Riding for about 9 months

[Ninja Girl]

I have been riding for about 9 months. According to my husband and the few other people we know that ride, I am a pretty good rider. My husband taught me to ride and I passed my driving test only 2 months after buying my bike (not to brag or anything).

Due to the fact that prior to 9 months ago I had never been anything but a passenger on a bike, it was decided that my first bike would be a 250. I love my Ninja, it is cute as a button and fun as heck, but I get real tired of being left in the dust so soon I am going to be upgrading to a 600, but there is a problem.

I stand at 5 foot 3, and have a real hard time touching more than my toes on any of the sportier 600's, such as the GSXR or the R6.

I have been told that I can get the bike lowered a couple of inches, but am not sure how that will effect how the bike rides. I want a fast bike that can kick butt, not anything wimped down for a 'chic'.

Any advice anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Welcome!

Sorry, I have no useful information to offer. :(

Maybe you can wear thick sole shoes?

I tip-toe on my R6, but that is of little concern once I get going. Slow speed maneuvers are usually done off the bike.

[MatrixChick04]

you know what i feel the same about riding.... but i only have a permit and no bike. i only am 5'2" so your a little taller then me. i found that a 650 sv is a good size. even i can touch the ground to where i have support and can some what hold the bike up. try sitting on one of thos.

[YuJinha]

Some advice, regardless of what 600 you're going to buy you're not going to be able to put both feet flat on the ground. Currently, at 5'4" I can't even put one foot flat on the gound on my bike but I got used to it as I sense you will too. You just have to be all that more aware of your surroundings and where you place that one foot down on streets.

You're best bet however would be to shave the seat of whatever bike you decide to get. Anything else and you're sacrificing something that would affect the bike's handleing capabilities.

[Ninja Girl]

Thanks for the reply.

My primary concern with not being able to have a firm touch of the ground is having to lean the bike when I come to a stop and ending up dropping it.

Most bikes I have sat on have been top heavy and seeing as I am a weak 'chic', it would really upset me if I were to lay my bike down.

[MatrixChick04]

Originally posted by YuJinha
You're best bet however would be to shave the seat of whatever bike you decide to get.
bad part about shaving the seat is it can start to stab the inside of your legs against the decrease in padding. it can hurt lots over bumps and stuff.

[DIRTDEVIL]

My wife is 5'2" and has a ninja 250 also. My buudies wife is also sort and he got her a cbr600f4i. He checked around and found out that he could go down at the most 1.5" with out hurting anything, that is from street use. He has also found a body lowering kit for that bike since the seat doesnt sit on the frame. there is a co. that remakes the seat mount so it rests on the frame. Doing both to his wifes bike along with shaving the seat she can get about half of each foot down.

[Ninja Girl]

I know another person that lowered a CBR and they are sweet looking bikes.

Has your wife been riding long and how does she like her Ninja?

[DIRTDEVIL]

She used to ride alot. It has been about 13yrs. since she has rode. I got her her bike for mothers day and she is out very chance she can. She loves the bike and it fits her really well. I am trying to get her on a bigger bike but she loves her ninja and doesn't want to trade up. I am talking with Lees Cycle to see what we can do to get alittle more out of it. With her riding boots on she gets 1/2 of each foot down and feels really feels comfortable with it. the only problem she has is finding someone to ride with.

[melonheadR6]

Originally posted by dre_2k2_f4i
Welcome!

Sorry, I have no useful information to offer. :(

Maybe you can wear thick sole shoes?

I tip-toe on my R6, but that is of little concern once I get going. Slow speed maneuvers are usually done off the bike.

exactly!

I'm 5'10 and i have problems backing out of parking spaces. I have no mastered the pivot though :clap:

[DIRTDEVIL]

I have yet to find a bike I don't fit on.(6'3")

[Ninja Girl]

Must be nice to be able to reach the items on the top shelf. It grows old having to ask for help when I go shopping.

There is a great website dedicated just to Ninja 250s:

www.ninja250.net

They give all kinds of good advice on how to increase looks and performance.

I am always up for a ride. My husband works in RB and we always go south when we go for a ride. I do not work, so I am free to ride during the week and my husband and I always ride together on the week-end when we aren't out of town boating (too many hobbies, not enough time). If you guys are interested in getting together, let me know.

[DIRTDEVIL]

Give us a call 858-592-6044
As of Sunday I am bikeless. I went down and messed up the bike pretty good. My wife (A.K.A. Liz) has everyother Fri. off. give a call and lets hook up.

