Capital Locating Services - Ph: 0418 482 395 Underground Service Locations. SewerViewer CCTV. Leak Detection.

Seat Height

Discussion in 'General Stuff' started by SGC, Mar 8, 2016.

  1. SGC
    Offline

    SGC Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2016
    Messages:
    112
    Likes Received:
    33
    Location:
    Southside
    Bikes:
    2014 Ninja 300
    Just thought I'd put this question out 'there'...when it comes to advertised seat heights from a manufacturer's web-site, is the seat height measured when the bike is on the stand/side-stand, or, is it measured when the bike is upright and side-stand etc retracted?
     
    #1
  2. Jimmc
    Offline

    Jimmc Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2010
    Messages:
    1,146
    Likes Received:
    185
    Location:
    Giralang
    Real Name:
    Jim
    Bikes:
    Honda VFR800Fi 2000(Rose), CBR600F2 93, CBR600RR 07 Tracky and 2002 CBR600F4i(Wattle).
    It would be when it is upright without any weight on it.
     
    #2
  3. dmac666
    Offline

    dmac666 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2008
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    15
    Location:
    Near Jiparu
    Real Name:
    Dave
    Bikes:
    Brutale 910R
    Keep in mind that the width of the seat will affect your leg reach to the ground.

    You really need to sit on the actual bike rather than do a paper comparison.

    Dave
     
    #3
    supamodel likes this.
  4. Vid
    Offline

    Vid Member Supporter

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2010
    Messages:
    3,183
    Likes Received:
    237
    Location:
    fantasy island
    Real Name:
    Nenad
    Bikes:
    MXLC8 work horse ...
    #4
    SV1KS likes this.
  5. SGC
    Offline

    SGC Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2016
    Messages:
    112
    Likes Received:
    33
    Location:
    Southside
    Bikes:
    2014 Ninja 300
    Thanks jimmc. I couldn't work out how it was derived. I tried measuring my bike (Ninja 300) on its stand and figures it could be measures from the seats lowest point, or, perhaps the highest point.

    dmac666 - so true too! Although this exercise was to assist in perhaps sorting out an upgrade bike for the missus and I...she's only 5'1" tall/short...so lowering links will always come into play, but we also have to take into account the initial factory seat height first.

    Thanks again
     
    #5
  6. SGC
    Offline

    SGC Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2016
    Messages:
    112
    Likes Received:
    33
    Location:
    Southside
    Bikes:
    2014 Ninja 300
    Interesting web-link, vid! Thanks for that.
     
    #6
  7. kevinmosto
    Offline

    kevinmosto New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2015
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Canberra
    Bikes:
    2015 H-D FLS, 2015 HONDA Grom
    Hi SGC,

    My de facto is actually 5'1'' as well. She ended up settling on a Honda Grom, which is perfect for her size even just in stock. You should probably check it out.

    Kevin
     
    #7
  8. SGC
    Offline

    SGC Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2016
    Messages:
    112
    Likes Received:
    33
    Location:
    Southside
    Bikes:
    2014 Ninja 300
    Thanks Kevin. I can't see the missus on a Honda Grom - she currently rides a 2014 Ninja 300 with a set of lowering links. We were looking to upsize to something mid-range in engine capacity...but for the moment, we've had to put those plans on-hold for the moment as more pressing things are more important.
     
    #8
  9. Miggzie
    Offline

    Miggzie Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2015
    Messages:
    120
    Likes Received:
    42
    Bikes:
    CBR500RA
    If your after a larger capacity with a low seat height and Lams approval (you two are still restricted right?)

    There isn't much In the sport bike class with out adding a heap of weight & cost; there is the CBR500R same stock seat height (+10% weight 30% power 70% torque) but I digress

    Have you looked at middle weight cruisers?
    Much lower seat hight, more relaxed engines & seating positions, they are typically heavier but the centre of mass is also lower making it more manageable.

    BTW the market values for a (Honda) 400cc & 750cc are about the same in NSW due to their Lams capacity restrictions (both are ACT Lams)
     
    #9
  10. Alchemystic
    Offline

    Alchemystic Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2016
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    12
    +1 to Miggzie's call on the cbr500r - they have a slightly more upright riding position than the ninjas too which means it will be slightly easier for your missus to reach the ground while in ready position.

    Also, CMCC is introducing the Honda Groms soon for $3999 (not sure if that will be rideaway or not). In spite of inital impressions, I would ask the lady if she would give it a test ride and see what she thinks of it. There are plenty of aftermarket options to make the bike faster/louder if power is what you want and the seat height will fit her as stock. Those bikes look like crazy fun for city riding

    Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
     
    #10
  11. kevinmosto
    Offline

    kevinmosto New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2015
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Canberra
    Bikes:
    2015 H-D FLS, 2015 HONDA Grom
    Good for her! I had put some effort simply to talk my de facto out of scooters LOL
     
    #11
  12. SGC
    Offline

    SGC Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2016
    Messages:
    112
    Likes Received:
    33
    Location:
    Southside
    Bikes:
    2014 Ninja 300
    Yeah, we initially were looking at a scooter purely because of the seat height issue, but she wasn't terribly interested in them. We looked a cruisers and she's more of a 'sporty spice' gal, hence the Ninja. I think when it comes to getting around to upsizing (she wants to keep her Ninja 300 as well), she'll go for a Ninja 650 (with a lowering kit). A ZX6-R would be awesome, but it would not be practical for her!!
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2016
    #12
  13. SGC
    Offline

    SGC Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2016
    Messages:
    112
    Likes Received:
    33
    Location:
    Southside
    Bikes:
    2014 Ninja 300
    Yup - we're still on restricted licences, for now, but if we see something we like, we'll buy them and keep them in the garage until such time we can legally ride them.
     
