I'm thinking about purchasing a new Hayabusa. I've seen tons of guys on them, but I know there are women out there that ride Busas, and ride them well
I'd like to hear opinions on the bike from the ladies (I wouldn't mind hearing from the guys as well, actually...but only if it's not negative banter over women drivers! )
First impressions? Problems? What did you ride before your Busa? Things like that!
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Michelle,
My ladie is was 31 and got her learner licence in January. She had been pillion for years, and great at it too, and decided she would like her licence just because.
She started on a Suzuki Across, had the shits with that after the second ride. Got her licence at Easter and had a brand new Aprilia Falco sitting in the garage waiting for her. She did about two thousand k's on it (not what she was expecting, constantly trying to get a better setup to suit her), saw an add for the Kawa Zx12 for a great price.
To cut a short story long, she then rode the Bus, and within the first 1km fell in love with it and called me all the *$%^#*&@( under the sun for letting her get the Aprilia.:">
It took a bit of coaxing to get the keys back off her, she now wants my bike and for me to get a new one, SHUCKS.
So in short, a relatively inexperienced rider, rode it brilliantly and now wants her own. Oh, and she reckons she never went higher than third gear, but then she reckons she never went over two hundred either.
Hope this gives a positive aspect.
Regards, Dave.
I've had two busas now, came off a Bandit 1200 that I was doing track work on.
I rode the bus for the first time on Eastern Creek at a ride day and was doing the same lap times on an unfamiliar bike as I was on the Bandit.
I'd seen the bus when it was still at the drawings stage and thought I could never own one, but after Eastern Creek I had to do it.
I bought one of the first and got a call from Suzuki saying I was the first girl with one. Don't know why, I think it is a BIG GIRL'S BIKE!
HEIDI xxx
Michelle as far as what bikes we have owned,check out the members history thread,and regarding if this bike is suitable for a girl,a friend of mine currently rides a cbr 600 and is a bit short in the legs.She was looking at my busa one day and said to me,how can you ride that big thing?I let her have a ride and she was pleasantly suprised at how low the seat is and how manoverable it was for such a big bike.She is currently saving her bikkies for a busa.By the way,she is my hairdresser!
So far I'm optimistic! I'm so in love with this bike, and most I've talked to say I'd do fine with it...but, there have been a few "guys" that have done nothing but say negative things about me handling a Busa :">
I sat on a new one very recently; it's comfy, it's lower than I'd expected, and it's an amazing piece of machinery...
I appreciate the words of encouragement...keep 'em coming!
Michelle
This brought to mind a conversation I had with a chick rider quite a while back, who was riding an Across but didn't want to get anything bigger than a 600 coz she said she wouldn't be able to pick it up if she dropped it, but then later said she couldn't pick her Across up either, so it was really a moot point.
My point, is how comfortable and physically capable are you to pick up the bike if it gets dropped? For that matter, how many of you guys have tried it, or have been forced to? It certainly isn't the easiest thing to do, but doing it in a proper manner certainly helps. If you always ride with company then it wouldn't be too much of a worry but if you do a lot of solo stuff you'd want to be able to.
Hrmm, stuck under a Busa?
It's not so much a question of getting a Busa, but a big bike in general. If you'd get a Blackbird or Zx12r without question then there shouldn't be any real problem getting a Busa.
cheers,
-jon-
ps what state are you in?
Although I have an Aprilia Mille now (always wanted a V Twin) I had a Busa for 2 years and loved it. It is a very easy bike to ride at low speed around town and very manouverable and stable due to the long wheelbase - a very comfortable tourer also.
Altough there is nothing on the planet quite like twisting the throttle hard on a Busa the power is only there when you ask for it and always comes in very smoothly.
I cant see any problem with a girl riding one except maybe they are quite heavy to lift off the ground if you happen to lean over too far in the car park
I would have no problems recommending a Busa to anyone - they are a very special and unique bike.
If you want to see one being ridden hard get the Fast Bikes MACH 2 video from your local bike shop or online. This video makes impressive viewing - especially when friends come over
Try and get a ride on one from a dealer or friend before you buy...but if you can plant your feet on the ground firmly when seated and you feel comfortable that you can hold it up, then go for it I reckon!
