Trying to find a bike for really short people!

[rumbataz]

First off, i've read the sticky for short and/or feeble people.

I went to a few bike shops today (Triumph, Kawasaki and Honda) and struggled to find any bike that I felt comfortable with. It was the first time i'd ever sat on a bike.

With nearly all of them I couldn't place both of my feet flat on the ground. Most of them required me to stretch my legs onto tip-toes to be able to reach the ground on both sides at the same time.

My inside leg is probably only around 29 inches so is very short.

Obviously I don't want to pursue this hobby if I can't find a bike that will fit me. So, i'm looking for ideas please. I was wearing thin, flat walking shoes so that probably didn't help matters! With proper biking boots i'd gain almost an inch and the bike might feel more comfortable.

[Dilyan]

Sat on a Hayabusa yesterday, felt ever so low.
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[iMark]

[Bendy]

As I said in the sticky, of course you won't feel comfortable at first. But you will in time. You don't need to flatfoot a bike.

Fwiw, my legs are an inch shorter than yours and I've never struggled.

Also mentioned in the sticky are the perfect boots to solve your problem.

[mickie]

There are very few times when you will need both feet flat on the floor! I had the same worries when I first started looking for a bike, tried to find one I could flat foot, but failed.
Can I advise you do your CBT then take a couple of lessons before buying yourself a bike. You will soon realise that to have one foot fairly flat on the floor is more than plenty. When stationary on the bike you will have your right foot covering the back brake.
Failing that you could always find a cobblers and get a thicker sole added to your boots.

[Joenitro]

Early fireblades have low seats. Can't think of any others off the top of my head

[Slacker24seve...]

This thread is right above yours:

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=230544

There is always a way
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[iMark]

[haroman666]

My Bandit 400 is low as fook. I never realised it was quite that low until I sat on my Dads YBR and pretty much sat on my nuts.

Couldn't tell you my leg size or the height of the seat on the bike but my sister commented on how low it is in comparison to her KTM Duke 125 (Which I know is a slightly taller bike in general, but even so...)
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[Slacker24seve...]

[hedgehugger]

Bikes can also be lowered.
I have to tiptoe on my mt03 and had to when I had the BMW.
You do get used to it and it tends to be a non issue, once you've done it a few times.

I also have an er6 that IS lowered. No idea what the height is on it these days but I flat foot with bended knee on it.

Boots can make a fair bit of difference too.

[ocatoro]

i think i have shorter legs than OP and my mate's zzr600 and vfr750 are both low enough to flat foot both feet with bent knees. (i'm only 5ft8 too)
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[cimbian]

A 29" inside leg is more then I have and I ride a Transalp, albeit with a lowering kit and it feels fine.
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22PlusY
Current: Moto Guzzi 1100 Breva. Previous: Honda XL650V TransAlp
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[Rogerborg]

29" is fine, that's what I'm packing (very dangerous over short distances).

You really don't need to flat foot on both sides at the same time - that's extreme even for me, and I don't like to feel unstable.

ER-6n will be fine, just do it.
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[Nick_Giles]

[guile]

I have the same problem. ER6 felt very controllable for my 29" legs with its low and narrow seat. I tried getting on a WR125x and it was ridiculously big.

[Burnside]

I've got a 28" inside leg and have an sv650 with lowered seat and lowering kit. I can't reach the ground with both feet but I get on fine. I always just lower my left foot at the lights etc
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[trikeschick]

As per the suggestions - just get it lowered. I have the opposite problem - I have inside leg of 35 so everything is too wee for me! And the bigger bikes ares a bit heavy as I have poor upper body strength.
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[cimbian]

'tis the dangly bits that shorten my inside leg by so much.

Something to keep in mind when trying bikes for size is to wear your biking boots... It does make a difference. Also try getting it on and off the side-stand a few times whilst seated.
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22PlusY
Current: Moto Guzzi 1100 Breva. Previous: Honda XL650V TransAlp
Bearded, Balding, Born again Buddhist Biker

[Sherwood Bambi]

[Billo63]

I've mentioned this before on previous threads, but when " test sitting " a bike remember to take into account seat WIDTH & not just the height as this can make a huge diiference.

I have a 29" IL too, only time it was an issue for me was when I was offered a ride on an fjr1300, felt that unsure once straddled I got off as didn't want to have a prob on a shiney new very expensive bike, but other than that short leg measurement has never been a problem.
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[Bendy]

[pinkyfloyd]

As said by the Bendy one. I've only got little legs and I find no problems riding. Ok so I cant put both feet flat on the ground but when I'm stopped at the lights I put my right foot down. With the camber of the road it means I can put my foot flat on my floor.
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[Billo63]

Possible solutions?
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[Clanger]

Tut tut tut...a newbie NOT reading the stickies that are designed specifically to help them out...

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=230544

Read it, before posting!!! sheesh!!!
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