wanting to move up to a 600cc sport bike, but i have a small issue...

[Jordan91]

Like the title says, Im wanting to sell my bike to get a 600cc sportbike. The problem is, i am vertically challenged. Im comfortable on my 2008 ninja, Im 5'3'' and i can get the balls of my feat down on both sides. My friend has a triumph tt6 and im on my very tippy toes when i sit on that and he is uncomfortable to let me ride it for that reason.

Does anyone know of any 600cc sport bikes that have lower seats? I hear some have narrower seats which makes it easier to touch. If anyone knows of any of these i would appreciate it if you let me know. Ive also heard about lowering bikes and shaving seats, but right now im trying to find a low one that i wouldnt have to do too much lowering or seat shaving to.

Thanks in advance

[ducducgooseit]

Cruisers yes, sport bikes no.

[Cuongism]

GSXR's are the lowest supersport seats I believe. My suggestion is to go to a dealer that let's you sit on them. They'll all be higher than the ninja though. If you're fairly comfortable riding motorcycles, you get used to the height while moving, but going in reverse sucks (will probably have to get off to roll the bike).

If you're 5'3 and tippy toeing a 250, you'll only be able to be on one leg on a stock SS.

[Alex]

How many miles on the 250?

[00NissanNinja]

Do you want a supersport? They all are pretty much are a bit taller than the 250 stock. I think if you just want 600cc I believe the yamaha fz6r might be your best bet

[coondog]

My kawasaki 650R had a seat height lower than the 250. I think 31" as opposed to 31.5". It's not a super sport but it WILL take your breadth away after the 250. And get to sit upright and not have to lay down to reach the controls.

[alex.s]

time for a drop-doggie extendo! have you seen that pink ZX in the T-mobile commerical?

[nah.uhh]

I've seen some pretty short ppl ride, just only put one foot down at a time (in first geat at a light, left foor down, right foot on brake. Or right foot down left putting bike into gear/neutral)
I'm not sure about 5'3 tho

[Cuongism]

Newgen 250 is 30.5in, 650 is 31.1in, and GSXR is 32in.

[ducducgooseit]

Originally Posted by Cuongism

Newgen 250 is 30.5in, 650 is 31.1in, and GSXR is 32in.

Ducati 1198sp is 32.2in.


Just sayin' .....

[Boom King]

It's going to be a bit of a tough go for you on any of the modern 600cc super sports. Like someone mentioned, best way is to go and sit on them to see. Looking at seat height numbers and specs only tell part of the story. The other thing you have to consider is seat width and shape and the width of the bike between the legs. All of that will factor into how far your inseam travels.

You can use this site as a rough guide:http://cycle-ergo.com/

Originally Posted by coondog

My kawasaki 650R had a seat height lower than the 250. I think 31" as opposed to 31.5".

That's interesting that your 650R had a lower seat height than the current gen 250s. The 250s are listed at 30.5". Pre-gens were even shorter. Of course like I mentioned, listed manufacturer specs don't always tell the whole story.

The 650R is a solid suggestion in many ways. It might be the best bet for a 600cc range sport bike for a shorter rider. I have heard of people buying a Kawasaki OEM low seat for the 650R that sits a bit lower but more importantly is thinner between the legs.

[alex.s]

this might help: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school-SectionTwoB.htm

time for a
25.5" 2006 Buell Blast

[bluepoof]

Originally Posted by nah.uhh

I've seen some pretty short ppl ride, just only put one foot down at a time (in first geat at a light, left foor down, right foot on brake. Or right foot down left putting bike into gear/neutral)
I'm not sure about 5'3 tho

+1. I'm 5'1". It's definitely doable.

My A+ #1 biggest recommendation is a pair of Daytona Ladystar GTX boots. They're spendy but they last forever (my first pair lasted 8 years and I'm on year 3 of my second pair) and are very comfortable to walk around in, too. I estimate there's about an inch of rise in the sole. Worth every single penny twice over.

I loved the Z750S but I don't think Kawasaki makes it anymore. If you can find a used one, it's probably the best stock ergonomics for a short rider of any bike I've ever ridden.

The SV650 is pretty reasonable for a shortie (even though I had the "S" model, I think the naked one might be a bit better for us hobbits because of the more standard position).

I haven't ridden a Ninja 650R but I found it pretty comfortable to sit on.

I remember feeling that the FZR is a bit top heavy (about the same as the SV650S), which made me uneasy.

The R6 was surprisingly comfortable; again, I haven't ridden one, but I was pleasantly surprised to sit on it and feel like it was relatively shorty-friendly.

[Boom King]

Originally Posted by alex.s

time for a
25.5" 2006 Buell Blast

Or a Ducati Monster 696 at 30.3"

[bluepoof]

Ah, here's the other link I was looking for. I doubt it's been updated in many years, but it could be a good starting point!

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

[blink]

Well lowering links are my best suggestion!

[Locksmiff]

I have found the litre bikes to alllow me foot on the ground. The ZX10 I could 100% flat foot on. The ZX6 I brought instead I can't I 98% flat foot.

I found the same with thr R6 and R1. The R1 I could 100% flat foot on. The R6 I could not. I think the seats are tad skinnier on the litre bikes.

[Mr.E]

Originally Posted by blink

Well lowering links are my best suggestion!

+1. You could always get the bike u want and lowering asap then start riding it. Perhaps evn ask the dealers if they got any lowering kits.

[ally99]

Just know that if you do lower it, your suspension will feel different and your ground clearance will be lessened for more aggressive, twisty riding.

