ADV Bikes for short riders. Or Adventure Motorcycles for short people. Or just ADV bikes with low seat heights. Not everyone can ride an ADV bike. there just too tall. Or are they?
Initially when I started riding ADV bikes, I started with the Africa Twin which was too tall and heavy for me off road. I kept it for two years then I bought a RE Himalayan which was a great bike on gravel and trails. I kept it for three years. This year I bought the 2023 KLR 650S. I’m really looking forward to putting a bunch of miles on this bike. I’m 5’4” and 70 years old.
I'm no long lanky thing, so I bought crash bars for my bike. Best thing ever, saves a lot of repair bills. I wear forma boots as they have a thicker sole which means I can get one foot down flat with confidence. Learn to balance the bike.
good video.. Im researching right now, as I am 5'3" and a solo female rider.. I LOVE the Himalayan however its too heavy for My RTW Trip starting in Australia.. New Sub and Like Mate!!
To clarify, short riders can and do ride some heavy and tall bikes. I own a HD 1200 Custom 05' but for my next big trip, Australia Solo, I've narrowed to the BMW GS310, as i want comfort and lighter, more agile bike for back roads as well. + luggage and camping gear...
I traveled morocco with the himalayan, mainly offroad and desert riding and the Himalayan was perfect. It feels way lighter than 200kg giving you tons of confidence. The bike made me try to tackle terrain which I would avoid on a t7 or similar. Only when I first dropped it did I realize that the bike is 200kg. Fantastic bike!
on-road I'm fine not being able to flat foot, but off-road i feel like its needed for those moments where you need to put a foot down to stop the bike going over. what do you think? know of any techniques to get around this???
Tiptoeing or sliding off the seat doesn't work for me, esp with wife & full luggage coz I need to hv full control at traffic stops when the bike is top heavy. Found the perfect solution in the Tiger 850. The LRH version absolutely lets me flatfoot the bike... but since I would rather not sacrifice suspension travel to reach the floor, reshaping the seat of the standard 850 allows me to hv at least a firm grip of the ground with the balls of my feet at all times. Wearing Blundstone workboots with thick soles at the toes also adds a welcome 1/2 inch to my short inseam for free.
I'm 160 cm tall and just bought a Triumph Tiger 900 Low. I absolutely love this bike and just made a video about why I as a short rider went from Honda Rebel to the Tiger. It's in norwegian, but captioned in english if you want to have a look. :)
Coming to a stop on side of hill is a hard thing to do if your over 75 and need hip and knees. I have a BMW f750gs low with a low seat. Works better than my Victory Cross Country Tour.
I’m 5’9” fit and been riding over 30 years under most circumstances I’m not bothered about seat height, I just ride. But for me the best use of an ADV is touring and in those circumstances with my wife and full panniers/ top box I like to feel sure footed, especially if the ground is uneven or wet.
From the way you describe the different bikes, I can tell that you are still living in the glorious past of the British empire where only the west is capable of producing quality products including motorcycles. Remember this is exactly what people in the west did mocking Japanese motorbikes( and cars) in the beginning, and western motorcycle magazine talked and compared about crappy Japanese bikes and British iron motorcycles. Oh well, I guess to each their own.
Initially when I started riding ADV bikes, I started with the Africa Twin which was too tall and heavy for me off road. I kept it for two years then I bought a RE Himalayan which was a great bike on gravel and trails. I kept it for three years. This year I bought the 2023 KLR 650S. I’m really looking forward to putting a bunch of miles on this bike. I’m 5’4” and 70 years old.
I'm no long lanky thing, so I bought crash bars for my bike. Best thing ever, saves a lot of repair bills.
I wear forma boots as they have a thicker sole which means I can get one foot down flat with confidence. Learn to balance the bike.
Very positive and encouraging review👌!
Thank you mate😀👍
good video.. Im researching right now, as I am 5'3" and a solo female rider.. I LOVE the Himalayan however its too heavy for My RTW Trip starting in Australia.. New Sub and Like Mate!!
To clarify, short riders can and do ride some heavy and tall bikes. I own a HD 1200 Custom 05' but for my next big trip, Australia Solo, I've narrowed to the BMW GS310, as i want comfort and lighter, more agile bike for back roads as well. + luggage and camping gear...
Hi, I'm 5'3" as well girl biker too. I'm riding a Yamaha v star 250 and I would like to try out the Himalayan... Wondering the seat can be lower...
I traveled morocco with the himalayan, mainly offroad and desert riding and the Himalayan was perfect. It feels way lighter than 200kg giving you tons of confidence. The bike made me try to tackle terrain which I would avoid on a t7 or similar. Only when I first dropped it did I realize that the bike is 200kg. Fantastic bike!
on-road I'm fine not being able to flat foot, but off-road i feel like its needed for those moments where you need to put a foot down to stop the bike going over. what do you think? know of any techniques to get around this???
Agreed 👍
Try watching 'doodle with a motorcycle' or 'Jocelyn Snow' videos. They are short riders that ride tall bikes.
Tiptoeing or sliding off the seat doesn't work for me, esp with wife & full luggage coz I need to hv full control at traffic stops when the bike is top heavy.
Found the perfect solution in the Tiger 850. The LRH version absolutely lets me flatfoot the bike... but since I would rather not sacrifice suspension travel to reach the floor, reshaping the seat of the standard 850 allows me to hv at least a firm grip of the ground with the balls of my feet at all times.
Wearing Blundstone workboots with thick soles at the toes also adds a welcome 1/2 inch to my short inseam for free.
I’m short, don’t know if available where you are but Yamaha TW200
Another great video
Amazing video brother
900, 1250 are not small bikes for small riders, i don't see how those bikes are good for small and beginner riders about 5'5 ft. or 5'7 tal.
Some short riders may want somthing with lots of power. Options are good
I'm 160 cm tall and just bought a Triumph Tiger 900 Low. I absolutely love this bike and just made a video about why I as a short rider went from Honda Rebel to the Tiger. It's in norwegian, but captioned in english if you want to have a look. :)
Hi, please share your video link. 😄
@@iskandarkhamis Here it is. It's in Norwegian, but captioned so you should be able to get it autotranslated. :)
@@iskandarkhamis th-cam.com/video/LeVegIAhHas/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Z6lkzv2E7ijfbs-8
Coming to a stop on side of hill is a hard thing to do if your over 75 and need hip and knees. I have a BMW f750gs low with a low seat. Works better than my Victory Cross Country Tour.
Awesome video, thanks man!
I am short and piss-off , your freaken music.Love the video, when the music stoped, I said thank you but no another 🔥I gave up on you
I guess my videos arnt for you then 😀
I’m 5’9” fit and been riding over 30 years under most circumstances I’m not bothered about seat height, I just ride. But for me the best use of an ADV is touring and in those circumstances with my wife and full panniers/ top box I like to feel sure footed, especially if the ground is uneven or wet.
From the way you describe the different bikes, I can tell that you are still living in the glorious past of the British empire where only the west is capable of producing quality products including motorcycles. Remember this is exactly what people in the west did mocking Japanese motorbikes( and cars) in the beginning, and western motorcycle magazine talked and compared about crappy Japanese bikes and British iron motorcycles. Oh well, I guess to each their own.