nEwrIdEr1211

Member
May 9, 2001
8
0
Hey i'm 13 and i'm a female...obviously lol!!! I'm 105lbs about 5'4 and i'm a beginner! I've never riden before. I'm very interested in it!! Whats the best bike for me? :confused:
 

mtngoat

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Jun 12, 2000
314
0
I'd recommend a used Honda XR100; maybe an XR200.

Here's why:
--You're probably too tall for any of the automatic clutch bikes.
--You should be able to put both feet down flatfooted while on the bike, which I think helps build confidence for new riders.
--Fourstrokes have more "manageable" power delivery for new riders.
--Should you move on to another bike, these have good resale value.
--Either bike can be made street legal with a baja kit, if that's important.
--Both bikes are very reliable.

Find someone to teach you how to stop, before you learn to ride. I forced my boys to spend hours starting (learning the clutch) and stopping (learning both brakes), before I took them "riding". Don't ride without gear. Everyone on the forum pretty much agrees to dress for the crash. Don't get sucked in by the youthful trend towards "minimalist gear". Wear it all: helmet, chest protector, kidney belt (not just for kidneys, also lower back protection), knee pads, boots, elbow guards, gloves, padded shorts. Welcome to the sport!
 

nEwrIdEr1211

Member
May 9, 2001
8
0
thanks

yeah everyone is telling me that in the beggining i'll be falling alot!!! and my parents won't EVER let me ride without protection!! and i know i'm suppose to! it is important for me to make is legal on the streets since i live in the city!! i'll be able to drive it around...people are saying i should get the XR100:eek:
 

TGilliam

Member
Mar 3, 2001
13
0
I agree with Kalitude. You are tailor-made for the TTR-125L. It is far superior in suspension, handling, and fun to the XR100. And, there are more mods and goodies for the TTR than you can shake a stick at! So you won't outgrow it anytime soon. I would highly recommend the 125L not the regular 125. You will want the disk brake and larger tire at your height.

I would not recommend the XR200 for you as you are just beginning. It is a much heavier bike and for your size, I think you would have a problem picking the bike up. And believe me, you will need to pick the bike up alot! I only started riding a little over 3 years ago, so I haven't forgotten.

Good luck and good riding! :)


Terry
 

Mark C.

Posts Too Much
Member
Nov 1, 2000
52
0
A XR200 for a little 13 year old girl????:scream:

Try sticking with riding on dirt before you try and kill yourself riding on the street. :confused:
 
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TGilliam

Member
Mar 3, 2001
13
0
There are dual sport kits available for the TTR125L. This would make it street legal. You would have to put a dual sport kit on the XR100 as well. Neither one is street legal stock.

Good luck :cool:
 

Mark C.

Posts Too Much
Member
Nov 1, 2000
52
0
The TT-R125s were new in 00' so you could pick one up for above $2000. Or you could find a older XR that would be much lower since the XRs been out since 1974.
 

jadestrada

Member
Aug 28, 2000
14
0
True, you do fall a lot. I'm still going through that phase...and prolly never will get out of it! :p

One thing you really need to determine before you buy a bike is the type od riding you'll be doing. If you are riding trails, four-stroke is the popular way to go (of course, I like to do thing the hard way :confused: ) If you want to race, two-strokes are the way to go. Also, do you have the money to buy a newer bike such as the TT-R125L, or the money to maintain a two-stroke? A good point someone made...stick to the dirt before riding street. A VERY good piece of advice. My sweet sixteen is this saturday, and I'm not even thinking about getting a motorcycle permit. Its SOOOO dangerous on the road these days. I am going to wait until I'm REALLY good (lol, like thats happening any time soon) until I get a street bike.

Definately check out http://www.kalitude.com Its a wonderful site for the woman rider on the rise.

Welcome to the wonderful world of motorcycles! Good luck! Of course, you can always come to us with questions (well, maybe not me directly ;) ). I hope you enjoy the sport as much as we do!!

-Jade Estrada Tenberg
 
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Mark C.

Posts Too Much
Member
Nov 1, 2000
52
0
Well Abbie (13) I think you should end your task at finding a street legal bike untill, umm, you have a "license". ;)

I still say you'd be good on a XR80 or 100. If your brave enough maybe a 2-stroke 80. Well happy huntin an GOOD LUCK babes! :D :)
 
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firecracker22

Sponsoring Member
Oct 23, 2000
3,217
0
I will probably incur the wrath of the thumper tribe for saying this, but an 80 Expert or even better, a KX 100 might not be a bad choice. Yes, four-strokes are easier to learn on because of the more manageable power, but if you plan on moving up to a more competitive 4-stroke like a YZ 250F or a 2-stroke, you will have to learn a lot of skills that you don’t need on a TTR or XR. I had an XR 200 for my first bike at age 19 and recently bought my newest bike, a 2001 KTM 200. It is one of the most tame 2-strokes out there (except maybe a KDX) and I still find myself taking SO MANY steps backward now that I have a fast bike.

On a 4-stroke, you don’t have to shift as often or use the clutch nearly as much. On a two-stroke, learning how to feather or fan the clutch is imperative. 4-strokes also have a lot more engine braking, meaning when you let off the throttle, the bike slows down. On 2-strokes this does not happen and when you come to rely on that, you can get in trouble. You don’t learn throttle control as fast on a 4-stroke, especially an XR, because they have far less power and aren’t very responsive. Also, the suspension and handling on 2-strokes is usually superior to that of 4-strokes. One disadvantage of 2-strokes is they do require a little more maintenance. And they have a different type of power that can get out of hand. Read my description of the difference between the two engine types at www.kalitude.com for more information.

