Bike for wife - Under $2500

8

82CB900cNick

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**I did see the thread about the gentleman asking about a bike for his SHORT wife - I didn't feel that it quite fit what I was looking for.

My wife is 5'10" and VERY limited bike experience. I taught her to drive my old 87 Suzuki GS450 but only down some back roads and in 1st and 2nd. She wants to get her m1 and start learning how to drive. I have an 81 CB900c and 83 CB1000c but these are both BIG bikes and not even so much the speed, but the height/weight of the bike makes it a bit much for her to learn on.

I'd like to get something in the 450-650 range (the GS450 was a good starter bike for me I felt). Year isn't important but safety and reliability is. I see CBR125s going for around 2k but I feel this would be too small and she would quickly grow past it. She would like a sit up cruiser (like the honda cb or suzuki gs of the 80s) but also thinks a supersport type bike would be fun.

What do you guys think? Price range is $2500 new or used.

Thank you.
 
We've got a 1983 Suzuki Tempter that I just took off the road yesterday. My wife is 5'2" and it was just a tad too big for her heightwise but she liked it in every other way (lots of torque makes it easy to ride). Approx 23,000km and in good shape, a few dings here and there. We'd probably consider $2200-ish for it, I'd just have to check that my wife is ok with me selling it.
 
Awwwww and I saw that you were looking for a trade... Waste of my time :mad: (note to the Mrs.: Just kidding, honey, I wouldn't trade you for a bike valued at under $2500 :D)
 
A 650 Savage might do the trick. Reasonably nice looking and they seem to be running in your price range.
 
If you get into those old 80's bikes, they had numerous electrical problems as well as poor suspension components and brakes.

I'd go with:

Kawasaki EX500
Cheap, reliable, performs much better than most cruisers and definitely more fun in the twisties, while retaining a fairly upright, comfortable position.
2nd gen - made from 1994 to 2009 with no changes. My buddy bought one last year for $1,450. Needed about $400 in parts including tires. He sold it for $2,700 this year...

Or a Vulcan 500 if she insists on cruiser/standard type, same engine from the EX500 so pretty lively for a small cruiser. It would be a bit more expensive but you can find them in your price range if you look hard enough.
There's one for $2,800
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...ppers-2004-Kawasaki-Vulcan-W0QQAdIdZ282988296
 
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82CB900cNick said:
**I did see the thread about the gentleman asking about a bike for his SHORT wife - I didn't feel that it quite fit what I was looking for.

. She would like a sit up ....

What do you guys think? Price range is $2500 new or used.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

Blah !.. That's misleading advertising. I was thinking you wanted to swap your wife for my bike... !

hehe.. jokes aside, as long as she can handle the weight, the Savage should be comfortable. Else, she might want to start on a Honda Rebel CMX250. Torquey, confidence inspiring and a forgiving ride for at least 2 seasons

I cannot wait for her to post a thread saying : "Sparingly Used Husband for a Sparingly used Suzuki Gixxer" next season.. hehe

:)
 
I have a savage for sale but its higher in price then you are looking at. If you are interested let me know.
 
A much as I love the cbr 125s I have noticed that people can be too tall to ride them. Their knees hit the bars and make cornering awkward. Get her to sit on the bikes she looks at. Turn the bars etc. Make sure shes comfortable.
 
I'm 6'1" on a cbr125 with no problems. Granted I weigh 150lbs. But as much as I love my bike (maybe because it's my first?), after riding a ninja 250 I kind of regret getting the 125. The 250 was surprisingly much more forgiving. I think it had something to do with the tires being seemingly twice the width and having to gun it on take off just so I don't get run over. So what I'm getting at is I don't recommend a 125, but I can't recommend anything else due to lack of experience.

Best of luck,
Tim
 
my son has a '93 kawasaki EX500 he isn't riding...it's fun to ride... perfect starter bike...he hasn't told me if he has it up for sale but it has new tires and around 19,000kms on it...it's in my garage and i am sure he isn't riding it because the insurance prices are too high...he would probably let it go around $2,000 ...pm me if you want me to ask him about it
 
A friend had a 650 Savage and didn't like the gearing for Canadian highways. She started on a 250 and moved up to the 650 after two or three years, she did ride the 650 across Canada, but has a 750 Shadow now.
 
Ex500!! this bike doesn't get nearly close to the praise it deserves and you can find them cheap cheap cheap.... Tried, tested, true.

Very forgiving yet more than enough power to satisfy a more aggresive rider
 
The EX500 is a good recommendation. My first bike was a Suzuki Temptor 650, and my brother, who lurks around here, still has it. The temptor is reasonable in weight, middling power, but will certainly keep up with traffic. I called mine a 80-100 km bike. 120 was possible, but not the natural speed. A windshield helped.

One thing to consider is parts availability. Evidently some for the Temptor are becoming hard to get, not surprising since it had about a three year model run. The EX500 or Suzuki GS500 with their much long run are more likely to have parts available. And be aware some of the dealers get their nose up in the air about working on bikes over 15 years old. It's easier to argue with them for service if it is a longer running model, or deal with indies.
 
Baggsy said:
A friend had a 650 Savage and didn't like the gearing for Canadian highways. She started on a 250 and moved up to the 650 after two or three years, she did ride the 650 across Canada, but has a 750 Shadow now.
Click to expand...

I have a 650 savage and it was just fine on highways. Had it up to 150 without realizing. Looked down and was 'oh ****' Perfect little bike. Only getting rid of mine because I wanted something that can handle gear AND a passenger.
oh yeah btw had the savage on the highway with a passenger no prob btw.

It will rev really high but once you hit 100, the difference between 100 and 150 is nothing.
 
Love my GS500. Not sure how old it would have to be before you could find one for $2500. I know the 09's are going for about $4000.
 
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