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Girlfriend wants a dirt bike!

Tonkaman

Tonkaman

Well-Known Member
Location
West Jordan
My lady must be getting jealous of all the seat time I've been getting on my bike, and now she wants her own. I think her main motivation is to be a decent rider by the time I buy my daughter her first dirt bike. I need some advise on which bike to get her due to her lack of experience and serious lack of height. She has never ridden a motorcycle before so this will be completely new to her. I need a bike that will deliver smooth manageable power so I don't scare her away forever on the first ride. The biggest obstacle here is the fact that she is only 4'9" tall! Im not sure what her inseam is but its got to be less than 24". I think an electric start would be mandatory just to ease the frustration of learning and being so tiny. So what are your suggestions and experiences?


EDIT: I should put a $1000 budget on this just in case she doesn't take to it like I hope
 
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sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
although neither have electric start, they're a breeze to start. I recommend:

yamaha ttr 125 L (what I learned on, fantastic bikes)

an xr100 would be good too.
 
jeeper

jeeper

I live my life 1 dumpster at a time
Location
So Jo, Ut
Yz85!! 2t for the win!!
-we are currently shopping for one for my wife also. Her 250 is a bit much I think.
 
Tonkaman

Tonkaman

Well-Known Member
Location
West Jordan
Vonski said:
Honda CRF150F. E-start, air-cooled simplicity/reliability, and can be lowered if needed.
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That is the first bike that came to mind but they might be more money than I should spend just in case she doesn't really go for it. Maybe I should set a $1000 dollar budget
 
V

Vonski

nothing to see here...
Location
Payson, Utah
Tonkaman said:
That is the first bike that came to mind but they might be more money than I should spend just in case she doesn't really go for it. Maybe I should set a $1000 dollar budget
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Yeah, they are spendy and hold their value. How about a Kawasaki 110? (not to be confused with the 100) I can't remember if they have e-start though.
 
Tonkaman

Tonkaman

Well-Known Member
Location
West Jordan
The KLX 110 seems to be in the same price range as the CRF150F. I don't know anything about the Kawasaki world are these bikes comparable to the 150F?
 
V

Vonski

nothing to see here...
Location
Payson, Utah
Tonkaman said:
The KLX 110 seems to be in the same price range as the CRF150F. I don't know anything about the Kawasaki world are these bikes comparable to the 150F?
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I've heard they're good little bikes. Simple, reliable, and air-cooled. It looks like there is an "L" version thats taller. The newer ones have e-start. There is one on KSL right now thats $1200.
 
Tonkaman

Tonkaman

Well-Known Member
Location
West Jordan
That does look like a nice little bike. I guess it all comes down to how the bike will fit since the crf and the klx have different wheel sizes. Any thoughts about bikes with tiny 12" and 14" wheels?
 
V

Vonski

nothing to see here...
Location
Payson, Utah
Tonkaman said:
That does look like a nice little bike. I guess it all comes down to how the bike will fit since the crf and the klx have different wheel sizes. Any thoughts about bikes with tiny 12" and 14" wheels?
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Not sure man, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the 4'9" thing. Has she sat on any bikes yet? I think the size of wheels is irrelevant at this point. If she's comfortable and has fun learning to ride a particular bike, I think thats all that matters.
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
i believe the klx doesn't have a clutch.

The TTR 125-L isn't very big at all, I really think she'd be fine on it. The bigger wheels make it roll over bumpy terrain a lot better.
 
jeeper

jeeper

I live my life 1 dumpster at a time
Location
So Jo, Ut
I've got a pw80. Let her spend a night playing around on this 'kids' bike and she'll be real comfortable and want a bike real bad. It's a blast to ride, and inspires a lot of confidence because there is little risk of injury.
 
GAR

GAR

Active Member
I borrowed a xr100 and taught wife how to ride last year. I think that bike was just about perfect. She is 5'4" and could easily manage the bike. Kick starting wasn't too hard and it was almost impossible to kill the motor. I tried to teach her how to feather out the clutch but most of the she just dropped it and the tire spun a bit and she was going fine. I think a few months on it and she would be ready for a 150 size with bigger wheels
 
TRD270

TRD270

Emptying Pockets Again
Supporting Member
Location
SaSaSandy
My lady learned on a KLX-100 wouldn't recommend it for mostly dirt however it was super easy to ride.

Its a bummer your just looking we literally sold her TTR-125L last week, fantastic bike she loved it, low seat height bigger tire to roll up stuff and so easy to start I could literally start it by hand. You can get them in e-start its the TTR-125LE I would very much suggest that bike, super light great power band super easy to ride
 
R

rholbrook

Well-Known Member
Location
Kaysville, Ut
You have to move up to a KLX140 to get a bigger bike with a clutch. The TTR125 lacks some power but is a good bike. The CRF150F is a great bike.

Come visit me and you can take both a TTR125L and a CRF150F for a spin.
 
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