Besy commuter bike for newbie lady?
Discussion
Hi All, just bought a house in Surrey and will be doing around 15 miles each way into work. Train is slow and car is not feasible because no parking is available unless I pay a small fortune every month.
Which bike would you recommend for a 5'3" lightweight newbie? Roads will mostly be the A316 (or A314+315) plus a bit of city. Would a scooter be ok? Is it worth getting a Piaggio MP3 (felt too high for me?).
Should I play safe and buy an electric car instead? (There is a car park near my workplace with charging bays for £6/day).
Thanks so much in advance and apologies for sounding so clueless!
Which bike would you recommend for a 5'3" lightweight newbie? Roads will mostly be the A316 (or A314+315) plus a bit of city. Would a scooter be ok? Is it worth getting a Piaggio MP3 (felt too high for me?).
Should I play safe and buy an electric car instead? (There is a car park near my workplace with charging bays for £6/day).
Thanks so much in advance and apologies for sounding so clueless!
Edited by Nerdontoast on Friday 19th August 08:01
Edited by Nerdontoast on Friday 19th August 08:02
A scooter will be easiest to handle for a lightweight tbh.
For something like 15 miles, a 125 should be ok but the A316 has a 50mph limit, and a 125 will struggle to cope with that, but during rush hour it should be plenty and it keeps costs and weight down.
An electric car might seem like a good proposition, but it'll cost you many times what a decent scooter will.
The MP3 is a big old thing tbh. It has it's advantages but I'd go for something more conventional.
The Honda PCX supposedly is very good value for money, honda built quality and nice looks at a reasonable price.
Commuting in traffic is something you need some confidence for though, and learn to read the road.
A scooter is very easy to jump on and gain confidence without prior experience, no worries about gears etc. They're perfect commuting tools for the commute you describe. Most of them have loads of space though. Due to your size, I'd try and avoid the big scooters. They'll feel big and unwieldy and hence might inspire less confidence.
Most honda dealers have something like a PCX waiting to try out, I'd deffo give that a go. Also, do some rounds before jumping in the commute (I got my first bike on a friday
), that way at least you have a couple of miles in you before heading into traffic.
In short: get something you're confident on.
For something like 15 miles, a 125 should be ok but the A316 has a 50mph limit, and a 125 will struggle to cope with that, but during rush hour it should be plenty and it keeps costs and weight down.
An electric car might seem like a good proposition, but it'll cost you many times what a decent scooter will.
The MP3 is a big old thing tbh. It has it's advantages but I'd go for something more conventional.
The Honda PCX supposedly is very good value for money, honda built quality and nice looks at a reasonable price.
Commuting in traffic is something you need some confidence for though, and learn to read the road.
A scooter is very easy to jump on and gain confidence without prior experience, no worries about gears etc. They're perfect commuting tools for the commute you describe. Most of them have loads of space though. Due to your size, I'd try and avoid the big scooters. They'll feel big and unwieldy and hence might inspire less confidence.
Most honda dealers have something like a PCX waiting to try out, I'd deffo give that a go. Also, do some rounds before jumping in the commute (I got my first bike on a friday
), that way at least you have a couple of miles in you before heading into traffic.In short: get something you're confident on.
Hmmm, that's a right old can o' worms, that.
Are you a good road cyclist? Or do you have some road sense? If not, I would say avoid a bike into central London altogether until you get a few miles under your belt. I saw a new rider yesterday who was a real danger to themselves. That said, you see plenty of experienced riders who are a danger to themselves, too.
If you've got good road sense and a re keen on the bike option, get a small 600 twin, like a SV650S (can still be had new for around 4k if you search) as it will be light, cheap, reliable, low stand-over height, nice and narrow, good torque and enough power to get you out of trouble. Another option might be a CBR650F if you think you'll want some power before long.
The MP3 is practical but is actually quite heavy (not that it matters that much with the extra wheel) and it doesn't filter that easily. Forget 50cc scooters or similar, you will get run over by larger faster traffic and then it will be stolen. Probably.
Are you a good road cyclist? Or do you have some road sense? If not, I would say avoid a bike into central London altogether until you get a few miles under your belt. I saw a new rider yesterday who was a real danger to themselves. That said, you see plenty of experienced riders who are a danger to themselves, too.
If you've got good road sense and a re keen on the bike option, get a small 600 twin, like a SV650S (can still be had new for around 4k if you search) as it will be light, cheap, reliable, low stand-over height, nice and narrow, good torque and enough power to get you out of trouble. Another option might be a CBR650F if you think you'll want some power before long.
The MP3 is practical but is actually quite heavy (not that it matters that much with the extra wheel) and it doesn't filter that easily. Forget 50cc scooters or similar, you will get run over by larger faster traffic and then it will be stolen. Probably.
Don't you mean "Forget 50cc scooters or similar, you will get elbowed off the road by Fleegle on his way past"? 
The bit about confidence and road sense is very valid though - whatever you ride you will need those. Security is the next hurdle, if you can't lower the bike into the BoE vault when you leave it, you need to buy something snotty and/or uninteresting, it's not much fun carrying your jacket, gloves and helmet on the train home.
The bit about confidence and road sense is very valid though - whatever you ride you will need those. Security is the next hurdle, if you can't lower the bike into the BoE vault when you leave it, you need to buy something snotty and/or uninteresting, it's not much fun carrying your jacket, gloves and helmet on the train home.
A colleague of mine bought a street twin as her first bike last weekend. Judging by the grin on her face all this week I'd say get one of them - not crazy power, great looks and low seat. The a316 is a pain as it does get congested early morning and riding down the middle can be a bit intimidating for a new rider but it will be a lot quicker.
Thank you so much for the suggestions so far, will check them out! I plan on taking lessons, riding local and putting a few miles on the clock before I face the lovely morning traffic. Safety first!
