My wife and I are shopping for a bike after the new year. I of course want a Harley, and he thinks she wants a Gold Wing. I think she is just looking at the back seat barcolounger part.

WE went out to see the bikes and I was told something I wanted to check here. I was told at 5'8" and inseam of maybe 27" I would be limited in bikes. I was told a wide glide was for folks at least 6' tall, which I aint. I was told the lowest bike is still over 26 inches seat height.

Of course the GW is something like 29 or 30" seat height.

What would a short, fat guy do to compensate for the ride heights? Tippy toes aint a good plan for heavy bikes I imagine.

Anyone ever have this problem or hear of it?

Thanks.

 

I guess it depends on how much farther you need to go down. An aftermarket seat will lower you by an inch or more. You can also put in a lowering kit. But there's nothing wrong with one foot down. You just need to be more careful about where you put your feet. My concern would be if I could lift the bike on my own but that's a call you're better to make than I.

Carl

 

Go sit on some bikes. I have ridden with people in your height range. They get along fine. They did get a lower seat and the lowering kits. Goldwing is no small bike. Weight seems to be more of a issue than seat height. Just try not to drop it.

 

By the way, my buddies wife rides a Fatboy and she is about 5'6".

 

Look at the Softail Deluxe. It has the lowest seat height of any of the HDs. With a Mustang touring seat, it'll sit a bit higher, but you won't have a problem reaching the ground, and your wife will be very happy. (Unless she's dead set on the plastic-fantastic Wing.)

 

I like the soft tail and all it's varients. I didnt realize that they all have different seat heights.

I shall go back and try the deluxe. I imagine the dealer could set the seat lower some and the bars back if needs be to sell the bike. I am encouraged that a 5'6" woman can ride! A lowered or stock bike?

I know the GW is fast like a rocket and comfy, but it aint a harley.

The wife doesnt understand that. Perfect in every other way. There had to be something I guess!

I guess I could trike it out also. seems radical to me.

 

My brother is 5'5 or 5'6 not sure, but he's little compared to me (6'3").

Anyway, he rides an '04 Ultra Classic. I recall him mentioning needing to get that model as he had a little difficulty reaching the ground with both feet on some of the other models. He was looking for a Tourer though, and he was also dead set on a Harley.

I think you need to go the shop and sit on them. ALL of them. You can lower them and you can change the seat. Pretty much anything you want to do can be done, it's only dependent on the depth of your pockets!

[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

Mac

 

Im 5'6" 30"inseam, 145lbs, and ride a Roadking with 16"ape hangers. I also work as a metric tech and have ridden on several occasions the plastic motorcycle that I have come to know as a road appliance. The GW is a heavy bike to manuver at slow speeds or backing up and like most jap bikes will depreciate heavily. You can easily find a bike that should be comfortable to you and have a low seat height with a HD, and if you love your bike you will be prone to use it.

 

I notice that the Harley web site shows a bike called the FXDLI Dyna Low Rider. Something like a 25 inch seat height!

88 engine instead of the softail engine too. Big shocks on the back. Could be I need to go sit on a few of them and that one too.

 

I keep seeing references to the "88 engine" and the "Softail engine". They are both 88 cubic inch Twinkie motors. Difference is the Softy engine is counterbalanced, and the others aren't as they are rubbermounted.

A well set up Dyna will be more comfortable than a Softail, though. Better rear suspension, IMHO.