What Motorcycles Are Good for Short Riders?
Being short is difficult, you can’t see anything at concerts, you have trouble reaching top shelves at the grocery store, and you always have to sit in the front during group photos. Luckily, in part because more women are riding bikes, there are many motorcycle options for those of us that are vertically challenged. Key considerations are: bike height, weight, center of gravity, weight distribution, seat width, steering head angle and reach to the handlebars.
Seat Height and Motorcycle Type
Seat height is a measurement from the lowest point of the motorcycle’s saddle (seat) to the ground with the motorcycle in an upright position. A great way to get a rough estimate of what height you’ll need is to compare bike measurements to your pant inseam length. Whether you want your feet to touch down flat is personal preference, but at the very least you’ll need to be able to touchdown enough to stabilize and control your bike, as balance is key to riding and maneuvering.
Cruisers typically have lower seat heights and a vertically oriented riding position; rather than sitting on a cruiser, you tend to feel as though you’re sitting in it, making this style a popular pick for new or shorter riders. Cruisers are also a great choice due to their ability to pack plenty of bike into a package that is still easy to mount, dismount and handle.
Sport bikes are designed to be fast, aerodynamic, and nimble enough to allow you to lean into corners. A sport bike’s seat height will typically be higher than a cruiser, and often do not have the most comfortable seating position. Due to the need for ground clearance, dual-sport and adventure bikes will always be on the taller side.
Standard bikes are a simple mix of function and visual appeal. They aren’t designed with a particular focus, and come in a variety of engine sizes, and accommodating motorcycle sizes.
Do Your Research and Take a Test Ride
While there are certain makes and models that are built lower or come with an adjustable seat, the specs change slightly year to year, so it’s best to do some research, but ultimately getting on the bike will give you an opportunity to make sure it’s a good fit. To get you started, here are a few makes and models that have consistently had shorter or adjustable seat heights.
Ducati makes a number of bikes with seat heights under 32” be sure to check out the Monster and Scrambler models. The Scrambler 800 in particular is available in a low 30” option.
Triumph also has multiple models suitable for shorter riders. Be sure to look at the Bonneville, the Street Scrambler, the Thruxton and the Tiger. The Tiger 900 has an adjustable seat 31.88-32.66” and the Bonneville Speedmaster has one of the shortest seats at 27.76” available.
The majority of bikes on the market are built around the idea of an ‘average’ sized rider, which means that finding a bike when you’re on either side of that average is more challenging, but not impossible. Taller folks might be able to hunch over, but if you’re a smaller rider, you can’t stretch yourself bigger! Keep in mind all of the different factors that you’ll need to find the perfect fit, which you’ll ultimately need to be on the bike to know.
We’d love to help you find a bike that’s a perfect fit for you. Schedule a test ride today!