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I'm not the OP but I don't really appreciate your, what sounds like very condsending even if not meant that way, comments.
I'm sure you don't have any Idea what it is like to to be 5'5, with a 27" inseam and 31" sleeve, and want to ride a big bike. Sure, if I never have to stop and/or back up I would have no problems, but even if it is only 1% of the time we all have to stop and/or back up and reaching the ground is difficult and can be even dangerous if the reach is too great.
There is also another overlooked fact. All standard model bikes are designed around the average rider...something like 5'8,32" inseam and 34" sleeve. When a shortie like me wants to ride a big standard model bike, a lot of mods need to be made to make it fit us. Sometimes trading comfort for rideability is something that has to be done as there is no other choice.
From my research most seat manufacturer make all kinds of seats offering different levels of comfort, but most are designed for that average size rider. The H-D Reach Seat is the only one I can find that is designed for a short rider, but does give up some what on comfort.
I know several ladies that ride BMWs with seat heights of more than 30 inches. When they stop, they scoot off the seat & put down one foot. To back up, they get off & back the bike from the side. It CAN be done.
But, if all other solutions don't work, you can do the landing gear option.
Done Mean City once and will not go back, let's but it this way, at times I even have to stretch to get the kickstand up. Also went with different bars already for them to be a bit higher and back more. Thanks for all y'all inputs. Gonna give Danny Gray a call come Monday, also thought about Tech Susp reverse but the coins don't rattle in the possible bag any more.
Last edited by Hawg Runner; Aug 17, 2019 at 09:48 PM.
I know several ladies that ride BMWs with seat heights of more than 30 inches. When they stop, they scoot off the seat & put down one foot. To back up, they get off & back the bike from the side. It CAN be done.
But, if all other solutions don't work, you can do the landing gear option.
Yeah I hear ya, being short, on the plump side and close to 68 I ain't as spry as I once was not to mention 3 shoulder surgeries, a bum knee from kick starting my 63' FLH, that I had for 45 years,back surgery, still a fractured disc in the lower back, a severed nerve in left leg that some how mended up somewhat, can still walk on it and climb, but jumping days are over, both due to some lead thrown my way.
Last edited by Hawg Runner; Aug 17, 2019 at 09:59 PM.
Yeah I hear ya, being short, on the plump side and close to 68 I ain't as spry as I once was.
Got a couple years on ya & I'm built "stout" too. Lucky for me, I'm 5' 9" and could reach the ground with stock seat on my Limited. Still, the Danny Gray put me a bit lower & back some. With the Air Hawk bladder I can change pressure points on the fly with the built in air pump & release valve. Bonus was my wife liked it better than stock seat too, so win, win.
Also to be clear, done already had the front lowered 1 inch, and have lowering blocks in the rear for the shocks, so hence looking for the seat options.Thanks all again.
I'm not the OP but I don't really appreciate your, what sounds like very condsending even if not meant that way, comments.
.
I didn't mean to be condescending at all. I'm 5'7" with a 30" inseam and ride a standard height Limited. As others have commented I have issues backing and even folding up the kick stand is a stretch. My comments were based on many threads I have read from riders who think they should be flat footed in their regular riding position. Not standing up. They lower their bike and change the seat so they can easily flat foot and the end result is a bike that beats you to death every bump you hit. Based on the OP's comments about doing 500 miles a day, I simply wanted to remind him not to sacrifice the comfort on the highway for hours at a time, for those few moments at a light or backing out of a parking spot. I personally would rather wrestle with the bike for 30 seconds then enjoy hours in the saddle instead of having it easy for 30 seconds then miserable for hours. If the OP was a bar hopper instead of an all day rider, I wouldn't have even commented.
Being height challenged myself I realize it's give and take to find the balance.
I didn't mean to be condescending at all. I'm 5'7" with a 30" inseam and ride a standard height Limited. As others have commented I have issues backing and even folding up the kick stand is a stretch. My comments were based on many threads I have read from riders who think they should be flat footed in their regular riding position. Not standing up. They lower their bike and change the seat so they can easily flat foot and the end result is a bike that beats you to death every bump you hit. Based on the OP's comments about doing 500 miles a day, I simply wanted to remind him not to sacrifice the comfort on the highway for hours at a time, for those few moments at a light or backing out of a parking spot. I personally would rather wrestle with the bike for 30 seconds then enjoy hours in the saddle instead of having it easy for 30 seconds then miserable for hours. If the OP was a bar hopper instead of an all day rider, I wouldn't have even commented.
Being height challenged myself I realize it's give and take to find the balance.
That is a good way to look at it, and will have to maybe rethink my putting the lowering blocks in the rear so the shocks can act more like they should and give me a smoother ride with one of my 4 seats and still put the Le Pera up for sale if I can figure how to post pic's.
I didn't mean to be condescending at all. I'm 5'7" with a 30" inseam and ride a standard height Limited....Being height challenged myself I realize it's give and take to find the balance.
Well, I would consider you just a tad vertically challanged I'm not just vertically challanged at 5'5", but I'm also short leg chalanged with a 27" inseam.
OK, I can accept almost every thing you stated. However, and not just talking seat, I don't think you have to sacrafice much rideability to lower a bagger if you invest in the right suspension system. Lots of good ones out there that will get you down easily an inch. I don't feel my Suspension Technogies 11" rear shocks and their 1" shorter front suspension made my ride significantly different from stock. I even have their heavy duty springs in the rear shocks because when I ride 2-up the standard springs would bottom out. So yes, riding solo, the ride is slightly harsher, but handeling and rideability is just fine.
My main point was, if, like me, even after lowering the bike you still need a lower seat to be able to reach the ground, then there just isn't any seat out there, that I have found, that can give you both...lower and comfort. Got to trade off one or the other.
Well, I would consider you just a tad vertically challanged I'm not just vertically challanged at 5'5", but I'm also short leg chalanged with a 27" inseam.
OK, I can accept almost every thing you stated. However, and not just talking seat, I don't think you have to sacrafice much rideability to lower a bagger if you invest in the right suspension system. Lots of good ones out there that will get you down easily an inch. I don't feel my Suspension Technogies 11" rear shocks and their 1" shorter front suspension made my ride significantly different from stock. I even have their heavy duty springs in the rear shocks because when I ride 2-up the standard springs would bottom out. So yes, riding solo, the ride is slightly harsher, but handeling and rideability is just fine.
My main point was, if, like me, even after lowering the bike you still need a lower seat to be able to reach the ground, then there just isn't any seat out there, that I have found, that can give you both...lower and comfort. Got to trade off one or the other.
That is a good way to look at it, and will have to maybe rethink my putting the lowering blocks in the rear so the shocks can act more like they should and give me a smoother ride with one of my 4 seats and still put the Le Pera up for sale if I can figure how to post pic's.
Lowering blocks wont change how the shocks work. Go for it if you want the extra inch. The SGS shocks I believe are 12" so they don't have the same travel as my Limited with 13" shocks.
Part of my earlier comments reflect posts of people who instead of lowering blocks, went with the shorter SG shocks and then complained about the rougher ride. If the height of the bike is acceptable, you can really improve the ride with good 13" shocks and lowering blocks. You gain the shock travel without adding height.
Obviously you need to make the bike comfortable for you. Just keep in mind the trade offs so you can make the best decisions for you. Especially with the hours you put in the saddle in a day.
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and still put the Le Pera up for sale if I can figure how to post pic's.
I'm not just vertically challanged at 5'5", but I'm also short leg chalanged with a 27" inseam.
