Beginner’s Guide to Motorcycling: Section 2.5 – Seat Heights

Sep 21, 2016 Michael Le Pard Beginner's Guide, News
2023 Ducati XDiavel Nera

Published Sep 21, 2016 by Michael Le Pard • Last updated Sep 30, 2025

Section 2.5: Motorcycle Seat Heights

Some of the most asked questions from new riders are: “Will the motorcycle fit me?” and “Is the bike too tall or short for me? ”Since we are all built differently, one of the best ways to gauge comfort is seat height.
The list below will help you compare different styles, brands, and types of motorcycles, giving you a general idea of what might work for you. If you are a short rider (short inseam), you’ll want a lower seat height.

Tall riders (long inseam) will prefer bikes with higher seat heights.
Manufacturers generally design motorcycles to fit riders between 5’0″ and 6’0″.
If you’re outside this range, don’t worry, there are motorcycles that will fit you, and many can be lowered, raised, or adjusted.Thanks to About Motorcycles for the research in creating this unique list.

City of Vulcan Motorcycle Scene

Short, Low, and Tall Motorcycle Seat Options

Today, manufacturers offer a wide variety of seat heights for riders of all sizes.
Many options fall into Adventure, Dual-Sport, and Cruiser categories, popular with female riders
exploring off-road and taller men seeking cruisers.
Seat height isn’t the only factor: foot peg placement, handlebar reach, and the ability to move back on the seat
are also critical, especially for taller riders (like me at 6’4″).


2023 Ducati XDiavel Nera

Used Motorcycle Seat Height List

Below is a listing of motorcycle seat heights from lowest to highest, given in inches.
Each entry includes the year, make, and model, with links to specifications for further research.

Seat height data is available for Aprilia scooters, BMW, Buell, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Piaggio scooters,
Suzuki (including scooters), Vespa, Victory, and Yamaha.

 


2023 Kawasaki KLX230S ABS

Motorcycle Seat Height Reference Tables

InchesYearManufacturerMotorcycle Model
25.62025IndianScout Bobber Limited +Tech
26.22025Harley-DavidsonSoftail Standard
26.82025Harley-DavidsonLow Rider S
27.02025Royal EnfieldClassic 350
27.22025Royal EnfieldHunter 350
27.42025HondaRebel 500
27.62025HondaRebel 1100
27.82025YamahaBolt R-Spec
28.02025TriumphBonneville Bobber
28.32025TriumphBonneville T120
28.72025BMWR 18 Classic
29.12025HondaGold Wing Tour DCT
29.32025Harley-DavidsonRoad Glide Special
29.52025IndianChief Dark Horse
29.92025YamahaXSR900 GP
30.12025KawasakiNinja 650
30.32025KawasakiZ650
30.52025SuzukiGSX-8S
30.72025SuzukiGSX-8R
30.92025HondaCB500F
31.12025HondaCBR500R
31.32025YamahaR7
31.52025KTM390 Duke
31.72025KTM790 Duke
31.92025KTM890 Duke R
32.12025DucatiMonster
32.32025DucatiPanigale V2
32.52025DucatiPanigale V4
32.72025BMWS 1000 R
32.92025BMWS 1000 RR
33.12025HondaXL750 Transalp
33.32025HondaAfrica Twin Adventure Sports ES
33.52025HondaAfrica Twin DCT
33.72025YamahaTénéré 700
33.92025YamahaTénéré 700 World Raid
34.12025KTM890 Adventure
34.32025KTM1290 Super Adventure S
34.52025BMWR 1300 GS
34.62025BMWF 900 GS
34.72025BMWF 900 GS Adventure
34.82025SuzukiV-Strom 800DE
34.92025SuzukiV-Strom 1050DE
35.02025KawasakiKLR650
35.22025KawasakiKLR650 Adventure
35.42025KTM690 Enduro R
35.62025Husqvarna701 Enduro
35.82025GasGasES 700
36.22025KTM500 EXC-F Six Days
36.42025KTM450 SX-F Factory Edition
36.52025HusqvarnaFE 501s
36.62025HusqvarnaTE 300 Pro
36.72025GasGasEC 300
36.82025GasGasMC 450F
36.92025KawasakiKX450
37.02025KawasakiKX250
37.12025YamahaYZ450F
37.22025YamahaYZ250F
37.32025HondaCRF450R
37.32025HondaCRF250R
37.42025SuzukiRM-Z450
37.42025SuzukiRM-Z250
37.52025BetaRR 430 Enduro
37.62025BetaRR 300 2T
37.72025ShercoSE 300 Factory
37.82025ShercoSEF 450 Factory
37.92025TriumphTF 250-X Motocross
38.02025TriumphTF 450-X Motocross
38.12025KTM250 SX-F
38.22025HusqvarnaFC 450
38.32025GasGasMC 250F
38.42025YamahaYZ125
38.52025KawasakiKX112
36.22025KTM500 EXC-F Six Days
36.42025KTM450 SX-F Factory Edition
36.52025HusqvarnaFE 501s
36.62025HusqvarnaTE 300 Pro
36.72025GasGasEC 300
36.82025GasGasMC 450F
36.92025KawasakiKX450
37.02025KawasakiKX250
37.12025YamahaYZ450F
37.22025YamahaYZ250F
37.32025HondaCRF450R
37.32025HondaCRF250R
37.42025SuzukiRM-Z450
37.42025SuzukiRM-Z250
37.52025BetaRR 430 Enduro
37.62025BetaRR 300 2T
37.72025ShercoSE 300 Factory
37.82025ShercoSEF 450 Factory
37.92025TriumphTF 250-X Motocross
38.02025TriumphTF 450-X Motocross
38.12025KTM250 SX-F
38.22025HusqvarnaFC 450
38.32025GasGasMC 250F
38.42025YamahaYZ125
38.52025KawasakiKX112

