I'm starting to lose hope...

[Ixion]

The odd thing is, most bikes are made in Asia. And the Asian market must be fairly important. And Asians are gnerally (massive generalisation, I know) not big people.

I can sort of understand BMW making bikes to fit big people. All those Herrengiantenvolken. But you'd think some of the manufacturers would have realised that there is a good market waiting to be tapped. But none of them seem the least interested in catering to shorter people (not necessarily just female)

Only thing I can conclude is that the American market dominates everything . And all USAians are 7 foot tall. And female riders are unknown the USA (actually, they do seem to be rare, at best). Is NZ unusual in it's percentage of female riders ? Or short riders ?
(Oddly, Alfa Romeo is the oppposite - the GTV is just about undrivable for anyone over 6 foot. And Alfa don't care - "Eet fetted Juan Manual Fangio perfectly - whoa you then toa theenka you better than Fangio. Eef you a wanta drivea the beeyutiful GTV , you gotta lossa da height. Choppa somfing off. " )

[Keystone19]

But you'd think some of the manufacturers would have realised that there is a good market waiting to be tapped. But none of them seem the least interested in catering to shorter people (not necessarily just female)

I agree with you to a certain extent Ixion, but the difference between short male riders and short female riders tends to be strength imho.

Physically males and females may be the same height but when it comes to holding a 200kg bike upright on tiptoes, it is not just height but strength. Being flat-footed on a heavier sprotsbike is definitely reassuring - at least initially. If the bike tips, it is far easier to balance when flat-footed. If you are tip-toed, you are more likely to require strength to rebalance rather than simply having to maintain balance.

[Motu]

In the sixties! Harley made a special edition low Sportster for short people....bikes were lower anyway back then,and yet they made a special low version for a very small market....looks like the plot was lost.

They got little hands
Little eyes
They walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet

[Lou Girardin]

Harley still do lowering kits for various models.

[Ixion]

Which also raises teh interesting question - Why have bikes gotten taller and taller ? Everything about a bike calls for LOW - lower CoG, easier riding, less wind resistance. Yet they seem to get higher and higher. I can sort of understand it on off roaders, because of sump clearance. But why on road bikes ?

[Motu]

A modern trials bike sure isn't tall,and yet would have more ground clearance than an Enduro bike or MXr...and a seat height a knee cap level.

[Wolf]

Even current scooters over 50cc, and 50cc vespas are too high for me.

There was a new model Piaggio scooter at Hamilton Motorcycles and even that looked too tall in the seat for Juliet.

While on the topic, I'll clarify Juliet's earlier comment re scooters:

I do not dislike scooters. I even had two classic scooters - 1954 Zundapp Bella (150cc) and a 1966 Puch SR-150.

I just don't think many scooters would make an ideal "beginner's bike".

To me, a beginner's bike should be safe - good handling and road contact, good braking etc. Many of the smaller scooters lack these things - narrow tyres, brakes are an afterthought, not powerful enough to get you out of trouble.

[strayjuliet]

That being said mr Wolf if I was to buy a zundapp without you knowing, (not sure how I would manage that but I will work it out somehow) I am sure you would not complain if I let you ride it once in a while now would you?

[Beemer]

I agree with Wolf, scooters aren't exactly great for learning to ride on - I was given lessons on a scooter and didn't enjoy the experience at all! Nothing to do with your feet, and sitting bolt upright with your feet together felt unnatural. But having said that, I can't ride most scooters anyway, the seat heights are hideously tall.

Hitcher is right - why aren't the dealers realising the potential and lowering the odd bike to give shorter people an idea of what they could ride with a bit of modification? And why are bikes getting taller? I've seen many riders, and not all of them women either, having great trouble moving their bike forward a few feet when they are on it. And nothing dents the confidence like a topple at low (or no) speed - you feel an idiot and it hurts your pride as well as your bike!

I thought of having my boots built up but don't know of anyone who does it. Where did Jane get hers done Hitcher?

[WINJA]

Although I am 5Ft 1" I have short legs, so it was like trying to find a bike for a dwarf. Even current scooters over 50cc, and 50cc vespas are too high for me.

I HOPE YOU CAN REACH THE STOVE OK

[The Stranger:Me]

And I just happen to know where there is a slightly used one for sale too

Here

[strayjuliet]

I HOPE YOU CAN REACH THE STOVE OK

I'm sure most people have no difficulty with that Winja, as stoves come in many different sizes. Even sizes for the taller males to reach with ease lol. You should try giving Mrs Winja a night off cooking and test it out for yourself lmao.

[Hitcher]

I thought of having my boots built up but don't know of anyone who does it. Where did Jane get hers done Hitcher?

Jane got hers done by a place in Marjoribanks Street (just around the corner from Wellington Motorcycles). She says she can't remember its name but there is only one place there that fits this description!

[Mental Trousers]

You only need 1 foot on the ground. Having 2 down means you don't have the same amount of control because you have divorced yourself from the bike, ie you're balanced and stable but you're no longer an integral part of the bike. May sound counterintuitive, but look at how many really good riders have 2 feet down at any time - you won't find many at all. Even tall riders don't put 2 feet down most of the time.

It's definitely possible. It's just a matter of confidence. If you don't have the confidence to ride a bike where you can plant 1 foot firmly on the ground, then you won't have the confidence to ride the bike properly either.

[Wolf]

It's definitely possible. It's just a matter of confidence. If you don't have the confidence to ride a bike where you can plant 1 foot firmly on the ground, then you won't have the confidence to ride the bike properly either.

True in a certain respect - pretty much true of any new rider.

Confidence only comes from trying, experiencing and learning, which means that new riders lack confidence and also cannot ride properly. With time they gain experience and confidence; their riding skills improve, and pretty soon they find they no longer put both feet down because it is more efficient to leave one on the peg (and if they're like me, they don't even realise they've changed until something forces them to assess what they're doing)

It's the old "crawl before you walk" thing. Juliet's experience riding a motorbike is limited to blatting around the lawn on a small, light 80cc trail bike.