Motorcyclist Magazine I live in Bangladesh. In my country there are only permission for 165cc bikes. In my country the best sports bikes are CBR150R, GSX R150 and Yamaha R15 v3. The front tires of those bikes are 90,100 section and the rare tires are 130,140. I like fat tires. And I have CBR150R. So, which tire size will be fat and perfect for my bike. And How many milage have to sacrifice???
Finally a video for short riders that doesn't outright say "don't lower your bike". I'm way too short to have the option of not lowering my bike sadly. At least until I have more experience and am more confortable on my bike I will keep it lowered. I might think about getting it back to stock later on though. Thanks for the insight on what to look out for when lowering your bike!
When I was riding. It wasn't so much coming up to a stop and having to put a foot down. But more when you needed to back up. That's where the Lower height comes into play most. Sometimes you just can't plan your ability to power forward out of a parking spot. Sometimes you have to nose in or worse yet backup uphill
I get off and walk mine if I have to also. I’ve learned to always put the kickstand down while doing this, that way you don’t have to worry about dropping it.
Okay so it’s not just me that’s literally my only issue and stopping is a bit iffy but it’s nowhere near as bad as me sweating my balls off trying to park my bike bike tried using the trick where you hold the front brake push it forward and let go it helped a little bit but I would lean too much to one side at times
Being 5'3 28" inseam if lowering the bike is a must I firmly believe in the infinite type rear lowering links the dual heim joint type after shaving the seat foam they make it possible to get away with making the smallest change to rear height. On my ZX6R I think we got away with 7/16ths drop rear and 9/16ths front followed by a professional suspension setup for aggressive but stable on road handling. Having your suspension professionally setup makes such a vast improvement to handling and confidence best mod you can do for yourself and your bike and it usually costs between $75-150.
You’re the comment I’ve been looking for. 5’2 rider here with a similar inseam as you and I ride I ninja 400. I bought a lowering kit but have yet to install it because I’m hesitant on the handling and clearance of the bike and seeing if shaving the seat was worth sacrificing comfort for better foot reach
At 57 I'm a brand new rider. I have a 2021 mt07 that I tip toe on. On a good day I'm 5'8" with a 28 or 29 inseam. I bought a link to lower the bike. I can honestly say I don't know much about motorcycles, except the prices, so would either one of you know how it's done? How do I lower the front? I'm seriously considering taking my seat and having foam taking out and replacing the foam with a piece of 3/4" gel pad. And you might think I'm nuts but I bought a 2 1/2" shoe lifts for my boots. By wearing them I was able to flat foot my bike. The lifts come in different heights that equal 2 1/2". Any help you two could give me would be greatly appreciated... ....Ride Safe my friends
@@Robocoppat As far as lowering the front end it done thru the triple tree by loosening and changing the fork placement. Seat foam changes can work but can also be uncomfortable on longish riding sessions.
If your motorcycle has a shaft drive, you can not blindly lower the back of the motorcycle by installing shorter shocks. Most drive shafts only have about 8° of rotation, your driveshaft will not turn freely at the U joint if you go to far, it will bind at the end of the Shock stroke.. also: a narrow Seat will help someone with shorter inseam reach the ground easier than a wide seat.
Fantastic video, I'm 5'9 but I've got a short inseam and struggle to get flat footed on my Ninja 1000. It's encouraging to know It's not considered necessary to get both feet flat on the ground, and I won't make any changes to my motorcycle and instead simply park or come to a stop in smarter positions to avoid having to walk the motorcycle or stopping on a slope with my foot on the downhill side. Thanks for the information, excellent channel
5ft3, riding 32inch seat height bike for my daily (cb150x). Intimidated in the beggining, and gets better the more you ride it. 1 foot on the ground is actually enough to support you and ur bike.
Most bikes are "too big" for me, so therefore I've been forced to master the one foot approach--as a shorter rider, experience, balance, AND technique are the ingredients to success
@@SlimmyJimmySonjan Guess I'll go with the Rebel 500. 3 inch shorter seat height. Don't think I can get the ninja that low. Ninja is a steal at 2 grand though. I see gas going sky high soon. ~ Take care
I'm a small light rider and for the most part, other than VERY tall dirt bikes I've never had much issue with seat height. Although I do wish more bikes had a wider ranger of suspension adjustment out of the box as at just over 100lbs most bikes are just oversprung for me. Even my Ducati Scrambler which is often denigrated for being overpsrung barely sags with my butt on it. If you are short don't be afraid to shift your left butt check off the seat at a stop to get more of your foot on the ground.
If you'll ride a cruiser, the Yamaha V-Star 950 has probably the lowest seat height for a full sized bike. Here's mine on a long trip. ruclips.net/video/tDikSuhROnU/видео.html
The best advice is the first i think. Try to be a one foot ground rider, and the problem solved for any bike. I saw a man who s tall just 160 cm and riding standart seat height 1200 GS. And yes, he can stop at the traffic lights with one foot on the ground.
Im 5'3. I got a Corbin seat, so worth the money. So worth it. I slap got good boys. I can happily plant one entire foot, or ball of the foot two feet. I have a 14' ninja 650.
@chriscam9946 it's thicker and heavier, but because of the cut, it makes it so you have a lower seat height. Your feet can touch the ground better. But it's pretty comfortable thick.
