Short riding and engine size

[klorenz]

Ok, I haven't done much of any over landing, but in looking at a next bike I am looking at that possibility and have some questions. I am 5'6" and have concerns about what I'll physically be able to ride (is it just a mindset?). I would like to avoid lowering springs, but does anything come to mind as far as bikes that would be more suited to my height? Also, is the one legged throw over technique really what people do when mounting bikes that are a bit tall? Another question I have is that of displacement. Say one has a 990 or greater cc engine vs. something closer to a 650cc. For the longer stretches of pavement isn't the advantage to have the larger displacement engine (to cover miles on easier sections) even though I realize that many of the world's roads are not beautiful stretches of pavement? I assume torque helps climb and push through crud (variable on small and large displacement bikes alike) but, do the "extra legs" a larger displacement engine provides outweigh the lightness of a bike? What is the consensus among these two camps (smaller displacement/larger displacement)? Any other relevant information posted here would be very helpful as well.

[oldbmw]

The problem with throwing your leg over is when the bike is loaded with gear you somehow have to get your leg over the gear also.
With my BMW I have been forced to deploy the propstand so I can dismount, and then I put it on the centre stand. From there I can refuel, and mount the bike by climbing onto one footrest then swing my leg through. Once astride the bike I can then start it and push it with my toes off the centre stand with some chance of keeping it upright. All I have to do then is keep the top heavy brute upright until it is rolling.

[Frank Warner]

Originally Posted by klorenz

have concerns about what I'll physically be able to ride (is it just a mindset?).

Yes it is a mindset. Riding a heavy bike is fine no matter what the size of the person.



The problem comes when you fall over ... now pick the bike up! Then it is a question of the weight of the bike (and luggage if you cannot remove it), your strength, and leaverage, oh and traction (think slippery mud!).

Wide handle bars help lift the bike - turn the bars so you get maximum leaverage - the grip on teh bottom should be truned to teh front of the bike - so it is furtherst away from the petrol tank.

I've resorted to a dead tree on one ocassion in mud ... If you are stuck long enough you'll think it through. But less weight helps.


---- As for those long boring stretches of nothingness .. yes a big engine helps go through it faster .. but if you slow down you'll actually see more ... talk to the bicycle riders and you'll realise how much you missed seeing by travelling so fast! You'll also find the fuel economy improves

[klorenz]

Thank you both very much.

[Dakota]

I agree with Frank, it is a mindset. I'm female, 5'6" and currently ride an XT600 (156kg/344 pounds) which I can pick up. I use a slightly different technique inwhich you use your backside against the seat and your thigh muscles to lift the bike. Greatly reduces the chance of back injuries, but it is a little difficult on gravel!!

In the past, I rode a Moto Guzzi California 1100 weighing in at 245kg/540 pounds. I never dropped it, but I doubt I could ever have picked that bike up. It didn't stop me riding it though!

[DukeXTZ]

Riding a big bike with 5'6" is definitely no problem. I am for sure not much bigger than 5'6" and I ride a 240kg XTZ750 with full luggage. (Currently from Switzerland to Turkey, will go further round)

The main point about big (high ?) bikes is their weight. If you have to balance on your tiptoes, you glad that you only have a 650 ccm engine to keep in balance and not a 1200 ccm.

Another tip would be to lower the seat and/or make it less wide (If your legs are not that spread, you will easily gain an inch. (Compare a 125ccm enduro to a big one. Same height, different bench, different weight.)

So. Get a smaller engine and take less luggage (NO tent, NO cooking) and you have best of both. Light enough for the small engine (due to not that much luggage) and light enough to control (due to the smaller engine)

But after all: You have to try it. You will see, its no problem.

[mollydog]

I'm 5' 7" and shrinking.

I put 50K on my first Vstrom DL1000 and did plenty of off road. A very easy bike to handle considering the size/weight. The DL650 is about 40 lbs. friendlier. Still, not ideal for begginer. When fully loaded its a challenge still you get used to it.

A 650 will be easier (and MORE FUN!!) on any dirt/mud/gravel/sand situations. Plenty of torque/power. The trade off is the singles aren't as nice on long highway runs. So really depends what kind of riding you want to do.

My DR650 Suzuki is the ideal short persons dual sport. Suzuki built in a lowering system at the factory....both front and rear. You can lower it nearly an inch without changing springs, spring rate. Very simple. You lose just a bit of travel. This makes even folks 5'4" able to handle the bike easily. No, your feet may not be flat on the floor, but no matter. In a month of practice you'll be an expert! No other modern 650 dual sport is as low as the Suzook.

Mount/Dismount:
Ever ride a horse? Especially when the bike is loaded this is how I always
get on or off the bike.

Bike on side stand.
Left foot on left side peg, left hand on handlebar, step up onto peg, easily
swing right leg over cargo in the rear and lower yourself onto bike. Same for dismount. Side stand down, step on left peg and swing right leg over. Easy and safe. No strained backs.

Dakota's lifting technique is the only way to go. I've seen this demonstrated
at BMW rallies where small women lift huge bikes up. Just back into it!
Always UNLOAD all cargo off bike first!! Tough in sand, mud or icy roads.

Patrick

[MarkE]

I'll agree with others that the problem is mainly a mindset.

I'm taller than you but nearly came to grief on a recent weekend break; the road from the hotel ended in a T junction that was 1:7 (about 14%) going forward, and 1:10 (10%) left to right. Fuelled up with luggage and Mrs MarkE and myself on board my ST1300 weighs in at almost 500kg (and I won't say how much of that is me!). Every time we went out we had to stop at that juinction (the opposite direction was the sea), and every time I had to plan carefully to be sure I was leaning to the right when I did so because I couldn't reach the ground on the left! The weight was not a problem, but the distance to terra firma could have been, but it was overcome with carefull planning every time. I imagine you would only forget once!

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by MarkE

I'll agree with others that the problem is mainly a mindset.

I'm taller than you but nearly came to grief on a recent weekend break; the road from the hotel ended in a T junction that was 1:7 (about 14%) going forward, and 1:10 (10%) left to right. Fuelled up with luggage and Mrs MarkE and myself on board my ST1300 weighs in at almost 500kg (and I won't say how much of that is me!). Every time we went out we had to stop at that juinction (the opposite direction was the sea), and every time I had to plan carefully to be sure I was leaning to the right when I did so because I couldn't reach the ground on the left! The weight was not a problem, but the distance to terra firma could have been, but it was overcome with carefull planning every time. I imagine you would only forget once!

Much the same thing for me Mark, but I was bump starting a Divy 900 at the time and straight ahead was a steel railing with the slope of the ground in my direction and from right to left pretty steep!
I reckoned that I could run down the short slope from the hired cottage and either turn 90 degrees to the left, or get the engine started and brake before arriving at the railing which was on the other side of a narrow lane - wrong!
I instinctively reached for the ground on the left when I got to the railing without either turning or getting the engine started and it wasn't there of course. By the time my foot reached the ground the bike was way past the point of balance and gravity took over after that + it was a bitch to lift because the bike was lying down hill.