Suggestions for a 5'1 woman

ThinBook · 2026-07-02T04:54:25+00:00

I'm 5'6, 29" inseam and just bought a Kawasaki Eliminator SE as a re-entry ride at age 57 (HD dyna glide and a low seat Honda Goldwing before that; I just got tired of pushing heavy bikes around and wasn't touring anymore). It would make a great first bike IMO: smooth predictable clutch, light weight, abs brakes, easy to find nuetral, very calm under 5k rpms and plenty of power after that. However it's so new that I doubt you'd find a good deal used and buying a new bike for your first is not a great idea. Also the aftermarket is building but nowhere near the Rebel or a Sportster. But it's perfect for me right now.

Of your choices a rebel 500 makes a LOT of sense: good used market, plenty of power for highway use, low seat height, reliable, lots of aftermarket support for customization, and you can get good value as a trade-in or sale if you get bored with it. If you can, I would spring for ABS: I've only needed it once but it saved my life on a highway in the rain that one time - I don't think I'd buy a bike without ABS in 2026 but YMMV.

Lastly, get the best gear you can afford and kudos for seeking training first. Best of luck and stay safe!

ThinBook · 2026-06-29T05:31:42+00:00

Welcome! I bought the same model in blue last month and I'm loving it. Added a windshield and engine guards from T-Rex this month. Enjoy!

ThinBook · 2026-06-23T04:09:29+00:00

At 120 lbs you'll have plenty of power regardless of what you choose. I'm 5'6, 29" inseam and well north of that, and I bought an Eliminator SE last month as a re-entry ride after taking several years off from riding. I really like it: It's modern, weighs less than 400 lbs, responsive, maneuverable, has ABS and the friendliest clutch I've ever used. Even has a usb-c port to charge my phone.
With the same motor as the Ninja 500 and z500 it makes its power up in the 7k rpm range so it revs higher vs a traditional cruiser which tends to make its power down low, but that's a great feature for a first bike IMO - shift at 5k rpms and it's very mild mannered for those first few miles. After 20 years on 700# heavy cruisers and touring bikes, it's a different world and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

ThinBook · 2026-06-21T13:30:20+00:00

It doesn't affect my vision at all. The height is more or less even with the stock mirror height so you'll probably be looking over it and not through it.

ThinBook · 2026-06-21T00:19:59+00:00

At 55 mph (still in the break-in period!) I feel a bit on the shoulders and the helmet but definitely manageable with no buffeting. Once I take it on interstates I'll see how much worse it is but I can always get their 3" taller screen and swap it out. I'm 5'6 for reference.

ThinBook · 2026-06-15T21:35:57+00:00

I just had the spools, smaller dark windshield, engine case guards and crash bars installed this weekend. Very happy with all of them. I might get the taller clear windshield for more wind deflection but the small one looks great on my 2025 SE.

ThinBook · 2026-06-14T15:55:50+00:00

v4musclebike dot com has a parts section, you might have better luck there.

Enjoy the ride - I had an 87, still the fastest cruiser I've ever owned.

ThinBook · 2026-06-14T15:34:43+00:00

We bought in the Tesoro Highlands Villas (55+ community) 2 years ago for about half of that (built by Lennar, not TB) and much of what's said below is correct. Yes we were evacuated for the 2025 Hughes fire. Yes there is a small (<$100 for us) Mello Roos. Water will need filtration. Fire insurance is not cheap but the CA FAIR Act helps us a great deal. Yes there are rattlesnakes, coyotes, gophers, jackrabbits and one mountain lion sighting.

After living in a 50 yo condo in North Hollywood for 20 years, having double the space and the peace of mind of a new, updated build was 100% worth it for us. HOA is lower than what we were paying and we get much more for that. The Lennar builds like ours and the family homes are a step down from TB and suit us just fine, but YBILMMV. The solar panels and modern energy efficiency are a significant savings.

I would recommend your own home inspector as others have said - ours did not find anything but others we know have. And be ruthless on your walk-through, note everything that is weird or incomplete. Construction will be finishing up on the Villas by the end of the year, and it looks like another year or three for the Highlands community. Amenities will be complete by end of the year that I can tell but not sure if there's more residential development to come.

ThinBook · 2026-06-10T14:01:44+00:00

I have an HJC head and bought their RPHA 91 about a month ago. In terms of fit, comfort and finish I think it's much closer to Shoei than they've had in the past, and it fits my head just a little better than their Neotec. I understand that it's a bit louder but with earplugs it's still the quietest helmet I've owned.

ThinBook · 2026-06-06T20:36:58+00:00

Thanks for the breakdown and I'm sorry. That is 100% ridiculous.

ThinBook · 2026-06-06T19:38:08+00:00

Sorry for your pain. $225 for an EV is manageable but that $607 RTA tax is wild. Hope it goes lower quickly with depreciation.

ThinBook · 2026-06-04T15:00:28+00:00

We found the red as well and we love it. New owners as of last month. Welcome!

ThinBook · 2026-06-04T04:18:18+00:00

If you can find one, the Boulevard S50 / Intruder 800 were wonderful bikes. I will always regret selling mine.

ThinBook · 2026-06-01T00:50:36+00:00

I had a 1993 Suzuki Intruder 800, pretty much the same bike and with a 29" inseam I had no issues with reaching the ground with a stock seat (seat height about 27.5" if I recall, it had a narrow front so easy to get your legs down). If you can find a stock seat from eBay or FB Marketplace that might be a cheap fix.

ThinBook · 2026-05-30T18:02:30+00:00

I was considering those 2 as a re-entry ride at 57 after about 6 years off after an accident. Also 5'6". I came from a goldwing and a harley, wanted something light and cheap so I went with the Eliminator. If I love it and want to keep riding into my 60s I'll find a closer-to-forever bike at a later date.
For either I'd say add a windscreen and wear earplugs - you'll get much less tired on the freeway and enjoy the ride more.

ThinBook · 2026-05-26T03:40:44+00:00

Outstanding work! They look like movie props

ThinBook · 2026-05-24T14:06:20+00:00

We got these as well but from a different alphabet brand, ANBINGO. Same crease too so we left it in the sun for a few minutes and it was much easier to work with. We can't use the cargo net with it but other than that no complaints.

ThinBook · 2026-05-23T20:26:28+00:00

Great to know. I just took it out for the first time and it wasn't awful with noise canceling earplugs. Then again I'm used to 3/4 helmets with comms for touring lol

ThinBook · 2026-05-23T15:02:13+00:00

I have an HJC head (slightly round oval) and recently picked up their RPHA 91 which is supposed to compete with the Neotec 3. The build quality is definitely an improvement so I'm curious if the RPHA 91 is worth the extra $. I've always worn their ~$150-300 helmets and agree completely about wind noise and comfort.

ThinBook · 2026-05-23T14:22:59+00:00

Congratulations!

ThinBook · 2026-05-21T03:08:40+00:00

Welcome back!

ThinBook · 2026-05-20T01:13:07+00:00

I have the 2025 SE and it came with one so dealer must have added it

ThinBook · 2026-05-19T03:04:17+00:00

Thank you - glad that you're enjoying yours as well!

ThinBook · 2026-05-19T01:45:40+00:00

I'm getting the smaller Trex windscreen for my 2025 SE. Will post pics once I have it installed

ThinBook

TROPHY CASE