Naked bike suggestions

[vmaxride06]

Sister in law has a Honda Shadow 600CC...Forward controls, 4 speed. Goes about 95 MPH......Handles like a dream and is easy on the eyes. She has put about 9K on it so far with out a lick of trouble.

 

[bagherra]

Nice! Both good picks. I'm going to work on getting her in an Abate class this spring.

 

[maxcruiser]

I guess another question is, do you want a new bike or an older one to be customized or modified to fit her style and stature.

I am currently building an 86 Yamaha Radian for my wife. She is 5ft tall, so the seat height needs to be lowered from 30" to 26/27" - already mocked up a 94 FZR600R rear wheel/swingarm, 1999 GSXR600 front forks, wheel/brakes mated to vmax triple trees and shaved the seat by 1 1/2".

Yamaha made some nice bike in the 80s and 90s to be considered, Maxim X, FZX750 (Fazer), XJ550, etc....

Mike

 

[bagherra]

Good question. I'm looking at newer and really not customizing. I'll do some mods, but nothing too extensive. If something was customized already I go that route. She liked a 70s Honda CB750 that someone turned into a bobber lookalike on Ebay.

I'm pretty small for a guy (5'10", 140s#) so most bikes that fit me will likely fit her. She's 5'7".

Right now it's looking like the front runners that I showed her are...
Triumph Legend/Bonneville
Bandit (older, no fairing)
Hornet/919
Eliminator
Shadow
Maxim

 

[gamorg02]

Good question. I'm looking at newer and really not customizing. I'll do some mods, but nothing too extensive. If something was customized already I go that route. She liked a 70s Honda CB750 that someone turned into a bobber lookalike on Ebay.

I'm pretty small for a guy (5'10", 140s#) so most bikes that fit me will likely fit her. She's 5'7".

Right now it's looking like the front runners that I showed her are...
Triumph Legend/Bonneville
Bandit (older, no fairing)
Hornet/919
Eliminator
Shadow
Maxim

i steer away from a 919 or a 1200 bandit. those would be a bi tmuch for a new rider.

 

[WESLICH]

An awesome modern naked bike would be the Honda 919. Very lightweight, maneuverable and powerful, so it may be too much for her, but a very cool bike. Any Yamaha Maxim would be a good starter bike. They are very predictable, reliable and stable with classic styling. My favorite would be a Yamaha Fazer 700 or "Baby Vmax." Small, lightweight and quick, but the coolest of all.

 

[satariel666]

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/45/3269/Motorcycle-Article/2009-Benelli-Cafe-Racer-Review.aspx


http://caferacersreturn.blogspot.com/2006/11/dynamite-on-2-wheels-benelli-tnt-cafe.html

 

[bagherra]

Yeah, I love the Benellis and Aprillas, but not her thing. Darn it.

I was on the fence with the Hornet/919. She likes it but I agree it could be more than what she'd want for a learning bike. I'd love to ride it.

Hmmm...the Fazers look good.

 

[WESLICH]

Here's a couple of bikes listed on Indy's CL that would work perfectly for her; a Fazer & a Virago. Check them out:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/mcy/1577374627.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/mcy/1619030852.html

 

[PATMAX]

I didn't read all the posts but did any mention the Buells? The Blast is a 500 cc and can be had for a grand. Older lightnings or newer XBR 12s if you want to spend the cash. The Hardly boys won't make fun of her either.

 

[dkw0417]

Since you mentioned Triumph. How about Thruxton?

 

[MtnMax/Magniac]

Don't discount the Kawasaki Vulcan 500. Ninja motor tuned for more midrange, very low seat height, belt drive, great handling, low price.

 

[bagherra]

Hmmm...I didn't even think about Buells. The Lightning looks nice.

Thanks for the Indy CLs! I like that Virago...good price also.

 

[gamorg02]

Yeah, I love the Benellis and Aprillas, but not her thing. Darn it.

I was on the fence with the Hornet/919. She likes it but I agree it could be more than what she'd want for a learning bike. I'd love to ride it.

Hmmm...the Fazers look good.

you know the hornet and the 919 are different bikes right? The hornet is a naked 599cc bike. pretty rare.

 

[bagherra]

you know the hornet and the 919 are different bikes right? The hornet is a naked 599cc bike. pretty rare.

That's interesting. The Hornet is actually the 919 in Europe. 919 = US, Hornet = EU.

Found the US Hornet. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[gamorg02]

yea sorry!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Hornet

i like 'em. but if she doesn't like the SV look that may not do it either

how about a triumph street triple? the speed triple's little brother? the R versions are really really nice.

 

[bagherra]

I like it! She may. So many choices. I guess it's a good thing I'm not choosing...I'd want them all.

 

[dtoebaert-5311]

Suzuki GS500 ? Excellent first bike & probably cheap 2nd hand & you can sell it easily afterwards

 

[bagherra]

Suzuki GS500 ? Excellent first bike & probably cheap 2nd hand & you can sell it easily afterwards

Nice! Looks just like my old CB550. She'd like either.

 

[AmnChode]

If I was to pick up a naked, now, it would probably be that new Kawasaki Z1000...clicky clicky

Retails for about $10.5k...but it maybe too much "sporty" for her taste...does look like a fun bike to play with, though