I always love it when you guys act as though everyone of a certain height has the same inseam. I am 5'7" and my inseam is 26". It sucks and I have just learned to deal with it. I can't ride the tall bikes. Well, I probably could, but it isn't worth the trouble when I find a place where the wheels are on high spots and my foot is in a hole.
It's crazy how the geometry of your bike changes with millimeters of adjustment on the forks. I adjusted mine professionally on a 2008 Ducati Hypermotard and am looking to raise it back for better handling. Since I'm 5'5", I think getting a lower seat will be a better option.....and/or boots.
I'm 5'3 and I had a difficult time getting my Honda CBR500r to my liking. Should have seen me try to test ride them, poor sales guy had to basically throw me onto the bike. We ended up shaving the seat and I had to buy some boots with a tall heel, totally doesn't match the rest of my gear, but you gotta do what you gotta do!
Good One! A friend of mine suffers with this short issue and I have seen him adjust sag, buy expensive custom saddles and pay big bucks for suspension shortening. He essentially ruins hid bike to accommodate his height. I told him to buy taller shoes and get used to one footing it. Thanks and keep em coming.
I ride a 2011 Yamaha XJR1300 - and this is a motorcycle that was never released in the USA. Check it out online - it is a 1300cc naked muscle bike - the last of its kind - it is an absolute joy to ride. I had to actually get the seat shaven by an upholsterer and take it to a suspension specialist (Suspension Smith in Fyshwick ACT) to bring the factory Ohlins suspension as low as possible without messing up the ride quality. I still cannot have my feet flat on the ground - but it is great fun to ride. Lowering the motorcycle any other way reduces the lean angle and can affect ride dynamics too.
Thank god for this video. I hope more and more women go into riding. Maybe then manufacturers will finally start making bikes other than cruisers for short people.
My 2 cents: If you experiment, do small changes, 1 at a time. Keep a notebook with auditable (you can read it a year later and know what it meant) notes, measurements. Start with things that are easy to undo. Once you start this, your record will continue to guide you because experimenting thoughtfully is how you get to be a journeyman/expert. Being able to recall your previous findings accurately will be a golden reference for you. Here's an issue if you buy shorter shocks, 'you will have less suspension travel'. If your shorter shocks have the same spring rating as the longer stock shocks, it may not be enough to keep you from bottoming out. Trust me, it's better to have stiffer springs than bottoming. My Street Scrambler is 1.25" lower at the rear than stock. I don't go off road but railroad tracks, pot holes and just out of nowhere SOB's make the problem known rudely. Going to up grade those springs before I get any shorter. Don't know how those guys rode hardtails in the old days. I have progressive fork springs to put in the front but haven't decided yet if I want to lower the front also, it seems to ride and handle fine but it's a cruiser, not a sport bike. And if I go off of the pavement it's only to turn around and get back on the pavement. Comments welcome.
Yup. Lady riding friend (R1200GS) had a cobbler add 1/2 to the soles of her boots. There was enough adjustments in her foot controls to allow room for the thicker footwear. Easier to do with some boots than others though...
Yeah, I once saw a lady rider who had literally screwed on a second set of soles to her riding boots--it was kinda of hilarious, but, she claimed it worked for her
Works. At 5'1", I might be the world's shortest auto journalist, and I have to test all kinds of motorcycles. Therefore, I wear thick-soled boots while testing the ADVs or something like the FTR1200 (the highest bike--seat height is 853 mm--I've tested yet).
Ari Henning im 5'3 and the sturggle is real on my RC... Im just happy with anything u throw at us 😂 keep em coming... 1 issue that keeps coming up in our group page is oil, proper sae and when to change. Some does it ever 1k some every 7k kms
Where are you shopping? I'm 6'7", and there are absolutely not more bikes for tall people. I have to modify every bike I own. Raise the seat, bar risers (which means brake line and wiring), lower the pegs and controls. Not to mention everyone's fave tall bike, the Versys, has a gas tank contoured for folks with a 30" or smaller inseam. I have a 36" inseam, and my knees don't even come close to fitting. Don't mistake a tall seat height as a bike for tall people. The distance between the seat and the pegs is more important than the distance between the seat and the ground.
Great video!! Could you also make a video to show how can we align the front forks of our motorcycles? That's going to be super helpful for many of us.
I feel compelled to talk on this subject as I'm 5' tall. I've owned 6 different bikes in approx 30 years and have approx 200k miles on bikes. I've done all the things you talk about. I found the bottom line is suspension mods. It's ok, but one more item that I've came to believe is the best. That being I have added approx 2" to my heels and sole's of my boots. My largest was a Yamaha Roadstar full dress and the smallest was my first a 250cc dream by Honda. Put your mind to it and you can ride any bike.
Imagine if cars were made that didn’t have seat adjustments and they just said “ehh figure it out” small things like this are why motorcycles in the us isn’t as popular as it could be
I am a chief motorcycle instructor in Canada. FAR too many new riders feel a motorcycle is "too tall" for them if they can't put both feet down flat. This is not the case. You SHOULD only be putting one foot down and leaving the other on the rear brake. This is called "Ready-To-Ride" position, and leaves you in control of the bike. We have shorter riders every week who eventually learn they can ride a much taller bike than they thought because they watched their friends/husbands/fathers stop the WRONG way with both feet down and automatically assumed they must do the same. Once they learn that their "mentor" is doing that (and many OTHER things) the wrong way, they feel much more confident riding a taller bike.