    #13
  14. gazman
    Offline

    gazman Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2011
    Messages:
    1,785
    Likes Received:
    282
    Location:
    Belconnen
    Real Name:
    Garry
    Bikes:
    2000 Monster Dark M600, 1985 GSX 250S, 2002 BMW R1150 GS Adv
    A Honda Grom would maybe OK in Sydney where average speeds are low with traffic all day.
    Would be crap in Canberra, you would have a line a cars up your arse pretty much everywhere let alone the nightmare of riding out of town on it.
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2016
    #14
  15. kevinmosto
    Offline

    kevinmosto New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2015
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Canberra
    Bikes:
    2015 H-D FLS, 2015 HONDA Grom
    We actually find the Grom quite comfy even around Canberra. The power isn't too bad if you push it hard enough.
    The gear ratio is perfect for urban commuting, and the acceleration 0-80k is excellent for a 125, much more thrilling than most 125 scooters.
    FWIW, it handles Gungahlin Drive beautifully, which is signposted 90k. I would say any road that is 100k or 110k would indeed be a little (just a little) far stretched for the stock Grom, but if you fit a speed screen and an aftermarket exhaust on it, VOILA, the top speed jumps from 90ish to 110ish.

    After all, it IS a 125, so keeping the rpm high would always be key to such a bike.
     
    #15
  16. Miggzie
    Offline

    Miggzie Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2015
    Messages:
    120
    Likes Received:
    42
    Bikes:
    CBR500RA
    Wish I could do

    Well if you're looking for suggestions I'd say have a squiz at Honda's VT750C/S modles
     
    #16
  17. kevinmosto
    Offline

    kevinmosto New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2015
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Canberra
    Bikes:
    2015 H-D FLS, 2015 HONDA Grom
    VT750S definitely looks the part... Very authentic and honest presentation of Japanese retro cruiser/bobber. I would recommend it as well.
     
    #17
  18. SGC
    Offline

    SGC Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2016
    Messages:
    112
    Likes Received:
    33
    Location:
    Southside
    Bikes:
    2014 Ninja 300
    Hmm...not a bad looking bike, although a little on cruiser style side. Might have to investigate that one. Thanks guys.
     
    #18
    Miggzie likes this.
  19. Kate
    Offline

    Kate Moderator Staff Member Moderator Supporter

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2012
    Messages:
    189
    Likes Received:
    86
    Location:
    Isabella Plains
    Real Name:
    You can guess...
    Bikes:
    2009 Kawasaki ZX6R - Monster Edition
    2003 Kawasaki ZX6R - Tracky
    2008 Kawasaki KLX250s
    Im 5'4, and have had both the Honda VT750C and Kawasaki ER6F (now branded as Ninja 650) and found both to be a good ride height although I am slightly taller than your missus.

    Obviously with the cruiser, the seat height was perfectly fine however the maneuverability at slow speeds was a little struggle at first but one I got used to the weight it was fine.

    With the ER6F, I was able to have both my feet planted on the ground at a stop so I would assume with your missus she would most likely be flat footed with one foot on the peg.

    I now ride a ZX6r (the 09 for road and an 03 for track) and love it! :D I am on the balls of my feet when both legs are down but am flat footed when I have one foot on the peg. But time in the saddle is what gets you used to a bike, it literally just takes time. I've only been on those bike for just over a year and I can maneuver the bike pretty easily now... just ask @Gypsy ;)

    My suggestion would be not limiting yourself to one bike you think will work but just getting on a ton of bikes and test riding them its the only way you will know what is out there. Maybe even going as far as taking a notebook with you when you test ride, and once you get off each bike and write what you liked and didn't like about it.

    Anyway that's my 2 cents :)
     
    #18
    SV1KS and Tobin like this.
  20. SGC
    Offline

    SGC Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2016
    Messages:
    112
    Likes Received:
    33
    Location:
    Southside
    Bikes:
    2014 Ninja 300
    Thanks for your 2 cents, Kate :1.gif:. The missus is 3" shorter than yourself, so she's in a position where every inch counts! It seems like she's just at the "tipping point" so-to-speak with seat heights etc, so we have to consider lowering kits/links etc...she's also got a pair of Lady Pilot boots which have help no end as they give some added 'reach' too. Not to worry though, we'll keep on keeping on with what we've got for the time being and just keep an eye out for whatever options we/she finds.
     
    #18
  21. Aeek
    Offline

    Aeek Member Supporter

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2015
    Messages:
    76
    Likes Received:
    24
    Real Name:
    Andre
    Bikes:
    SYM GTS 300i Sport ABS
    also a good custom seat may make the critical difference
     
    #19