What are your thoughts
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 6,009
From: Boston suburbs
I've never been able to flatfoot a bike (actually on 1 bike I could, but it sat so low it couldn't take corners with any speed)
I'm 5'5" with short legs
when learning to ride dirtbikes, I'd have to lean the bikes almost to a 60* angle just to get 1 foot down. I've been wanting a motard for a "spare" bike, but too old to lean at every stop again
I'm 5'5" with short legs
when learning to ride dirtbikes, I'd have to lean the bikes almost to a 60* angle just to get 1 foot down. I've been wanting a motard for a "spare" bike, but too old to lean at every stop again
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
I've never been able to flatfoot a bike (actually on 1 bike I could, but it sat so low it couldn't take corners with any speed)
I'm 5'5" with short legs
when learning to ride dirtbikes, I'd have to lean the bikes almost to a 60* angle just to get 1 foot down. I've been wanting a motard for a "spare" bike, but too old to lean at every stop again
I'm 5'5" with short legs
when learning to ride dirtbikes, I'd have to lean the bikes almost to a 60* angle just to get 1 foot down. I've been wanting a motard for a "spare" bike, but too old to lean at every stop again
I am not tall: 5'7.5" or somesuch. I can flatfoot some Harleys such as my Fatboy (non-low) but not others. I had a Honda CB650 for years that I could not quite flatfoot. Rode it maybe 21,000 miles and I became quite proficient at handling the bike.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 726
Likes: 3
From: Pacific Northwest
I've never been able to flatfoot a bike (actually on 1 bike I could, but it sat so low it couldn't take corners with any speed)
I'm 5'5" with short legs
when learning to ride dirtbikes, I'd have to lean the bikes almost to a 60* angle just to get 1 foot down. I've been wanting a motard for a "spare" bike, but too old to lean at every stop again
I'm 5'5" with short legs
when learning to ride dirtbikes, I'd have to lean the bikes almost to a 60* angle just to get 1 foot down. I've been wanting a motard for a "spare" bike, but too old to lean at every stop again
I'm 5'-5" with a 26" inseam. Your legs just need to be long enough so you can reach the controls.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 6,009
From: Boston suburbs
I should add that on top of being only 5'5, I've been riding with a foot clutch, so it's just my right toes holding the bike up
the big key is floorboards or midcontrols. and the right bars so you're not bent like a "<" . it's about having good balance
the big key is floorboards or midcontrols. and the right bars so you're not bent like a "<" . it's about having good balance
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 79
here is the girl with the tippy toes. not calling her fat but as you can see she's not sitting on the seat to well cause she has to be on her toes to hold the bike up
i'm all for someone getting their dream bike, but not at the risk of safety. My friend has an ultra limited. he asked me to sit on it, i couldn't get my leg over it cause i have a fused lower back. i didn't want to risk dropping it, i said no thanks. i know what i can and can't handle. that salesman should be ashamed of himself. JMO
lol...
i'm all for someone getting their dream bike, but not at the risk of safety. My friend has an ultra limited. he asked me to sit on it, i couldn't get my leg over it cause i have a fused lower back. i didn't want to risk dropping it, i said no thanks. i know what i can and can't handle. that salesman should be ashamed of himself. JMO
lol...
Jerry "Motorman" Palladino teaches tiny women how to ride big bikes all the time. The skills to ride take practice, not height. I've been riding 35 years but I learned some great skills from his videos. Once you figure out the bike goes exactly where you are looking and you start looking where you want to go, frankly the rest is easy.
If I had a small friend (or any friend) I'd suggest they at least buy the dvd's (or even watch his YouTube page) for some great skills on how to ride. Nothing wrong with letting someone know about some training that might save their bacon some day.
Skip to 6 minutes in to see her on the bagger.
15 year old, Victoria Pearce, First Time on a Harley-Davidson, Suzuki Volusia - YouTube
If I had a small friend (or any friend) I'd suggest they at least buy the dvd's (or even watch his YouTube page) for some great skills on how to ride. Nothing wrong with letting someone know about some training that might save their bacon some day.
Skip to 6 minutes in to see her on the bagger.
15 year old, Victoria Pearce, First Time on a Harley-Davidson, Suzuki Volusia - YouTube
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Oct 26, 2015 at 09:06 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 5
From: Flatlander
Being thoughtful of course is a good thing.
One can only be as safe as abilities will allow.
Most everyone can benefit form taking a Riders Safety Course,
I did and I had been riding for over 40 years.
YesI find myself in a situation where should I say something or not.
Normally I just say a prayer for them, works for me, not everybody I know.
One can only be as safe as abilities will allow.
Most everyone can benefit form taking a Riders Safety Course,
I did and I had been riding for over 40 years.
YesI find myself in a situation where should I say something or not.
Normally I just say a prayer for them, works for me, not everybody I know.
Last edited by perryross; Oct 26, 2015 at 06:50 AM.
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Is the real question not that the bike is too big for somebody but that their skills are not good enough to ride a bike? Maybe any bike? I am just wondering if this is the case.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 103
From: St. Louis, MO
I'd highly recommend buying the DVDs. They don't cost much and the info is VERY valuable even to a guy like me who's been riding 35 years. My low speed handling skills improved significantly just by learning the three tips he gives away on his youtube videos: 1. look where you want to go, never where you don't want to go, 2. use the friction zone at low speeds, 3. use the rear brake at low speeds.
I laugh at guys paddling along with their feet at my local bike meets. If my bike is moving AT ALL my feet are on the boards and I'm controlling the bike (except when backing up of course). Being able to control the bike at less than walking speed is fun to me.
Rider education is critical and his video on where to look on avoiding traffic hazards, is also invaluable and had some points I'd not thought of.
I think if we had tougher education requirements for licensing we'd have have less accidents.
I laugh at guys paddling along with their feet at my local bike meets. If my bike is moving AT ALL my feet are on the boards and I'm controlling the bike (except when backing up of course). Being able to control the bike at less than walking speed is fun to me.
Rider education is critical and his video on where to look on avoiding traffic hazards, is also invaluable and had some points I'd not thought of.
I think if we had tougher education requirements for licensing we'd have have less accidents.
Last edited by Joe_G; Oct 26, 2015 at 07:41 AM.