Wife vertically challenged.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Acworth, GA
Fiance has same issue. Now has a stock height 1200 Nightster and she rides flat footed with no heels and can manuever the hell out the bike.
One test I don't see people doing when considering a new bike - walk the bike into and out of parking spots etc. This is a normal function of riding and if it's a challenge more than likely the bike will get dropped in a parking lot or the garage eventually.
BTW - 883 nightster and the 1200 nightster are same height - but the 1200 will hold it's value much better and has a great power to weight ratio!
One test I don't see people doing when considering a new bike - walk the bike into and out of parking spots etc. This is a normal function of riding and if it's a challenge more than likely the bike will get dropped in a parking lot or the garage eventually.
BTW - 883 nightster and the 1200 nightster are same height - but the 1200 will hold it's value much better and has a great power to weight ratio!
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
It's not just the kind & size of bike, it's also learning to properly handle the bike & make the bike work for you. The gal who taught my MSF course is all of about 5'1" and rides an Ultra Classic equipped with a hydraulic system that gives it about 3" of vertical travel if she needs it.
Heritage Softail seems to be a good choice for smaller women-folk, but the new Fat Boy Lo looks pretty low as well, might be another good shot.
Heritage Softail seems to be a good choice for smaller women-folk, but the new Fat Boy Lo looks pretty low as well, might be another good shot.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Midland Texas
The deluxe does have a lower seat height, but that big old comfortable seat is just too wide for some shorter riders. My wifes legs coudnt touch the ground on the deluxe we tried. We went for the sporty with the reach seat, and she could get her feet down on that one. I dont know if there is a narrower saddle that would work on the deluxe, but as it sat on the showroom the sporty was the only one she could touch the ground on.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 31
From: southeast pa
My wife is also 5 feet tall with thick socks on.. started on an 883 low.. had a few issues.. went to a 500 buell that she still rides and no, no more issues on the sporty.. eventually I'd like to see her move to a deluxe too but it won't be this year... ( I just bought an ultra so her new bike will have to wait.. )
cheers
mavrick
cheers
mavrick
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 255
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From: Staten Island
The deluxe does have a lower seat height, but that big old comfortable seat is just too wide for some shorter riders. My wifes legs coudnt touch the ground on the deluxe we tried. We went for the sporty with the reach seat, and she could get her feet down on that one. I dont know if there is a narrower saddle that would work on the deluxe, but as it sat on the showroom the sporty was the only one she could touch the ground on.
Going to pick up the Nightster tonight. Hopefully it's not raining.pics to follow.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 893
Likes: 1
From: Southeast Va.
Congratulations on the new bike. I too am very short. I tried all kinds of HD's in the showroom. The best fit for me was the fat bob for some reason. But I opted to go with the trike! Now no worries at all and that is priceless.