Does height matter for motorcycles?

The issue isn't so much overall height but leg length...I.E. inseam. I am 5'9" but a 28.5" inseam, and many sport bikes have a seat height that is uncomfortably high for my short legs and makes holding the bike up at corners on grades a bit tricky. Taller Ducati's that are also heavy, like the Multistrada and Hypermotard are flat out intimidating for me to ride, and even a 1098 is tall...I have one and ordered the race seat to pick up an extra 1/2" lower seat ht, but I tiptoe at corners on it and that can be nervewracking on occasion.

You need to go sit on a few and see what you think. Some shorter legged riders just slide their rear to the side at corners and truly stand up on one leg to hold the bike up, and when you look at most GP riders, they are also pretty short....like jockeys. So, if you want to ride bad enough, you can learn to overcome this issue. Also, some sport bikes can be lowered fairly easy (some easier than others, but they can all be lowered with varying degrees of modification) if that is required, and of course, cruisers already typically have lower seat heights. There are also some sport bikes with lower seats, like my Bimota YB8 and others.

 

I think you need to sit on the bikes and see what you are comfortable on. Especially if this is your first bike you'll want to be able to at least touch both your tip toes down on each side as to avert a fall to either one. Believe me if you have a tall bike and are hanging over the one side to hold it up and you high side (meaning for some reason you start going the other way over) there is no way to stop but fall. and the girls think your a dork because it doesn't look pretty. I only did it on my racing bike once and then never again. But now I have no issues at all as I am 6'4" and have a 36" inseam it's hard to find a bike that is too tall.

The other part about a tall bike is the higher center of gravity at slow speeds is a little hairy, feels like the bike want to lean the turns on its own instead of you leaning the turns with a lower center of gravity bike...

Oh and last thing, they do "settle" a little after riding a few hundred miles and breaking in the suspension on these street bikes...

 

Saddle ht may well be an issue. I would go to dealers and private sellers and try your interests for size. Or you can determine what saddle height works for you (after finding one that works) and then call around or google/go to boards for bikes that match your specs. I would think sportbikes.net would have noob stickies or something that would help with this.

As for the 250 vs 600, plenty of discussion and opinions on this. If you can think of starting with a 250 not as a quickly-outgrown waste of money, but instead of whatever that depreciation (when you sell and move up to a 6) as the cost of your safe progression, it's worth every penny. Start with good full gear and then buy w.what you have left. $3k is plenty to spend for a 1st bike.

 

Honeslty, getting a 250 is never a bad idea. You can pretty much always sell them for what you paid for them! Especially the new 08 250 Ninja (if you can even get your hands on one).

Regardless of what bike you get, take the MSF course FIRST and get good habits before you learn bad ones.

 

A new 600 will be too much for you even if you could fit on it, which you probably cannot.

A 250 or older small bike would be a much better choice. An older EX500 Kawasaki or GS500 Suzuki would also serve you well for a season or two. Even a small Ducati Monster (they made a 600 and 620) would probably be short enough and not be that intimidating.

Buell makes a bike with a lower seat height just for shorter riders, but it would be too much for a beginner.

 

My coworker is about 5'4" and bought a Suzuki SV650 with a shaved seat. He can sit on it with his feet flat on the ground. It's often recommended as a good first bike. Just another option.

 

250 Ninja - Out-The-Door price should hopefully come down when 2009 models hit states in Feb/March, as they were spectacularly redesigned in 2008 and gouging was in full effect. You can wring the most of this bike.

 

Agup48, Here is the ticket. Buy a used Ninja 250, ride it a year or so, and then sell it. When My wife wanted to start street riding, I first had her attend a MSF course. Then we purchased said Ninja. She had no problem touching (4'11"). The bike is lite, handles well ( I loved passing guys on bikes 3 times the size, on Palomar Mtn.) and holds a great resale. We kept the Ninja for 2 years and sold it for MORE than I paid for it. Don't waste your money on a new one. After you are used to riding a street bike, the seat height, and weight will not be such a factor.

BTW. I am selling my wife's NSR250 that she no longer rides due to a bad neck. I'll let it go for cheap, (and I can promise, there is NO street bike that will out handle a 250 Racerep). She now sticks to her Harley 1200 Sportster, due to it's upright riding position.






Darrell.

 

I know you mentioned a "sport bike", but the Honda Rebel 250 or 450 is a good "shorter" starter bike.

I'm 5'6 with a short inseam (29 i think) and I ride a BMW R1100R with the seat on the lowest setting (BMW R bikes have 3 seat height adjustments). I rode but did not fit a BMW K100RS, nice bike, but I could not flat foot it at all, rather dangerous.

I suggest the Rebel for another reason, its not too powerful. I know 2 people who bought thier first bikes with substantial loans, the wrecked the bikes within 2 weeks of ownership. The Harley owner said "the throttle stuck", the yamaha owner said "I didnt think the back brakes would lock up". Both wrecks were solely based on inexperience.

I know the sport bike guys ride hard and crazy, looks cool when it works. Watch YouTube for a while and you'll see how fun a faceplant is when you're stoppie doesnt stop correctly.

Good luck,
James

 

Why??? Already to popular...

 

Now I just need video!

 

I'm 5'6", 31 inch inseam (long legs for my height I suppose). I ride a CBR600RR and the fit is no problem, can get both feet down at stoplights, etc. However, I couldn't do the same on an R6 because of the width of the saddle. Do your research, sit on a lot of bikes, find one that is comfortable.

Also, if this is your first bike...a sportbike might not be ideal. (there are other threads on this topic)

 

Try sitting on different models and see what "feels right for you"-the last thing you want is to drop your bike because you can't touch the ground.If you REALLY want a sport bike,then why not check out a Ninja 250cc-take a motorcycle safety course(maybe offered at a local community college-check with your DMV or local motorcycle dealership may have that info. for you)-I'm 5'8 and had to cut 1 inch out of my foam seat n re-cover it and I still wear boots with a big heel.-Good luck n ride safe always!!!

 

You can be FAMOUZ!!!!

 

Darrell, You have a PM.

Agup48, I have a 30in inseam and can sit with my feet flat on the ground on both the EX 250 ninja and EX 500 ninja perfectly fine.

 

Check.





Darrell.