Bike upgrade for short man

[Bjorn2ride]

Currently on a CBR250RR and lookin to upgrade to a 600. Have tried out a GSXR and found the seat was way too high for my midget legs. The R6 was not as bad but still left me on tip toes with little control standing still. Any ideas on a 600 sporty to suit a short arse.

[Devil]

Tip toes is enough. Learn to stand on one flat foot.

[kiwifruit]

Yep, one foot down is enough, just slide off the seat to one side

[onearmedbandit]

If I can do it on a thou (only get one foot flat down) then I'm sure you can do it on a 600. You can get lowering links for the rear suspension and lower the front to even the bike out, although this decreases ground clearance. Another option is to take some of the padding out of the seat (not that there is much there in the first place) which will lower your seat height. What's your budget? The reason I ask is that my g/f's '08 CBR600 is low enough (and thin across the seat) that I can eaily flat foot both feet on that.

[Little Miss Trouble]

How short is short? I'm around five foot four and manage my R6 fine with only the balls of my feet on the ground. You just learn to be careful about stopping on ground that slopes away...

[SPP]

raise your feet with these :niceone:
<img src='http://static.zoovy.com/img/motorcowboy/-/P/petercriss2'>

...or get lowering links

...or you could get one with a narrower waist (CBR, 6R... R6?)

...or get comfortable leaning the bike over slightly. It doesn't need to be bolt upright

[EJK]

I remember someone telling me to lower the tyre pressure :lol:

[Crazy Steve]

Hayabusa's are for short men with small cocks, you should try one of them..

Crazy Steve.

[hellokitty]

Currently on a CBR250RR and lookin to upgrade to a 600. Have tried out a GSXR and found the seat was way too high for my midget legs. The R6 was not as bad but still left me on tip toes with little control standing still. Any ideas on a 600 sporty to suit a short arse.

Eat more pies - the more you weigh, the lower the bike goes ........

[rie]

You reckon that the gsxr was "way too high" for your "midget legs" - one issue is actually deciding what is 'way too high' vs. what is 'higher than what I'm used to'. If you think the gsxr is "way too high" then every sportsbike is going to be "way too high" until you either:
(a) learn to cope; or
(b) lower it.

Option (a): I am 5'3" with a long torso and very short inseam. I am currently on a gsxr 600 on tip toes. It is stock height; albeit the front has dropped 10mm (not that that will help very much with the leg-reach problem). Being short means you just have to learn skills that taller people (ie. the rest of the population) never have to contemplate on their bikes. Like learning to ride on tip toes on gravel, in rain and wind.

Option (b): If you decide to get lowering links for the bike, the gsxr600 and R6 has a great range of adjustability in height - I have noticed that many short people seem to ride those. I have decided to go tip-toes rather than lower the bike, but I have been told by more than enough people that it makes life a hell of a lot easier if you just lower the bloody thing. Depending on how many inches you need to lower, your options may be even greater. I also know of smaller riders who go for the Monsters, if that's your thing.

[onearmedbandit]

I agree rie, for sure it would be easier moving the bike around at walking pace, but that's not my main riding area.

[DR650gary]

Cagiva Raptor, 650 or 1000. 775mm seat height and you can drop another 35mm if you want.

[hayd3n]

hornet 600 /900

[firefighter]

Eat more pies - the more you weigh, the lower the bike goes ........

I can attest to that!

[jack_hamma]

How short is short? I'm around five foot four and manage my R6 fine with only the balls of my feet on the ground. You just learn to be careful about stopping on ground that slopes away...

Well hes got BALLS between his legs! :shifty:

[Little Miss Trouble]

Well hes got BALLS between his legs! :shifty:


http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/funny-pictures-kitten-ignores-you.jpg

[Monty69]

Bloody genetics! (or cigis) Im in the same boat, i can juuust ride my '98 cbr600f (800mm) seat. But getting a new bike in spring and i need a much sharper tool, i really want RR or maybe R6, but will need to get lowering kits, easy enough. The new hornet 600 has recieved great reviews low seat and would be bullet proof as an everyday sportsbike. And every1 always says "the new 696 monster is perfect for shorties" which looks like fun, but im not so keen paying big bike rego (over 600cc) for 20 less horsepower!!??
If any1 knows where i can find myself an immaculate low km, RVF400R in new zealand...

[BuzzardNZ]

hornet 600 /900

I agree, the hornet 600/900 would be a good fit for the vertically challenged. I had a 600 it felt really low to the ground. Still, didn't really think much of the bike though.

[DrunkenMistake]

Im 5'5 and I had a CBR 250R, im now on a VFR400 NC30 and im on the balls of both of my feet, it feels weird as but you get used to it, Hornet 600 is about 5mm higher, go with the Horny.