Too short?

[LittleRedRider]

Hi! I'm 5'1" and I have owned both the Buell Blast (lower seat ht= 25.5") and the Ninja 250 (seat ht=29.3"). The Blast initially helped me build confidence and reassurance in the aspect of "being able to flatfoot a bike). Once, I got over that "fear", I began riding my husband's bike at the time (Ninja 250) and fell in love with the "little sportbike". They are two very different bikes and handle quite differently. I never got a good "feel" for the Blast (the handling seemed a little "mushy", more like a cruiser). I sold it and bought a Ninja 250. Where I live (north GA), it was intimidating riding the Ninja at first. as I can barely put my toes down. It would be nice if the Ninja was a tad bit lower, because it is such a fun "beginner/commuter" bike...a lot easier to maneuver than the Blast. I've considered shaving the Ninja's seat, but now I am looking at the Monster 695. I test drove one yesterday that had been lowered an inch (lowering kit) and I could put the toes and most of the balls of both feet down. I fell in love with it. It's riding posture is slightly more forward than the Ninja and I feel even more comfortable on the 695 around curves.

Just talk to others (shorties), research the web/other forums/groups. Ask fellow riders. That's what I have been doing.
Good look in finding "your bike".

[lilducy]

Originally Posted by T-byrd

It's amazing what kind of strength you find when you drop your bike...say when you're alone in the garage with no one around, just trying to get it off the rear stand. I couldn't believe I uprighted the bike all by myself...although I do chalk it up to sheer anger for hurting my boy (rear brake peg).

Granted I'm 5'2", but I'm sure most of us could get our bikes up in that type of situation.

Tanya

+1 to Tanya! Just learning to ride and dropped the bike in the parking lot. I'm 5'2"/ 110 lbs and picked it up on my own. I could chalk it up to sheer anger too.....only time I stalled all day and practicing right hand turns....no damage to the bike though at all....it started to go over and I placed it down gently, then upon staring at him while he was on the ground pi**ed off, I just went for it and got him upright all by my lonesome. It can definitely be done and wasn't a bad learning experience as I now know I can pick the bike up off the ground!

[29649]

Who cares about height? It's all about inseam.

Gwendy is 5'7 and 33" inseam.

I'm 5'10 and 29" inseam. (no my knuckles do not quite drag)

28 to 27 or so would be ok for stock 620/695. Below that I'd look at lowering and shaving the seat down.

[hangin_biposto]

Like I said, I'm 4'11" with a 28" inseam, and I don't even come close to touching the ground on my BF's Monster, sitting on it with the seat off! (It's a 900). This weekend he and I looked at a Suzuki GS500E, but came to the conclusion that with a lowering link (2" lower) it would be too low for our roads (ME roads = nasty crown and even nastier frost heaves/pot holes). And it would still be too tall for me, which totally bummed me out because I love the bike. I am growing very frustrated because I do not want a cruiser-type bike. Right now I feel my only option is a Blast, but I am only considering it because it fits, not because I necessarily like it (I could take it or leave it). I wish I had better advice to give on a good bike but I am struggling with that myself!! >

I will certainly be watching this post for any info on something sporty yet still height and weight appropriate for me and my micro frame...

[asyiken]

Hi there. I'm new to Ducati but not very new as far as riding is concerned. Been riding all my life and have 2 dream bikes since childhood. I am amongst those vertically challenged few or many, but have a passion for riding. I'm just slightly over 5' tall, quite a common sight for women from the east.

I started fulfilling my life dreams by first getting a Harley Sportster 1200 - lowered it all possible ways and enjoyed it thoroughly. The height was a bit intimidating at first, especially with the weight of a HD. Dropped it on day 1 mainly because the weight surprised me. I ride alone mostly but at times, joins the big boys on convoys. It's awesome.

