How low should my motorcycle be to the ground?

Question

I just bought a '06 Kawasaki Ninja 650R. When I get on I can hold it up fine with the front of my feet but should both my feet be flat on the ground?

Answer 1

4.246713987 inches exactly

Answer 2

NO both your feet don't have to be flat on the ground. A good cyclist stops with both brakes and puts the left foot on the ground only, for a few good reasons. FIRST this assumes you are a good enough rider to stop the bike in first gear.
If you use the rear brake all the way til stopped, and while stopped, the brake light will be on, so people driving up behind you might notice you there easier. Also, if you retain this habit, when you stop going up hill, you'll have alot easier time starting off again, instead of trying to jockey between the throttle and front brake.
As long as you can comfortably hold up the bike with your left leg, no need to lower the bike. You will also have better ground and cornering clearance at the stock height.

Answer 3

Because you are short and cant touch very well you need to remain aware of the road conditions when coming to a stop. Sometimes the rod will fade away (sharp decline) making you hold more of the bike weight and possible dropping it.

You can have the bike lowered which is what I would recommend but there is not set in stone rule that says you have to touch flat footed with both feet.

Answer 4

No, your feet don't have to be flat on the ground. It may give you additional confidence to be able to do so, but you don't need it.

I learned to ride on dirt bikes. They're tall, and I'm relatively short (5'8", 32 inch inseam), so I rarely was able to flat foot. My current ride has a 35-inch seat height (dual-sport), and I do fine in traffic. I can touch the balls of both feet, or flat-foot with one.

Only time you really need both feet on the ground is when it's really, really windy.

Good luck!

Answer 5

For best stability both feet should be flat on the ground. The Hyosung GV650 has a low seat that is great for short people.

Answer 6

for best stability in holding the bike up at a light, the feet should be able to flat-foot the ground. as long as u can at the very least, be able to hold the bike up with just 1 foot flat, its workable. just remember to stay away from the middle when at intersections. oil from cars has a habit of collecting there, and it wont take much to cause u to dump it. the more u lower the bike, the more it will reduce ground clearance.

Answer 7

Both feet should be on the ground. They should be there at the stop light, too. There's a front brake light switch on bikes for a reason.
Some people go for a boot with a thick sole for a little extra reach.

Answer 8

That happens to lots of people--- little short and cannot put the flats of their feet on the pavement. You should have asked about that at the dealership.. Yamaha makes great biles and they have models for women and they are a couple inches lower for the ladies...

Answer 9

Both feet should be flat, but too late now.
You're probably in love with the thing.
If you're OK supporting it with the balls
of your feet, just keep on and watch your
footing as you stop.
Don't consider lowering it as ground
clearance effects handling.

Answer 10

Theoretically they should be, but there's other factors that come into play such as how top heavy the particular bike is, how strong you are, whether your shoes have slick soles and so on. The only time it hurts is when it comes to backing the bike up while setting on it. Hard to get traction and leverage with just your toes. If you're comfortable with it, that's all that matters.

Answer 11

Yes, the bottoms of your feet should touch the ground.