If you do buy a 4-stroke, I’d recommend the TTR if possible since they have far more updated suspension and brakes than the XRs do.

Bike selection is more a matter of temperament and preference than size and gender. If you are competitive, brave, and like living on the edge, you won’t be happy with a 4-stroke very long. It is true that they are easier to learn the basics on but no matter what you buy, it’s going to be a while before you’re comfortable with balance, throttle control, and shifting and braking. I urge you to take an honest look at the type of person you think you are and your riding career intentions—whether or not you decide to race, now or in the future—and make a decision based on that. Most men and many women learn how to ride on 2-strokes so it is far from impossible. You will just have to learn to twist that throttle lightly! Remember, bikes only go as fast as you tell them to.

E-mail or send me a private message if you have any other questions. You will get a wide array of different answers to this question since it’s a subject we’ve debated many times.
 

OnAnySunday

Big Pig
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 20, 2000
998
3
lost in the deserts of NM
Originally posted by Mark C.
"Or you could find a older XR that would be much lower since the XRs been out since 1974."

In which case a early/mid eighties 6 speed XL125s or XL185/200 would be a good bet.
These bikes are more than competent in the dirt, and are 100% street legal.
(no modifications nessisary.)
Better hold off on the street till your 16 though! :eek:
 

firecracker22

Sponsoring Member
Oct 23, 2000
3,217
0
There is no right or wrong answer here. I simply stress that beginners should not feel that a four-stroke is the only sane option. I wish I had begun on a two-stroke! I would gladly trade a slightly longer learning curve for the frustration I feel now when I can't do things on a high-end bike that I could on my old one. I know I need to use the clutch more than I do, and shift more, and use the front and rear brake independently for different braking techniques, and many more things that would be habit now had I learned them from the beginning. Four-strokes do have disadvantages as well as advantages, one of those being that they can reinforce bad habits since they are so forgiving.

Also, I don't want Abbie to see two-strokes as frightening. She is at a far more ideal age to begin learning now than I was, when I had a full-time job and full-time college classes.
 

nEwrIdEr1211

Member
May 9, 2001
8
0
stop fighting in my forum!! firecracker can say what he wants!!! anyway hey mark you dooface lol my name is ABBY not ABBIE lol you spelled it wrong...but anyway!! I wanna be in SX like competion and i love living on the edge and i heard the the KX100 is a really great bike
 

firecracker22

Sponsoring Member
Oct 23, 2000
3,217
0
Originally posted by kalitude


Um, no offense, but that might be going a little far! KTM200, tame, OK! :scream:


Well, tame compared to some other bikes. It hits a little hard now because it's running a tad rich for break-in—it’s blubbery, then BBRRAAA---AAAAAPPPP!!!!! She takes off screaming. Very fun. I roosted poor Steve going up a steep, marble-ly uphill with acceleration bumps on accident! I had to lean WAY forward over the front end and slip the clutch to keep the front end down! What a rush!

Actually, though, the 250s have a different pull. They feel like they want to just pull you by your arms but there isn’t the sudden jolt. And 125s—ok, so I’ve only ridden one, a brand-new RM—aren’t as touchy as I’d been led to believe. I had a blast on his and had I met him before I bought mine, he may have successfully talked me into one.

Hey nEwrldEr1211--welcome to the sport. Check your private messages.
 

ChicKX100

Uhhh...
May 16, 2001
8
0
:D I'd like to say Hello to everyone first since I am new here. Being that you will not be driving legally for awhile you look for something that will suit your size so that you are not intimidated by the bike, 4 stroke - 2 stroke it really doesn't matter you can learn to ride anything if you are taught properly. And I think if you enjoy riding dirtbikes you can have fun on just about anything!!!
I just got a KX100 over Mother's Day and I'll say it fits me perfect! I'm 5'5 and weigh 113 pounds. When we started looking for bikes we were looking at YZ80's when I got the chance to sit on it I felt way to cramped so we decided to look into something bigger, so we looked into the TTR's and heard that people have to spend quite a bit of money to modify the TTR's and that they are not very peppy. I thought we would never find something that would feel right to me but we did when we came across the KX100. I't fit's my size and it definatly goes fast. I know this cause my first time on it I got chased by a dog and let's just say I got away from the dog.
 
Oct 22, 2000
197
0
Why start out small

nEwrIdEr1211

Put yourself straight away on the back of a CR500AF:p! Why waste all of that time on a bike that you'll outgrow eventually? Go straight to the top of the heap. Just kidding here of course.

My daughter is your size also, and I will be getting her a TTR125, just as soon as I find a reasonably priced one:think .

RatTrap
 
Oct 22, 2000
197
0
Why start out small?

nEwrIdEr1211

Put yourself straight away on the back of a CR500AF:p! Why waste all of that time on a bike that you'll outgrow eventually? Go straight to the top of the heap. Just kidding here of course.

My daughter is your size also, and I will be getting her a TTR125, just as soon as I find a reasonably priced one:think .

RatTrap
 
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