View Full Version : Sport bike for shorties?
serp16
06-09-2008, 03:37 PM
My wife would really like a sport bike. Unfortunately we cannot find one short enough for her. She is 5'-4". We tried sitting her on a Ninja 650 this weekend and she came up well 3" to 4" too short. I have read that the 250 is less than an inch different than the 650, so even with a lowering kit and lower seat, it still likely won't be low enough. Do you guys have any advice? I would hate to modify a bike and compromise safety/rideability...but I would also hate to make her ride a cruiser too.....
Thanks
papapoi
06-09-2008, 03:39 PM
shave down the stock seat maybe?
the chi
06-09-2008, 03:50 PM
there is a list floating around that covers the stock heights and such for the common sportbikes.
At 5'4" i find it odd that she cant find a bike like the 250 ninja or perhaps a GSXR that would be better suited height wise. I am 5'2" and can reach the ground almost flat footed with my GSXR, but I have long legs, but even a bit shorter legs should be able to tippy toe, whereas on a 250 I can actually bend my knees.
If she is without experience, 250 FTW. If she has enough to get a larger CC bike, look at something like the GSXR. Your hondas and yamahas tend to be a tad taller when seated, whereas Kawis are incredibly wide, making the reach more of an issue.
serp16
06-09-2008, 03:59 PM
there is a list floating around that covers the stock heights and such for the common sportbikes.
At 5'4" i find it odd that she cant find a bike like the 250 ninja or perhaps a GSXR that would be better suited height wise. I am 5'2" and can reach the ground almost flat footed with my GSXR, but I have long legs, but even a bit shorter legs should be able to tippy toe, whereas on a 250 I can actually bend my knees.
If she is without experience, 250 FTW. If she has enough to get a larger CC bike, look at something like the GSXR. Your hondas and yamahas tend to be a tad taller when seated, whereas Kawis are incredibly wide, making the reach more of an issue.
You're 5'-2" and fit on Gixxer? You MUST have really long legs...or my wife has really short ones...or both. She has zero experience, so I didn't want to start her out on something that was over her head.
the chi
06-09-2008, 04:01 PM
You're 5'-2" and fit on Gixxer? You MUST have really long legs...or my wife has really short ones...or both. She has zero experience, so I didn't want to start her out on something that was over her head.
250, get the new one, they RAWK!!! Saw one this weekend at the rally, looked just like your bigger bikes and very nice!! Best for learning and keeping around later on as well!!
rider76
06-09-2008, 04:39 PM
My wife is 5'3 and she rides a 250 ninja, she can't touch flat footed, but very close... I wouldn't buy a new bike... she is going to drop it some time in the learning process, almost everyone does. She/ you won't feel as bad dropping a 3 year old bike, then you will a week old bike..good luck
My wife's 5'3" and owns a new Ninja 250R and it's fine for her.
t-homo
06-09-2008, 05:30 PM
Buell Blast FTW. I am 5'8 and can bend my knees a lot on it. I'm selling one actually...
ceo012384
06-09-2008, 05:38 PM
Since she won't be pushing the limits of the suspension anytime soon, you can always lower it an inch or two, then raise it back up as she gets more comfortable.
Personally I would just try to find one with a decently low stock seat height and make her get used to it though.
I can't even close to flatfoot my 06 r6. No big deal.
Buell Blast FTW. I am 5'8 and can bend my knees a lot on it. I'm selling one actually...
I sat on a Buell, not sure which model, a Firebolt or some shit and I thought that bitch sat high up, higher than my R6 and that's pretty high.
t-homo
06-09-2008, 06:37 PM
The blast is tiny.
Crazy
06-09-2008, 06:38 PM
the blast is low as hell, something like 25 inch seat height. so if all else fails that will work. I think at 5'4" the 250 is the best option. has she sat on one yet? even if its only balls of the feet she should still be fine. its light as hell too. if she hasnt sat on one then i wouldnt write off the 250 just yet because seat height isnt the only stat that matters... if the seat is pretty slim its easier to handle generally.
The blast is tiny.
Must've been a Bolt then.
t-homo
06-09-2008, 07:07 PM
Most likely. Have her go sit on a bunch of them. I can't flat foot by bike without my balls against my ribs, but still feel comfortable sitting on it.
Becca_007
06-09-2008, 07:28 PM
I'm for the lowering and then raise it back up later. As long as you lower both the front and rear the geometry won't change. Mine is still slightly lowered.
Cutty72
06-09-2008, 07:42 PM
I sat on a Buell, not sure which model, a Firebolt or some shit and I thought that bitch sat high up, higher than my R6 and that's pretty high.
The 1125 is high too. I'm 5'9" with a 34" inseam and can just barely flat foot it.
When I was reading the specs online, the seat heights were comparable to the big for liter bikes, but then I realized that Jap bikes are measured by themselves. For some reason Buell measured seat height with rider on board, so the suspension was slightly compressed... wierd.
OneSickPsycho
06-09-2008, 08:54 PM
I sat on a Buell, not sure which model, a Firebolt or some shit and I thought that bitch sat high up, higher than my R6 and that's pretty high.
The XB's are relatively high up... The Ulysses (XB12X) are fuckin' ridiculous, with like a 35" seat height or something...
I am 5'11" with a 32/33" inseam and couldn't flatfoot my Buell... even with my fatass compressing the suspension...
I think the Blast has one of the lowest seat heights of any sport type bike...
Yeah, my R6 is 33". The Buell just felt so high up. Good for ground clearance though.
OneSickPsycho
06-09-2008, 09:16 PM
Yeah, my R6 is 33". The Buell just felt so high up. Good for ground clearance though.
Or underslung exhaust...
Actually, yours is higher than the Ulysses!
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school-SectionTwoB.htm
Highest of any in the sportbike class.
No Worries
06-10-2008, 12:42 PM
The old Yamaha Virago 535 is a great middleweight cruiser with a seat height of only 27 inches. After she learns how to ride, get her a Ducati Monster 620. Motorcyclist magazine hopped up a 620 and lowered it some more. Here's an update: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/features/122_0612_2006_ducati_monster_620_surgery/index.html. If you want the original article, I'll have to look around for the magazine.
ceo012384
06-16-2008, 03:46 PM
Yeah, my R6 is 33".
Highest of any in the sportbike class.
Yup. And my inseam is like 29" :panic:
That's why I don't listen when people talk about needing a "short person's bike"
firstcherokeekid
06-16-2008, 10:39 PM
Yup. And my inseam is like 29" :panic:
That's why I don't listen when people talk about needing a "short person's bike"
I am 5'2" and I ride an RC51 with a Dan Kyle rear link that raises the rear. It is all in what she feels comfortable on. The 06 or 07 gsxr600 I think would be her best bet.
t-homo
06-16-2008, 10:45 PM
Ha. You are gay on that.
firstcherokeekid
06-16-2008, 11:01 PM
Ha. You are gay on that.
And my knees are as soft as a newborns ass, yours on the other hand have just about as much friction burn as your starfish does.:eatatthey:
if you can find an old hurricane 600 in decent shape it would be a good bet, it was extra short with a real comfy seat
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