Short person's bike?

[mozzee]

Hi there, just realised it's been over a year since I've been on this site! Oops!!
:facepalm:
Been riding a Honda VTR 250 for a couple years now...really looking to upgrade. Unfortunately, I'm only 5'2" and my current bike is probably the max height I could comfortably reach the ground on (even now I can't put both of my feet flat on the ground).

I prefer sports bikes...but wouldn't have a clue what bike's are suitable for a midget like me? Anyone out there have any advice?? :scooter:

[slofox]

The 600 gixxer is pretty low for a sporty. But might still be too tall for 5'2"...go try them all on for size!

[ital916]

Hi there, just realised it's been over a year since I've been on this site! Oops!!
:facepalm:
Been riding a Honda VTR 250 for a couple years now...really looking to upgrade. Unfortunately, I'm only 5'2" and my current bike is probably the max height I could comfortably reach the ground on (even now I can't put both of my feet flat on the ground).

I prefer sports bikes...but wouldn't have a clue what bike's are suitable for a midget like me? Anyone out there have any advice?? :scooter:

My partner is 5'3" and rides a k7 gixxer 600 quite happily. Plus it comes down to leg length, she has short legs, you could be 5'2" with not so short legs.

[boman]

Just looking into exactically this problem at the moment. My partner is 5'2" also. And have found the Suzuki Gladius, and the Yamaha XJ6n are a good fit. 785mm seat height. She sat on the Suzuki And was most comfortable. Feet almost flat. Lowering kit Availiable on E-Bay for the bike also. Hope this helps.

[robo555]

Ducati Monster 696, 770mm, same height as the Yamaha Scorpio.

[hellokitty]

Ducati Monster 696, 770mm, save height as the Yamaha Scorpio.

Yes! I am 5'5" with short stubby legs and I was flat footed with a bent knee on the Ducati Monster :yes:

[trustme]

Triumph Bonnieville A1. The mag wheel version is nice & low, handles nice & the motor is real smooth. Not a sports bike though.

[Mom]

Yes! I am 5'5" with short stubby legs and I was flat footed with a bent knee on the Ducati Monster :yes:

I went seat kicking a couple ofweeks ago. I am a shorty. I tried the Ducati Monster for size, I was barely tip toe on it. Then I had a try of the 600 Hornet, much better. It can also be lowered a little bit without major hassles.

I was a bit concerned when one of the shop guys suggested he could lower the Duc by softening up the suspension and increasing the damping? EH? No thanks.

So , for me I am looking at the Hornet when I change out the BB.

I am also looking at increasing the sole on my boots to give me just a tiny bit more height. I tried on a pair of these http://www.forthgear.co.uk/product/Lady_Star_Gore-Tex_5940
yesterday, fantastic. Another 2cms of height and no one can tell you have lifts :lol: Pity about the price though :pinch:

[bastardsquad]

Try the Kawasaki ER6n , I'm 5'5 and can get my feet near flat on ground both sides. Plus it's relatively light too, another advantage for smaller ppl : )

[robo555]

I am a shorty. I tried the Ducati Monster for size, I was barely tip toe on it.

Was it the new Monster 696? I think it was the new plastic tank model that they lowered the seat height.

[Mom]

Was it the new Monster 696? I think it was the new plastic tank model that they lowered the seat height.

No it was an older one, the other thing that I did not like was the auto flick up side stand when you stood the bike up. I could not put it back down again, such was the tippy toeness of the thing :pinch:

[Juzz976]

I'm tip toe on my bike, doesn't bother me. Its a heavy bike too 230kg kurb weight I believe.

I wouldn't let seat height dictate which bike I choose to ride, would lower it only if I had to.

As long as you can hold bike upright with 1 foot flat sweet as, just don't go parking up silly places.

[skinman]

Harley sporty, but hardly a sports bike

[fliplid]

Triumph Bonnieville A1. The mag wheel version is nice & low, handles nice & the motor is real smooth. Not a sports bike though.
Been playing on a Bonneville A1 this week- been a real hoot! :yes:

[Thani-B]

Try the Kawasaki ER6n , I'm 5'5 and can get my feet near flat on ground both sides. Plus it's relatively light too, another advantage for smaller ppl : )

I second this. I'm 5'2 or 5'3 and I love mine. I dont flat foot though.

