Best Motorcycle for Short Women

Best Motorcycle for Short Women

by Jackie
(Valparaiso, IN)

I am a female 5'1". I learned how to ride on a Honda Shadow but would like to switch to a sportbike...and of course they all sit way high...What is the best bike for me that will compliment me when it needs to be lowered?

Comments for
Best Motorcycle for Short Women

Click here to add your own comments

May 13, 2012

Honda Shadow Spirit 750
by: Anonymous

I'm 5'3" with a 30" inseam. My husband picked out subject bike for me so I could keep up with his Z1000. I just took the advanced rider safety course and barely passed. One more point docked and I would have failed. The bike is really hard to handle doing slow maneuvers (figure 8s and tight turns) but is great for everything else. I scrape the pegs sometimes when turning if I lean too much. The instructor pointed out it's due to the long wheel base and not having longer arms. He suggested I get a bike with a shorter wheel base. I've thought about a sport bike but have whiplash and need to be upright. You may want to check with a motorcycle safety instructor/professional for fitting you to a bike.

Apr 16, 2012

Has anyone thought of a Suzuki?
by: Jody

I am 5'2" - not sure what my inseam is, but I've got short legs.

I started out on the Suzuki VS800 (Boulevard S50 now I think) - nice slim-lined bike. Only thing I had to do to it was put handlebar risers on it. I had a Corbin Gunslinger seat on it too, which is narrower.

When I traded up - I got its big brother, the Intruder 1400 (now S83, which they don't make anymore but lots of used ones out there). I put progressive shocks on it and the same handlebar risers from the 800 (was also a plus - lots of interchangeable parts). I kept the stock seat. I tried a Mustang seat - but it lifted me about an 1" and I was uncomfortable at that height.

I sit flat-footed and bent knees on this bike. Only difference between the 1400 and 800 is the 1400 is a little more top-heavy, but found when I lowered it - it totally changed the feel and how it handled. The 800 was a low center of gravity bike.

I recommend the 800 to any newer, shorter riders. This bike has plenty of power to get you around.

1400 for someone who wants a little more power, but have the same overall "slim" feel of the 800.

ONLY downfall of both these bikes is the small gas tank - 100 miles and that's it between fill-ups, but that's the trade off.

Mar 27, 2012

shorter rides
by: daphnelcc

i searched long and far for a bike before i settled on a honda shadow vlx - mostly because i got a good deal on it. i'm 5'1 and unless i'm on some uneven pavement or tilt it a bit, i still can't flat-foot it in my flat shoes. i love it though. it was a great starter bike for me, especially since my friend "taught" me (a couple runs around a park) on his similar v-star. recently trying to find something different though...

Feb 09, 2012

Any one thought of BMW...?
by: Anonymous

Yup, I know, I went in to hang out when my husband test rode an 1250RT and the sales man said would you like to ride a BMW too, I said I was too short and he handed me the keys to a factory lowered F800ST. I bought it the next day and have loved it ever since. I do a lot of touring in Europe on my bike both summer and winter and it is perfect for the short lady touring bike. Sporty looking but not too on the wrists like the pure sports bike breed, amazing fuel economy and great luggage are complemented by heated handel grips. The under seat fuel tank brings the center of gravity real low so I am now able to corner more comfortably on the winding Alpine roads as I'm not fighting the fuel tank weight between the handelbars.
I want to try another brand though and wondered if anyone has any comparable models to suggest

Jan 29, 2012

Harley
by: Red Raven

Harley Davidson 883 Iron. About 26 inches floor to seat. And looks amazing

Jan 25, 2012

I FOUND ONE... a bike for short women!
by: Tamara

I take back my comments earlier... I have finally found a bike that I can handle (being only 4'11" inside leg 27" weigh 105lbs)

Its a Ducati Monster 696 - its light weight, not too top-heavy and fairly low to start with. I had mine fitted with the slimmer seat, lowered shocks and they put higher handle bars on so i'm not resting on the tank so much... works really well.

Jan 25, 2012

Short and Sweet!
by: RedRaven

Hi

I'm 5ft and looking for a bike too.....Have yet to try but have been doing a lot of web searching have have found the following are supposed to fit little people......

