Why I'm raising my bike BACK to stock height
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- Опубликовано: 5 мар 2020
- Find out why I am choosing to tip toe my bike when I could flat foot it. When I bought my bike two years ago, I immediately had it lowered so that I could flat foot it. After having to turn down many Triumph test rides, and struggling at an opportunity of a lifetime test riding bikes at the Triumph Immersion event last month, I want to be as good on a tall bike as someone who only ever tip toes bikes they ride. I'm prepared for a learning hump!
Videos referenced:
Triumph FLEW me to Arizona to test ride bikes!
bit.ly/TriumphFlewMeToArizona
10 Bikes in 10 Minutes
bit.ly/10BikesIn10Minutes
What are the Hottest Motorcycles?
bit.ly/HottestMotorcycles
Thanks #TipToeGang girls that let me use their videos!
Cherrie Bee's "Short Motorcycle Riders, Parking Tips and Tricks"
• Short Motorcycle Rider...
A Girl and Her Bike's "Motorcycles for Short Riders - Tips and Tricks"
• Motorcycles for Short ...
ADV Pulse's "Pro Rider Jocelin Snow"
• Pint-Sized Rider Jocel...
advpulse.com/adv-prepping/rid...
ItsKatKam's "What's in the box?"
• What's in the box?
StreetfighterATL's "Yes, I totaled my bike in a parking lot"
• Yes, I totaled my bike...
Become a channel member! bit.ly/DoodleNation
What's my bike? 2014 Triumph Street Triple R 675 bit.ly/3YearsWithMySTR
What gear do I wear?
Shoei RF1200 Helmet bit.ly/ShoeRF1200
Chic Riot Armored Leather Jacket bit.ly/ChicRiotCalola use code DOODLE10
Draggin Drayko Jeans bit.ly/SpidiMotoPants
Icon Street Knee Guards bit.ly/IconKneeGuards
Icon Winter Gloves (similar) bit.ly/IconHypGloves
Replaced those GAERNE Boots with THESE bit.ly/SidiGTexBootsW
Dainese One Piece Suit (similar) bit.ly/DaineseWomensOnePiece
* Some of the above are affiliate links, to which I may get a commission if you make a purchase
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I’m 6’1 and even I was aware and apprehensive of seat height when choosing/ testing my bike. Dropping a bike is a very daunting experience. Big respect for this video, I’m sure you’ll be giving a lot of people the courage to try all types of motorcycles.
Hey Doodle -- The philosopher said: There are three kinds of people. The first make things happen. The second watch things happen. The third ask: what happened? You are in the first group. Which is why I like your stuff!
You keep workin at it! You can achieve ANYTHING you set your mind to. As long as you're consistant and keep trying. I started watching your channel at the Triumph ride and will be rooting 4 U!
Kill that fear of other people opinion. I'm a short guy and your experience is good for me while I'm learning.
This is still one of my favorite videos. And one of the reasons I did not give up on my motorcycle! Or riding in general!!
I’m so glad I kept my bike, even though I can’t flat foot it. And even though it took me 8 months to get out on a public road! It was so worth it to learn this way. Even though it felt like forever sometimes.
I was absolutely forced to cultivate good braking habits and slow riding skills this way. You were right! I’m so confident on the road now. Thank you so much 🏍❤️
You are always striving to push your personal boundaries and work outside of your comfort zone and that is likely one of the biggest reasons that you have learned so much on your journey! I can't tell you how refreshing it is to hear your stories. You are just so incredibly honest about your learning and your experiences. You share even when it might be uncomfortable, or when you know you might get flack, and I assume that is so you can help others learn as well.
You have an amazing attitude and don't take yourself too seriously. Even haters have to recognize that ;) Thanks girl for all you do. Sending you good vibes as you get to know your bike again in it's full height/glory! Keep keeping it so real.
Your videos motivate me! Thank you for being so candid. It's refreshing....
I feel your pain, I'm 5'6" with a 28 inseam. pretty much on my balls of my feet or toes. I commute to work. and the more you ride, the more confident you'll be. don't shy away from the rain. as long as you've got good rain gear and decent treads on your tires and you ride defensively you'll be ok. the only time that I don't ride is when there's snow on the ground. I've ridden with temps. in the teens and got caught in some pretty rainy weather, but have always made it to my destination. Be safe and Good luck.
Hi!
I can really recommend that you commute on the bike! It makes every day better and you will look forward to getting to work.
The best thing is if you have had a bad day at work or something like that, your stress levels will just drop the second you get on the bike. And you can take a detour on your way home.
I started riding last spring and I rode the bike to work almost every day! I can't tell you how many days my 20 minutes ride home turned in to an hour or two.
Keep up the good work and I must say that I really admire your passion to get better and I think it's really good that more and more girls starts riding!
So proud of you just being so honest and real. I'm smiling right now cause you've said everything I was worried about
That is a smart decision, Doodle! This is why I enjoy your channel. You share common fears that all beginners have and you are not afraid to face them. Tiptoeing a bike is one of the two most common fears in my experience. The second is stopping on a steep incline and worrying that you will roll backwards into the car behind you, or stall out your bike trying to avoid rolling back. The solution to both is to just go out and do it over and over until you can do it and you lose that fear. I remember my grandfather when I was young and learning to horseback ride and I would get tossed off. He would scold me and say get back on! I was scared to death of getting tossed off again, but I was more afraid of disappointing my grandfather than I was of the horse! Practice leads to experience which leads to competency! I salute your courage and determination!
Tip toe gang here, since day one of riding 🤷🏻♀️ honestly I don’t see why everyone makes a big deal about people not being able to flat foot, just don’t think about it too much and before you know it you’ll get it! You got this girl ✊🏻✊🏻
um tldr, but cool 👍
Very interesting perspective and great points. I had never thought of any of that before. Thanks for sharing! Keep shredding!
Hi Doodle another great video proud of you most people won't or can't past their own egos to say hey you know what I need to make a change it shows that you have given this a lot of thought and it makes sense it will open up a lot more opportunities to ride other awesome bike knees to the breeze regards Anthony from down under
Great video! Thank you! I'll definitely be sharing this with my gf, who is 5'2" and getting her first bike in about a month.
One thing I would say, once you've gotten some experience with the tip-toeing, don't be afraid of the rain!! Certainly, it might be unwise to go out in a downpour as soon as you get the stock-height bike back, but riding in the rain is such a unique and fun experience.
Happy International Women’s Day! Hope these bad ass ladies inspired you as much as they did me. Tell me below: are you a #FlatFooter or part of the #TipToeGang? I'll be picking up my bike this coming Saturday, keep up with my stories after that for my #21DayChallenge commuting at stock height (if it's not raining :P)
See my riding journey from DAY ONE to now and maybe you'll learn something with me:
bit.ly/RidingJourneyPlaylist
To see what it's like to be a girl who rides, check this below:
bit.ly/AllAboutBeingAGirlRider
So ballsy you got this
I'm a #TipToeGang too 😭 i totally understand your struggles!
Tip toe gang girl 😂👍
Flat footer on most any bike I'm 6'5"...
I'm a flat footer. i just feel more comfortable and safe.
I’m impressed with your go get em attitude. Success starts with the will to succeed. Your attitude is what I tried to instill in my children as a group.
Great video and perspective of what smaller riders go through just to ride!! Keep up the great work and I have no doubt that you can be another Jocelin Snow when you want!! Best of luck!👊🏻
Skill over comfort! I second that. Great video, fun to watch as always. Cheers!
I shared the J.S. video 3 days ago after looking for some of your other vids but looking down this string, seems at least one other did as well. I'm so happy it supported your goals. No biggie. It's not creation, just passing on something like we all easily do. This related to your video after your Jerry Palladiono's class, then your subsequent share to us out here.
I enjoy a surfski (kayak) in the ocean that is in the expert/elite class but am only an intermediate level paddler. I fall out frequently in big, open water. It can be hateful, challenging and on some occasions when I'm tired, the ocean's rough & cold - a bit scary. Occasionally, it can be difficult to get back in that tippy thing but it's just so gratifying to be challenged and build skills. Of course, I love it. I paddled for 10-15 years but never got substantially better until I developed strategies and a frame of mind that falling was my going to be my path for some time forward. And there may be crossover skills and mindset for I've had an excellent experience with motorcycles except on a couple of occasions when I fell after drinking alcohol (My bad!!! I no longer drink.). Also, there was once that black ice at night and-and-and . . . showing off for the band at the biker bar as I pulled out from the parking lot.
Finally, your m.c. is going to get much more exposure (optics) outside with commutes while you are inside working. You need to research security. I ride every day (and frequent nearby hills & canyons on my lunch break - blowing off steam) yet recently had my bike stolen from right out front of the workplace. It was recovered then, another attempt on it. My last surfski was stolen about 3 weeks ago and I just bought another, used one. S-o-o-o, be that thinking girl but still . . . "Keep on Truckin''!"
Thank you for sharing your learning experience! 😍
As a 5 foot 10 140 lb guy with the desire to ride a motorcycle this video definitely gives me some confidence. I've been riding scooters for years and because of some health issues and anxiety I've never driven a motorcycle. I've sat on a few tall motorcycles and it is definitely intimidating with your only your toes on the ground and all that weight. Thank you for this video, I'm encouraged😊
7:02 is how I look on my Ninja 650. #TipToeGang I've definitely come close to dropping it several times when my foot slipped or I missed a pothole. I've mentioned before that I started on a KLR and there's a level of finesse that comes with it, but I'm no where NEAR the level of Jocelin Snow! She's a queen!
That must have been embarrassing to drop two bikes, but I'm sure Triumph and the other riders were super cool about it. I know I'd be so discouraged, so good on you for continuing and even sharing! I ride my bike almost every day to work. In fact my truck isn't running right now, so I DO ride every day. It's not as scary as some people make it seem. Even super heavy rain isn't an issue, the only real concerns are visibility and just the discomfort of going to work soaked. In a rainy season I'll leave a change of clothes at work to change in to just in case!
When you do start commuting, just really focus on what the other cars are doing. They'll cut you off, and it isn't that they're ignorant it's just that most times they can not see you. We fit really well into a car's blind spots even if they shoulder check. DanDanTheFireman has a lot of fantastic videos on accident prevention, I don't want to see you on his videos!!
Great strategy to throw yourself into the deep end to develop the skills by going back to stock height and riding every day. That is the only way to get better that I can think of. There is no substitute for experience and the only way to get that is to practice daily. Good luck and I look forward to keep up with how your competence grows.
Good luck doodle. It is awesome that you didn't give up when things got tough. Keep practicing and soon you will be like those other girls you admire.
Tip toe gang here!! Been riding a little over a year and a half no problem, you got this don’t worry about anything else beautiful blessings coming your way.
Wonderful video ,, you sure getting there , love your self confidence Doodle that's what is helping you big time . You have the intelligent s and guts to learn and do it for your self and your having fun ,so have a great 2020 and keep it between the hedges . Charlie from Ireland
It's a brave thing you're doing. A healthy amount of fear is good. Trying something new is good. Hope you don't fall too often. But you can always pick yourself up and try again.
So spot on with your comment about daily commuters learning/ gaining confidence quicker. I commute to work on my CBR600 daily, more out of necessity. It does get tough in inclement weather but I just put a rain jacket on and take it easy on the road allowing more space between me and the car in front. The 20mins to and from work is the best part of my day. Mentally, it's fantastic. There's plenty of off street parking & I shower at work. I can attest that at only 5'5", I have learned to roll on and off the seat to flat foot it at a standstill. You'll get the hang of it. The far more important skill is good road sense whilst in traffic. Thanks for the vid. Very enjoyable. 😀👌✌️👍
Great attitude! You are sure to master the beast. You know you will. No need for prayer, you got it girl!!! Cheers!
You started on a very small bike. So it makes the other bikes seem that much taller. I found your channel because I also started on the S40. When I moved up to a bigger bike it seemed so tall, and took a while to get used to. But now I love it! Love being able to look over traffic, or see farther down the road.
Thanks very much for your recommendation. Good luck !
I’m very uncomfortable on taller bikes (which is pretty much ANY bike) and I’d love to be able to ride more of them. But like you were saying about yourself goes for me... I don’t have the skills or practice on taller bikes. This is inspiration for me to get better at it. Can’t wait to see your progress! You got this.
Way to go! Well done a good path forward.
You are inspirational, especially for other potential women bikers. I don't think you need too much luck, just determination, and you have a bucket load of that. I would like to be there to see the reaction when you turn up on your bike to work. I wish you well but remember, biking is supposed to be fun, so even though I believe you can do this, don't make yourself miserable trying. I wish you well all the way from the UK!
U go girl! You have great attitude toward this so you'll manage!
Good Luck! Sending a prayer and good vibes down to Ga! I have dropped every bike I have ever owned. And every time it was because I forgot to put the kick stand down lol! You will conquer this without doubt!
That is awesome proud of you for stretching yourself. Good luck maybe start telling your co workers that you ride it's something to be proud of. You may find that you will get a lot of support. Praying for you. Lee
You've got the winning attitude....that's half the battle! You'll succeed! Take care and ride on!👍😎
Good for you. I have been planning on commuting more regularly too. Just need the weather to start cooperating. My bike ...a Honda cb500f is tall for me too...can’t flat foot it but I never lowered it and I am glad I didn’t....I feel quite confident with the height and I too want to try other bikes eventually. Looking forward to your upcoming videos about the ride!
I know you kind of want to keep it on the down low, but I can't wait for you to blow everyone's mind at work with the fact that you ride. It'll be liberating not to have to hide it, and if they can't handle it or care too much, then they're just boring! Good luck on the tip toe journey! I was on my tip toes on my day rental of a Multistrada and there were a few times when my life flashed before my eyes, like when I was going over a little trench of curb and my feet made zero contact with the ground. And when I wear chuck taylors instead of boots, I'm even on the balls of my feet with my Scrambler. It's good to get comfortable on your toes! Keeps you on your toes. lol.
Ooooooooh!! I see what you did there 🤣
Meghan
So well stated from you Lady! Please stay upright and on your toes! LOL! Buying more merch very soon... 😉
@@DoodleOnAMotorcycle Dear Doodle on a Motorcycle,
I would like to take this opportunity, to wish not only you, but also Her Two Wheels, As the Magpie Flies, Her Two Wheels and a Ponytail, and Shadetree Surgeon, and any other biking video on you tube presenter, God bless, every time you ALL ride your bikes on the road, and I also want you to know, when I was able to drive, I have ALWAYS thought bike, as they say.
Love to peace to all bikers and all of you biking video presenters, from your self calling friend, as an ex car driver, "the enemy", otherwise known as Tim Bayliss.
Great video again. Can't wait to see how your 21 days of commuting goes. I'm a daily commute riding for almost 2 years.
I'm a short male and learnt/started riding only recently. GOD I can relate so much to your videos. Thanks a lot for sharing your your life, your rides 😊
Hi Doodle ,,I applaud you on your Decision to learn to control a taller bike..I remember back in around 2010-12 watching a MX racar guy by the name of Stefan Merriman who is very short but tremendously talented..He could not even tip toe the Wr 450 but is an incredible rider..May want to check him out and perhaps pick up a thing or two..Glad Triumph has taken u under their wing..
From what I have seen, you succeed at whatever you put your mind to. You’ll get to where you want to be 😎!
I'm a very tall ol' rider that has never had issues with flat footing any bike. (I have problems from the other extreme.) However, I've dropped a bike because I didn't pay close attention to the surface I was stopping on. Stuff happens :-) You're a determined, fit young lady. You can master what you've set out to do. Since I've watched your progress as a rider, I know that to be true. Keep up the desire to learn and improve, and keep making your wonderful videos. They sure brighten my day!
I think it is great you are taking on this adventure. It will surely do you well in what you want to accomplish with more vids and test rides. Congrats. Like in anything, just time and repetition and you will master it I am sure.
Hey Doodle...Love your stuff because you talk about what bike riders are thinking. I think I am going to try your challenge , 21 days of riding my bike to work. I live here in Pinehurst, NC the weather is ok so it should be alright....I have been riding since 2008. I own a 2020 Street Glide Special. Be good and keep riding!!!!
You’re gonna get there! If you keep this up i see you do a RTW tour on a big Adventure bike🙂...as for work...i take the bike as much as i can...if it is not raining when i go to...if i don’t have to pick up my dog after work and it gives you a lot of training and confidence...you’ll notice when you start thinking of other riders “why do you do that”🤔 you’ll get there💪🏼
Practicing mounts/dismounts/picking up a bike on grass (while at a standstill) can be really useful! Less worry about dropping the bike-the fragile bits just bury themselves in the soil in case you do. And if you can get a good feel for the mass of your bike on a grass surface, the road will be a piece of cake!
Really admire your bravery and honesty here-there's no question you're gonna be just fine, and you'll be bossing Tiger 1200s in no time!
It is great to see that you are determined to show the world that you can do it. I'm a short man at 5'-2" and for me riding off road bikes or tall bikes was daunting which is why I stuck with cruisers. Then one day I decided I wanted a sport bike and got myself a Suzuki Gixxer. Granted not too tall but tall enough. I surprised myself how well I could handle it but and only dropped it 3 times and two were incidentally motivated, i.e.., dog and flat tire while riding. The third time was at a stand still and I was more embarrassed than concerned about the damage, which was minimal. Needless to say people who doubted my ability to ride were very surprised and I've never concerned myself about their doubts because they didn't pay my bills nor did they write my checks. So, what I'm trying to say. You do you and don't let them trolls get to you. In the end, their meaningless is not yours to worry about. You'll be riding tall bikes like a tall person in no time. Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work.
Respect 👍🏼. Pushing yourself will make you stronger. Ride well young Lady. 😎
Hi Doodle, at first i wondered why on earth would you want to raise it to stock height, now it's perfectly clear so now the world is your oyster. This video has just reminded me of why i dropped a bike in Kefalonia. I''m 6.0 ft/34" leg, stopped on a severe camber and put my foot down on the lower side and the handle bars hit the road before my foot and being two up she wasn't keen getting back on, a lesson learnt. You still had the weight problem with the Bonneville so it had to go but it had gained celebrity status so no trouble selling it!
Im a new rider 5'2" and I ride an R3. I surprisingly have to tip toe it too and thought of lowering it thinking it will be better for a new rider, but after debating whether to put money into lowering it and your video im opting out. I know this won't be my forever bike so I don't want to invest too much $$ into it by having it lowered by a mere inch and you made great points. Learning the mechanics and techniques on handling a bike that can't be flat footed are just skills that should be practiced so they become basic and instinctual. Love your videos! 💚💚💚 from Northern California 🤟
YESSSSSS SO HAPPY TO HEAR! With one foot down you don’t need to lower bikes! I am so much more stable now! I will have a video updating this soon!
I think you did the right thing lowering your bike, to help hone your skills without the difficulty of it being so high. And you are also doing the right thing now that you want to grow your experience on other bikes. Good going!
Thank you for being honest, I think your experience will help other women. I'm 175cm, l only recently had to face this issue when I brought a Honda CRF250 Rally. I had trouble getting on the bike as it was so tall. Within a month l was at ease with the bike. I commute to work.
lol, you're tall, I'm 164cm short guy :D when I was practicing for exam I dropped instructor bikes so many times but now I've learnt how to handle them :)
@@davispuh l have to admit, l 💖 being tall 😊
My legs are short but my upper body is longer, such a nasty situation. I had some troubles at first too with my bike, but now it's like I don't feel it anymore.
I love my Tiger 1050, keep riding smart, it's great to see woman learning the joys of riding.
You are inspirational. Ride safe.
Commuting is definitely the fast track to learning. I did exactly the same (although I’m a guy and not short, but you get the point). I also deliberately tried to ride safely in as many weather and road conditions as possible. Net result after just over a years riding is 10k miles and I feel confident riding in all weathers and conditions. Good luck with your trial commute and stay safe. You’ll probably find like I did that you love bike commuting.
I can’t wait until you get your bike back because I enjoy watching your videos 🤗 I’m missing the videos 🤣
Very wonderful video, Doodle! Superb thoughts. Perfect solutions do not exist; every decision involves compromises, pluses and minuses. The decision that makes sense today, may not at all tomorrow. When I got my Sportster, I actually raised it via 1" longer shocks and switching saddles to a Mustang solo, because I had become used to tall moto-x bikes and I felt too darned stable while flat-footing! Your decision will prove to be valuable; it is simply a question of gaining comfort through experience.
LOL that is too funny
Dearest Doodle: it may strike you as funny, but it is the truth; (I do not do much fiction). One gets used to something and it becomes the norm to which any variation is viewed as something gone terribly wrong. Example: bite into a donut that tastes like broccoli!
This video will be very helpful for all short riders. You will be the talk of the office for a while, and I bet very inspiring for those office Belle’s whether or not they are willing to admit it! Best of luck.
You do what you need to do for you. Level up them skills how you see fit. Your bad ass for wanting to better your riding skills. It takes time you'll get there. Love your way of thinking.
Great information. Thanks. And good for you.
girl I feeeel you! my first bike is a Yamaha xt250, one of the shortest dual sports. it's still uncomfortably tall for a first bike. it has made me a more skilled rider BUT I have dropped it so many times.. only at low speeds. parking in the loose, sloped dirt at my house is insane. I got hand guards, going to get some racks & crash bars to make myself feel better. you can do it!
That's so cool that your a fellow rider. And I don't blame you for your love of Triumph's , they make a nice variety of choices in looks and applications. I know personally I want to get a Bonny T120 so bad it drives me nuts. It's old school looks with modern tech just grabs the soul. I look for Triumph to get extremely popular in the US in the up coming years, due to future trade agreements with UK and the US so hopefully there will be twice as many dealerships over here than before without having to drive a freaking hour to get to one. Anyway good luck on your future learning!
Ooooh MAN I KNOW the feeling!!! I have that about their Street Cup!
Hang in there girl. You sound determined. Good for you. U GOT THIS!
As a guy with a 29" inseam I feel ya. 2 things that helped me is riding a supermoto (light weight and easy to maneuver made learning easier) and getting my legs stronger. Yes it's about balance but at some point you will have to lean some weight onto one leg and being stronger could prevent a drop. Good luck and I'll be excited to watch your journey.
