Is there a crotch rocket for the vertically challenged?

Question

One night at a party here at my home,the left over drunken hooligans were talking about chicks who ride bikes and don't know what the heck they are doing. I thought, hey, why don't I become a hot chick on a bike? I mentioned to my biker dad the challenge I'm willing to take on and the life I'm willing to risk. He approached me to remember how tall I am. I'm five foot three. He told me that I need to start with a Harley Davidson of course. I would be dead sexy on a Harley, but I'm looking more of the lines of a crotch rocket. I'm short, light, and want to be as cool as the boys. So, does anyone know if there is such a thing as a crotch rocket for the vertically challenged?

Answer 1

Because no one answered your question, here it is (2 parts).

First, 5'3" is NOT short.. IIRC, it's average for a female. And there isn't a sport bike made where you couldn't reach the pegs from the seat.... That is the part you deal with 99% of the time (while you're riding). Stopping is a small thing, and with Confidence, you can easily stop with only 1 foot down. So, after you get 10~20k miles under your belt (a couple years) on something that's confidence inspiring, you can move to pretty much anything.

Now, for those first couple of years, the 2 bikes that come to mind as being Confidence inspiring are the Buell Blast (hey, it'd make your dad happy but doesn't look like a sportbike) and the Kawasaki EX250 Ninja. I've got personal experience with the EX250 (both with helping my own 5'3" wife learn to ride, and stealing it from her because it was so mch MORE fun to ride than the much larger bikes in my garage, at least of distances under about 200 miles). Both have low seat heights that'll give you the ability to both feet on the ground and help your confidence that way. Both are Built with new riders in mind (heavier flywheels, makes them harder to stall and easier to learn the clutch), both Handle extremely well, and the EX250 for sure is More than capable of going 100+ mph, and lasting at least 100k miles (I know of one guy with 120k on his 1988 EX250). It's something that Easily entertained me, a 6'4", 260lb, 17 year rider with a half dozen years of roadracing tossed in there... it's NOT something that you'll grow out of (unless you want to), and is More than capable of doing everything any other streetbike is capable of... within the boundries of the law.

Since we chose the EX250 over the Blast (there were build issues with the Blast when we looked into them), those are the resources I know. Check out this FAQ for not just EX250 specific information, but information that'll be valuable to ANY new rider:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Main_Page

And the forums too:

http://forums.ninja250.org

One last thing, lowering a sportbike is a "Bad Thing, M'kay?" It screws with the handling, ground clearance, and your safety. Fine for straight line riding, but the first time you need to make an emergency manuver, and you're going to find that the bike does not do what it should, and that can put you in unnecessary danger. Ditto on the first time you try to take a corner like a sportbike can... Don't belive me (you shouldn't you have no clue about my credentials), call up Traxxion Dynamics and ask them. They won't do it anymore Because of the dangers (and I was the lead tech at the time of the last ever lowering project.. the one that almost tossed the owner, Max, and resulted in the end of that service).

Answer 2

Yes and no. Spring kits will help a lot but lowing the bike changes the handling capabilities, Pick a bike low to begin with. Honda seats are the highest in the 600 class, Suzuki and Kawi are the next closes but the lowest seat hight is the Yami R6 as in a sport bike. but a buell might not be a bad choice. it keeps your dad happy and they have very low seats to start. In my 7 years of riding bikes I feel that the Honda CBR 600 RR is the most stable and the Suzuki Kawi and Buell are a bit twitchy which may not be as good for a beginner. So with the hight issue I would advise a Yamaha R6 if you want a full out sport bike.

Answer 3

At 5'3" you aren't THAT short. You have a lot of options available to you.

As already stated there are lowering kits available for many bikes to bring them down to whatever height you need. These lowering kits will affect how the bike handles so make sure you have the suspension looked at by someone who knows what they're doing to make sure it's set up properly for you.

It seems like I keep saying this, but I'll say it again - look at a Kawasaki Ninja 250. For a smaller person this is a great bike. It will have enough power for you to have fun on it but not so much that it will kill you when you leave the parking lot. And on a twisty road it will keep up with the big stuff just fine. Remember, it's not horsepower that matters, it's how much weight you have to move with the horsepwoer you've got.

Check out these links for useful advice:

Good general advice:
http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.faq.html

List of bikes with some reviews and suggested modifications:
http://www.vtwinmama.com/motorcycles_for_short_riders.htm
(A lot of cruisers, but some of what you're looking for too)

And go take some classes. Learn how to handle the bike and you'll be COOLER than most of the boys.

Answer 4

first off its a sport bike a crotch rocket is something else. Only the Harley people use this term. most of the 500 and 600 can be lowered with spring kits to suit your size Jason Disalvo is only about 5 feet tall and he is a pro on the AMA scene

Answer 5

As a new rider I would suggest you take a Riders Edge Class at your local H-D Dealer. They will have you ride a Buell Blast it is a 498cc single cylinder sporty bike. They do make a low version of it as well. The hotest chicks have skills as well as a cool bike. Good luck and have fun!

Answer 6

Harley- shmarley....

Get a USED (because it hurts when you drop a shiny NEW bike):

Ducati Monster (girls look SHWEET on these!)
EX 250 Ninja
SV650

All three models can have the seats shaved to fit your inseam length...

Answer 7

In a word, Yes.
Like people, bikes come in all shapes and sizes.
You just have to find your match.



Ride what makes you happy.

Answer 8

5'3" isn't that short. I know women 5' that ride cruisers.
Take the MSF course and get yourself a bike. But, be careful, and have respect for it, it'll get you killed if you take it for granted.