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[Riding Jezebel] Lowerability of Popular Motorcycles
#1

Models with Rider's Height, Inseam, and Modification Notes (5'6" and shorter)

Models in RED are linked to a detailed review by a woman rider! Models in GREEN mean that there is a photo in the Fit Charts for you to see! To contribute to this ongoing catalog effort 1) email your basic info for this chart to vtwinmama@vtwinmama.com 2) include a photo for the Fit Charts with you sitting on your motorcycle, or 3)  provide a more detailed review AlphaSports Models      Rider Height       Inseam                        Notes
GV250 5'3" (160 cm) Flat-footed with no modifications, good balance, and great to learn on
BWM Models             Rider Height     Inseam                        Notes
Boxer 650, 800, 1000 5'4" (162.6 cm) Last ones made were in 1996 and sidestand not so easy to reach, but they last forever
Funduro F650 5'4" (162.6 cm) Easily lowered
F650CS (2003) 5'2" (157.5 cm) 25" There is a low seat option for this bike, but if you can't find one, Koubalink has a lowering link specifically for this model that takes the bike down 1.5 inches.  Firmly on the balls of my feet with boots on.  Heel inserts can be of some help as well.
F650CS (2002) 5'5" (165.1 cm) Feet almost flat on the ground, seat could be a bit lower . . . a great starter bike
F650GS (2006) 4'11" (149.9 cm) 26" Factory lowered
F650GS (2005) 5'0" (152.4 cm) Factory lowered, boots with 2" heels, on tip toes with both feet down
F650GS (2003) 5'1" (154.9 cm) A light bike at 425lbs, low center of gravity, not flat foot, but no problem handling the bike
F650GS (2007) 5'1" (154.9 cm) 28" ac; Factory low frame + factory low seat;1 inch Koubalink to lower the rear + raise the front fork by 1 inch ; Shortening of kickstand by 1.5 inch (work done by a welder recommended by local BMW dealer)
F650GS (2009) 5'3" (160 cm) 30" Stock
F800ST (2008) 5'2" (157.5 cm) Balls of feet planted firmly, but not entirely flatfoot to the ground
R1150R 5'4" (162.6 cm) Seat lowered by 2", shorter set of shocks
R1200RT (2007) 5'2" (157.5 cm) 29" Low seat option
  CF Moto/QLink Models         Rider Height    Inseam                      Notes
V5 or Legacy 250 (2007) 5'1" (154.9 cm) 27" Lowered the shocks 1/2"
V5 or Legacy 250 (2008) 5'2" (157.5 cm) 27.5" Boots with 2" heel
  Ducati Models         Rider Height    Inseam                      Notes
600 Monster 5'4" (162.6 cm) Perfect height fit with no adjustments
696 Monster (2009) 5'1" (154.9 cm) 28.5" tips of toes before mods, solid ball of foot after: tree dropped through forks by 1 inch, preload in back set to soft, seat cut down, customized with Shocktec gel pad, handle bars with more rise and pull back (rerouted cables)
696 Monster (2009) 5'3" (160 cm) 29" Stock
696 Monster (2009) 5'3" (160 cm) 28" Suspension lowered 1"
  Harley Davidson Models   Rider Height     Inseam                      Notes  
Buell Blast (2008) 4'11" (149.9 cm) 27" Low seat option
Buell Blast (2005) 5'2" (157.5 cm) 28" Standard seat
Buell Blast (2006) 5'2" (157.5 cm) 25" Low profile seat yields seat height of 25.5 inches, can easily flat foot.
Buell Blast 5'4" (162.6 cm) No modifications noted
Buell Blast (2001) 5'4" (162.6 cm) 30" Flatfoot and easy to move around
Buell CityX (XB9SX) (2005) 5'1" (154.9 cm) XB12SCG seat for lower sitting profile; low center of gravity (not top heavy) making for good bike control for short riders; considering Corbin seat for a bit lower seat height
Buell XB12SCG (2009) 5'2" (157.5 cm) 28" I haven't had any adjustments made for me. I wear thick-soled boots when I ride (made for backpacking, actually) and I'm not flat-flooted on it, but the balls of my feet rest comfortably. It also probably helps that it's a light bike.
Dyna Fat Bob (2008) 5'5" (165 cm) Stock
Dyna Low Rider (2001) 5'0" (152.4 cm) Changed to Drag Muller Power Clutch, changed to LePera Silhouette Up Front seat to move me forward 3" and its narrow so feet can reach the ground, changed shocks to 11" Progressives (lowered an inch)
Dyna Low Rider (2002) 5'0" (152.4 cm) Easy clutch bracket added, Wyatt Fuller pullback handlebars, Corbin Gunfighter seat, lowered with Progressive shocks in back and moved front fords in triple tree for 1" lower
Dyna Low Rider (2002) 5'0" (152.4 cm) added an easy clutch bracket and Wyatt Fuller pullback handlebars; changed the seat from stock to a Corbin "Gunfighter," which pushed me forward about 1". The Corbin seat is narrow and increased my reach to the ground; Progressive lowered shocks on the back and pushed the front forks up through the triple tree exactly 1" on each side.
