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Offline J.Webster Designs

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need some opinions......
« on: June 13, 2009, 04:02:21 PM »
Hey guys, My fiance wants to start riding... She is in the process of taking the MSF course this weekend and was telling me about how she enjoyed the Kawasaki eliminator 125 that she is using during the course. She is 5'1.5" and the extremely low seat height of the eliminator gives her a lot more confidence then being on a rebel or any of the other bikes they had out at the course. I am wondering is anyone here has had any experience with the Eliminator 125's at all. and what your thoughts are about the little guys.
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Offline HavocTurbo

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2009, 08:58:16 PM »
Pretty decent little bikes...

Make sure that you buy a trickle charger. Either that or clean and remake every ground connection.

When it sits over the winter you WILL have to clean the little bigger out but other than that...

Nothing mechanical that I can remember. I've only seen 8 in the dealership for various reasons over the years.
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Offline MCRider

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2009, 09:13:08 PM »
My wife had about every used girls bike. A 500 ascot, too tall, 250 Rebel, too cruiserish, GS300L, one of the best except for the drum front brake. Knowing what i know now, I could have fixed that (by brake arcing), Our 1988 650HawkGT was hers to begin with bought new. She liked the sportiness and power, but it was still too tall. her most miles she put on a 600 Eliminator. Now that was a piece, 600 Ninja motor tuned for torque and she like to use it. Put about 25000 on that. Drive shaft, long intervals between valve adjustments, a little cold blooded, if it been sitting I had to get it started for her. Most recent and most civilized was a 400 Burgman, a Max Scooter. Don't let the "scooter" fool you. THese are fast comfortable, we went on 3 600 mile overnights, the massive trunk let her take her full purse. At a restaurant she could ditch her helmet, brush out her hair and take her purse in. No shifting, way low maintenance (good for me) enclosed belt drive, fuel injected, starts first time every time. we went on the Interestate quite a bit, it has as much rider protection from wind and rain as my FJR.

Just some thoughts. But seat height is always the problem, don't know why the Japs don't address in a big bike that's not a cruiser. Takes forever to turn those around. On trips out in the wilderness, that was Linda's biggest complaint about the Eliminator. If she had to turn in a tight space, I often had to help, like on a narrow 2 lane road or in a small parking lot.  THe Burgman is still kinda high. THe Eliminator was about 29", pretty low.

We've met many couples travelling where the female was on a 250 Eliminator. A little short on range and carrying capacity, but a GREAT bike. I think it vibrates a bit at speed.

You may find if your going to ride together that if she gets in a tough spot and needs some power the 125 won't have it. But its a great bike too. THe entire Eliminator line up was under appreciated.

« Last Edit: June 13, 2009, 09:20:32 PM by MCRider »
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Offline J.Webster Designs

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2009, 09:28:34 AM »
Thanks guys. I appreciate it. Today was the last day and she PASSED!!! I'm so proud of her. I want to get her on something soon so that she can keep the skills fresh. take her out to some empty parking lots and let her get comfortable in a different and less stressed environment.
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Offline heffay

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2009, 09:40:15 AM »
midnight... thank you for giving us a break from your fuel avatar!   :)

my vote is for a cb350f  ;D
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2009, 01:43:44 PM »
I was at the dealer yeasterday and checked out this new Suzuki 250. 
Killer!  LUST IN MY HEART!  Looks great, priced great.  Low seat height, great ergos.  You wouldn't have to change a thing, but that frame- so easy to modify if you wanted to. 


I'm broke.  Sad me.  I kind of want one.

What about a used Ninja 250?  I rode a friend's and it also is a great bike.  Much fun and plenty of giddy-up.
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Offline MCRider

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2009, 02:38:21 PM »
Every girl/lady is different, but as men we need to be sensitive to their core conerns if we want them to ride with us.  Ususally that's seat height and not falling down in front of others.

Had a friend who put his wife on a Ninja 250. YOu could tell she just wasn't in to the sport bike riding position. Grabbed a little too much front brake coming in to the Sunday morning breakfast restaurant, very slow in that real fine gravel, and fell.  She was totally embarassed for the whole meal, never rode again.

THey were divorced later on.

Your gal may be OK with it, just try to read her needs and not yours.
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Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2009, 05:22:27 PM »
That's true...
Some women like the idea, but freak out at the edge of the driveway.
Some just want to ride a scooter,
And some hate how their butt looks.  (seriously)

That's a big difference- the interested men ARE going to ride, and their butt has nothing to do with it.
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Offline J.Webster Designs

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2009, 04:24:31 AM »
she actually does want to be on a ninja 250. she likes sport bikes better than cruisers. however, i put her on a ninja and its just way too tall for her. unfortunately... the way that the ninja is designed i cant lower it enough to get her to flat foot or get her on the balls of her feet. we will just say that she is "in-seam challenged". one of the best fitting bikes for her is the buell blast... but i have heard horrible reviews on it as a whole. i think what will eventually happen is she will get the eliminator so that she can build confidence. then i will be getting a honda 350/4 or 400 maybe even a 650 and cafe it for her since i can lower it significantly, set up the controls just for her, and make it look the way that she wants it to look. shes starting to really like the way that my bike is looking but the 750 is just way too big for her ( she needs a shorter distance between seat and bars). as for wanting to ride scooters.... she laughs about her riding a scooter... i have one and she just doesnt want to ride  it.... she once saw a guy putting a drink into a holder on his touring bike and said " you know when you dont have a "real" bike when you have a cup holder built into your bike...." i laughed.

as for the falling part... I made it very clear as did the instructors that you are eventually going to drop your bike... she found that out this past weekend at the MSF course and i think that her embarrassment about it is out the window now... fortunately this whole idea of riding was hers. she told me that she wanted to ride with me and that she wanted to get her own bike. I made the dangers very clear to her when she told me she wanted to ride and she still pushed forward. so i think she is excited about it. i will definitely have to watch her close though....