I've been a car driver for near 15 years and I cycle to work, although it's a nice ride through residential roads - no way I'd pedal on the A316 - and I still remember holding my breath the first time a double decker bus overtook me!
My workplace has bays for motorbikes so taking gear with me or changing clothes shouldn't be an issue.
I've been a car driver for near 15 years and I cycle to work, although it's a nice ride through residential roads - no way I'd pedal on the A316 - and I still remember holding my breath the first time a double decker bus overtook me!
My workplace has bays for motorbikes so taking gear with me or changing clothes shouldn't be an issue.
308mate said:
If you've got good road sense and a re keen on the bike option, get a small 600 twin, like a SV650S (can still be had new for around 4k if you search) as it will be light, cheap, reliable, low stand-over height, nice and narrow, good torque and enough power to get you out of trouble. Another option might be a CBR650F if you think you'll want some power before long.
Edited by tom_e on Friday 19th August 09:29
Do your CBT and pick up a second hand PCX. Once the bug bites, and it will, you'll be wanting at least 600cc
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
I'm assumsing you'll be buying a bike with your CBT done only?
I've only recently passed mine and haven't got any experience yet so take what I say with a pinch of salt.
My sister is also quite small and curently looking for a bike. She's really struggling to find one to suit her size when considering reach from the seat to the handle bars and trying to get both feet flat footed. Up to now the best one that's fitted was a lowered Kawasaki Ninja 300. She doesn't struggle with cruiser styled bikes so I would probably suggest looking into them. Unfortunatly one of the downsides of this style from what I understand is they aren't as nimble to shimmy through the cars in traffic. Personally I'm looking on getting a Daelim Daystar 125cc.
On that logic a moped may not be a bad idea for you but tbh I'd much rather have a geared bike. Would a Suzuki RV125 VANVAN be a good option?
I've only recently passed mine and haven't got any experience yet so take what I say with a pinch of salt.
My sister is also quite small and curently looking for a bike. She's really struggling to find one to suit her size when considering reach from the seat to the handle bars and trying to get both feet flat footed. Up to now the best one that's fitted was a lowered Kawasaki Ninja 300. She doesn't struggle with cruiser styled bikes so I would probably suggest looking into them. Unfortunatly one of the downsides of this style from what I understand is they aren't as nimble to shimmy through the cars in traffic. Personally I'm looking on getting a Daelim Daystar 125cc.
On that logic a moped may not be a bad idea for you but tbh I'd much rather have a geared bike. Would a Suzuki RV125 VANVAN be a good option?
SMar said:
Nerdontoast said:
Wouldn't a 600 cc be a bit too much to begin with? I can imagine myself looking at it and thinking "this is like riding a dragon, GoT style" 
Well that's difficult to say, depends on you own experience. The SV650 and the MT are not exactly fire breathing dragons!A very good entrance and pretty cool in the geared bike market is the MSX125. It'll suit a smaller rider just fine. Don't be alarmed by the pictures, it's actually bigger than it looks.
http://www.scootersales.com.au/news-reviews-3351/k...
I have one of these, but they also do a 125 version that you could ride after your CBT.
Way better than a bike for the sort of commute you are suggesting. When riding there is enough space under the seat to keep a big lock, a small laptop, and a small gym bag; when parked it will easily take a crash helmet and oversuit. With a bike you will need to be carrying these in a rucksack or high up in a top box.
On dual carriageway it is sturdy enough not to get blown about (my commute is 33 miles, mostly motorway and dual carriageway), in traffic there are not many gaps a bike will fit through that this doesn't.
Build quality is good (there are thousands of the things in foreign cities), it is less popular with thieves, and is cheaper than mainstream brands.
Seat height may be an issue, would need to try to see.
I have one of these, but they also do a 125 version that you could ride after your CBT.
Way better than a bike for the sort of commute you are suggesting. When riding there is enough space under the seat to keep a big lock, a small laptop, and a small gym bag; when parked it will easily take a crash helmet and oversuit. With a bike you will need to be carrying these in a rucksack or high up in a top box.
On dual carriageway it is sturdy enough not to get blown about (my commute is 33 miles, mostly motorway and dual carriageway), in traffic there are not many gaps a bike will fit through that this doesn't.
Build quality is good (there are thousands of the things in foreign cities), it is less popular with thieves, and is cheaper than mainstream brands.
Seat height may be an issue, would need to try to see.
ZX10R NIN said:
I'd say look for a well looked after 400 it'll do the job with ease.
That seems like the answer to a different question. Can't be ridden on CBT, no storage, limited weather protection, likely to be leggy and higher maintenance.The opening post is "I need a bike to do just this one thing", for which a scooter would be way better.
Assuming that's fairly congested roads you're looking at, a basic 125 like a CG or a YBR will do the job, be as reliable as a brick, cost next to nothing to run, and be light and easy to manoeuvre. However if the traffic speeds get above 50 or so you might want something quicker than a 125.
A 125cc scooter will give you better weather protection than a bike so may well be worth a look.
Being a 3 wheeler doe the MP3 need a fill bike licence or can it be ridden on a car/CBT licence?
If you do the test and go for a bigger bike the ER6 is a great bike for smaller riders.
Don't forget to budget for decent kit (warm and waterproof is a must if you want to commute all year), and a hefty chain/lock.
A 125cc scooter will give you better weather protection than a bike so may well be worth a look.
Being a 3 wheeler doe the MP3 need a fill bike licence or can it be ridden on a car/CBT licence?
If you do the test and go for a bigger bike the ER6 is a great bike for smaller riders.
Don't forget to budget for decent kit (warm and waterproof is a must if you want to commute all year), and a hefty chain/lock.
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