Motorbike advice (Female)

[Orangesauce1]

mmmm some advice have booked my CBT and DAC course. So am now looking into ideas for some bikes I like ... I am only 8 stone and 5'4 so really need a bike I can hold up :0) Have fallen in love with a Susuki SV650S its very nice with all the extra trim, but my boyfriend who is a mad biker wants me to go for a 400 to start with until I am used to it....

I am taking my test on a 500, are there any good 400's out there? if so suggestions pleas and will it really make much difference x

[saxy_jag]

If you feel you can manage the physical size of the 650, is there any reason you couldn't have one and have it governed until you're ready to move up.

My son (a 6' 4" landscaper) passed his test at 17, rode a 250 superdream for a couple of months and then moved to his Dad's VF500, but had it governed until his two years probation was up.

Just a thought.

[Orangesauce1]

Thats very helpful thank you , hadn't even thought of that. Is it expensive to do and where and how is it done?

[Toureman]

It's not so much the size of the bike as the weight, it seems you have not done much riding yet. I would advise a lighter bike so you can concentrate more on riding and passing your tests than constantly trying to just handle the extra weight, any lttle mistake and your nice sv650 will be on it's side with quite a bit of damage.

I would take your husbands advice, get a cheap small capacity bike just for your tests then upgrade.

[Impret-Sir]

Not all bikes can be restricted in this way, and its not always a good idea as the engines characteristics are changed significantly by the methods used. The SV650 is a terrific bike, and very popular as a first timer as it is quick enough, and handles really well, plus it is good value. I would generally agree with your boyfriend though, even six months on a smaller bike, particularly through the winter months, will make you a better rider next spring and more ready to get a nice shiny new bike to enjoy for the summer. I would suggest that you avoid sports 400s though, as they tend to be out and out sports bikes, and need to really be ridden to apreciate them, the best of the bunch to start on would probably be a Honda VFR400 or CBR400, as these do have enough low down torque to enable you to ride at less than 10/10ths and still be comfortable. My personal choice however would be a Honda CB500. They are fast enough, (110mph) handle really well, (there has been a popular one make race series for them) and are well built, like most Hondas. Also there are plenty around second hand so you can be choosy, prices start at about �600 and go up to about �2,500 for a late (2003) model.