Bikes for short ladies to take the test on

[chrissy88]

Hi I'm looking for ideas on suggestions of what bike will be suitable for me, I currently ride a Suzuki Marauder 125cc on L-plates and I'm looking to take my full bike test (either DAS or A2) but struggling to find a bike small enough for me to ride.

I'm only 5' tall and have an inside leg of 26".

Could any others who are as small as me suggest;

1. Bikes that are suitable to take the tests on.
1a) DAS - 595cc with a power output of at least 40kw or (53.6bhp)
1b) A2 - 395cc with a power output between 25 and 35 kW (33bhp and 46.6 bhp)

2. Bikes that are very comfy to ride to get after passing if different from a test bike.


Your suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Chrissy

[Teflon-Mike]

Why are you worried about bikes you can take your test on?
Are you planning to test on your own bike?
If so why?
Most folk do thier A2 or A3 tests on a School bike; and for good reasons; you cannot legally ride any bike other than a 125 on L-Plates unless supervised by an approved instructor.
So, if you had you rown 'big-bike' you'd still need an instructor to supervise you practice on it, and escort you to the test centre.
Only way around that would be to practice 'off-road' somwhere there is no public access; so RTA for licence & Insurance & such doesn't apply; then get the bike to the test center for your first road ride... daunting... by getting full licence holder to ride it for you, or transporting it in trailer or van or the like.
Would still need insurance in your name, which isn't impossible if you haven't got a licence, but likely restricts choice and hold you to ransom over premium prices...
So all up; most people use school bikes to test on... its an expedience, usually for hassle, but often an ecconomical one too, and a couple of lessons cant make your first time pass chances any worse? Can they?
And if you are old enough to test for Unstricted A/A3 under DAS rules; why is A2 even an issue?
Same tests, often the same BIKE... just A2 bike is likely to have a power restrictor fitted.
Pass A2 you get restricted licence limiting choices; and would have to do tests over to get Unrestricted A/A3, you can have in one go, that provides entitlement to ride any bike...

So, here and now.... I'd be calling bike schools; find out what bikes THEY have... and going to look at them.

You are NOT the only shorter lady in the land; and many schools specifically have bikes that have been lowered for shorter riders in thier fleet.

Find one; go over and sit on it, and if its comfy, book your course with them. Get the licence sorted.

THEN go looking for your own bike.

And you have mentioned cruisers. Is that because you LIKE the cruiser style, or is it because you think or have been lead to believe that as a shorter person, they are the only ones you can get your leg over?

Either which way; its not always true. Seat to floor height is only one dimension of erganomics, and is only a factor when you are sat on the bike at stand still; when you ought only have one foot on the floor any way, having right foot up covering rear brake; so littler leg tends just to mean a little more lean when you stop. AND if its not most comfy, as said, bikes CAN be lowered.

Personally I don't buy bikes to sit on with my feet on the floor. I have this old fashioned idea about riding them where I hope that I'll spend more time with my feet on the foot-pegs moving, than I will on the floor stopped!

So distance from foot-peg to seat is far more important than seat to floor.... and cruisers, with forward set 'highway pegs' often have a longer 'reach' from saddle to foot-peg than many 'cramped' pegs under arse sports bikes!

My O/H actually struggled with a 125 cruiserette, for that very reason, and she had to actually take her foot OFF the foot-rest to work gear and back brake levers! While wide ape-hanger bars stretched her out so much that when she went round a corner, she had to lean her top half the wrong way to not let go of the handle-bars!

So I wouldn't necessarily restrict my purchase choice to cruisers JUST because of some misguided idea about seat-height... unless I really wanted a cruiser...

AND either which way; bikes can be adapted; and if you dont want a cruiser; a more conventional bike can probably be adjusted to suit your inside leg, if not on standard adjustability in the suspension, then by fairly simple and common adaptation, using shorter shock absorbers or drop link; lowering the froks in the yokes.

And either which way; cruiser or conventional; important erganomics is hands feet and bum, AS you are riding, NOT as you are stopped. And again; control positions can be adjusted; handle-bar positions can be adjusted; sometimes foot-rest or seat position can be adjusted, ALL within a range of standard adjustability; and vastly more, with a little adaptation; seats can be swapped or modified to lower the seat height; handle-bars of different width and height and pull-back can be fitted; alternative foot-rests can be fitted.

And on that basis, you can pretty much adapt ANY bike you want to suit your size.
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[hedgehugger]

This website
https://cycle-ergo.com/
Is useful for helping to size bikes.
Bikes can also be lowered .
I myself have a lowered Kawasaki er6.
I also have a 'normal' Yamaha mt03.
The thing with tip-toes and bikes is a confidence thing. You do get used to a little stretch.

There are also some boots that can add a little height.
Never owned a pair myself, but they do come recommended by others on here.
https://www.daytona.de/index.php?page=802
Not cheap, so if they float your boat, shop around.

[Rogerborg]

26" is a problem. Ignore any leggy freaks who scoff at the issue from their lofty position of ignorance.

You are sadly looking at cruisers, which means something like 900cc+ for a full A test.

Other alternatives might be "classics" like the Triumph Bonneville, the W800, and I believe that BMW does a lowered version of the already lowered F650/700GS. I've witnessed a teeny little human get on one of those and get a Surprised Face on as her feet did actually reach the ground.
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GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[bamt]

One bloke I ride with is vertically challenged. He rides a BMW 1100 GS. Lowered seat, lowered suspension, smaller wheels.
Most things are possible, given the time, money and inclination. It does mean that you are more tied to a bike though - the time and expense involved make you less likely to want to chop and change them regularly.

