FZ6R for Shorties?

[knowJAC]

Hey y'all I'm interested in looking for a dual sport bike and love the look of the FZ6R. However, I'm a shorty at only 5'. Can this bike be lowered to fit my height? I'm a newbe at riding (very new - taking the BRC the end of March), so I want to be as comfortable on a bike as I can be. Inputs?

 

[sammy56]

You are probably not going to like my recommendation, but at 5 ft, if you are not comfortable on a higher bike, you should simply start on a smaller bike (think small cruiser),then move to a bike like an FZ6R. Lowering the bike will sacrifice some good qualities of the bike and a good rider should be able to handle a tall bike and only have to put one foot down. Just my opinion and there are surely many...and many on this forum as well.

LB

 

[firefighter57]

I am 5'5" and I don't have much of a problem. Granted I have 5" on you, I think you could make it work. I'd totally go to a dealership and sit on it and see if you think you can make it work.

 

[NoDoze]

Not a lady but thought I'd chime in since I am of short stature. I'm 5'2" with an inseam of 28". I had to get the Roaring Toyz Lowering Link to lower the rear end and lowered the front by 3/4". In addition, I also had about 1/2" shaved off the seat. With these modification, I am only able to reach with tippy-toes on both feet while wearing [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003P9R4IY"]HD thick soled boots[/ame].

I was able to ride teetering from side to side before but being able to reach with both feet gave me more confidence.

My short history with motorcycles:
It was 20 years ago when I had my first bike in high school - a little Yamaha YSR50. I only had that for less than a year then stopped riding completely. Then I was reintroduced into motorcycling a couple of years ago on my cousin's Yamaha XT250 dual sport which afforded me the soft suspension allowing me to be on the balls of both feet. Practicing with this + completing my MSF course gave me the confidence to purchase my blue 600cc FZ6R ...

I guess it all depends on your confidence in taming these iron horses. Both my cousins are only a couple of inches taller than me and they both ride Suzuki DRZ-400SMs - those are tall beasts at 35" seat height!

Good luck in finding the bike that fits you well.

Here's an old list of bikes and their seat height that I got from Sportbike.net:

