Motorcycles for short people?

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Phelan

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One of my colleagues wants to get in on the riding scene :) However, I don't know what bike would "fit" because she's only 5 ft. I know you can get the bikes lowered to some degree but are there any bikes out there that right out of the box would fit a short rider?
 
Phelan said:
One of my colleagues wants to get in on the riding scene :) However, I don't know what bike would "fit" because she's only 5 ft. I know you can get the bikes lowered to some degree but are there any bikes out there that right out of the box would fit a short rider?
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What kind of bikes is she into? If it doesn't matter, then cruisers, they are very low, like post above mine suggested.
 
Good starter if you can find one is a Kawasaki BN125 Eliminator. Better comfort than a Honda Rebel, although both are low seat height cruisers.
 
For a new rider: CBR250 (if new, or almost new, is an option). More torque (less HP) than the little Ninja, so it's easier to ride around town, light weight, cheap insurance, and available ABS.
 
I know of a rider who is 5' and she started off with the CBR125. i'm 5'5" and i sat on that thing. it's definitely small out of the box for short people. She upgraded to a CBR600 i think.. not sure if she lowered it but she rides it.
I heard the ninja250 is small for short people too.

But I agree with others, if bike style isn't a factor go with a cruiser. those things are perfect for short people. i got to ride on a yamaha v-star 250 and to say i had no issues both feet on the ground on a stop is an under statement.
 
Ysr 80
 
Too much fun for words and cheap Yammie TW 200

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or

the BMW G650gs is very low
http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/bmw/2011-bmw-g650-gs-ar99123.html

31" seat on the Yammie (will compress to lower )
29" on the BMW with the factory low seat option

Both are bargains.
 
Find out what kind of bikes she's looking to ride.

If she's 5" and her inseam is similar to mine, she won't be able to flatfoot the Ninja/CBR250s, or even the CBR125 out of the box. She'd likely be able to flatfoot some cruisers, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're noob friendly or what she's looking for.

When you're on an extreme end of the height spectrum, there are always going to be adjustments and compromises when it comes to riding.
 
There's always the option of lowering links and custom seats, and I've even heard of custom platformed boots for women riders. If you go the lowering link route, you should lower the forks as well so you don't mess up the geometry of the bike.
 
Motorcycle short list

http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.sbl.html

Quoted from the site:


under 5'0" manage
5'0 - 5'1" flatfoot


+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
 
MacDoc said:
Too much fun for words and cheap Yammie TW 200

img.jpg


or

the BMW G650gs is very low
http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/bmw/2011-bmw-g650-gs-ar99123.html

31" seat on the Yammie (will compress to lower )
29" on the BMW with the factory low seat option

Both are bargains.
Click to expand...


TW200's are wicked bikes. I learned how to ride on one. Its a great bike, comfortable, easy to ride and a sensible package all around but Im willing to bet that this potentially new rider in question probably wants a sporty "ninja-bike" like 90% of new riders do. If that is the case, a ninja 250 or 125/250 cbr is the go.

However, if this person just wants to ride and not be part of the "scene" than a small 250 Jap crusier is a good idea or maybe even an HD 883 superlow. The Superlow is a really easy bike to ride.
 
+ 1 on the tw200! I loved mine to bits. But it has a new owner now :).

I'm 5'1" with a 29" inseam. It could be a bit of a stretch cause I tippy toed mine when added bulk of riding pants.

toshison said:
TW200's are wicked bikes. I learned how to ride on one. Its a great bike, comfortable, easy to ride and a sensible package all around but Im willing to bet that this potentially new rider in question probably wants a sporty "ninja-bike" like 90% of new riders do. If that is the case, a ninja 250 or 125/250 cbr is the go.

However, if this person just wants to ride and not be part of the "scene" than a small 250 Jap crusier is a good idea or maybe
even an HD 883 superlow. The Superlow is a really easy bike to ride.
Click to expand...
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