Best bike for 5 foot girlfriend

[mmartian71]

Hi my girlfriend is looking at doing her bike test, but being only 5 foot tall has a problem reaching the floor on my gsx600, could anyone recomend a decent bike maybe a 400cc that would be ok for her.

[Barker-CBR 600]

If your looking for sporty than your VFR, RVF etc are all smaller than 600's, so pretty much any of the 400's she likes should fit her. Maybe even look into a 250 if your really struggling to find something comfortable.

If its a 600 shes after only suggestion is the CBR is slightly smaller than the others, i own one and its alot lighter (or at least i find it so) to throw around than the GSX's and ZXR's that i have been on. But again it is a 600 and therefore will not be peticularly small.

I think a 'come on we're going to a bikeshop for you to sit on some bikes' afternoon might be your best bet.
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Previous - Gilera DNA50 / XVS125 Dragstar/Honda CBR 600F/GSF 650 Bandit
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[mchaggis]

https://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.faq.html#index

Short Bike List might be useful. There's some good advice on there too.
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Ask Annabella!

For a sports bike she will be limited. CBR400 is tiny though.

Otherwise take a look at a Ducati Monster or a Cagiva Raptor.

All the best

Keith
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[Frost]

Depends on what type of bikes she likes.

She will fit on:
Any cruiser
Older 'practical' bikes like the CB250
CBR400
VFR400
ZXR400
GSXR400
RGV250
RS250

Weight is more of an issue than physical size. If she can only get a toe down and the bike weighs half a tonn, she's got no chance. if she can only get a toe down but she's been riding a while and the bike is light she'll have no trouble.

Just take her round a dealership and get her to sit on everything se likes the look of

[Flip]

[yambabe]

You can chop a couple of inches off the height of a lot of bikes by removung some padding from the seat and adjusting or changing the shocks. However, from my own 5 foot experience:

Honda Bros is supposed to be the lowest bike in its class, but I struggled to keep one upright, I was right on tippy toes.

VFR NC30 is quite low, but not recommended if you are fairly well-endowed as with short arms (which I assume she also has?) you have to lean right over the tank, and bits of you can rub!

CBR400 is quite good as has been said.

Personally I prefer the cruiser styles, as there are lot of them I can get at least one foot flat down on, and the weight is low-down too making it less likely to overbalance.

Virago 535, Kawasaki Eliminator (my fave) or LTD, Suzuki Savage or Intruder, Honda Shadow or Steed all have very low seats.

As has been said, best thing is to sit on as many bikes as possible in dealers, try out ALL your mates bikes, til she finds one that suits her.

One last tip, try a dealer who specialises in Japanese grey imports (Perfomance in Darwen, Lancs are good) as they tend to be an inch or two lower than UK standard.
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[Steve H]

Just an idea...

https://www.gadgets.co.uk/images/micro_bike_in_hand2.jpg


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The BCF Top TEN - 2010, 2009, 2008, The Original.

[Gazdaman]

I'd head for a gixxer 4, those things really are tiny.

But then to me, everything is tiny, I can sit both feet flat on an african twin and triumph tiger.

Gaz

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Honda CB400 super four's are nice and low.

A cruiser type bike is good if she likes the style. Or try an SV650. Most (all to some level) bikes can be lowered with suspension linkages and/or changing/altering the seat.
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[Nighteyes]

Another short arse joining the fold!!

It depends on the width of seat as well as height of it, having bikes that can be lowered helps as well.
Having tried a lot now I found the CBR400 & ZXR400 to fit me nice for the sportier ones (also 5ft) the VFR/RVF's felt slightly less confortable and would of been more of a tippy toe job and until the confidence is up there then thats not the best idea! I even tried one of the older ZXR600's and managed to not only pick it up off the side stand (which helps ) but have both toes on the floor & I'm told they can be lowered too!

I wouldn't say ANY cruiser would suit, since there are a fair number that are really heavy b1tches.

Has your missus done the CBT yet btw mmartian71?
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[map]

Depends on if you want a bike to mod or one that'll fit 'off-the-shelf'.
Any bike can be modified, even down to dropping the forks through the yokes. As for off-the-shelf then plenty mentioned.

Best bet is to have relaxed day and go visit a few dealers, drink their coffee and try a few for size.

As a rough measure if you stand against an upright bike (not on stands) and the seat is about hip to waist height then you should be okay.

HTH
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[El_Bandido]

With 5 feet wouldnt she be better off running?


sorry
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[Nighteyes]

[dotti]

I did reply to this once before, but for some reason my post was deleted (well it's not here now anyway)...

The GSX400 Impulse is a pretty low bike, and with an aftermarket fairing added can look nice and sporty. I used to own one and they're not bad bikes really. It'd be the best bike I've owned so far anyway.

Oh yeah... the seat height was actually slightly lower than my KR150.

https://www.drivemc.ru/catalogue/pics/_c288_p6.jpg
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[Annabella]

All of the afore listed bikes would be suitable.

It depends on the style of bike, and how happy she is with the weight distribution of some. The easiest to handle are those that have the larger proportion of their weight lower down - like the CBR400s.

I find the Gixxers taller, and the weight higher up - therefore harder to push around and handle at slow speeds (but once they are moving, they are much better handling generally).

It also depends how heavy she is. Nighteyes and I are both pretty light and don't have a great deal of effect on the suspension when we get onto a bike. If she is a little heavier she may find the suspension gives a little and she can reach more than she thinks. The only way to find out is to sit on as many bikes as possible - make sure she is wearing what she would to ride in. I have made the mistake many times of getting over excited being able to feel comfortable on a larger bike in jeans, then once the leathers are on finding my feet miles away from the ground


Good luck with your bike hunt
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[Nighteyes]

[pamelalove]

here, should be ok for her...

https://www.gadgetsquick.co.uk/product_thumb.php?img=images/rc-mario-kart.jpg&w=192&h=200

[Hetzer]

Raleigh Grifter.
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[Tristan.]

Other than 400s TT600s seem to weigh fuckall compared to similar aged 600s, They have quite a tall seat mind, but it's fairly narrow which helps.


[edit - de-drunkified it]

[Mudskipper]

I imagine the OP's girlfriend has found a suitable bike since he first asked four years ago...
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[Louise]

Sure the ER6 would be ok.
Ive seen a fair few short people on them.
Im 5'11 Ex is 6'1 and we got on just fine altho a little cramped for us.
And the Kwak 250.

[FabricExpert]

[steppen22]

Very good advice. I'm sure the opening poster is grateful for the promptness and serenity with which his request was treated.
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