Used Motorcycle Seat Height Reference Tables

InchesYearManufacturerMotorcycle Model
24.52006Harley-DavidsonSoftail Deluxe FLSTN/I
24.92006Harley-DavidsonSpringer Softail FXSTS/I
25.22006Harley-DavidsonDyna Low Rider FXDLI
25.22006Harley-DavidsonSoftail Standard FXST/I
25.42006Harley-DavidsonFat Boy FLSTF/I
25.52006BuellBlast (low profile)
25.52006Harley-DavidsonHeritage Softail Classic FLSTC/I
25.52006Harley-DavidsonHeritage Softail FLST/I
25.62006HondaShadow VLX
25.62006HondaShadow VLX Deluxe
25.72006VictoryNess Signature Series Vegas Jackpot
25.72006VictoryVegas Jackpot
25.82006Harley-DavidsonDyna Street Bob FXDBI
25.82006YamahaMorphous
25.92006Harley-DavidsonSoftail Springer Classic FLSTSC/I
25.92006HondaShadow Aero
26.02006Harley-DavidsonNight Train FXSTB/I
26.02006Harley-DavidsonSoftail Deuce FXSTD/I
26.02006Harley-DavidsonSportster XL883L
26.02006Harley-DavidsonV-Rod VRSCA
26.02006Harley-DavidsonVRSCD Night Rod
26.12006Harley-DavidsonRoad King Custom FLHRS/I
26.22006HondaHelix
26.252006Harley-DavidsonSportster XL1200L
26.32006Harley-DavidsonStreet Glide FLHX/I
26.42006VictoryHammer
26.52006Harley-DavidsonSportster XL883C
26.52006Harley-DavidsonSportster XL1200C
26.52006VictoryKingpin
26.52006VictoryVegas
26.52006VictoryVegas 8-Ball
26.62006Harley-DavidsonDyna Super Glide FXDI
26.62006HondaRebel
26.62006HondaShadow Spirit 750
26.82006Harley-DavidsonDyna 35th Anniversary Super Glide FXDI35
26.82006Harley-DavidsonDyna Super Glide Custom FXDCI
26.82006KawasakiEliminator 125
26.82006KawasakiVulcan 2000
26.82006KawasakiVulcan 2000 Classic
26.82006KawasakiVulcan 2000 Classic LT
26.82006KawasakiVulcan 2000 Limited
26.92006Harley-DavidsonRoad Glide FLTRI
26.92006Harley-DavidsonRoad King Classic FLHRCI
27.02006YamahaVirago 250
27.22006HondaShadow Sabre
27.22006YamahaV Star 1100 Custom
27.32006Harley-DavidsonElectra Glide Classic FLHTC/I
27.32006Harley-DavidsonElectra Glide Standard FLHT/I
27.32006Harley-DavidsonRoad King FLHR/I
27.32006Harley-DavidsonSportster XL883
27.32006Harley-DavidsonUltra Classic Electra Glide FLHTCUI
27.352006HondaVTX1300R
27.352006HondaVTX1300S
27.42006KawasakiVulcan 1600 Classic
27.42006SuzukiBurgman 400
27.42006SuzukiBurgman 400 Type S
27.42006YamahaV Star Custom
27.462006HondaVTX1300C
27.52006BuellBlast
27.52006Harley-DavidsonDyna Wide Glide FXDWGI
27.62006HondaVTX1800F
27.62006KawasakiVulcan 1500 Classic
27.62006KawasakiVulcan 1600 Mean Streak
27.62006SuzukiBoulevard M109R
27.62006SuzukiBoulevard M50
27.62006SuzukiBoulevard M50 Black
27.62006SuzukiBoulevard C90
27.62006SuzukiBoulevard C90 Black
27.62006SuzukiBoulevard C90T
27.62006SuzukiBoulevard C50
27.62006SuzukiBoulevard C50 Black
27.62006SuzukiBoulevard C50T
27.62006SuzukiBoulevard S50
27.62006SuzukiBoulevard S40


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