Comparison of dual sport seat heights (compiled by my hubby)

[jcravens42]

Love is... a partner who researches dual sport motorcycle seat heights (as they are sold new) and makes a helpful list compiling the data, as we continue to explore which I'll buy (it's looking like the KLR, given its cost - a BMW or Scrambler would be out of my price range, me thinks, even used). Thank you, Stefan Dietz (http://www.coyotetrips.de)!

Already have lowering kit advice re: KLRs - thanks, community!

Dual Sport Motorcycle seat heights (as they are sold new) - note he used European names for brands, and some bikes aren't sold in the USA.

Kawasaki
KLR 35 inch
Versys 33 inch

BMW
F650GS 31 inch, low version 29.5 inch
G650GS 31 inch, low version 29.5 inch
F650GS Dakar 34 inch

Honda
Dominator 34 inch
Africa Twin 33.5 inch
Nighthawk 30.5 inch (okay, a Nighthawk isn't a dual sport - it's my bike right now, and it would still be manageable for me at 31.5", probably 32 as well. I know for sure that 33 and above is too tall for me)

Yamaha
XT660 34.5 inch
Tenere 35 inch
SuperTenere 33.5 inch

Suzuki
VStrom 33 inch DR650 35 inch, low version 33 inch

Triumph
Scrambler 32.5 inch
Tiger800XC 33 inch
Tiger800 32 inch

KTM
530 EXC 38.8"
990 Adventure 34.5"
990 Dakar 34.5"

[Astir]

Is that loaded or unloaded seat height? Just curious - how do they measure seat height? I would like to see the loaded seat height with various weights.

When I sit on the bike, I don't squish down the suspension and often cannot reach. While my partner Mark can reach, even though we have about the same inseam. He weighs 40+ lbs more than I do.

[Astir]

Guess I could always strap a bag of cement in the passenger seat... :rofl:

[zukilady]

It is nice to know seat heights ..not sure I would be looking for a dual sport when I am ready to graduate from my s40 but...when you are height challenged, if the bike fits, run it! Which one are you considering? ?

[zukilady]

Oh duh...you said KLR ...:slaphead:

[Cyclone67]

Some numbers don't show the whole picture because of seat width. I have sat on the tiger 800 and barely tip toe it with the low seat and that wasn't even the XC. However, I am really comfortable on the verseys which is listed as having a higher seat height. I think you should check one out, the are a lot less expensive and I've seen some really nice set ups for adventure touring. And it didn't have that feeling of hugeness that I get on the BMW and Tiger.

[Luna Tique]

What is your inseam?
What boots do you wear?

[jcravens42]

Just went and looked at two KLR 650s, one from 2005, one from 2006, one lowered three inches, one not. And... I don't think I need a severely-lowered KLR after all. I'm 5'4", but I wear boots that add half an inch, and after sitting on both bikes, I think I need something lowered only an inch, MAYBE an inch and a half. And there are PLENTY of lowering kits out there for either.

So, now the question... am I going to buy either KLR? I'm out of work right now, so I'll be eating into savings... decisions, decisions...

[maximoto]

One more thing that you may want to consider is the amount of off road versus on road. Th e KLR 650 is a single cylinder & not the greatest for long distance rides esp. at higher speeds.

[jcravens42]

When we travel, we try to go between 150 and 200 miles a day, no more - though we have had to do more than 300 when time is crunched, but usually just the first day and last day of the ride. I know that I'm giving up a very smooth, silky ride on my Night Hawk 650 with its four cylinders, but I've done a tremendous amount of research, and there just doesn't seem to be anything in the USA that's going to give me the flexibility and durability I'm going to need to be able to travel Central and South America, while *also* being low enough for me to ride. But if I'm wrong, by all means, let's hear some suggestions of a different bike.

[Dualsport Chic]

I didn't notice any smaller displacement thumpers on your hubby's list - (e.g. Yamaha XT250, Honda CRF230, Suzuki DR200) Not sure if you've ruled them out but they all have seat heights under 32 inches and are the perfect fit for Central/South America riding.

I usually put 200-300 miles per day on my XT250 and it handles it just fine. Little twitchy on the Interstate but I usually don't travel those anyway. Can buzz through county routes at 55-60 mph like a hot knife through butter too~! You may want to pick up Lois Pryce's book Lois on the Loose - she went from Alaska down to Ushuaia Argentina on a Yamaha XT 225 Serow!

[jcravens42]

I couldn't go for anything under 500. Not for how I want to travel. But I know a lot of people prefer the smaller ccs for RTW travel.

I did, indeed, go with the KLR. We're lowering it 1 1/2 " and getting a seat that will lower it another inch at least. That should do it! More on that soon...

[Luna Tique]

:congrats:

Did you buy new or used?

[ImaSoftT]

:congrats: jc,

[phoenix63]

Woooo Hoooo! Can't wait to see :LT: of the new member of the family!

Congrats!

[zukilady]

:yahoo: Pics....pics....pics...:lol:

[jcravens42]

A few photos of the KLR (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaynecravens/6274249225/in/photostream), side by side with the Honda. Gives you an idea of what a change I'm making. Lots to do - and buy - to make it ready for me to ride!

[Luna Tique]

:thumbup: Thanks for the link to your pictures. Mine is green also.:D:
It is really too bad you have to sell the Honda .That sure is a sweet bike.

[Dualsport Chic]

Beautiful bike Jayne - that's my favorite color for the KLR - wondered why they discontinued the green after 2008 - it was such a perfect color for a Kawi!

[jcravens42]

I got a great deal on a 2" lowering kit for the KLR, my husband put it on the bike, and I could ride it, no problem - but it's now too low for the center stand (pretty easy to drag the sides while cornering). So we're now going to spend big bucks on a lowered seat, and taking the lowering links back off.

What I've learned / observed so far as I've ridden the KLR 650:
-- indeed, it's a thumper compared to the Honda Nighthawk; I'm giving up a very smooth, silky ride for more vibration. No more hour-long stretches of riding with no stopping - at least not as much as I'm used to.
-- I'm also giving up a LOT of weight! I'm stunned at how much lighter it is, and not top heavy at all. It's much easier for me to back up, something I have to do a lot when traveling/camping, and have to do every time I ride locally (I have to back it out of the garage).
-- It's very nimble. I feel very nimble on it. I don't know how to say that any other way.
-- I have to get on by putting my left leg on the foot peg and swinging my leg over, but once I'm over, I can put a foot down, no prob, lift the kick stand, and then I've got both feet on the ground (not at all flat, but more than enough for control). And that's going to mean always paying attention to where and how I park, even more than I already do.
-- I can see the dashboard MUCH more easily than I could on the NightHawk - much less of a head tilt down to see what's what.

So, indeed, someone who is 5' 4" **can** ride a KLR. After being told for more than a year it wasn't possible, I'm thrilled to know it is. But I have to also say that I've lost 33 pounds since February, and it's helped tremendously to have less between my thighs, as far as being able to put my feet on the ground (that's graphic, I know, but it's a fact I think is worth sharing - and motivates me to lose the other 33 pounds I need to!).

The Honda Nighthawk is now for sale (http://www.coyotecommunications.com/forsale/honda_nighthawk.html), for all you short women riders in the Portland, Oregon area...