Sport bike for shorties?

serp16 · 06-09-2008, 03:37 PM

My wife would really like a sport bike. Unfortunately we cannot find one short enough for her. She is 5'-4". We tried sitting her on a Ninja 650 this weekend and she came up well 3" to 4" too short. I have read that the 250 is less than an inch different than the 650, so even with a lowering kit and lower seat, it still likely won't be low enough. Do you guys have any advice? I would hate to modify a bike and compromise safety/rideability...but I would also hate to make her ride a cruiser too.....

Thanks

papapoi · 06-09-2008, 03:39 PM

shave down the stock seat maybe?

the chi · 06-09-2008, 03:50 PM

there is a list floating around that covers the stock heights and such for the common sportbikes.

At 5'4" i find it odd that she cant find a bike like the 250 ninja or perhaps a GSXR that would be better suited height wise. I am 5'2" and can reach the ground almost flat footed with my GSXR, but I have long legs, but even a bit shorter legs should be able to tippy toe, whereas on a 250 I can actually bend my knees.

If she is without experience, 250 FTW. If she has enough to get a larger CC bike, look at something like the GSXR. Your hondas and yamahas tend to be a tad taller when seated, whereas Kawis are incredibly wide, making the reach more of an issue.

serp16 · 06-09-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rae

there is a list floating around that covers the stock heights and such for the common sportbikes.

At 5'4" i find it odd that she cant find a bike like the 250 ninja or perhaps a GSXR that would be better suited height wise. I am 5'2" and can reach the ground almost flat footed with my GSXR, but I have long legs, but even a bit shorter legs should be able to tippy toe, whereas on a 250 I can actually bend my knees.

If she is without experience, 250 FTW. If she has enough to get a larger CC bike, look at something like the GSXR. Your hondas and yamahas tend to be a tad taller when seated, whereas Kawis are incredibly wide, making the reach more of an issue.

You're 5'-2" and fit on Gixxer? You MUST have really long legs...or my wife has really short ones...or both. She has zero experience, so I didn't want to start her out on something that was over her head.

the chi · 06-09-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serp16

You're 5'-2" and fit on Gixxer? You MUST have really long legs...or my wife has really short ones...or both. She has zero experience, so I didn't want to start her out on something that was over her head.

250, get the new one, they RAWK!!! Saw one this weekend at the rally, looked just like your bigger bikes and very nice!! Best for learning and keeping around later on as well!!

rider76 · 06-09-2008, 04:39 PM

My wife is 5'3 and she rides a 250 ninja, she can't touch flat footed, but very close... I wouldn't buy a new bike... she is going to drop it some time in the learning process, almost everyone does. She/ you won't feel as bad dropping a 3 year old bike, then you will a week old bike..good luck

DLIT · 06-09-2008, 05:09 PM

My wife's 5'3" and owns a new Ninja 250R and it's fine for her.

t-homo · 06-09-2008, 05:30 PM

Buell Blast FTW. I am 5'8 and can bend my knees a lot on it. I'm selling one actually...

ceo012384 · 06-09-2008, 05:38 PM

Since she won't be pushing the limits of the suspension anytime soon, you can always lower it an inch or two, then raise it back up as she gets more comfortable.

Personally I would just try to find one with a decently low stock seat height and make her get used to it though.

I can't even close to flatfoot my 06 r6. No big deal.

DLIT · 06-09-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t-rock

Buell Blast FTW. I am 5'8 and can bend my knees a lot on it. I'm selling one actually...

I sat on a Buell, not sure which model, a Firebolt or some shit and I thought that bitch sat high up, higher than my R6 and that's pretty high.

06-09-2008, 03:37 PM	#1
serp16 Sausage King of Chicago Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Knox Moto: 08 600RR Posts: 22	Sport bike for shorties? My wife would really like a sport bike. Unfortunately we cannot find one short enough for her. She is 5'-4". We tried sitting her on a Ninja 650 this weekend and she came up well 3" to 4" too short. I have read that the 250 is less than an inch different than the 650, so even with a lowering kit and lower seat, it still likely won't be low enough. Do you guys have any advice? I would hate to modify a bike and compromise safety/rideability...but I would also hate to make her ride a cruiser too..... Thanks __________________ LaLaLaLaLaLa

06-09-2008, 03:39 PM	#2
papapoi Lost Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 178	shave down the stock seat maybe? __________________

06-09-2008, 05:09 PM	#7
DLIT Clit Commander Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Las Vegas Moto: 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale S Posts: 4,189	My wife's 5'3" and owns a new Ninja 250R and it's fine for her. __________________ Dress for the crash. Not the ride.

06-09-2008, 05:38 PM	#9
ceo012384 Pompous Prick Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MA Moto: 06 R6 (race), 04 CRF Tard (race) Posts: 3,040	Since she won't be pushing the limits of the suspension anytime soon, you can always lower it an inch or two, then raise it back up as she gets more comfortable. Personally I would just try to find one with a decently low stock seat height and make her get used to it though. I can't even close to flatfoot my 06 r6. No big deal. __________________ LRRS/CCS #123 Boston Moto Dunlop Woodcraft 35 Motorsports Sidi Pit Bull K&N Filters

06-09-2008, 04:39 PM	#6
rider76 Canyon Carver Join Date: May 2008 Location: St Louis Moto: looking for the next ride Posts: 448	My wife is 5'3 and she rides a 250 ninja, she can't touch flat footed, but very close... I wouldn't buy a new bike... she is going to drop it some time in the learning process, almost everyone does. She/ you won't feel as bad dropping a 3 year old bike, then you will a week old bike..good luck

06-09-2008, 05:30 PM	#8
t-homo WSB Champion Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 7,146	Buell Blast FTW. I am 5'8 and can bend my knees a lot on it. I'm selling one actually...