Recently I went to a dealer and bought my 2nd dream bike - a 2006 Ducati Monster M620 (dark). It's a new overstock bike so I got a good deal. The dealer (as with many in my country) just want to make the sale. They don't give 2-hoods if you fit or not. They lowered it off 15mm max and more than that would apparently void the warranty. I picked it up with a friend who's about 2" taller than me but managed to tippy toe both feet and ended up asking her to ride it back to my garage cos I just couldn't touch both feet on the ground - just 1 at a time and with a different bike plus the murderous traffic here, decided being wise not to be too ambitious.

Bike has been laid up at the garage for 2 weeks - still scouting for ideas what to do with it. The fact it "I want to ride it"!!! But how on earth am I going to do it if I can feel the ground (in case I have to). If it's on a track - I would have just start and take it off, regardless. Unfortunately, I'm in a real world, with real traffic to live with. Still it doesn't stop me from playing with the thought (every now and then) of just getting on it and go, even if I have to drop it at some point.

I read many threads here about lowering link. Even found out where to order them. But the dealer kept telling me not to do it cos it will void the warranty. What a jerk - buy a bike and can't ride it just because of the damn warranty. Does he expect me to sit and watch the bike till the warranty expires then work out a way to ride it? How silly can he be???? Yet it's an ironic situation where you want to enjoy the ride and at the same time, benefit from necessary warranties (since you literally pay for it being new).

Its a real dilemma I'm faced with here. Maybe it's silly of me to have bought the bike just because I loved it. But still - I thought if you have the will, you'll find the way. Till now, I have no clue except to pick up my guts and hop on it regardless. What would you do???

[krolik]

I take it that you're not in the USA, because a lowering link will not void your warranty.

Or your dealer is lying. >

[asyiken]

Yes indeed I' not in the USA. I'm in Malaysia. I thought so too since so many of you forumers are using those links to deal with height constraints (dealer possibly lying). I guess when you are relying on a local dealer with no principle offices to refer to in your country - you live by the dealer's rules.


According to the dealer, the lowering link will cause potential damages to the rear suspension/shock - which makes sense too, if it there is insufficient clearence allowed. My 2-sense will be to do it but with considerations to ensure sufficient clearences to avoid poor handling or damages. Hopefully it works.

I'm going to order the link anyway. ;D

[MBalmer]

Wow, I'm just under 5'5". I am starting to feel tall.

[ljj]

Something no one has mentioned as of yet (At least in my skimming i didn't see it)

Do a dirtbike class/school.... If you ride dirt bikes a bit, you'll find that you rarely if ever Flatfoot em. You can do the class on a light weight easy to toss around one that will have a ton of spunk. Once your brain realizes that you don't _need_ two feet on the ground at all times, it all becomes a lot less scary. The tallest bike to date that I've managed to NOT drop and have a blast on was my riding friends' Hypermotard. To give you an idea, when it is upright, my legs dangle straight down like a kindergardener. Can't touch on either side. BUT, if I shift my butt off to one side (one cheek it) I can get a ball of foot down. I just make sure to not try to stop her where there is a pothole in the rode (plan ahead?) Was I nervous the first time? Hell yes! Was it fun?! Absolutely.

I was able to ride a honda shadow when I was 14 or 15 (I was under 5' then and prolly 90lbs soaking wet). We also rode dirt bikes when growing up.

Think about all those kids on bikes you see pictures of... Size doesn't really matte that much at all, you just need to start with the right bike! Build up slowly if you need to... My guess is this, if more women started on smaller bikes (like the new little ninja 250 that was a the bike show) or an older (or new) honda VTR 250 (a sweet little v-twin) they'd enjoy riding more and feel (and be) safer when they moved up to 'bigger' bikes.

it's not really seat height that is the issue, its TOP heavy-ness. If you start with an uber light little bike (like a few have recommended) having both feet on the ground doesn't feel as necessary.

just my .02

[Someguy]

All I have to say is that I have *infinite* amounts of respect for anyone who takes up riding without being able to flatfoot, because I can't imagine riding without being able to do it. Seriously-having to get off the bike to back up? Scary-I can't even roll the thing around if I'm not on it-too worried it'd get away from me.