Heffay... you can thank burmashave for the avatar change... we did a deal on a seat latch in trade for me changing my avatar. you guys should have atleast spoke up about it.... i mean seriously... i was starting to get tired of it.......
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Offline Brown Bomber

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2009, 05:01:33 PM »
My GF is vertically challenged, and fell in love with the '08 Ninja 250, she went in to try to make a deal on one, but they wouldn't budge from the sticker price, and ended up showing her a new '07 Ninja 250, and bought it. I think the center stand, and the more comfortable seat make the '07 a better bike. She loves it.
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Offline heffay

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2009, 05:33:57 PM »
those ninjas are a dime a dozen.  not a bad bike at all but if she's after something like that, i'd search around for an 89 or 90 honda vtr250.
was my first street bike...  they are getting pretty rare these days and the stats are nearly identical.



people will ogle it if they know what it is... that never happens to an ex250 (ninja)

kawasaki did 'up the competition' recently though by totally revamping the little 250 rocket... looks so much cooler than it has for quite a long time.
« Last Edit: June 15, 2009, 05:36:41 PM by heffay »
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline heffay

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2009, 06:03:34 PM »
just found a better picture... i figure if i can't convince your wife, maybe i can convince you.   ;D 8) ;D

http://www.angelar.com/~jeremy/vtr/blueonbike.jpg
« Last Edit: June 16, 2009, 11:11:04 AM by heffay »
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline J.Webster Designs

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #12 on: June 15, 2009, 06:08:19 PM »
that is an interesting picture.....
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Offline Green550F

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #13 on: June 15, 2009, 06:12:16 PM »
I'll take one of those!  ;D
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Offline heffay

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2009, 06:12:20 PM »
that is an interesting picture.....

that is an interesting answer... is she reading this thread too.   ;D
« Last Edit: June 15, 2009, 06:26:21 PM by heffay »
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline Green550F

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #15 on: June 15, 2009, 06:21:38 PM »
Well... my wife did look like that when we married 20 years ago...

Men mary women expecting them not to change, Women mary men hoping they will,  and both are usually disapointed. ;)
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Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #16 on: June 15, 2009, 08:33:30 PM »
Well, at least go look at that Suzuki 250.  Very low seat, and it would be very easy to put a home made seat on it.

A bike I happen to know she will fit, is very sexy-good looking, and hella fast is a Suzuki Bandit 400.  Probably hard to find these days... but worth a look.

Yahoo has a Blast group;  http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/The-Buell-Blast/?yguid=190492287
They tell it like it is.  Not a bad bike, but not fast, either.  Could be a good first year bike, though. 
A GB500 is pricey, but it sure is a small bike.  You can't tell how little it is from pictures.
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Offline J.Webster Designs

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #17 on: June 16, 2009, 11:00:57 AM »
that is an interesting picture.....

that is an interesting answer... is she reading this thread too.   ;D


I'm not seeing a picture just a pink background with green lettering that says "I don't know what hotlinking or bandwidth theft are"......
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Offline heffay

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #18 on: June 16, 2009, 11:09:30 AM »
weird... it was showing the actual pic last night.
sucks for you.  it was a nice picture.
edit: added a link instead of "stealing" his girlfriend, er, I mean his bandwidth.   ;D

hotlinking and bandwidth theft?... what a loser.
« Last Edit: June 16, 2009, 11:12:20 AM by heffay »
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #19 on: June 16, 2009, 02:38:15 PM »
now i want to know what this picture is.....
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Offline heffay

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #20 on: June 17, 2009, 08:03:08 AM »
see it yet?  
  ;D
« Last Edit: June 17, 2009, 08:19:56 AM by heffay »
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline mattcb350f

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #21 on: June 17, 2009, 08:16:44 AM »
Nice pic.  ;D

What about the CBR125? they're pretty nice.

I rode a Kawasaki 454LTD recently and the seat height is pretty low on them too.

 Matt.
« Last Edit: June 17, 2009, 08:24:55 AM by mattcb350f »
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Offline J.Webster Designs

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #22 on: June 17, 2009, 11:27:15 AM »
much better picture......

Quote
What about the CBR125? they're pretty nice.

I cant find any locally to put her on.... I need to know that it is low enough, or can be made low enough for her to feel comfortable with it.
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Offline HavocTurbo

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #23 on: June 17, 2009, 12:26:11 PM »
I've lowered plenty of 250 ninjas for extremely short women. Easy to do, takes about 45 minutes.
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Offline heffay

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Re: need some opinions......
« Reply #24 on: June 17, 2009, 12:34:42 PM »
I can't see her being happy (for very long) on a 125cc.
250cc minimum would be my recommendation.
even the 250 ninjas and the like are pretty rapped out at 60-70mph.

elizabeth's first bike was a 98 VFR...WAY TO BIG (she's 5'-4.5")...after her wreck we bought her an 88 kawi ex500... she LOVES it, and threatens me every time i suggest anything other than keeping it.  
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f