ryan4130 Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Hoping that there are some ladies on here that can chime in. I'm thinking of upgrading to a different bike in the coming year and am wondering if I should pass (sell) this bike to my girlfriend. She is 5'2" and cannot flatfoot or touch both toes to the ground while in the seat. Is this inevitable for women and you get used to it? Anyone have experience with lowering their bike? TIA! '15 FZ-09 Cadmium Yellow '15 White Fz-07 - Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator sorkyah Posted February 10, 2016 Global Moderator Share Posted February 10, 2016 @zombiphone @motomeek @tylerjanebr @hippiebikerchick @ch3rryghost these ladies might be able to help you out i know there are a few threads on here that refef to lowering the fz, but i'll be damned if i cand find them at this time i'll link to em in an edit if i can locate em ATGATT... ATTATT, two acronyms I live by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duenan Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Probably should've asked if the FZ07 is ok for short riders since that seems to be your main concern, not whether or not they are a women. I get what you're saying, women generally are shorter, but this is a poorly worded out topic. lol. Anyway, to answer your question, 5'2" is going to be rough, that isn't a lie. Whether or not someone gets used to this is unfortunately up to the individual. Your guess is as good as mine. Engaging with people that have personality disorders on a message board is like arguing with a rock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy2100 Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 While she could ride it, I'm sure she would be more comfortable with a lowering link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan4130 Posted February 10, 2016 Author Share Posted February 10, 2016 Thanks for the replies and good point duenan. This isn't about being sexist so I've retitled the thread to short riders. A lowering link for the rear would be preferred but how much do they help lower seat height by? Any feedback welcome '15 FZ-09 Cadmium Yellow '15 White Fz-07 - Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mardi72 Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I'm a short guy 5'9" (generously) with a 30" inseam. I cannot flatfoot, it's kinda close though. I know women measure differently but maybe her inseam is more important than her total height? I'd call some dealerships, or Yamaha themselves to see how much the bike can be lowered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simbadc650 Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I'm a woman and I love it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkH Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Man, 5'9" isn't short. That is average. I'm 5'7"- that is short. But TC is asking about 5'2". That is a whole other category. I can't fully answer this question. But I will say my wife is 5'3" and she can technically flat foot the fz07 with both feet which is impossible for me. I've brought this up before long ago. She does this thing where she pretty much smashes her crotch into the small of the seat and is able to pull this off. Now, mind you this is standing still in the garage, not in actual riding. Whether or not she can achieve this in real-world riding situations (which involve a lot of weight shifting) I cannot say. She does ride, but she rides an R3 which has a lower seat height. She has been riding for a year now and she still does not want to ride my FZ07. I'm confident she will have no issues even being 5'3" but this does not help you at all. I visit here at least once a week. Got any questions, ask and I will answer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan4130 Posted February 11, 2016 Author Share Posted February 11, 2016 @SkH isn't the R3's seat height an inch or less shorter than the fz-07's? '15 FZ-09 Cadmium Yellow '15 White Fz-07 - Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkH Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Yeah, its 1 inch lower but it seems even lower than that. I don't know why. It is a drastic difference compared to the Fz07, I have no idea how to explain it. Its probably just my preload settings making the r3 seem even lower. Her's is set to 1, mine is set to 4. So that would explain a lot. imo you should just sell the FZ07 (for the upgrade) and get a cheap, used 300cc beater for her (or a used honda grom). But only if she really wants to ride. I visit here at least once a week. Got any questions, ask and I will answer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetgirl Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I think she should do some research and figure out what bike is best for her. The Grom is cute but I wouldn't be caught on one. When I first learned to ride, it was important that the bike was light enough to maybe keep from dropping if I screwed up. Sorkyah you forgot about me. I've been riding 12 years and do about 11,000 a year. You hurt my feelings. Waaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh sob sob snifle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator sorkyah Posted February 11, 2016 Global Moderator Share Posted February 11, 2016 I think she should do some research and figure out what bike is best for her. The Grom is cute but I wouldn't be caught on one. When I first learned to ride, it was important that the bike was light enough to maybe keep from dropping if I screwed up. Sorkyah you forgot about me. I've been riding 12 years and do about 11,000 a year. You hurt my feelings. Waaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh sob sob snifle Im sooo sorry @jetgirl *bear hugs* ATGATT... ATTATT, two acronyms I live by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan4130 Posted February 11, 2016 Author Share Posted February 11, 2016 Thanks for the inputs people. I think the grom is cool but overpriced for how limited it is, people sure love them though! I will probably end up selling my bike at some point then. Better for a new rider to start off with something cheaper, used, and less powerful. '15 FZ-09 Cadmium Yellow '15 White Fz-07 - Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetgirl Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 It's okay sorkyah. I didn't mean to wipe my nose on your shirt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator sorkyah Posted February 11, 2016 Global Moderator Share Posted February 11, 2016 It's okay sorkyah. I didn't mean to wipe my nose on your shirt. You wouldnt be the first or the last ATGATT... ATTATT, two acronyms I live by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member phicurious86 Posted February 11, 2016 Premium Member Share Posted February 11, 2016 My GF is about 5'2" and she can just barely get the tips of her toes down. She doesn't feel comfortable (or confident) at all on the FZ at a standstill. She sat on a Star the last time we were at a dealership and she liked the feel of it "loads better". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombiphone Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 What's her inseam? I'm 5'6" but I have a 30" inseam so the 32" seat height + soft suspension + narrow seat actually lets me flat foot the FZ comfortably. If she doesn't have long legs for her height though, the FZ might be a bit rough to initially learn to ride on. I personally avoid lowering bikes, since It robs you of already minimal ground clearance, but if you do go that route with lowering links, make sure you also lower the front to match the rear, so you don't mess with the steering geometry and make the bike handle poorly. But yeah, otherwise, something like an R3 or a ninja 250/300 or a cbr 250/300 would be Fantastic bikes to learn to ride on, especially for a shorter rider. they're all low, softly sprung, lightweight, and plenty adequate on the freeway. I still have my ninja 250 that I learned on in addition to my FZ (Now as a dedicated racebike), and almost 6 years later, it still teaches me things and leaves me smiling ear to ear. Little bikes never stop being fun Published 'Chronicles of a Motorcycle Gypsy' a book about my travels on the FZ, and a writer for Motorcyclist Magazine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemer Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 This may be important ... does she have much or any experience in riding motorcycles. The first bike I bought that had me on my tip-toes was challenging but my experience and good common sense told me how to deal with the awkwardness. If she has very little or no experience I wouldn't recommend it. She may get used to it eventually but she may drop it numerous times before she gets there. There's probably some lowering kits out there but from what I've seen they usually only lower a bike around 1 1/2 " which may help but may still be iffy. If it were me and I were worried I would just trust my instinct and not sell it to her. She will love you for thinking of her safety. Beemer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineappleunderthesea Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Just get her a nice, low cruiser with Cobra pipes! And make sure you tell her to rev it at stoplights to make sure the engine is still running! But seriously, it's all how confident you think she'll be on the bike, my short friend (5'3") felt perfectly confident on my Honda Shadow 750, she could just flatfoot and felt nice and stable. But there's no way she'd get on the FZ since she'd have to lean it to flatfoot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwpowere36m3 Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 30" inseam here on a good day... can't flat foot with both, one yes. I can touch with both toes though. One foot/toe is all you really need. That's all I get on my enduro, barely a single toe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member motomeek Posted February 11, 2016 Premium Member Share Posted February 11, 2016 5'3" and 5'2" here. We toe the bike, with one foot up on the opposite peg. It's all depends on your mindset and what you're willing to deal with in order to not limit yourself to any bike. It's not the most convenient, and yes - you have to think differently when stopping at times (think of slanted streets... the one foot down should go on the HIGHER side), but it's not impossible. If lowering the bike, I highly suggest going to a suspension specialist than a lowering link. Get boots with thicker soles, shave down the seat... Here's something to practice to help those who need more confidence. Go from one foot down with the other foot up to doing the same on the opposite foot. It's a simple task of shifting your weight from one foot to the other. It helps you to get comfortable on being on one foot and should come in hand in times of when you think the bike is getting swayed in the opposite (peg side) direction... Instagram: @meekmade | You don't need to flat foot a bike to ride it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whtmakaveli Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 My wife is 5'2 and could barely put both toes down. Got her a lowering link, and she was pretty comfortable. Then as I was teaching her in the parking lot, she laid down the bike doing something (barely a scratch). I said NOPE and took the link out...it is now solely mine. Long story short...with a link it should be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenchickendinner Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I'm 5'5" and I can only touch the ground with my left foot and can't tip toe with both feet lol nonetheless, they doesn't really bother me...unless I'm going in reverse then it's a pita. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator jeffkisthename Posted February 15, 2016 Global Moderator Share Posted February 15, 2016 Both @tylerjanebr @ch3rryghost are tall I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member ch3rryghost Posted February 16, 2016 Premium Member Share Posted February 16, 2016 Yeah, sorry I can't be of much help on this topic. I hope you figure out what is most comfortable for your SO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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