Gary Stackhouse Although I understand where you’re coming from (and I have done exactly what you mentioned, on taller bikes) it is far more confidence inspiring to be able to put both feet down particular during a stop, and even more so if riding 2up. The weight of the bike is also a factor. That said, I’m glad that you encourage your students to use the proper riding technique so as to be able to ride the bike they want safely as opposed to being limited. Props to you sir!
Thanks, but I will say this... If my students felt they needed to put both feet down to be confident, I would tell them they need more practice before they hit the road. My argument would go something like this... putting both feet down (especially during a stop) causes you to lose some control over the bike, as you don't have your rear brake on... this means you either have to hold the front brake, causing you to not have full control of the throttle, or, even worse, not have a brake on at all and have to control the rolling of a large bike with your feet (speaking of the weight of the bike being a factor)... neither of which should be terribly 'confidence inspiring'.
Gary Stackhouse That would depend on the situation, of course. As usual, the rider needs to be able to maintain awareness and adapt to changing circumstances. That said, no matter how you slice it, the rider will have an extra element of confidence when it comes to having the ability to put both feet on the ground. Does it mean that they should stop that way in every situation? Absolutely not. Once again, that depends on the situation.
Gary Stackhouse Lol, I never suggested that. Maybe you thought by “at a stop” that I was referring to a stop/red light or stop sign. It’s great to be in the “ready position” to maintain control of the bike; however, I’m simply stating that it’s an advantage to have the ability to plant both feet on the ground. That would be useful for balance, and would help under a variety of circumstances. Is it a requirement to do so for the purpose of riding a motorcycle? No. Can it contribute to an overall safer riding experience that is indeed more “confidence inspiring”? Absolutely.
I’m 4’10 or 4’11 not sure it’s been a while but I’m down to two options a cruiser or ninja 250 think I’ll start with a cruiser I’ve been suggested to go with a rebel 500
1:06 More preload will not make the ride harsh. It simply lifts the ride height. It is a myth that more preload makes the suspension firmer or stiffer.
It absolutely will make the ride more harsh. More preload means more breakaway force is needed to overcome that preload. That and you will end up with less bike only sag, which decreases the distance the wheels can extend into dips.
Having back issues using the left leg full weight on and right on pegs.. sliding the butt, increases stress on my back .. which has issues.....Yet I think shaving the seat is the best option.. just have to find a shop in my area in Asia.. cheers mate..
You guys pull out some excellent videos with excellent tips explained in an excellent way. Good thing I'm 6'1", though - it seems very complicated to solve that height problem. Thanks a lot for the video!
One foot only works well if the ground is level. It won't let you push backwards. Those same seats are too wade to let your leg down comfortably. Can be especially hard to handle at a stop when you have a passenger. Custom seats are your best option...or get a shorter bike.
For anyone who thinks they're too short, check out Jocelin Snow on YT. She's tiny, and she rides a 1250GS ADV bike and owns it! She literally stands tippy toes on one side of the bike, with her knee over the seat and controls the bike with her thighs.. she has to jump onto the bike to take off! It's absolutely incredible and seriously inspiring for us short folks! She kicks absolute ass, and so can you!
Totally agree with your last point that lowering the height should be the last resort. I am only 5.4ft tall and my bike's seat height is 800mm which is close to 31.5inches. I also believe that height ia just another number that we have to overcome in our mind as we don't need both the feets on the ground to manage the bike , same as you said in the start of the video. You make really informative videos, respect from India.
never lower the suspension. you will change the angle of the fork and wheels distance and the bike will not be easy or safe to ride. just get a bike that fits you and lower the seat
I want to patent my idea for shortys, a ram inside the suspension spring and when the bike senses its below 5 mph it just pulls the rear suspension up 4 inches viola you can reach when you stop
I'm at 5'3" and i drive a suzuki gsx r150. It has a seat height of 785mm. I'm at tip toe and also having a hard time pulling it out of the parking lot at work. I have to carry my bike on the side if i want to maneuver it out 😂 and to make it worse, i live in the Philippines. Which means I need to make traffic stops every so often. Can't complain tho, keeping the bike up at traffic while tip toed gave me ripped calf muscles😂 don't wanna lower my bike since it'll affect handling.
Why wasn't "installing smaller wheels" mentioned in the options for lowering a motorycle seat-height? Granted, there are considerations (clearances and fit with other parts, changing the rear sprocket to maintain gear ratios and top speed, and etc.). But, it is feasible, right?
I'm 5'6 tall i struggled riding my Gilera vxr 200. So i lowered the rear spring and modded the front fork. I can reach one foot to the ground now but the handling and ride comfort got worse.. Well I heard that Gilera VXR 03 is a scooter for the dutch :D
If your not a track goer, and if it’s done correctly I don’t think lowering your bike is as bad as everyone thinks. Most people “think” it’s bad because that’s what they heard someone else say. If it makes you more comfortable......do it
the best option is if you are short choose a lower bike, similar to if you want to buy a shirt, you need to choose the shirt that fit you, choosing a wrong bike like choosing a wrong size shirt
Im surprised you did not mentioned anything about the riding boots. I know shorter riders sometimes look for the beefy ADV boots to give them that extra inch they are looking for...but the title is “‘motorcycle” mods =P
I am 5 7 I found it best to never stop lol. Then no need for short legs to bother me lol. Truly I learned to get one solid foot down at stops. I hate lowering bikes it messes up suspension geometry. One foot is just fine even on tall bike just slide ass off to one side. It does screw up hard launches as weight is not centered but as I do not drag race who needs bad fast launch.
