Small big bikes, you have a mission ladies and gents :)

Nicky-Jano · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Karma :

Heya guys I need a little help.
I just sold my bike and am now on the look out for a new one!
I've decided to go on a completely different tack and get a faired bike.
Also am looking for a bike that's no from the 80's, early/mid 80's and up.
My budget is £1,100. and I'm looking for a 600.

The snag, I'm 5ft1 and I while I know bikes can be lowered an inch or 2 some of them are still really heavy, also I have small arms and some bikes I have sat on I haven't been able to safely reach the handle bars due to being to wide or to long.

So I was wondering if you could all list bikes which you know to have smaller riding dimensions and not be really heavy.
Eg: dry weight starting at 200 kg, my last bike's dry weight was 170 odd and with fuel I was still comfortable with it if that's any indication.

So I'm looking for a bike with a standard seat height of about 31 (so I can lower it to at least 29).
I've been looking at the older SV (bubble fairing rather than pointy, which I prefer), older Ninja's and the CB600F but that's a bit on the heavy side and they sometimes change size by year Confused

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Are there any other bikes you know of that would be suitable?
It takes so much time an effort to google each and every bike, so if any one knows the sizes/years straight off and can recommend me some it would be really helpful Smile

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Also goes without saying if you or someone you know is selling something suitable let me know Smile

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Don't want anything that has been crashed.

Thanks - Nic

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Honda BROS 650.

Nicky-Jano · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Karma :

Looks like my old 400 Laughing

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Nah I'm going for a faired bike now, know of anything else? Razz

Thanks - Nic

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

The only thing I can think of in your budget is a ZZR600 which is pretty short.

For a lot more cash I'd suggest an XB12Scg which is the Low seat Buell Lightning.

I had a firebolt which is the same size as a standard Lightning and I'm only 5ft5. The XB12Scg I sat on was a lot smaller. I had both feet flat on the floor with both legs bent which is very uncommon for me.
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

Graprilia · Brolly Dolly Joined: 02 May 2007 Karma :

zz-r600 or bandit 650
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Piaggo liberty 125 SOLD - CBR 125 - SOLD Aprilia RS 125 - SOLD CBR 400 NC29 - SOLD ZX6R currently own https://bikepics.com/members/Graprilia/

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

ZZR600 , it has a very low seat such that my knees are bent sitting on it... flat foot both sides.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

Nicky-Jano · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Karma :

Doesn't seem to be many of them on ebay but will keep my eyes peeled.
Came across this and it's close enough to have a look, guy says he has 117 watchers and will only take an offer he can't refuse.

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230320818810

What's it worth?
I've seen some go for around my budget, think I'm in for a chance?

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

the grim reaper · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Karma :

I'd say that would go for about £1500 but, at this time of year and being an older Ducati, you might get it for your budget. With the history it's got it could well be a bargain.

Cheers

Grim
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Nicky-Jano · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Karma :

Tricolor Fan · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Karma :

Nicky-Jano · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Karma :

Just found an SV 2000 in Croxley Green, being sold by a garage for £995.
Does anyone know any cheap couriers?
Their putting the new mot on upon purchase and the bike has been 100% inspected and it's all good mechanic wise just usual scuffs along the fairing.
Sounds about right to me.

w33fee · L Plate Warrior Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Karma :

Im 5'1" and ride a bandit 650 its a great bike not as tall as the older bandits but can be lowered still. iv been told it'll cost about 50 quid to lower it but iv had no probs with it so far.

Nicky-Jano · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Karma :

I just bought an SV650 2000 full service and years MOT by garage, they wanted 995 but I knocked them to 970 Mr. Green

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Only lowering kit on ebay does 25mm, anoyone know any lower?
May have to scoop the seat otherwise.
It's the TLS looking fairing too which I liked, it'll look like a small blue version of my Ram's bike Laughing

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Tonka · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Karma :

I'm 5'2" and about 55kg and I ride a SV650S. I had the suspension lowered and I also had the seat scooped, so that I could get my feet flat both sides - I'm new to motorcycling and needed all the confidence I could get.

I really hope you enjoy your bike as much I love mine - happy riding! Thumbs Up

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AppleJoe · Brolly Dolly Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Karma :

NiteMare · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :

ok i've had a few years riding but i'm only 5'2" with a 29" inside leg, the only thing i find i can't ride or get on is the modern dirt bikes (too light to compress the suspension)...

i've got an old GSX1100f which is quite a large comfortable bike, the fact that i can't get both feet flat on the floor doesn't bother me as i'm not holding the weight up, i'm only balancing the bike ...

my brother is a little taller than me but same inside leg, he passed his test a couple of years ago and got a B6s and started to go on about lowering or scooping it so he could ride it more comfortably, i explained it was a confidence thing and that if he thought about it correctly all he needed on the floor would be one foot to be able to support the bike as the wheels actually carry 99.9% of the weight, so he went off and took a couple of weeks steadily gaining confidence with no more mention of lowering...

i've ridden most styles of bike from 1200cc fully dressed Wings down to mopeds and scooters

P.S.
more than lowering the seat height the problem is often solved by reshaping (narrowing) as well as scooping the seat if you have short legs, i've no idea about short arms/body other than change the handlebars/risers to assist with that
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Nicky-Jano · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Karma :

I've as on the SV before a few times.
I was on tiptoes on the one in the NEC so I think if I put it on the lowest standard suspension setting it may be alright (without having to specially lower it).
If not I thought about taking the seat apart, take all the padding out and fit one of those foam race seats to it Laughing

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Not saying I want to flat foot it everywhere but my inside leg is around 27/28 so I want to be able to get at least get the front part of both my feet on the floor (eg as if wearing high heels).

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

I've said it before and I'll say it again - BOOTS.

Nicky-Jano · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Nicky-Jano · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Karma :

I think when I have the money I'd consider getting those boots but after crashing my bike and having to buy a new one after giving up repairing the old one, I'm understandably skint.. Laughing

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Not too mention my stupid insurance company which went from being the cheapest for me to the most expensive, £500 odd for an SV Confused

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Though I will keep an eye out for part worn ones, there seem to be a lot of dumped pillions flogging their kit online recently... Neutral

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frez · Nova Slayer Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Karma :

Maybe a sports 400 instead of a 600, some of those things are tiny?