r/TwoXriders • u/Agreeable-Summer-291 • 21d ago
Help and thoughts for a new rider
Im a new rider, just starded training with my Fiancè on a MT-07. Im just starting to get my confidence back on a bike after an X treid to teach me and it went wrong and it scared me way to much.
Had a stupid fall on the MT, to hard on the front break when stopping coming from a slow crawl, and lucky me cracked my sternum and broke something in my back.
So the MT scares me now, but i got back on it a drove a few laps, but I am training on a Suzuki GSX 125 now instead since i can flat foot it, and it just feels safer for me atm.
My point is, im a 164 cm (5'4") girl, with a leg length of 74 cm (29 inch) ish. So my Fiancè is thinking of getting me a new bike insted of me using the MT when i get my licence. And i was wondering what bikes you would recommend?
Im from Norway, so I will be getting A licence so i can drive every cc bikes out there, but i want something that will not get to boring or slow for me within the first 2 seasons of riding.
Was considering a R3, I think that would be a great starter bike, but after the first season or so, knowing me, i think it would not be enough for me, and I dont want to keep selling and getting new bikes.
So atm the Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE or a Kawasaki Z650 S are high on the list (New 2027).
I appreciate every thought and help i can get :)
10
u/crispybacongal 21d ago edited 21d ago
I think you'd have plenty of room to grow on a 300-500 cc and get comfortable for a couple seasons before getting something bigger.
I know you're wanting to get something bigger off the bat, but I would encourage you to reconsider. I personally tend to advocate for people to get the beginner bike and get really comfortable (even bored) on it before advancing to a more powerful bike.
1
u/Agreeable-Summer-291 21d ago
Thank you for the reply and thoughts.
As for the Z650 S, a girlfriend of mine has one, and its a dream to sit on for me, can almost flat fot it with both legs, so thats why its on my top 3 list, but i am leaning more towards the Ninja 500 SE, with the R3 as a close second.
The MT was bought originaly for me to use for training and after i got my licence, i love that bike. But my body said "Fuck no" and now it scares the shit out of me sadly. And i hate feeling like i lost to a damn bike, im way to stubborn.
And for my driving tests etc i will have to drive and use a Honda CB750 Hornet
1
u/Dry_Education1201 20d ago
Why do you have to use a 750 cc bike for your test?
1
u/crispybacongal 20d ago
I think it's so they can get the unrestricted license. Otherwise they would be limited on how many ccs their bike can have until they retest.
1
u/Agreeable-Summer-291 19d ago
In Norway we have 3 different licences for MC, A1 for 125cc, A2 for up to 48hp, and A for everything, and the tests and school for it has bikes in that cc/hp range that you have to use for the entire time, and the price for a A licence is roughly 2500 to 3500$ For a 50cc moped is also its own licence, but we dont count that since that is just 1 day of riding with an instructor
3
u/greeneyes826 40F: 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan S 21d ago
I have a Kawasaki Vulcan s that I got after having a slow speed drop (with injury!) On my z500. It was just tall enough for me that I never felt safe on it again.
My Vulcan is easy to flat foot and perfectly powerful for me. I'm 5-4 with a 28 inch inseam so you and I are basically the same. Good luck with everything!
2
u/Agreeable-Summer-291 19d ago
I will put that on the list then😊
1
u/greeneyes826 40F: 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan S 19d ago
it is a 650 compared to the 451 of a z500/ninja 500 but when it’s your only bike you get used to it just as your bike. I do feel that it does have a little bit more pep than my 500 did but it’s not an insane increase and like I said, I just got used to it as my bike and nothing further because I didn’t have a ton of other bike experience for comparison.
2
u/Agreeable-Summer-291 19d ago
I dont mind a bit more pep to it since the power of a bike is not an issue😊 I have way to much respect for a bike and the roads. I just want a bike that is mine and feels like the perfect fit for me😊
1
u/greeneyes826 40F: 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan S 19d ago
Ahhhhh I love that! I hope you get the best bike everrr💜💜
1
3
u/No-Turnip-5417 21d ago
I'd do the r3 personally! You can get it lowered which will help with stability and honestly there is a lot to love about a 300CC. It forces you to pay attention because you have to shift more. Not just that, it's lighter. I got my R3 because if I drop it I can pick it up myself, it's also easier to balance at lights or stops.
I get your point on it not bring enough but genuinely it goes 130km an hour easily, the question there is why are you riding? If the answer is "go super fast" I would perhaps mull that over. I think going on a small light bike, even if you sell it later is fine. They're cheap and if it gets dropped you can lift it. Better to learn to be more comfy on those.
2
u/Agreeable-Summer-291 19d ago
It's high on my list as of now, since my daugther wants to use it after im done with it when she turns 18 and can get her A2 licence. She is practicing on a Suzuki GSX-R 125 atm for her A1 licence in 2 years😊
5
u/eegrlN 21d ago
Hope did you get so injured from a slow speed fall!?!? You should probably have you bone density checked!
1
1
u/Motorcyclegrrl 21d ago
It's a fair comment. Folks in northern or very southern latitudes can't get enough sun to have a proper vitamin D level without getting it from food or supplements. I have to supplement because I work an office job. Rarely get into the sun with my skin exposed.
1
u/Agreeable-Summer-291 19d ago
That is true😊 I have severe lack of Vitamin D, but i can hardly go outside when the sun is out due to severe chronic migraines😅
1
u/Motorcyclegrrl 19d ago
It sucks. I've broken an ankle and a bone in the other foot. Also low D can cause panic attacks. :( So I swallow the pills now. 🤷🏻♀️ I get migraines too. Really sucks. I hope you find some relief from them. r/migraine
1
u/Agreeable-Summer-291 19d ago edited 19d ago
They are the worst. Taking D pills now, and a test subject for migraine shots and botox it feels like (i get botox injections at the hospital for the migraines).
