BMW for my wife.

[rockbottom]

In my BRC class three years ago this week, there were five women out of the class of eleven. Four of them flunked. But so did I.

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Hey Rock, What was the reason for all the failures?

[rockbottom]

Good question. That did seem to be an extraordinarily high rate. Two of them I understood--they'd had about half a dozen drops before the test. But I was floored when I flunked. I had already ridden about 600 miles at that point and rode my F800ST the thirty miles to and from the test site.

I'll say this--I've taken courses from the coach of that one three times. I flunked twice and the other time I think was a mercy pass because he crossed me up with his hand signals during the swerve and I dumped the bike. After the last time I flunked the ERC with him, I retook it two weeks later with different coaches. In the rain. Got a perfect score.

[sweatmark]

I'm thinking of getting my wife a bike. She is not an experienced rider and is a small woman (5'4", 110 lbs)
I kind of like F800ST . What do you guys think? Is it a good bike for a beginner?

The F800ST would be a good choice if your wife is serious about riding. Get the lower seat and she'll likely be able to flat-foot without any suspension change. Install sliders for frame, front axle, and final drive:
http://f800depot.com/f800st-items/prote ... ction.html
The F800** bikes strike a nice balance between power, weight, comfort, and utility. It's a bike she won't outgrow for many years. 50+ MPG too.

The above is how we've set up my wife's F800S. Her first bike was an R1100R, which she chose after looking at dozens of options. Her first week-long trip had System cases loaded with stuff (eg. hairdryer) during road trips... she's 5'5" and 120, athletic but still got nervous about slow speed handling with the R1100R and her next bike, my former R1150R. She's got 20k miles under her belt, and the F800 is perfect for her occasional riding ventures; she packs light now... just a small duffel Rok-Strapped to the pillion.

Others mentioned a smaller super-low cheapo cruiser as beginner option: might be the choice for someone who just has to flat-foot for security. There are lots of barely used bikes out there with similar traits, possibly appropriate for someone who's not really intent on doing much riding past novice putts around town, but too light for road trips involving any highway riding.

[Bigg-Brother]

Once again - thank you all for pitching in with all the great ideas.
We just enrolled my wife into beginner's class! Hopefully she will be happy and safe biker soon.

Thank you all.

[Caroanbill]

A definite vote for a used F650CS - ex-wife (not ex then) learned on one and now my sister has my old one which I've set up as a light tourer usung the GS hard panniers and top case. Indeed, the Cs was my route back into regular riding which borught me to the R12R!

The single F650CS is a much, much easier bike that the F800ST. Even the new F650 twin (actually a de-tuned 800 twin) is pretty easy if she can stand dirt-bike looks. But a set of back-backs and a low seat might well tame the F800ST .. dunno, coz I couldn't get comfy on it and bought the R12R!

A word of caution about the CS ... it has very quick steering as does the single F650GS (now re-named G650GS) - and it's posible to over-turn the front wheel with the bars. You an actually trun the front far enough that the bike goes over - an experience rider wouldn't do it but a beginner could (and did).

Otherwise, the CS is an amazingly easy and competent little runner. It'll do slow, and it'll run happily at 100pmh (and a little over, but not much), so she'll keep up quite happily unless you're being very nuaghty! Plenty of aftermarket bits around. And, if she should drop it, the indicators (turn signals) are easy to get .. they're the same as the Buell Blast.

I see you have a line on a Shadow, which will probably do the intro job perfectly well (if slowly and heavily).

[AllanCook]

My SO wants to graduate from her Vespa to a "real" motorcycle, and we're looking for a lowered F650GS for her.

[ammolab]

My wife started on a Ninja 250. Still rides it to work every day. Now over 12000 miles on it. The
dog likes it too!

[Bigg-Brother]

Pretty cool!
We have decided on F800ST with low suspension and low seat but won't buy it until she gets her license (next month) and is 100% sure she wants to ride.

[sky_sailor]

Pretty cool!
We have decided on F800ST with low suspension and low seat but won't buy it until she gets her license (next month) and is 100% sure she wants to ride.

Sorry about this, but I'm going to take you to task on this. YOU like the F800ST, and I'm sure she does as well, but you mentioned an older Shadow in your recent post. This would be the perfect bike. Moving her onto a "lowered" (right away you're admitting the bike doesn't fit her) right after she gets a licence is not a prudent move. Let her ride the Shadow (or it's equivalent) for AT LEAST A YEAR, then step up. But only if that's what SHE wants to do. I know this is a BMW web site, but BMW does not build a true beginner's motorcycle. The only thing even close would be the X-Country 650 single. Even that's a wee bit tall for a 5'4" woman.
There is a lot of good advice on this thread. Take it. Don't get all hung up with the "it has to be a BMW" mind set.
Dosen't matter what you ride. Eat the wind.
Lyle

[sky_sailor]

A word of caution about the CS ... it has very quick steering as does the single F650GS (now re-named G650GS) - and it's posible to over-turn the front wheel with the bars. You an actually trun the front far enough that the bike goes over - an experience rider wouldn't do it but a beginner could (and did).
.

That would result in a NO for a bike choice for a new rider. IMHO
Lyle

[sky_sailor]

My wife started on a Ninja 250. Still rides it to work every day. Now over 12000 miles on it. The
dog likes it too!

I say, Pay Attention Here Boy!
This is a perfect choice for a smaller woman as a first bike. They handle well, will keep up with the flow of traffic, and are cheap. A year on one of these, then move up....many stay with these.
Not to sure about the dog pack....or the big purse thing hanging off the side though....?
Lyle

[ammolab]

She only drives the dog to a weekend job...less than a mile from the house.
So far the dog and purse have not been a real problem. Most of the time her
puse goes in a regular back pack.

One real good thing about the Ninja...she can pick it up if she "drops" it!

Can your wife pick up a F800ST? Naive to think she will never drop her "first bike".

[Bigg-Brother]

I'm not sure what year is your 250 Ninja but from what I found, new one weights about 380 lbs, where F800ST is little over 400 lbs - not a huge differences in my opinion.
Yes, I'm almost positive she will drop the bike - as we all did at some point in our lives...

[rockbottom]

If you do opt for the F800, I'd recommend adding sliders.

http://f800depot.com/sw-motech-engine-f ... 800st.html

[ErikM]

So when's the class.. did she pass or bail??

[sky_sailor]

I'm not sure what year is your 250 Ninja but from what I found, new one weights about 380 lbs, where F800ST is little over 400 lbs - not a huge differences in my opinion.
Yes, I'm almost positive she will drop the bike - as we all did at some point in our lives...

Are you familiar with CG? The Ninja as a much lower CG than any of the BMW's in the F800cc family. They are (to me a least) quite top heavy.
Lyle

[Bigg-Brother]

I know it's an old post but I would like to share with all of you that my wife passed the MSF class (she did really good!) and we bought her a 2010 F800ST with low suspension and low seat. She loves it! She takes small steps riding and I'm very pleased with her progress.
Thank you all for your input!

Pete

[BluegrassPicker]

Sounds like a fair trade..

[ammolab]

I'm not sure what year is your 250 Ninja but from what I found, new one weights about 380 lbs, where F800ST is little over 400 lbs - not a huge differences in my opinion.
Yes, I'm almost positive she will drop the bike - as we all did at some point in our lives...

My wifes Ninja is a 2005 model and weight is 333 lbs. I would not suggest a "new" Ninja as there are PLENTY of low mileage used bikes
for a new rider. My wifes first bike was a VERY MUCH used Honda Nighthawk 250.