Short rider - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

GSXR4life · 10-26-2004, 04:42 AM

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?

**inspiron** · 10-26-2004, 05:17 AM

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"

**Louis** · 10-26-2004, 07:42 AM

Also keep in mind that most bikes can be lowered a few different ways.

SuzukiGirl1 · 10-26-2004, 09:44 AM

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.

FIVEINCH · 10-26-2004, 10:21 AM

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.

**Louis** · 10-26-2004, 11:07 AM

You can also consider a saddle swap to a thinner one...

Va bene · 10-26-2004, 11:43 AM

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!

Nexus242 · 10-26-2004, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susan

I am 4" 10' and........

There's got to be more to you then that!!

Va bene · 10-26-2004, 11:23 PM

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!

GIXXER-Mike · 10-26-2004, 11:27 PM

Can you say......PocketBike

!

J/K

GSXR4life · 10-27-2004, 02:17 AM

Thanks for all the help everyone! We are looking for an R6 for her i think..

LayinLo · 10-27-2004, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GixxerNewbieNoMo

Can you say......PocketBike

!

J/K

svhooligan · 10-27-2004, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Can you say......PocketBike !

The Aprillia RS50 has great stand over clearance!

There even a Gixxer50

blaine · 10-27-2004, 10:29 AM

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.

007 · 10-27-2004, 12:11 PM

The Kawasaki Ninja 250 is a small bike to begin with. It may fit her without any mods.

Hardware · 10-27-2004, 07:27 PM

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.

siracer69 · 10-27-2004, 11:23 PM

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

cerastes · 10-28-2004, 05:40 PM

WTF are dog bones?

FIVEINCH · 10-28-2004, 05:43 PM

Lower links for rear suspension.

**inspiron** · 10-28-2004, 05:44 PM

I thought that those were the things that kept your dog from just being a pile of fur on your living room floor

10-26-2004, 04:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
GSXR4life Newbie Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 10	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?

10-26-2004, 05:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,073	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" __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

10-26-2004, 07:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
Louis Administrator Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: SV650S '05 (Blue) Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada Posts: 10,657	Also keep in mind that most bikes can be lowered a few different ways. __________________ Louis

10-26-2004, 10:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
FIVEINCH U.B's LoveChild Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: GSXR600K4 + D&D = DSRPTV!!!!!! Location: San Angelo, TX Posts: 1,083	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. __________________ I can see you... MK86: The US Navy Sends Its Regards... FIVE INCHES AT A TIME!!

10-26-2004, 11:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
Louis Administrator Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: SV650S '05 (Blue) Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada Posts: 10,657	You can also consider a saddle swap to a thinner one... __________________ Louis

10-26-2004, 11:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
Va bene Savage Riders Rock Joined: Sep 2004 Bike: Suzuki Savage LS 650 Location: Dandelion Alley Posts: 255	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!

10-26-2004, 11:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
GIXXER-Mike U.B's LoveChild Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: 2004 GSX-R600 (Blue/White) Location: ALABAMA Posts: 1,113	Can you say......PocketBike ! J/K __________________ "I'm here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way."

10-27-2004, 02:17 AM	#11 (permalink)
GSXR4life Newbie Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 10	Thanks for all the help everyone! We are looking for an R6 for her i think..

10-27-2004, 10:29 AM	#14 (permalink)
blaine Seat Tester Joined: Oct 2004 Bike: Honda CBR1100 XX Super Blackbird Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 53	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.

10-27-2004, 12:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
007 TurtleWax Taster Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Boston. MA Posts: 592	The Kawasaki Ninja 250 is a small bike to begin with. It may fit her without any mods.

10-27-2004, 11:23 PM	#17 (permalink)
siracer69 Where Am I ? Joined: Oct 2004 Bike: gsxr600 Location: newark,de Posts: 27	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

10-28-2004, 05:40 PM	#18 (permalink)
cerastes Where Am I ? Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Birmingham, England Posts: 29	WTF are dog bones? __________________ 2000 Bandit 1200 CBR250RR

10-28-2004, 05:43 PM	#19 (permalink)
FIVEINCH U.B's LoveChild Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: GSXR600K4 + D&D = DSRPTV!!!!!! Location: San Angelo, TX Posts: 1,083	Lower links for rear suspension. __________________ I can see you... MK86: The US Navy Sends Its Regards... FIVE INCHES AT A TIME!!

10-28-2004, 05:44 PM	#20 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,073	I thought that those were the things that kept your dog from just being a pile of fur on your living room floor __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

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