[powerban]

on the pre 03 r6's, all you need is 1 inch lowering links and drop the forks about an inch. should be ok unless you wanna start doing some hardcore cornering. then i suggest that you keep the ride height stock and just settle with only being able to flatfoot 1 foot. Ever since i installed my ohlins shock and had it tuned, i can only flatfoot one foot and when in full gear, i can only touch the tips of my toes to the ground.

[dre_2k2_f4i]

How about a CBR 400? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2485955542

[CBR250RR]

Welcome!

You can take your riding boots (or whatever gear you have for your feet) to a shoe cobbler (sp?) and they can add some insole to it. Shaving the seat can be ok. But on a new bike, be sure to leave room because the seat will wear in on it's own over time.

[deacon]

man i guess that would suck not ebign able to touch the ground. im 6' 1 and can flat foot it but when i ride damn my legs hurt after awhile from beign crunched up. but yeah about your situation my girl is your height and we are getting her an f4i to lower so she can atleast coem close to flat foot and there still quick and handle well

[Ninja Girl]

Wow, I didn't expect that much of a response from everyone. Thank you all for your help and advice. It will all come in very handy when I decide to upgrade.

My husband and I have made a deal that we will upgrade me when my bike reaches 6000 miles, I only have 2300 on it now, so I guess I better get to riding, huh?

[Ninja Girl]

Originally posted by DIRTDEVIL
Give us a call 858-592-6044
As of Sunday I am bikeless. I went down and messed up the bike pretty good. My wife (A.K.A. Liz) has everyother Fri. off. give a call and lets hook up.

That sucks, I am sorry to hear that. I hope that you were all right in the wreck. I have yet to lay down my bike, but I can imagine the pain of seeing your bike all mangled.

I will definitely give you guys a call and see if we can't hook up, if you weren't so tall, I would say that you could ride the back of my husband's bike, but he is only 6'0" and that may not work (just kidding;) )

[GPTECHMAN]

welcome aboard ninja
dont lower your bike, if anything just shave the seat
learn to ride the bike and just stand with one foot on the ground when at a stop

[zeal]

Hey Ninja girl, That used to be my ex-name :).

I had ninja 250 before, i loved it and enjoyed every ride on it. I got myself a CBRF4 3 months later and yeah I love my CBR to death as well. But I had similar issues with weight and height before. But you will get used to the height and weight as you ride. Initially i had a tuff time navigating the slow u turns (teh one in bottom of Palomar) . But believe me the more you do it the better you will get at it.

One more thing, get the suspension setup for your weight. It made a HUGE difference in taking those turns for me coz I bought teh bike off a BIG guy and the bike was way too stiff before.

Good luck with bike search and see you on the road :)

[ivecaughtyou]

Originally posted by DIRTDEVIL
I have yet to find a bike I don't fit on.(6'3")

Betcha can't touch the ground on this one:

[kc1717]

Originally posted by ivecaughtyou
Betcha can't touch the ground on this one:

i bet i can :)



but as far as the bike goes, dont lower it, shave the seat. for my track day i had a solo seat with 1/4 inch foam, and it was more comfortable than i thought. there is so many different foams out there to experiment with, im sure you can get a few inches back by shaving it, and by taking it off the sides helps get those feet down(or so ive heard) as i kinda have the oppisite problem you could say, but mine has no solution(6'7")

[Shortee]

Originally posted by Ninja Girl

I stand at 5 foot 3, and have a real hard time touching more than my toes on any of the sportier 600's, such as the GSXR or the R6.

I have been told that I can get the bike lowered a couple of inches, but am not sure how that will effect how the bike rides. I want a fast bike that can kick butt, not anything wimped down for a 'chic'.

Any advice anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.

hey ninja girl...I also started on the 250 and replaced it with an fzr600 which i love to pieces (well the pieces left on it)

I think its a great midweight bike with more power than the 250 but not as much as say an r6

mine is lowered in the front and the seat is shaved so i can put the balls of my feet on the ground....

i cant say that i havent dropped it tho :errf: but im learnin how to pick it up myself! and shes so cosmetically ugly as it is that another scuff or two aint nuthin! and i also have to walk it when im getting outta a spot.

okay hope this helps at least a lil bit...good luck and lemme know what you choose!

[DIRTDEVIL]

I will try anything once. If I like it awhole lot more.

[Arnold_R1]

Welcome Ninja Girl! :cool: