Which Bike for my wife?

[gxdragon]

My wife is interested in getting a bike. She is only 4' 11" and wants a small bike. She sat on and liked the seat hight of the xr70, she has never ridden and likes the idea of the semi-automatic clutch. I noticed that the seat hight of the klx110 is about the same. I can't find any info about the performance of these bikes and don't know if the 110 is worth the extra $300. Does anybody have information about either of these bikes that might help?

 

[shnalln]

I just bought an xr100 for my wife who is 5'4" tall. I can't say what the differance in the seat height is between the xr and the kdx110, but the 100 actually runs pretty good for such a small bike. It's easy for her to manage because it's not too powerfull. But beware...if you pop the clutch on these little things with enough gas, they will pop the front tire off of the ground. Which, as long nobody gets hurt, is pretty damn hilarious. I weigh around 215lbs, and got on this bike, and it actually pulled me up a pretty good sized hill, in first gear of couse. My wife has never ridden before either and she has a ball on this bike, and I'm pretty sure the power between the xr and the kdx can't be too much differant since they are designed for smaller begining riders. Hope this helps.

 

[Michelle]

What sort of riding are you & your wife intending? Trails? MX? HS? Trials?
From what bikes you're listing, I'm taking it trail (for starters ;))
See if she can handle the XR80 (or even 100) instead of the 70, slightly bigger wheels (better), "auto" clutch (at least the way my friend's daughter rides hers lol j/k - nah, she's getting the hang of it) and it'll make the transition to a "full size" bike easier as your wife "outgrows" it - meaning a slightly larger bike once she gains more confidence.
One person who'll be able to help (if she's got time) is CJ Rider - your wife is taller than CJ by an inch. I'm pretty sure CJ had a TTR125L before she got her Pampera before she got her KX100, but what she had prior I dunno. CJ's not around much at the moment, so be patient if you do contact her.
Be aware though, if/when your wife gets addicted, she will be moving up but will have hassles finding the perfect bike. And those of us 5'0+ think we have hassles.
BTW, FWIW, my 11yo friend loved the KLX125, but then she's been riding since she was about 5/6 so isn't quite so uncomfortable on taller bikes (you've got me thinking about how tall she is, and I'd guess she'd be about the same height or a bit shorter, but again, she's been riding half her life so has some confidence).
But definitely, get as big a bike as your wife can handle (and I'm definitely not meaning a full size bike, I'm meaning in the XR/TTR/KLX/DRZ "kids" bike range) as the bigger wheels do make it easier for uphills etc etc - but make sure she can pick it up when she dumps it and can restart it.
Good luck & let us know how it goes.
Michelle

 

[gxdragon]

Thanks for your responses. I think I was leaning toward the klx110 hoping that it would have a little more power so when she builds her confidence she could go faster. Seat hight was important to her I'd like to see her on something just a little bigger but I'm not going to push the issue I'm just glad she's taken an interest. Besides if she does move up to something bigger my daughter who is 6 now (has an XR50 with training wheels) can move up to the 110 in a few years.

 

[Lew]

The klx 125 has two models the L has bigger wheels. I recently got both my wife and daughter the 125L. They both love their bikes. The power is very controlable. My daughter was having trouble learning the clutch and the bike was very foregiving. I say it would be an excellent starter bike.
Lew

 

[Michelle]

Originally posted by gxdragon
Seat hight was important to her I'd like to see her on something just a little bigger but I'm not going to push the issue I'm just glad she's taken an interest.

I know the feeling exactly. I did not want an XR200 due to the fact I felt it was too heavy. I also didn't want a 125mx due to the seat height, so settled on a YZ80 (big wheel - light, good seat height, basically a brilliant beginner's bike, except one minor thing. The power on that thing. It was an ex-race bike & ported for top end. what bottom end was I didn't know until I got the kdx lol).
I also think seat height is very important for learning and gaining confidence, so totally sympathise with your wife there.
I totally agree get her something she'll try to ride & feel comfortable on, rather than force her to try a bigger bike - that can come later, it's much more important to get her addicted first lol :)

 

[gxdragon]

I found an article, I think it was motorcyclist magazine. They reviewed some dirt bikes and commented on the klx110. They said the 110 was just as fast as any of the 125s they tested. This should keep her from getting board once she gets used to riding.
I hope she rides faster then she drives. Otherwise I might just have to forget the klx300r I was going to buy for myself and just get the bicycle out.

 

[CJ Rider]

Hey there! It's SO good to be back in town again!

Yeesh, I feel your wife's pain with the height thing; I'm 4'10". Having my feet firmly planted was VERY psychologically important starting out. I started on the XR100. The cool thing about the XR is the low seat height (feet grounded), somewhat light weight (easy to pick up and start), friendly power (controllable for a beginner), and comforting low-end tourque (to make hill climbs less intimidating). I would NEVER have continued riding if it weren't for my friendly, comforting, unintimidating XR100.

I sat on that KLX110 at the shop earlier today; 'definitely planted my feet nicely on the ground. It's a cute little bike. Does the KLX have nice low-end tourque? If not, then that could be an issue. Otherwise, go for it! Anything friendly that won't initially scare her away from the sport is a good thing and very important!

Remember: If she likes the sport, then this won't be her last bike and you can always upgrade later. Hopefully, she'll find her ultimate bike in fewer steps than it took me (refer to the list in Michelle's post); LOL! Good luck and point your wife to our women's forum!

 

[gxdragon]

I made up a chart on seat height for the different bikes the xr70 is 25.8, xr80 28.6, xr100 30.5 and the klx110 25.6. I couldn't convince her that the xr80 was a better fit to her height I certainly won't get her on the xr100. I think at this point I'm convinced that the klx is the bike for her to start on. And if I can get her on the internet I will direct her to the womens forum.

 

[CJ Rider]

Hey, I asked around and apparently the little KLX does have some nice low-end tourque so it sounds like a GREAT bike for yer wife! I watched a kid riding one this past Sunday and he was having a great 'ol time; it's SO CUTE!!!

Don't tell your wife (because I really didn't believe it at first either) but, if she enjoys riding and has a great experience on this bike, she'll eventually figure out that it's OK not to be able to touch the ground. DON'T even mention that at this point, though; it'll get her blood boiling just as it did mine at first; LOL!!!