Tall bikes - how do you adapt/ cope

[hellsbuddha]

I really like adventure style bikes, mainly because they give me a seating position which does not hurt my back. Now I am 6ft with around a 33in inseam and even then I struggle with some bikes - Africa Twin, Yamaha Tenere 700 etc.

In the past I have ridden bikes like the KTM 790 Adv, 1150 gs and even a newish Tiger Pro, and just about managed. But how do other shorter than me manage?

I ask because I really like the Triumph Scrambler XE but its tall, very tall (870mm seat height). I have never had a bike that I could not flat foot and I feel unsteady I guess. I know there is a shorter XC, but it does not have cornering abs, which I really want. I know I can get lowering springs for the XE, but don't want to mess around with the geometry. There is a 20mm lower seat, another option, but that subtlely changes the rider triangle.

[snagzie]

No idea on how to upload a gif so......

https://makeagif.com/gif/midget-on-a-motorcycle-RB...

[pcn1]

I'm 6'3" with an 35 inseam. Ride a Multistrada 1260, seat at full height of adjustment.

I like tall bikes, they suit me. Regular seat heights leave my legs cramped on the pegs. If the triumph doesn't have adjustable suspension for hight, then get the seat pad adjusted (lowered by 1/2 inch) if that helps ?
If you basically love everything else about the bike, they'll be away around this problem

[GriffoDP]

Daytona make a boot with a raise in it. You could also try insoles in a normal boot. Might have to go a size up.

Seat mods are also a thing for many.

I had a low GS with low seat and I also experimented with a cam'd front seat holder thing (google it) to get it even lower. Took it off as I got more confident with it.

[TT1138]

hellsbuddha said:

I really like adventure style bikes, mainly because they give me a seating position which does not hurt my back. Now I am 6ft with around a 33in inseam and even then I struggle with some bikes - Africa Twin, Yamaha Tenere 700 etc.

In the past I have ridden bikes like the KTM 790 Adv, 1150 gs and even a newish Tiger Pro, and just about managed. But how do other shorter than me manage?

I ask because I really like the Triumph Scrambler XE but its tall, very tall (870mm seat height). I have never had a bike that I could not flat foot and I feel unsteady I guess. I know there is a shorter XC, but it does not have cornering abs, which I really want. I know I can get lowering springs for the XE, but don't want to mess around with the geometry. There is a 20mm lower seat, another option, but that subtlely changes the rider triangle.

I’m 5’8, 32 inch inseam. Ride a KTM 1290 Adventure R (the really, really tall one) and a GS. Standard seat on both in normal position. Bluntly, if I only rode bikes I could flat foot then I’d be stuck on cruisers.

It’s mostly about confidence and technique. I’m careful where I park, and will get off and manoeuvre it backwards or forwards out of parking spaces. At lights plan where to put your foot down, pulling up on side of road use pavement or camber of road. Coming to a stop slide bum over on seat like enduro riders and put foot flat.

The KTM is at the limit of what I can manage but it’s fine as long as I’m careful. Coincidentally been looking at the Scrambler 1200 XE as a replacement for my GS and it’s tall but fine, didn’t have any problem getting a foot down. Same with the other possibility, a 690 Enduro.

Brake Magazine on YouTube has some good videos on it.

[xstian]

I used to have a ktm 640 adventure with a seat height of 945mm. I used to find that very difficult to get my leg over the seat to get off and on. I used to have to use the side stand to get on and off and with a sprung stand that didn't always finish well.

I had no trouble once on the bike, although it's was a lot lighter than modern adventure bikes. You just do it, I don't recall thinking too much about it. I'm just under 6ft, no idea about inside leg.

[anonymous-user]

As TT1138 says, it’s all about planning.

[Bob_Defly]

hellsbuddha said:

I really like adventure style bikes, mainly because they give me a seating position which does not hurt my back. Now I am 6ft with around a 33in inseam and even then I struggle with some bikes - Africa Twin, Yamaha Tenere 700 etc.

In the past I have ridden bikes like the KTM 790 Adv, 1150 gs and even a newish Tiger Pro, and just about managed. But how do other shorter than me manage?

I ask because I really like the Triumph Scrambler XE but its tall, very tall (870mm seat height). I have never had a bike that I could not flat foot and I feel unsteady I guess. I know there is a shorter XC, but it does not have cornering abs, which I really want. I know I can get lowering springs for the XE, but don't want to mess around with the geometry. There is a 20mm lower seat, another option, but that subtlely changes the rider triangle.

I'm not sure I really understand the issue. I'm shorter than you in both height and inseam and the Tiger 900 is easy for me to move around. Yes I can't flat foot both sides at the same time, but that doesn't really matter. I'd say I'm on the balls of my feet with good control, rather than tiptoes.

[Pothole]

I can't understand the (apparently) new obsession with "flat-footing". Is it another sad by product of too many youtubers not really learning to adapt to an issue? I'm stumpy by modern ergonomic and average height standards - f508 with 29" inside leg. Untill I traded it for my current, rather good for shorties, Guzzi I rode a 2013 Tiger Sport for 4 years with few problems. Seat hieght is 33". I just hung a buttock off the seat and put one foot flat when I needed to stop. It takes a bit more concentration and anticipation for stopping, but that's no bad thing, imho.

