Tracer 700 + Short Legs

[wilbo83]

I am 5'7" with a 30" inseam. Currently ride a Yamaha XJ6N which has a seat height of 785mm and I can comfortably get both feet flat on the ground. It's the only bike I have ever ridden as I learnt on one also. I've had it for a few years now and getting the itch to change it. Hoping to get a test ride of an MT07, CB500X, Tiger 800 and a Tracer 700 in the next couple of weeks.

On paper the Tracer 700 seat height of 835mm seems quite a big jump from the XJ6, so I wondered if anyone else of similar height rides one and can comment on what it's like?

I am expecting to prefer the MT07/Tracer engine out of the shortlist, so my alternative plan is for an MT07 and add a touring screen. Opens up a far bigger list of used bikes within budget (probably c.£5k).

[DuckSauce]

You should have no issue with the Mt07, I'm 5'5 and learnt on one with no issues getting my feet down.

[lazybike]

In my experience the Tiger engine, and indeed the whole bike, is much better than the Yamaha, there's a low version of the Tiger, it has a lower frame, you do lose the centre stand though. Having said that I liked my MT, just don't ride the Tiger
At 5'7" you're practically a giant, I'm 5'6"...

Edited by lazybike on Sunday 7th April 12:00

[pessimal]

I'm 5'7 with a 28" (if i'm lucky!) In seam.

Currently riding a tiger 800 (not the low version)

Normal seat in lowest position and I can get one foot down fairly flat, Both feet down and i'm on the balls of my feet.

Being so short in the leg it's just something I have accepted, I am flatter footed on an mt07, I wanted to test ride a tracer 700 but couldn't, so I ended up with a tiger 800, mainly as the insurance was about £300 cheaper!

[Janluke]

The Tracer 700 may see tall on paper but its quite narrow. I've had a Tiger 1050 and Tracer 700 both with the same(on paper) seat height but the Tracer feels much lower.

[wilbo83]

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like I should be ok on a Tracer. Hoping to get round some dealers to try them out next weekend.

[Byronico]

Same height and inseam as you. Currently also have an XJ6 which I love but would also like to upgrade it soon..
I trained on an MT07 and had no issues with seat height.
Go and have a sit on all the bikes you mentioned.

This website is also good to give you an indication of seat height:
http://cycle-ergo.com/

[wilbo83]

Byronico said:

Same height and inseam as you. Currently also have an XJ6 which I love but would also like to upgrade it soon..
I trained on an MT07 and had no issues with seat height.
Go and have a sit on all the bikes you mentioned.

This website is also good to give you an indication of seat height:
http://cycle-ergo.com/

The MT07 is a strong contender but I do get a bit frustrated with lack of wind protection on the XJ6 (mine is the naked version) so hence why I want to try a Tracer. The XJ6 has been a great bike and a perfect first bike as it is very forgiving and easy to ride, however it is quite heavy and just fancy a change.

[A500leroy]

Considered the XSR 700 ( with optional wind protection), i believe puig make a good screen.

[Byronico]

wilbo83 said:

The MT07 is a strong contender but I do get a bit frustrated with lack of wind protection on the XJ6 (mine is the naked version) so hence why I want to try a Tracer. The XJ6 has been a great bike and a perfect first bike as it is very forgiving and easy to ride, however it is quite heavy and just fancy a change.

I know what you mean.. its quite a neck workout travelling on motorways on my XJ!
You'll have the same issue on any naked really unless you fit an aftermarket screen.

Tracer looks a beauty.. have been eying one up too. Love the look of the Tiger also.
Dont think you can go wrong with either.. have a test ride on them and see what you like best.

[trxman]

I have been looking for a Tracer 700, too.
As I also have quite short legs and during the test ride of 2019 Tracer 700 I was tiptoeing, I was investigating lowering complete bike.
Yamaha provides original lowering parts for Tracer 900 (dog bones), but for Tracer 700 I had to look for 3rd party options:

- Tracer 700 (2016-2018) - spring retainer ~25mm lower
- Tracer 700 (2019-) - pivot arm ~30mm lower

Unfortunately, I still did not get first hand experience with these kits.

[Pothole]

MT07 suspension gets regularly slated. Tiger 800 a far better quality machine all round.

[NJH]

Look at the new 2020 model, it comes with a lower seat option now -20mm.

I am similar size to you OP, I was surprised how comfortable the Tracer 700 was to sit on and get the feet down, and as others have said it feels nothing like as tall as the figures suggest.

[jonindorset]

Tiger 800 is a big and heavy bike, great for long distances and very stable but more comparable with the Tracer 900.
The Tiger 800 is much heavier and considerably more difficult to manoeuvre at low speed than the XJ6.
The OP has already indicated that the XJ6 is a bit heavy, so may get on better with the Yamaha twins. They are of cheaper construction but greatly improved with Nitron shocks / Hyperpro front springs and actually likely to be more reliable / cheaper to run than the Triumph.

[Pothole]

I don't really get the weight and seat height worries. I have a 29" inside leg and I'm not built like Arnie. I ride a Tiger Sport 1050. 830mm seat height and 235kg wet. I get off it to move it around. I've never felt I needed to have my feet flat on the ground to stay upright. It's something to get used to, is all, surely?

[crofty1984]

If you can get one for firmly on the floor, even if it's just the balls of the feet that'll do me. At 5'4" it has to our I'd only ever ride cruisers!

[Pothole]

crofty1984 said:

If you can get one for firmly on the floor, even if it's just the balls of the feet that'll do me.

Exactly

[wilbo83]

This is a bit of a thread revival. I am the OP and in the end I test rode the Tracer 700 and had no concerns with the seat height. As someone else mentioned, its quite narrow (although the tank is very wide) so your legs are quite close together. In the end though, I test rode a Street Triple R, couldn't stop grinning and decided that would be a far better choice!

trxman, if you are set on a bike like the Tracer though, check out the Tiger as others have suggested. Triumph quality is night and day with Yamaha,

[crofty1984]

wilbo83 said:

This is a bit of a thread revival. I am the OP and in the end I test rode the Tracer 700 and had no concerns with the seat height. As someone else mentioned, its quite narrow (although the tank is very wide) so your legs are quite close together. In the end though, I test rode a Street Triple R, couldn't stop grinning and decided that would be a far better choice!

trxman, if you are set on a bike like the Tracer though, check out the Tiger as others have suggested. Triumph quality is night and day with Yamaha,

This is the only statistic/specification you need to give a st about when it comes to bikes.

[SteelerSE]

The guys at frontendchatter.com have chatted through some of the options for lower seat heights a couple of times. Worth a listen even if you're just looking to pass the time.