[Duc]

Not quite sure why "flat footing" is a pre requisite to choosing a bike by height.

IMHO and experience - thats un necessary.

Dont think I can flat foot any of the bikes I currently own, rented or have ever ridden. (Vespas to Cruisers)

Look for a bike thats fits by how comfortable you are with the balance when stationary ...amongst all the other things a bike is to you. eg looks, power, performance, size, weight, cost...

[Duc]

Not quite sure why "flat footing" is a pre requisite to choosing a bike by height.

IMHO and experience - thats un necessary.

Dont think I can flat foot any of the bikes I currently own, rented or have ever ridden. (Vespas to Tourers)

Look for a bike thats fits by how comfortable you are with the balance when stationary ...amongst all the other things a bike is to you. eg looks, power, performance, size, weight, cost...

[Gone Burger]

I'm 5'4" and also looking for a sports bike.

Recent ones I have test ridden...

Yamaha R6 - My favourite bike of all so far, but on maximum tippie toes on an 08 model. Nearly lost it when stopping.

Suzuki GSXR600 '08 - Things I likes and didn't like about it - but the height was GREAT - had te balls of my feet on the ground and felt much more in control at the lights

Honda CBR600 '03 - Too tall and heavy old thing! About the same height for me as the R6

Honda CBR600 '07 - Much better height - similar to the GSXR. Once again, things I liked and didn't like about it.

Suzuki SV650 - Tall but not on tops on toes, but little control when stoppped. Couldn't push it and needed more foot on the ground.

Haven't ridden but sat on...

Kawasaki ER6n '08 - To tall, but not as bad as the 07 CBR and 08 R6

Triumph 676 - Too tall to get more than toes touching.

Some say you get used to it. But if you are small in size as well as height it can make moving your bike around, and catching it when sationery VERY difficult. (says she who sturggles with her m50 whilst nearly flat footed lol!).

Hope this is of some help.

[Tink]

I second this. I'm 5'2 or 5'3 and I love mine. I dont flat foot though.


Hi there, just realised it's been over a year since I've been on this site! Oops!!
:facepalm:
Been riding a Honda VTR 250 for a couple years now...really looking to upgrade. Unfortunately, I'm only 5'2" and my current bike is probably the max height I could comfortably reach the ground on (even now I can't put both of my feet flat on the ground).

I prefer sports bikes...but wouldn't have a clue what bike's are suitable for a midget like me? Anyone out there have any advice?? :scooter:

Heh took the Gladius 650 for a test ride tonight...woop I loved it.. 120km ssh up the motorway, comfy on the corners on country roads, nice height, no flat footing, gear change visible, great all round bike, would change pipes to Yoshi, and lower the seat (as the one I rode was lowered)...

Very impressed, next a Yamaha XJ6N...!!!:scooter:

[myvice]

Wifey is on a 900 Monster, good height for her and she’s only little.
She had an R6 for a bit, I lowered that for her, not a big job but ran into ground clearance problems with the stock exhaust.
Street triple is a little lower, and you can drop the Daytona too with a kit.
You can lower most things out there, longer “dog bone” link, or a shorter shock can drop the rear and with clip-on’s you should be able to lower the front by dropping the triple clamps down the shaft.
The trick is keeping the handling; a few mm can make a big difference.
Also look at the seat, can it be re-sculptured to suite you?
Your reach may need some help too, adjustable bars and matching rear sets will help.
5’2”? Thought of buying a rack?
Might gain a few inches…

[breakaway]

Man up I reckon.

My mrs is 5 foot nothing and she can comfortably manage her 2002 SV650S.

[Dschubba]

I'm semi short- so I got a Zx14 to make up for my shortness.

If you really short i'd consider a Triumph Rocket III

If you really really short, I saw something that would probably work on the ferry last trip. Boss Hoss V8 something.

Hope this helps

[jack_hamma]

Just shave and suck your lips inn...


Need help, sing out :)

[Dschubba]

oops finger trouble