So what's the difference between lowering your suspension (which he advised against towards the end) vs adjusting the sag in the suspension? Won't adjusting the sag change the suspension height (and thus handling characteristics)?
Sag & pre-load adjust for the weight of the rider. A heavy rider (who sits on a bike that is adjusted for a lightweight rider) can cause the suspension to "bottom-out" just by sitting on the bike. But, adjust the pre-load and the bike will handle the heavier rider or a light rider with a lot of luggage. Cars simply adjust the position of the seat, so that a driver can properly reach the pedals and steering-wheel. Unless a driver isn't tall enough to see over the dashboard, eh? Motorcycles make the adjustment process more difficult than a car and motorcycles don't get produced in multiple frame-sizes like bicycles. Bicycles are easier to match with the size of a rider, for optimal ergonomics. Granted, bicycles are in a different price category when compared with motorcycles.
I came here because it’s really hard for me parking because I’m literally using the front of my toes to a bit lower to push the back and I can’t get enough grip that way. Though I was using shoes I’m sure it’s easier with boots but I’m learning with my shoes because my boots don’t fit under the shifter
Here's an article explaining how to cut down your stock seat to lower its height: www.motorcyclistonline.com/how-to-cut-down-motorcycle-saddle
Motorcyclist Magazine I think height is one of the most intimidating factors for me at the moment
Motorcyclist Magazine I live in Bangladesh. In my country there are only permission for 165cc bikes. In my country the best sports bikes are CBR150R, GSX R150 and Yamaha R15 v3.
The front tires of those bikes are 90,100 section and the rare tires are 130,140.
I like fat tires. And I have CBR150R. So, which tire size will be fat and perfect for my bike. And How many milage have to sacrifice???
RABIUL ISLAM RIDOY
M
Thanks Bro!
Good thing I'm fat, the bike compresses just fine
Rizqi Rizaldo 🤣🤣😂
Lmao
lmao 2x
Lol...
Rizqi Rizaldo lmao(3x)
Finally a video for short riders that doesn't outright say "don't lower your bike". I'm way too short to have the option of not lowering my bike sadly. At least until I have more experience and am more confortable on my bike I will keep it lowered. I might think about getting it back to stock later on though. Thanks for the insight on what to look out for when lowering your bike!
i’m not short...
my bike is tall
My bikes seem to have the same problem.
dont let them hurt you
Same
😂 right
When I was riding. It wasn't so much coming up to a stop and having to put a foot down. But more when you needed to back up.
That's where the Lower height comes into play most. Sometimes you just can't plan your ability to power forward out of a parking spot. Sometimes you have to nose in or worse yet backup uphill
I quickly learned to never put myself in a position where i needed to back up after finding myself struggling to backup uphill.
I get off and walk mine if I have to also. I’ve learned to always put the kickstand down while doing this, that way you don’t have to worry about dropping it.
I just walk it even if I could back it up, it's just faster that way and I can see behind the bike with all my gear on.
Okay so it’s not just me that’s literally my only issue and stopping is a bit iffy but it’s nowhere near as bad as me sweating my balls off trying to park my bike bike tried using the trick where you hold the front brake push it forward and let go it helped a little bit but I would lean too much to one side at times
Being 5'3 28" inseam if lowering the bike is a must I firmly believe in the infinite type rear lowering links the dual heim joint type after shaving the seat foam they make it possible to get away with making the smallest change to rear height. On my ZX6R I think we got away with 7/16ths drop rear and 9/16ths front followed by a professional suspension setup for aggressive but stable on road handling. Having your suspension professionally setup makes such a vast improvement to handling and confidence best mod you can do for yourself and your bike and it usually costs between $75-150.
You’re the comment I’ve been looking for. 5’2 rider here with a similar inseam as you and I ride I ninja 400. I bought a lowering kit but have yet to install it because I’m hesitant on the handling and clearance of the bike and seeing if shaving the seat was worth sacrificing comfort for better foot reach
At 57 I'm a brand new rider. I have a 2021 mt07 that I tip toe on. On a good day I'm 5'8" with a 28 or 29 inseam. I bought a link to lower the bike. I can honestly say I don't know much about motorcycles, except the prices, so would either one of you know how it's done? How do I lower the front? I'm seriously considering taking my seat and having foam taking out and replacing the foam with a piece of 3/4" gel pad. And you might think I'm nuts but I bought a
2 1/2" shoe lifts for my boots. By wearing them I was able to flat foot my bike. The lifts come in different heights that equal 2 1/2". Any help you two could give me would be greatly appreciated...
....Ride Safe my friends
@@Robocoppat As far as lowering the front end it done thru the triple tree by loosening and changing the fork placement. Seat foam changes can work but can also be uncomfortable on longish riding sessions.
You can also glue extra rubber to your boots - it can help you to win 1/2 inch or even more! And it's much cheaper than suspensions tricks!
If your motorcycle has a shaft drive, you can not blindly lower the back of the motorcycle by installing shorter shocks. Most drive shafts only have about 8° of rotation, your driveshaft will not turn freely at the U joint if you go to far, it will bind at the end of the Shock stroke.. also: a narrow Seat will help someone with shorter inseam reach the ground easier than a wide seat.
Most driveshafts have 360° of rotation ;)
Fantastic video, I'm 5'9 but I've got a short inseam and struggle to get flat footed on my Ninja 1000. It's encouraging to know It's not considered necessary to get both feet flat on the ground, and I won't make any changes to my motorcycle and instead simply park or come to a stop in smarter positions to avoid having to walk the motorcycle or stopping on a slope with my foot on the downhill side. Thanks for the information, excellent channel
Borge I'm 5'7" and tip toe on my ninja 1000. Great bike but wish it was an inch shorter.
Borge how much is you inseam. Im 5‘7.5 inseam is 33 can i flat Footed Ninja 1000?
jeff westbrooke How much is your inseam Bro
@@bdl4712 damn youre lucky. I'm the same height but with a 30 inch inseam. I tiptoe on my cbr300r smh
I'm less than 5'3, I needed this so much ..
5ft3, riding 32inch seat height bike for my daily (cb150x). Intimidated in the beggining, and gets better the more you ride it. 1 foot on the ground is actually enough to support you and ur bike.
I'm 6'4'' and I'm still watching this video because I love this channel so much
Most bikes are "too big" for me, so therefore I've been forced to master the one foot approach--as a shorter rider, experience, balance, AND technique are the ingredients to success
I am so glad you guys covered this one. There's a ton of good info packed into a little bit of video people can watch as much as we want.
Thanks a lot man. You're a life saver. Very comprehensively explained. Awesome!
Aren't you the same bobs and vagene guy ? 🤣
Dani Pedrosa liked this video
ZING!
savage
lol
"Just hire somebody to hold the bike for you when you come to a stop" -Dani Pedrosa, probably.
Watched the whole thing even though I’m tall.
the8jrfan lucky you
@@captainmerica2498 what height is considered tall anyway?
If you can't see tomorrow then you aren't tall ..
🤣 same here lol
Watched the whole video even though I don't have a bike
5'5 here reporting for duty
5’3 also reporting for duty xD
5’6 here reporting for duty 😂
@@SlimmyJimmySonjan Same here. I found a nice Ninja 300 SE for sale, but not sure I can lower it enough to feel safe,
@@cbond99 i wish i was like *two* inches taller xD
@@SlimmyJimmySonjan Guess I'll go with the Rebel 500. 3 inch shorter seat height. Don't think I can get the ninja that low. Ninja is a steal at 2 grand though. I see gas going sky high soon. ~ Take care
I'm a small light rider and for the most part, other than VERY tall dirt bikes I've never had much issue with seat height. Although I do wish more bikes had a wider ranger of suspension adjustment out of the box as at just over 100lbs most bikes are just oversprung for me. Even my Ducati Scrambler which is often denigrated for being overpsrung barely sags with my butt on it.
If you are short don't be afraid to shift your left butt check off the seat at a stop to get more of your foot on the ground.
I’m 4’11”, i feel like I’m never going to find a comfortable ride 🙄 unfortunately I’m definitely not growing anymore either. I’m 21 😭
Don't loose hope! Go for lower seat height cruiser bikes
cruiser bikes and scooters will do for starters.
If you'll ride a cruiser, the Yamaha V-Star 950 has probably the lowest seat height for a full sized bike. Here's mine on a long trip. ruclips.net/video/tDikSuhROnU/видео.html
I’m also 4’11” and riding the Yamaha R3 just fine.
Honda rebel is a great ride for short riders. I almost bought one... and although I love my Duke, it would've been cheaper had I gone w a rebel.
The best advice is the first i think. Try to be a one foot ground rider, and the problem solved for any bike. I saw a man who s tall just 160 cm and riding standart seat height 1200 GS. And yes, he can stop at the traffic lights with one foot on the ground.
There are people who are less than 160cm and it is very common in asia.
Im 5'3. I got a Corbin seat, so worth the money. So worth it. I slap got good boys. I can happily plant one entire foot, or ball of the foot two feet. I have a 14' ninja 650.
Being able to put one foot down is ALL you need. Remember a kickstand is only one side of the bike!
@@stuartbear922 It always scared me because my bike is heavy. But you're right! One foot is all.
How thin is the corbin seat compared to the stock seat?
@chriscam9946 it's thicker and heavier, but because of the cut, it makes it so you have a lower seat height. Your feet can touch the ground better. But it's pretty comfortable thick.
I just let about 20psi out of my tires. Worked perfectly 😁
I am 6' tall and never had a problem reaching the ground, but I love this channel and it's content. Thanks for all the great info Ari!
It is so true that one foot on the ground is sufficient to balance the bike. Just takes some practice and enough experience with the bike
Shortie here in the process of shaving the seat on my moto to be a little closer to the ground. Great video. Much thanks :D
I always love it when you guys act as though everyone of a certain height has the same inseam. I am 5'7" and my inseam is 26". It sucks and I have just learned to deal with it. I can't ride the tall bikes. Well, I probably could, but it isn't worth the trouble when I find a place where the wheels are on high spots and my foot is in a hole.
Bruh 5'7 is preety decent
Am 5'1 and 18 so yep i am vertically challenged
It's crazy how the geometry of your bike changes with millimeters of adjustment on the forks. I adjusted mine professionally on a 2008 Ducati Hypermotard and am looking to raise it back for better handling. Since I'm 5'5", I think getting a lower seat will be a better option.....and/or boots.
I lowered my v storm 3/4" front and back and it handles just fine. But I don't ride my bike hard to really push it.
Purchase a seat off of a Hypermotard 796, iirc the 796 seat is around 20mm shorter than the stock 1100 one.
