Bikes for shorties?

snoozieq · 01-06-2013, 01:41 PM

Hello,

I am new to riding and would like to get a learner bike, something under 500ccs or under that is low to the ground already so that I don't have to go get it lowered. I am only 5'0"

Any ideas?

S3aturnR · 01-06-2013, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoozieq

Hello,

I am new to riding and would like to get a learner bike, something under 500ccs or under that is low to the ground already so that I don't have to go get it lowered. I am only 5'0"

Any ideas?

most short people just slide their ass off the seat a little at stop lights and only put one foot down. there's no magic answer for you.

don't worry, tho, jason disalvo does the same thing. i've seen it...

s3aturnr

rgbeard · 01-06-2013, 04:21 PM

Honda Nighthawk 250, Honda Rebel 250.

I believe the Rebel to be even lower than the Nighthawk.

Both are great buys in the used market.

snoozieq · 01-06-2013, 04:51 PM

I would assume that they sell pretty cheaply because people just use them to learn and then get something bigger and better. Thank you for the input!!

maverick0716 · 01-06-2013, 05:23 PM

Anotber good thing about them is you can sell them for pretty much what you bought it for a few years down the road.

Süsser Tod · 01-06-2013, 08:33 PM

Being 5 feet you either learn how to balance the bike with a single leg or stick to cruisers.

snoozieq · 01-06-2013, 09:02 PM

Or lower it? I am definitely not getting a cruiser. Gross.

mrphotoman · 01-06-2013, 09:06 PM

my gf is 4'11", started on a buell blast with the low seat. she now has a kawasaki er6n, low seat, lowering kit and low shock.

you can also get platform shoes and or shoe inserts.

Süsser Tod · 01-06-2013, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoozieq

Or lower it? I am definitely not getting a cruiser. Gross.

You can only lower them so much until parts start hitting each other (fender to fairings, wheel to radiator, etc) or you lower the fork/shock internals, which will give you less suspension travel and must be compensated with heavier springs. In every single way, lowering a bike wrecks the handling. I guess it would be fine to lower your first bike, but you should really get the hang out of balancing a bike with a single foot, it's not like if you were actually carrying the weight of the bike when it's not moving you're only balancing it, and when it leans too much to one side, even if you're tall, you will use only one leg to get it back in balance.

Jim Moore · 01-07-2013, 05:40 AM

Thee Ninja 250 would be a great bike for you. Look for one from model year 2007 or previous. They're usually super-cheap. ($1000-$1500). They updated it in 2008. The newer ones are WAY more expensive because they look a little cooler.

mrphotoman · 01-07-2013, 05:55 AM

if you lower it properly, it is perfectly fine. the doomsday preachers are just spewing what they read on the internet.

Süsser Tod · 01-07-2013, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrphotoman

if you lower it properly, it is perfectly fine. the doomsday preachers are just spewing what they read on the internet.

Shows how much you know...

USAFgsxr750again · 01-07-2013, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrphotoman

my gf is 4'11", started on a buell blast with the low seat. she now has a kawasaki er6n, low seat, lowering kit and low shock.

you can also get platform shoes and or shoe inserts.

ahhh, gotta love those short women. mine is the same... 4' 11" (she says), actually 4' 10.5" LOL.

also cut some material out of the seat (or custom seat). that can help a bit, in a pinch.

there definitely is one heck of a limit on how far anyone should even THINK about lowering a bike. Some people need to rethink their preference for bike and usage. the worst i've seen is an F4i so low, the 5' 8" gal sat on it like it was a cruiser. Tech wouldn't let her on the track til it was raised up at least SOME amount of height. lol

Gl on whatever you get. Those lil Ninjas are pretty dang good for shorter folks.

mrphotoman · 01-07-2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Süsser Tod

Shows how much you know...

Yeah I am a newbie, I have only been around bikes for around a week now. You on the other hand are the king of motorcycle knowledge. You are the coolest.

Süsser Tod · 01-07-2013, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrphotoman

Yeah I am a newbie, I have only been around bikes for around a week now. You on the other hand are the king of motorcycle knowledge. You are the coolest.

Grow up, and in the meantime, learn something:

Lowering Your Bike Safely - Sport Rider magazine

Quote:

There Is No Free Lunch

We must stress the fact that lowering your bike has some real disadvantages. First and foremost is ground clearance-if you corner very aggressively, you will drag parts sooner and easier than another rider on a standard-suspended machine. Some of these parts-like engine case covers or exhaust systems-can lever the rear tire off the ground if you're not careful. You MUST remember this if you plan on lowering your bike.

The ground clearance factor means there's also a limit to how much you can lower a sportbike. Nearly all of the suspension technicians we spoke with said for riders who don't intend to drag race, 1.5 inches is the limit they would be comfortable with for shortening suspension. Anymore than that severely restricts the amount of lean angle the bike can achieve without running into ground clearance problems.

The second consideration is cost: DONE PROPERLY, lowering is not cheap. Yes, the rear suspension "lowering links" that are on the market only run around $120, but having a skilled suspension shop shorten your bike's fork can run upwards of $300. Plus you'll need to shorten your bike's kickstand, which can run you another $50 to $100.