Too Short?

Too Short?

Anyone know a good bike to get someone with short legs? My friend's 5'3" and wants to get a motorbike but everything's to big for her...Anyone know of a motorbike that fits short woman? lol

Comments for
Too Short?

Click here to add your own comments

Jul 22, 2009

Too Short
by: Tammy

I feel your pain. I am 5' 1". My first bike was a 535 Virago. I really loved it. I eventually moved up to a Honda 600, which was awesome. I currently own a purple Honda Shadow Spirit 750. I just bought a Yamaha V Star 1100 & I can hardly tell any difference in the weight between my current bike and the new bike. I was flat footed with boots on with all these bikes. The Honda 600 would be a great starter bike for a small woman. There is a website out there. Google "bikes for short women."

Feb 12, 2009

Yamaha XV 250 (Virago)
by: Ally

I have a Yamaha Virago. It's a great learners bike and nice and short. I can flat foot on it and I am 5'2".

Once I have my big bike license I would love to try a sports or a sports tourer but haven't seen anything much that will fit me.

I am thinking of a Honda CB 400 but I wouldn't mind something with a few more CCs.

My other option is another cruiser but I would really like to go sporty.

Any one know?

Oct 27, 2008

Short Girlz
by: lIZZ1958

I am 5'4" and I have a Shadow 600...seat height 25-26 inches....great foot plant.

Liz

Oct 26, 2008

You have options
by: Mickey

It is good that you are trying to find a bike that fits. I have seen some people who ride that are shorter in stature take on bikes that don't fit and it is a disaster waiting to happen. I have a friend that has a tendency to jump red lights because she can only touch with her tippy toes. Obviously, very dangerous. My recommendation to her was to either get her bike lowered or get a new one that is already low.

There are a number of bikes that would be or could be suitable. I am 5'2" and when I got my first bike I got a Harley Davidson 883L for the very reason(s) that I could easily put my feet on the ground with my riding boots on. In fact, I can stand up at lights with a good clearance between myself and the seat if I need to. It has one of the lowest seat heights in amonst the H-D brand. The center of gravity on the 883L is high, however, I got used to it. It is a personal preference I suppose. As I recall, the The Delux may actually have the lowest seat heigth (1/2" difference compared to the 883L) in the H-D brand, but the stock seat is wide. If you swap out a slimmer seat then you are in good shape - an inexpensive fix v.s. lowering a bike. The Delux also has a lower center of gravity and seems light as a feather when trying to stand it up. I just couldn't afford one. You also have options in the metric brands. I saw a lady on a Boulevard today and she didn't appear to be much bigger than I based on her leg length. She had no problem getting her feet on the ground.

One of the things I did before buying my bike was to email a guy my husband recommended. His name is Chuck Hawkes (sp?). You can google his name. I emailed him regarding my upcoming purchase. He was very helpful. He has been riding for many many years and he is very knowledgable regarding many types/brands of bikes. He would be able to make some good recommendations. People were trying to talk me into a much bigger bike, he advised differently. I took his advice and I have no regrets. Hope this helps.

Oct 26, 2008

height
by: kenberlyc

I am 5'5 and ne of my concerns when buying a bike was the height. I did a lot of research on the internet and shopping around.I ended up buying a honda shadow 600 and love it. My advice to you is just to research and shop around. See what feels the best when you sit on it. Good luck!

Oct 26, 2008

Too short
by: Laura

I am very short 5'1", with a 25inch inseam. I have a vstar 1100, that has been lowered, and had a few other mods done, handlebars and risers that fit, and trimmed the seat, very easy to do, so legs aren't spread out so much, and can touch the ground easier. Also I have boots with a fairly thick heel and sole which helps. I would rec a 650 for a beginner, but I quickly outgrew that, the 1100 feels much better on the freeway, not as light. That is my suggestion! Ride on!

Oct 26, 2008

height of seat
by: gina

I would have her try a honda rebel it is a great little mc, I 5'6" so I'm not short but I think she will find it good fit. It is low to the ground and light enough to balance.

Oct 26, 2008

Bike for shorter woman
by: Anonymous

I am 5'2"/5'3" and had a 500 Vulcan to start. I found it a bit top heavy and dropped it several times while learning to ride. Two years ago, I bought a 2004 Honda Shadow Aero 750. The design of it is great for shorter people. After putting a Mustand seat on it, the seat brought it up about an inch so my husband put the lowering kit on it which brought it back down about an inch and 1/2. I can easily flat foot the bike and feel real comfortable on it. It's a great bike.

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