New ride for wife

[will_kc]

The KLR is paid off and my wife has HINTED ( ) she wants to ride with me/the boys. We want to buy a bike before the heat kicks in and all the MSF classes are full. She likes the KLR, but it's just to heavy for her.

She's 5'6" sub 150 lbs. (Like She would tell me how much she really weighs... . She's strong, so lifting a bike should not be a huge issue. The bike's top end has to be at least 70 mph, so we can run on state roads. New KTMs and BMWs are out, I don't have that big of a wallet. I'd even be willing to take a factory motard and put knobs on it.

Any IMHOs?

[troy]

If you want a dualsport class machine that can run 70mph on hwy.....and is lady friendly.....the 70 mph thing is probably a bit of a kicker...unless you mean only for short stints. The 650 class bikes can do the hwy stuff but are usually quite large as you know. What about a KLR with the lowering links and the corbin seat (or other) that further lowers the seat height. You know the KLR and you are both happy with it. My brother, KC, bought his 2000 KLR from a lady owner. It had the lowering links and a shortened kickstand. He raised it back up for himself.

Our Oklahoma riding friends, Randy & Sandy, used to have Sandy on a lowered KLX250. I think she liked it OK, but they graduated her to a KTM. "Tall" is not an adjective used to describe Sandy. The KLX250 is lighter and more nimble than the KLR of course.

Sandy on her KLX250:


Sandy on her LC4:

[safiri]

If you want a dualsport class machine that can run 70mph on hwy.....and is lady friendly.....the 70 mph thing is probably a bit of a kicker...unless you mean only for short stints. The 650 class bikes can do the hwy stuff but are usually quite large as you know. What about a KLR with the lowering links and the corbin seat (or other) that further lowers the seat height. You know the KLR and you are both happy with it. My brother, KC, bought his 2000 KLR from a lady owner. It had the lowering links and a shortened kickstand. He raised it back up for himself.

Our Oklahoma riding friends, Randy & Sandy, used to have Sandy on a lowered KLX250. I think she liked it OK, but they graduated her to a KTM. "Tall" is not an adjective used to describe Sandy. The KLX250 is lighter and more nimble than the KLR of course.

I don't believe "graduated" is the correct term. The LC4 is now Sandy's motard bike. Her KLX 250 is her off-road, dual-sport bike. Check with them to be sure, but I am 99% sure of this. The LC was too heavy for her to grunt around in Colorado.

Randy wrote praisingly of the KLX a few years back on KTMTalk.com:
http://ktmtalk.com/index.php?showtopic=141504

BTW, Randy is a tall guy. If he could cruise down the road on the KLX250, then your wifey shouldnt' have any problems.
PM Randy and ask.

[safiri]

Here is what Sandy's LC4 looks like in Motard trim:
http://ktmtalk.com/index.php?showtopic=219533&hl=klx


BTW, I was impressed with the KLX when Sandy rode it down in AR a few years back. I would seriously consider one right now if my wife was serious about wanting to ride.

Sandy's stats from the first link I posted:
She's 5' 2" and has A 29" inseam

[Mr Wizard]

Here's a vote for a Yamaha Xt225. My SO has over 30 yrs riding experience (mostly on BMW airheads + 60k on a hawk gt), and we sold her KLR650 for a XT. She loves it for anything less than a 3-400 mile day (then she rides my KLR). Cruises at a true 65-70 all day and gets 70-80 mpg to boot. She is 5'6" and 135. A Super Sherpa would do the same thing.

Jim

[GLBarton]

Last year I bought a used 2000 Kawasaki Super Sherpa and I love it. It handles great, is not too tall, (i'm 5'4") and it fits fine. Also lowering kits are available. Plus it's air cooled and will cruise at 60-70mph.

[troy]

http://www.rideforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=525

[safiri]

http://www.rideforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=525

Dang, you beat me to it!
http://www.rideforum.net/viewtopic.php? ... &sk=t&sd=a