EDIT:

Thanks for all the advice! I got a lot of long detailed comments back. I’m reading each one and doing some research, but I wanted to make sure I thanked everyone for the replies!

Original Post:

Hello, Fediverse!

Recently, my company moved to remote work, full time. Since I’m not making a long commute each day, I’m really interested in getting a small bike I can ride for errands. I’d love to get some advice from this community about it.

Needs

First, I’m a woman at average or maybe even slightly below average height. I want to make sure it’s something I can actually ride without feeling like a little girl in mommy’s shoes.

Second, I don’t just want to ride. I want to work on it and learn how engines work. I’m a very mechanical person and I love this kind of thing. It’s fun for me. I’m happy to buy a bike that might not be running immediately because it gives me an opportunity to learn and tinker.

Last, I don’t need to go fast and I don’t want to take it in a big highway, but I do live near a state highway with a limit of 55mph. I’d like to be able to safely ride there:

Aesthetics

I’m not a huge fan of the Harley Davidson type low rider style but I wouldn’t rule it out entirely if it made sense against my other needs. I’m also open to scooters/mopeds if I can safely ride at 55mph.

I tend to like 80s style cars and bikes. Especially the bikes that aren’t quite sport but have some nods to it. Example: Kawasaki KZ, Honda CB, Suzuki GS, Yamaha XS (Japanese name followed by two consonants collection) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Looks aren’t as important to me as the other needs to be honest.

Current Motorcycle Knowledge

Next to nothing. I know the basics of how an engine works. I know how to change my own oil. I have done big repairs on my own cars in the past, but with guides.

I plan on taking a riding class. I know I’ll need safety equipment, such as a helmet. I do have a gear-head in my life so I have someone that I can ask questions to, but I’m mostly starting at zero.

Aside from bike suggestions, I’d love to hear something you wish you knew before you got your first bike!

TLDR:

What would you recommend for someone who wants to learn about engines but isn’t particularly tall? Anything you wish you knew before getting your first bike?

  • Ananääs@sopuli.xyz
    3·
    5 days ago

    My first bike and the one I still ride is Suzuki GS500 - and it’s been a perfect choice. I had similar requirements as you do and I haven’t been disappointed, it’s a really fun and agile bike to ride and you’ll learn a lot while working on it. I’ve heard that people who used to own one but got rid of it and rode other bikes ended up getting another GS as secondary bike because it’s just genuinely a nice bike.

    This is my 5th season and I’ve covered about 21k on it (we have about 4-5 riding months a year) and serviced it myself almost as completely as possible (electricity and lower engine haven’t been touched). I got it at 58k and in pretty bad condition for 1500e. Even though I’ve been looking for bigger bikes I don’t want to get rid of my GS, so until I have money for both I’m sticking to this. I don’t commute but rather ride it for fun and do touring, smaller roads and dirt roads too, but I’m sure there’s a reason why half of the world uses it as a commuter bike. It’s not the most comfortable ride for touring but it builds character and I’m quite proud of myself for going on all those adventures on my little GS.

    As GS is a small bike you’ll find yourself shifting gears a lot and reading the rpms, but once you get used to it you will leave the cars behind on a green light – for a few moments at least (be inspired by this fella). Gusts of wind will shake you and higher speeds really feel like you are riding a bike and not an air conditioned comfort unit. But that’s the enjoyment of it and also that’ll definitely teach you how to ride. A reasonable amount of discomfort feels like you are actually doing something.

    Another great thing is that GS being such a popular and universal bike the spare parts are widely available and cheap and servicing it yourself is possible & quite easy; there’s plenty of information available online, videos on Youtube and the GStwin forum that covers about everything you need to know about service and tweaking - better save it to the bookmarks right away because you’ll be looking for it after the bike has yet again stalled on a motorway (it’s the fucking fuel petcock). 💀

    Edit: Also: GS is quite easy and fast to disassemble and rebuild, eg you’ll need to do the carbs every so often and it’s nice that you can access them within minutes and fitting them back on isn’t a trouble once you get the hang of it.

    Did you tip it over on the parking lot? No worries, so did the previous owner and the one before that. Just fix the mirrors and if it won’t start check the plugs. It’ll be fine. You’ll be able to push it up yourself too.

    I think the 90’s UJM bikes hit the sweet spot: design is classy yet technology is updated, but not yet too modernizised or limited by restrictions. You’ll be able to tinker with things but don’t necessarily have to (except with that fricken petcock, again!).

    I fricken love my GS! 😂

    • Konna@sopuli.xyz
      3·
      5 days ago

      This is really solid advice. There are several models that suzuki calls GS but I can tell from the post that the one referred is the GS500E produced from late 80’s to early 00’s. It has a 500cc parallel twin engine with CV carburettors.

      I would add thay you should try and find one that is as stock as possible. Suzuki GS500E does not like being modified for performance and it will work the best when it has the stock airbox and air filter as well as stock exhaust and muffler. Alterations to these parts will hurt the bike and it will be difficult to get it running properly. When stock and properly adjusted, it is realiable, good looking and fun to ride.

      To really highlight the community and ease of repair, the GSTwin forums and the wiki are full of helpful fans of the bike. Also the repair manual (not owners manual, a repair manual) is widely available in the internet. It goes over all the service procedures, step by step and with good pictures too. It’s a great project bike to start learning.

      Because it is so widely available and dirt cheap, you should take some time to find one that has been loved by the previous owners. It’s a bike that some overlook and they don’t bother servicing it because they’ll MoVE oN tO a LiTer BikE SoOn