CB1100EX for a new rider? (my daughter)

[2017EX_imp]

Welcome tommymck. Obviously there is a learning curve for new riders, and some things are not as obvious as others. I sold a 750 pound Harley, and bought a CB1100EX because ( among other things ) I was not comfortable at age 65 wrestling that much weight in around town traffic. So, on the weight side, how much would she be comfortable with rolling around by hand, or putting on a center stand, or picking up by herself if necessary if she dropped it?

A while back, I bought my wife a Rebel 250 and fixed it up for her, but promptly sold it. I found that it was easy to handle in terms of weight, but extremely lacking in power, even for around town. Having ridden motorcycles since I was 17 ( my first bike was 80cc ), I think around 500cc would be a decent compromise between weight and power for a beginner....light enough to handle rolling by hand and around town, but with enough power for short hops on the freeway if necessary. I say short hops on the freeway, because I think a beginner should learn at slower speeds on surface streets, preferably with very light traffic.

Just as suggestions, you might want to look at a Honda CB500F or a Rebel 500. The Rebel 500 has only a solo seat, which might be a good thing to discourage riding two up, as I think a significant amount of solo riding experience should be under anyone's belt before even considering taking a passenger. Either of those bikes should have a seat height that would allow her to have both feet flat, and firmly on the ground at stops as well.

Regardless of any well intended opinions and/or suggestions, whatever she ends up with should be something that you have confidence in, she is comfortable with, and suits her needs.

[emptysea]

It'll probably be fine for her, but then again, it could be heavy and expensive for a first bike. The new Rebel is a much improved bike and comes in a 500cc version. Could work. So could the CB500. My wife rides a CTX700 and it is light and comfortable for her (5'6").

As far as new riders riding the CB1100, my son learned on a 250, but rode my CB1100 while still a newbie. Did not like it at all -- "top heavy" was what he felt. I'm sure he would have got used to it, but he went off to college and really hasn't ridden any motorcycle since.

Good luck on your search.

[Watson-cb1100_imp]

My wife restarted with a Honda NC750s. This is a very easy driving bike.
Before we had children she drives a CBR600rr.
Now she is so happy with the Nc that she don’t want to change anymore.

The Nc is also resonably priced bike.


Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk

[VLJ_imp]

The CB1100EX is simply too heavy for a first-time rider, especially a female (presumably with less upper-body strength) who will be doing mostly city riding. If she already had plenty of experience riding in the dirt and was going to be using this bike mostly as a freeway commuter, fine, the CB1100 would be an easy choice. For urban work, however, there is no way I would start a young lady on a 560-lb bike. First-timers almost inevitably drop their bikes at some point, and she probably won't be able to lift the CB back upright, never mind the fear that such an experience will instill in her.

Start her off on something no heavier/more unwieldy than a naked 500 or 650, such as the Rebel 500, CB500F, CB650F, Kawasaki Z650, Suzuki SV650, or Yamaha MT-07. Any of these are perfectly fine on the freeway, and make for ideal urban commuters. You could even go smaller, but I wouldn't go any larger or heavier, not for a city-commuter female who's a true first-time rider.

[rotor]

Another vote for cb500f. And no matter what the gender, age or the bike, I would not be at ease with someone near and dear to me to do a daily commuting on a motorcycle on a busy suburban freeway before a year or two of continuous riding, and at least 25k kilometers in urban traffic behind him/her.

On the other hand, if she remains in California, and you help her to a point where she can competently use a motorcycle for a better part of her transportation needs, you will probably earn her life-long gratitude.

[Stichill_imp]

I'd opt for a bike weighing between 350 to 475 lbs (160 kg to 215 kg) with around 23 to 45 HP, a short wheelbase, mid-mounted foot controls, and appropriate seat height to allow ground contact with the balls of the feet (or better). Opt for some wind protection if any riding is expected at highway speeds (65 mph and up).

[tommymck]

Thanks for all of the replies!!! So the consensus here is that the CB1100EX is just too much bike for her. I won't let my biases force her into something that doesn't make sense for her. While all of the suggestions for a CB500 looks great to me, it's too "sporty" looking for her. Maybe it's what she grew up seeing me riding, but she wants something more traditional looking, My original thought was that I'd get something that I'd like to ride for when I was out there that she'd adopt also. Sounds like it makes more sense for me to let her do her own thing regardless of what my biases are.

Regarding her physical characteristics, she's 5'8, does crossfit religiously and is very fit (way more fit than I am) but I don't want to be in a position where I'm encouraging her to take on more than makes sense for her. At the end of the day, I'm probably just trying to justify getting myself a CB100EX to keep out there. Based on the comments here, I'll let her do her own thing.

[2017EX_imp]

Personal taste in a bike is a very individual thing. I think now at least you have some reasonable parameters to work with, weight, seat height, and engine size. Since she was originally interested in a Rebel, take a look at the new Rebel 500, if she is not keen on the looks of the CB500. Take a look at other brands that fit the basic parameters too. With so many choices out there, I have no doubt she will find the right fit. Looking at the options together sounds like a nice Father/Daughter adventure. Good luck and good hunting.

[Nortoon_imp]

All of the new CB500s have the same 49 horsepower motor designed for new riders. I rode a CB500X for 3 summers and loved it. Light, nimble and surprizing quick for a 500cc twin. I am 6'2" tall, weigh 225 pounds, and have ridden for 27 years. What I liked most about the CB500X was it upright riding position, and it comes with a windscreen. The CB500s also get great gas mileage and have long range fuel tanks.

If she is more interested in a cruiser, there is a Rebel model.

[pdedse]

Thanks for all of the replies!!! So the consensus here is that the CB1100EX is just too much bike for her. I won't let my biases force her into something that doesn't make sense for her. While all of the suggestions for a CB500 looks great to me, it's too "sporty" looking for her. Maybe it's what she grew up seeing me riding, but she wants something more traditional looking, My original thought was that I'd get something that I'd like to ride for when I was out there that she'd adopt also. Sounds like it makes more sense for me to let her do her own thing regardless of what my biases are.

Regarding her physical characteristics, she's 5'8, does crossfit religiously and is very fit (way more fit than I am) but I don't want to be in a position where I'm encouraging her to take on more than makes sense for her. At the end of the day, I'm probably just trying to justify getting myself a CB100EX to keep out there. Based on the comments here, I'll let her do her own thing.

I was wondering if this wasn't the case when you initially mentioned the Yamaha sr400, which I think is a very cool looking motorcycle. I would revisit that idea; maybe the kickstart would be a pain when she stalls the bike the first time in traffic, but it is very easy to kick start that bike. I mean, you barely push down and it fires.

Another idea if she likes a "somewhat" traditional look:

https://scramblerducati.com/en/bike/sixty2



EFI
400cc
6speed
30.3 low seat / 31.1 standard
404lbs wet
but msrp is $7795

maybe a left over '17 for less?