Hi peeps. sat on the ninja & it is too big for me, can only get tippy toes on the floor... so had a long look thru what bike & come up with the following for a first big bike for me (5ft 6" tall).. so if you can give thumbs up or down to my selection wud b appreciated..ta.. ducati monster 696, Honda cbf 600, honda shadow 745, Hyosung GV 650, Kwak ER 6F, kwak VN900 custom, Motoguzi black eagle 744, suzuki SV650, or a triumph bonneville.... very varied I know but want a good handler, with a bit of zip, but not soo much that I spend each week end in A & E lol.   Any thoughts welcome....ta   :-)                                                                                                                                                                               

Check out getting bike lowering kit before you look at others
                                                                                                                                                                             

cant go wrong with honda                                                                                                                                                                             

CBf i rekon !                                                                                                                                                                             

Hey Kaz if you are heart set on a ninja, you can get a replacement seat that will give you a few centimeters also you can get a lowering kit for it.....these days the lowering kits are good and it will do little to the handling etc......its not as it you are gonna be racing it professonally so it will be fine......get a reputable bike shop to do it and while they are doing it get the rebound and shock etc set your weight for best effect...                                                                                                                                                                                 

depends what u wanna do realy kaz, u need to think if you intend doing long rides/ rallies/touring or wether you just gonna be taking it out for a bit of fun or going to work on it                                                                                                                                                                                   

I had the cbf 500 for my 1st bike and i really wished i had the 600 with the fairing, its a good solid very reliable bike and will really hold its value, one thing to consider, I am 5`7" and found that with a full tank the bike felt quite top heavy, i did get used to it but there is a very big difference in the feel with full/empty tank.The 600 is brill for luggage if you are planning any long trips its really comfy for riding all day long, i used to do 450 miles no probs, cheap insurance too, just take your time choosing,good luck!

I'm also 5ft 6 and looking at another Monster (had the 620, fab first time big bike, but I want something a little quicker now so maybe the 1100, the 696 would be a good choice for your first bike)   Though having heard from others, I'm also gonna look at lowering kits and maybe get myself that sports bike.   Let me know how you get on hun                                                                                                                                                                              

triumph bonneville is a good bike and it is still made england or if you what some thing a littel fun the triumph street triple is super with performance and handling,                                                                                                                                                                              

ooo yeah try the street triple, really wanted one of those little beauts                                                                                                                                                                              

I concur with JP on this one. I'm only 5Ɗ and ride a cbr6...lowered by 2 ins  See whats available for the Ninja if you really like it. Anything is possible! BTW - I'd love a Street Triple but unless they start doing 6ins lowering kits, i've got no hope                                                                                                                                                                              

Buy the ninja and learn to lean off an get yer foot down,,,,                                                                                                                                                                             

You never told me that!!! lol                                                                                                                                                                             

I never?   oh,,,,,                                                                                                                                                                                 

Oh indeed  can't trust anyone these days lol

I meant to tell you.   Promise.                                                                                                                                                                             

WOW guys !!!   some fab ideas there - will look at lowering the Ninja 1st and see how I gel with it - never heard u could do that ???   But I really appreciate all your answers ... esp a full petrol tank can make a big difference..   Gonna ride out wiv instructor on it to make sure not gonna go through any walls etc with my exuberance lol !!   cheers. x                                                                                                                                                                             

Kaz

First thing I'd do is look at perhaps dropping the preload on the forks and the shock slightly.  You ladies tend to be a bit lighter than the "average" bike rider.

Then possibly look at having the forks lifted up through the stanchions.  I'd suggest 10mm, but you wouldn't want to go much more than that.

This will have the effect of lowering the overall bike about 10mm which could well be enough and this option is free!

Surprised you have trouble to be honest, it's quite a low seat height on that model zx6 (790mm).  Did you have your bike boots on when you tried it?                                                                                                                                                                              

Or get some Daytona Ladystar boots with the built up sole/heel. Very good boots although not cheap brand new. I've just taken a tumble in them and I've damaged every peice of gear I was wearing bar my boots.   They're warm and waterproof too.                                                                                                                                                                              

G2205 & Roachy - what a fab idea....I am so new to biking no idea u cud do this - ta peps xxxxxxxxxxxx