Hey guys, my name is Aly and I'm thinking about getting a street bike. I know I know, this is usually male territory, but my family has always been big bike enthusiasts so I've always kind of been interested in getting one myself. I rode dirk bikes a lot when I was a kid, but I don't know if its the same at all. Anyway, the only problem is I'm not sure if I'm physically big enough to handle these things. I'm only about 5'4" and 130 lbs, and when I sit on my brothers bike (he's got a 1000), my feet don't even reach the ground. Just wondering if its possible for me to even get a sports bike at all, or maybe I should just stick with my car. Are there any "smaller" bikes out there that might better fit me?

Thanks,
Aly

Being slightly short of stature is no big deal. On most of the older gens (99-04) you can get a different "dog bone" which changes the angle the rear shock sits at and therefore lowers the rear of the bike. This has some mild impact on your suspension performance, but unless you plan on competing for a slot on the AMA grid you probably won't notice.

You can also get a different seat, Corbin makes custom seats, that will change how you sit in the saddle and get you a bit closer to the ground.

You can get an aftermarket shock by Penske, Olhins, Fox, or others and have it made with less ride hieght.

Or you can ride stock and just use your tip-toes. There is no rule that you have to flat foot both feet on the ground.

And if you chose not to get an R6, there are slightly smaller bikes out there, the SV600 is little smaller. Just don't go down the path of getting a ninja 250 or ninja 500 thinking they will be smaller. They are slightly smaller but substantially under powered.

Aly, I am almost your twin...I am 5' 4" and about 135lbs. I have owned (2) Suzuki GS500e's, a Suzuki Bandit (600) and my last bike was a 2003 R6. I never changed the suspension on the bike and would not recommend this as it changes the bike's ability to "grip".

YOU ARE DEFINATELY NOT TOO SHORT! I will admit, that at a stoplight I can just touch with the tips of both feet, but I learned to use just one foot down at stops. I called this my "kickstand method". With my left (most of the time left) or right foot all the way down, I never had an issue with holding the bike up. Now granted, you won't be able to back up while sitting on the bike, but learning how to spin the bike 180degrees while on it's kickstand is a much better way to impress all those Harley riders anyway! :lol:

The seat customizing is an option that may help you feel more comfortable, you can even take out some of the foam from the factory seat to give your legs a more verticle stance.

Anyone who says that you're too short for the bike can just come talk to me! LOL!!! I've been riding more than 12 years and since I know I'm not going to get any taller....I might as well ride what I want when I want!

Get the bike that you want, you'll learn how to deal with it!

-Kevin-

Go for it Aly. It may be a male dominated sport but I admit I love it when I see a girl on a bike! :D

My g/f is only 5'1 and interested in getting an r6, would that dogbone lower it enough for her to ride safely. She sat on a 08 kawa 250 and seemed to be ok, I told her she would be fine with that. You have posted you are 5'4, well do you think she would be ok being three inches shorter. As soon as I got mine she said she wants one because Im not experianced enough to ride her on the back yet. I have seen other people doubling up and doesnt look that hard but I just want to be comfortable by myself before I put someone else on. Well thanks in advance for your reply.

See if a dealer will alter the bike, i.e. place in the lowest ride height adjustment and preload setting, then see if she can fit comfortably on the bike. Also contact companies like Penske or Fox Shox, they build custom spec rear shocks and can better tell you the range of the stock shock and the range/cost of a replacement.

Paying $500 for a replacement shorty shock might be worth while to be able to ride a superior bike over a smaller in stature and under powered bike like a 250.