Traded in my bike- all fear I had is ✨GONE✨

[u/greeneyes826]

I dropped my Z500 about a month ago. It was a rider error. Stalled because I didn't give it enough gas and dumped my clutch as I pulled out of parking at work. I ended up losing balance, panicking, and dropping it. All of it my fault.
I'd been hating the height since I bought it. I could juuuuuust tip toe and it felt so unsteady and top heavy. Thought I'd get used to it. I should've. Most do, it seems. It just never happened for me. That drop made me hate my bike.
I dropped it on a Monday and didn't take my redemption ride until Friday afternoon. I was so scared of the bike I was shaking head to toe the whole time.
Fast forward through a lot of deep thinking, a few therapy sessions, and lots of talking with my long-term rider husband. Instead of the (very valid) option of lowering my bike, buying a tail tidy and the different kickstand necessary, I decided to just let it go. It did not bring me joy😂

I traded in my Z500 for a Vulcan S. I took my inaugural ride today and about immediately started bawling because it felt so effortless and amazing.

The style was exactly what I needed.

I don't advocate for ditching the thing making you scared. And I solidly believe that for the most part you can get used to being on a taller bike as a very short legged person. It just never clicked for me and it was time for something else.

Happy and safe zoomies, friends✌🏻

[u/KeepMeSweet]

Agreed! Its why I love my Rebel so much. I want to feel in control the whole time which includes flat feet on the ground

[u/greeneyes826 → u/KeepMeSweet]

so I took my MSF on a rebel 300 and fell in love with it and it was after I bought my Z 500. (Yep I did it backwards) My husband thought it was funny that I would never shut up about this little rebel. I really wanted to get a rebel 500 but it’s still too underpowered for my area just like my Z500 was. My Vulcan has a 650, which is so suited to my area. And I guess it all worked out!!

[u/Oh_Kerms]

YES! The vulcan is amazing. I still have my 2020. 6 yrs and 24k miles later, and I've never had an issue with her. I just recently painted her this beautiful candy apple red with red flakes. I couldnt imagine a more perfect ride.

The parallel is funny because my bestfriend had a z400, which had a million clutch issues. Rode it one day while mine was getting maintenance done and I got hit by a car lol

[u/greeneyes826 → u/Oh_Kerms]

Omg are you ok?? I'd love to see the red paint! Sounds beautiful!

[u/Oh_Kerms → u/greeneyes826]

I'll dm you a picture!

The accident was actually 4 years ago and some days. Survived with no broken bones although it was a freeway accident going 75mph

[u/greeneyes826 → u/Oh_Kerms]

Fuuuuuu--- you had a guardian angel that day!

[u/NinjaGrrl42]

Glad you found the right bike!

[u/SASSIESASSQUATCH]

To enjoy motorcycling you have to be comfortable on your bike first. Good for you in recognizing that and making the right move. Happy and safe travels now sis!

[u/greeneyes826 → u/SASSIESASSQUATCH]

Thank you sister!!!💜💜

[u/Dry_Education1201]

This is such a great story! Awesome that you didn’t give up and kudos for finding a bike that you are more comfortable on and will allow you to continue to enjoy riding!

[u/greeneyes826 → u/Dry_Education1201]

Thank you thank you!! My husband is all but sick of hearing me jabber about it all day😂😂

[u/jcravens42]

Good for you for trading the bike in. I know that there are a lot of tricks to ride taller bikes, but here's the reality: for some of us, we're just never going to be comfortable on something we feel is too tall. And that's that.

I'm so glad you made this decision and now have the right bike for YOU.

[u/greeneyes826 → u/jcravens42]

Thank you!! I'm so thrilled.

[u/PieceIntelligent4541]

One thing a real short chap taught me was to practice getting comfortable with one foot down when stopping and it has made me a much more confident rider. It was definitely tush clenching to get the hang of it, but for stopping on hills and just feeling better taking off at lights and approaching them.

And good for you for deciding to ride your own ride, I think fear in riding is healthy to keep you safe, but it’s smart to change what makes you uncomfortable so you can focus on your ride itself ❤️

[u/greeneyes826 → u/PieceIntelligent4541]

I watched so many videos and reels and what not about how to ride as a short legged rider and while I tried I think most tactics, nothing alleviated my fear enough. It's what made me give up on my old bike. I can flat foot my new one and it's not the end all be all for most. It ended up being a fully big deal for me. And who knows? I bet in the future I'm fine on bigger bikes!

[u/PieceIntelligent4541 → u/greeneyes826]

Tbf the guy that suggested it was 4’8” so idk that he could even flat foot a rebel or Vulcan haha

[u/greeneyes826 → u/PieceIntelligent4541]

I respect so so so much when people who are shorter than me can do what I can't. Seriously. Takes some guts that I don't have at the moment!

