Big Bear Choppers of Big Bear Lake, California, has decided to address the problem of women not being able to find a chopper that fits their slightly smaller stature. A little while back we asked women riders what they wanted when they were looking for a motorcycle and more than a few said they needed a bike that fits, a bit shorter, a bit lower, something they could be comfortable riding.
Big Bear Choppers will soon introduce the “Miss Behavin,” a bike that shares some of the parts of their Venom ProStreet, but with a lower seat, shorter wheelbase and a bit less rake. The name is inspired by the WWII nose art found on bomber and fighter aircraft.
Whether or not choppers are your style, it’s good to see someone building bikes aimed directly at the female rider, not something under powered or less stylish, but one built with dimensions the female rider can more easily accommodate. The Miss Behavin looks to be a quality bike that any female rider would be proud to own, no excuses necessary.
While men can choose from almost any bike out there, women can sometimes feel a bit less in control when they have to stretch too far to reach the bars or if they have difficulty planting their feet when stopped. It will be interesting to see if any other builders make adjustments in their lineup to go after this sizable segment of the market.
Link: Big Bear Choppers via Powersports Business
Joe says
That`s good thinking don`t forget the babes!!!
The Chopper looks very cool and it`s just the thing for my wife. Low and shorter.
2007 will be a hot year on the streets!
todd says
From reading those responses from women, I seem to recall the problem wasn’t with choppers or cruisers but with sport bikes. I don’t know what it would take to build a R6 with a low seat but then again I don’t know why they have to be so jacked up high in the first place. The bike that most accentuates this trend is the new Ducati Sport Classic(s). It looks like a motocross bike in the rear and like it’s tied down on a trailer in front. Maybe someone will eventually address the shorter sport bike (Ninja 250 doesn’t count) problem but for now sporty shorter riders are stuck with cruisers or a single tip-toe reach.
-todd
Richard says
Todd, there are several reasons why sport bikes are higher. Here are two:
1. To increase ground clearance for cornering. (The typical cruiser can lean 45 degrees, and the typical sportbike can lean 50 or more.)
2. No self-respecting sportbike manufacturer uses a dry sump lubrication system, with an external oil tank and attendant leaks. In a wet sump system, the engine contains the oil at the bottom, and this makes the bike taller.
Joe says
I agree with Todd, they build also Mini Sportbikes for kids.
So there must be a possibility for a Sportbike between!!
Dean Letorney says
Check out the new Honda CBR600RR (2007)it is the smallest and most compact 600 ever. As a sales manager for a large dealership I can tell you we have been asking for a smaller sport bike for our smaller riders for as long as I can remember. The problem is that the 600 class is the industries bread and butter and they are nothing short today of a race bike with lights . The suspension of these bikes is a key part of the overall design of the bikes performance and unfortunately lowering these bikes can give them some very unsafe handling characteristics. Another good choice for a smaller person is the Ducati 748 or 749 very narrow, light and exceptional handling. I also recomend any rider buying a new 600 or any sport bike for that matter make sure your suspension is set right for your weight and if you weigh less than a 150lbs you need to change out the rear spring. Stock springs are for the avg weight rider 155 – 185, and you will enjoy your bike so much more with a softer spring, Dean
todd says
The CBR is hardly small. I guess if you compare it to the last few years of 600’s, sure it’s smaller. Take a look at a Hawk GT or GPZ550, those things are tiny and still handle great. The Ninja 250 I mentioned earlier was designed to be lower and smaller at the outset and despite its age is still one of the best handling sport bikes available. I agree that lowering a bike will mess with its geometry and handling but that’s not the question. The point of the whole post was about why manufacturers no longer design good handling bikes for shorter people.
-todd