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Thread: Bikes for shorter women?

  1. #1
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    9th May 2012 - 15:55
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    Bikes for shorter women?

    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

  2. #2
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    24th June 2004 - 17:27
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    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

  3. #3
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    9th May 2012 - 15:55
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    Quote Originally Posted by Paul in NZ View Post
    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

  4. #4
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    27th February 2005 - 08:47
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    Theres nothing you can do, get a taller wife.

  5. #5
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    18th February 2007 - 22:47
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    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.

  6. #6
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    9th January 2005 - 22:12
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    second the VTR250 idea.
    I thought elections were decided by angry posts on social media. - F5 Dave

  7. #7
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    23rd October 2013 - 18:30
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    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.

  8. #8
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    6th February 2010 - 19:32
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    Arrow

    Quote Originally Posted by got no boat View Post
    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.
    Last edited by rustyrobot; 3rd December 2013 at 21:43. Reason: spellign

    WELLINGTON: Tag-o-rama

  9. #9
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    25th March 2007 - 12:04
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    Quote Originally Posted by got no boat View Post
    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 Name:  2cents.gif
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    Quote Originally Posted by dogsnbikes View Post
    You could look at a honda VTR 250 or the Ducati monster range.
    Quote Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase View Post
    second the VTR250 idea.
    +1 on the VTR. And the Ducati Monster 696 *drool* and was a perfect height for me.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike.Gayner View Post
    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.

    Quote Originally Posted by nobwillnowrot
    Theres nothing you can do, get a taller wife.
    No body move... I dropped my brain

  10. #10
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    25th June 2007 - 21:21
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    Ducati Monster 400 is LAMS approved too and very short-legged friendly.


    If you can make it on Kiwibiker you can make it anywhere.

  11. #11
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    3rd January 2013 - 19:46
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    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.
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  12. #12
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    6th November 2012 - 14:41
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    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.

  13. #13
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    2nd March 2010 - 06:03
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    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.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    Ducati Forza

  14. #14
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    9th May 2012 - 15:55
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    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

  15. #15
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    +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.

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