She says she wants her own, any suggestions?

The Good: So in the last two weeks we have had some pretty great weather here, which has prompted me to take my bike out for a quick spin and go to the Bike shops in town and she really wants to get one of her own now.

The Bad: She is only 5'1", so most bikes are just too tall for her, does anyone have any suggestions about bikes with lower seat heights?

She is not interested in any cruiser style bikes, either standard or sport.

Thanks Guys!

I just did my Motorcycle training course for my license last year and there were two ladies in the class that were vertically challenged as well. They were no taller than 5'1'' and very tiny build. I know one of them now rides a small crotch rocket type bike. Not exactly sure of the brand or type, but I think it's a 125 or 250. Maybe one of these will be ok.

they get tooo much money for em even used ones are a lot..but if you see one kinda cheap i'd get it..ninja 500/ex 500......i got to ride one in new york about ten times....(neighbors) it was kinda chopy(for me at first) cuase its a twin.....but ti IS a motorcycle and can do all things well including diceing traffic with ease...keeping up with all but liter bikes punching it hard....and funnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn...i was sooo impressewd and would recomend...reading the write ups from archives on this bike...bullet proof motor to same motor since 85....i'm way tall and could ride it fine(get my hint) and my neighbor was tiny....no matter you may still have to shave the seat and lower the bike an inch so she can feel the fun and not have to stradle each stop sign...
some poor thing at the moto gp had a sv650(nice bike...way tooo tall) and she had to park with everyone on a incline makshift overflow lot...she could not get her foot down in time and at 3mph biffed hard in front of about fifty riders....spinning the tire and throwing dirt and gravel on everyones polished bikes....people were being dicks and saying stuff...till i told to shut their mouths and be cool we are at a killer deal..and helped her up she still could not get the bike to balance..and threw more dirt....someone sold her the wrong bike...hope she is still alive somwhere...good luck....

When shopping for a bike for your better half I don't favor any one brand. Have her wear the boots she plans on using and go to the bike shops and see what she fits on.

A rider should be able to sit on the seat and have both feet flat on the ground. I've seen far too many riders on sport bikes with one or more "Cheeks" off the seat when stopped at a traffic light. All it takes is a little oil,or sand and down they go when balancing on tip toes.

Most bikes can be lowered with kits to meet the new riders comfort.

New or used?

I assume it's a very first bike?

New: the newly redesigned Ninja 250 has gotten some very good reviews. It looks very modern now. As was mentioned, the ex500 has always been a decent bike. I also like the looks of the Suzuki GS500 twin. It looks like a modern standard and is supposedly better handling than the ex500, but maybe not as quick. I think handling is probably more important than speed on a first bike.

Used: The obvious first choices would be the KZ200 single or the KZ400 twin. The 400 is very smooth, but the motor won't get you into trouble.

If she wants it this year, better start looking now. The prices can double by April. Good luck hunting.

this has a nice short seat and is rated as #1 beginers bike...

or this

My son has Buell Blast (500 cc) single cylinder. The seat height is pretty low.

Does she like your bike? Maybe you could do a kz650 and have some custom work done on a seat so that the ride height is right. Just a thought.

I always thought the Honda VT500T was a good entry level bike. Enough power to move 180lb rider up to 100mph without trying. It is the v-twin inline model that was more like a sporty magna 500 in a standard configuration. Get some lower bars and you are good to go.

If I was going to buy a new motorcycle that was small, the only one I see that looks worth owning would be the little Suzuki. I don't see them overflowing at the dealers. I'm sure they are not selling at $3799. I don't know what kind of performance to expect. The ninja 250 is a pretty good runner, but as all sport bikes, not really the most perfect seating position, and the Honda Rebel is a cruiser and my wife rides one of them and is only about 5' 1" tall and likes it and has had zero problems with it, but dang that thing is slowwww. 0-60 is one of those minute long things on it. You'll probably want to go used if she's a beginner. My wife bought new and hers looks like it's been through a war now. :S

No one has mentioned the Honda Rebel yet. That seems to be the bike of choice for the first time chic bike around these parts. It has a very low seat height for the shorter legs, and is not a bad looking bike.