Inches / Year / Manufacturer / Motorcycle Model

24.5 2006 Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe FLSTN/I
24.9 2006 Harley-Davidson Springer Softail FXSTS/I
25.2 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider FXDLI
25.2 2006 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard FXST/I
25.4 2006 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy FLSTF/I
25.5 2006 Buell Blast (low profile)
25.5 2006 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic FLSTC/I
25.5 2006 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail FLST/I
25.6 2006 Honda Shadow VLX
25.6 2006 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe
25.7 2006 Victory Ness Signature Series Vegas Jackpot
25.7 2006 Victory Vegas Jackpot
25.8 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna Street Bob FXDBI
25.8 2006 Yamaha Morphous
25.9 2006 Harley-Davidson Softail Springer Classic FLSTSC/I
25.9 2006 Honda Shadow Aero
26.0 2006 Harley-Davidson Night Train FXSTB/I
26.0 2006 Harley-Davidson Softail Deuce FXSTD/I
26.0 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883L
26.0 2006 Harley-Davidson V-Rod VRSCA
26.0 2006 Harley-Davidson VRSCD Night Rod
26.1 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King Custom FLHRS/I
26.2 2006 Honda Helix
26.25 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200L
26.3 2006 Harley-Davidson Street Glide FLHX/I
26.4 2006 Victory Hammer
26.5 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883C
26.5 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200C
26.5 2006 Victory Kingpin
26.5 2006 Victory Vegas
26.5 2006 Victory Vegas 8-Ball
26.6 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide FXDI
26.6 2006 Honda Rebel
26.6 2006 Honda Shadow Spirit 750
26.8 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna 35th Anniversary Super Glide FXDI35
26.8 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide Custom FXDCI
26.8 2006 Kawasaki Eliminator 125
26.8 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000
26.8 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Classic
26.8 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Classic LT
26.8 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Limited
26.9 2006 Harley-Davidson Road Glide FLTRI
26.9 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic FLHRCI
27.0 2006 Yamaha Virago 250
27.2 2006 Honda Shadow Sabre
27.2 2006 Yamaha V Star 1100 Custom
27.3 2006 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Classic FLHTC/I
27.3 2006 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard FLHT/I
27.3 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King FLHR/I
27.3 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883
27.3 2006 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide FLHTCUI
27.35 2006 Honda VTX1300R
27.35 2006 Honda VTX1300S
27.4 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic
27.4 2006 Suzuki Burgman 400
27.4 2006 Suzuki Burgman 400 Type S
27.4 2006 Yamaha V Star Custom
27.46 2006 Honda VTX1300C
27.5 2006 Buell Blast
27.5 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide FXDWGI
27.6 2006 Honda VTX1800F
27.6 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic
27.6 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard M109R
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard M50
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Black
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C90
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C90 Black
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C90T
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50 Black
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50T
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard S50
27.6 2006 Suzuki Boulevard S40
27.8 2006 Suzuki GZ250
27.9 2006 Yamaha Road Star
27.9 2006 Yamaha Road Star Midnight
27.9 2006 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Silverado
27.9 2006 Yamaha Road Star Silverado
27.9 2006 Yamaha V Star 1100 Silverado
27.9 2006 Yamaha V Star Classic
27.9 2006 Yamaha V Star Silverado
28.0 2006 Yamaha V Star 1100 Classic
28.1 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883R
28.1 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200R
28.1 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD
28.1 2006 Yamaha Warrior
28.2 - 28.7 2006 Honda Big Ruckus
28.3 2006 Honda Reflex
28.3 2006 Honda Reflex ABS
28.3 2006 Honda Reflex Sport
28.3 2006 Honda Reflex Sport ABS
28.3 2006 Kawasaki 1600 Nomad
28.3 2006 Victory Touring Cruiser
28.6 2006 Buell Lightning XB12Scg
28.7 2006 Honda Shadow Spirit
28.9 2006 Honda Metropolitan
28.9 2006 Honda Ruckus
28.9 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 750
28.9 2006 Yamaha Roadliner
28.9 2006 Yamaha Roadliner Midnight
28.9 2006 Yamaha Roadliner S
28.9 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner
28.9 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner Midnight
28.9 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner S
29.1 2004 BMW R1200C Montauk
29.1 2004 BMW R1200C Classic
29.1 2006 Honda Gold Wing GL1800
29.1 2006 Suzuki Boulevard S83
29.1 2006 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe
29.3 2004 BMW R1200CL
29.3 2006 Honda Nighthawk
29.3 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250R
29.5 low seat & 30.7 2005 BMW F650GS
29.5 2006 Suzuki Burgman 650
29.5 2006 Suzuki Burgman 650 Exec
29.5 2006 Yamaha Majesty
29.5 2006 Yamaha Royal Star Venture
29.7 2005 Aprilia Mojito Custom 150
29.7 2006 Honda Elite 80
29.7 2006 Honda Silver Wing
29.7 2006 Honda Silver Wing ABS
29.7 2009-2011 Kawasaki ER-6N
29.9 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter
29.9 2006 Yamaha Vino 125
30.0 2006 Harley-Davidson VRSCR Street Rod
30.1 2006 Buell Lightning XB12S
30.1 2006 Yamaha V Max
30.3 2005 Aprilia Atlantic 200
30.3 2005 Aprilia Atlantic 500
30.3 2005 BMW K1200LT
30.3 & 31.5 2004 BMW K1200RS
30.5 2006 Buell Firebolt XB9R
30.5 2006 Buell Firebolt XB12R
30.5 2006 Buell Lightning XB12Ss Long
30.5 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 500R
30.7 2005 BMW F650CS
30.7 & 31.5 (low seat) OR 32.3 & 33.1 (reg. seat) 2005 BMW R1200RT
30.7 & 31.5 (low seat) OR 31.9 & 32.7 (reg. seat) 2005 BMW R1200ST
30.7 2006 Piaggio X9 500
30.9 2006 Piaggio BV250
30.9 2006 Piaggio BV500
30.9 2006 Piaggio FLY150
30.9 2006 Suzuki Katana 600
30.9 2009-2011 Yamaha FZ6R
31.1 & 32.3 2004 BMW K1200GT
31.1 & 32.3 2005 BMW K1200S
31.1 & 31.9 & 32.7 2004 BMW R1150RS
31.1 2006 Honda 599
31.1 2006 Suzuki GS500F
31.1 2006 Suzuki Katana 750
31.3 2006 Honda 919
31.4 2006 Buell Lightning CityX XB9SX
31.5 2005 Aprilia Scarabeo 150
31.5 2005 Aprilia Scarabeo 500
31.5 2004 BMW R1100S
31.5 2004 BMW R1150R
31.5 2006 Suzuki SV650
31.5 2006 Suzuki SV650S
31.5 2006 Suzuki SV1000S
31.5 2006 Yamaha FZ6
31.7 & 32.5 & 33.3 2004 BMW R1150RT
31.7 2006 Honda Interceptor
31.7 2006 Honda Interceptor ABS
31.7 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa 1300 Limited
31.7 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa 1300
31.7 2006 Yamaha FJR1300A
31.7 2006 Yamaha FJR1300AE
31.7 2006 Yamaha YZF600R
31.9 2006 Honda CBR600F4i
31.9 2006 Suzuki DR200SE
31.9 2006 Suzuki GSX-R1000
31.9 2006 Suzuki GSX-R750
31.9 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600
32.1 2006 Kawasaki Z750S
32.1 2006 Yamaha FZ1
32.3 2006 Honda CBR600RR
32.3 2006 Honda CBR1000RR
32.3 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
32.3 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6RR
32.3 2006 Kawasaki Z1000
32.3 2006 Kawasaki ZZR600
32.3 2006 Suzuki V-Strom 650
32.3 2006 Yamaha YZF-R6S
32.5 2006 Honda RC51
32.9 2004 BMW R1150R Rockster
32.9 2006 Yamaha YZF-R1
32.9 2006 Yamaha YZF-R1 LE
33.0 - 34.8 2006 Suzuki DR650SE
33.1 2005 BMW R1200GS
33.1 2006 Buell Ulysses XB12X
33.1 2006 Suzuki V-Strom 1000
33.5 2006 Yamaha YZF-R6
33.9 2005 BMW R1100S BoxerCup Replika
34.3 2005 BMW F650GS Dakar
34.8 2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
35.0 2006 Kawasaki KLR650
35.0 2006 Suzuki DR-Z400SM
35.4 2004 BMW R1150GS Adventure
36.8 2006 Suzuki DR-Z400S