Dyna Low Rider (2003) 5'0" (152.4 cm) Used Progressive shocks to lower the bike and the rider loves it
Dyna Low Rider (2004) 5'0" (152.4 cm) Plans on changing out the stock seat with a Corbin"Close Gunfighter" to lower the sitting height by another 1.75" -- may not need new shocks by doing this
Dyna Low Rider 5'0" (152.4 cm) 26.5" Lowered about 2", Barebones seat from LePera (1" lower) and added an inch to HD boot soles
Dyna Low Rider (2003) 5'1" (154.9 cm) 11" Progressive shocks,tailored the original seat (shaved sides down and pushed the back forward), rolled handle bars back just a little. Rider notes that she now realizes that the '05 883L took her more effort to ride.
Dyna Low Rider (2007) 5'1" (154.9 cm) Added Badlander seat, took seat to a local motor trimmer, and got quite a bit of foam shaved from front of seat to make it narrower. Changed standard 12" shocks with Progressive 412 11", to lower seat height.
Dyna Low Rider 5'2" (157.5 cm) Change out rear shocks to 11" Progressive, although overall comfort might be slightly compromised
Dyna Low Rider (2007) 5'2" (157.5 cm) Lowered 1" in rear with Progressive shocks; H-D Reach seat added.
Dyna Low Rider (2003) 5'4" (162.6 cm) Fits great.
Dyna Low Rider (2008) 5'5" (165 cm) Stock
Dyna Low Rider (2007) 5'6" (167.6 cm) 29" Stock
Fat Boy (2000) 5'0" (152.4 cm) Originally a lower seat height and center of gravity; then lowered 1"
Fat Boy 5'0" (152.4 cm) Lowered 1"; 4.5" pullback risers
Fat Boy 5'0" (152.4 cm) Lowered front and back and Corbin close solo seat added; well-balanced and absolutely perfect!
Fat Boy 5'1" (154.9 cm) Lowered 1" both front and back
Fat Boy Lo (2010) 5'2" (157.5 cm) I had 10" mini apes installed because of a reach problem, it's perfect now, I don't have to lean forward at all, I'm sitting in the motorcycle, not on top!
Fat Boy (2001) 5'4" (162.6 cm) Inexpensive lowering available
Fat Boy (1999) 5'4" (162.6 cm) Lowered, changed to LePera Barebones seat, but that seat was uncomfortable, so changed to Mustang wide solo touring seat with backrest. Perfect.
Fat Boy 5'4 1 /2" (163.8 cm) Sides of the factory seat cut down for about an extra inch of leg-to-ground reach
FLH Shovelhead (1979) 5'2" (157.5 cm) 11" shocks, LePera BareBones gel seat, longer "Lo Rise" handlebars, wrap around oil tank so leg doesn't hit battery
Heritage Springer 5'3" (160 cm) Some seat foam removed for overall 2" seat position drop, may lower bike to better handle backing up into icky parking situations
Heritage Springer (2000) 5'4" (162.6 cm) New handlebars with more pull-back and "dog bone" risers, Corbin Chose Solo seat, clutch assist and ergonomic levers that slant inward
Night Rod (2006) 5'0" (152.4 cm) Not quite flat foot, but bike and/or shocks can be lowered
Nightster XL1200 (2007) 4'10" (147.3 cm) No lowering as stock 25.3" seat height was enough. May try some 10.25" or 11" short shocks to get a bit more of both feet down.
Nightster XL1200 (2007) 5'0" (152.4 cm) Slight heel on boots and flat footed
Nightster (2007) 5'0" (152.4 cm) No changes for sitting height, but may want new handlebar and easier clutch mod
Nightster (2008) 5'4" (162.6 cm) Changed to Sundowner seat and added forward controls
Road King (2005) 5'4.5" (163.8 cm) HD Heritage handlebar for comfortable reach, HD Reach seat to get closer to handlebar, feet closer to ground and more comfort
Softail Deluxe 5'0" (152.4 cm) 24.5" Front end lowered
Softail Deluxe (2006) 5'2" (157.5 cm) Wears engineer boots and may shave foam at front of seat for better ability to duckwalk the bike into parking spaces; turn stock bars down a bit.
