Interested but height challenged.....
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 936
Likes: 55
From: C. Texas
Interested but height challenged.....
I have been exploring the PA's for a bit and just left the dealer looking at several in stock. Did not test ride but will soon. I am 5'8 and I found the bike is a challenge to mount. I did get on it by standing on the foot peg and mounting which will take some getting use to but still lifting the bike up on one leg off the jiffy stand takes a little bit. Once up and flat-footed on one foot, all good. I am curious to hear from other riders of similar height your experience, etc. Starting out, cruising, stopping??? The one I was on has the ARH so when we started the bike, it lowered but not enough to put both feet on the ground.
Thanks for the feedback....
Thanks for the feedback....
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4,251
Likes: 3,134
From: Texas
Height doesn't matter, inseam is the crucial measurement. If you were 5'8 with a 34" inseam, you'd probably manage it very easily. 5'8 with a 28" inseam would make it very difficult. It's all about the leg length.
That said, you can increase your leg length (effectively) a little by choosing thick-soled shoes. I've got some Harley riding boots with 2" or 2.5" thick soles, and they effectively add that much to my leg length. Made all the difference when I was on my Moto Guzzi V85TT. It has a 32.7" seat height. I could barely reach the tips of my toes to the ground in normal shoes, and I could darn near flat-foot it with those boots on.
THAT said, there's folks going to tell you "you can ride any bike no matter your height, you just have to slide one butt cheek off, or always stop next to a sidewalk", or other nonsense. Let me tell you: if you're taking it off-road, you NEED to be able to get both feet down firmly. This isn't a 150-lb dirt bike, it's a 600lb beast, and if you're trying to maneuver it through tricky terrain and you can't even put your feet down, that's just begging for something to go wrong.
But if it's for street use only, firmly flat-footing both feet is best, but hardly necessary.
That said, you can increase your leg length (effectively) a little by choosing thick-soled shoes. I've got some Harley riding boots with 2" or 2.5" thick soles, and they effectively add that much to my leg length. Made all the difference when I was on my Moto Guzzi V85TT. It has a 32.7" seat height. I could barely reach the tips of my toes to the ground in normal shoes, and I could darn near flat-foot it with those boots on.
THAT said, there's folks going to tell you "you can ride any bike no matter your height, you just have to slide one butt cheek off, or always stop next to a sidewalk", or other nonsense. Let me tell you: if you're taking it off-road, you NEED to be able to get both feet down firmly. This isn't a 150-lb dirt bike, it's a 600lb beast, and if you're trying to maneuver it through tricky terrain and you can't even put your feet down, that's just begging for something to go wrong.
But if it's for street use only, firmly flat-footing both feet is best, but hardly necessary.
Last edited by FatBob2018; Jul 29, 2023 at 03:53 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 250
Likes: 72
From: Maryland
I'm 5"8" -5"9". 155 pounds + or- .
It's understandable mounting and dismounting a bike you don't own you kind of overthink things and tend to be overcautious.
I step on using the foot-peg either from the left side or the right side. On the right side the exhaust gets hot, so depending on gear or if wearing shorts need to be aware about the bike leaning to left and letting your right leg fall into the exhaust side of the bike.
Times when my suspension doesn't lower I can still use both side toes to balance at a stop or just shift half off the seat and am able to flat foot one side at a standstill.
Now my suspension is working flawless and the bike imperceptibly lowers as you stop and it's so stable with both feet or one foot flat.
If your off road with luggage and get into ruts or rocks or stop on the side of a hill the lowering capabilities of the suspension keep you from tipping over.
I think there is an optional low seat and the stock seat does have two manual setting. So chk to place or make sure stock seat is in it's lower setting (need to unlock rear seat to manipulate the front seat)
It's understandable mounting and dismounting a bike you don't own you kind of overthink things and tend to be overcautious.
I step on using the foot-peg either from the left side or the right side. On the right side the exhaust gets hot, so depending on gear or if wearing shorts need to be aware about the bike leaning to left and letting your right leg fall into the exhaust side of the bike.
Times when my suspension doesn't lower I can still use both side toes to balance at a stop or just shift half off the seat and am able to flat foot one side at a standstill.
Now my suspension is working flawless and the bike imperceptibly lowers as you stop and it's so stable with both feet or one foot flat.
If your off road with luggage and get into ruts or rocks or stop on the side of a hill the lowering capabilities of the suspension keep you from tipping over.
I think there is an optional low seat and the stock seat does have two manual setting. So chk to place or make sure stock seat is in it's lower setting (need to unlock rear seat to manipulate the front seat)
Last edited by ChocolateCake; Jul 29, 2023 at 04:07 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 936
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From: C. Texas
Inseam of 29". I have several HD boots and can add and inch or so. I just need to go for a test drive with the riding gear I will ride with. Certainly looking at a lower seat along with the ARH will get me closer to flat footing with both feet but probably good on one.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 250
Likes: 72
From: Maryland
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 108
Likes: 33
From: Ontario, Canada
I think my inseam is about 30" so I am pretty close to you, I would recommend ensuring the seat is at the lowest setting (there are two) or switching to the lower seat (ask if available prior to test ride) and a ARH equipped bike.
Also don't be afraid to shift your butt to get more length of the supporting leg. That's part of the Adventure!!
Have fun and keep us posted.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 250
Likes: 72
From: Maryland
one item the PanAM has that makes it super easy to pull away on inlines if you are new top the bike or have poor footing / short inseam is the Brake Hold Assist.
Just squeeze either brake at a stop until the dash display shows the icon and you can release all the brakes and the bike will hold until you apply enough power to break the threshold of the holding power.
Just squeeze either brake at a stop until the dash display shows the icon and you can release all the brakes and the bike will hold until you apply enough power to break the threshold of the holding power.
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Typically one foot is all that is required, your other foot should remain on (or ready to use) the rear brake. Riding a HD spoils many rider with the low seat heights.
I think my inseam is about 30" so I am pretty close to you, I would recommend ensuring the seat is at the lowest setting (there are two) or switching to the lower seat (ask if available prior to test ride) and a ARH equipped bike.
Also don't be afraid to shift your butt to get more length of the supporting leg. That's part of the Adventure!!
Have fun and keep us posted.
I think my inseam is about 30" so I am pretty close to you, I would recommend ensuring the seat is at the lowest setting (there are two) or switching to the lower seat (ask if available prior to test ride) and a ARH equipped bike.
Also don't be afraid to shift your butt to get more length of the supporting leg. That's part of the Adventure!!
Have fun and keep us posted.