| Author | Message | ||
     Branebanger |
my fiance's brother is looking for a bike. Problem is, his inseam's REALLY short if I'm a 30 he's gotta be near 28-29. I don't think he was able to put a flat foot on the ground on my GSXR and he didnt even try to mount the XR. is there a buell he can go sit on? he's a beginner biker and from what I've seen of the Uly engine and power delivery, he'll keep rubber to the ground alot longer with this type of engine vs. IL4. tx adam | ||
| Cochise |
Not on the lines of the (to him) "skyscraper", if he wouldn't mind a little older bike, he can look for a Lightning low from, oh, '02. | ||
| Midknyte |
I'll admit it. I have a 28" inseam. I'm on toes with my 9R, so instead I just shift in the seat a bit and tripod it (just left foot it). If he wants it, he'll get used to it. 12R would be same. If'n you're not too far from Wisconsin - DaveS can arrange to have a 9/12R lowered almost an inch. Parts swapery... The 12XScg (low) I can nearly flat foot (both feet). Very confortable. | ||
| Xb12scg |
I, too, am vertically challenged! I am 5'4" and I ride the XB12Scg. I can comfortably touch with both feet. I had a 2003 XB9R that I had lowered to accommodate my height. Works Performance altered the stock rear shock so that my bike was lowered about an inch. I should have taken my husband's advice and test-ridden both the Lightning and Firebolt before I bought the first time - I would have chosen the Lightning because it is more comfortable for me. Lots of luck to your fiance's brother with finding the right bike for him! | ||
| Jugallo94 |
Or since he is a beginner check out the blast. | ||
| Rick_a |
My wife is a beginner and she rides my S1 without a problem. I learned to ride on it, too. It all comes down to the individual, though. I hate the XB12SCG. Feels like a scooter. As long as I can tippee toe it I'm good. | ||
| Bayview |
I don't know if I'd call the XB12Scg a "scooter." Anyway, I've got a 28 inseam and find my M2Low to be comfortable at stoplights. I'm on the balls of my feet which isn't as bad as tiptoe. He should look at the Triumph Bonneville or an HD Sporty 883 if the Blast is too diminutive for his taste. | ||
| Daddyhogx |
I have a 29" inseam and don't have a problem with my S3T other than backing it up. I did take a look at the new dual sport Buell, it is a very tall bike, looks to be at least 3+" taller than my S3T. What is the fix? | ||
| Jlnance |
he's a beginner biker Take a look at the Blast. It's made for beginning riders, and its made for small people. I think there is one for sale in the classified section of this board for $1400, which is a really good price. He can ride it for a year and sell it for what he paid for it. It's hard to beat that. | ||
| Fullpower |
one does not properly ride a motorcycle with "feet" on the ground. the proper procedure for holding a running motorcycle while stopped is to put the left FOOT down. the right foot belongs on the right footpeg, actuating the rear brake. the concept of having two feet flat on the ground is not applicable to the proper operation of motorcycles. | ||
| Mikej |
On a windy day sometimes it is prudent to be able to place both feet firmly on the pavement, also when loading or unloading passengers. Plus you need to be able to put the sidestand down which is hard to do when you can't reach the ground with both feet at the same time. I sat on the Uly in Appleton and it was too tall for me as a street bike. Does anybody know what Erik's inseam length is? Just curious. | ||
| Rick_a |
How difficult is it to shift your weight from one side to the other? It's not. Low bikes are for midgets  . | ||
| Mikej |
In addition to shifting your weight you also have to get the bike to lean in that other direction as well, and sometimes seat friction coupled with under or over exertion in tipping the bike over the other way can at times lead to embarassing moments.  Wait until Ferris/Jerry completes his journey and writes it all down, I'm sure there are to be a few humorous tales to be told. Case in point: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=142838&post=510624#POST510624 (Message edited by mikej on September 08, 2005) | ||
| Midknyte |
