Why are bikes getting taller?

[pasmith73]

I’m 5’7” and am finding it increasingly difficult to find bikes which I can comfortably touch the floor. I was at the NEC on Friday and almost every bike I sat on was a problem.

I used to have a Daytona 675 and that was no problem. Sat on the 765 Street Triple R and could only just tiptoe.

Used to have a Honda CBR600F which was no problem. Sat on the new CBR600RR and could just tiptoe.

Sitting on KTM Duke and my feet waggle in thin air. Couldn’t touch the floor on any CCM, except the Bobber.

I have a S1000RR and struggle with the seat height of that, but have realised that compared to most that’s not that tall.

It’s the 2012 Daytona vs 2023 Street Triple comparison which really highlights the trend. Why are bikes getting taller?

[Crudeoink]

I can't say I've noticed, but then I am 6'1" so it's rarely an issue. Tallest bike I've owned is my current KTM 690 Enduro R which is massive
Is it that bikes are getting taller or a combination of a bit taller and with wider seats? A wide seat makes a short bike feel tall in my experience

[rodericb]

The seat height of the Daytona 675 is 820mm and the seat height of the Street Triple R 765 is 825mm.

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/triu/trium...
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/triu/trium...

Seat height of the 1991 CBR600F2 is 810mm and the 2024 CBR600RR is 820mm

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/hond...
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/hond...


That's not much of a difference there. The width of the seat can make a difference but the examples above are very similar in that regard. Maybe the soles of your boots have worn down that much over the past twenty odd years??

[pasmith73]

rodericb said:

The seat height of the Daytona 675 is 820mm and the seat height of the Street Triple R 765 is 825mm.

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/triu/trium...
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/triu/trium...

Seat height of the 1991 CBR600F2 is 810mm and the 2024 CBR600RR is 820mm

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/hond...
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/hond...


That's not much of a difference there. The width of the seat can make a difference but the examples above are very similar in that regard. Maybe the soles of your boots have worn down that much over the past twenty odd years??

Maybe I’m shrinking ?!?!

[pasmith73]

Crudeoink said:

Is it that bikes are getting taller or a combination of a bit taller and with wider seats? A wide seat makes a short bike feel tall in my experience

That’s a very good point. On paper my old Daytona and new S1000RR have roughly the same seat height, but I could touch the floor much easier on the Triumph. The difference is that the BMW seat is significantly wider

[pasmith73]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

That highlights the problem for me. You’re 7 inches than me and can only tiptoe so therefore I simply wouldn’t be able to ride that bike.

Coincidentally though, my dealer lent me a F800GS for a day but that was the lower frame version fitted with a lower seat and I could touch the floor fine. But most bikes don’t have a lower frame version.

[bimsb6]

pasmith73 said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

That highlights the problem for me. You’re 7 inches than me and can only tiptoe so therefore I simply wouldn’t be able to ride that bike.

Coincidentally though, my dealer lent me a F800GS for a day but that was the lower frame version fitted with a lower seat and I could touch the floor fine. But most bikes don’t have a lower frame version.

Have you tried the indian ftr ? I can get both feet down on the later 17” wheeled one .

[sixor8]

Were the bikes on stands in a fixed position? I can't imagine they'd want loads of people sitting on free-standing bikes with the drop risk.

In which case, the suspension probably didn't drop under your weight (I'm cast no aspersions here ), all suspensions sag under a rider, if only slightly, this would affect your perspective.

[rodericb]

pasmith73 said:

Maybe I’m shrinking ?!?!

Unfortunately the shrinking occurs in the spine, which won't make a difference to touching the ground but it might make the handlebars get further away over the years.....

The main thing is how much your legs get splayed out when you're standing astride of the bike. Try something like a Ducati 749 or 999, Bimota DB7 or 8 and you'll see that in action. Those bikes have narrow seats where it counts.

[pasmith73]

bimsb6 said:

Have you tried the indian ftr ? I can get both feet down on the later 17” wheeled one .

That’s interesting, I do like the look of those.

[gareth h]

Years back I had a 990 superduke, and bought a 850 Le Mans as a doer upper, the SD had me on tippy toes, I could flat foot the Guzzi, I guess that’s progress!

[pasmith73]

sixor8 said:

Were the bikes on stands in a fixed position? I can't imagine they'd want loads of people sitting on free-standing bikes with the drop risk.

In which case, the suspension probably didn't drop under your weight (I'm cast no aspersions here ), all suspensions sag under a rider, if only slightly, this would affect your perspective.

I did wonder about something like that. Although I have sat on the Street Triple at a dealers and also struggled there. They do offer a low seat so I’d have to try that if I was serious about getting one.

[NDNDNDND]

This is an interesting site to play around with, although I don't think it takes account of seat width, which I agree is often just as important as seat height.

https://cycle-ergo.com/

[pasmith73]

rodericb said:

Unfortunately the shrinking occurs in the spine, which won't make a difference to touching the ground but it might make the handlebars get further away over the years.....

The main thing is how much your legs get splayed out when you're standing astride of the bike. Try something like a Ducati 749 or 999, Bimota DB7 or 8 and you'll see that in action. Those bikes have narrow seats where it counts.

Ducati also seem good with offering low frame versions (of the Monster for one).

[TT1138]

5’9 and on a Super Adventure R. Without trying to sound like a knob, it’s 90% technique and confidence, both of which can be developed.

[25th QV]

It's interesting how manufacturers do not build in greater adjustability in the rider triangle to accommodate different size riders. I'm 6'4 and look silly and feel cramped on so many bikes, where if I could just raise the bars an inch, lower the foot pegs and inch etc, it'd make all the difference.

[bogie]

If you are struggling maybe splash out on some Daytona boots, they do a range of models with over 2" internal heel . My other half has some, makes it easier getting on an off.

https://www.daytona.de/en/Boots/display/Overview-s...

[mikey_b]

sixor8 said:

Were the bikes on stands in a fixed position? I can't imagine they'd want loads of people sitting on free-standing bikes with the drop risk.

In which case, the suspension probably didn't drop under your weight (I'm cast no aspersions here ), all suspensions sag under a rider, if only slightly, this would affect your perspective.

Generally, bikes they want you to sit on are held upright via a wide frame on the floor, and a strong fixing to the front axle with both tyres touching the floor. So the suspension should compress as normal. The only difference would be a lift of maybe 3 mm under the front wheel, but that won't make make much difference at the seat. Mounting arrangements can vary a bit sometimes between each manufacturer's displays, but generally that's how it's done.

Random pic from google:

[Master Bean]

Buy a Harley. They're made for short people. Thankfully modern bikes are made for those of us who are fully developed.

[KTMsm]

How do you fit on Japanese bikes ?

Google suggests you are their average height, one would assume their bikes would suit them

(although England is only 2" taller at 5'9" )