Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 15:35:23 -0400 
From: "Peter A. Simon" <ps3p+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: beginner's luck
	<1992Aug25.154852.7008@athena.mit.edu>
Distribution: usa

rpearl@athena.mit.edu (Rachel A Pearl) writes:

> 
>Okay, I've finally enrolled inaOD motorcycle safelty  course and
>I'm going to learn how to ride that crazy thing. I'm pretty 
>psyched about it and I have a lot of support from a few
>biker friends of mine. I just thought I'd put it out to the group -
>What would be a good bike for an average sized 34 year old woman to start out
>on? I'm coming from ground zero information so any help I could get
>would be greatly appreciated.
> 
>Thanks,
 
RAP

I'm not your size but here's my take on it:  I am teaching my 31 year
old girl friend (5'4", 125#) how to ride my "spare" bike which is a
Honda CM400.  It's what's known in the trade as a "standard" (vs sport,
cruiser, etc.) 

First of all, she can "flat foot it."  That means that with the bike at
a standstill she can put both feet comfortably on the ground.  Maybe
when she gets shit hot at riding and is real comfortable with balance
and so forth this won't be so important but right now it is--for a
feeling of comfort and confidence if nothing else.

Second, while I find the bike underpowered, I think the low power to
weight ratio is good for a beginner.  It won't get away from her and
she's more likely to stall it than kill herself when she mistakes the
throttle for the clutch (it's happened to me!).  Also, she's 60# lighter
than I so the bike will have more zip for her and plenty of jam for
getting out of the way of things and passing (important safety
considerations).

Third, being a "standard" motorcycle the Honda is *very* well mannered. 
It shifts smoothly, turns easily and so forth.  My cruiser is a real
snarly beast which, to tell the truth, is kind of a chore to ride at
times.  So I figure let Judy have a positive initial experience and when
she has more time in the saddle she can make up her own mind about how
bad ass macho she wants to be.

Fourth, I paid $585 for it and she can trash it in the learning process
for all I care.  The bill for damage so far is around $100 which brings
us to 

Fifth, it *may* be too heavy for her to pick up when she drops it. 
(Read the thread: "Women riders - what do you think?" in
netnews.alt.motorcycles.harley about dropping bikes.  The thread exactly
applies to your question in general).  She's dropped it twice but each
time I, in a manly manner, picked it up for her.  Next time out we're
going to work out ways she can get it up herself if possible.  It may
not be imperative that one be able to get his or her own bike off the
ground but it sure saves embarrasement.

My opinion, for what it's worth.


-peter

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*                             WATCH BACK!                           *
*                                                                   *
* DoD #10o00                 Suzuki LS650H         NAUI INST. #1434 *
*                             (for sale)                            *
*                             Honda CM400                           *
*                           (for sale, too)                         *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *