Sport Bike Size Requirements

Sport Bike Size Requirements

by Darren M Masucci
(Orlando, FL)

My girlfriend just passed the motorcycle training course and wants to get a sport bike. She is 5'2" and wants something really sporty. What do you think is the best bike for her? Keep in mind that I ride a Honda CBR600F4i and she wants something comparable but wants her feet to touch the ground.

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Sport Bike Size Requirements

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Aug 13, 2009

Want a Ducati
by: Suzuki Gladius

After dropping my bike 3 times, I'm wanting a lighter bike but my husband thinks I need more practice. I'd like a Ducati Monster 696 or Ninja 250. It's nice to know that there are women out there w/ Ducati's, since my husband thinks Ducati's are way too fast for me to handle.

Jun 21, 2009

Suzuki Gladius sfv650
by: Cheri

I'm only 5'3" and I just bought the new Suzuki Gladius. It's sporty looking but you sit a little more upright than you do on other bikes such as the GSX-R's, which can help when you first start riding. I was also looking for a sportbike for my first bike, and I considered: Suzuki GSX-r 750, Kawasaki Ninja 250 or 500 (both have seats about 31" or lower), aslo the new Yamaha FZ6R actually is only 30" in height (the seat is able to be lowered or raised on that bike) and they have a really pretty white and pink version specifically made for women. And I've been told that the new Kawasaki ER-N (naked bike) is adjustable down to 30" seat height as well.

I looked at all of these bikes. I chose the Gladius because it looks sporty, has a big enough engine that I can keep up with my hubby on his FZ1 and it's so light and maneuverable that I'm not scared handling it.

Happy hunting!

Cheri (:

Jan 31, 2009

Kawasaki Ninja 500R
by: Tabitha

I am almost 5'3" and I ride a 2008 Ninja 500. When I first got it, I had a little trouble getting a grip with my feet and dropped it a couple times in a parking lot (I cried). However, I found a set of lowering links made for my bike and lowered it 1". The links would let me lower it either 1" or 3". Now, it is just about perfect. I can reach the ground flat-footed, and it doesn't drag on anything. If she is really worried about the height though, there are also 2"-4" lowering links for this bike available. Hope this helps!

Aug 26, 2008

5'5" with Ninja 500
by: Arnica

Riding a hand-me-down bike from my husband who moved on to a Duke999. The height is perfect for me, I am 5'5" (pushing it ^^) but like the first comment, a good boot will give her the extra half inch she needs. I can have my front heels or entire feet on the ground depending where I am stopping. I once saw a girl shorter then me riding a Ninja 250 but if she wants to catch up with you a 500 is better. Though a Monster is pretty sweet too. (I was looking at the 848 and they drag me to see the Monster for my height's sake. :_:) Good Luck.

Aug 22, 2008

bike size
by: Doreen

I am 5'6" and I own a honda shadow vlx 600 it is a cruiser bike with a similar body to a harley and it is low i have ample room and my legs are actually bent when i sit on it and touch the pavement.

Aug 22, 2008

Ducati here, I forgot another bike...
by: Cathy G

Hello again,
I forgot to mention that the Kawasaki Ninja 500 (I think that is the one) has a seat height that can accommodate a 5'2" frame. The reason I think this is the case is because I used to ride the Ninja 250 and it has a seat height of 29 inches (double check that) and the Ninja 500 is very close to that in seat height. I fit on the 250 perfectly- I loved that bike. It's worth a look- that is definitely a sport bike. Good luck!

Aug 22, 2008

ducati monster 695
by: Anonymous

Hello,
I am 5'2" and I also like the sport bike. I chose the Ducati Monster 695 (or try the newest model, the 696) as they have a seat size that should accomodate a smaller frame. You may want to soften the shocks a bit to give your gal another little bit of shortness to bring her feet more flat on the ground. I have the balls of my feet on the ground and I intend to soften the shocks to get them more on the ground. I love the Ducati because it is so well balanced. It is like riding in an expensive car- you can really feel the difference in how well it handles. Two other bikes that interested me were the Suzuki SV650 (something like that) and the Yamaha FZ1. I think their seat height is a bit taller but I was willing to get a different seat or get a lowering kit to make the bike fit me. In the end, I chose the Ducati Monster because I could ride it off of the lot without any modifications to accommodate my size. A word of warning: Your girlfriend will be getting all of the looks on a Ducati... hope you don't mind :)
Cathy

Aug 21, 2008

She's Tall!
by: Jacee

Yes, she is - compared to me. I'm 4'10" and I wanted a sport bike also because my husband has one. I almost got a 4Fi but decided to get a GSX-R 1000 just like my husband's.

I had the forks cut and lowered, the suspension lowered, the seat carved out about 1/2" by an upholstery shop, and bought some boots from Germany (Daytona brand) that are built up inside about 1". I can reach the ground with my tippy-toes and I've fallen over several times while learning to ride it. Once when I was turning into a gas station, I had to stop because of traffic, and I killed my engine. The bike just fell over. Because I have no height for leverage, I couldn't catch it.

But I have that mastered now. I'm just very careful where I stop - it must be pretty much a flat surface. I've also learned to stop and put only one foot flat on the ground (just like Danny Pedrosa who is 5'2" of MotoGP fame).

If you go ahead with this, make sure you have a professional suspension person adjust the suspension just for her weight. Our mechanic was JUST a suspension guy and he told me he could lowered just about any sport bike to fit me - and he did.

If she does this, it's good to practice in a large parking lot - stopping, starting, stopping, starting. I went to a parking lot every time I rode for about a year - first to the parking lot, then for a ride on the street. My husband checks out just about every road we go on beforehand, so that he knows where I can stop and where I can't. Slow speeds in traffic are my enemy. Freeways where I can go fast are easy and I never worry about falling while moving.

Good luck with this but she can do it. It will take a little extra money to do the adjustments to the bike.

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