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Best seat for short rider
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 11
From: Baldwin, NY
I’m thinking about replacing the bars as well, but I’d like to start with the seat and see how my current small Z bars work. I might need to do both in order to feel completely comfortable. But first I definitely need to replace the seat. The stock seat isn’t comfortable to start with, and since I can’t even sit on it properly, it’s even less so.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 253
From: Northern Los Angeles area.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 449
From: Michigan
If you already have aftermarket bars on the bike (Z Bars) just rotate the handle bars back until they are comfortable for you, then straighten out the controls so they are level.. Then address the seat for comfort. Sounds like from your description the bars are rotated to far forward for you....
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 349
Likes: 57
From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
My daughter got her shoe repair guy to add a 1/2 to her boot soles and heels. Worked for her without much $ or trying to match bars, to seat to pegs. Some women have added up to 2 inches on their riding boots.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 1,811
From: Kalifornia
Duffy
That was what I was wondering. Sounds to me like she has forwards, which, in my opinion are the worst for handling anyway, and for me at 5'7" were uncomfortable to reach anyway. I needed about 2-3" more inseam to not have to stretch to reach them. A compromise for here would be the mids or the ones halfway between mids and forwards.
Being able to safely and easily reach the pegs and brakes and shifter is paramount to riding safely. Doing this part properly, for her, will also push her farther back on the seat to a more comfortable portion of the seat itself.
sportygurl
I hope this is what you are referring to. If so its easily corrected. If you have factory forwards, they are more valuable then mids, so you should come out $$$ ahead. I did when I made the swap. The mids DO get in the way, some, when walking the bike, but not enough for me to give up the control and safety.
That was what I was wondering. Sounds to me like she has forwards, which, in my opinion are the worst for handling anyway, and for me at 5'7" were uncomfortable to reach anyway. I needed about 2-3" more inseam to not have to stretch to reach them. A compromise for here would be the mids or the ones halfway between mids and forwards.
Being able to safely and easily reach the pegs and brakes and shifter is paramount to riding safely. Doing this part properly, for her, will also push her farther back on the seat to a more comfortable portion of the seat itself.
sportygurl
I hope this is what you are referring to. If so its easily corrected. If you have factory forwards, they are more valuable then mids, so you should come out $$$ ahead. I did when I made the swap. The mids DO get in the way, some, when walking the bike, but not enough for me to give up the control and safety.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 11
From: Baldwin, NY
I actually really like the forward controls. I reach them just fine now, but I am concerned when I change the seat that my riding position might change and push me further back than I am now and that would not be good. As for my boots, I think my current boots suit me just fine. They probably add about an inch or so to my height, and any more than that I would be worried that might feel unnatural. Basically, the stock seat is really uncomfortable, so that’s the main reason why I’m changing it. However, upon changing it, I would prefer a bit of a boost forward just to solidify my comfort. And also, it can’t boost me too high so that I can’t flat foot. It’s just about finding the right balance for me.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 11
From: Baldwin, NY
Sure ill post pics as soon as I get it! I’ve been busy and on vacation so I haven’t purchased it yet. I hope to in the next couple of weeks!