Bikes for shorter women?

[got no boat]

Hi guys and gals,

My wife is a bit of a shortie and is looking at getting a new bike. She is 163 cm tall and doesn't have much weight to her so we are struggling to find another bike that will fit her.
Her old bike was a 2007 Kawasaki Ninja GPX 250 which she loved but unfortunately had a spill on the gravel so insurance wrote it off.

She is still on her learners and would prefer something with the same amount of power or more and prefers the sports style.

What would anyone recommend?

Cheers

[Paul in NZ]

I would go into the local shops as many of the new crop of LAMS bikes will have lowering kits... Just ask... Sorry I'm not familiar with them

[got no boat]

I would go into the local shops as many of the new crop of LAMS bikes will have lowering kits... Just ask... Sorry I'm not familiar with them

Cheers Paul, We have been to a few shops but unfortunately can't really afford some of the new LAMS bikes just yet. Keen to get her back onto the road for summer then look at saving for somthing bigger/newer next year

[nodrog]

Theres nothing you can do, get a taller wife.

[dogsnbikes]

You could look at a honda VTR 250 or the Ducati monster range.

My Partner liked both bikes and is vertically challenge (160 approx), she had a CBR400 aero which she found heavy and difficult to move around,since she has had the Ducati Monster the fuel bill has doubled as she would rather ride her own bike now, she totally loves it and how well the weight of the bike is balanced and how much lighter it feels compared too her old CBR despite the Monster being 20kg heavier.

[HenryDorsetCase]

second the VTR250 idea.

[Mike.Gayner]

163cm isn't even that short - almost any bike will fit her. I'm under 170cm as a guy and will fit almost any bike. The average woman in NZ is 165cm. My wife is 150cm - now that's properly short.

[rustyrobot]

My wife is a bit of a shortie and is looking at getting a new bike.
What would anyone recommend?


Hey there - you should definitely check out this website: http://cycle-ergo.com/

It wont suggest a bike but you can easily and visually compare any suggested here and see how they will work with your wife's height. Under options select 'feet on the ground'. It can take a short while to load after you make any change to the options, so be patient.

[Stirts]

What would anyone recommend?

Being a short-arse myself, I am 163cms. I had a Hornet 250 that was perfect, then went to a ER6 - had it lowered, now I am on a Speed Triple - also lowered.
See what bike she actually likes the look of, get her to put her little arse on it while you hold the bike so she gets a feel for the riding positions, and then assess how easy it would be to lower it. Just my 290605


You could look at a honda VTR 250 or the Ducati monster range.

second the VTR250 idea.

+1 on the VTR. And the Ducati Monster 696 *drool* and was a perfect height for me.


163cm isn't even that short - almost any bike will fit her. I'm under 170cm as a guy and will fit almost any bike. The average woman in NZ is 165cm. My wife is 150cm - now that's properly short.

Yeah nah... it is short depending on where the majority of that 163cm lies. I am shorter in the legs - so almost any bike will not fit me.


Theres nothing you can do, get a taller wife.
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BFqTww7GqIc/Ua9ddVC-d6I/AAAAAAAAMdM/-5njtycq51M/s640/adult-kids-finger-3+-+Copy.gif"></img>

[EJK]

Ducati Monster 400 is LAMS approved too and very short-legged friendly.

[Grashopper]

I can definitely recommend a Honda Spada. It's a sporty 250, to get for not much money, great fun to ride and lower than a GN 250 :)

I'm 164 and I get both feet down easily. Can even walk it backwards while I'm sitting on it.

[Fern]

I'm 163cm, and 32'' inside leg, I ride a DRZ400..

ITs not just the seat height, but the seat width that affects how much toe you can touch on the ground, but the narrower the seat the more uncomfortable it becomes.

Don't forget you can send seats away and have them cut down. I did one myself with an electric carving knife.

[leeroy996]

My wife is 158 with shot legs. She went straight for a CBR 400 and found it comfortable.
As an Fyi, when you looking at bikes note the width of the seat. A bike with a higher seat may work if its narrow. My 1098 is easier for my wife to handle than a 600cc sports bike.
290626

[got no boat]

Thanks everyone for the inputs.

We have cut a seat down before for her on a dual purpose bike but with the sports bikes there isn't much foam to start with so harder to carve some out.

Re the seat widths we have figured this out but unfortunately not a lot of bikes list the seat width. Just the overall bike width.

We will be heading out this weekend to sit on as many bikes as possible to get a feel.

I will let you know what we end up getting
:)

[f2dz]

+1 for a VTR.

I flat foot mine very very easily, and my knees are pretty bent. I'm 180cm.

Try Red Baron on the weekend. They usually have VTRs kicking around. If not, I'm sure Botany Honda or Barrys Point Rd Honda have one.

[Hitcher]

At 163cm your wide is a giant. Mrs H is 158cm. She rides a K6 Bandit 650. It has been modified. Any Bandit could be similarly adapted.


Front forks have been lowered through the triple tree and have also got Roadtech emulators fitted.
Seat has been refoamed by Mac MacDonald, reducing the height by about 25mm.
Rear suspension has been resprung, removing 80kg of spring weight.



In addition Mrs H's riding boots have been raised by about 15mm.

These mods mean that she can get both feet down when stopped.

[Grashopper]

We will be heading out this weekend to sit on as many bikes as possible to get a feel.

I will let you know what we end up getting
:)

Yay. Bike shopping, my second favorite hobby after bike riding :D
Good luck. Would be great to hear what she gets.

[Maha]

Thanks everyone for the inputs.

We have cut a seat down before for her on a dual purpose bike but with the sports bikes there isn't much foam to start with so harder to carve some out.

Re the seat widths we have figured this out but unfortunately not a lot of bikes list the seat width. Just the overall bike width.

We will be heading out this weekend to sit on as many bikes as possible to get a feel.

I will let you know what we end up getting
:)

Ever thought of having a piece added to the sole of the riding boots? sometimes it is that is needed. My wife had 20mm added to her boots.

[got no boat]

Ever thought of having a piece added to the sole of the riding boots? sometimes it is that is needed. My wife had 20mm added to her boots.

Yes that will be the next thing on our list to do. We will be trying a few bikes this weekend with phone books under her feet to see what the difference will be with a lowered bike and bigger boot soles
:msn-wink:

[jellywrestler]

Hi guys and gals,

My wife is a bit of a shortie and is looking at getting a new bike. She is 163 cm tall and doesn't have much weight to her so we are struggling to find another bike that will fit her.
Her old bike was a 2007 Kawasaki Ninja GPX 250 which she loved but unfortunately had a spill on the gravel so insurance wrote it off.

She is still on her learners and would prefer something with the same amount of power or more and prefers the sports style.

What would anyone recommend?

Cheers

honda Bros, being a v twin the seat is narrower so helps with ergonomics

[Fern]

try this website for size comparisons..
http://cycle-ergo.com/

[Zippo]

Have a look through this thread too!

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/159641-Looking-for-recommendations-for-a-bike-for-a-short-lass

[Hitcher]

Have a look through this thread too!

I feel a thread merge coming on...

[PrincessBandit]

At 163cm your wide is a giant. Mrs H is 158cm. She rides a K6 Bandit 650. It has been modified. Any Bandit could be similarly adapted.


Front forks have been lowered through the triple tree and have also got Roadtech emulators fitted.
Seat has been refoamed by Mac MacDonald, reducing the height by about 25mm.
Rear suspension has been resprung, removing 80kg of spring weight.



In addition Mrs H's riding boots have been raised by about 15mm.

These mods mean that she can get both feet down when stopped.


Wot 'e said. I'm 155cm and perfectly happy on my 650 bandit, especially with the lowering kit. Ok, had to modify the side stand and now need to be a little more picky about where I park it using the side stand. I also had my boots built up some time before getting the bike lowered so I now have an even better deal! (MacDonald also did my seat not long after I bought the bike, although that was more for my sore arse...)

The SV650 I also found quite ok to ride although it is taller than by bandit.

[SPman]

Yamaha MT-09 anyone 5'3" and up should be OK

[got no boat]

Hi guys and gals,

Went out bike shopping in the weekend and ended up getting a 2011 CBR250R. No need to lower or add extra rubber on the soles of her boots too.

We tried the 250 Ninja 09-12 models but they were taller and heavier to lift off the stand.
We also tried the Suzuki GW250 with the same issues.

She sat on a Suzuki S40 but didn't like the riding style so went with the CBR. I liked the fact that it is still standard but she is able to fit on it nicley.

Cheers for all the replys :)

[Grashopper]

Awesome! That is great to hear. Hope she will enjoy her new toy. :)

[GPS MAN]

Low bikes and Dirt bikers ...like oil and water

[*Boot's*]

Any of the short wives got short sisters? I'm looking in the 150 to 170 cm range…. preferably cute face with firm c or d size with pink nipples and survey waist, also a "perky butt" would be nice. tits and ass so to speak. Argentinian seems to be a one stop shop but if theres a kiwi clone I might be interested?

Performance enhanced isn't a problem either but something rideable in the wet and low maintenance (if that still exists)