Choosing a motorcycle by size: what is the saddle height?

Driving a two-wheeled vehicle that is not adapted to its morphology can be a real challenge in certain situations. If we belong to the large size category, that is, 1,75 m or more, we shouldn't have much trouble finding a motorcycle, but if we are about 1,65 m or even shorter, we are in a big mess.

Indeed, to be comfortable, a motorcycle must allow the rider to sit well. He should be able to place all the soles of his feet (not just the cleats) on the ground when the device is turned off, and he shouldn't need to move all the way down the street to find his balance. Likewise, it should not be the source of the inconvenience of not blocking so that driving can take place in the best possible conditions. That is why it is so important to choose the right one according to his physical condition.

Looking to buy a motorcycle? Here are some tips for choosing the right motorcycle size.

Consider morphological criteria

When it comes to choosing your first bike, there are a lot of options that come into play. One can give, for example, the model, budget, power, etc. But that's not all, we must also take into account the size of the driver - an important criterion that is too often overlooked. However, it will depend safety and ease of use devices. The template can be broken down like this:

Driver size

The seat height of the motorcycle as well as the saddle must be easily accessible to the rider. Otherwise, he will not be able to drive it correctly. Indeed, placing them too high can cause balance problems, especially for a beginner. On the other hand, if they are too low, the driver's knees may be too close to his chest and he will have very little room to maneuver the device.

Driver weight

It is not recommended to choose a motorcycle that is too heavy if you do not have natural strength, because in case of imbalance, the mass of the device can prevail, not to mention the difficulties that arise when driving and maneuvering.

Which motorcycle for each size?

A motorcycle is not always available in all sizes, and contrary to popular belief, when you factor in the fit factor, there is not always a lot to choose from. We deal with what is on the market. However, this does not mean that there will be no more two-wheeled vehicles that meet our needs. There will always be one, but not necessarily the one we dreamed of.

Motorcycle for little riders

In general, the principle is that for small dimensions (less than 1,70 m), two-wheeled vehicles should be preferred withsaddle height no more than 800 mmrelatively light weight, low seat and comfortable controls. The first does not necessarily lead to the second, but the latter does the opposite. However, there are exceptions.

Some bikes with a mid-height seat allow their legs to be well in line with the saddle due to their shape, as the latter is less wide or even narrow. There are also motorcycles with adjustable seat height. Thus, if equipment falls into these two categories, it may be available to little people.

To help you, here's a partial list of the best small bikes: Ducati Monster 821 and Suzuki SV650 for roadsters, Triumph Tiger 800Xrx Low and BMW F750GS for trails, Kawasaki Ninja 400 and Honda CBR500R for athletes, F800GT. for the road and the Ducati Scrambler Icon, or the Moto Guzzy V9 Bobber / Roamer, or the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster for the Vintage.

A motorcycle for big riders

For larger sizes (1,85 m or more), larger motorcycles should be preferred. High seat, saddle height greater than or equal to 850 mm, rather long distance saddle-footboard-handlebar. There are no weight restrictions, because just because a person is tall does not mean that they will necessarily be strong. Likewise, when it comes to power and performance, it is absolutely necessary to say that machines with large cylinders are designed for larger sizes.

It all depends on maneuverability, ease of control and comfort of use. Here are the top sellers in the full size car category: R 1200GS Adventure, BMW HP2 Enduro, Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout, Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro, Kawasaki ZX-12R, KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, Honda CRF 250 Rally, BMW K 1600 Grand America, Moto Morini Granpasso and Aprilia 1200 Dorsoduro.

Mid-size motorcycle

It is assumed that all bikers not included in the previous two categories are in the medium build category. In general, it is not difficult for them to find suitable footwear. All motorcycles that are not designed for large sizes can fit without problems.