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 Post subject: what bike for a shortie and where to look for it?
PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 12:36 pm 
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80 cc

Joined: Sat May 17, 2014 11:17 am
Posts: 43
Location: kendal Cumbria
I'm 5ft 4" 11 stone. I have a bit of off road experience but no trailer so prob looking for a bike that can go on the road. Suggestions and help please?
Thanks

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 Post subject: Re: what bike for a shortie and where to look for it?
PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 2:00 pm 
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300 cc
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Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:39 pm
Posts: 574
Location: Herts / Beds / Bucks
A couple that come to mind

Yamaha XT225 Serow

Also available as a 250

AJP PR3 200 Enduro

OK a smaller capacity bike will always be a compromise on the road but I once rode the National Road Rally on a Yamaha XT250: 500 miles overnight plus 90 miles to my start point and 150 back from the finish, 740 miles in under 24 hours... I survived :mrgreen:

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 Post subject: Re: what bike for a shortie and where to look for it?
PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 5:38 pm 
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125cc
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Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:56 am
Posts: 195
Location: Burton on Trent
I'm just 5'6" and ride Yamaha TTR250 which is similar to the Serow. I have a 2" lowering link fitted to the rear. Initially I also dropped the forks in the yokes by about an inch. As I've got used to the lanes I've returned the forks to their original height. I'm sure you will get used to it.

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 Post subject: Re: what bike for a shortie and where to look for it?
PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 6:46 pm 
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125cc

Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2014 5:11 pm
Posts: 205
I'm under 5'3" and I ride a Yamaha Serow 225. I love it. Ok it's not the fastest road bike but it's half the weight of my ER6 (which I've had lowered) and much more nimble.
I'm happy to chat to you about it either by email or on the phone.

Gill

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Gill Mitchell
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Kawasaki ER6n
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 Post subject: Re: what bike for a shortie and where to look for it?
PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 7:47 pm 
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80 cc

Joined: Thu May 02, 2013 2:28 pm
Posts: 53
I speak from some experience here as I've had both a Serow and an AJP PR3.....I would never go back to a Serow....
In summary, the AJP is much more nimble, better balanced, better brakes - just an all round better bike IMO.

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 Post subject: Re: what bike for a shortie and where to look for it?
PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 7:50 pm 
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300 cc
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Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:36 pm
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6'2" and spent a day on a PR3. Bit cramped but still good fun!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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 Post subject: Re: what bike for a shortie and where to look for it?
PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 8:07 pm 
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650 cc Monster
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Joined: Fri Dec 07, 2012 2:22 pm
Posts: 2439
Location: Romiley
Greetings,

Yes the AJP may be better than a Serow in some respects (not mine though :lol: ) but they are definitely more costly to buy as a first bike venturing into Trail riding.

I guess it really depends upon what money you have to spend?

Perhaps another cheaper option to consider might be a Honda CR230, similar to a Serow but with drum rear brake instead of a disc option.

Maybe the Serow for sale on the Forum might be suitable?

TTFN

Hugh.

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 Post subject: Re: what bike for a shortie and where to look for it?
PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 8:40 pm 
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80 cc

Joined: Thu May 02, 2013 2:28 pm
Posts: 53
Not necessarily so re the pricing.
The 1995 Serow advertised on here recently was on at £1400, I paid £1500 for a 2012 low mileage AJP PR3 a few weeks ago.
£100 difference for 17 years - sounds a bargain to me! :-)

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 Post subject: Re: what bike for a shortie and where to look for it?
PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 9:27 pm 
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125cc

Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2014 5:11 pm
Posts: 205
For me the Honds was too tall. But I do have very short legs :lol: Didn't try the AJP. I sat on a Serow and could reach the ground. I bought it. I'm easily pleased.

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Chair Teesside and North Yorkshire Group

Kawasaki ER6n
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 Post subject: Re: what bike for a shortie and where to look for it?
PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 8:27 am 
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80 cc

Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2014 4:33 pm
Posts: 47
Location: Cardiff
You can get low level seats for most AJP models quite easily.

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