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It seems like everyone from your go-to YouTuber, your (other) favorite moto publication, to your never-been-married uncle has advice for shorter riders. I’ll take a wild guess. They probably recommend some form of the Indian Scout, Harley’s Iron 883, Triumph’s Bonneville series, and a model from Honda’s Rebel line. And therein lies the problem. Most lists don’t give short riders enough credit.
Short doesn’t equate to beginner. Lacking height doesn’t mean you lack experience. It doesn’t restrict you to cruisers or retro standards, either. Some prefer a sleek sport bike. Others have a taste for adventure.
At the same time, it's undeniable that riding is more fun and relaxing when you can get a foot down in a way that inspires confidence, and some bikes are better at keeping you close to the ground than others in the same class. So, instead of picking the low-hanging fruit (no pun intended) and suggesting you buy a cruiser, this list will focus on the best bikes for short riders in four distinct categories.
Adventure
When it comes to the vertically limited, adventure bikes are probably the last motorcycles that come to mind. More times than not, their long-travel suspension and high ground clearances result in a tall perch. That line of reasoning doesn’t apply to the CFMOTO Ibex 450. Arriving with a 31.5-inch seat height, the entry-level ADV is downright low — as far as adventure bikes go, anyway.
The baby Ibex’s 7.9 inches of suspension travel (provided by a fully adjustable KYB inverted fork and monoshock) also proves that it doesn’t compromise functionality in the name of accessibility. Whether lifting it off the kickstand or picking it up off its side, the 450-class ADV’s claimed 425-pound curb weight should put most riders at ease, including those short of stature.
The Ibex doesn’t tickle your fancy, you say? Well, the Kawasaki Versys-X 300 ABS comes in with a 32.1-inch seat height, while the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 adds a lot more off-road capability with just a a 32.5-inch standover height. Bringing up the rear (quite literally), the saddles on the BMW G 310 GS and the Honda NX500 measure at 32.8 inches.
If you want to step up without needing a step stool, take a look at the BMW F 800 GS. With its 32.1-inch seat height, Munich’s middleweight caters to the inseam-challenged, all while retaining an adventurous spirit. The model’s road-biased tires and 6.7 inches of suspension travel don’t exactly scream trail-ready, but nearly all off-road-oriented ADVs feature seat heights north of 33 inches.
That’s why the saddles on the Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro (32.2 inches), the Suzuki V-Strom 800 (32.5 inches), and the Moto Guzzi V85 TT (32.6 inches) remain viable options for short riders. Although, customers should also consider that all four aforementioned models weigh more than 485 pounds. That’s a lot of heft to manage, especially when it’s just your tippy toes touching the ground. That’s why beginning short riders will look elsewhere, while veteran short riders will move up to middleweight ADVs without hesitating.
Sport
Sport-bike and naked-bike seats frequently fall somwhere between the jacked-up perches of ADVs and the low-riding saddles of cruisers. Many models hover around the 32-inch mark, but the Yamaha MT-03 and Honda CBR300R win the race to the bottom with a 30.7-inch standover height. What’s more, neither model exceeds 400 pounds, with Team Blue reporting a 373-pound curb weight and Big Red claiming a 354-pound wet weight.
While the wee MT and CBR top this category, the entry-level sport class is chock full of sub-31-inch seat heights. That includes the Kawasaki’s Ninja 500 sport bike, Z 500 naked bike, and Ninja E-1 ABS electric bike, as well as BMW’s G 310 R. All of which benefit from a 30.9-inch seat height. Those willing to surmount the a 31.5-inch seat can expand their search to the KTM 250 Duke and Aprilia RS 457.
Experienced riders will find the Suzuki SV650’s 30.9-inch-high seat the most accommodating amongst the middleweight sport segment. The model’s 75 horsepower, 47.2 foot-pounds of torque, and 432-pound claimed weight are as agreeable. Not to mention the trusty SV’s history, aftermarket support, and expansive community.