It's very informative for us asians, so thank you mc garage 👍 thumbs up
Benedict lalican weeee. 120cc lang naman motor mo ulol
You deserve more audience. Thank you for the quality content and being objective.
I'm 6 foot 1 and clicked immediately. That should say something about the quality of your videos!
I have short legs. This could be a thing to return to in the future whenever I need to upgrade. My current bike is very “short person friendly”
JoVi []_[] what bike is it?
I'm 5'3 and I had a difficult time getting my Honda CBR500r to my liking. Should have seen me try to test ride them, poor sales guy had to basically throw me onto the bike. We ended up shaving the seat and I had to buy some boots with a tall heel, totally doesn't match the rest of my gear, but you gotta do what you gotta do!
Another alternative...is modify our legs 😂
Good One! A friend of mine suffers with this short issue and I have seen him adjust sag, buy expensive custom saddles and pay big bucks for suspension shortening. He essentially ruins hid bike to accommodate his height. I told him to buy taller shoes and get used to one footing it. Thanks and keep em coming.
THANK.YOU. I'm 5'5" and I bought the Z650 because it fits me. I want to get another bike, but they're all so tall.
Learn to ride without putting two feet down.
I ride a 2011 Yamaha XJR1300 - and this is a motorcycle that was never released in the USA. Check it out online - it is a 1300cc naked muscle bike - the last of its kind - it is an absolute joy to ride. I had to actually get the seat shaven by an upholsterer and take it to a suspension specialist (Suspension Smith in Fyshwick ACT) to bring the factory Ohlins suspension as low as possible without messing up the ride quality. I still cannot have my feet flat on the ground - but it is great fun to ride. Lowering the motorcycle any other way reduces the lean angle and can affect ride dynamics too.
I'm 5'5" with a 27 inch inseam and I can manage to ride a dorsoduro 900. As he said, all you need is one lil tippy toe and you're good.
I’m 5’2 gonna buy a ninja 400 soon
It'll fit ya great. And it's a great bike!
Buy the new Triumph Street Triple R Low if you can afford it. It’s probably as low or lower to the ground than the ninja 400, and a blast to drive!
I've been riding a 650 for three years and I would like to try out the Ninja 400, I think with mods and it's light weight it would be great.
Zirc5 DRIFT nice!!
ShoGo Racing yeah thats a bit much for a beginner
Thank god for this video. I hope more and more women go into riding. Maybe then manufacturers will finally start making bikes other than cruisers for short people.
My 2 cents: If you experiment, do small changes, 1 at a time. Keep a notebook with auditable (you can read it a year later and know what it meant) notes, measurements. Start with things that are easy to undo. Once you start this, your record will continue to guide you because experimenting thoughtfully is how you get to be a journeyman/expert. Being able to recall your previous findings accurately will be a golden reference for you.
Here's an issue if you buy shorter shocks, 'you will have less suspension travel'. If your shorter shocks have the same spring rating as the longer stock shocks, it may not be enough to keep you from bottoming out. Trust me, it's better to have stiffer springs than bottoming.
My Street Scrambler is 1.25" lower at the rear than stock. I don't go off road but railroad tracks, pot holes and just out of nowhere SOB's make the problem known rudely. Going to up grade those springs before I get any shorter. Don't know how those guys rode hardtails in the old days.
I have progressive fork springs to put in the front but haven't decided yet if I want to lower the front also, it seems to ride and handle fine but it's a cruiser, not a sport bike. And if I go off of the pavement it's only to turn around and get back on the pavement. Comments welcome.
We need a video for tall guys too, thank you so much!
how bout shoes with thicker soles?
Can't be as bad as riding with mx boots
Yup. Lady riding friend (R1200GS) had a cobbler add 1/2 to the soles of her boots. There was enough adjustments in her foot controls to allow room for the thicker footwear. Easier to do with some boots than others though...
Daytona do the GTX with thicker soles
Yeah, I once saw a lady rider who had literally screwed on a second set of soles to her riding boots--it was kinda of hilarious, but, she claimed it worked for her
Works. At 5'1", I might be the world's shortest auto journalist, and I have to test all kinds of motorcycles. Therefore, I wear thick-soled boots while testing the ADVs or something like the FTR1200 (the highest bike--seat height is 853 mm--I've tested yet).
Finally! Ive been waiting for this video for years!!!
You should have asked for it! We take audience suggestions seriously, so if you have an idea for a vid, lay it on us.
Ari Henning im 5'3 and the sturggle is real on my RC... Im just happy with anything u throw at us 😂 keep em coming... 1 issue that keeps coming up in our group page is oil, proper sae and when to change. Some does it ever 1k some every 7k kms
The last message makes me confident. Thnk you
Can we have one for tall riders? It would be so nice!
Simon Kjeldgaard get a tall ass bike
Get a sumo like every other scandinavian and you'll be set
Dude there are more bikes for tall people. Go find one...
Where are you shopping? I'm 6'7", and there are absolutely not more bikes for tall people. I have to modify every bike I own. Raise the seat, bar risers (which means brake line and wiring), lower the pegs and controls. Not to mention everyone's fave tall bike, the Versys, has a gas tank contoured for folks with a 30" or smaller inseam. I have a 36" inseam, and my knees don't even come close to fitting. Don't mistake a tall seat height as a bike for tall people. The distance between the seat and the pegs is more important than the distance between the seat and the ground.
get a 1990-1995 DR650. Im 6'5" and can just barely put my feet down. feels great
Great video!! Could you also make a video to show how can we align the front forks of our motorcycles? That's going to be super helpful for many of us.