Honda CB125
Honda CMX250 Rebel
Honda CM250
Kawasaki KZ250 LTD
+Suzuki GN125
Suzuki GN250
Suzuki Savage 650
Yamaha XV250 Route 66
Yamaha Virago 535
+Yamaha YSR50
Kawasaki Ninja 400

Please keep adding to the list!!!

Sep 28, 2011

Hello... there are NO bikes ideal for women under 5"
by: Tamara

I am 4'11", inside leg 27" and 103 lb. I had a Yamaha MT03 (660cc) lowered, seat cut-out, etc... was fantastic to ride but still too high to ride safely. Then tried a Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883L (low)... massively heavy, clunky and tractor-like... lots of onlookers but no zippy-fun to ride. I now have a boring little Yamaha YBR250 - quick acceleration but no top-end. It is low enough and light enough for someone of my stature to handle very easily... just wish they'd make the same thing with a higher performing engine. IT'S NOT FAIR.

I have tried out so many bikes... all too big. If someone really has a good solution... let me know!

PS 5'2" short?... you're lucky!

Sep 01, 2011

Short :(
by: Wanda

I am only 5'1.5" and I am very comfortable on my Yamaha VStar 650. I want a bigger bike though and find that seat height is not just the issue, it's reaching the foot controls too. Need to try some on... suggestions?

Aug 12, 2011

5.2" and Riding
by: Anonymous

Hi, I am only 5.2" and learnt to ride on a CB400, I have since bought a Ducati Monster 695 which was factory lowered. it was a long and sometimes very frustrating search to find a bike that was right for me but I am very happy with my monster and would highly recommend it to any lady rider out there. I will however warn that the new 2011 Monster is not as low but they do have a lower seat that makes about an inch difference.

Jun 05, 2011

24" Inseam...
by: UD

My wife is just under 5 feet tall but with a 24" inseam, it's quite challenging looking for a bike that fits. She does not want a cruiser, as she thinks it'll look out of place amidst my 8 sportbikes. So, she decided on an 09 Ninja 250R, which is still WAY too tall. We lowered the heck out of it (4 inches) and now she can barely touch the ground with both tippy toes. Problem is, at that level, the rear tire rubs on the plastic fender, essentially bottoming out the suspension! So we're back to square one. Cruisers on the other hand, allows her to reach the ground without lowering it, but the forward foot controls makes it a challenge to shift, so it's a catch 22! Maybe she'll just have to be happy riding my Kawasaki AR80 pseudo sport bike...

Mar 27, 2011

Best Bike and in General
by: Robin A.

If you lower your bike with short shocks, lower the front end as well. Be careful that the wiring doesn't get hung up. Most of all, learn as much as you can about your bike...mechanically. Men LOVE to over charge and screw your bike up so you end up paying more. Go through Bureau of Auto Motive Repair if you have issues. As for lowering the bike, some shocks have notches on the shocks and the bike can be lowered down. I'm 5ft even and have ridden the same 83 Honda CM450E since 1986. It's hard to find parts for my bike now, so I am in the same boat and looking for a slim bike. Ducati is probably the best choice; however, it's like owning a Mercedes or a Lexus. Very costly to fix and far too few in number of shows who either know how or want to work on them. Minor stuff, ok, but very precise stuff is an issue. Take the bike in to who ever you buy it from and before you buy, find out what the costs are to fix one, tune ups, general issues. DON'T tell tell you're looking to buy. Tell them your husband has one, etc. Get everything in writing and then think about it. Go back later and buy one if you choose to after considering what the costs might be roughly. Hope that helps.

Apr 10, 2010

Am I too short?
by: Anonymous

Am I too short to get my bike license and buy a bike, I am 4 foot 10. Any suggestions on what bike would be good for me?

Shortie

Mar 31, 2010

Lowered Motorcycles
by: Samantha

I have been told when you lower a motorcycle you mess with the shocks and it makes for a more bumpy ride, and more unstable. I have short legs so I have the same issue.

Mar 24, 2009

Short Women
by: Jacee

There has been quite a bit of discussion on this site about bikes for short women. Most sport bikes can be lowered.

Check this link for more info: Am I Too Small?

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Ask (or answer) a Question