Motorcycle Suggestositelock!

"Poor_Sh" (ar4x)
08/26/2019 at 11:00 • Filed to: None

No, not for me... yet. But I have a friend looking at bikes for a very Oppo reason and I really think she could use some help. Main problem is that she’s 5'2", 30" inseam, and I’m just going to guess she weighs 30lbs (aka thin).

She’s looking for something that she can take from coastal RI to the mountains of NH for camping and such. So, it needs to work on the highway for a while but then be able to deal with dirt and bumps. I think she’s doing good research, so my suggestions are mostly useless as I’m not a 2-wheel man. Just sort of said dual-sport or an adventure but she said she’s seen only ones that are too tall.

Help my friend be her badass self!

Random pic I found on google showing what I think my friend’s adventures will look like.

DISCUSSION (52)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 11:06

V-strom 650 XT with a seat lowering kit?

Kinja'd!!!

BMW F800 GSA (GS w/ adventure package) would be amazing, and probably the right balance

Kinja'd!!!

Actually, I think I recall a BMW saleswoman telling me she rode a F800 GS for her adventure bike and really liked it. For tnine did an excellent review of it a while ago.

Ssfancyfresh > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 11:09

2000 - 2007 BMW F650 GS was a single cylinder belt drive adventure bike. BMW offered 3 seat heights - Low, Mid, Tall - to accommodate a variety of riders.

Decay buys too many beaters > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 11:10

Depending on Budget

<$2k

Klr650

$2k-$5k

V-strom

>$5k

Tiger/Africa Twin/790

These are all more street focused bikes, if the plan is mostly dirt it changes quite a bit.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 11:11

If she has an inner hipster, she can get one of the rare Honda Transalps they imported here in the early 90s

Kinja'd!!!

A little slow on the highway, and not great on single tracks, but can do fire roads just fine and will cruise at 70 easily enough. They were more popular in europe though.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 11:12

I think the only “two wheel man” on Oppo is Chariotoflove

Fuckkinja > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 11:21

A crf230 is appropriate for her size. Bulletproof reliable. Low cost to purchase.

bob and john > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 11:22

the height/inseam will be the issue here.

budget will be second.

if its a big budget, get whatever she likes the most as a motor layout, and get it lowered (professionally)

ADVs (the smaller ones, Vtrom 650, versys 650, bmw F700/f800gs like the one in your picture ) are good. the BMW is expensive for parts, but its SHOCKINGLY good on gas.

I would try and stick with a multi cylinder motor, (better for vibration control)

on the low end, one of the jap 650 thumpers (KLR 650, XR650, DR650) are the go-tos.

bob and john > Decay buys too many beaters
08/26/2019 at 11:22

erm...790 and africa twin street focused?

maybe compared to a full dualsport or dirt bike....

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 11:23

Many ADV/dual sport bikes have lowering kits or shorter seats to help with ergonomics so your friend might not be as limited as she thinks. Alternatively, some non-adv bikes can be up-fitted with equipment to make them more capable too. The Honda CB500X and NX700/750X are popular conversions to something with more off-road chops.

Kinja'd!!!

Poor_Sh > Decay buys too many beaters
08/26/2019 at 11:26

Awesome thanks!

Poor_Sh > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
08/26/2019 at 11:27

Lol maybe but sounds difficult to get.

Poor_Sh > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
08/26/2019 at 11:27

I think she looked at the vstrom but I didn't know about seat lowering kits. I'll pass that along!

Poor_Sh > Ssfancyfresh
08/26/2019 at 11:28

Oh definitely passing that info along, thanks !

Poor_Sh > Fuckkinja
08/26/2019 at 11:28

I’ll take a look, is it underpowered though?

Poor_Sh > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
08/26/2019 at 11:29

Multiple people saying seat lowering, I had no idea, thanks!

Decay buys too many beaters > bob and john
08/26/2019 at 11:30

Exactly.

If actually dirt focused 690, drz400, crf450, etc

bob and john > Decay buys too many beaters
08/26/2019 at 11:41

yea, but you normal people would not want to be taking a single on such long trips.

vicali > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 11:42

Is she a bit crazy? Because then Ed and Rachel recommend C90s ;

Kinja'd!!!

Fuckkinja > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 11:43

You can uncork them and change the sprockets really easy for some extra grunt. They have a basic trail bike suspension and brakes though. It’s the only bike I recommend for smaller girls. Maybe a klx250 not a 650. Both klr and drz are heavy pigs and way underpowered. Good luck On the search.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Ssfancyfresh
08/26/2019 at 11:52

I second this, my mom had a 650 GS and she is 5' 4". She rode the lowered version and it fit her well.

For Sweden > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 11:53

At 5'2", why not a Honda Grom?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 11:54

M y mom had a BMW F 650 GS and she is 5' 4". She rode the lowered version and it fit her well. It has 55 HP so not a slouch on the road either.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 11:56

Have you considered a Duc?

Kinja'd!!!

Manny05x > For Sweden
08/26/2019 at 11:57

You wrong lol.

Decay buys too many beaters > bob and john
08/26/2019 at 12:00

Long ass trips are common for 690s, xr650s, and dr650s, I’d consider all of those more dirt focused that the 790 or Atwin. Long touring is pretty common on the DRZs too depending on how much open highway is required.

bob and john > Decay buys too many beaters
08/26/2019 at 12:03

so you all met at the same mental hospital yes?

a lot of pl make a similar argument to me on my car . I want something AWD for canada snow. “but you can get around with RWD just fine!”
yea you can get around...but if i’m buying the car for the EXPRESS pupose of being a winter commuter, why the fuck would I?
same thing here. it being bought for a street bike that can handle some off road. not a trial to trail dirt machine. So why make it shitty for yourself?

jokes aside, I remember doing a couple hours on my old blast...I could live with it...but certianly borderline.

Poor_Sh > Future next gen S2000 owner
08/26/2019 at 12:04

Lol no

Poor_Sh > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/26/2019 at 12:05

Jeez some of you have badass mom's.

Decay buys too many beaters > bob and john
08/26/2019 at 12:10

So. back to my original point. The Atwin and 790 are street focused, dirt capable bikes.

Also the 690 is absolutely do able. That engine is smoother than an sv650.

bob and john > Decay buys too many beaters
08/26/2019 at 12:15

which, it seems to be what they are looking for?

in their catergory (ADVs) AT and 790 (r) are the most dirt oriented. agreed?

Decay buys too many beaters > bob and john
08/26/2019 at 12:19

This discrimination against singles has to stop!

Decay buys too many beaters > bob and john
08/26/2019 at 12:20

Agreed

bob and john > Decay buys too many beaters
08/26/2019 at 12:24

FUCK THE SINGLES!!!

(wait isnt that the point? hmm...)

Poor_Sh > Manny05x
08/26/2019 at 12:25

Lol exactly

Poor_Sh > vicali
08/26/2019 at 12:26

Ohh yeah she's crazy

Poor_Sh > bob and john
08/26/2019 at 12:26

Awesome info, glad you chimed in thanks!

Decay buys too many beaters > bob and john
08/26/2019 at 12:28

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Fuckkinja
08/26/2019 at 12:32

Thats going to be uncomfortable both ergonomically and on the engine at highway speeds. I also don't think it can handle much in the way of bags/cases. Sounds like this isn't her first bike so the 230 is going to be a poor fit for something that needs legs.

450X_FTW > Poor_Sh
08/26/2019 at 13:49

Depends how much time will be spent at highway speeds. First thought would be a CRF250L and buy a rear shock drop link (lowers the seat height without changing the spring rate)