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First bike! Tips, suggestions, etc! looking for wisdom! :)

by E
(Deep East, TEXAS)

Hello all!

I plan on getting my first bike within the next couple months - yay. I am looking for advice, tips, suggestions, etc from more experienced gals. I am going to get a sport bike, that's my comfort zone. I want to get something that fits me physically and my personality. My mom rode when she was younger and is currently looking at a gixxer 600; so we've been getting back into things together. I also have a friend that fixes motorcycles so there are folks around to help me the hands on AND I will be taking the safety course.

Let me tell you a little about my history to get the ball rolling. I grew up around dirt bikes and motorcycles, scooters, ATV's, UTV's, jet skis, tractors basically anything that you can ride that has a motor (and even some horses!). A family friend raced Suzuki's and I spent summers gleaning knowledge. Made my first solo ride on a 90cc dirt bike at 9 years old and as I got older moved up to a 250 and even got to handle a gixxer 750 a few times. (too much bike at the time but i still love them).

It's been a couple years since I was on a bike but now I'm in a position to get my own. I live in SE Texas so weather permits riding all but 2 months out of the year - I have plenty of time and am in no rush.

I'm not a small girl, 5'11" and 140lbs; I can duck walk taller bikes with relative ease. I am looking at the GSXR 750 as I've been on them before and am quite comfortable with the height, weight and "feel". I don't want to get in over my head just getting used to everything again, I'm going to see how I feel after I take the safety course (on a 250).

Suggestions on bikes? Tips for getting back into everything? Things to consider? Etc! Anything and everything please!

Thanks, E

Comments for First bike! Tips, suggestions, etc! looking for wisdom! :)

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May 14, 2011

Bike
by: Anonymous

A friend suggested to me that, once you make a decision, since you can't "test ride" most any new bike. Find someone who has one for sale, and "test ride" it. If you can't play along for the sake of pretending to buy it, tell em up front you're looking for that bike and are willing to give em a few bucks for getting the "feel" of it before you buy.

I found that it's a personal preference on what kind and style of bike suits you so try em out!

Good luck in whatever you choose!

Apr 25, 2011

New Bike
by: Lynn - SW FL

Sounds like you will do fine after taking the rider course. Just don't ride over your head and heed to all the safety rules you will learn in class. I am jealous as I wish I had your height. It opens the door to the taller bikes. Have fun and be safe! Keep us posted.

Apr 24, 2011

Smart Butt
by: Her-Motorcycle

The "Smart Butt" comment has been deleted. I do not condone "smart ass" comments on the site at all. This is a place for sharing, learning and helping each other.

Apr 24, 2011

To the smart-butt.
by: Marsha

Why are being a smart-butt? Maybe she wants to find extra tips and make friends. IF you don't have anything of value to add, don't comment...

Apr 24, 2011

Sounds like you're ready....
by: Sandy

Hello-

From what you wrote, sounds like you are ready right now for that gixxer 750! You've ridden a lot before, have plenty of people around you for support- (I wish my mom was here to ride with me!!) and will have the class under your belt shortly! I made the mistake of starting out with a bike that I quickly outgrew, once I got the hang of riding (it was a 250 street bike.) I traded that in for a 650 within 2 months of buying it. I lost some $$ on the deal, but knew that in the long run I needed more power, weight, and maneuverability if I was going to last more than 1 second on a crazy freeway/city traffic. I ended up with a Kawi KLE 650 and LOVE IT!!!!!! (It's basically a Ninja 650, with the upright riding position).

Anyway, I vote for the bigger bike, you won't regret it! Good luck and be safe!!

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