Adventure/dual sport bike for a very short gal

[mazz1972]

My DR250 (85 model) is very low, mrs can get both feet on the ground. I'll try and get out the tape tomorrow and measure it up. No feckin way its as tall as the net says

I'm 5ft4 and a 2004/5 DR250 with everything lowered including seat cut down, was still too tall for me. It belonged to a friend and it was also too tall for her. Her riding confidence dropped massively when she had that bike.

[mazz1972]

Timg

Not sure if any of this will help or not….

How does the state seat height of the bikes you've tried compare with the Sherpa? The Sherpa is stated to be 830mm.

I have a Sherpa and I’m 5ft4. With my bike boots on I can get both feet practically flat on the ground. I reckon it would be fine for someone of your wifes height too.....should at least be able to get toes down anyway.

You can make adjustments to the rear suspension which would make a small difference how much the shock compacts, and therefore height when sitting on it.

I've had my Sherpa from new for nearly two years, and it's just clocked over 10,000 kms. Still on the original tyres but they are now pretty buggered and new ones on order. It does road speeds fine, handles the gravel etc perfectly (although the owner doesn’t!), and I’ve had it well loaded up with a very full ventura pack etc. The bike is fairly light so I find it dead easy to handle. I would seriously recommend one of these. You didn’t mention if your wife already rides or whether she’s a learner?

In case you weren’t aware….the Kawasaki Stockman is the same bike as the Sherpa with same seat height….in case you find one to sit on.

There’s a review of it here http://www.aatorque.co.nz/reviews/Pages/Kawasaki.aspx and was another review in Kiwirider a few issues back.

The DR200, at 810mm, is lower than the Sherpa, but I didn’t want a 200cc.
Unfortunately for us folk with the shorter wheel base, there aren’t a lot of choices when it comes to dual purpose bikes!

Good luck!

And yes folks I know that in the photo I've got the pack on the wrong side of the rack....but there just isn't enough room for me if I have it facing the front, even without the tank bag!

[CRM]

I'v got a 250 Pampera and also a Honda XL250 Degree. Both are quite low seat height and the Pampera has the advantage of being very narrow and light as well.

The XL250 is about the size of a CRF230 or XR200 and very cushy and stable for adventure riding. It's electric start water cooled and very well mannered for adventure riding and commuting.

The Pampera has quite a small fuel tank which limits it's range but it's the most fun bike to ride - based on a trials bike motor will go more places than any bike short of a true trials bike but you can actually sit down on it! They're very popular with women riders due to the size and weight. I like it because I can play trials, do trail rides, do a fair pace on it off road and ride it on the road as well.

I'm considering selling one or both of these bikes as I need some cash for some other stuff so if you are interested at all give me a pm.

[marks]

It does road speeds fine, handles the gravel etc perfectly (although the owner doesn’t!), and I’ve had it well loaded up with a very full ventura pack etc.

Getting rid of the pack rack and putting your gear in throw over panniers can make a light bike much more confidence inspiring in gravel.

cheers

Mark

[SDU]

Thanx R. Helen of Troy's is the lowest DR I'm aware of and that's still too high.

I'm the hobbit that had HoT's bike before her. I can't remember but I think we left it lowered but not as low as it was for me (may have put the original dogbones back on it???) ask Helen.
It wasn't too hard to get dogbones made to lower it more, & I had the shocks adjusted & the forks pushed through too. I was on the tips of my toes so it is also about confidence. Linton can do the suspension even more to lower it. I found it the best dual sporter for on the road & light off roading, as it had enough power to do the job. It also handled well in it's lowered form.
The Serow225 (XT250) I had before that (tall also) was just a bit gutless for any big trip- does it but takes awhile to wind up but fine in the tight gnarly stuff as lighter. An 800mm (still on ya toes) seat bike is hard to find-KLX125Letc are all I know off & won't suit your purpose.

Don't give up most things can be lowered.

[SDU]

Oops it's been ages since having the DR650 done but it was lowered as per standard lowering kit & then some.
Lemans did it himself- the DR650 manual explains how to adjust the forks & lower the rear. Then we cored the seat & added non standard dogbones to lower it more. We have them, but the front of HoT's bike is still in the lowered form & the rear is more standard.

[twotyred]

I would have a look at the AG bikes(ctx200,Stockman,AG200) all have low seat heights to start with and can probably be lowered a bit more...

good luck

[timg]

You need to go spend some time with Linton at Dirt Action Services.
He can pretty much lower anything within reason.

