My GF is not a rider (her parents hate bikes with as much venom as mine...but she wasn't as willing to piss them off :evilaugh: ) but worked at a dirt bike store a few years ago and has always been interested.
Trackho bought a CRF230 last year to loan people without a bike and use as a pitbike. So I went and borrowed it and we headed out to Hollister to teach her how to ride. THANKS TRACKHO!
Now, she's 5'3" or so and definately cannot flat foot it. For anyone that's ever messed with a CRF230, you know the steel frame and battery and starter don't make for a light bike. It felt almost as heavy as my CR250, and lots more dense.
My GF did drop it like the second time she tried to stop. (sorry about the clutch lever, that's why there was a new one on the seat when I dropped it off) But the rest of the day went fine and she was pretty comfortable by the end, shifting gears using front and rear brakes etc etc.
(Edit: I knew better and should've loosened the clutch perch and made sure the lever was inboard of the bar end like I do to all of my bikes)
At her Christmas party girls that were into bikes, and even some dudes asked how she could be comfortable, the bike is so big...my response was normally something around Ricky Charmichael.
So, to those of you who are not exactly tall, or ride with those who aren't, do the taller bikes bother you? If you know people that have lowered them, does this mess up the handling of the bike?
I liked the electric start of the CRF, but it's pretty porky so I'm trying to figure out a good alternative (the CRF 150 is way too weak in the motor)
The good news is, she is COMPLETELY hooked! :thumb:
Trackho bought a CRF230 last year to loan people without a bike and use as a pitbike. So I went and borrowed it and we headed out to Hollister to teach her how to ride. THANKS TRACKHO!
Now, she's 5'3" or so and definately cannot flat foot it. For anyone that's ever messed with a CRF230, you know the steel frame and battery and starter don't make for a light bike. It felt almost as heavy as my CR250, and lots more dense.
My GF did drop it like the second time she tried to stop. (sorry about the clutch lever, that's why there was a new one on the seat when I dropped it off) But the rest of the day went fine and she was pretty comfortable by the end, shifting gears using front and rear brakes etc etc.
(Edit: I knew better and should've loosened the clutch perch and made sure the lever was inboard of the bar end like I do to all of my bikes)
At her Christmas party girls that were into bikes, and even some dudes asked how she could be comfortable, the bike is so big...my response was normally something around Ricky Charmichael.
So, to those of you who are not exactly tall, or ride with those who aren't, do the taller bikes bother you? If you know people that have lowered them, does this mess up the handling of the bike?
I liked the electric start of the CRF, but it's pretty porky so I'm trying to figure out a good alternative (the CRF 150 is way too weak in the motor)
The good news is, she is COMPLETELY hooked! :thumb: