Motorcycles for New Short Riders
Motorcycles for New Short Riders
I hear these questions a lot. "What is the best motorcycle for me if I'm short?" and "Is it ok to lower my bike?". I can only speak from experience, but I am going to try and give you all that I know as a 5’-0” tall rider. I have only had a dirtbike, a sportbike and a motard, so if any cruiser riders would like to chime in, that would be great.
Best motorcycle? Sorry, I can’t name every motorcycle with a low seat height, you really just need to go sit on as many as you can. Just be aware, seat height isn’t the only factor. You also need to consider the seat shape as well as the rider’s position on the bike. Both can change your reach, even though the seat height may be the same. I have sat on a stock height Ninja 250 and a newer model GSXR 600 and was able to nearly flat foot both.
Lowering? One of my biggest pet peeves in the biker world is when a brand new “vertically challenged” rider asks advice about lowering their bike and I hear/read from other riders “You should NEVER lower your bike, you’re ruining the motorcycle”. Ok, yes its true, it changes the geometry, and true you’re not going to be able to turn like Rossi, but hey, guess what…you’re not Rossi! You are new rider trying to learn and have fun.
Just get the bike to a height that you feel comfortable, learn to ride it with confidence, and if you want to, you can little by little, move it back up. Most new riders aren’t hitting the race track on day one. They are learning how to shift, how to be aware of their surroundings, how to look through a turn and how to stay safe. In my opinion, the last thing they need to worry about is tipping over at a red light. Now, I do feel that as your riding improves, you will want to raise it up. You’ll start to lean the bike over more, and you don’t want to drag parts. That’s not good.
Now, A few things to try before lowering the bike.
Easiest first. Your boots, there are some riding boots with a bit of a heal. This may help just make sure it doesn’t impede your foot controls.
Next have your motorcycle setup by a suspension specialist. He will adjust it to your weight and riding style. This may sometimes help with the reach. I had a spring that was way too stiff, when we switched that out, I was able to raise the whole bike up. Also, go to a professional if you decide to lower the motorcycle. The correct setup will make a world of difference even with a lowered bike.
Shave the Seat. All this means is to cut away some of the foam from the underside of the seat. There is not a lot to spare on most sportbikes, but on my motard I was able to cut away 2” and replace with 5/8” of gel. I think its more comfy than stock.
If you don’t want to change the bike, and you must have a bike that is too high, you’ll have to learn to one-foot at stops. Some riders
do it with complete confidence. I do it on my motard, but I’m still working on being comfortable with it. Which reminds me of another crucial tip, learn to pick your bike up, you’ll probably drop it (frame sliders are your best friend).
I hope this helps some new short riders feel ok about doing what they need to do to be comfortable. Just remember, even with these adjustments, you may not be flat footed, and that’s ok as long as you feel stable and confident.
If you have any thoughts, or maybe an idea that I missed, please post up, Shorties Unite!
Tags: lowering, lowering a motorcycle, ride height, short motorcycle riders, short riders
Views: 930
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Amber L Ford Dimalanta on -
Thanks for the advice!
I've been so comfortable on my cruiser from the low seat to the large foot rests, it's going to be an adjustment when I find the right sport bike for me. I do like the gsxr600 though I have to work on my posture.
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Permalink Reply by Nancy aka Yumeze on -
Great topic Katie!!!! and so true. I have lowed a couple bikes but I also know I have messed with its stock suspension etc. after learning of how it affects the bikes handling....and feeling a difference. I do my best not to mess with it. Tippy toeing isnt the best way to start learning to ride. Dropping your bike cuz a big gust of wind blows you over isnt fun. Yep, that happened to me! Do what you have to do to get a good footing, while learning to maneuver around and focus on safety. Then after you get more experienced, upgrade to a new bike or raise your current one and then think about riding around on tippy toes. The point is, try not to lower it if you can....then later, learn how to ride on toes if your set on a bike thats tall.
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Permalink Reply by Lil Brat on -
Great topic & lots of good info. I too struggle with short leg syndrome and sold my Triumph Bonneville because I didn't want to alter the bike. I bought it for emotional reasons and actually did real well on my tippy toes but was nervous in slow parking situations, etc. I had put 8,000 miles on it before making the decision. Of course, they came out with the shorter version in 2009 which kind of irked me.
I am glad to hear that the GSXR 600 is lower as I feel I may outgrow my little 250 before long. I also ride a VStar cruiser which I can flat foot and has a low center of gravity. It has risers on the handlebars which helps my reach. It is great for long cruises but I really enjoy the sport bike for day-to-day riding. Thanks again for the good advice.
