Short Bikes for the Verically Challenged.

I've heard a lot of people asking, "I'm short. What motorcycle can I safely ride?" The answer is easy. You can safely ride any bike that you can straddle and put your feet on the ground. Some tippy-toe, some flat-foot. Flat footing is definitely the safest, especially for new riders.

How can you tell if you can sit a bike before you've actually even seen or tried to sit on one? Measure your inseam and add at least 1/2 inch for boot soles. If a bike measures 27 inches from ground to top of seat. you should have at least a 27 1/2 inch inseam. Your weight might compress the bike down a bit when you sit on it but you need a bit more as it springs back as you are getting off. Don't buy anything that you need a ladder to mount!

If you are a new rider, you might think about buying a used bike. Some say it is better to ding up a used one than a new one. Personally, if you have the mindset to dump one, you are gonna do it whether it is new or used. The more you ride, the more confidence you build. You have to practice at riding, just like everything else. I'm 5' 3" and started out with a Yamaha V-Star Custom and still haven't gotten tired of it. :)

Below is a list of Motorcycles, one of which might be just right for you.
(1)= 4' 11" to 5' 1", (2)= 5' 2" to 5' 3", (3)= 5' 4" to 5' 5",
(*)= Possibly not suitable for new riders.

Cruisers
   (1) Honda CMX250
   (2) Honda CX450 Rebel
   (2) Honda VT500C/600/700 Shadow*
   (2) Honda V30 Magna 500
   (3) Kawasaki EN454 LTD*
   (2) Kawasaki KZ250 LTD
   (2) Kawasaki KZ 250/305 CSR
   (3) Kawasaki KZ /450/650 CSR
   (1) Kawasaki KZ 250/ 305
   (3) Kawasaki KZ440/550 LTD
   (3) Kawasaki Vulcan*
   (1) Suzuki Savage 650
   (2)-(3) Triumph Bonneville America *
   (1) Yamaha XV250 Route 66
   (1) Yamaha Virago 535
   (2) Yamaha XS400 Special & Special II
   (2) Yamaha XS400 Maxim
   (3) Yamaha XS550/XS650 Maxim*
   (3) Yamaha XVS650 V-Star Custom or Classic*

Sportbikes
   (2) Honda CB-1 400
   (2) Honda VTR250 Interceptor
   (2) Kawasaki EX250 Ninja
   (3) Kawasaki ZX600R Ninja
   (2) Suzuki GSF400 Bandit
   (2) Yamaha SRX250
   (2-3)Yamaha YSR50
   (3) Yamaha RZ350 (older)

Dual-purpose/dirt
    (3) Honda NX125 (Not for Hwy)
    (3) Honda NX250
    (3) Honda XL250 (older)
    (3) Honda XR200R
    (3) Honda XR200L
    (3) Suzuki SP250 ('89 and older)
    (3) Yamaha XT200
    (3) Yamaha XT225 Serow

Standards
    (1) Honda CB125
    (2) Honda CB250 Nighthawk
    (3) Honda CB450
    (3) Honda CB550- Nighthawk
    (1) Honda CM250
    (2) Honda CM200T Twinstar
    (3) Honda CM400T Hawk
    (3) Honda CM450
    (3) Honda FT500 Ascot
    (3) Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy
    (3) Honda NT650 Hawk
    (3) Honda VF500 Interceptor*
    (3) Honda VT500 Ascot*
    (2) Kawasaki Z250
    (2) Kawasaki 250 Eliminator
    (2) Kawasaki EL250HS
    (3) Kawasaki EX500
    (3) Kawasaki GPz305
    (3) Kawasaki GPz550*
    (3) Kawasaki KZ550 Spectre (shaft)*
    (3) Kawasaki ZR550 Zephyr (chain)*
    (3) Suzuki 600S Bandit
    (1) Suzuki GN125
    (1) Suzuki GN250
    (3) Suzuki GN440
    (3) Suzuki GS450E
    (3) Suzuki GN400
    (3) Suzuki GR650(X) Tempter
    (3) Suzuki GS450A
    (3) Suzuki GS450T
    (3) Suzuki GS500E
    (2) Yamaha XS400 Special & Special II
    (2) Yamaha SR185/SR250 Exciter
    (3) Yahama YJ600 Radian
    (3) Yamaha SR500*
    (3) Yamaha Fazer
    (3) Yamaha Seca II
    (3) Yamaha XZ550 Vision