When looking for a properly fitted motorcycle, the road is ultimately frustrating and endless and any information we can have provided for us truly makes the road less challenging! I have a friend who is experiencing just this dilemma as she searches for a motorbike, that isn’t a cruiser styled machine.
The motorcycle manufacturers are finally becoming aware that most motorbikes are just too tall for many of the women riders, which only allows for carving seat heights, lowering motorbikes, or wearing dangerous platform footwear. The exception to the platform boot is the Daytona Lady Star GTX which I myself have seriously considered.
Back to motorcycle heights…
I found this valuable post on her-motorcycle but have reprinted the seat heights here for all to see.
I know there are some missing ones, so if anyone has a seat height they’d like to add please do!! Also when considering motorbike height, don’t forget to consider the seat width in the process. If the seat is extremely wide, it will definitely eat up some of your inseam for touching the ground properly.
Thanks to her-motorcycle for doing the seat height footwork!
BMW
* BMW F 800 ST – 32.2 inches, adjusted to 31.1 inches
* K 1200 GT – 32.3 inches, adjusted to 31.1 inches
* R 1200 RT – 32.2 inches, adjusted to 30.7 inches
* R 1200 ST – 31.9 inches, adjusted to 30.7 inches
* F 800 S – 32 .2 inches, adjusted to 31.1 inches
* K 1200 R Sport – 32.3 inches, to 31.1 inches
* K 1200 S – 32.3 inches, to 31.1 inches
* R 1200 S – 32.7 inches (not adjustable)
* F 650 GS – 30.7 inches, can adjust up to 34.5 inches
* R 1200 GS – 33.1 inches, to 31.9 inches
Honda motorcycle
* Honda ST 1300 – 31.1 inches (+/- 0.6 inches)
* Gold Wing – 29.1 inches
* VTX 1800T – 27.4 inches
* VTX 1300C – 27.46 inches
* Shadow Spirit – 28.7 inches
* Shadow Aero – 25.9 inches
* Shadow Sabre – 27.2 inches
* Shadow Spirit 750 – 25.7 inches
* Shadow VLX – 25.6 inches
* Nighthawk (234 cc) – 29.3 inches
* Rebel (234 cc) – 26.6 inches
* CBR 1000RR – 32.3 inches
* Super Hawk – 31.9 inches
* 919 – 31.1 inches
* Interceptor – 31.7 inches
* 599 – 31.1 inches
* CBR600F – 31.9 inches
* CBR600RR – 32.3 inches
Yamaha
* Yamaha Royal Star deluxe – 29.1 inches
* Stratoliner S – 28.9 inches
* Road Star – 28 inches
* V Star Classic – 28 inches
* Warrior – 28.7 inches
* V-Max – 30.1 inches
* Virago 250 – 27 inches
* YZF-R1 – 32.9 inches
* FZ1 – 32.1 inches
* YZF-R6 – 33.5 inches
* YZF600R – 31.7 inches
* FZ6 – 31.3 inches
* FJR1300A – 31.5 – 32.3 inches
* FJR1300AE – 31.5 – 32.3 inches
Suzuki
* Suzuki Boulevard C50 / C50C / C50 – 27.6 inches
* Boulevard C90 – 27.6 inches
* Suzuki Boulevard S40 – 27.6 inches
* Boulevard S50 – 27.6 inches
* Boulevard S83 – 29.1 inches
* Boulevard M50 – 27.6 inches
* Boulevard M109R – 27.8
* GZ250 – 27.8 inches
* SV650 / SV650S – 31.5 inches
* SV1000S – 31.5 inches
* Bandit 1250 – (31.1/31.9 in) 2 way adjustable
* Katana 750 – 31.1 inches
* Katana 600 – 30.9 inches
* GS500F- 31.1 inches
* SV650 / SV650S – 31.5 inches
* SV1000S – 31.5 inches
* GSX-R1000 – 31.9 inches
* GSX-R750 – 31.9 inches
* GSX-R600 – 31.9 inches
* Hayabusa 1300 – 31.7 inches
* V-Strom 1000 – 33.1 inches
* V-Strom 650 – 32.3 inches
* DR650SE – 33.0 inches
Ducati
* Ducati Monster 695 – 30.3 inches
* STR200 – 31.5 inches
* STR1000 – 31.5 inches
* S4R Testastretta – 31.5 inches
* S4R S Testastretta – 31.5 inches
* Multistrada 1100 – 33.5 inches
* Multistrada 1100 S – 33.5 inches
* Sport 1000S – 32.5 inches
* 1000 Biposta – 32.5 inches
* 1000 Monoposta – 32.5 inches
* GT 1000 – 32.6 inches
* Sport Touring ST3 – 32.3 inches
Harley Davidson Sportster
* Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883L – 25.3 inches
* Sportster XL 883 – 27.3 inches
* Sportster XL 883R – 28.1 inches
* XL 1200 N Nightster – 25.3 inches
* XL 1200 R Roadster – 28.1 inches
* XL 1200 L – 26.3 inches
amended 3/25/09 after reading and replying to comments
As many will attest to, buy used until you gain the proficiency required to handle a new machine. You will be glad you did!!
For those unenchanted with the cruiser styled machine, check out the Buell. Considered an alternative “Harley” only because it is now manufactured by Harley, the Buell Blast and Lightening Low offer lower seat heights. Most of their other models have seat heights similar to other “sportbikes”.
Go to The Short List for a list of motorcycles suitable for short beginning motorcyclists, and an amazing plethora of info dedicated to the adage, “no one is too short to ride a motorcycle. Short beginners are merely too inexperienced to manage a motorcycle”.
“The SBL or Short Biker List, attempts to support new short riders and educate well-meaning taller ones.”
Being well-meaning, I stand corrected and appreciate the informative link from Geoff. I certainly meant no disrespect to either brand bike, both offering good machines for women and men riders.