I'm looking for opinions on a bike for my wife. It's just for her to go trail riding with me but she tends to be fairly aggressive. TTR-125L's seem to be common but I rode one the other day and I think she would like to have a bit stronger scoot. CRF-150's don't sound too much better once you add the weight. 225's are probably heavier than she would like. Maybe some of you can tell me your experiences? I've thought about getting the TTR-125L and modifying it as she grows in her ability. She's learning now but can be pretty athletic. 120 lb's 5'5".

Mine ride the same bike, similar build and weight...

I haven't done any mods to it yet as she's a newbie. Have you uncorked the baffle or get a new exhaust system for it? You would have to do some mod to the air box and carb too - I haven't been on the TTR forum lately, but I bet they're doing all kinds of stuff to make the bike feel bigger and stronger...

The CRF150 has stiffer suspensions and a stronger motor, but it's a heavy pig (some 30 lbs more)! When she gets better, maybe Yamaha will come out with the YZ125F or YZ150F - in the mean time, you can beef up the TTR's suspension and do some mods to the engine...

TTR-125L's, are surprising little bikes. If you get her one, she should have a great time with it. You can ride them slow, or twist the hell out of them. If she's really athletic, don't let her ride your bike, or you may need to get her one too (or give her your old one and get yourself a new one )

That's a great idea! If she gets to liking my bike I can get a new one!

Are you set on a 4 stroke or are your options open to 2 strokes as well?

The reason I ask is that I have seen the Pampara 280 and it is a great bike for the vertically challenged. It is an awesome trail bike with plenty of power for the mountain riding. It's a 2 stroke, but with the power delivery of a 4-stroke. Might check it out.

I'm wide open to 2-strokes as well. In fact, they make a lot of sense to me due to wieght.

Does SHE like 2 strokes? They make you stink after a day's worth of riding and you have to breathe that stuff - yuk! Not to mention doing the premix and rebuilding the top end every so often.

I used to ride 2 strokes, too much hassle...

I'm kind of a 4-stroke convert, but I still ride two strokes. I know there's a lot of talk about rebuilding top ends, but you can rebuild a 2-stroke top end while watching TV. It's pretty simple. The main thing is that all the light four-strokes seem pretty anemic on power. 2-stroke would be fine if it had a reasonably wide (trail riding) powerband.

I would find your nearest GasGas dealer and take a look at the Pampara and their 200 enduro bike. If you go 4-stroke you really don't have many options that have the light weight and power. You could start out on the TTR125, but if she is an agressive rider she will probably outgrow it fairly fast. Lots of options out there just let her check everything out and see what suits your style best.

hey kaptain... have u tried the CRF230??
that bike is really really good for wifes and the like... its one fast little scoot... its really quiet impressive in the means of speed and accel... it impressed even me at 6'1" and about 175 give it a try.. c if u can give 1 a test ride...

One of my riding buddies has the Pampara 280 and she loves it. She was riding a TTR250 before the Gas Gas. It's light and not to hard to start. I think it weighs just under 200 pounds and the seat height is perfect for the vertically challenged. I'm about 5'5" and can put both feet on the ground. Personally, I don't think the Pampara 280 smells bad at all and it doesn't have the typical 2 stroke sound. And to top it all off...it has a horn

I have a TTR225 and I would recommend that you stay away from it. It's a great bike for people that don't want to go very fast but it is heavy. If she really likes riding, she WILL want to ride your 250F and that means you will have to ride the 225. Just ask TexasLightning. He can confirm this.

You would probably be surprised the power that a properly uncorked TTR-125L will produce. My wife is 5'7" and 125 and I have done a retarded amount of research on this subject to try and ensure the best possible experience when learning to ride. I personally did not even consider a 2-stroke because she has no previous riding experience and was not exactly smooth with a manual transmission in a car. My wife is tomboy-ish at times, but IMHO women are as a whole more passive (doesn't need the hit of a 2-smoke).
I don't mind working on my bike, but working on my wifes bike seems like more of a chore, so I went with a 4-stroke which requires less intensive maintenance. I Chose the TTR-125L because it has a great resale value, it is LIGHT, she can EASILY touch both feet to the ground and there are TONS of after market mods to be found very easily, I bought stiffer springs and a Big Gun exhaust. The exhaust came back off about as soon as it went on because she did not like the added power (which was significant) to begin with. The most important thing I did was to buy her all of the protective equiptment so that she thinks less about falling and more about riding, the most important thing IMO. The only way I would have looked at anything else is if she was extremely agressive. If your wife is extremely aggressive there are tons of bikes that could fit I would just make sure that she has a solid footing no matter what she gets.

Just my .02

Chris

Check out this review of the KX 100 as a trail bike. That's what I ended up getting my wife.
http://www.motorcycl...asakikx100.html

hee hee....it has a horn.......hee hee hahahahahaa

SMC,

That's interesting. I had glanced at the KX100 but thought it would have too abrubt a powerband. It sounds like it might be just the thing. Great suspension. Is it a bike you can ride slow if you want? It looks like a lot of fun for me to ride!

k,
Lay off the chicks. They can have horns if they want, can't they

hehehehe.....haahaa...hehehe......
I just can't stand it....hehehe
I tried to keep a straight face....but just couldn't.

Kaptain, Get her out to the bike shops and try them on for size and weight. Lay the bike over and get her to pick it up. The weight was the most important to my gal. This past summer she snapped her ankle while ridin' an old Suzuki DS185. She really wants a TTR-125L. TC

beep beep.....like I'm even going to hear a horn when I'm throwing a roost with my f.............. No offense to the gals.....Wish my gal rode......

What about a DRZ? but I think you need to sport a comb over
to fit in to that crowd. XR 250 is another good choice.

What about a DRZ? but I think you need to sport a comb over
to fit in to that crowd. XR 250 is another good choice.