There are two issues with being too short for a bike. One is confidence. Whether or not you would or should put both feet down in a given situation, the knowledge that you "can" alleviates a new rider from concerns, fears, and nervousness that lurk in the back of the mind - hence, I would caution someone in this regard if it is to be a first bike. Another is turning bias from a stop. When tripoding, your weight is shifted to the left (telling the bike that you want to turn left). Until you realize the effect of your body position, making right hand turns will be vexing. Again, making the job of learning to ride harder than necessary for a new rider. | ||
| Branebanger |
tx for the feedback we'll go check out the 9. | ||
| Tom_b |
I disagree with the right foot logic. I ALWAYS stop with both feet on the ground and use my hand brake to keep from rolling. I was taught that way to ride and it has never failed me. Midnyte is right on the money with the turning bias thing, I have seen it a lot on shorter riders. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I'd like to second or I guess third the Blast option. You can find well maintained used Blasts for around $2500. I think it would be the perfect bike for developing skills & learning to survive on the streets. After a year or two on that, he'll have no problems riding a taller bike. | ||
| Heads |
Fullpower,im with you on left foot down right foot on brake.That is the correct way all riding instructors will teach beginners | ||
| Johnb |
Midknyte - you/Erik look to be approx the same height/inseam in your profile pic..close? Xb12scg - how much did Works Performance charge to alter your stock rear shock? Branebanger - blast or maybe a xb9sL which might be too much bike for an 'unmature' beginner, no offense intended. | ||
| Xb12scg |
John - The dealership had the shock altered on my XB9R when it was sitting on the floor. Since the Firebolt doesn't come in a low version, the Sales Manager had this one modified "just in case" someone would be interested. I saw it, sat on it, and had to have it. I sold my ZX-6 and bought the Firebolt. They put the price of the shock in the purchase price, so my best guess is that it was a couple hundred dollars. I don't know the technical aspects, but I suspect that some of the low suspension from the Lightning might transfer to the Firebolt a little bit cheaper. Just a guess... Hope this helps! Laura | ||
| Midknyte |
Midknyte - you/Erik look to be approx the same height/inseam in your profile pic..close? That pic is not straight on, and he's leaning forward into the bike with me, so yeah, it does look like we are the same height. I just checked another pic I have where we are standing side by side and Erik is a two, maybe three inches taller than me. | ||
| Johnb |
xb12scg/midknyte - thank ya'll for the replies.  Branebanger - some seat height info for your fiance's brother (keep in mind seat width issues, susp tweaking, custom aftermarket): XB12X, 33.1"(laden, 33% compression). XB9SX stock, 30.60"(stock skyline seat). XB9/12R stock, 30.50". XB9/12S stock, 30.10". Buell Low Seat, 29.10"(lightning). XB9RRL(DaveS), 28.75" (custom 'really really low'). XB12Scg stock, 28.60". XB9SL('03-04), 28.60". Blast Standard, 27.50". Blast LowProfile, 25.50". HD XL883 Sportster, 27.30"(laden). HD XL883L SportsterLow, 26.00"(laden). Ducati Monsters, 27.6-31.5". Honda CBR600F4i, 31.7". Kawasaki Ninja 500R, 30.5". Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 29.3". Suzuki GSXRs, 31.9-32.6". Suzuki SV650, 31.5-31.7". Yamaha YZF-R6, 32.3". Yamaha YZF600R, 31.7". Yamaha FZ6, 31.5". | ||
| Fullpower |
i dont know how it goes for city folks, and i intend no disrespect. in my part of the world it is considered prudent to teach young or beginning riders to operate a single cylinder motorcycle in dirt, once a reasonable level of expertise is evident, pavement is introduced. my wife learned to ride on an XL125, and my sons first solo at age 8 was on the same bike. he could not reach ground level, but was taught to start moving and come to a stop against a tree or large rock. he did fall over a couple times, but was (firmly) encouraged to get back on, and learn the technique of controlled stopping and leaning against a stationary object. as an 8 year old, he was able to master this in 10 minutes, so i dont think that is a lot to ask of an adult. look at the start gate of any motocross race, tell me how many riders you see with two feet flat on the ground? | ||
| Koz5150 |
Tell him to buy taller boots | ||
| Branebanger |
thanks for all the feedback I'll make sure he reads this thread before we hit the dealers. tx - adam | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I'm with Koz, back to the '70s, & platform boots! No Prob' !!!!!!  |