[u/Novaova]

Nothing wrong at all with finding a bike that's a better fit, whether literally, emotionally, or practically. Good on ya!

[u/These-Cup-8181]

Fellow Vulcan rider here, absolutely love these bikes!!

[u/greeneyes826 → u/These-Cup-8181]

Yesssss Vulcan!!!!💚💚

[u/kys90000]

Yeah naked bikes aren't as comfy as they're touted to be, it kind of annoys me. I suppose if your option is a sportbike versus a cruiser or standard, the naked falls between. But standards are the most comfy IMO.

Nakeds may be more upright than a standard but the sporty foot positioning is really annoying and not very comfortable. It's better for riders who are moderately experienced +.

My MSF was a TU250X and it was perfect. Epitome of UJM bikes, more comfortable than my MT03, and perfect footpeg positioning. No strain or exhaustion on it despite 12 hours of it, 6 hours back to back.

On my MT03 I'm taking breaks every hour to unfuck my knees and legs and repositioning my clothes :/

It's not terrible but it's not amazing either. But the higher seating + sporty footpeg position means I have to move my leg a large distance between the peg and ground.

Rebels, vulcans, all of those are way more natural in positioning for your feet.

I like my MT03 for sporty stuff but I think I just hate sporty footpeg positioning. I might get some drop pegs on my MT03 just to make it less annoying although I'm worried how it'll fuck with my clutch/brake work.

[u/Weary-Comfortable637]

Started riding on a too tall, too heavy bike and it took my ego TEN YEARS to realize I was always going to feel some trepidation when I left the driveway. I kept thinking eventually I’d get comfortable but that didn’t happen until I got a lower, smaller bike. Happy trails everyone!! 🩷

[u/endlessswitchbacks]

As a Vulcan 500 owner, I’m mega biased, obviously, but so happy for you. I have kinda short legs and no time for tall bikes!!!

Learning to ride AT ALL is the “thing that terrified me at many moments but I did it anyway.” Maybe one day I’ll get comfy with higher, sportier bikes. But I adore cruisers (no matter what) and I love my reliable-as-fuck super torquey Vulcan. I have a low centre of gravity and so does my bike, and that just makes sense to me. Ride what brings you joy!!

[u/bellehubbz]

Kudos for you for not giving up and finding a solution. Ride safe!

[u/eegrlN]

Started with a Kawasaki Eliminator 500 because it felt so good. I've now moved up to a Trump Scrambler 900 and a Honda CB750 Hornet. You got this!

[u/National_Fact8650]

waht does dump my cluthc mena? releas and let goo too fast or pull in too fast

[u/National_Fact8650 → u/National_Fact8650]

i have a bad habbit i hink of legtting my clutch goo to quickly when i swticthc gears hoping this habit wont screw m e in the fturue idk how slowly i should let go

[u/dumpsterdigger]

I love my z500 but I wish more people did what you did. It's a hard thing to buy a bike but also say, "not for me". But part of being safe is not just training or wearing gear, but riding the right bike.

I want to try a Vulcan. They look like really cool bikes! Glad you found something for you!

[u/greeneyes826 → u/dumpsterdigger]

A small part of me does miss my bike because it was my first and blah blah blah. I actually apologized to it when I saw it the night I picked up my Vulcan. I'd dropped it off days before as part of my trade in so it was already nestled in with their other bikes on the lot.

I'm infinitely happier with my new bike so I am glad I ultimately decided to trade in.

Obviously biased but you should try a Vulcan!! Love the stance and the additional pep!

[u/dumpsterdigger → u/greeneyes826]

How's the power vs the z500? Also comfort for butt and knees?

They look super comfortable and id imagine a bit more torque down low.

[u/greeneyes826 → u/dumpsterdigger]

The Vulcan is more of an upright but chair like position. My z500 was not as aggressive tucked in as the ninja is but it was more feet under me than in front of me, if that makes sense.

And honestly after a while on my Vulcan my butt is a little sore. I need a cushier seat but I'm bony. Totally fine on my knees.

As for power, my Z would get there eventually but I had fears it wouldn't be able to fully hold its own on a major highway. She'd be able to do the speed but not much more for maneuvering. The vulcan moves like it was born ready and has just been waiting for me to roll the throttle. Not too much power but I do feel the difference. I've got 10 more hp and 100lbs more than the Z but it's great.

Also, food for thought, my Z500 felt like I was sitting ON the bike. My Vulcan I feel like I'm sitting IN it. Much lower seat height. Hope that helps!!