bobf@drutx.UUCP (FormhalsR) (04/02/85)
Five years ago I bought my first bike, a Honda 400, over the objections of my wife. It's funny how you can spend $2000 on interior decorating but heaven forbid on a cycle. Naturally I suppose you would want to spend your resources on what pleases you or at least best meets your needs. Anyway after two years of negotiation I ended up with the 400 and not surprising my wife came to enjoy our rides about the foothills and town. But in time it became evident that the 400 was just too small for any extended riding trips and our focus was drifting towards dirt bike riding. So I sold it and both of us bought dirt bikes, (by now she was as hooked as me :-) ). One year later now and it seems that she enjoys riding her owm bike ( a Honda 100XL ) so much that she would like to seriously look at street bikes for herself. The problem though is that she is all of 4'11'' tall and all but the smallest 250's etc. are made too tall for her to handle. At a minimum I think at least 400 - 450 cc's is needed to ride solo any kind of distance and I am wondering if anyone out there has also run into this problem and if any solutions are available. I wonder about modifying the suspension and seat to lower a bike without seriously compromising the safety, handling, and ride. My thought is that there are some particular bikes out there that are better suited for these modifications than others and perhaps someone can make suggestions. How about it? ( Why have a couch that just sits there when you can get one that rides down the road. )
david@tekig.UUCP (David Hayes) (04/04/85)
> > handling, and ride. My thought is that there are some particular bikes out there > that are better suited for these modifications than others and perhaps someone > can make suggestions. How about it? > > ( Why have a couch that just sits there when you can get one that rides down the road. ) The cruiser style bikes from Kawasaki and Yamaha have quite low seat heights and might be low enough for your wife. The Maxim series is the Yamahammer and the new 454 Kaw is their old 450 LTD, or very close. You might also look at Hondas 500 Magna. Another bike with a low seat height is the Harley Sportster, which I'm sure she would love, but the cost is a tad high, however, you could ride it when she's not around.:-) I wouldn't recommend altering the suspension on one of todays bikes because the tradeoffs might be too dangerous(less susp travel). cheers, dave
phil@osiris.UUCP (Philip Kos) (04/07/85)
The Harley Sportster does indeed have a low seat height. I just got a new one (whee!) and it's wonderful to be able to put both my feet down flat when I stop. As for modifying a bike to lower the seat, I don't think there's an awful lot that can be done because of the frame. Most bikes have the seat mounted pretty much as low as it can be. The only way you could lower it is to modify the frame. Of course, you could always put a hardtail on the bike (:-). Phil Kos The Johns Hopkins Hospital
dee@druxv.UUCP (Gadbury) (04/08/85)
> handling, and ride. > > The cruiser style bikes from Kawasaki and Yamaha have quite low > seat heights and might be low enough for your wife. I did not catch the original article, but caught the answer from Dave Hayes on 4/4. I am a 'wife' that is short and I ride a 1982 Yamaha 750/Maxim and am very comfortable with it in reaching the pavement at a standstill (just about flat footed). I took it on a 2500 mile trip (Sept. '82) a month after I had it and it rode (and rides) very well. I have it fully equipped with full fairing, large saddle bags and trunk. I am very happy with it. I did have a "Mayer DayLong" Saddle seat special made for me which did not change the height from the stock seat (I had one made for my first cycle and liked it). The Maxim is lower than my first cycle, a 1976 500/Yamaha (bought in '77 which I could only get my tip toes on pavement unless I leaned it one way. I did ride this one for 5 years. The reason for changing was preference of shaft drive over chain after a 3000 mile trip in July of '82 with chain. No problems, just a nuisance of tightening and oiling chain. From a gal that loves riding....... Dee Gadbury AT&T-ISL, Denver druxv!dee
tatge@hpfcms.UUCP (tatge) (04/09/85)
There is one cheap, easy mod to seat height. Get a sharp knife and
carve away some of the foam. Of course this has a comfort penalty.
George Tatge
Fort Collins, CO
ihnp4!hpfcla!tatgedarryl@ISM780.UUCP (04/24/85)
[] A woman acquaintance of mine has a Yamaha 750 Maxim that has been specially lowered for her by her dealer. She is VERY short, but likes to do long distance travelling. The dealer had to remove the centerstand to provide enough clearance for her suspension. She has it equipped with most of the doodads that the high line touring rigs have -- full fairing, radio/cassette cb, a car cup with a buoy cup holder (as used in boats), a set of Honda Aspencade trunks grafted on... Needless to say, she doesn't blaze through the twisties, but its what she wants. --Darryl Richman, INTERACTIVE Systems Corp. ...!cca!ima!ism780!darryl The views expressed above are my opinions only.