General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

REALLY short girl wanting a Harley

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 05-20-2018, 11:53 PM
tinyrider's Avatar
tinyrider
tinyrider is offline
6th Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2018
Location: San Diego
Posts: 13
Received 19 Likes on 3 Posts
Default REALLY short girl wanting a Harley

So I’ve been researching the crap out of this and so far I’m the shortest person I can find who has her heart set on a Harley. I’m only 4’8. Is it even possible for me to ride one? I learned on a Kawasaki, I’ve sat on Yamaha’s, but there’s nothing like a Harley (as I’m sure everyone on here knows). What are my best options and what mods could make this possible? IS this possible? The shortest person I’ve read up on these forums was a whopping 5’2 - six inches taller than me. Help!
 

Top Answer

 
05-21-2018, 06:15 PM
tinyrider's Avatar
tinyrider
tinyrider is offline
6th Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2018
Location: San Diego
Posts: 13
Received 19 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by zodder
Pretty close to the truth right there......

Yeah, well, if I always let my height get in the way of my life, I wouldn't have done half the stuff I've done. Besides, when I have nothing to lose, what's stopping me?
 
  #2  
Old 05-21-2018, 12:01 AM
Narddog's Avatar
Narddog
Narddog is offline
Tourer
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Albuquerque New Mexico
Posts: 461
Received 401 Likes on 129 Posts
Default

I test rode this Softail Slim S at my dealership. It was beautiful. It was also the shortest one I've ever sat on. I'd try sitting on one of these if you can find one.
Softail Slim S
 
  #3  
Old 05-21-2018, 12:46 AM
ScottinAZ's Avatar
ScottinAZ
ScottinAZ is offline
Seasoned HDF Member

Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Globe AZ
Posts: 8,296
Received 14,274 Likes on 5,557 Posts
Default

best I can do is say go and sit test as many bikes as you can. there are seats that can help adapt for shorter riders. Worst case, you can always go with a trike. no need to flat foot one of those. Good luck
 
The following 2 users liked this post by ScottinAZ:
pjdude (05-22-2018), SPRINGER (05-21-2018)
  #4  
Old 05-21-2018, 12:49 AM
JohnMn's Avatar
JohnMn
JohnMn is offline
Outstanding HDF Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 2,717
Received 272 Likes on 211 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by tinyrider
what mods could make this possible?
Aftermarket stuff; shorter rear shocks, forwards seats and pull back risers all combined will put you in a comfortable position for the controls and balance. Look at Low-rider dynas, Fat Boy softails and Road Kings as low center of gravity bikes
Is it possible? Yes.
Shortest one I know is a feller we call Little Man, he's 5 foot,, well maybe shorter now,, he's been riding for 40+yrs
 
The following users liked this post:
mctraveler (05-21-2018)
  #5  
Old 05-21-2018, 01:02 AM
KenRice's Avatar
KenRice
KenRice is offline
Intermediate
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 44
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by tinyrider
So I’ve been researching the crap out of this and so far I’m the shortest person I can find who has her heart set on a Harley. I’m only 4’8. Is it even possible for me to ride one? I learned on a Kawasaki, I’ve sat on Yamaha’s, but there’s nothing like a Harley (as I’m sure everyone on here knows). What are my best options and what mods could make this possible? IS this possible? The shortest person I’ve read up on these forums was a whopping 5’2 - six inches taller than me. Help!
Its not so much your height but the length of your inseam that matters. The length of my inseam is 28 inches and was fine on my '15 Slim. I used boots with thick soles and wanted Mean City Cycles to alter my seat but they said they were not able to make it any lower. If I needed the seat to be any lower I would have looked at the Lepera seat.
 
The following users liked this post:
04ctd (05-21-2018)
  #6  
Old 05-21-2018, 03:53 AM
klup's Avatar
klup
klup is offline
Tourer
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Desloge missouri
Posts: 275
Received 83 Likes on 46 Posts
Default

I am probably that 5 ft 2 in member I really like my slim Harley has lowering kits different seats I almost bought a softtail deluxe the dealer was going to try a different seat but I bought the bike I like best the slim
 
  #7  
Old 05-21-2018, 04:13 AM
Ron750's Avatar
Ron750
Ron750 is offline
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 28,842
Received 16,515 Likes on 6,271 Posts
Default

How much experience do you have on the Kawasaki? Anything can be done, but it requires hard work, practice and time. Not wishful thinking. I wouldn’t trust the opinions of people who haven’t experienced what it takes to be successful. Or tutored one, like a MSF instructor.

You should PM some of them. I think Neil is an instructor. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/members/13864-neil.html
Another instructor:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/membe...12-twistr.html
Good luck.
 
The following users liked this post:
AJSHOVEL (05-21-2018)
  #8  
Old 05-21-2018, 04:59 AM
Roadie13's Avatar
Roadie13
Roadie13 is online now
Stellar HDF Member

Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: In a house
Posts: 2,337
Received 1,005 Likes on 497 Posts
Default

The better half is 5' 0" with her hair proofed up (28" inseam) and is now on a 16 RG. She started on a sportster, spent a few years on a couple of fat boy lo (including 7000+ mile round trip to Sturgis twice) but always wanted a big bike. Like others have said the inseam is more important than overall height. 4" might as well be a mile, but something can likely be done. The slim or an 883 lo may be the answer. We tried every combination possible of seats, boots, and air ride and she's finally at a point where she's comfortable, safe, and the bike rides without clearance/suspension issues. One important thing is our dealer was very willing to find a way to make it happen other than just slamming the bike and killing the ride quality. Feel free to shoot me a PM, glad to help you out any way we can.
 
  #9  
Old 05-21-2018, 05:40 AM
Kingglide549's Avatar
Kingglide549
Kingglide549 is offline
Banned
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Viet Vet, crossroads
Posts: 4,576
Received 969 Likes on 694 Posts
Default

The 1977 onward Low Rider used to advertise a 26-inch ride height, so it is all relevant to what you want to spend.

http://dudeworld.com.au/ARTILOWRIDER.HTML
 

Last edited by Kingglide549; 05-21-2018 at 05:42 AM.
  #10  
Old 05-21-2018, 06:02 AM
Bubba Zanetti's Avatar
Bubba Zanetti
Bubba Zanetti is offline
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Wasteland
Posts: 16,375
Received 13,192 Likes on 5,618 Posts
Default

Look into a Ridley Motorcycle. They have very low seat heights, automatic transmissions and look very much like a Harley. My wife is 5'1 and she was looking at one several years ago. She sat on it and loved being able to flat foot it.
 


Quick Reply: REALLY short girl wanting a Harley



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:49 AM.