Nice that you are bringing the bike back to normal. I ride BMW's and the models I ride are not too high but top heavy. I have not ridden much in the past few years so all my bikes seem a little heavy. I need to work on my strength in keeping them upright. I recently got a Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports, very high up! I got a custom seat in the low position and a spring kit that lowered it an inch but it is still high and I have just been riding it and learning to deal with the height. I am careful when I stop to make sure I can get at least one foot solidly down. I am not going to let it get the best of me!
Heck yeah!!! You got this girl! Only takes a couple of weeks of commuting before you get the hang of it! You’ll get it sooner than you think! 👍🏼
Wooot wooot!!! Thanks girl! 😁
Thanks for the tips and sharing your story. I'm about to get a bigger bike and I will be tippy toeing. I'm more confident about it know after watching your video.
YESSSSSS you can do it!!!!!
Howdy,
Thanks for the video and the honesty, at times it can simply be a pain in the arse not being tall enough to match the bike that you have or are riding. I am a 62 YRO male, 5’2” or 155cm and been riding for about 50 years. Nearly everything over the years was not flat footed and when I was younger (and stronger) I just done what was needed to ride what I had at the time. Remember 1 bike I had to have my inner thigh, the back of my leg on the seat to get one foot flat and had to do this every time I stopped. As I got older it became more difficult on taller bikes and then a back injury exacerbated the issue even more.
It is not only the seat height of the bike but the weight factor also comes into play for me, I would not even consider riding the Triumph Rocket as it is IMO just to heavy. I had gone the adjustable turnbuckles on two of my bikes for the rear shocks but as you, have recently returned these to std height as I could not live with the negative effects on the bike geometry, handling, ground clearance and even braking, and if you aren’t careful the wheel can touch the under guard. I will still lower my Tiger 800 but through properly engineered lowered suspension, front and rear to maintain balance and bike geometry. Can just about get by on the Tiger but if I have a pillion and touring gear the combination of height and weight is nerve racking at every stop and when the pillion gets on and off the bike. It is easy when where you stop is level and a good surface but try it when the surface is sloped or slippery, bit of sand or gravel or wet road paint can cause your foot to slide and most likely a dropped bike and possibly both the bike and ego damaged with associated embarrassment if anyone is there. You also then have to pick the bike up which isn’t always straight forward or easy depending on the lay of the land.
What I have done most recently is had the seat/s cut down with a gel insert to try and maintain some comfort and also had height added to the soles of my riding boots. This combination probably gained me maybe 2” or 50mm. Motocross or off road boots have much higher soles than road boots but I find Motocross boots to be cumbersome for the road. This has allowed me to leave the suspension std on the Street Triple RS. The Street Triple is much lighter than the Tiger so I can get by with the lighter bike being a little higher.
If you raise the sole of your riding boots you will probably have to adjust your gear and brake levers.
Another thing that I have found to help is pulling the bars to the right, front brake lever closest to the tank when getting on and off the bike, every little bit helps.
Being lucky enough to have numerous bikes I have a Honda Rebel for around town as it is just so much easier in traffic being able to flat foot. Never had the luxury of owning multiple bikes when I was younger though. Street Twin is also a lower bike and easier to ride, would be better if it went on a diet and lost 15-20kgs though lol.
For maneuvering bikes in car parks or turning the bike around sometimes, I just get off the bike and move it and have the bike slightly leaning into you and rest the seat on your hip area and one hand on the LH bar and right hand on the rear of the bike or seat if possible. I find it too much of a stretch to hold both ends of the bars, especially on full lock and maneuver the bike. Seen a video recently where the person left the side/kick stand down and moved the bike from the RH side. Liked the logic as the bike can’t really fall over if it goes overbalanced on one side but when I tried it the feeling was not natural so I would have to learn to get comfortable with that.
If the bike is quite tall for me I always get on the bike with the stand down and put my left foot on the LH footpeg and climb on like that, (then pulling the right bar towards the tank) as opposed to leaving my left foot on the ground.
Try and avoid stopping as much as possible as in trying to judge red lights by rolling up to them slowly if possible but in heavier traffic simply not possible sometimes.
Cheers.
I'm happy for you to make this bike alteration if it helps you expand your skills & confidence.
P.S., here are the reasons I watch your videos. 1) I learn and enjoy what you have to share plus you make it fun. 2) To use your word, you are "exotic". 3) It's entertaining to see your expression of confidence when you say, "Hey guys, Doodle here". You should develop a standard opening to your videos like 40 Times Around has.
Love life Doodle.
Yes! You just gave me a little more confidence and drive to want to do what you’re doing. To challenge myself even though I’m so uncomfortable! I’m still learning and starting in a Honda rebel and been practicing on a HD fat boy. BIG difference in weight and height. I’m tiptoeing being 4’10 with short leg inseam. I’m frustrated! But glad to know the beat of the best had many falls before they got to where they are 😊
You have the right attitude and strategy about this. If you treat it like dancing/balancing/skateboarding/surfing, know our bodies are wired to be good/amazing at this stuff.
Aside from that, this is the dad in me speaking: be super aware commuting. It’s more dangerous than carving the mountains. Treat every driver as being half asleep and desperate to get to work on time. It’ll sharpen your traffic skills but risky too. I believe in you and am saying a Buddhist prayer for your safety now.
You are going to be great. You're a strong woman and can do whatever you set your mind to do... I have that much faith that you will do it... I love your videos... Thank you... Much love...
That was a great video, my wife is a amazing cyclist 60 to 80 miles , we got her a street bike she took classes then she tried a adventure bike and got nervous because they did not teach her how to ride a bike that is taller then she likes, 5" 4". She fell over on a triumph 800 adventure bike, now we are trying to find a bike she likes that she can touch because this is what they taught her. I am going to forward this to her i hope this puts some spirit back into her about riding. Thank you again for this video.
redsibs huskies I have a street twin that I can flat foot..29inch inseam..I also have a tiger 800 that have to tippy toe love them both. Have her try that st..the height and feel ability caused me to buy it
Enjoyed your vid. The seat height is crazy on bikes. My XR650Lhad a 37 inch height when i bought it. I fell off in the parking lot. I dis lower it but, its still 35 inches.
I later learned to use my bike like a tripod..the two wheels are two legs of the tripod and one of my legs is the other. Usually my right leg. ( so i can shift)
I like you! You seem nice! So few nice people these days. I hope you are safe...
I have been riding for 55 years...ill ride until i die. There is no joy in this world greater than riding with friends and taking in all the beauty.
And beer...
Had to add that last part.
Ride safe my friend.
C
I like your attitude and determination! I'm 5'6" and I have had to learn how to deal with it.
I'm 5 foot 10 with a 29 inch inseam so I'm tiptoeing on most motorcycles including my 2008 Ducati Hypermotard and KTM Superduke GT (with taller heated seat). I completely understand wanting to flat-foot your motorcycle during slippery conditions or walking the bike backwards but you eventually figure it out. I grew up riding a motocross dirtbike when I was very young and short so I adapted. Kudos to you going back to stock and teaching yourself to ride again with your shortcomings (pun intended)😁
I know I'm late to the show. You're so right about commuting. Going from a weekend rider to riding multiple days. Since I changed jobs and am able to ride to work, I've noticed my riding skills have improved significantly.
Since I'm at the other end of the spectrum (almost 6'4" tall, 36" inseam) I haven't ever thought of these issues shorter people have to deal with on motorcycles. Thanks for putting this in perspective for me.
I've had the same bike for 21 years (Sportster Hugger 883) and about flat footed. I'm 5'2'' and always worried about it falling over and not being able to duck foot it into places. I've grown so accustomed to it that when I started looking at new bikes, being on tip toe scared me and really put me off. I wish you luck on your challenge! It will make you aware of your surroundings even more so now when riding.
Doddles... luv.... I got a triumph tiger 1050.. it’s got stock seat & even with the aftermarket rear shock it’s stock height.
In the UK, they teach you to sit at lights etc in first gear with left foot down/ right foot braking - highlights rear light to alert following drivers - which suits me as I can’t flatfoot both feet.
She’s a big girl but totally calm at lights. Commend you for reverting back to stock and getting used to it.
Just mind the odd loose stones underfoot.
McRider gave you a shout out so I stopped by.
I'm tall so I've never had a problem flat footing a bike.
Would I be brave enough to tip toe a bike, I'll be honest, no.
Total respect for what you're doing, and with the positive attitude you have I just know you'll nail it.
Take care and ride safe.
This is a great idea! Training to ride in adverse situations in a controlled manner will prepare you to safely maneuver and operate your motorcycle when those times arise unexpectedly! I am a daily commuting rider in Hawaii and we have some of the most worst roads and traffic in the Nation. Just the other day I almost crashed and would have died if it wasn't for my 9yr riding experience and training. On a highway steep right turn, a fan belt lied in my line in the far left lane. I could lean right more and risk a low side crash then hit the cement median wall, slightly counter steer to maneuver left abutting the median hitting the gravel and debris patch in the easement then directly hitting the wall, or traverse over the belt in a turn risking it getting caught in my tires, and you know the rest. No ABS on my 2008 VTX 1800. Trained for braking control while in turns, trail braking, knowing how to ride in thick gravel patches, and keeping calm really saved me. I went left, controlled maneuver through the gravel patch barely clipping the wall with my tires. Like you, MSF training stuck with me in this one as well. For your viewers who haven't done it and on the fence about it they definitely should take it and more. Keep up the awesome training! Live Free, Ride Hard!