Thanx TA. Had a good chat to Linton at the Waimak training day they ran a while ago and also more recently to see what he could suggest but it's the "within reason" bit that is the problem. He's not confident that he can get enough out of anything. We'd hoped he or some of the other's we've talked to would be able to say yup we've taken heaps of height out of X bike and it went well and that would be the best bet but so far that has'nt happened. Cheers.

[timg]

I'm the hobbit.

Hahahahaha! Hobbit eh? That's wot Debs gets called around here. Couldn't put that while she was looking over my shoulder tho

I've seen Hotties bike, & done a couple of rides with her so I know the bike works well but still looks a bit too high although if it can go lower still that might be an option in the future. At present Debbie is limited to 250cc/learner licence. Thanx for your input. Cheers.

[timg]

Timg

Not sure if any of this will help or not….

Thanks for that. Specified seat height is only part of the equation. How wide the bike is also has a bearing on its suitability. A short wide bike is as much problem as a narrrow tall 'un. While the Sherpa might be a tad higher than the DR200, it appears a slimmer bike. We haven't been able to find one in Chch to try but one of the Kwaka dealers is going to get one in and have a look at what can be done. Thanks for your input. Cheers.

[Rosie]

Don't underestimate the lowering potential of a seat reshape. Especially seats that have quite thick foam right at the front - if you can replace that with thinner, denser foam, and make it fairly slim, it will be much easier to find the ground. For touring etc, you aren't normally sitting squeezed against the tank, so modifying that part of the seat shouldn't have too much effect on the overall comfort.

Or, if all else fails, there is always the CT110

[mazz1972]

Thanks for that. Specified seat height is only part of the equation. How wide the bike is also has a bearing on its suitability. A short wide bike is as much problem as a narrrow tall 'un. While the Sherpa might be a tad higher than the DR200, it appears a slimmer bike. We haven't been able to find one in Chch to try but one of the Kwaka dealers is going to get one in and have a look at what can be done. Thanks for your input. Cheers.

Norjo Motorcycles in Chch have a Kawa Stockman advertised on Bikepoint - do they not actually have one at the shop?

I understand completely re bike width as well as seat height. The Sherpa is narrow which is why I can reach the ground so well, even with my thunder thighs!

Just an idea.....
Try a Honda NXR125 if anyone in Chch has one (for size only - not recommending you consider one to buy). At 825mm the seat height is 5mm shorter than the Sherpa, but the NXR seat is wider. I had one briefly before my Sherpa and from memory the NXR felt a bit taller. If your wife can reach the ground ok on that, the Sherpa should be fine.

I got my Sherpa while still on my learners and it made a massive difference to my confidence after having the NXR....the weight balance on the NXR seems all wrong and the Sherpa is balanced perfectly.

[Crisis management]

How about putting some height into her boots? Not something I have any personal knowledge of but it was offered as a viable solution to a similar problem on ADVrider, people were putting 2 - 3 cms thicker soles / heels on and finding it a very workable solution.
Maybe a combination of seat & suspension lowering and feet packing might give enough height to make it work.

[mazz1972]

Getting rid of the pack rack and putting your gear in throw over panniers can make a light bike much more confidence inspiring in gravel.

cheers

Mark

Load or no load, me and gravel just don't gel! I don't go fast enough but can't get my head around how to handle the bike if it slides...I panic a bit and hang on for grim death. I still do the gravel though , it just takes me longer!

[nigelp]

Norjo Motorcycles in Chch have a Kawa Stockman advertised on Bikepoint - do they not actually have one at the shop?

I understand completely re bike width as well as seat height. The Sherpa is narrow which is why I can reach the ground so well, even with my thunder thighs!

Just an idea.....
Try a Honda NXR125 if anyone in Chch has one (for size only - not recommending you consider one to buy). At 825mm the seat height is 5mm shorter than the Sherpa, but the NXR seat is wider. I had one briefly before my Sherpa and from memory the NXR felt a bit taller. If your wife can reach the ground ok on that, the Sherpa should be fine.

I got my Sherpa while still on my learners and it made a massive difference to my confidence after having the NXR....the weight balance on the NXR seems all wrong and the Sherpa is balanced perfectly.

Norjo had the stockman sitting outside when I was there last Saturday.