[92GTA]

I'm vertically challenged for a guy at only 5'8.5" (yeah I'm gonna take that **** 1/2"). I at all costs avoid going up steep driveways just for the fact of getting back out, my feet won't touch the ground going over the gutter and I might drop the bike. You know, where the level street meets gutter, then step incline starts.

If I do park where I'm uncomfortable backing out, I'll walk the bike out then get on it even if I do look like a ***** in front of all my taller friends on their Asian bikes lol.

Just thought it would be fun to share one of my fears

I did put an 1198 adjustable link on my 848 and lowered it about 1/2", but with the 899 I don't really need to. I'm fine with just the ball of my feet touching or leaning to one side at a light with one foot flat.

 

[cyphon68]

I'm 5'9 and i've got a ridiculous incline on my driveway and at first i was a tad nervous about backing down it, but to be honest, its fine. Your legs might be a tad short for your height too, as both of my feet are flat when on the seat, but there's no bend in my legs.

 

[monty1001972]

I'm vertically challenged for a guy at only 5'8.5" (yeah I'm gonna take that **** 1/2"). I at all costs avoid going up steep driveways just for the fact of getting back out, my feet won't touch the ground going over the gutter and I might drop the bike. You know, where the level street meets gutter, then step incline starts.

If I do park where I'm uncomfortable backing out, I'll walk the bike out then get on it even if I do look like a ***** in front of all my taller friends on their Asian bikes lol.

Just thought it would be fun to share one of my fears

I did put an 1198 adjustable link on my 848 and lowered it about 1/2", but with the 899 I don't really need to. I'm fine with just the ball of my feet touching or leaning to one side at a light with one foot flat.

At 5'8" (+ 1/2) you're not exactly going to be called up at christmas to do pantomime (I think its a british thing only) to play along Snow White!
You can only call yourself 'vertically challenged' if you start going to the same cobbler as this fella!

 

[XCLR8TN]

I dropped my 600RR in that exact situation years ago, and I'm 5'8", long legs, and I had boots with a heel on them! I'm happy with flat footing my 899, I can even flat foot an 1199 with the taller comfort seat (the owner is same height as me and he tip toes)!

Glad I have a short torso, lol. But it doesn't save you everywhere! You are not the only one afraid.

 

[92GTA]

Your legs might be a tad short for your height too, as both of my feet are flat when on the seat, but there's no bend in my legs.

I agree, it was always hard to find pants that were 29/29 for my shorter inseam. Of course now I'm a 34/29 haha! **** fast food lol.

This has also made it a real challenge when it comes to a full leather riding suit. I ended up buying an Alpinestars 2 piece suit just so I could get a top that fit well and a separate bottom that came close. I have a larger neck than most and very broad shoulders which meant the arms would be too long. I had to have my arms custom tailored and the legs as well (bottom brought up for my boots and above the knee so the puck was in the right spot). Doesn't make it cheap. Once I get back down to a weight I'm comfortable with (I'll never be a 29/29 again ha!) then I'll probably just buy a complete custom tailored suit for starting to do track days.

 

[RV8G30]

Oh you guys have it so hard. I'm 5'7 with boots on haha. I can't move the bike unless I'm off it even on level ground. If I try to pull a u turn and don't make it I'm fked! That happened once, had to jump off in the middle of the road and push it back haha. Maybe I'll be 6' in another life.

 

[krissrock]

I'm a 34/29 haha! **** fast food lol.
.

****, 29...that is short haha ,i'm a 42/32 (yeah, i'm really tall). about 5'8" 245 lbs...I lift, so I always have the tightness around the back and in bicepts with every **** thing I wear. But my gixxer never gave me an issue getting my toes down. Never was scared of steep driveways but I know what you're talkin' about...you gotta go across the dip fast.

speakin of height, it's funny how people look at Under 6 ft as short...but I really think there's more people under 6ft than over.

 

[warlord]

I'm 5'10" and I think it's crazy that with only a couple of inches difference in height you guys are having these issues. The bike is so narrow compared to many I've sat on the seat feels lower than it actually is... and I'm using the DP comfort seat which brings it up another 30 mm or so...

Although truthfully I may be closer to 5'11" than 5"10", especially with a boot on...34/34 pant. What's more confusing is that my driver's license shows me as 5'9" which I know is incorrect but you really can't give much credit to the IL DMV...

 

[mcouper99]

Straight inclines don't bother me, but the off-camber ones at stops still give me pause. I dropped a bike once, because I failed to notice that the pavement was falling away from my feet and the reach was just longer than my legs. The worst part was the lady who got out of her car behind me, offered to help lift my bike, and proceed to tell me how she'd done that a few times. Bike, fine...ego, badly bruised...

 

[rjjr]

I had this problem backing my bike out of a trailer. I do it all the time and now feel pretty comfortable riding backwards. I stick my legs out to help with balance, look straight ahead and roll fast enough to clear the dip.

 

[Hyperider]

Same here I'm even shorter than you. ;-) But unless it is ridiculously inclined what I do is when I get at the end of the driveway where it meets the road. I just let it roll fast so I get past the part where I can't reach it and on the road. So far so good. I'm a good rider but when it comes to parking walking speed I'm totally scared that my tip toed feet might slipped and drop the bike. So what I always do is get off the bike and just walk it to park. Also one thing I experienced it's always good to put the side stand down before getting off the bike so you have a sure support. One time I got lazy and just dismount without putting the side stand down and got off balance and almost drop the bike. What I did was hurriedly got off with my right leg really fast so I can have both foot on the ground and save it. But doing so gave me a nasty charlie horse it hurt so bad for a week. So now I always put the side stand down before dismounting and always always be off the bike and walk it when parking.

 

[chouse34]

Im 6'6 and will trade places with ANY of you haha

 

[timt89]

Im 6'1/2" having no probs

 

[supersport]

I'm 5"7 and have to reverse down my driveway every time. The decline is about 45 degrees - scary as sh1t. i just roll back slowly with brakes and all.

 

[Andystapley]

Lol - another strategic parking expert

 

[tdarst]

Try being 5'2 1/4". Its a [email protected] Dropped my Diavel on a steep drive cost me $1200.00. Now I have learned how to one cheek it. I can flat foot anything. At least on one side :