 |
|
|
The Lowest of the Low MotorcyclesThe lowest seat heights on the market5/31/2012
|
Email to a Friend
The Lowest of the Low Motorcycleshttp://www.womenridersnow.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=3532
 | Loading… |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Loading… |
Your message has been sent!
Thank you for helping to spread the word about Women Riders Now!
|
| |
|
|
| Loading… |
We thought it would be fun to compile a list of major-manufacturer motorcycles with the lowest seat heights. Seat height is of supreme importance to most women riders, as the ability to place one's feet flat on the ground is perhaps the most important factor in giving women the confidence they need to handle a bike.
We chose 26 inches as the cut-off seat height for this list. Our original list, compiled back in 2009, used 26.5 inches as the cut-off height. However, over the last few years, seat heights on new models have been coming out of the factories much lower, so we've lowered the cut-off height by half an inch. We compiled this article by checking the seat heights of motorcycles from all the major manufacturers. Surprisingly, Kawasaki and Suzuki did not make the list. The lowest motorcycle in Kawasaki's lineup is the Vulcan 900 at 26.8 inches.The lowest Suzuki is the entry-level Boulevard S40 at 27.6 inches. Actually, many of the Boulevards have that same seat height. But we had to draw the line, and while the S40 happens to be less than 400 pounds, that 27.6-inch seat height on a 700-pound motorcycle would be a lot for most women to handle. To illustrate our guide, whenever possible we've used pictures sent in by women who own these bikes and have submitted their photos for publication in our Reader Stories or Reader Reviews section. The photos that don't fall into that category are either from WRN test rides or have been supplied by the manufacturers. One important note: While this is a list of the lowest of the low, this is not a list of beginner bikes (to find that list, visit Motorcycles to Get Started On in the WRN Beginner's Guide). We've ridden many
motorcycles, and we've found that 26 inches is a seat height that most
riders, short or tall, can handle and be comfortable on whether the
motorcycle weighs 700 pounds or 400 pounds (of course, the lighter the
better for new riders). Finally, remember that this is a list of bikes from major manufacturers—custom choppers and
alternative import motorcycles are not included. Harley-Davidson Sportster Models  Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron
Displacement: 883cc
Seat Height: 25.3 inches
Fuel Capacity: 3.3 gallons
Weight: 565 pounds
|  Harley-Davidson Sportster Nightster
Displacement: 1200cc
Seat Height: 25.3 inches
Fuel Capacity: 3.3 gallons
Weight: 562 pounds
Read the WRN review.
|  Harley-Davidson Sportster SuperLow
Displacement: 883cc
Seat Height: 25.5 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gallons
Weight: 563 pounds
Read the WRN review.
|  Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight
Displacement: 1200cc
Seat Height: 26 inches
Fuel Capacity: 2.1 gallons
Weight: 567 pounds
Read the WRN review.
|
 Harley-Davidson Sportster Low 883
(discontinued in 2011) Displacement: 883cc
Seat Height: 25.3 inches
Fuel Capacity: 3.3 gallons
Weight 583 pounds
|
Harley-Davidson Dyna Models
 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
Displacement: 1584cc
Seat Height: 25.5 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.7 gallons
Weight: 665 pounds
Read the WRN review.
|  Harley-Davidson Dyna Street Bob
Displacement: 1584cc Seat Height: 25.8 inches Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gallons Weight: 667 pounds Read the WRN review. |
 Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider
(discontinued in 2010)Displacement: 1584cc
Seat Height: 25.8 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gallons
Weight: 672 pounds
Read the WRN review. |
Harley-Davidson Softail Models
 Harley-Davidson Softail Rocker C
(discontinued in 2012)Displacement: 1584cc Seat Height: 25.25 inches Fuel Capacity: 5 gallons Weight: 720 pounds Read the WRN review. |
Harley-Davidson V-Rod Models
 Harley-Davidson V-Rod 10th Anniversary Edition
Displacement: 1250cc
Seat Height: 25.6 inches
Fuel Capacity: 5 gallons
Weight: 670 pounds
|  Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special
Displacement: 1250cc
Seat Height: 25.6 inches
Fuel Capacity: 5 gallons
Weight: 670 pounds
|
 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle Displacement: 1250cc
Seat Height: 25.6 inches
Fuel Capacity: 5 gallons
Weight: 673 pounds
|
Other Harley-Davidson Models
 Harley-Davidson FXSBSE CVO BreakoutDisplacement: 1802cc
Seat Height: 24.8 inches
Fuel Capacity: 5 gallons
Weight: 728 pounds
|
 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 C2
Displacement: 745cc
Seat Height: 25.8 inches
Fuel Capacity: 3.7 gallons
Weight: 542 pounds
Read the WRN review.
