Comments on: The Low Down on Seat Height

By: one guy

one guy — Sat, 30 May 2009 07:51:18 +0000

Words of wisdom, if you lower the rear, lower the front equally. If you don’t, you change the geometry of the steering. You might be ok with it and thats fine, but I bought a bike that was lowered in the rear and it handled like a chopper, didn’t realize it because I had no clue how it was suppose to handle to begin with… Sluggish on the turn and unbalanced.

By: robotribe

robotribe — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:39:31 +0000

@qb9er – I’m glad to have a bike that fits me so well. You’re either more skilled or more tolerant than I am to feel comfortable on those bikes you mentioned. As for the CB1000R landing here in the States, as much as I’d like to see it happen, I doubt very much it will. Seems like consumer/market trends would likely see the latest Hornet 600 come over before the 1000. And even then, I doubt Honda trusts the N. American market enough to buy cool naked bikes to bring that one over.

By: qb9er

qb9er — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:49:38 +0000

@robotribe – glad to hear about your 599 comfort as I ride a 919 and find it, too, great for seat height (although I’m 5′2″ with a 27″ inseam). I had a heckuva time finding the right bike for my frame, but my 919 really does it for me*. However, this opinion is coming from someone who has never been able to flat foot anything… so I still feel pretty comfortable riding my 6′3″ friend’s 1200 Bandit (yes, only getting one toe on the ground at lights).

*Until Honda brings the new CB1000R Predator to the states. Jealous!

By: robotribe

robotribe — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:50:29 +0000

ivan: “Don’t forget the Triumph Street Triple. It’s seat height is 31.5″ but feels a little lower due to narrow seat design.”

Too true. Seat heights by the numbers are helpful, but because of the shape of the different seats, the “true” height, as in how much of your feet actually touch the ground, is best measured by actually sitting on bikes.

When I was shopping for bikes, I easily chose my Honda 599 because I could flat foot it. By the numbers, it’s seat is higher than my Vespa scooter, but I can’t flat foot the Vespa because the seat is wider. I’m 5′6″ w/a 30″ inseam, and finding a non-cruiser bike that I can firmly plant both feet on the ground at a stop was challenging.

If you want to have a bike lowered, one thing to keep in mind is the extra cost. If you can find a bike that fits stock, even if you it’s not your “first choice”, you may find it’s worth the compromise to feel comfortable on it and be “happier” overall. The only bike’s I know of that offer lower seat options stock and without extra charge are the BMW F800S and the new Yamaha FZ6R which starts at 30.9″ and is also adjustable to different seat heights.

If you’re someone with a 32″ inseam or more, you’re golden when it comes to finding a bike that fits. Everyone else, like me, in reality have fewer choices for stock bikes.

By: Leo

Leo — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:09:47 +0000

Yeah Ivan, the Triumph Triples are killer bikes – I didn’t realize the seat heights were that low.

For city riding, instead of getting an R6 (same height as the ZX6 and CBR) and lowering it, you’d be better off getting a Triple. And if you still need just a tiny bit of help a smaller rear tire (like a 50 instead of a 55) can lower it a little more than half an inch without having to install a lowering link.

By: ivan

ivan — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:10:01 +0000

Don’t forget the Triumph Street Triple. It’s seat height is 31.5″ but feels a little lower due to narrow seat design.