The Kawasaki Ninja 650 is nearly as approachable at 31.1 inches, while the Ducati Supersport 950 might push some boundaries with its 31.9-inch seat height. For the power-hungry Napoleons out there, the Kawasaki ZX-14R and Suzuki Hayabusa’s 31.5-inch seat height splits the difference between the Kawi and Duc. All while matching or exceeding the Ninja and Supersport’s power combined. Only short kings and queens need apply.
Touring
The sport-touring segment isn’t the crowded party it once was, but plenty of low-seat candidates remain. The Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ tops the list with its 31.9-inch seat height. Nipping at its heels is the the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello with its 32.1-inch seat height, and rounding out the trio is the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX with its perch resting at 32.3-inch. Nevertheless, weight remains a consideration, with these sporty alternatives all tipping the scale at 500+ pounds.
Elsewhere in the category, the BMW K 1600 GTL's 29.5-inch seat height beckons riders of all heights. The Yamaha FJR1300ES and BMW R 1250 RT also make the cut, both of which offer a 31.7-inch seat height. At the same time, all three models eclipse 600 pounds and produce 130+ horsepower, so the inexperienced should explore other options.
In the grand touring space, no bike goes lower than the Indian Chieftain Dark Horse. At 25.6 inches, the Chieftain’s low-slung saddle should suit nearly all inseams. What doesn’t suit all riders is its 823-pound running weight. The Chieftain isn’t the only model in the class to suffer from that weight problem, either.
Harley-Davidson’s Road Glide sits the rider in a 27.4-inch-high seat but it sure isn’t light off the stand at 838 pounds. The BMW R 18 B takes it up a notch with its 28.4-inch seat height and 877-pound curb weight, while the Honda Gold Wing goes up to a 29.3-inch seat but down to 802 pounds. Luckily, not all slammed seats come with such weight penalties.
Cruisers
The Harley Sportster, Indian Scout, and Honda Rebel already received their kudos in the intro, so we’ll recognize some of the less celebrated cruisers instead. Chief among them is the Indian Chief. In Bobber trim, the model’s seat measures at an even 26 inches high, allowing most riders to flat-foot the bike at a stop. The 694-pound cruiser is slightly more wieldy than its fully dressed counterparts, too. Honorable mentions in the class go to the Harley-Davidson Breakout (26.2 inches) and the BMW R 18 (27.2 inches).
In the midsize cruiser market, the tried-and-true Honda Shadow still courts shorties with its 25.6-inch seat height. The Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic’s 26.8-inch seat height qualifies it as another midsize option, while the Triumph Bonneville Bobber’s seat lifts the rider to 27.2 inches. If weight is a primary concern the Kawasaki Eliminator’s 385-pound curb weight is among the lightest in the entry-level cruiser class, even if its saddle rises to 28.9 inches. Those looking for a featherweight with an even squatter seat should find the Yamaha V Star 250’s 27-inch seat height and 324-pound mass mighty appealing.
The bottom line
So, what’s the bottom line here? Well, today’s motorcycle market offers a myriad of options for short riders. That’s the bottom line. Whether you put your bottom in the saddle of a cruiser or an adventure bike, a sport bike or a dual-sport, there’s always something for those short of height.
At the same time, don’t be discouraged if your favorite motorcycle didn’t make the cut. This list only includes stock seat heights, but most manufacturers offer low seat options and suspension lowering kits on an assortment of models. That’s to say, if you’ve always wanted a Ducati Monster, don’t let some list you found on the internet stop you.
On the showroom floor, the Monster’s seat sits at 32.3 inches. Ducati’s low seat accessory drops it 31.5 inches. Pair it with the brand’s lowering kit, and the low seat falls to 30.5 inches. That’s lower than the SV650 that topped the middleweight naked bike class. As I said before, short riders deserve more credit, but, as this list shows, more motorcycles deserve a look from short riders, as well.