I'm kinda with scott here. My girlfriend can't keep both feet on the ground when she sits on it, and can't upright it off the stand without assistance, and she's about 5' 6".
This would be the only problem I could think of if you're short, but applies to guys aswell.
I got the Busa after a while on a CBR250RR, so handling the extra power isn't a problem. It's an effortless torquey power that is gentle if you are, but will still put you back in your place when you feel you have the hang of it (which is good to keep your over-confidence in check). It's quite happy to sit on 3000rpm and take it easy, unlike other smaller bikes which need redlining to get going.
If you can get on, upright it and have both feet firmly on the ground, without it feeling like it wants to topple, then get one. You'll never regret it (or be able to wipe the grin off your face for ages - you'll know what I mean when your jaw aches for months).
Hope this helps. If you do get one, post some pics.
Peter Altas
BUSA-1
Where are you, Michelle? If you are in Sydney or Canberra, maybe you could meet up with Heidi. If you're down here in Melb, there's a couple of girls with busas who would be happy to meet up with you.
There's your replies from some of the ladies on the board Michelle!
Thanks to everyone for replying...
SubRX's wife is about where I am in experience with riding...I never liked looking at the back of someone's head, so I went straight for my own license and bike!
Here's the part I didn't mention - I have a Harley (stop your laughing!) It's nice, but I'm already tired of modifying the damn thing to suit my tastes and/or needs. My bike weighs about the same as a Busa; I'm a bit worried about the center of gravity on the Busa vs. the Harley. With any bike, my backup plan for dropping it is to give that pitiful, little girl look and wait for a strong guy to come help me out!
Heidi, looks like you're the only female on the board? You have track experience that I'd like to have one day! If you don't mind my asking, how tall are you? I'm 5'7" and could put my feet down when I recently sat on that Busa. I'm going back to sit on it again just to make sure...who knows, my feet may have been dangling off each side like a little kid! I was just happy to find a Busa to sit on anywhere near me! I couldn't wipe the grin off of my face...
Slong & demeester - I'm no where near you guys! I'm in the U.S. - Virginia, along the eastern coast...it would be quite expensive for me to fly out and meet you guys and gals, sit on your Busas, maybe go for a quick spin! Wish I could! There honestly aren't many Busas around here that I know of...
Scott mentioned test driving one...curious to know how many of you were able to test drive the bike from a dealer? Anyone? Dealers around here won't hardly let you sit on the bikes due to liability issues...I was lucky to sit on the one Busa I've found...
Thanks to all the ladies for helping me decide...
Have you checked out www.suzukihayabusa.org and/or www.labusas.org ?
Most of the members [of the board/forum] are US based, and I'd find it hard to believe that out of all of them there aren't any in Virginia. Worth a shot, though they ain't as 'polite' as us Aussies
jk,
-jon-
I have been to the LABusas board many times...lots of arrogance and egos on there, so I wouldn't dare ask their opinion on the subject...hadn't checked out the other board you mentioned; perhaps I should...
Same goes for asking to ride one of their precious Busas, or even sit on it...someone like me couldn't possibly handle a bike like that, or so I've been told!
I was really just looking for some honest opinions on a gal riding a Busa...figured you nice Aussies would come through for me! They aren't as polite as you guys! That's the truth...
I've been looking at the Hayabusa for many months now, and I've only seen 1 on the road...that one was in Las Vegas, Nevada! I haven't seen any around here, they're kind of hard to locate at dealerships...all the research I've done on them shows links to reviews by Australians, so I think the Hayabusa is much bigger in your region than it is in mine...
I've got some decisions to make, don't I? I just like some positive feedback...
Do it Michelle. A female friend of mine rode my Busa and had no problem..she's about your height. They're actually easier to ride than you'd think. As for the weight.. well for 10-15 years all the big sports bikes were far heavier than the Busa and the weight was up higher too. Girls rode them as well, so a Busa shud be easy by comparison.
And although I've had to pick fallen or 1/2 fallen bikes up in the past I've never been in a sitaution where someone couldnt have helped if I had been a liddle ol' gal.
paulh
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