I well might end up with a decent scooter. The one’s that I am most inclined to consider are not made by the big four Japanese companies or by Harley Davidson, and so dealer accessibility is also a consideration. When I do, I want a bike with some degree of performance as well as comfort, something I can add a windscreen and some soft bags and do more than a one hour ride with a stop at the tavern. But I know that sometime in the future I will have to downsize to a lighter bike, even if not right now. I’m almost 77 and ride a Goldwing 1800 and doing just fine despite my 29 inch inseam. Some of us shorter riders have been riding motorcycles most or all of our lives, and don’t really want to settle for a “beginners” bike. This little Suzy is the only modern light weight that still looks like a motorcycle! I told Suzuki to raise the engine capacity to 350 cc, add a six speed tranny, get rid of the tube/spoke tires and put on another shift to fill the orders. Put on a 16 front sprocket and still have a hard staying out of the way of traffics. I recently bought a Suzuki TU250 with hope of extending my riding a few more years. and didn’t tell any future customers that Gary wasn’t 5 10 with a 30 in inseam and that the bike they wanted to sell you wasn’t the same as what he won the race on. I have long ago realized that the manufacturers were not interested in the short riders unless you were super talented then they crammed your pockets full of money as a FACTORY RIDER. I’d list the bikes I have owned but few of you would recognize the names. I’m 83 with a 25 inch inseam and have ridden since I was 14. Just be a rider and love your ride.Įxcuse me if I don’t shed a tear for the problems you kids with 27-28 inch inseams are having. Go to a dealer, sit on one, take it for a ride and judge for yourself. Many of the bikes on your list exceed 30″ and despite their light weight, tippy toeing a motorcycle for many riders can do horrible things to a riders confidence.ĭon’t believe or fall into the media and rider stereotype bull about Harley Riders, owners and the brand. I know many pencil thin women who are riding Harley Davidson Softail models and handle them with ease, because of the Low seat height. While many of these bike weigh more than the ones on your list, the lower the CG, the easier the bike is to handle. ….and the lowest of ANY motorcycle out there……. But let’s start with the others first before we get to the lowest. One of which has the lowest seat height of any manufacturer. Great list, but…… You failed to mention a few motorcycles. We call our Silverwings the Goldwing of scooters. Don’t knock big scooters until you try one – you just might be surprised. I don’t miss shifting as I’m not a hot rodder. I hit a 2×4 board at 70 mph on a crowded expressway and ABS helped me control the scooter. With the Honda combined brake set up, ABS and scooter twin handbrakes (hands are quicker to respond in emergencies than feet IMHO) I feel much safer. But I get a kick out of gasing up next to Harley riders and teasing each other. Only down side is that many scooters look like something George Jetson would ride! I still think of Triumph Bonnevilles as the real motorcycle look. The flat floor makes all the difference for us elders that have lost some of our flexibility but still hanker to ride. Scooters may have high seats (I’m 5’9″ with a 29″ inseam) but the cut away between the seat and the front of the scooter makes it easy to get on and off. It is a blast to ride, powerful enough to satisfy me, hold my own on expressways and comfortable for long trips. Now at 69 I ride a 530cc Honda Silverwing scooter. Started small and also borrowed my best friend’s bikes (he always had the best bikes & cars). As soon as I was able to buy a bike without my parents permission I did.
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