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Permalink Reply by Brenda Lewis on -
I'm 5'3", and have been riding for 11 years. Now that I have plenty of experience under my belt, I have no problem riding any bike. I can stand on my toes or lean to one side without thinking about it twice. In the beginning, though, when I was a bit afraid and very much unsure of myself, things couldn't have been more different. Finding a bike that met all my riding criteria then was difficult, so I can certainly understand your dilemma.
I would suggest to any new short rider to start with a cruiser. Since they seat low, they allow you to feel much more sure-footed. Try out a Honda Shadow or something similar. There are plenty of used ones on the market at reasonable prices, and it's fairly fairly easy to re-sell for very close to what you paid it when you're ready for something larger. I still own the same Honda Magna that I bought 11 years ago. It's not my primary ride now, but it still fits me to a tee and provides many hours of enjoyable riding. Magnas were discontinued after 2004. There are still plenty of them on the market, but I wouldn't recommend a 750cc V-4 bike to a new rider until she's quite confident in her riding abilities.
I would definitely NOT recommend lowering a bike. I've tried it in the past, and it proved to be a very bad - and costly - move. Although it was lowered professionally, the bike's handling and maneuverability were adversely affected, and I never felt sure of myself while riding it in that state. It cost me hundreds of dollars to have it lowered, and then hundreds of dollars more to have it restored to stock height. It was a complete waste of my hard-earned money, but I learned a valuable lesson that I'm now happy to pass on to other short riders.
If your heart is set on a sport bike, I strongly recommend the Yamaha FZ6, when you're comfortable riding on tippy-toe. It's one of the bikes in my stable, and an absolute joy to ride. As a sport bike with an upright riding position, it greatly reduces the fatigue associated with sport bike riding. I once owned a GSXR 750, which I drooled over for years before I could afford to buy it, only to find that the extreme riding position greatly detracted from my riding enjoyment on longer rides. I was happy to sell it, and am now infinitely happier with my FZ6 and FZ1, instead.
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Permalink Reply by Girlriders - Katie on -
That's a great tip about the handle bar risers, never thought of that.
Lil Brat said:Great topic & lots of good info. I too struggle with short leg syndrome and sold my Triumph Bonneville because I didn't want to alter the bike. I bought it for emotional reasons and actually did real well on my tippy toes but was nervous in slow parking situations, etc. I had put 8,000 miles on it before making the decision. Of course, they came out with the shorter version in 2009 which kind of irked me.
I am glad to hear that the GSXR 600 is lower as I feel I may outgrow my little 250 before long. I also ride a VStar cruiser which I can flat foot and has a low center of gravity. It has risers on the handlebars which helps my reach. It is great for long cruises but I really enjoy the sport bike for day-to-day riding. Thanks again for the good advice.
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Permalink Reply by Girlriders - Katie on
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I have ridden a lowered GSXR on the street for 5 years, I have no problems, it feels great, I keep up just fine in the turns. I had a CBR 600 for the track at stock height, and it did dip in the turns a bit easier, but for street riding I'll always have my GSXR lowered, too much stop and go traffic.
All good advice though, thanks Brenda.
Brenda Lewis said:I'm 5'3", and have been riding for 11 years. Now that I have plenty of experience under my belt, I have no problem riding any bike. I can stand on my toes or lean to one side without thinking about it twice. In the beginning, though, when I was a bit afraid and very much unsure of myself, things couldn't have been more different. Finding a bike that met all my riding criteria then was difficult, so I can certainly understand your dilemma.
I would suggest to any new short rider to start with a cruiser. Since they seat low, they allow you to feel much more sure-footed. Try out a Honda Shadow or something similar. There are plenty of used ones on the market at reasonable prices, and it's fairly fairly easy to re-sell for very close to what you paid it when you're ready for something larger. I still own the same Honda Magna that I bought 11 years ago. It's not my primary ride now, but it still fits me to a tee and provides many hours of enjoyable riding. Magnas were discontinued after 2004. There are still plenty of them on the market, but I wouldn't recommend a 750cc V-4 bike to a new rider until she's quite confident in her riding abilities.
I would definitely NOT recommend lowering a bike. I've tried it in the past, and it proved to be a very bad - and costly - move. Although it was lowered professionally, the bike's handling and maneuverability were adversely affected, and I never felt sure of myself while riding it in that state. It cost me hundreds of dollars to have it lowered, and then hundreds of dollars more to have it restored to stock height. It was a complete waste of my hard-earned money, but I learned a valuable lesson that I'm now happy to pass on to other short riders.
