Where are my fellow vertically challenged women?

[gearchic]

What has helped you become more confident and manage the lack of extra inches from hip to toe?

For me, I have to say riding my first scooter and the ninja 250. If it weren't for riding on those two first bikes, I don't think I would've transitioned as well to a larger bike. The experience is so valuable, almost as valuable as the Daytona Ladystars boots I have now. If you don't have the experience or knowledge, you'll still drop or tip over on that 420lb bike. People ride tip toed or unable to flat foot, all with years of riding experience.

[tbolt]

I agree. I would go so far to say that if you're a new rider, you MUST be able to flat-foot your first bike, and you MUST be able to manage its weight.

It makes me cringe when I see women taking the BRT course for the first time whose hubbies have bought them a Dyna Wide. "But I can flat foot it!" they say. No honey, that bike is way too big for you to learn on.

My first bike was a Honda Rebel. I'm so, so, so, so, so glad I bought it. The seat is low, the bike is lightweight, and it's so forgiving and manageable that the transition to my SV650 was easy as pie, even though I couldn't quite flat-foot the SV.

Let your first bike bear the brunt of your learning mistakes, and, unless you're the second coming of Valentino Rossi himself, you will make mistakes.

[kscanuck785]

5'4" here....do I qualify for vertically challenged??!!

started on a Ninja 250, moved to a Buell Blast and I now Ride a Ninja 500.

Like the previous post, I am so glad I went that road !!! not that the ninja 500 is a huge bike but it is bigger than my 2 previous ones and I dont think I would have like it as my 1st. I got all my bikes within a year, some might argue that this is a waste of time to be selling/buying/trading that often (For the record, we did not loose any $ on any of the 3 bikes) but I feel that when you 1st start riding, its hard to know what you want and will like. As you get more experienced, your "taste" might and will change.
I am loving my 500, I am planning on keeping it for about a year or so and I've already pick my next bike, a Ninja 650R. I've sat on pretty much all the sportbikes and this one is just a perfect fit.

I agree with the previous post...I really don't understand how can beginners go from a 125cc in the classes and move to a 800cc, 1200cc etc...600lbs-800lbs + bike right after ??!! there is a world of difference!!

from reading online, I know that they drop their bikes pretty often in the beginning, most of them are scared beyond words of even getting on it too. Maybe its pressure from husbands or just social pressure that below 600cc is not worthy or something? like I said, I don't understand the thought process of that.

I only dropped my bike, ONCE, the 1st time riding my 250 in the parking lot...used the front brake while turning...
not saying I will never have a mishap again but it will not be because my bike is overpoweering me