I feel compelled to talk on this subject as I'm 5' tall. I've owned 6 different bikes in approx 30 years and have approx 200k miles on bikes. I've done all the things you talk about. I found the bottom line is suspension mods. It's ok, but one more item that I've came to believe is the best. That being I have added approx 2" to my heels and sole's of my boots. My largest was a Yamaha Roadstar full dress and the smallest was my first a 250cc dream by Honda. Put your mind to it and you can ride any bike.
Imagine if cars were made that didn’t have seat adjustments and they just said “ehh figure it out” small things like this are why motorcycles in the us isn’t as popular as it could be
I am a chief motorcycle instructor in Canada. FAR too many new riders feel a motorcycle is "too tall" for them if they can't put both feet down flat. This is not the case. You SHOULD only be putting one foot down and leaving the other on the rear brake. This is called "Ready-To-Ride" position, and leaves you in control of the bike. We have shorter riders every week who eventually learn they can ride a much taller bike than they thought because they watched their friends/husbands/fathers stop the WRONG way with both feet down and automatically assumed they must do the same. Once they learn that their "mentor" is doing that (and many OTHER things) the wrong way, they feel much more confident riding a taller bike.
Gary Stackhouse Although I understand where you’re coming from (and I have done exactly what you mentioned, on taller bikes) it is far more confidence inspiring to be able to put both feet down particular during a stop, and even more so if riding 2up. The weight of the bike is also a factor. That said, I’m glad that you encourage your students to use the proper riding technique so as to be able to ride the bike they want safely as opposed to being limited. Props to you sir!
Thanks, but I will say this... If my students felt they needed to put both feet down to be confident, I would tell them they need more practice before they hit the road. My argument would go something like this... putting both feet down (especially during a stop) causes you to lose some control over the bike, as you don't have your rear brake on... this means you either have to hold the front brake, causing you to not have full control of the throttle, or, even worse, not have a brake on at all and have to control the rolling of a large bike with your feet (speaking of the weight of the bike being a factor)... neither of which should be terribly 'confidence inspiring'.
Gary Stackhouse That would depend on the situation, of course. As usual, the rider needs to be able to maintain awareness and adapt to changing circumstances. That said, no matter how you slice it, the rider will have an extra element of confidence when it comes to having the ability to put both feet on the ground. Does it mean that they should stop that way in every situation? Absolutely not. Once again, that depends on the situation.
...and in what situation is it proper to not have control of the throttle and/or brakes?
Gary Stackhouse Lol, I never suggested that. Maybe you thought by “at a stop” that I was referring to a stop/red light or stop sign. It’s great to be in the “ready position” to maintain control of the bike; however, I’m simply stating that it’s an advantage to have the ability to plant both feet on the ground. That would be useful for balance, and would help under a variety of circumstances. Is it a requirement to do so for the purpose of riding a motorcycle? No. Can it contribute to an overall safer riding experience that is indeed more “confidence inspiring”? Absolutely.
I’m 4’10 or 4’11 not sure it’s been a while but I’m down to two options a cruiser or ninja 250 think I’ll start with a cruiser I’ve been suggested to go with a rebel 500
1:06 More preload will not make the ride harsh. It simply lifts the ride height. It is a myth that more preload makes the suspension firmer or stiffer.
It absolutely will make the ride more harsh. More preload means more breakaway force is needed to overcome that preload. That and you will end up with less bike only sag, which decreases the distance the wheels can extend into dips.
Some vital info provided. Thanks bruh
Being able to put one foot down is ALL you need. Remember a kickstand is only on one side of the bike!
Having back issues using the left leg full weight on and right on pegs.. sliding the butt, increases stress on my back .. which has issues.....Yet I think shaving the seat is the best option.. just have to find a shop in my area in Asia.. cheers mate..
You guys pull out some excellent videos with excellent tips explained in an excellent way. Good thing I'm 6'1", though - it seems very complicated to solve that height problem. Thanks a lot for the video!
I like the last sentence.. the very best rider is the short
Loved the opening shot, made Ari look shorter lol. As always thanks MC garage for what you do for us!
Sadly I can deal with the tippy toes at stops but can't do to much to reach the forward controls
My riding boots are my last resort so as to keep my ride stock. It's got style and helps me to stay balanced, even during rains.
My inspiration is Gaston Rahier 😎
purchasing my Ducati Monster 821 Dark tomorrow, can't wait
One foot only works well if the ground is level. It won't let you push backwards. Those same seats are too wade to let your leg down comfortably. Can be especially hard to handle at a stop when you have a passenger. Custom seats are your best option...or get a shorter bike.
You know you just insulted my entire race of people?
But yes, i need this.
Ari you shoud upload more videos to your other channed, i´ve seen the video with the cbr 250r and i love it. nice work man.
For anyone who thinks they're too short, check out Jocelin Snow on YT.
She's tiny, and she rides a 1250GS ADV bike and owns it! She literally stands tippy toes on one side of the bike, with her knee over the seat and controls the bike with her thighs.. she has to jump onto the bike to take off! It's absolutely incredible and seriously inspiring for us short folks!
She kicks absolute ass, and so can you!
Totally agree with your last point that lowering the height should be the last resort.
I am only 5.4ft tall and my bike's seat height is 800mm which is close to 31.5inches.