Softail Deluxe (2005) 5'3" (160 cm) Stock
Softail Deluxe (2006) 5'3" (160 cm) 29.5" Stock
Softail Deluxe (2005) 5'3.5" (161.3 cm) No adjustments for stock bike
Softail Deluxe (2006) 5'4" (162.6 cm) Lowered front and rear by one inch, installed Corbin Close Solo seat for extra one inch lowering
Softail Deluxe (2009) 5'4" (162.6 cm) Changed to HD Sundowner seat
Softail Deluxe (2008) 5'6" (167.6 cm) 30" Stock
Softail Deuce (2003) 4'11" (149.9 cm) 27" Arlen Ness Lowering Kit front/back by 2"; Corbin Gunfighter Solo Seat; Jiffy Stand Extension for reachability; Swingback Handlebar for comfort & control; Kuryakyn Brake Pedal..wider than stock for reachability around air filter
Softail Deuce (2007) 5'6" (167.6 cm) Stock
Softail Heritage (2005) 4'10" (147.3 cm) Lowered by 2" with Progressive shocks, added 5" risers (new cables to controls), new narrow solo seat, added metal block to rear brake pedal for reach, extension to the kickstand, and had 1" added to HD boots
Softail Heritage Classic (2005) 4'10" (147.3 cm) Progressive shocks, lowered 2 inches, 5 inch pull back risers, Danny Grey solo seat
Softail Heritage Classic (2001) 4'10" (147.3 cm) Lowered and changed to LePera Silhouette seat; checking into new boots
Softail Heritage Classic (2002) 5'0" (152.4 cm) Softail lowering kit on the rear only
Softail Classic (2004) 5'2" (157.5 cm) Front and rear lowering kit, narrower HD seat for better access to forward controls, feet are firmly planted on ground
Softail Heritage Classic (2006) 5'3" (160 cm) Feet flat at stops and solid flat moving a bit forward in the seat
Softail Heritage Classic (2004) 5'3.5" (161.3 cm) Lowered one inch; adjusted stock handlebars down from their upright position
Softail Heritage Classic (2006) 5'4" (162.6 cm) Lowered front and back and stock Easy Clutch is good.
Softail Heritage Classic (2009) 5'4" (162.6 cm) 30.5" Lowered 1.5"; may add a small pullback riser in future
Softail Heritage Classic (2008) 5'6" (167.6 cm) 32" Stock
Softail Standard (1992) 5'3" (160 cm) Lowered rear and added narrower single seat, extended handlebars back
Softail Rocker C (2008) 5'5" (165 cm) Stock
Sportster Hugger (2002) 4'8" (142.2") Lowered front by 2" and back by 1.5". Doesn't feel top heavy.
Sportster Hugger (1993) 4'10" (147.3 cm) New Progressive shocks (lowered it by 2") and lower profile custom seat
Sportster Hugger (2003) 4'11" (149.9 cm) 28" Changed solo seat to LePera King Cobra; 11" Progressive shocks; front fork lowering kit
Sportster Hugger (1994) 5'1" (154.9 cm) Lowered 1 1/4"
Sportster  XLH 883 Hugger (1999) 5'2" (157.5 cm) Bought used, had Badlander seat, pulled buckhorn handlebar back closer
Sportster Hugger (1997) 5'2" (157.5 cm) Lowered rear and added narrower seat
Sportster Hugger (2002) 5'3" (160 cm) 28" No notes
Sportster 883 (2003) 4'11" (149.9 cm) Lowered and Badlander seat installed
Sportster 883 (1996) 5'0" (152.4 cm) Lowering springs in the front forks (lower about 2 inches), 11" Progressive shocks in the rear (2" lower), White Brother's relocation bracket for the rear (extra 1/2") and custom seat from LePera
Sportster (2004) 5'2" (157.5 cm) The 2004 model's seat height is already 1.5" lower!
Sportster 883 5'2" (157.5 cm) Corbin Close Gunfighter seat brought her 2" down and 2" forward (and yes, the consensus is that this bike is top heavy)
Sportster 883 (2003) 5'2" (157.5 cm) Pull back handlebar, EZ Clutch (a must have), Stage 1 kit, LePera seat (9" wide, helps the short rider reach the ground, was on tiptoe before)
Sportster 883 (2009) 5'2" (157.5 cm) 30" Brawler solo seat
Sportster 883 (2008) 5'3" (160 cm) 30" No notes
Sportster XL883L (2008) 4'9" (144.8 cm) 24.5" Changed to 10" shocks, changed to HD Reach Solo Seat, men's elevator boots with 1/2" sole added; may be switching to Heritage handlebar to remove lean forward.
Sportster 883L 4'10" (147.3 cm) Lowering kit from Hellbent Hogs and HD Brawler seat
Sportster XL883L (2005) 4'11" (149.9 cm) Raised forks by 1 inch (lowers front of bike), Changed shocks from 11 3/4 to Progressive 11s, 2" pullback risers, feet planted on ground, bars where needed
Sportster 883L (2005) 5'0" (152.4 cm) Lowered the suspension and new seat
Sportster 883L (2006) 5'1" (154.9 cm) 10" custom shorty shocks from Lick's Custom shop in MA
Sportster 883L (2007) 5'2" (157.5 cm)
Factory setup great . . . feet flat to ground and standard handlebar already in good pullback position.
Sportster 883L (2005) 5'4" (162.6 cm) Could touch ground flat footed with original set-up
Sportster 883L (2006) 5'5" (165 cm) 29" Lowered by 1" with Progressive 412 shocks, modified Mustang seat
Sportster XL 883 Custom (2005) 5'4" (162.6 cm) Factory setup great . . . feet flat to ground and standard handlebar already in good pullback position.
Sportster 883 Custom (2003) 5'5" (165 cm) No notes


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