Bike for the Wife

[DenyP]

Have any of you had expirance with the XS850 or 750 Senica. I am looking for a bike to set up for my wife. She stands 5 foot 4 so the bike obviously needs to have a lower stance then the XS11, and considerabily lighter.

Thanx

Deny

[MaximPhil]

Have any of you had expirance with the XS850 or 750 Senica. I am looking for a bike to set up for my wife. She stands 5 foot 4 so the bike obviously needs to have a lower stance then the XS11, and considerabily lighter.

Thanx

Deny

Hi Deny,
If you mean the 750 SECA it is a nice bike but possibly a bit tall for her as is the XS 850. I suggest you look at the XJ650 &750 Maxims or a Virago (not the 535) which has amuch lower saddle.
I have a 1982 XJ650 Maxim which has given no trouble.
Phil

[prometheus578]

Side by side comparison

Yeah, the XS850 would still be too tall for her.





And as MaximPhil stated...
The XJ 650 is a bit smaller and would suit her fine.




(Don't rag on me, man... I'd like to put them in the garage.. or the shed...
but as the ol' Christmas story goes... "There was no room in the inn", )

[DGXSER]

C'mon Prom,
Move her cage out and put the bikes where they belong. They got this new stuff out called canvas and or plastic. You can get it in all kinds of sizes and it tends to be water AND snow proof to!!

I am 5' 10" and I would say that an 850 is not short for me. I would agree you probably need to go to one of the more "Cruiser" style bikes to get the low saddle she will need.

[prometheus578]

Move her cage out and put the bikes where they belong...

I moved her (and her cage) out about eight years ago.

As for the bikes... it's call REVENGE.

"What about your love for bikes, Prom?

After that little "incident" at the Texas Rally last June, I've sort of let the love go out of that marriage, as well.

I'm givin' my bikes "the cold shoulder"... as I no longer have full use of my left one.
Sort of fitting... at least, to me.

[Korr]

The XS650 and up were pretty tall for me. I think that the aftermarket rear suspension on my xs1100 are shorter than stock. Still on my toes, but enough grip to walk it around.

Some of the older honda shadows made back in the 80's would be good.

Virago's after 1983 are good too, the ones in the late 80's preferred

An 86-87 Honda Rebel 450, hard to find though.

I'm 5'4 1/2" and the 250 bikes were the only ones that i could flat foot on, anything bigger would put me on my toes.

[Pat Kelly]

My wife's 1st bike was an XS750. She is 5'6" tall and she felt it was tall for her. She now has a XV1100 Virago and she likes it fine.
I have the same inseam length and I am comfortable with the XS height. I would like to replace the rear shocks with longer lenght to raise the bike a bit. I don't need both feet flat on the ground when I'm stopped.

[John]

You got a Bike for the wife?
Sounds like a good trade to me. LOL

Just a joke, son, just a joke
(As read with your best Foghorn Leghorn voice)

[DiverRay]

You got a Bike for the wife?
Sounds like a good trade to me. LOL

John,
In your case, the wife would STILL have the nicer bikes!!

[DGXSER]

John,

I think Ray just said your wife wouldn't fetch much of a bike in trade?? No accounting for taste is there.

[Wildkat]

Ahem... yeah...


(might want to drop that particular line of thought before John has a really bad night)
lol




Not sure about the height of the 850... but I rode an XS750 for awhile... At 5' 5" I might have been able to make it work as a starter bike... but it was still a bit tall for me... If the 850 is similar... it might be a bit cumbersome for a first timer....

[REFFI]

The wife's ride

Back when I rode an XS750, SWMBO (who stands about 5'6") tried it and found it to be too tall. She was, however, very comfortable with her XS650. Because it was much narrower, she was able to flatfoot it when necessary. Now, twenty-seven years later, we have purchased a Suzuki M50 because there's pretty much nothing out there that is low enough for her in a standard-type motorcycle. She's happy on the M50.

Ralph

[DenyP]

Thanks for the input! I ended up buying the XS850 Special. Just couldn't pass it up. Think it will be a great project. Should it be too tall for her, I have 4 sons.
Now I am looking for parts and a manual. Anyone have a chalmers for sale?
Also need a fuel petcock for the right side.

Deny

[CatatonicBug]

Thanks for the input! I ended up buying the XS850 Special. Just couldn't pass it up. Think it will be a great project. Should it be too tall for her, I have 4 sons.
Now I am looking for parts and a manual. Anyone have a chalmers for sale?
Also need a fuel petcock for the right side.

Deny

Try this thread for a free manual.

[DiverRay]

I do have a set of fuel petcocks from a 750 Special I had. They will need a rebuild, but may work as is. Send me a PM, and I can let you know what is left, if you need parts.