Finding the Girlfriend a bike.

[Megadan]

Still gathering ideas at this point, but maybe some insight from you guys may help. I have sloooowly piqued the interest of my better half into getting her own bike to ride with me. I am not a fan of 2 up, and my bike scares the crap out of her (she wanted to know what full throttle felt like lol) so I personally think it is the best route to go.

Background wise, she is a bit above average height at 5'9, but not long of leg, so seat height is a mild factor. Anything up to about 30 inches will work with her comfortably. She isn't afraid of a manual transmission, but I have a feeling she would be more comfortable with an auto/DCT which has somewhat steered me toward some Honda choices.

She will likely not be doing a lot of commuting with the bike, but the idea is to eventually be able to go on longer touring rides so I don't want to go too small in the engine department, but i don't want it too big and heavy either (sub 600lbs, preferably sub 500 if possible). She isn't anti sport bike, but obviously she isn't going to gravitate toward a supersport either.

Seeing as she is a total Honda fangirl (Civic Type R in the past, currently an Accord, has an old N600 she is restoring) and she adored my GL1000 and loves my VFR, at least as far as looks and sound go, I have obviously been leaning heavily in the Honda department, specifically the 700cc DCT and 500cc standard bikes. The plan is to go try and sit her on the following and see what she likes. Her one restriction is budget, which she wants to keep no higher than $7000.

A 2016 NM4 (Vultus) with about 900 miles on it listed for $6500 This is my personal favorite, but I tend to like the goofy bikes with quirky styling. It has built in luggage, although it isn't the most practical inside shapes. Downside is that it is a bit heavy at 562lbs, but not out of reason, and the center of gravity is really low.

A 2018 CTX700 DCT. Brand new bike, carryover model year and I can get it for just a couple hundred over her budget. Basically an NM4, but more normal lol. Downside is the luggage is extra and would put it way over budget and it is also a little on the heavy side. Plus is that it will come with a full factory warranty.

A brand new Rebel 500 - realistically the most ideal starter bike for her, but they are small, cheap feeling, and buzz a bit. The pluses are that it is light, and even with ABS comes in comfortably below her maximum. Soft luggage would be easy to add. The downside is, they really aren't meant for long distance riding.

A CB500F - What I think would like to see her get because it's less cruiser and more standard. Same engine as the Rebel 500. Downside is it is a little tall for her, and well, what I want doesn't matter lol.

So that is my list (is my Honda Fanboy showing?)
Since I am such a fanboy I was just curious if you guys can think of any other bikes that fit within the parameters. Keep in mind that new, or nearly new is preferable for her, but I can steer her toward a used bike just out of practicality. I also don't fully subscribe to the 250cc starter bike mentality, especially with an older beginner rider who has a lot more responsibility and patience built in. I tend to lean toward 500-650cc class bikes in that case purely for practical reasons. Especially considering that she will probably keep this one bike for many years to come and not do what we tend to do and swap bikes like our underwear, so I want it to be something that has "staying" power.

[franque]

Honestly, I think that the CTX is a bit of a dog (not much in the power/breaking/handling department). Additionally, I think that they tried making it too much in between a Cruiser/Standard, and it doesn't do either very well.

As much as I don't like scooters, if she's wanting an automatic, I think that the Silverwing is a much better choice than a CTX. It has more power, breaking, and handling.

There's also the NC700, which I think has the same engine and is somewhat bland, but reliable and gets good mileage. That is available in DCT and Manual, and since it doesn't have the most power, I would get the manual.

I haven't ridden the Rebel 500, but I imagine that it is a huge improvement over the old Rebel 250, and it should be a decent choice. I would think that the buzzy feeling is just a set of bar-end weights away from feeling smooth.

I think that any of the three that I have mentioned will basically last forever, but if it were me, I would steer her towards a manual, just because really the top choice for her at this point (in terms of power/handling/etc.) if she wanted to upgrade eventually to something else that is DCT is either an Africa twin (too tall), or a Goldwing (too heavy). There's a much bigger world if she doesn't confine herself to the DCT option, and it will make it easier for her in the long run if she learns to do it now.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by franque

There's also the NC700, which I think has the same engine and is somewhat bland, but reliable and gets good mileage. That is available in DCT and Manual, and since it doesn't have the most power, I would get the manual.

I haven't ridden the Rebel 500, but I imagine that it is a huge improvement over the old Rebel 250, and it should be a decent choice. I would think that the buzzy feeling is just a set of bar-end weights away from feeling smooth.

