Shorter Rider Motorcycles
Tip Toe Rider
I am a short rider, I’m 5'2" with a 26.5" inseam. However, I am blessed to have a slightly higher inseam than my counterparts. I've always had to struggle with height issues but learned very early on that it's not about how tall you are, but HOW WELL you ride.
You shouldn't be limited to a motorcycle that matches your inseam. I've never flat footed both feet on a motorcycle except on a Honda Rebel 250 and a 50cc dirt bike. But I didn't let that stop me from riding what I wanted to ride and you can too! I’ve rode a Kawasaki Ninja 500, Suzuki GSXR 600, and a Harley Fatboy. Keep riding, learning and growing from your motorcycles.
Beginner Bikes For Shorter Riders
I have a recommended list of beginner motorcycles for short riders that make it easier and fun to learn to ride. This is my recommended list of beginner motorcycles for short riders that combine a comfortable set of ergonomics with a lighter weight ride. But keep in mind, just because it’s shorter doesn’t mean it’s easier to ride!
So What Do Ergonomics Have To Do With It?
Everything. Ergonomics have everything to do with it. Because our limbs are shorter, it’s far more comfortable when the controls are easily within reach. With that the Center of Gravity is going to be your gauge as to how manageable the weight of that bike is going to be.
The fact that your arms are 3-5” shorter than someone else brings you much, much closer to the tank. So you want to search for bikes that bring everything within easy reach.
If I want to lean over on my motorcycle, how could it be any lower? I’m already so close to the ground. This is why you must be so careful about lowering a sport bike, doing it improperly will result in damage, or worse, injury because you’re bottoming out.
Just a word about Sport bikes. Next to Adventure bikes, sport bikes are tall because that’s the idea. When you ride a sport bike, its #1 job is to drive into a corner and then accelerate out. In order to do that the most efficiently and quickly as possible, it must transfer the weight from the back to the front. There are far more technical and detailed answers to this, so I urge you to google and see why exactly they need to be taller than your average motorcycle.
A Honda Grom 125 is one of the best beginner bikes for smaller riders. Even if you don’t flat foot, you can easily learn on this bike.
A Few of My Favorite Beginner Bikes:
Motorcycles are like relationships. You probably won’t just end having one your whole life. Keep trying different bikes and keep on riding. I have to be honest, I really like the beginner bikes I mentioned. But I will always be more impartial to a 2009 Suzuki GSXR 600. I have owned this bike several times over and customized different bikes this same year many times. I will save that for another post. Until then, Stay safe and stay upright.
DOTTY
(Devoid Of Trouble, Thank You)