Short-arm people... Bloody strange

**rocketman1** · 13th October 2008, 19:18

My mate, same height as me jumped on my sportsbike, the other day, there was something really weird going on, he looked so uncomfortable, he said he felt as though he was stretching to get to the bars, I said he looked silly on it, he agreed, then we checked the length of his arms ..stuff me his arms from his shoulder to finger tip 700mm; mine where 800mm. No wonder he felt awkward.
I wonder how many more short arm species are lurking out there, trying to ride sportsbikes and suffer from this malady.
I started do a bit of a check with office mates etc, sure enough there is a huge discrepancy about 125mm at least.
I can see why bike makers have such a problem trying to make bikes to suit all
plus to make things worse, if you have a keg instead of a six pack, no way will you reach the bars...the tank gets in the way.

**merv** · 13th October 2008, 19:28

Not everyone is built like a monkey with their knuckles dragging on the ground mate

but you are obviously one of the lucky ones.

**FJRider** · 13th October 2008, 19:31

Short arms... DEEP pockets...

**mstriumph** · 13th October 2008, 19:34

for a moment i thought ................

**Ixion** · 13th October 2008, 19:40

I am of average height, but if my limbs were in proportion I would be about 6'5".

I have short legs and short arms , and I find this very noticeable on the SV. Not being able to reach the ground is a familiar problem, I have encountered this many times over the years.

But sprotsbikes, with their non adjustable and non exchangeable clip ons introduce a new problem, exactly as you have described.

The bars are so far away that one has to stretch very uncomfortably over the tank to reach them. And control is problematic , since pushing to countersteer requires even further stretching.

I have made a midifcation to the SV (I Chainsaw Willied it) that helps a lot.

It is not the height of the clip ons that is the problem, it is the length from the set seat to the centre stem. On many sprotsbikes this is absurbly long.

**merv** · 13th October 2008, 19:44

Originally Posted by FJRider

Short arms... DEEP pockets...

What, you giving the Aussies a hard time again?

**FJRider** · 13th October 2008, 19:45

Originally Posted by mstriumph

for a moment i thought ................

Penny for your thoughts ms...

**FJRider** · 13th October 2008, 19:47

Originally Posted by merv

What, you giving the Aussies a hard time again?

me... ??? would I do that... ???

**rocketman1** · 13th October 2008, 19:49

You chain saw willied it, what the fu.. is that?

**Drew** · 13th October 2008, 19:53

Size four body, size two legs, and arms. That's how my business partner describes himself.

**rocketman1** · 13th October 2008, 19:55

Is that why I like banana's
I knew that had to be a reason, hairy little bastard too.

**celticbhoy** · 13th October 2008, 20:05

I have opposite problem. Try finding a sprotsbike that can take a 6ft 4 frame without knees above tank level and all crunched up. Pegs way too high for ground clearance but crap for long legs! Destined for a cruiser in old age (many years from now) I guess!

**scherazade** · 13th October 2008, 20:24

Its not just sportsbikes! This problem rears it's ugly little head when you go looking for jackets. They all seem to be designed for the shorter arm species leaving those with little bodies and long arms with cold wrists