I also believe that height ia just another number that we have to overcome in our mind as we don't need both the feets on the ground to manage the bike , same as you said in the start of the video.
You make really informative videos, respect from India.
Love these vids. Helping me learn so much. many thanks Ari.
Can you please have the next video be monoshock vs dual shock setup
Hell yeah! About time! Hehehe
5'6" here riding a Suzuki GS500, PERFECT seat height!
I'm serious, what's your workout routine Ari? I'm mirin the physique in every video
Leuff motorcycle bench press
Ari, there’s a free dinner opportunity here.
Brian Byrne
Seriously?
never lower the suspension. you will change the angle of the fork and wheels distance and the bike will not be easy or safe to ride. just get a bike that fits you and lower the seat
I'm 5'3 and a ninja600 user. 🙋🏽♂️
You missed the most easy one: "Just add a couple of inches of layers to the soles of the boot"
Shifting gear up on the left foot would be a problem with that thick sole.
@@wolfdue2236
Wear your platform shoes from the 1970's
Can you guys do an entire video of a walk around with a list of routine maintenance checks you should do regularly on a sport bike?
Great clip thank you 🙏♥️
You forgot one. You can wear a boot with a higher heel. It also works.
Ajay Hbk think about shifting and braking! Ouchie
I want to patent my idea for shortys, a ram inside the suspension spring and when the bike senses its below 5 mph it just pulls the rear suspension up 4 inches viola you can reach when you stop
I'm 5.3 and I ride a r15v3 which is 815mm in seat height.. only problem I face is when I'm in a situation to pull it back
I'm at 5'3" and i drive a suzuki gsx r150. It has a seat height of 785mm. I'm at tip toe and also having a hard time pulling it out of the parking lot at work. I have to carry my bike on the side if i want to maneuver it out 😂 and to make it worse, i live in the Philippines. Which means I need to make traffic stops every so often. Can't complain tho, keeping the bike up at traffic while tip toed gave me ripped calf muscles😂 don't wanna lower my bike since it'll affect handling.
My bike came with Yamaha's oem lower seat. Wouldn't have bought the bike without it.
Why wasn't "installing smaller wheels" mentioned in the options for lowering a motorycle seat-height?
Granted, there are considerations (clearances and fit with other parts, changing the rear sprocket to maintain gear ratios and top speed, and etc.).
But, it is feasible, right?
Watching 🙂 5'4 here and struggling with my gsxr
How about changing the wheels for a sligthly smaller diameter (or maybe even choosing slimmer tire)??? You know, like super low profile for the cars.
165 cm, any suggestion of an adventure bike?
I'm 5'6 tall i struggled riding my Gilera vxr 200. So i lowered the rear spring and modded the front fork.
I can reach one foot to the ground now but the handling and ride comfort got worse..
Well I heard that Gilera VXR 03 is a scooter for the dutch :D
And MC scores again ! 😎 great stuff as usual 👍👌
If your not a track goer, and if it’s done correctly I don’t think lowering your bike is as bad as everyone thinks. Most people “think” it’s bad because that’s what they heard someone else say. If it makes you more comfortable......do it
the best option is if you are short choose a lower bike, similar to if you want to buy a shirt, you need to choose the shirt that fit you, choosing a wrong bike like choosing a wrong size shirt
Im surprised you did not mentioned anything about the riding boots. I know shorter riders sometimes look for the beefy ADV boots to give them that extra inch they are looking for...but the title is “‘motorcycle” mods =P
Do you have any recommendations on where to buy pre-lowered seats for motorcycles, or any brands you'd suggest? Thanks for the advice!
Very good video.
like the way you tell things with all pros and cons....thanks
How abt reducing the front tyre size from 120/70 to 120/60? Will it makes much differents?
I am 5 7 I found it best to never stop lol. Then no need for short legs to bother me lol. Truly I learned to get one solid foot down at stops. I hate lowering bikes it messes up suspension geometry. One foot is just fine even on tall bike just slide ass off to one side. It does screw up hard launches as weight is not centered but as I do not drag race who needs bad fast launch.
So what's the difference between lowering your suspension (which he advised against towards the end) vs adjusting the sag in the suspension? Won't adjusting the sag change the suspension height (and thus handling characteristics)?
Sag & pre-load adjust for the weight of the rider.
A heavy rider (who sits on a bike that is adjusted for a lightweight rider) can cause the suspension to "bottom-out" just by sitting on the bike.
But, adjust the pre-load and the bike will handle the heavier rider or a light rider with a lot of luggage.
Cars simply adjust the position of the seat, so that a driver can properly reach the pedals and steering-wheel.
Unless a driver isn't tall enough to see over the dashboard, eh?
Motorcycles make the adjustment process more difficult than a car and motorcycles don't get produced in multiple frame-sizes like bicycles.
Bicycles are easier to match with the size of a rider, for optimal ergonomics. Granted, bicycles are in a different price category when compared with motorcycles.
Perfect my friend
I came here because it’s really hard for me parking because I’m literally using the front of my toes to a bit lower to push the back and I can’t get enough grip that way. Though I was using shoes I’m sure it’s easier with boots but I’m learning with my shoes because my boots don’t fit under the shifter
5.2ft, bought an XSR900, bought it a lowering linkage for the rear and lowered front forks, still tall as fuck, even with boots.
Another DIY fix is the start plowing down cheeseburgers, pizza, and ice cream. You’ll compress that suspension in no time.