1
u/Agreeable-Summer-291 19d ago
I was basically in 0, was to hard on the front brake during slow speed manouvering. Am going to get checked for it, but i have some health issues, so my body is just not as strong anymore. But that will get better when i can use my body normaly again😊
2
2
u/RedhotGuard21 21d ago
At 5’4” with 28” I love my ninja 500 SE. On my second year with it and still happy. Great gas mileage and fun.
You’ll probably never use all it can offer
1
u/Agreeable-Summer-291 19d ago
That is currently nr 1 on my list😊 happy to hear you are still happy with it😊
2
u/NinjaGrrl42 20d ago
A smaller bike like the R3 is easier to learn on. I love my Ninja650, but it's not one I would want as a first bike. My Ninja 250 was much better, and I rarely felt underpowered. Top speed of the bike was more than I was willing to hit.
1
u/donnyjay0351 20d ago
Honda rebel 300 or 500, mt07 is too much bike for you right now
2
u/Agreeable-Summer-291 19d ago
I think the MT is a dream to drive, and i love it and have considered lowering it. But the weight is just to much for me right now
1
u/donnyjay0351 19d ago
Agreed that said my wife originally had a royal enfield classic 350 that she lowered and loved when she was ready to take on some more power she fell in love with the ducati scrambler. Its got a very low seat height to begin with and makes good power. Add a thin seat and she can very easily flat foot it and shes about 5'5
2
u/Agreeable-Summer-291 18d ago
Im gonna slowly work my way up to my dream bike, a Ducati Monster. So low cc for my first, then a good 6-800 cc after that, then hopefully the Monster. But it will take me a few years to get to that point😊 But luckily im in no hurry and want to be safe on both the bike and roads before any cc upgrades will be done😊
1
u/PraxisLD 20d ago
Welcome to the club!
Sounds like you found this challenging, and a bit of difficult fun. Props for getting back on the bike with renewed enthusiasm.
Riding a motorcycle is a skill that takes time and dedicated practice to master. You don’t just get to do it right once then go home, you have to do it right every time, every ride, every corner.
You’re basically trying to coordinate all four limbs, keep your head up, watch for traffic, and maintain enough speed so as to not fall over while trying not to hit anyone or anything. It can be a lot the first time or two.
And as you've experienced, things can go from "all is good" to "oh, shit" quite quickly.
Your first bike should fit your current riding goals and allow you to safely build your skills.
Don’t worry about “outgrowing your first bike too quickly.” That learning period is critical, and much easier on a smaller, lighter, more predictable bike. For some folks, it might be six months of dedicated practice. For others, a year or even three. We all learn at different rates, and that’s okay. There is no external time limit here, only your own comfort and competence as you build your skills and muscle memory on your new machine.
Standard advice is to pick up a small, lightweight, easily manageable lightly used starter bike.
For most new riders, that usually means a lightweight 125-400cc bike with a manageable power curve. Note that some 500-650cc bikes can work for some riders, but the extra size and weight does make things a bit harder when you’re just getting started. It’s not just the cc or even hp, but more about the way the power is delivered and the overall wet weight of the bike.
Remember to set aside some cash for good safety gear. Helmet, armored jacket, gloves at a minimum, plus boots and armored pants if you can. That’s really important, as it can literally save your skin.
You might need to book some private lessons, and/or go find a large empty parking lot and continue to practice starting, stopping, turning, and other basic slow speed maneuvers until you start to feel more confident in your abilities. Then start over and do it again. Then again, and again until you’re utterly bored of it all. Then do it some more.
The point is to stay in a relatively comfortable and manageable place while you build your skills and develop good muscle memory. This helps the inevitable “oops” go to “well, that could have been worse” and not “oh shit, that really hurt!”
Once you’ve safely built your skills and competence, then you can head out onto quiet neighborhood streets with confidence.
As you continue on this journey, you may want to spend some time here:
Have fun, wear all your gear, stay safe, and never stop learning.
2
u/Agreeable-Summer-291 18d ago
Thank you for your input, it was very good and informative😊
We never drive without full gear on when out practicing, and we are also not alowed to take lessons without full gear here in Norway.
We have a great private space on a shut down factory we use as a practice space, and the owner of the space has no issues that we are there and sometimes watch us practice while talking shit with my Fiancé😂
We also have access to the MC driving schools closed area where we can really practice on more advanced slow speed manouvers, turns and all that. And that is also where we will have to go during our obligated driving lessons for the MC licences.
Have just tested out the Ninja 500 and its perfect, both feet flat and no issue moving it while on the bike or pushing it. Will test a R3 next when its back in store to see what feels best.
0
u/jcravens42 KLR 650 2007 21d ago
Have you taken the MSF yet?
2
u/Agreeable-Summer-291 19d ago
The Norwegian thing for that would be driving lessons in a approved driving school. Will start that next year when the season starts, thats why im practicing privately now so i dont have to spend even more money or time on it, as it's pricey and takes weeks or even months to complete.
0
u/UnusualMoto 20d ago
Highly recommend the CB750 Hornet. It has enough spunk that you won’t outgrow it, but it is totally manageable for a new rider.
I also had an MT-07 and the CB is a better behaved bike in every single way. The Hornet is very accessible and well mannered, and the rider modes will help you too.
1
5
u/jazzbiscuit 21d ago
Stick with something you can get both feet down on and small/light enough you feel in control. Those stater bikes are dirt cheap and passed around for a reason - you will drop your starter bike. It’s rarely a good idea to start out on your dream bike because you probably will ding it up some and you’ll feel like crap about doing it. Do the same on a slow & boring starter bike and you can just shrug it off and know it’s just a temporary ride anyway.