too little to ride?

[mcnuggett]

Hi, I'm new to the site and I have a question.

I'm about to buy my first bike and I'm really excited! The thing is I'm really small, 4'11" and 97 lb.

I'm looking at an '09 250, it's pretty much my dream bike but I'm afraid it will be too big. I've seen other posts about lowering but I haven't come across anything about someone quite as small as me.

I was wondering if anyone could give me an opinion on whether I'll be able to ride and what I could potentially do to make it more comfortable. Are there any other tiny riders out there with advise?

[caps]

pics or it didnt happen...



but seriously how do YOU feel on the bike? if your not comfortable on the bike then you wont be in control of the bike, but if you are comfortable i dont see why you wouldnt be able to ride a lowered 250.

[Live2ride]

My gf is 5' 2" and she can tip-toe my stock height bike. If you can lower it a few inches then I think it's a good possibility you could ride it. You might have to get use to tip-toeing it though.

p.s. Welcome to the forum

[drowe531]

Hopefully she will chime in but if I recall RC is pretty short I thought around 5'1 (my apologies RC if this isn't true). Besides lowering the bike the seat can be shaven down a little bit as well but more than likely you will be tip-toeing. If you feel comfortable though it shouldn't matter. I'm sure there are plenty of techniques dealing with height issues.

[mcnuggett]

I've never actually been on the bike so I have no idea about comfort, I don't think I'll be comfortable to begin with but I'm hoping I can become comfortable with it, I'm definitely willing to learn

[mcnuggett]

If I can tip-toe and at least hold it up that's all I'm asking for

[slolane]

1. Get some riding boots with a thick sole on em, that could give you an inch.

Then as noted above...

2. Lower bike.
3. Shave seat down if needed.

[Boosted139]

Never too small! Just don't get discouraged and yes I'd recommend lowering the bike and even shaving the seat. While I'm a bit taller than you (5 4), I know the feeling when I sat on a friend Ducati 1098 with a ~32.5 inch seat sigh (i have a 29 inseam). There was no way in hell i could even tip toe the thing, but I didn't feel the least uncomfortable with only one foot and slightly leaned.

Morale of the story, dont be discouraged because of your height and lower the bike.

A bit off topic, I saw a very short gentleman riding a zx6r in front of me this past weekend and he couldn't tip toe the thing at all. Every time he came to a stop he put the kick stand down haha.

[mcnuggett]

thanks so much! that really makes me feel better about buying the bike, hopefully i'll have some pictures of my incredible new bike to post soon!

[petiteninja]

I would recommend going into a shop and sitting on a stock ninja. Tell the salesman that you will need help holding up the bike. Better yet, ask if you could try on a pair of motorcycle boots while sitting on the bike. Then see what it's like to put one foot down and the other on a peg. You must to be able to press on the rear brake while having your left foot planted, especially as a beginner on hills.

It's possible that you'll fit with modifications, but it really depends on your inseam.

Ps. Daytona makes a boot for ladies that will give you about 1.5-2" in height.

[mcnuggett]

my inseam is 28" and i'm pretty much willing to do whatever it takes

[HKr1]

Originally Posted by petiteninja

You must to be able to press on the rear brake while having your left foot planted, especially as a beginner on hills.


Ps. Daytona makes a boot for ladies that will give you about 1.5-2" in height.

Whats wrong with using the front brake? Beginner needs to learn clutch and motor to take off on a hill anyway.

These bigger boots, what happens to the shift foot. Like does that add 1.5 to 2" for up shifting/down shifting.? Sounds like a pain

[aldenso]

It's gonna fly with you on it...

[Enfemus]

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Am_I_to..._motorcycle%3F

That has a good article about your situation.

[mcnuggett]

thanks that article is great

[Ichiro]

The only time this really becomes an issue is when you come to a stop. You will quickly get used to stopping and shifting your butt over to the left so you come to a stop standing only on your left foot. Much more stable and comfortable than tiptoeing with both feet.

Also, rather than trying to duckwalk the bike to back up, just stand beside it and pull/push it to where you want, then put the stand down and get on.

I'm taller than you, but only have a 29" inseam. I can't flatfoot the bike with both feet either. My bike is stock height and I have no problems.

You will get used to it and it will become a non-issue. Once you get used to the balance of the bike when you are standing or pushing/pulling it, it is not a problem. With regards to the weight of the bike,remember this, you only have to balance it; you don't have to pick it up! You should be fine.

