Feet Can't Touch The Ground?

**Zed** · 19th June 2005, 11:29

Inspired by another thread where Beemer said the following about Antonio's new Aprilia:

Originally Posted by Beemer

Verrrry pretty! I would love to have legs long enough to ride something as gorgeous as this - congratulations, enjoy it!

To everyone, not just Beemer,

don't you feel somewhat handicapped if your feet can't touch the ground, restricted to what motorcycle you choose to buy? What about these taller people who can't ride smaller bikes? How do you feel about it if you're one of them? Would you go the extra mile and get height modifications done to the bike of your present dreams?

**Joni** · 19th June 2005, 11:38

I had this conversation with someone last week - for sure I would have the modifications done. I reckon just make sure its done properly by someone who knows what they doing and wooohooo up, up and away!!

**Zed** · 19th June 2005, 11:41

Originally Posted by Joni

I had this conversation with someone last week - for sure I would have the modifications done. I reckon just make sure its done properly by someone who knows what they doing and wooohooo up, up and away!!

Yeah I knew you thought like that about the issue Jo seeing that we have discussed it several times!

**zadok** · 19th June 2005, 11:55

At 6' I think I can pretty much straddle any bike I wanted reasonably comfortably; certainly the bikes I would consider buying.

**Ixion** · 19th June 2005, 12:08

Well, I'm 5'8", but short in the leg. Legs actually belong on someone about 5'3" or so . Bloody Igor, never gets it quite right. WHY weren't the proper legs in stock, that's what I want to know.

So I'm not highly restricted,but most big bikes I can't do the "both feet flat on the ground " thing.

But I've never let it worry me, you can just work around (missing poll option for that).

Lean the bike over more at a standstill, you'll get one foot on the ground. Rolling back (or forward) while sitting on it is tricky, I usually get off and move it, though it's surprising what you cna do tippy toe.

Incidentally it's not just seta heght, width of the seat is as important.

Li'l Ratty is the reverse. It would be an excellent bike for a very short person, but for me , my upper body is too long, which means the riding position is a bit awkward, the bars are too low (and non adjustable. That's another rant I must get round to). But I can work around it.

**FROSTY:Me** · 19th June 2005, 12:26

I guess when the japs were building bikes they musta used my body as the size to fit them. I really cant think of any bikes Ive not been able to ride easily.
Mind you that said with my SV I totally removed the seat padding to lower my rear more nto rather than on the bike.It made a huge difference to the balance of the bike.

**Jackrat** · 19th June 2005, 15:04

5/10,90kg.
Havn't had a problem yet but if I did an really wanted the bike I would change it to suit.
My first XR was rather tall but who's sitting around anyway

**Waylander** · 19th June 2005, 15:43

6'2" and the only bikes I have trouble with are most 250s and GSXRs. Riding on 250 bikes, cruisers and sports, I feel really crunched up. On the GSXRs my knees keep hitting the fairings so not confortable there either. Other than that I have no problems.

**Motu** · 19th June 2005, 15:49

I'm on the short side and tend to ride dirt bikes,which have got taller and taller over the years,although it never used to worry me....the idea is not to put your feet down too much and use a bit of natural terrain if you have too.Same with stopping,you can often use higher ground to put a foot down.I've ridden bikes cranked up so tall by jumpers that I had to get on and off with the bike on the move.These days I seem to have restricted hip movement and don't like tall heavy bikes - both my Yamaha's have a 865mm seat and that's a good compromise for me,that's 2 balls or one flat foot.Seat width is important and dirt bikes have a narrow seat making taller seats a bit easier,also the suspension is very soft,so what looks high will sink by around 100mm when you get on.

**crashe** · 19th June 2005, 17:06

Ok being that I am really short.... yes I am...
and I like to have both feet firmly planted on the ground...
There is only a couple of bikes that I can reach the ground with both feet.

My virago

The Savage 650 and I think the Intruder.

Virago 1100 is great but too heavy for me to move.
Virago 750 is to tall.... and it is an older bike, but light to move.

All other bikes are just too tall for me.

So I am gonna stick with my baby

**Will** · 19th June 2005, 17:31

I am 5'4" and with short legs.
So my bike has been modified.
When I was much younger, height wasn't a problem with the bikes I rode (Honda SL s XL s).
I think I have stopped growing now.

**John** · 19th June 2005, 18:15

5'7" / 5'8"

I dont know how I will get on with bigger bikes I should be ok hopefully

, If I cant I will make sure I figure sumin out..

**Virago** · 19th June 2005, 18:39

5'4", and I stopped growing almost 30 years ago (well upwards anyway). In fact I'm probably getting closer to the age when I'll start shrinking.....

The Virago 1100 is about as big as I can handle. I can get both feet planted firmly on the ground, with enough foot-spread to be able to comfortably handle the weight of the bike.

Sport bikes are generally way too high, and most off-roaders these days I'd need a ladder for. No worries, I'm a cruiser man anyway!

Bigger cruisers than mine are often lower at the seat, but the width of the machine means I'm on tip-toe, and you just can't do that with 300Kg plus, and feel safely in control. I've had a sit on Kwaka Vulcan 2000, it has a real low seat, but the sheer bulk meant I was on tip-toe. I struggled to get it off the side stand.