I owned a Ninja 650 for a little over a year and loved the thing, and even though I adapted to being tip-toed (ie: learned to one-foot my stops, etc), I was never quite as comfortable at low-speed maneuvers as I am on my Little Ninj. It is certainly doable, but get very comfortable and familiar with your 250 before upgrading.

[blink]

Originally Posted by ally99

Just know that if you do lower it, your suspension will feel different and your ground clearance will be lessened for more aggressive, twisty riding.

I owned a Ninja 650 for a little over a year and loved the thing, and even though I adapted to being tip-toed (ie: learned to one-foot my stops, etc), I was never quite as comfortable at low-speed maneuvers as I am on my Little Ninj. It is certainly doable, but get very comfortable and familiar with your 250 before upgrading.

I was told lowering even 1.5" doesn't really make a noticeable difference unless you can lean the bike over to have less than like 1-1.5 cm chicken strips.

[k-os]

Go for an '88-'91 Honda Hawk 650. :P Noone will believe you when you say your bike is over 20 years old.

[skilletmo]

Cant you drop the suspension links (dog bones) like on the 250's? Or is that no possible? If it is that would help a whole lot on any super sport.

[Whiskey]

Triumph Daytona 675 has an extremely narrow seat, it feels lower than it is because of it. Learning to stop correctly (ie one foot down) means you can ride pretty much anything, you just have to get off to push it back.

Ducati 848 fits me well, narrow enough seat to put a foot down easily, gixxer, older r6 or CBR 600 f4i all seemed comfortable enough to live with

I'm 5'7 with 28/29" inseam, I've rode some very tall machines, once you know what you're doing when you bring it to a stop you should be ok.
Bring it to a stop on the rear brake, as it's just about to stop completely tip the bars all the way left & put your left foot down, one side of your arse may be off the seat & the bike may be leaning over a bit. To go point the bars forward & roll on, the bike will pick itself up a lot easier when moving.

I learned that on a mate's 800cc BMW F650GS

[Aufitt]

600's are track bikes,

You dont out your foot down on the track... unless you are Valentino

[CycleCam303]

I'm a vertically challenged male. 5' 4" with a 28 inch inseam. So heels aren't going to save me. I wouldn't be caught dead with them. Stock, the supersports are all going to require stretching those legs and balancing on the tippy toes, or just a toe. You won't be able to comfortably maneuver the bike while sitting on it. Backing up to park, or performing ultra slow maneuvers is going to require getting off. The chances of you dropping the bike while not moving are going to go up too. Just more planning ahead that's all.


Go to a dealership and sit on everything you are comfortable with. It will be an eye opening experience and the best to find what you are comfortable on.


I don't understand why people suggest bikes like the FZ6 or the 650 twin offerings from Suzuki and Kawi are shorter. They have wide seats and tall foam for comfort. Which make them even harder for shorties. Plus they carry their weight a bit higher. Sport standards would be a great option once the seat has been shaved or the shorter seat option is installed. The GSXR and the CBR have very similar seat heights which are both pretty low. The ZX6 is a tiny bit taller. The R6 isn't even an option for a street bike. I can't comfortably touch unless I'm hanging off. The Triumph street, speed, and daytona are GREAT. They are super thin and feel similarly sized to the 2008+ ninjettes. The old and newer Ducati's are pretty thin too. But honestly they feel very similar in height to the GSXR.

Unfortunately for the wallet, the newer supersports are light and very compact. I can't touch on a 2001 GSXR (the one that looks like a bumble bee). An F4i is actually pretty short but the one piece seats on the 2004 and up are pretty wide. Hope that helps.

[Jiggles]

@CycleCam303 maybe you just need some more skills?

Link to original page on YouTube.

[CycleCam303]

Pfft I can do that...hold my beer

[fleemos]

I'm 5'6" with a 30 inseam. I went to a big dealership where I sat on all the Japanese 600cc sportbikes, the GSX-R was the easiest one for me to touch the floor on b a noticable amount.

[JELY1990]

Hey guys the last post before skilletmo bumped it was from July 16, 2011... I doubt he's still looking for advice on the subject since it's been a year and a half and he never responded to the thread in the first place.

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by Alex

How many miles on the 250?

This question still hasn't been answered....

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by JELY1990

Hey guys the last post before skilletmo bumped it was from July 16, 2011... I doubt he's still looking for advice on the subject since it's been a year and a half and he never responded to the thread in the first place.

So what's your poinnt?

[rocka81]

i see what u did there jiggles. i like your style!

[JELY1990]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

So what's your poinnt?

My point was to inform the people offering advice to the op that it's pointless. Also it was my passive aggressive method of telling skilletmo to brush up on his reading comprehension skills. My post wasn't directed at people like you. To people like you I will say carry on.

[csmith12]

Height is not the only concern. Width should be a major factor as well. For any given to bikes with the same seat height, width can make or break your ability to touch down with comfort.

I had to shave the seat's width some to get my wife to feel confident while touching on the bike.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Height is not the only concern. Width should be a major factor as well. For any given to bikes with the same seat height, width can make or break your ability to touch down with comfort.

I had to shave the seat's width some to get my wife to feel confident while touching on the bike.

While I have a good extra few inches of clearance on the 250 I am just flat footing it on my fatass 1000

[ricomtzjr]

Originally Posted by jiggles

@cyclecam303 maybe you just need some more skills?

Link to original page on YouTube.

yeah!

[KELPHYN]

Would sure be interesting to watch in traffic.

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by Jordan91

i have a small issue...