[mcnuggett]

i'm so glad to hear that, fingers crossed i'll never have to pick it up!

[bdavison]

Originally Posted by petiteninja

You must to be able to press on the rear brake while having your left foot planted, especially as a beginner on hills.

You can use the front brake. Actually this would be better, because you could keep both feet on the ground for more stablility on the hill.

[caps]

Originally Posted by bdavison

You can use the front brake. Actually this would be better, because you could keep both feet on the ground for more stablility on the hill.

did you even read this thread?

[bdavison]

Yes, I know...OP is short. But even still...two toes are better than one. With the bike lowered and perhaps seat shaved. Im betting the OP could double foot it.

[warlord]

There's an article showing mod that one magazine did to accommodate the 2008 250r for a 4'11" rider. I'd look for it for you but I'm on my cell.

[mcnuggett]

thanks I'll see what I can find

[TnNinjaGirl]

OP???

[Boosted139]

With a 28 inch inseam and the bike lowered I would almost guarantee you can tip toe. I have mine lowered 1 inch and I can just almost flat foot with boots and leathers (with just jeans I can flat foot). Again I have a 29 inseam.

This may or may not be the article Warlord was referring to, but on the bottom of the page there is a quote from a 4 11 rider.

http://www.superstreetbike.com/featu...ing_links.html

[kkim]

As someone who has an inseam of 28-29", might I suggest you take the MSF course and see if you like riding a motorcycle, first? When you do, the instructors can help you with how to handle the bike and your situation. They tend to use smaller bikes at those courses for beginners, so it might really help you make up your mind about riding, though you sound dead set on the idea. Regardless, taking the MSF course is an excellent first step.

Next, as suggested, go to a shop that has the exact model of bike you are interested in and see if it at least fits you. Though bikes may have the same seat heights on paper, they all have their different "feel" when you actually sit on them. See if a new gen 250R is for you.

My last suggestion is that you consider a pregen (pre 08) for your first bike. First, they are a bit smaller in ergonomics than the newgens, are a bit lighter, can be had for a really good first bike price, are numerous to purchase as a used bike and as mean as it may sound, as a new rider, the chances of you dropping your bike will be very, very high. Better to drop a bike that has lower initial cost than one that may cost 3-4 thousand dollars more.

Welcome to motorcycles... they are a fun, addictive hobby/sport, but also one that you should approach with safety and practicality in mind.

MSF and ATGATT

have fun, ride safe.

[drowe531]

Originally Posted by TnNinjaGirl

OP???

Original Poster.

[drowe531]

http://bikerchickzblog.blogspot.com/...otorcycle.html

Also something good to know if you do end up getting a bike.

[warlord]

Originally Posted by Boosted139

This may or may not be the article Warlord was referring to, but on the bottom of the page there is a quote from a 4 11 rider.

http://www.superstreetbike.com/featu...ing_links.html

Yes, that's the one I was referring to!

[CThunder-blue]

Originally Posted by kkim

As someone who has an inseam of 28-29", might I suggest you take the MSF course and see if you like riding a motorcycle, first? When you do, the instructors can help you with how to handle the bike and your situation. They tend to use smaller bikes at those courses for beginners, so it might really help you make up your mind about riding, though you sound dead set on the idea. Regardless, taking the MSF course is an excellent first step.

Only problem is that they may not have the same type of bike she wants to ride. I know the MSF class I took all had rebels, nighthawks, or dual sports. The dual sports would probably come close to the height and ergonomics of the new gen ninja, but I doubt they'd let her ride that just so she can get used to it. I do agree she should take the class for the experience tho!

[setasai]

I think everybody has hit the important points. It all comes down to how you feel on it. So before you get discouraged or encouraged, take the MSF and just see how it feels. MSF requires that you wear shoes that have ankle protection/support so wear hiking boots or if you already have motorcycle boots, wear those to start with.

Once you have an idea on how that feels, you can go to a dealer and just ask them to sit on a few random bikes and go from there. Everybody here i'm sure will chime in on mods to make the bike more comfortable for you. Keep us informed and i'm sure with our collective minds, we'll figure out something for you to feel safe, comfortable, and most importantly have fun.

[mcnuggett]

Thanks everyone! I'm taking the msf this weekend, not sure what kind of bikes they have but the guy said their all 125's and 250's. Thanks for all the info!

[kkim]

Originally Posted by mcnuggett

Thanks everyone! I'm taking the msf this weekend

excellent first step!

