seat too high or legs too short

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joey-5
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seat too high or legs too short

#1 Unread post by joey-5 »

Hi, I am a new lady road bike rider, for many years as a teenager I rode dirt bikes, so when my other half decided the kids were old enough to cope, he started looking for a bike for me to go along on his many riding trips, he has a 1200 bandit...

we looked for months not finding a bike which I was comfortable on, not liking the sport bike..clip on handle bars, low rider pos and wanting to sit a little more upright.

finally found the fazer 600, 2005 model, loved the bike from the first ride, but have a problem with the seat height, I am 5'3 and sit with only tip toe on each side, yes not problem when riding, lovely, just in traffic....does any one know if there is a kit I can buy to lower the bike without messing with the ride and handling of the bike..


thanks .....

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#2 Unread post by Lion_Lady »

You may only need to shave the sides of the seat to get a better foot-touch. Make the seat narrower at the front so your knees are closer together when you put your feet down. Especially since the bike is comfortable while you're riding, I'd say DON'T lower the bike.

If you take the seat off the bike and turn it over, you'll see that the cover is held on with staples. Just pull up the staples and use a bread knife to carefully shave the sides of the seat where your legs hang over. A little at a time.

Try practicing putting only ONE foot down when you come to a stop. You'll actually be more stable that way (3 points are more stable than 4). I suggest it to new riders in the MSF course. Getting use to and planning to put one foot down, means one less thing to "decide on" when stopping, and you can hold the bike in place with your rear brake, leaving your throttle hand free to finesse getting underway.

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#3 Unread post by MZ33 »

Try practicing putting only ONE foot down when you come to a stop. You'll actually be more stable that way (3 points are more stable than 4). I suggest it to new riders in the MSF course
That's an interesting tip I hadn't heard before. Is it a little tricky to avoid anticipating the stop? I've had a tendency to leaning a bit at the stop, and hence dropping the bike.
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#4 Unread post by HYPERR »

Lion_Lady wrote:
Try practicing putting only ONE foot down when you come to a stop. You'll actually be more stable that way (3 points are more stable than 4)
I usually put only my left foot down at stops. That being said, both legs down are more stable. I don't see how 3 points can be more stable than 4.... In a strong wind that rock the bike at stops, I usually put both feet down.

EDIT: Upon thinking, I think what Lion Lady is saying is that one flat footed leg is more stable than two on tippy toes. Yes in that case, I would agree.
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#5 Unread post by Lion_Lady »

MZ33 wrote:
Try practicing putting only ONE foot down when you come to a stop. You'll actually be more stable that way (3 points are more stable than 4). I suggest it to new riders in the MSF course
That's an interesting tip I hadn't heard before. Is it a little tricky to avoid anticipating the stop? I've had a tendency to leaning a bit at the stop, and hence dropping the bike.
>>Remember from Geometry: 3 points define a plane, therefore are always on a plane. . . 3 legged tables or chairs never wobble, 4 legged chairs regularly do.<<

What do you mean by "anticipating" the stop? It sounds like you aren't merely leaning, but have the bars turned? Some folks unintentionally pull the hand grip while they're squeezing the brake lever, particularly folks who for whatever reason aren't able to get a good grasp of the lever. Which way do you drop the bike? Left or right?

The key is to plan WHICH foot to put down, so you're prepared to "catch" the weight of the bike. Even though you aren't by any stretch actually supporting the full weight of the bike.

The other thing is that you've got a few seconds to check on the footing if you are coming to a traffic light or stop sign. If you know you only need a clear space for your left foot, you can scan accordingly and adjust.

From what I've read, "Two footers" don't scan as carefully for clean foot space, and as a result seem to get caught off guard. . . a hole in pavement they didn't see, oil slick, etc. etc. and tip over more often than folks who "one foot." I guess if you're only putting one foot down, you make sure you've got a clean place to put it.

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#6 Unread post by MZ33 »

Which way do you drop the bike? Left or right?
Unfortunately, I am ambidexterous as a bike dropper, Lion Lady. :oops: But on further reflection, I believe it is more on the right than the left. It usually occurs when I am stopped at a three-way intersection--there are a few of these near my house, they are tight and the grade goes uphill. Once, I had stopped and it was when I began accelerating that I dropped it--hadn't even initiated the turn, but my eyes were up and into the turn, which is why I was danged surprised when it started to go over. These are always slow-motion drops. I'm fairly strong, and there is a moment when it's an even battle, and then gravity wins. :roll:

I retook the BRC this spring as a refresher, and had mentioned this problem of dropping the bike when stopped at turns. My instructor noted that I wasn't squaring up the bike on some of my stops--tended to lean into whichever way the upcoming turn would be. I could get away with it on a 250cc cruiser, but not my 650cc Vstar.

So, I've worked on not anticipating a turn after a stop, and on being really squared up. If I'm not smooth with the brake, though, I notice that the bike doesn't seem as square. I'm just wondering if I would be prone to, say, leaning a little bit to the side that I'm planning to put my foot down, and whether that would be a good thing, or a bad thing.
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#7 Unread post by HYPERR »

Lion_Lady wrote:3 legged tables or chairs never wobble, 4 legged chairs regularly do
I am going to disagree here. When was the last time you saw a 3 legged chair or a table? Not often. Most chairs and tables are 4 legged for a reason. For stability.

Furthermore, it is somewhat of a flawed logic to consider the 2 tires of a motorcycle as 2 points. Unlike two legs, one side is not going to be longer or shorter than the other. Both tires remain in contact with the ground together. So in reality, if you only put one leg down, it is really only a 2 point contact. If you put 2 legs down, it is a 3 point contact.

That being said, I usually always put only my left leg down. However as stated previously, if it is an extremely windy day, I will put my right foot down as well for stability.
Last edited by HYPERR on Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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#8 Unread post by HYPERR »

MZ33 wrote:I believe it is more on the right than the left.
I would have guessed that and would have been willing to put money on it. :wink: Most people tend to be less coordinated when the bike tips to the right. It is simply because you are not used to the sensation of the bike tipping that way nor is your muscles familiar with that force. We are much more comfortable with the bike tipping to the left because we do it all the time when we mount and dismount.
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#9 Unread post by MZ33 »

I would have guessed that and would have been willing to put money on it.
'course, those uphill turns are to the right, as well. I don't have much swing room. But I have to replace the clutch lever one of these days due to the drops. My front brake lever is fine.
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#10 Unread post by HYPERR »

MZ33 wrote:
I would have guessed that and would have been willing to put money on it.
'course, those uphill turns are to the right, as well. I don't have much swing room. But I have to replace the clutch lever one of these days due to the drops. My front brake lever is fine.
I've been riding for 22 years and even still, in deep mud on my dirtbike, I tend to dump it more on the right than the left. :mrgreen:
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