The nice thing about the DCT is that it doesn't actually rob much if any power. It's a manual transmission underneath with an oil pressure driven dual clutch setup with a servo actuated shift drum. My own VFR was the first production bike to be offered with it, and the DCT bikes put out the same power to the rear wheel. The gutless feeling from the 700 twin is just the nature of the engine itself. It's a low stress, low rpm motor.

As I said, she isn't averse to the manual, but if the DCT appeals to her then that is what it will be. She drives manual cars, so the leap to a bike wouldn't be difficult.

[duck9191]

nc700 sounds like it would fit, i've been looking at a manual one just to dink around on thats for sale around here for $2700.

what the hell it was just $2700 lol.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...3935091258111/

[Megadan]

The issue with the nc700 is the nearly 33 inch seat height. Short of leg after all.

[duck9191]

Get her some boots with heels lol.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by duck9191

Get her some boots with heels lol.

LOL, I would pay money to see that. She ain't a heels kind of gal and is more likely to be seen in some pink ass kicking boots.

When I say she is restoring a car, I mean SHE is. She ain't a girly girl, though she can be quite feminine. She is a "get stuff handled" personality.

[david3921]

Suzuki SV650. Both standard and ABS have a 30.9" seat height. The faring style is the VS650S. Not sure if the 'S' is available new, however.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by david3921

Suzuki SV650. Both standard and ABS have a 30.9" seat height. The faring style is the VS650S. Not sure if the 'S' is available new, however.

Oh, believe me the SV650 is a strong consideration. I would rather get a 2017+ in that instance, which should fall within the budget lightly used. She isn't opposed to a used bike, but I want to keep it in the "still new enough it won't be a clapped out abused turd" age range. She tends to be more attracted to cruiser style bikes though, which is why the first 3 choices are whay they are.

[Huck369]

I love my NC700X, and have gotten as good as 84 mpg out of it (but 66mpg is more normal) and they can be lowered some, they have a NC700S everywhere but the USA I believe, which is lower.....maybe get one out of Canada?
They aren't a "Fast" bike, but will run interstate speeds all day, and get good mileage at that, and the "Frunk" where the tank would normally be is VERY handy

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Huck369

I love my NC700X, and have gotten as good as 84 mpg out of it (but 66mpg is more normal) and they can be lowered some, they have a NC700S everywhere but the USA I believe, which is lower.....maybe get one out of Canada?
They aren't a "Fast" bike, but will run interstate speeds all day, and get good mileage at that, and the "Frunk" where the tank would normally be is VERY handy

I have never seen an S, so I wouldn't hold out for one. Also, while I have no issue lowering a bike if necessary, a 3 inch drop is beyond reason for me. To do that properly without upsetting the balance of the bike can add up quickly. That means more cost vs. another bike that already meets the criteria. The reason I stated 30 inch max is quite simple, she can barely get both her feet down on her toes on my VFR1200 - which is actually decently slim at the front of the seat and where your legs go - that has a 32 inch high seat.

Being fast really isn't a concern. Highway capable is all it needs to be. She isn't a total power addict like me and isn't really all that concerned with 0-100 times. Approachable power, comfortable for her, low enough that she doesn't have to tippy toe.

As I said, I would have no problem with the NC700 or 750. It just doesn't quite fit into the parameters.

We have a decent list of bikes that I am going to take her to go sit on this Thursday, including a few non-Hondas and some bikes a bit over her budget - just because I know better lol. One of which is the Kawasaki Vulcan S 650, which I think would be a great bike for her, and one I personally like. I do plan on having her at least check out the NC750 while we are at the dealer, so it isn't entirely ruled out.

[Huck369]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...1855383837171/

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...4369151176258/

A couple CTX with the DCT.....

[Megadan]

So we went looking at a few bikes on our list today.

Unsurprisingly she really liked the 2018 NM4 the most. Proof that we belong together lol.

Other top contenders are the Vulcan S 650, Suzuki SV650 even though its a tiny bit tall (lower seat would fix it), and the Rebel 500. She wasn't as big of a fan of the more modern styled bikes like the MT07 and Z400 or 650. The NM4 being the one exception. As expected the NC750 she tried was just too tall, plus she didn't like the styling much.

[OneLeggedRider]

"A 3" drop is beyond reason for me", I see how ya are.. if ya look at this pic you can see a difference in rake, but honestly it just feels more stable on the highway.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by OneLeggedRider

"A 3" drop is beyond reason for me", I see how ya are.. if ya look at this pic you can see a difference in rake, but honestly it just feels more stable on the highway.

I am less against it on a Hawk because these chinese bikes don't have the most amazing chassis setups to begin with and their suspension travel is rather minimal given their ride height, so they have a lot of room to work with before you encounter any issues in that regard.