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?
As @konna@sopuli.xyz & @Jojowski@sopuli.xyz mention, the GS series are great to learn and work on as my first bike. Thegsresources.com are a great group of friendly old-timers who really love their GS bikes. Check this out for a bunch of great photo tutorials: https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/bikecliff/index.html
I’ve since upgraded to a liter machine, but the 1984 GS450 I bought and restored over the pandemic (predecessor to the 500) still has lots of OEM parts available, very easy to work on, I camped with it, and felt stable on the highway at 80+mph. Takes any kind of gas, and ran like a top even after seizing the engine (and doing the restore work myself). I had a lot of fun painting the tank myself, open to all kinds of fun ideas, and she was light enough to mildly off-road with.
However: suspension and handling have dramatically improved in the years since. Safety-wise, newer bikes are better, but the low weight and “good enough” disc brake on the front will do the job if you have less of a lead foot than I do. The several rides I did up from LA to San Francisco and back several times went perfectly, no safety issues, lots of fun.
I sold my 450 to a friend from LA a month ago, he rode it right down from up here in the PNW, no problem. Good luck, ping me if you have any deeper Qs as I’ve done everything from making new wiring harnesses, new seats to new front/rear suspensions for the bike over the years.