[mailee]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned the 535 Virago? As has been stated it would be a lot of hassle to take your lessons and tests on your own bike but once you have passed this bike is certainly low enough if a bit underpowered. That is if you don't mind riding a cruiser style bike. i have the 750cc version which is pretty low as I am only 5'4" with an inside leg of 28" HTH.

[Teflon-Mike]

[Kickstart]

Hi

For your test, probably more down to what a training centre has available.

What kind of bike do you want? GPZ500S has a pretty low seat height. For a naked bike the Ducati Monster 600 has a low seat height. At 26" inside leg quite a few bikes are an option with either good control, or if lowered a touch. My better half is in a similar boat and can ride a 600 Bandit with a cut down seat and slightly lowered suspension (using 1200 Bandit rear suspension linkage dog bones, which are marginally longer and lower the rear, and the forks slid about 1" through the yokes).

All the best

Keith
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[chrissy88]

Thanks for all the replies.

So far all the training centres I've been do who have lowered bikes have still been too big for me to ride, I do need to touch the floor when I stop so this is important (obviously I'm not needing to be flat footed). So the plan is to buy a bike that is fit for either DAS or A2, then insure and ride this under instruction from the training centre, this seems the best way forward. If I like the bike I will keep it, if not I may look at an alternative like the Virago.

The GPZ500S is a good suggestion, I'll be checking that out but it does seem that I would have to tweak it (which is workable maybe), I'll let you know Kickstart.

The Virago 535 seems great and I love the look of the bike, but isn't powerful enough for either the DAS or A2 test, but is one I'll be considering after I pass. Thanks for bringing that one up mailee.

Hmm, have considered lowered/shaped seat, lowered rear suspension, lowered front forks but not thought about smaller wheels. Thanks for the suggestion bamt.

Hi hedgehugger, I've been looking at cycle-ergo.com but it's difficult to go through every bike, but I'm using it to review bikes after I get suggestion, it seems like a good site. I've already got some boots that give me some extra (and needed) height

Please keep the suggestions coming, they are all of help thank you.

[Rogerborg]

[Kickstart]

[Burnside]

My inside leg is 27" and I have a '08 sv650. It has the narrower seat and a 25mm lowering kit. I tried the sv650s but the different bars meant I had to lean forward more which in turn meant I couldn't reach the ground.

I'll never flat foot it but don't need to - stopping at lights etc is not a problem as I just slide my bum across the seat.
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[talkToTheHat]

29" inside leg and can barely walk so need to get both feet down on bad days. Did my old-style tests on a GZ125, was an arse becasue turning circle is only just enough.

XV535 Virago is low and sorted for smaller feet, had to mess with it some for size ten feet in deep altbergs boots, lighter than most current cruisers due to engine being part of frame. Starter clutch is a weak spot but they go on and on forever and their value reflects that. Feels less cruisery in riding position than the GZ with feet closer to you, I like the low-bar models that have drag bars rather than huge buckhorns, but try both and see what works for you.

Find a nice dealer and sit on bikes.

[Amber Phoenix]

My wife is in a similar boat to you, she's dead short (5' 1 3/4"). However she passed years ago and got full license via the old stepped scheme. But now she's struggling to find something to ride.

She did a back-to-bike course at local school who had a lowered CB500F which she managed fine - but alas not enough cc's for the new DAS test.

She tried an old ZZR400, which although fairly low (with cut down seat), was too wide, heavy and a stretch over tank.

The BMW F650GS is a good call. Has option of lowered seat and lowering kit and being single or twin (pre 2007/post 2007) is pretty narrow too. It's also light and has low centre of gravity with tank under seat.

She also sat on a KTM Duke 390 which was perfect size too. But again no good for DAS. The Duke 690 was bit more of stretch, only got toes down. Both singles too, so nice and narrow.

The Ducati Monsters are good options too.

The width of the bike is almost as important as height. I'd stay away from most 4 cylinder bikes, stick to the twins or singles. Similarly do consider weight, if you're on the dinky side, you need to be able to push the bike about, both for mod 1 and generally parking. Mary's old ZZR was 190Kg on paper, and I invariable had to manoeuvre it about on the drive for her.

Otherwise, you're looking at cruisers and bobbers. That said all the Hogs Mary say on at the MCN show she couldn't reach the foot pegs on! (I presume they can be adjusted?)
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[Bendy]

Just buy the boots.

[map]

If anyone is really struggling then I believe longer dog bones (the bits the suspension connects the bike to) will lower suspension. This may affect the rake (and so handling) though.

I do know one company in Hull, DRS (drop raise service) that do modifications to suit bike to rider.

Although as Bendy says, boots are probably the best all round solution (means you're not restricted to a modified bike).
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[lihp]

[map]

I'm surprised the link to Motorcycle Ergonomics site cycle-ergo.com (clicky link) hasn't appeared in this thread. Unless I missed it, which is possible. Anyhow, here it is (or again if somewhere above).
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[lihp]

[wr6133]

If you are settling on the A2 I think most of the 400 imports would meet the requirements. CB400 super four, cb1 400, vfr 400, cbr 400, fzr 400, zxr 400. They are all pretty small so I assume would be great for the short of leg.

I'd rather weave around the mod 1 cones on a cb400 than on a long and heavy cruiser. After the tests you could sell it for what you paid and then buy what you prefer.