I'm 4'11 and I've been wanting to buy a sports bike. Everyone has told me that it would be no problem and that I can get a Ninja 250 or an old Aprilia and then buy a lowering kit and get the seats shaved off. I was happy to hear this but when I went bike shopping the salesman at the dealership said that there was no way I can get a sports bike because of my height and that I'd have to get a cruiser.
He said that if I lowered the 250 to where my toes can reach the ground, that the exhaust would scrape and he said other things as well.
Can anyone advise me of a way to get around this? Thanks! :(
2007-03-25 09:00:31 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
That salesman is a jerk. Get the 250 Ninja. You are not that short. I am 5'6" and I sit totally flat footed on one. I own one I bought for my girlfriend(Lost3_me2) to ride. You should contact her and ask about it! I think she' only about 5'3" and she touches with both feet. You only need one toe! If you shave the seat like suggested, and possibly lower the suspension(it won't take a lot) you can make it. As far as scraping stuff..... you are learning... it's not a MotoGP bike, you are not a MotoGP rider and you aren't on a race track. You'll still have more ground clearance than almost any cruiser. Good luck girl, have fun!
2007-03-25 18:07:44 · answer #1 · answered by toyracer49 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if they making a lowering kit for this bike, but I would imagine something can be done.
Sure it's true that when you lower a bike you're more likely to scrape something when cornering. But if you combine lowering with other things such as stacked boots, scooping out the seat, etc., you should be able to get it low enough to reach but not so low that you can't corner.
Definitely try another dealership. On the one hand it sounds like the guy is being honest and isn't just trying to sell you a bike at any cost. On the other hand, maybe he's got a surplus of cruisers to sell!
I actually got a lot of that same negativity from my dealership which is why I didn't get my first sport bike until 3 years ago. Perhaps it just became more common to lower bikes than it was in the past.
2007-03-26 03:21:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are really dead set on a sport bike, go to a custom shop and ask them about customizing one to your specifications. It won't be cheap, but you'll have what you want, and it will fit!
It can be done with a Ninja 250, but it will take more than just seat lowering. You might want to consider starting with a somewhat larger displacement Ninja, so that you will be satisfird with it longer once you go to the expense of customizing it.
2007-03-25 09:28:31 · answer #3 · answered by Husker41 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well...
You can only lower a bike so much but in your case it may look like a low rider (not a good thing). I agree with one of the other reviews. Honda Shadow Spirit 750 C2 its perfect for girls!!! Even some magazine name this bike the best bike for girls due to the small size. Check it out!!! I think you would be fine with this one.
On the other hand if you still want the look of sport then you may consider a pocked bike!!!
2007-03-26 03:57:13 · answer #4 · answered by jesse w 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Might want to check out a Buell Blast - they have an optional extra low seat for them, and it's not a bad sport bike for beginners. I've also heard of riders who are just an inch taller than you managing to ride an unmodified Ninja 250 without trouble. Might want to check out this list of bikes for short riders - I suspect it predates the Buell Blast:
http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.sbl.html
2007-03-25 14:00:30 · answer #5 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you may need to compromise. im a 5'3" guy and the only stock bike that fits me well is a honda shadow. they naturally sit very low. if you can go to a cruiser rather than a sport bike. it will be very nice for you.
2007-03-25 09:05:08 · answer #6 · answered by bowke28 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sports bikes can be made to fit...Ive seen an old FJ1100 Yamaha that's stock height...but seat has been placed where air cleaner & battery use to be..so seat is very low...custom bike shop should be able to do something for you..have a look on the net....(theres one on this page)
http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fj1100.com/fj_gallery/fj054.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.fj1100.com/pages/fj_owners_gallery_5.htm&h=121&w=200&sz=17&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=b7qFDLpCWVAKhM:&tbnh=63&tbnw=104&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmodified%2BFJ1100%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D30%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG
2007-03-25 12:11:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