If your heart is set on a sport bike, I strongly recommend the Yamaha FZ6, when you're comfortable riding on tippy-toe. It's one of the bikes in my stable, and an absolute joy to ride. As a sport bike with an upright riding position, it greatly reduces the fatigue associated with sport bike riding. I once owned a GSXR 750, which I drooled over for years before I could afford to buy it, only to find that the extreme riding position greatly detracted from my riding enjoyment on longer rides. I was happy to sell it, and am now infinitely happier with my FZ6 and FZ1, instead.
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Permalink Reply by Brenda Lewis on
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As is yours, Katie. The more of us that share and post our experiences, the more it helps new riders. Experienced riders have quite a bit to learn as well. I'm definitely benefitting from reading about others' experiences.
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Permalink Reply by Girlriders - Katie on
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+1!!!
Brenda Lewis said:As is yours, Katie. The more of us that share and post our experiences, the more it helps new riders. Experienced riders have quite a bit to learn as well. I'm definitely benefitting from reading about others' experiences.
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Permalink Reply by Amber L Ford Dimalanta on
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Thanks for the info!
Brenda Lewis said:I'm 5'3", and have been riding for 11 years. Now that I have plenty of experience under my belt, I have no problem riding any bike. I can stand on my toes or lean to one side without thinking about it twice. In the beginning, though, when I was a bit afraid and very much unsure of myself, things couldn't have been more different. Finding a bike that met all my riding criteria then was difficult, so I can certainly understand your dilemma.
I would suggest to any new short rider to start with a cruiser. Since they seat low, they allow you to feel much more sure-footed. Try out a Honda Shadow or something similar. There are plenty of used ones on the market at reasonable prices, and it's fairly fairly easy to re-sell for very close to what you paid it when you're ready for something larger. I still own the same Honda Magna that I bought 11 years ago. It's not my primary ride now, but it still fits me to a tee and provides many hours of enjoyable riding. Magnas were discontinued after 2004. There are still plenty of them on the market, but I wouldn't recommend a 750cc V-4 bike to a new rider until she's quite confident in her riding abilities.
I would definitely NOT recommend lowering a bike. I've tried it in the past, and it proved to be a very bad - and costly - move. Although it was lowered professionally, the bike's handling and maneuverability were adversely affected, and I never felt sure of myself while riding it in that state. It cost me hundreds of dollars to have it lowered, and then hundreds of dollars more to have it restored to stock height. It was a complete waste of my hard-earned money, but I learned a valuable lesson that I'm now happy to pass on to other short riders.
If your heart is set on a sport bike, I strongly recommend the Yamaha FZ6, when you're comfortable riding on tippy-toe. It's one of the bikes in my stable, and an absolute joy to ride. As a sport bike with an upright riding position, it greatly reduces the fatigue associated with sport bike riding. I once owned a GSXR 750, which I drooled over for years before I could afford to buy it, only to find that the extreme riding position greatly detracted from my riding enjoyment on longer rides. I was happy to sell it, and am now infinitely happier with my FZ6 and FZ1, instead.
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Permalink Reply by Lil Brat on
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I recently read that the 2011 BMW F650GS has an option to lower the seat to 29.5". I would love to test ride one just to check it out.
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Permalink Reply by Girlriders - Katie on
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ooo, That's a fun looking bike!
Lil Brat said:I recently read that the 2011 BMW F650GS has an option to lower the seat to 29.5". I would love to test ride one just to check it out.
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Permalink Reply by Lil Brat on
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Yesterday we stopped by our local metric dealer for a hot dog & to visit and there in the used bike section is a shiny blue Ninja calling my name. I'm sitting at the table looking over at it thru the bikes thinking "I wonder how big it is, etc.". I can see that it has the more upright bars so I'm interested & finally I can't stand it and walk over to take a look. It is a 2010 Ninja 650 with only 1,800 miles. My husband says "sit on it". I notice it is just a bit taller than my 250 but very narrow thru the seat. The key is in it so we start it up. The stock pipe was replaced with an obnoxious short loud pipe. The brake lever ball on the tip is broken off and there is a small scratch on the farring. The guys say "test it out". I decided to hold off but now I wish I would have. Price wasn't bad $5,400. I have 2 bikes already and the 250 has to be saved for the original owner (an incentive for her cancer treatment). I think I need to test ride it next weekend anyway. I hope you all had a nice get together & I was sorry to miss it this weekend!
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