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Old 10-26-2004, 04:42 AM   #1 (permalink)
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Default Short rider

My girl is 5'1 and a 1/4 and loves going for rides on my bike so much that she now wants her own. The only problem is that she is too short to reach the ground... What can we do so she can ride one day?

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Old 10-26-2004, 05:17 AM   #2 (permalink)
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Go to a dealership, look what they have on display, and see if you find a model that looks good and has a comfortable seat position for a height-challenged person. Test sitting in the showroom is the best thing I can think of...she'll get all "hot and bothered" by all those shiny, powerful machines ... and second, she'll find a machine that fits her physical and emotional requirements

This doesn't mean you have to buy at that dealership (I would look at Honda, Yamaha, Ducati, and Triumph as well as Suzuki before deciding), but it will certainly get her excited about owning her own "crotch rocket"
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Old 10-26-2004, 07:42 AM   #3 (permalink)
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Also keep in mind that most bikes can be lowered a few different ways.
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Old 10-26-2004, 09:44 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Louis
Also keep in mind that most bikes can be lowered a few different ways.
Exactly. My SV650S was too tall for me if I kept it stock, but they were able to lower it about 1 1/2 inches...enough for me to now be able to touch flat footed.

It also depends on the style of bike that she is looking for. I think some cruiser style bikes are easier to find stock with the lower height than sport style bikes.
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Old 10-26-2004, 10:21 AM   #5 (permalink)
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The R6 is popular with the females 'round here. It can be lowered flipping the rear suspension links. It changes the geometry of setup, somehow. It'll come down about 2". That in combination with lowering the handles will make a huge difference. A gal I came across went from dropping her bike at an MSF course to riding it like a pro after having it fitted to her. She was about 5' and less than a buck.
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Old 10-26-2004, 11:07 AM   #6 (permalink)
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You can also consider a saddle swap to a thinner one...

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Old 10-26-2004, 11:43 AM   #7 (permalink)
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The Savage (S40 in 2005) is a great cruiser choice for a smaller person. I am 4" 10' and ride the Savage without any special adjustments. Good luck!
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Old 10-26-2004, 07:24 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Susan
I am 4" 10' and........
There's got to be more to you then that!!
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Old 10-26-2004, 11:23 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nexus242
Quote:
Originally Posted by Susan
I am 4" 10' and........
There's got to be more to you then that!!
Not quite sure how to take that Nexus...should I say what does size have to do with anything, you silly goose?

But seriously I am a bitty thing, short legs mostly. Hasn't got in my way yet. In fact, being small is an asset sometimes...tall guys think you are seriously cute; short guys think you are just right; people are always willing to lend a hand if you can't reach something; airplane seats fit me great; and, my Savage is a sweet ride!
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Old 10-26-2004, 11:27 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Can you say......PocketBike !

J/K
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Old 10-27-2004, 02:17 AM   #11 (permalink)
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Thanks for all the help everyone! We are looking for an R6 for her i think..
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Old 10-27-2004, 03:50 AM   #12 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GixxerNewbieNoMo
Can you say......PocketBike !

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Old 10-27-2004, 04:04 AM   #13 (permalink)
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Quote:
Can you say......PocketBike !
The Aprillia RS50 has great stand over clearance!


There even a Gixxer50
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Old 10-27-2004, 10:29 AM   #14 (permalink)
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If she looking for a cruiser, both the Kawasaki 800 and 1500's can be lowered 3". Both have a narrow nose on the seat and are eary to pick off the stand with their low center of gravity.

My wife is 5' and I lowered her 800 so she can sit flat footed and have her legs a little bent. Then she wanted to move up to the 1500 and i was able to do that as well. She is very comfortable riding the 1500.

Have her sit on the 800 Vulcan, the Intruder 1400 and even the Vulcan 1500, they will fit her and let her pick it off the stand with ease.

There might be others, but all the sport bikes were just too tall for her.

I did meet a guy here that was 5' and lowered his Busa low enough to stand flat footed on it. Not sure what he had to do to lower it that much though. It does sit a lower then a lot of other sport bikes.
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Old 10-27-2004, 12:11 PM   #15 (permalink)
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The Kawasaki Ninja 250 is a small bike to begin with. It may fit her without any mods.
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Old 10-27-2004, 07:27 PM   #16 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blaine
If she looking for a cruiser, both the Kawasaki 800 and 1500's can be lowered 3". Both have a narrow nose on the seat and are eary to pick off the stand with their low center of gravity.

My wife is 5' and I lowered her 800 so she can sit flat footed and have her legs a little bent. Then she wanted to move up to the 1500 and i was able to do that as well. She is very comfortable riding the 1500.

Have her sit on the 800 Vulcan, the Intruder 1400 and even the Vulcan 1500, they will fit her and let her pick it off the stand with ease.

There might be others, but all the sport bikes were just too tall for her.

I did meet a guy here that was 5' and lowered his Busa low enough to stand flat footed on it. Not sure what he had to do to lower it that much though. It does sit a lower then a lot of other sport bikes.
The "bling bling" drag racing types use longer dog bones to drastically lower Hayabusa rears - many then strap the front end to even it out. It's a bit extreme but a stock Hayabusa is fairly low to begin with, compared to say, the 1200 Bandit.
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Old 10-27-2004, 11:23 PM   #17 (permalink)
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i'm 5'4 and i just bought a bike. i got the 600 gsxr...i got my bike lowered from the dealership. on a stock bike i would be standing on my toes. not a good plan....the dog bones they use could have lowered my bike at least another inch
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Old 10-28-2004, 05:40 PM   #18 (permalink)
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WTF are dog bones?

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Old 10-28-2004, 05:43 PM   #19 (permalink)
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Lower links for rear suspension.
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Old 10-28-2004, 05:44 PM   #20 (permalink)
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I thought that those were the things that kept your dog from just being a pile of fur on your living room floor
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