girl bikes....

35xj · 10-01-2011, 07:35 AM

lets talk about em.
im sure im not the only guy on here in this situation. Been riding for years, love it, finally convinced my wife to give it a try. (initially on my trials bike..)
so, bought her a klx 250 for dsing. Put on lowdering links, ran the forks up, softened it up, etc She did really well, got comfortable on the bike, took the msf class and built a decent confidence level up.

Then... she took a spin around the block on my 610 motard. loved it! So, she now has a 610 tard, and i picked up a 630 tard. Her confidence level has blown up! Shes riding fast and in full control! Pretty impressive, Feel like the bike really allowed her to build the skills and confidence required to ride at a pretty high level.

Which brings us to the point of this.. shes 120 lbs, 5'6 really feel like the klx is holding her back. too heavy, pretty underpowered, really top heavy, etc
so, thinking about building some type of hybrid for her.

maybe an cr/yz 80 with a different power plant? TTr 125 with better suspension?
Bought a ktm 200, fit her pretty well, but even really detuned, it was too snappy for a woods bike, and a pretty terrible ds bike.
really looking for a light weight, small framed bike, with modern suspension/brakes, and want to tag it for her to ride as a ds bike.

so, any thoughts?

engineerjoe · 10-03-2011, 12:04 PM

CRF150R?

Plenty of mods available, getting it plated might be an issue but they have great suspension and plenty of power, relatively low maintenece too.

maybe an older DR250 or a KLX300 with a lowering kit.

rgoers · 10-03-2011, 12:59 PM

Uncork the KLX! The stupid CA emissions standards have it setup so plugged and lean that it can't get out of its own way. There are *SO* many mods for that bike that really wake it up... including a 350cc top end. Just a little jetting and an aftermarket exhaust will make a world of difference. If she wants to pull wheelies, then go for a pumper carb and the 350 top end. Any of these modes would be a lot cheaper than building something from scratch, and she'd still be on a bike she's comfortable with.

You'll find a ton of basic (must-do) mods here... http://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum/klx-250s-71/

Might have to adjust the website a little... didn't say if she has a KLX250 SF or S.

Tepi · 10-03-2011, 03:18 PM

Let her ride the 610 if she likes it.

Qwik · 10-03-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tepi

Let her ride the 610 if she likes it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35xj

Then... she took a spin around the block on my 610 motard. loved it! So, she now has a 610 tard, and i picked up a 630 tard. Her confidence level has blown up! Shes riding fast and in full control! Pretty impressive, Feel like the bike really allowed her to build the skills and confidence required to ride at a pretty high level.

Uhm. Okay

SidewinderX · 10-04-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35xj

lets talk about em.

TTr 125 with better suspension?

so, any thoughts?

I have a Street legal TTR125E for sale if your interested. 2hrs away....

My girl got a BMW 650 and is looking to sell her TTR. PM me if interested.

35xj · 10-04-2011, 05:46 PM

well. just figured out where this was moved too...

yep, she is riding the hell out of her 610 SM and Loves it!

her KLX is uncorked with all the typical mods. still pretty slow and heavy feeling. I reall y want to give her a bike that is not over twice her body weight! I think a bike she could "man handle" would be a huge benefit in the woods.

Had her sit on a yz 80, and it really was too small, so scrap that plan.
TTr is old tech. want her to at least be up to date on suspension/braking
Maybe one of the really hard to find scorpa T-RIDES?
Put a 4 stroke in a 125 chassis?

Kürbczech · 10-04-2011, 06:15 PM

I love my DR250. I'm also 120 lbs, but I'm only 5'3". I modded the seat with more forgiving foam, and I don't feel a need to lower it anymore. I also make sure I strengthen my hip abductors and adductors (the muscles around the hip and inner/outter thigh) to help when the bike gets wobbly at a stop or a hill. With her extra height, she shouldn't have a problem. She might even like a DR350 or 650. Maybe a DRZ400?

Lots of Frankenstein options there.

orangebear · 10-05-2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35xj

well. just figured out where this was moved too...

yep, she is riding the hell out of her 610 SM and Loves it!

her KLX is uncorked with all the typical mods. still pretty slow and heavy feeling. I reall y want to give her a bike that is not over twice her body weight! I think a bike she could "man handle" would be a huge benefit in the woods.

Had her sit on a yz 80, and it really was too small, so scrap that plan.
TTr is old tech. want her to at least be up to date on suspension/braking
Maybe one of the really hard to find scorpa T-RIDES?
Put a 4 stroke in a 125 chassis?

most moden 125cc bike are 4strokes the road ones any way.

engineerjoe · 10-05-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35xj

Put a 4 stroke in a 125 chassis?

What's wrong with a CRF150R - sounds like it's exactly what you're looking for.

Schickmeister · 10-05-2011, 10:29 AM

Very interested in this thread...my GF wants to ride but is 5'2 and barely 100 pounds.

I keep telling her a Ninja 250 is the way to go!

anotherguy · 10-05-2011, 10:50 AM

Having ridden a CRF150R it's not quite a beginners bike. Not even a intermediate honestly. If she can cope with the engine it's a great bike but it's a full blown MX racer not a trail bike. I trail ride my CRF450R but I'm a bit more experienced than his wife. Real handful on single track.

J_White · 10-05-2011, 10:54 AM

NM, not the place for that.

NJ-Brett · 10-05-2011, 01:05 PM

Any small dual sport will do.
I am looking for a tw200, not sure about the street, but it should be good in the dirt, and I am not even a girl!

