Short or tall?

[Lawnie]

Subject's pretty self explanatory really. Would you rather be a short motorcyclist or a tall motorcyclist?

I would say I would rather be on the shorter side, since you can get bikes lowered in a number of ways. If you're tall there's not a lot you can do, or is there?

I'm of average height, so I guess I'm in the best position for riding bikes from low cruisers to high off roaders

For argument's sake, let's assume short is <5'6'' and tall is >6'.

[Josh]

I like being tall, I have to tuck it properly when I need to and it feels good. Also I can hang off easier I would think, not to mention that when I get off the bike I look all intimidating and stuff, until I take my helmet off
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04 Suzuki GSX-R 600 K4 - Sex on wheels :>
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[Lawnie]

I was thinking more of the implications for fitting on/riding a bike. Anything else, and I could have just asked "would you rather be short or tall in life?"

[greatmoorred]

Eh ??
Can i be a small biker but tall in real life ?
Im hungover, this question is too strange.

[The Dude]

Well i'm 5'5" and just bought a new Yamaha R6 which has a seat height of 850mm. Pretty tall for a sports bike. I couldn't quite touch both toes down while sitting on it which makes reversing the bike tricky unless i get off it and walk it back. Things can also get a little hairy if i'm on uneven ground. Solution. I just lowered the rear shock by 2 clicks. Standard setting was 4, so it's still 2 clicks from the buttom setting. I can now get both toes down which gives me a lot more confidence at a stop.

[Barney]

If I raced motorbikes I'd like to be short as you are carrying less weight, therefore have more speed and the ability to break later like Pedrosa.

I am short and I prefer it this way as I wouldn't like to be in a cramped riding position. From what I've read in magazines modern sports bikes are getting smaller, which is fine by me

[Lawnie]

I think it's a common misconception that you must be able to flat foot a bike in order to be able to manage it, which is utter rubbish!

[bidman]

Hi, well I'm 6ft 2" and I like being able to really grab a hold of the bike and throw my weight around on it, really lean off and throw it around. I guess it makes me feel more in control sumhow as I don't stretch over the bike if you get me. Dan
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Don't ride it, RAG IT!!

[The Dude]

I could still manage the R6 with only one toe on the ground at one time. I adjusted it purely for day to day comfort and practicality and to make it easier to get used to a new bike for a few weeks. When i first adjusted it, i set it to it's lowest setting but thought it was a little too low, so raised it up again to tip toe level

[Lawnie]

True, but then all bikes will allow the adjustment of controls, pegs, etc to some degree.

[NSR-Rulez]

I'd rather be tall, as i cant change what i am, i suppose it depends on what you count as tall, i ride an NSR, no problems at all, so i suppose it all comes down to what is the figure for tall.
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Past: 1985 Suzuki GS 125 + 2002 Honda NSR 125 R-2 + Ford Fusion
Present: Honda CBR 600 RR-5 + Suzuki SV650S-K4 + Mitsubishi FTO GPX

[The Dude]

I think different types of bikes are geared around different sizes of people. Those big BMW GS's and the Honda Transalps are abviously designed around a taller rider. I think most sports bikes generally favour someone on the shorter scale. But neither are exclusively so.

[yambabe]

I want to be medium-sized! About 5'5-5'6 would do me nicely but it can't happen.

Whilst I agree that you don't have to flat-foot a bike to be able to control it there is a great void between being on tiptoes or having both feet waving in the breeze which is what happens to me on most bikes.

There are other issues in being small as well as just seat height though. There's the reach to the bars, and on some bikes the stretch over the tank to do so ( NC30!)

Once you get a bike rolling seat height is irelevant, and you can always get off to push if you need to move it around! It's that feeling when you go to put your foot down and there's no ground though, there is absolutely nothing you can do as your pride and joy (or worse, someone elses) slowly topples over and hits the deck.

So yeah, I would say tall gives you much more freedom of choice and gets it every time.

*sigh*
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[Dazbo666]

I'm happy as I am TBH, erm, about 5'8" - and to date I've managed to ride every bike I've wanted to without a problem (mostly sports bikes, and one or two commuters).
...although I sometimes wonder if I'd be able to manage the height of a big trailie, or an offroader, but they're not a big passion of mine, so not really a problem, just curious
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[The Dude]

Well i sat on one of the big KTM Adventure jobies and as soon as i put my weight on it (9.5 stones) it dropped a hell of a lot. I had both tip toes on the ground. The suspension is usually really soft of those kinda bikes.

[ISLAND GIRL]

I like being my size being female and all that, I am 5'5" at my last measurement and can sit just right on my bike, feet just about flat on the ground so I feel safe when stopping at junctions etc.
I know a lot of men like tall women but I personnally would not want to be much taller than I already am, about right I feel.
I know of a guy who is tall and rides a fazer and he just looks too big for it riding along, its all legs, reckon he would look much better on something taller like a KTM perhaps.
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Live on the Isle of Wight and ride a CBR600F

[MarJay]

can gykd easier if you are taller.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[The Dude]

Well since i don't go to race tracks, i have no need to get my knee down. After all, isn't that where it belongs.

[ISLAND GIRL]

[The Dude]

I believe they were both low siders. They are pretty much touching the ground when they come off anyway. So they just slide along. You don't see as many getting straight up after a high side off.

[TheDonUK]

I said i would like to be taller, but thats because i am a shortarse (5'4), however its never stopped me, i am happy only being able to tip toe on one side, i can live with it, most bikes i can get a heel down on one foot and tip toe the other (or just keep it on the peg). And Traillies/BMW dont interest me at all. I think if you want something bad enough you will learn to cope.

A side point, as a shorter rider i find my slow speed control excellent (out of necesity perhaps), because its more effort to put my feet down i find myself balancing untill im at 0.5mph, whereas lankey riders i notice seem to get their feet down much earlier?

[Lawnie]

[Wooly R6]

I am 6'2" so dont have many problems!!!

apart from fitting in the bath properly
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R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[whackamole]

I'm 5'8'' and am looking to buy my first bike. I'd like a traillie so I can have a crack at some offroading as well as getting about and 'learning me trade' so to speak before doing me DAS and getting a 'big' bike (if anyone would like to put their tuppence ha'penny in please do so on...

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=83694&highlight=

...sorry for the blatant post plug!)

Seriously though having not yet tried any of these type bikes I am a bit concerned, although obviously I need to just go and try them for myself.
I'm not too arsed with my height (can't change what you can't change after all) - besides it gives me an advantage when playing hide and seek
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Be nice.

CBR600F

[steveh]