Motorcycle suggestion for young female (Page 1/2) Wichita MAR 06, 04:35 PM I know very little about motorcycles, but I'm learning. I have a daughter who loves motorcycles and she will be turning 18 soon. She already has a motorcycle endorsement, been through motorcycle safety courses and has been riding other people's motorcycles for three years. I've been reluctant to get her one for safety purposes. I can't stop her as an adult. I'm open to getting her one as a graduation present. Currently she is taking Automotive Technology at a tech school as part of her senior year. She is the only female in her class. She wants to continue tech school after high school to get an Associates in Automotive Technology. So she is really into this. She has all the safety gear, three motorcycle helmets, including one of those $700 ones. She visits the motorcycle shop all the time to the point she has friends there. I was going to get her a 300, as reviews say it's good for female riders because they are light and very forgiving. But she says they are too slow, like a moped and really wants a 600. Some warn that 600s are too much bike for a beginner. But if anyone can help steer me in the right direction. At first I thought it was a passing phase, but she has really been sticking to this for several years now that I can tell it's a passion. So I want to send her off right, but as a father, want wants safe for her. RWDPLZ MAR 06, 04:58 PM She's been riding for 3 years, so she already has good experience, and may have a preference. You'd likely be best off taking her to a shop to see what she likes/what fits. I'd recommend starting with a used Yamaha R6 and going from there. 600cc would be the minimum I'd want for riding in traffic around other cars. IMSA GT MAR 06, 07:22 PM quote Originally posted by Wichita: But she says they are too slow, like a moped and really wants a 600. This always concerns me as a parent. Most 250cc bikes do 0-60 in under 6 seconds with close to 125mph top speed. A 600 goes 0-60 in 2.5 seconds. Not sure what her hurry is but I guess whatever she wants, she'll eventually buy on her own so go for the 600 if that's what she really wants. 82-T/A [At Work] MAR 07, 06:50 AM Man, I can understand what you're feeling. I don't really know anything about motorcycles, but if it's going to be her first bike, and it's coming from dad... I would want to make it memorable. Not something that's insanely powerful like a Hyabasu Ninja Gaiden 6000cc ZXC Deluxe TwinTurbo SomethingSomething... but perhaps a motorcycle that's a bit more timeless that she really likes. Bikes are easier to keep, and she'll probably want to keep it forever as it will remind her of dad many years after you're gone. I'm with you on the speed thing... that makes me nervous... it's why I got my daughter a 4 cyl Fiero rather than a V6. But as someone else here said... maybe the surprise is that you buy her a bike, and then go with her, that way she can pick it out and she'll be able to get something exactly like she wants. cliffw MAR 07, 11:40 AM Wichita, I am not a girl, though I am a Father with a Daughter. I rode bikes from an early age starting with mini bikes. Then dirt bikes. (I once had a Harley Davidson 250, two stroke.) Notice the front and rear forks. I never had ridden a 350 or a 600 but when I got my first street bike I chose an 83 Kawasaki 750 Spectre. I was basically a beginer. Notice no chrome and gold anodized engine and forks. Drive shaft driven and it also had self canceling turn signals. Very nice bike and only weighed 471 lbs (IIRC). A very nice bike, which I will never forget. I did not want a bike which would only make me want a more powerful one. I mention all this because her first bike is going to be one she remembers, good or not so good. I suggest you visit your daughter's thoughts on what kind of bike she wants. I also think there must be a female biker forum or biker forum female sub section. Ask members what they think instead of published reviews. Where you can engage them in conversation. They likely will inspire thoughts. Is your daughter on any bike forums ? My best to you and your daughter. Reviews are much like polls. They are not all that. css9450 MAR 07, 11:42 AM quote Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: But as someone else here said... maybe the surprise is that you buy her a bike, and then go with her, that way she can pick it out and she'll be able to get something exactly like she wants. I agree completely. I was going to suggest the Yamaha R3, but if she is set on a 600 anything smaller than the R6 will disappoint her. I remember how it was when I was that age.... If I asked for an R6 my parents would have twisted my arm as to why I should settle for an R3, and than I'd wake up on Christmas day to find they'd bought an "R1.5" or some such nonsense instead. For the record, I thought the R3 was plenty fast but admittedly that is the only bike I've ever ridden. Hank is Here MAR 07, 02:03 PM What type of bike does she want? IE sport bike, street, bike, cruiser, dual purpose? What is she like physically? Height/weight? Being 18 and a new rider it is question of when she will go down, not if she goes down. Just a function of being a new rider. By going down I don't mean an high speed accident, it could just be having a foot slip moving the bike at low speeds. Before she get sa bike the first recommendation is for her to take the MSF safety course and try the bikes they provide. Second hard recommendation is to get a used bike to start. now getting into more particulars. Anything in the 250 to 400 cc is a reasonable starter size range and a prudent choice, just expect to be moving up in size a year or two after some experience. Think Rebel, DRZ400, Baby Ninja Next I would recommend the 650 2 cylinder size range. Suzuki SV650 or VStrom, Kawasaki Ninja 650 or Versys, or maybe a Honda CBR500. I would not recommend any 4 cylinder high rev'ing bikes as a starter ie anything in the 600 or 750 cc range. Wichita MAR 07, 05:13 PM She really into the sports bikes. She isn't opposed to the R3, but believes she can handle a larger bike because she has risen then a few times. I'm going to lean towards the R3, just as some said here, that no doubt it's going to take a fall, and you don't want an expensive bike to do that. She is fairly tall, slim and strong for a teenager, so she could handle an 600cc I'm sure, but I'm just thinking about just for getting experience, but nothing super low like a 150cc and below. I'm going to make sure it has antilock brakes though. That's a must. So it will be a newer bike 2017/18 at the oldest (the years when antilock brakes became standard or options in most bikes). Her daily driver and school car Chrysler Crossfire, so you can imagine her reputation at school is that's she's the sporter type. 82-T/A [At Work] MAR 07, 05:23 PM quote Originally posted by Wichita: Her daily driver and school car Chrysler Crossfire, so you can imagine her reputation at school is that's she's the sporter type. That's pretty cool! How does she like that car? I've thought about getting one over the years, they are wildly underpriced right now, but really good cars. I realize of course it's basically a Mercedes... any thoughts on it? Wichita MAR 07, 07:41 PM quote Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: That's pretty cool! How does she like that car? I've thought about getting one over the years, they are wildly underpriced right now, but really good cars. I realize of course it's basically a Mercedes... any thoughts on it? I like it and so does she. We had to a few things to it, but it has high miles, so that's expected. Some things are ok to work on, other things not so much. Parts aren't bad and not too expensive. Yes, it's pretty much 95% a Mercedes. Damn thing has 12 spark plugs. Overall it's tons of fun.