Since its first invention in Germany in 1885 motorcycles have seen significant advancements. There is a motorcycle accessible in 2023 that is appropriate for any rider thanks to the remarkably wide range of models kinds styles and riding skills. Of course because you have to be this high to board some people may associate riding a motorcycle with waiting in line for a roller coaster. Every motorcycle’s general design is based on the typical person’s physical characteristics. Male Americans aged 20 and above are typically 5’9″ and 197 pounds.
On the other hand, the typical American woman aged 20 or older is 5’4″ and weighs 170 pounds. While the typical American man should be able to ride almost every type of motorbike available, many women and certain more “vertically challenged” men may not share this ability. Selecting the ideal motorcycle for an individual of a particular size does restrict their choices. Tall seat bikes may make riding a motorbike feel more like mounting a horse. Fortunately, there are methods for people of a specific height to ride the bike of their choice and yet be comfortable for the journey.
1. Select a Motorcycle with a Low Seat Height
One important measurement that short people look for when buying a motorbike is the seat height. They want to be able to swing their leg over the saddle with minimal effort if at all possible. A motorbike rider may feel as though they need to conduct a graceful dismount in order to find comfort when sitting on one of these bikes. That indicates that simply choosing a bike with a low seat height you have already conquered the most difficult obstacle. Getting in the saddle and riding is the only thing left to do.
Several popular bikes with low seat heights are the Indian Scout Bobber Kawasaki Vulcan Honda Shadow Harley Davidson Softail Slim and Triumph Street Twin. All of these bikes are of course trustworthy easy going cruisers that work well in almost any sort of riding situation. Therefore, if you want to merely cruise around town while riding, these are some excellent bikes to start looking at.
2. Maintain a Safe Suspension Angle
Some shorter riders may find the adjustable suspension system found on many modern bikes to be helpful. Lowering the suspension also results in a corresponding drop in seat height. It should be remembered, though, that adjusting the suspension too much may end up doing more harm than good. Yes, lowering the suspension does, in theory, lower the seat height. However, excessively loosening it might also detract from the enjoyment of riding.
You will always feel every bump and pothole more intensely if the shocks are less firm. It will thus be much simpler to get on the bike. However, it could feel much bumpier than it should for the duration of your ride. If you decide to loosen the shocks in order to address your seat height issue, it is generally advised that you simply slightly lower them.
3. Place Your Left Foot Down
This suggestion applies to almost everyone when it comes to keeping the balance of your motorbike when you come to a complete stop, even though it will be especially helpful to shorter riders. When they approach a red light, many people will automatically plant both feet down at the same moment. You may have learned this at an MSF training. Unfortunately, flat-footing the bike is not an option for many riders due to their size.
Watching someone balance a bike on their tiptoes is, if anything, humiliating. To avoid doing this at every stop, just plant your left foot first and let your right foot land on the foot peg or, if it can reach, come down second. In this manner, when the light changes to green, you will already be ready to go again. Every rider, regardless of size, has found this small strategy to be beneficial.
4. Install Crash Bars
You’re going to drop your bike eventually. Whatever their degree of experience all motorcycle riders consider riding to be a rite of passage. Shorter riders however might find that they have to pick up their bikes from the ground more often especially if they ever lose control or balance. Bicycle drops are already horrible experiences.
The cost of maintenance and replacement parts is merely one more drawback of the situation. Installing crash protection on your vehicle may relieve your mind rather than having to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repair fees. Let one of the crash bars bear the brunt of the impact and continue your journey as intended, rather than running the risk of a damaged fuel tank or a broken engine.
5. Mount Your Bike Correctly
Even though it may seem like motorcycling 101, mounting your bike properly is one of the fundamental skills we all learned at the beginning and is something you should never forget. The most popular method for shorter riders is tossing their leg over the bike from the left side (kickstand side). Some shorter riders may feel like they are launching a roundhouse kick into the air before landing in the saddle, depending on the model and seat height.
However, some smaller riders might wish to think about another way to mount the bike. Again, this will depend on the specific bike; however, mounting from the right may work better. Given that it is theoretically lower than the right side, this now defies the left side’s reasoning. However, this may be simpler for certain shorter riders than the more conventional method since they may stand on the foot pegs as a counter balance.
6. Walk Your Motorcycle While Backing Up
The alternate suggestion is to get off your motorbike and walk it if you have ever felt uneasy backing your motorcycle into a parking space because your legs are too short to reach the ground. This is just another useful skill that we all acquired in an MSF class, and it makes perfect sense.
Because you are significantly decreasing your balance and control if you try to back up your bike when seated and you are only just making contact with the ground with your toes. You will be able to direct your motorcycle considerably more effectively if you dismount, shift into neutral, and then reverse. This comes in very handy while parking on an uphill.
7. Get a Lowered Seat
Customizing most motorcycles to make them exclusively yours may be a functional upgrade in addition to a fashion decision. Even if we have already mentioned a few models with low seat heights, certain riders just don’t fit with that style. Choose a bike that is already low and doesn’t represent you as an individual instead. Another strategy that shorter riders may employ is to swap out the stock seat for one that isn’t quite as thick.
A lot of factory and aftermarket seats have additional cushioning, cooling gels, and padding in the form of inches. However, shorter riders can employ height-appropriate lower seat alternatives to gain a few additional inches. Investing in a lowered seat for a bike you enjoy would make more sense than spending thousands on a motorcycle with a low seat height that you don’t even like in the first place.
8. Get Mid Controls
There are elements that would be more appropriate for shorter riders than for others. Forward controls are required for riders that are 6 feet or taller. Still, it’s incredibly inconvenient for someone of lesser size. You’ll never be able to ride a bike correctly if your legs are too short to reach the forward controls. Hence, a mid-control conversion kit is available on many motorcycles.
Many motorcycles have mid controls installed by default. Mid-controls, on the other hand, are the best choice for shorter riders since they can reach and utilize them with ease and confidence. This is especially true for those that were later customized or had front controls from the factory. The best part is that hiring a technician to complete the task isn’t that difficult. Take your bike to the repair facility of your nearby dealer, and after an hour, presto—mid-controls!
9. Get Handlebars Adjusted
There are many different handlebar alternatives available, and some brands and styles cater specifically to riders of a given size. Rather than stooping over the standard stock bars, many taller riders choose large ape-hangers that allow them to ride with their backs straight. For riders who are shorter, the same applies. For riders of a specific height, certain standard handlebars are not very pleasant.
They are positioned too far away, too broad, or too tall. It’s going to be really uncomfortable for you to ride a motorbike while in stapler posture. Fortunately, there are aftermarket companies that make handlebars specifically inclined for shorter riders and curved at a specific height to promote comfort and confidence.
10. Get Some Taller Riding Boots
A small amount of height may make a big difference. A pair of riding boots with an extra inch in the heel and sole will work if you think your motorbike is OK the way it is but could still afford to give yourself a few extra inches to flat-foot the machine. We’re not advocating that you run out and get a pair of seven-inch-tall Gene Simmons KISS boots. However, it could just take an inch or two to improve the riding experience.
Additionally, you won’t need to make any aftermarket changes if you decide to purchase a new bike and may continue to use those identical boots. In the long term, visiting your local cobbler could be a better investment than shelling out hundreds or even thousands of dollars for replacement components and servicing costs.