|  Honda Shadow Phantom
Displacement: 749cc
Seat Height: 25.6 inches
Fuel Capacity: 3.7 gallons
Weight: 546 pounds
Read the WRN review.
|
 Honda Shadow AeroDisplacement: 745cc Seat Height: 25.9 inches Fuel Capacity: 3.7 gallons Weight: 553 pounds Read the WRN review. |
Editor's Note: This story was updated on May 24, 2012. The reader comments up to this date reflect the original version of this list, which was posted in April 2009. The list you see now reflects the large number of newer motorcycles with very low seat heights that have come onto the market in recent years. We will continue to update this list when new motorcycles that meet our criteria are released. Related ArticlesBeginner's Guide: Motorcycles to Get Started On |
 | Loading… |
|
Additional Information
(if required) |
|
Reader Comments
|
I am 21 years old and 4 feet 10 inches. My dad has been riding bikes since before I was born. He was never in a club or anything but I have always liked them. I really want to learn how to ride it and get a bike, but I haven't even been able to find one close to being short enough. I know it's going to be difficult even with this list but you really helped so much and I really appreciate it!
Moe Nique
Saint Paul, MN
Saturday, May 18, 2013
|
Thank you for this list! Currently I'm riding a 1982 Yamaha XJ750 (Maxim), with a seat height of around 27.5 inches. It's a little too high for me, but it's my starter / beater bike so I make do. I can get the balls of my feet on the ground, but cannot sit flat-footed. Now I'm ready to buy my "first" bike, and am having a heck of a time finding one that's the right height. I've Googled and checked all sorts of selling sites, and none of them have seat height as a search option. As I was about to give up, I Googled "motorcycles with seat height 24 to 26 inches" and found this article! Now with this list of models, I can start searching for my first official bike!
Michel B
Oshkosh, WI
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Editor Response
So glad our list could be of some help!
Genevieve Schmitt
|
Great article. Glad I found this website. I just moved up in bike size from my 2011 Harley-Davidson Sportster SuperLow (what a great starter bike), to a 2012 Victory Cross Roads. I wanted a "baby Road King" and that is what I have. It is low enough for me (I am barely 5 feet 1 inch); it handles well (still getting used to low speed handling as it is bigger), and fits like a dream. I would love to write a review on it if desired.
Laurie Levknecht
Wayland, MI
Friday, October 12, 2012
Editor Response
We would love for you to write a review on the Cross Roads as we actually have not ridden that bike yet, and I know our readers would love to read about it. We have a section just for Reader Reviews. Here's the link for the Reader Reviews, and here's the link on how to submit a review. Thanks. We look forward to receiving it. Genevieve Schmitt
|
|
I just purchased a 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Custom. We had it lowered by buying Burley lowering shocks off from e-Bay and a Le Pera seat. It lowered the front end 2 inches and the rear end another 2.5 inches. I also have another piece coming to lower the rear another .5 inches if need be. I think however if I can find myself another pair of riding boots that has a high heel and thicker soles I may be able to get away without lowering the rear anymore. I sit pretty well on it now but my tippy toes tend to touch more. I would like to go flat footed.
Heidi Richardson
Hom, MI
Thursday, October 04, 2012
|
| Loading… |
|
Your thoughts on this article
| Country |
 | Loading… |
| Afghanistan |
| Aland Islands |
| Albania |
| Algeria |
| American Samoa |
| Andorra |
| Angola |
| Anguilla |
| Antarctica |
| Antigua and Barbuda |
| Argentina |
| Armenia |
| Aruba |
| Australia |
| Austria |
| Azerbaijan |
| Bahamas |
| Bahrain |
| Bangladesh |
| Barbados |
| Belarus |
| Belgium |
| Belize |
| Benin |
| Bermuda |
| Bhutan |
| Bolivia |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Botswana |
| Bouvet Island |
| Brazil |
| British Indian Ocean Territory |
| Brunei Darussalam |
| Bulgaria |
| Burkina Faso |
| Burundi |
| Cambodia |
| Cameroon |
| Canada |
| Cape Verde |
| Cayman Islands |
| Central African Republic |
| Chad |
| Chile |
| China |
| Christmas island |
| Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
| Colombia |
| Comoros |
| Congo |
| Congo, The Democratic Republic of the |
| Cook Islands |
| Costa Rica |
| Côte D'ivoire |
| Croatia |
| Cuba |
| Cyprus |
| Czech Republic |
| Denmark |
| Djibouti |
| Dominica |
| Dominican Republic |
| Ecuador |
| Egypt |
| El Salvador |
| Equatorial Guinea |
| Eritrea |
| Estonia |
| Ethiopia |
| Falkland Islands (Malvinas) |
| Faroe Islands |
| Fiji |
| Finland |
| France |
| French Guiana |
| French Polynesia |
| French Southern Territories |
| Gabon |
| Gambia |
| Georgia |
| Germany |
| Ghana |
| Gibraltar |
| Greece |
| Greenland |
| Grenada |
| Guadeloupe |
| Guam |
| Guatemala |
| Guinea |
| Guinea-Bissau |
| Guyana |
| Haiti |
| Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
| Honduras |
| Hong Kong |
| Hungary |
| Iceland |
| India |
| Indonesia |
| Iran, Islamic Republic of |
| Iraq |
| Ireland |
| Israel |
| Italy |
| Jamaica |
| Japan |
| Jordan |
| Kazakhstan |
| Kenya |
| Kiribati |
| Korea, Democratic People's Republic of |
| Korea, Republic of |
| Kuwait |
| Kyrgyzstan |
| Lao People's Democratic Republic |
| Latvia |
| Lebanon |
| Lesotho |
| Liberia |
| Libyan Arab Jamahiriya |
| Liechtenstein |
| Lithuania |
| Luxembourg |
| Macao |
| Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of |
| Madagascar |
| Malawi |
| Malaysia |
| Maldives |
| Mali |
| Malta |
| Marshall Islands |
| Martinique |
| Mauritania |
| Mauritius |
| Mayotte |
| Mexico |
| Micronesia, Federated States of |
| Moldova, Republic of |
| Monaco |
| Mongolia |
| Montserrat |
| Morocco |
| Mozambique |
| Myanmar |
| Namibia |
| Nauru |
| Nepal |
| Netherlands |
| Netherlands Antilles |
| New Caledonia |
| New Zealand |
| Nicaragua |
| Niger |
| Nigeria |
| Niue |
| Norfolk Island |
| Northern Mariana Islands |
| Norway |
| Oman |
| Pakistan |
| Palau |
| Palestinian Territory, Occupied |
| Panama |
| Papua New Guinea |
| Paraguay |
| Peru |
| Philippines |
| Pitcairn |
| Poland |
| Portugal |
| Puerto Rico |
| Qatar |
| Réunion |
| Romania |
| Russian Federation |
| Rwanda |
| Saint Helena |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| Saint Lucia |
| Saint Pierre and Miquelon |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Samoa |
| San Marino |
| Sao Tome and Principe |
| Saudi Arabia |
| Senegal |
| Serbia and Montenegro |
| Seychelles |
| Sierra Leone |
| Singapore |
| Slovakia |
| Slovenia |
| Solomon Islands |
| Somalia |
| South Africa |
| South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands |
| Spain |
| Sri Lanka |
| Sudan |
| Suriname |
| Svalbard and Jan Mayen |
| Swaziland |
| Sweden |
| Switzerland |
| Syrian Arab Republic |
| Taiwan, Province of China |
| Tajikistan |
| Tanzania, United Republic of |
| Thailand |
| Timor-Leste |
| Togo |
| Tokelau |
| Tonga |
| Trinidad and Tobago |
| Tunisia |
| Turkey |
| Turkmenistan |
| Turks and Caicos Islands |
| Tuvalu |
| Uganda |
| Ukraine |
| United Arab Emirates |
| United Kingdom |
| United States |
| Uruguay |
| Uzbekistan |
| Vanuatu |
| Vatican City State |
| Venezuela |
| Viet Nam |
| Virgin Islands, British |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. |
| Wallis and Futuna |
| Western Sahara |
| Yemen |
| Zambia |
| Zimbabwe |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| State/Province |
| Loading… |
| Alabama |
| Alaska |
| Arizona |
| Arkansas |
| California |
| Colorado |
| Connecticut |
| Delaware |
| District of Columbua |
| Florida |
| Georgia |
| Hawaii |
| Idaho |
| Illinois |
| Indiana |
| Iowa |
| Kansas |
| Kentucky |
| Louisiana |
| Maine |
| Maryland |
| Massachusetts |
| Michigan |
| Minnesota |
| Mississippi |
| Missouri |
| Montana |
| Nebraska |
| Nevada |
| New Hampshire |
| New Jersey |
| New Mexico |
| New York |
| North Carolina |
| North Dakota |
| Ohio |
| Oklahoma |
| Oregon |
| Pennsylvania |
| Puerto Rico |
| Rhode Island |
| South Carolina |
| South Dakota |
| Tennessee |
| Texas |
| Utah |
| Vermont |
| Virgin Islands |
| Virginia |
| Washington |
| West Virginia |
| Wisconsin |
| Wyoming |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Anti-Spam Question:
Please enter the words you see in the box, in order and separated by a space.
Doing so helps prevent automated programs from abusing this service.
|
|
| Please Wait… |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|