.
    I almost bought an old cb last night for her, it was in decent shape. May still pick it up for myself

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. First he sets bike of fire then crashes another bike

    By trev0006 in forum Cars, Bikes, Machines
    Replies: 1
    Latest Threads: 10-05-2012, 02:02 PM
  2. For Free: My Girlfriend's Bed - Girlfriend Not Included

    By Mar in forum Miscellaneous Buy/Sell/Trade
    Replies: 3
    Latest Threads: 10-22-2010, 12:33 PM
  3. Girlfriend looking for her first business card

    By spike98 in forum Photoshop Gallery
    Replies: 29
    Latest Threads: 09-26-2010, 01:02 PM
  4. Help with Le Girlfriend's G2 Integra

    By ZorroAMG in forum Mechanical
    Replies: 9
    Latest Threads: 03-25-2005, 02:56 PM
  5. Girlfriend FS, box included ( bike Humor)

    By SinisterProbeGt in forum Bike Talk
    Replies: 4
    Latest Threads: 06-13-2004, 09:02 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •