Motorcycle height a problem?

[Lula]

Are you having trouble finding motorcycle that is the right height for you?

One that's not too tall and not too heavy?

Or maybe you've found the bike of your dreams and would like to make it that little bit lower?

If this is a problem for you then check out my ladies column 'Heels On Wheels' in the May issue of Motorcycle Trader (on sale in stores now) where I've got a list of motorcycles you can consider if you are moving up from a 250cc model or options available to lower your current motorcycle.

[rie]

I love your column - wish there were more women writing for motorcycle magazines (and not always for the "women's perspective" either because motorcycles do not discriminate on sex )

The way I see it, anyone can ride any bike. A person who is different to the manufacturer's "norm" will always have to learn new skills. Thus, the only real issue I see is that test riding bikes will be quite limited for people who have never ridden a taller bike (ie. when you first move up from your shorty 250). In other words, if you are too short for most stock bikes, it is not possible to lower demos before buying.

Does your column mention anything about what shorter riders can do to make sure they get as much info about the bike before they buy - eg. getting the dealer to make simple adjustments (bring up front forks for instance, which I have been told is a simple procedure for mechanics) that would make it possible (for some) to test ride before buying? Or, if even this doesn't help, what kinds of things to look out for if you decide to pillion-test-ride?

[Lula]

Thanks rie it's great to get some feedback.

I agree with you on the comment that motorcycles do not discriminate on gender, but it's good for the general readership and some in the motorcycling industry to be reminded of the female riding demographic because we are one which is growing each year so I've kept the tagline "women's perspective" for now.

In regards to test bikes and lowering I recommend that you visit the dealership prior to the test ride and investigate if it can be lowered via standard mechanical changes. If so have it sized for you and booked it in so that its set up for you on that particular day.

For pillion test riding the main thing I would be considering is how safe that person is going to be. By law you must be able to touch the pegs and if you're that small it's not a suitable model to be looking at.

Anyway check out the article for more information where there are lowering options that will work for both rider and pillion

[Gubb]

Got anything to make it bigger? I feel I may have outgrown my Striple.

[Lula]

Got anything to make it bigger? I feel I may have outgrown my Striple.

Do you mean you're ready for a change or you've got bigger in size?

I'm impatiently for Ducati’s new Hypermotard 796 to arrive in NZ

[Rogue Rider]

Lol, if you're butt is too big for a sports bike, jump on a phat as cruiser. If your vertically challenged you could always get extensions or a nail box. Either way saw the funniest thing yesterday, thought it was a 400lbs mega moosette on a scooter, but from the front I couldn't confirm it.... the mustache and triple chin were not conclusive enough to determine sex, it still could have gone either way.......... my biggest confusion was trying to determine how this person could get the 50cc scooter up to 60km per hr, it has to be some sort of miracle.
There should be crimes of such persecution towards small machines lol.

ps, if it was you, loved the pink boots and helmet with the sparkles, the yellow flowery scooter really set of your orange hi vis....... however, in this world, I really don't think people will miss you lol.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Got anything to make it bigger? I feel I may have outgrown my Striple.

Its probably rooted: sell it to me for $1000

[HenryDorsetCase]

the other thing is that smaller generally equals lighter, meaning suspension is waaaaay oversprung and the damping is incorrect as well.

[rie]

the other thing is that smaller generally equals lighter, meaning suspension is waaaaay oversprung and the damping is incorrect as well.

that's true. also happens to be something that every dealer i have visited has failed to mention, yet i think it's critical if you are particularly light. all i seem to get is "that's a bit big for you isn't it" and a gentle push in the direction of a pink gladius.

in fact, for the dealers out there: i would have been more inclined, not less, to buy my gixxer if my attention was drawn to the fact that there are impressive degrees of adjustment available without having to pay for a new shock.

[Argyle]

The Suzuki GSXR 600 is the lowest above 250cc

[rie]

The Suzuki GSXR 600 is the lowest above 250cc

are you talking about just sportsbikes?

if not, see ER6n (and its faired counterpart ninja); suzuki gladius; not to mention the range of bonnevilles just to start with.

I have also sat on a number of R6s and SV650s that are relatively shorter or at least comparable to the gsxr600. also noting that recent models of gixxers appear relatively lower than later models. you really do notice when you are 5'3"

[Maha]

Theres a heap of bikes to choose form if you are a shorty.
As for ' the bike of your dreams'? well a dream is just that.
In reality (not dreamworld) you should be on a bike that suits your needs, not your wants.
If by chance you are lucky enough to have both needs/wants statisfied within one bike then great!
Having to go to the extent of 'lowering this and making that bigger and extending everything else' just to make a bike fit seems rediculous.

I have seen both male and female stretching/tip-toeing on their 'dream' bike....
As Lula says in the article ''it only a matter of time before you drop it''.

[rie]

As Lula says in the article ''it only a matter of time before you drop it''.

well it's their money so as long as they're aware of that risk, i don't see why people can't get their "dream" bikes. it's like saying to someone who's just started riding "it's only a matter of time before you hurt yourself" (citing general dangerousness of motorcycling to support the claim... except this example presents more apparent danger to society than a tip toe-r dropping their bikes.)

[Maha]

well it's their money so as long as they're aware of that risk, i don't see why people can't get their "dream" bikes. it's like saying to someone who's just started riding "it's only a matter of time before you hurt yourself"

You're right, it is thier money, buy whatever bike they want.
Most have dropped thier bike at some stage.
I fit my bike perfectly, and have dropped it. A slow ease down sort of drop.
It comes down to the weight V's strength.

The argument here is....seat height for women right? (and in some cases men folk)
Which in turn means, being able to stablize/be in control of your chosen bike when stopped.

I would dearly love something other than my CB but the Honda suits my needs.

[rie]

The argument here is....seat height for women right? (and in some cases men folk)
Which in turn means, being able to stablize/be in control of your chosen bike when stopped.

I would dearly love something other than my CB but the Honda suits my needs.

it isn't an argument that "short people need small bikes" or not. i haven't read Lula's column yet but it seems that the key factor that arises from short-people-on-bikes discussions is the value of information: that any person falling outside manufacturers' norms will benefit from specialised information from those with similar experiences. for instance, i have discovered that general advice regarding tyre pressures and suspension is inapplicable to me because i weigh 45kg, so i like to speak with those who know about suspension for light riders. i also enjoy connecting with shorter riders on tips that have helped them on gravel, etc. yet this does not affect my justification for buying my bike, which some have criticised as being "too big." if i tip-toe, i need information arising from dialogue and experience. if i only have one arm, the same would apply.

would people say to a one armed person that "you might want to ride but forget that dream because you probably need a disability car"? no, because it's none of their business. suddenly the argument that a light person "might want to get a gsxr but she'd probably need a [gn/scooter/etc]" has little salience.

postscript: i apologise for comparing a missing limb with shortness; they are not comparable but it was an illustrative example