Go for it! Motorcycles are all about the next challenge. I had similar thoughts/doubts before trading in my KTM GT and R1 for a BMW R1250GS HP last year . Me - “this is a big bike, it’s tall (I’m 5’10” but decided on the raised version for off-road so I can’t quite flat foot it like all my other bikes), it’s heavy, what if I drop it, blah, blah, blah.....”. If you’ve been riding a while it’s amazing how quickly you’ll adapt. I commute 2-4 times a week and I do believe the more you ride the more things you thought were mountains/Goliaths fade to “and why was I worried about that?”. Now if I could only get my wife over that mountain! LOL!!!!! Good luck and keep us posted.
You will get it. You have the mind and talent to be successful
I have a more difficult time maneuvering my R3 more than my low cruiser, when I’m backing out of my backyard-over tree roots & rocks and uneven soil. You will definitely get better and will benefit you so much once you start getting more comfortable with handling talker bikes 😊
Your riding skills amaze me Doodle.
I’ve been riding sport bikes and I am usually tip toe those too. I just tried out a BMW S1000XR and was tip toe barely touching at center.
It is a used 2019 and has an after market seat. If I buy it I will be lowering the seat first and hopefully that will be enough to be comfortable.
This video gave me hope. The guy that owns the XR is 6’4” at least. So he has no trouble.
Thanks for the great videos!
You're a fun RUclipsr to watch! And thanks for recommending Jocelin Snow-she has really good content too. Ride safe!
I had a taller wide bike, but it was heavy. I’m strong, but it was just too much. I appreciate what you’re doing.
My first bike was a cruiser, which I could flat-foot easily. The next bike after that was much taller and I dropped it A LOT. I suggest taking your bike to a parking lot and practice stopping and starting to get used to those first few seconds when you need to balance the bike. My current bike is a BMW R1200RT and has a seat height of 32 inches. I use a technique some motor officers taught me and that is lean the bike slightly to my left and flat-foot on the left leg while keeping my right foot on the rear brake. When the pavement is not slopped to allow that, I use my right instead. I appreciate your videos and wish you the best.
You make some very good points. Do what works best for you. It's all about training.
This video just turned up randomly off my feed. Good on you for being honest. I ride a lowered 690R and I still can’t get both balls of my feet on the ground, but you learn to compensate really fast. I never have both feet down, I always kickstand onto one leg and even off-road I’ve never had a problem. If there has been a case when where I’m going to lose the ground from under me, my instinct is to do a quick hop off the bike while keeping my hands on the bars to catch it. You would also be amazed at how much of a difference using your rear brake on a decline makes the bike squat in the back than if you keep the front brake on. Vice-versa going uphill. Good luck!
I commuted on a motorbike for over 40 years. The best improvement in riding gear I made was an Aerostich 2 piece riding suit. I was comfortable from 40 degrees to 90 degrees & could adapt beyond that with wind shirts or opening the zippers, etc. I had 2 suits over that time & found them to be very water resistant (with a little maintenance), wind & abrasion resistant. I was able to wear a suit & tie underneath & just change from waterproof boots on arrival. Hope your commuting experience is great!
Hey there, another super obsessed triumph owner (Street Triple RS and Trophy SE), and yeah they are just awesome. Nothing but confidence that your skills will develop fast. Go get 'em.
Hi there, new subscriber here. This is the first video i watch of you and love your spirit and mentality. Great video and such a relaxed channel. Keep up who you are. Cheers from the Netherlands.
Welcome!! :D :D
@@DoodleOnAMotorcycle love it that you interact with all of your subscribers who post an comment. Thanks for this kindness 😇
I've been riding my Suzuki DR650 to work almost every day for a couple of years now. It's been interesting. Rain, heat and cold - I've learned to deal with them. Yeah putting a foot down at traffic lights was nerve wracking at first, but I learned to put only one foot down. That's something that dirt bike riders and dual sport riders do, unlike sport bike riders and cruisers who always want to put both feet flat or tip toe. You'll be more confident if you get used to putting one foot flat down and leaning the bike slightly to that side. As far as people at work, yeah they think I'm crazy and they make fun of my clothes but so what? They'll do that anyway. I'll pray for you. You're an awesome lady. Ride on!