Short Back and Sides

[crowe]

Hi all,

I've been riding for over 2 years, a year on CBR125 and this last year on a Kawasaki ER5. Both fairly 'low' bikes i'm sure you'll agree (ER5 on lowest shock setting). I'm still on my restricted 33BHP license and i plan to keep my ER5 till a years time. My question then is this:

at 5'6 with 'trouser' leg length of 29inches what bike should i be looking at buying in a years time, taking into account my height/leg length? who here is short-legged, what bikes do you have and what mods help?

I'd prefer something more 'upright' (my mates GSF600 was too big).

I've looked at things like suzuki Gladius or maybe a bandit?

Tell me what you think

[Carl_steveo]

https://www.dirtbikefanatic.com/images/mini-moto-racing.jpg


Can't really help mate I've never really had that problem.
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Current: Honda Nsr 125
Live: Sunderland
Luke "cant be arsed to read your post, but suck my balls anyway."

[Bendy]

[imanupstart]

[Burnside]

I'm a 28" leg, I have a naked sv650 with a lower seat (really makes a difference). I didn't like the clip on bars on the sport version cos I was leaning forward to much making it difficult for me to balance.

I sat on loads of bikes before buying it - other ones I felt comfortable on: '08 Yamaha XJ6, MT-03, ER6, Gladius, GSR600
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I started out with nothing and I still got most of it left.

[eddclarke]

[crowe]

[bacon]

i posted a reply, but the server died on me so ill try again, im 5ft 6 also, and also have a 29" inside leg

I have been tip toes on all my bikes (when having both feet down at a time), and can easily get 1 foot flat down without problems.

First bike was a cbr600fs (2001 model), no problems

then i got a zx6r b1h (2003), taller, but thinner seat, no worrys there

then i bought a zx7r, its lower than the other 2 bikes, but its wider, but still no problems with tip toes, and 1 flat foot

My bro bought a cbr600f (2001 model), again with this no problems

test rode a K7 gsxr 750, it was awesome, i easily got the balls of both feet down at the same time, its a really low bike and felt like it fit like a glove. Would buy one in a heart beat if i had the cash


For reference only bikes i havent got both feet at least tip toes on that i have sat on in a dealer have been:

1050 speed triple
new R6

Far too tall for me


But to be honest mate, if you can get tip toes on both feet down, and one foot flat on the ground you wont have any issues at all, only time i have a slight problem, is pushing the bikes backwards up an incline, or if the surface is poor and i think im going to slip. In those cases i get off, and just push it back the last bit to help me park.

Go sit on a few in a dealer, choose one you like, buy private, job done

hope that helps, if not apologies for the essay

[Digitalize]

I have about the same length leg, and only found supermoto's a problem, my bike is about 32" seat to ground, yet i can still get on fine, put my foot down etc, gotta remember the shock will take an inch or so off when your sat on it.

Most sports bikes should be fine (i hope ) but you could always have it lowered a little.

Just stay away from Supermotos and Dirt Bikes.

[Hazylogic]

[ClaireBear]

Even though bandits a great bikes, they might not be best for shorter people- unless you think about getting it lowered?

I ride my other halfs bandit, Im 5ft 11 and cant sit on the bike and paddle it at the same time lol Its probably more down to the weight and width rather than height though

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Once you're moving your inside leg doesn't matter, it just makes it easier handling cumbersome bikes. I too have a 29" inside leg, the tallest/widest/heaviest bike I've owned was a BMW R100RT, with a 31" seat height. The only real problem I encountered was not being able to put the side stand out fully whilst still on the bike. If I'd have kept it longer, I would have just moved it closer or put a bar on it.

The other bigger bikes I've had was an XJ900F and a GPZ900R, both of which had a seat height of 31", but the seats were slimmer than the BMW. I had no problem at all with those.
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5