[sarapacman99]

i'm 5'5" and i had my bike lowered coz i felt really uncomfortable tip-toeing haha especially in the windy las vegas valley i didn't want to tip over but whatever works for you, most people here with that problem would have their bike lowered

[bluepoof]

I'm 5'1" with a 28" inseam. I feel your pain!

I have the Daytona Ladystar boots referenced earlier. They're AWESOME. Worth every penny. I wrote a review of them in 2000 here: http://www.bluepoof.com/motorcycles/gear/ladystar.html

It's 11 years later and I'm still wearing them exclusively.

Other than that, I agree with everyone else; give the MSF a go and see how you feel. Keep in mind that you don't HAVE to flatfoot anything (I've owned 10 bikes and have never flatfoot a single one of them. Only one of the 10 was ever lowered, too.) and as long as you're in love with riding and in love with the bike, you can make anything work.

[gogoKawi]

I have a friend who is 4' 11". She rides a BMW dual sport. I think it's the GS 650. Her riding boots are about 4 inches tall with a thick sole. She has no problems riding or walking in them. She had a Buell Blast before that, which she could ride and flat foot with no problems.

The 250 was too tall for her. She sat on mine and could barely get one foot on the ground comfortably. I'm not sure how it would be lowered with the seat shaved. But I'm sure it would make a difference.

[setasai]

Originally Posted by gogoKawi

I'm not sure how it would be lowered with the seat shaved. But I'm sure it would make a difference.

Are you saying you're not sure how shaving the seat lowers the bike? or how much of a difference it would be if you did? The foam is pretty thick on the seats and I think you could easily shave out 1" and if you shape it correctly, it'd be just as if not more comfortable. Also, if you thin the shape out, it'll minimize the spread-eagle effect.

[TenaciousD]

I'm 5'4" but all of my shortness is in my legs so my inseam is barely 29". I'm sure you can make it work. I lowered my bike for while I was learning and now that I know what I'm doing I'm going to raise it back up a bit. Probably not ALL the way back up but a couple notches for sure. The bikes at the MSF course will probably be cruiser style bikes so you should have no problem putting both feet down with them. As tiny as you are your bigger problem will just be controlling all that mass. Don't worry, though. You can do it.

[bluepoof]

Originally Posted by setasai

Also, if you thin the shape out, it'll minimize the spread-eagle effect.

This is a really key point. One big trick for us shorties is to make the seat *narrower* (side to side), not necessarily *shorter* (top to bottom). We want our legs to go as straight down as possible, otherwise we're wasting precious inseam going out to the side and not down.

[Boom King]

Originally Posted by mcnuggett

my inseam is 28" and i'm pretty much willing to do whatever it takes

You should be good to go. You won't be flat footing but I think with a proper pair of motorcycle boots you should be at least on the balls of both feet. This is much better than being on the tip of your toes.

[phr3ek]

Originally Posted by slolane

1. Get some riding boots with a thick sole on em, that could give you an inch.

Then as noted above...

2. Lower bike.
3. Shave seat down if needed.

4. you're cute

Originally Posted by bdavison

You can use the front brake. Actually this would be better, because you could keep both feet on the ground for more stablility on the hill.

imho its harder to use front brake on a hill since you have to roll on the throttle and release the brake at the same time, especially for a new rider
it's just easier to have left hand focused on clutch, right hand focused on throttle ALONE, and right foot focused on break release
and keep in mind OP's stature,since she's short she might have small hands
i have small hands (short fingers) and find it hard to juggle throttle roll and break release

Originally Posted by caps

did you even read this thread?

this

Originally Posted by bdavison

Yes, I know...OP is short. But even still...two toes are better than one. With the bike lowered and perhaps seat shaved. Im betting the OP could double foot it.

two unstable toes IS NOT better than one stable foot
trust me, i'd rather flat foot one side than slip on my toes on either side

but if were talking about the balls of her feet touching the ground, then i agree with your statement

Originally Posted by TenaciousD

I'm 5'4" but all of my shortness is in my legs so my inseam is barely 29". I'm sure you can make it work. I lowered my bike for while I was learning and now that I know what I'm doing I'm going to raise it back up a bit. Probably not ALL the way back up but a couple notches for sure. The bikes at the MSF course will probably be cruiser style bikes so you should have no problem putting both feet down with them. As tiny as you are your bigger problem will just be controlling all that mass. Don't worry, though. You can do it.

thats funny, my name is kevin and am also 5'4"
then there's another kevin that i sold my bike to, who is close, at 5'6" i think