OP, go test ride one.

[Ed.]

I would agree with the above couple of posts, I am 6'1 with 34inch inseam.
It means I can flat foot both feet on various bikes but it also means my legs get a bit cramped on a lot of other bikes I like so it's a hindrance as much as a benefit.

[hellsbuddha]

cheers all, I am just a trifle anxious as its never been an issue before.

Will check out that Brake magazine

[Dift]

At 5ft 3 even monkey bikes are a challenge for me.

You just have to plan ahead a little and use the camber of the road to your advantage.

If I had to use my left foot at every stop I would be stuffed. I have a 700GS now, but looking at the Tenere when the time comes.

[boxedin]

Having a shorter inside leg than you, I rode BMW GSs using a standard seat and could only ever put one foot flat on the ground ( flat as possible ), shifting my seat position to that side. Did a couple of hundred thousand+ miles ok. Out of town you need to pay attention to road / gutter camber when stopping! Also wind direction and strength can make for an interesting time once stopped.

It was always weird getting on a lower bike and being able to flat one foot without moving around on the seat or being able to get both feet down, really odd sensation.

Try a test ride on them.

[KTMsm]

I'm happy with the balls of my feet down but I know a few short riders and they just always tilt the bike to the left and slide over on the seat to suit

If this guy can cope, no one has any excuse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHm_wizutuA

[carinaman]

KTMsm said:

I'm happy with the balls of my feet down but I know a few short riders and they just always tilt the bike to the left and slide over on the seat to suit

If this guy can cope, no one has any excuse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHm_wizutuA

That's featured earlier in the thread, poss. second post. Yours is better quality and I can see it's a VFR from yours.

[jakeharvey63]

hellsbuddha said:

I really like adventure style bikes, mainly because they give me a seating position which does not hurt my back. Now I am 6ft with around a 33in inseam and even then I struggle with some bikes - Africa Twin, Yamaha Tenere 700 etc.

In the past I have ridden bikes like the KTM 790 Adv, 1150 gs and even a newish Tiger Pro, and just about managed. But how do other shorter than me manage?

I ask because I really like the Triumph Scrambler XE but its tall, very tall (870mm seat height). I have never had a bike that I could not flat foot and I feel unsteady I guess. I know there is a shorter XC, but it does not have cornering abs, which I really want. I know I can get lowering springs for the XE, but don't want to mess around with the geometry. There is a 20mm lower seat, another option, but that subtlely changes the rider triangle.

I did exactly this, I’m 5ft11 and went from a street triple RS to a scrambler XE. When I first bought it, I had to drop my bum to one side to get a foot flat. I went with the TEC lowering springs and dropped the forks through about 25mm. I’ve noticed no negative effect in the ride, if anything, it’s a little better. I’ve now got used to the taller height. I’ve just ordered a lower seat just to give it a go even though I’m fine as I am now. I also now wear adventure boots which have a thicker sole which help.

I would say you have two options, go with the above and adapt the bike to suit, or forget about the cornering ABS and get the XC.

Edited by jakeharvey63 on Sunday 12th December 12:59

[Iminquarantine]

There's a reason why you don't see couriers and dispatch riders on stupidly tall bikes.

It's because everyone who 'manages' with a stupidly tall bike, lives in some hic town full of sheep shaggers and no traffic, where you don't need to filter with vehicles 0.5 inches either side of you as the only other vehicle on the road is a tractor.

If you live in a big city, tall bikes don't work.

[TT1138]

Iminquarantine said:

There's a reason why you don't see couriers and dispatch riders on stupidly tall bikes.

It's because everyone who 'manages' with a stupidly tall bike, lives in some hic town full of sheep shaggers and no traffic, where you don't need to filter with vehicles 0.5 inches either side of you as the only other vehicle on the road is a tractor.

If you live in a big city, tall bikes don't work.

Bit of a sweeping generalisation that.

No issues filtering on a tall bike, and although I don’t live in a city (thankfully), I don’t have any issues riding it round town or through a busy city when I need to. Nor does anyone else I know who rides an adventure bike.

And for the OP, don’t bother with lowering links or anything like that. Just get the technique right. The XE is tall but it’s not especially wide, just shift yourself over when you need to stop.

[KTMsm]

Iminquarantine said:

There's a reason why you don't see couriers and dispatch riders on stupidly tall bikes.

It's because everyone who 'manages' with a stupidly tall bike, lives in some hic town full of sheep shaggers and no traffic, where you don't need to filter with vehicles 0.5 inches either side of you as the only other vehicle on the road is a tractor.

If you live in a big city, tall bikes don't work.

I think you're confusing tall with wide

A tall bike makes filtering easier as I can see over cars

[Pothole]

Iminquarantine said:

There's a reason why you don't see couriers and dispatch riders on stupidly tall bikes.

It's because everyone who 'manages' with a stupidly tall bike, lives in some hic town full of sheep shaggers and no traffic, where you don't need to filter with vehicles 0.5 inches either side of you as the only other vehicle on the road is a tractor.

If you live in a big city, tall bikes don't work.

You don't have to live in a big city to bike in a big city regularly. I found my Tiger Sport perfect for filtering through England's second city. It's quite big.

Edited by Pothole on Monday 13th December 15:20