For the street, I have a tu250, another starter/girls bike, sometimes easy is more fun....

Idle · 10-05-2011, 01:15 PM

Check out the shortypants thread in thumpers I think. Lots of great information there.

10-01-2011, 07:35 AM	#1
35xj ^OP Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2008 Location: asheville, nc Oddometer: 640	girl bikes.... lets talk about em. im sure im not the only guy on here in this situation. Been riding for years, love it, finally convinced my wife to give it a try. (initially on my trials bike..) so, bought her a klx 250 for dsing. Put on lowdering links, ran the forks up, softened it up, etc She did really well, got comfortable on the bike, took the msf class and built a decent confidence level up. Then... she took a spin around the block on my 610 motard. loved it! So, she now has a 610 tard, and i picked up a 630 tard. Her confidence level has blown up! Shes riding fast and in full control! Pretty impressive, Feel like the bike really allowed her to build the skills and confidence required to ride at a pretty high level. Which brings us to the point of this.. shes 120 lbs, 5'6 really feel like the klx is holding her back. too heavy, pretty underpowered, really top heavy, etc so, thinking about building some type of hybrid for her. maybe an cr/yz 80 with a different power plant? TTr 125 with better suspension? Bought a ktm 200, fit her pretty well, but even really detuned, it was too snappy for a woods bike, and a pretty terrible ds bike. really looking for a light weight, small framed bike, with modern suspension/brakes, and want to tag it for her to ride as a ds bike. so, any thoughts?

10-03-2011, 12:59 PM	#3
rgoers Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2011 Location: Northern Utah Oddometer: 372	Uncork the KLX! The stupid CA emissions standards have it setup so plugged and lean that it can't get out of its own way. There are SO many mods for that bike that really wake it up... including a 350cc top end. Just a little jetting and an aftermarket exhaust will make a world of difference. If she wants to pull wheelies, then go for a pumper carb and the 350 top end. Any of these modes would be a lot cheaper than building something from scratch, and she'd still be on a bike she's comfortable with. You'll find a ton of basic (must-do) mods here... http://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum/klx-250s-71/ Might have to adjust the website a little... didn't say if she has a KLX250 SF or S. __________________ 2009 KLX 250S If it ain't broke, take it apart and find out why!

10-04-2011, 06:15 PM	#8
Kürbczech Almost tacticool... Joined: Jun 2010 Location: DFW, TX Oddometer: 592	I love my DR250. I'm also 120 lbs, but I'm only 5'3". I modded the seat with more forgiving foam, and I don't feel a need to lower it anymore. I also make sure I strengthen my hip abductors and adductors (the muscles around the hip and inner/outter thigh) to help when the bike gets wobbly at a stop or a hill. With her extra height, she shouldn't have a problem. She might even like a DR350 or 650. Maybe a DRZ400? Lots of Frankenstein options there. __________________ Constantly striving to humble the shit out of myself.

10-05-2011, 10:29 AM	#11
Schickmeister Youngin' Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Your Mom's House Oddometer: 2,585	Very interested in this thread...my GF wants to ride but is 5'2 and barely 100 pounds. I keep telling her a Ninja 250 is the way to go! __________________ Jason '11 Flying Banana

10-05-2011, 10:50 AM	#12
anotherguy Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2009 Location: in the foothills now.... Oddometer: 4,314	Having ridden a CRF150R it's not quite a beginners bike. Not even a intermediate honestly. If she can cope with the engine it's a great bike but it's a full blown MX racer not a trail bike. I trail ride my CRF450R but I'm a bit more experienced than his wife. Real handful on single track. __________________ When injustice becomes law,resistance becomes duty. Thomas Jefferson

10-03-2011, 12:04 PM	#2
engineerjoe Adventurer Joined: Jul 2011 Location: Supermotoville, NC Oddometer: 38	CRF150R? Plenty of mods available, getting it plated might be an issue but they have great suspension and plenty of power, relatively low maintenece too. maybe an older DR250 or a KLX300 with a lowering kit.

10-03-2011, 03:18 PM	#4
Tepi Studly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2011 Location: Helsinki/Heinola Finland Oddometer: 517	Let her ride the 610 if she likes it.

10-04-2011, 05:46 PM	#7
35xj ^OP Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2008 Location: asheville, nc Oddometer: 640	well. just figured out where this was moved too... yep, she is riding the hell out of her 610 SM and Loves it! her KLX is uncorked with all the typical mods. still pretty slow and heavy feeling. I reall y want to give her a bike that is not over twice her body weight! I think a bike she could "man handle" would be a huge benefit in the woods. Had her sit on a yz 80, and it really was too small, so scrap that plan. TTr is old tech. want her to at least be up to date on suspension/braking Maybe one of the really hard to find scorpa T-RIDES? Put a 4 stroke in a 125 chassis?

10-05-2011, 10:54 AM	#13
J_White should be working Joined: May 2010 Location: NE Mississippi Oddometer: 319	NM, not the place for that. __________________ '06 GS, Adventure tank swap '07 Suzuki SV1000S "project rat bike" J_White screwed with this post 10-05-2011 at 12:19 PM

10-05-2011, 01:05 PM	#14
NJ-Brett Brett Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Southern New Jersey Oddometer: 4,718	Any small dual sport will do. I am looking for a tw200, not sure about the street, but it should be good in the dirt, and I am not even a girl! For the street, I have a tu250, another starter/girls bike, sometimes easy is more fun....

10-05-2011, 01:15 PM	#15
Idle Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2011 Location: Northern California Oddometer: 411	Check out the shortypants thread in thumpers I think. Lots of great information there.

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