Edit: Supposedly, the 2009-2011 Kawasaki ER-6N (naked bike) has a 30.9" seat height, but the video ad I saw and information I read said, '29.7"'.

 

[SAFE-T]

I don't think the FZ6R is a good choice at all for a short person with no riding experience. Too easy to biff it while applying a little too much front brake while slowing down and turning in a parking lot....bam !! you'll be on the ground before you have any idea what you just did. On a bike with bodywork that can be expensive, even with 'protective' frame sliders.

Go get a used Honda CBR125R and ride it for a season first. Used ones in good condition are only about $1500 here. Sell it a year or two later for what you paid for it.

My shorty wife (5'2") put her first 'big' bike (1984 V30 Magna) on the tarmac a couple of times. She has been riding almost 10 yrs. now and we have an '09 FZ6R we bought to replace her '07 GS500F. We are going to lower it as much as we safely can for her

 

[MikeN02]

I'm 5'4 with a short inseam.

Had this problem when I first started riding. I wasn't comfortable at all. I bought a used EX500, then I dropped it the first night because I wasn't comfortable. Tried the one foot method and I couldn't get used to it. Lowered the bike and all was well being flat foot.

Got the FZ6-R, lowered it with Roaring toyz so I was half foot. Never dropped the bike.

Rode my friend's Ninja 250R while on tippy toes and didn't drop it. 30.5 seat height.

Now I have the R6. It's the tallest bike I assume with a whooping 33.5 inch seat height. Lowered it 3 inches and was on tippy toes rode it around for about 3 months. Then I shaved off the seat and raised it 2 inches so it's only -1 inch from stock and I'm on super tippy toes/practicing my 1 foot. Going to raise it back to stock one day just gotta get used to it.

It all depends on how comfortable you are on the bike and experience. I've seen girls as small as you or smaller ride tall bikes using the one foot method. Just need to get off the bike to move it back is all.

And don't let the people who tell you lowering the bike sucks, you shouldn't do it scare you. Lowering the bike changes it's geometry, so you can't lean as much. Who drags their knees on the streets? Only crazy people would with all these cagers who can't even see a bright neon vest.

So, lowered = okay for streets. Just lower the front and rear the same.
Stock = track

 

[Midnightroadie04]

Having ridden my Goldwing and very topheavy Yamaha Ventue and many other big bikes, the FZ is by far the lightest and easiest handling bike I have ever ridden. I am 5'6" and have a 27" inseam, , maybe 28, and with regular touring boots, I can't flat foot it, but I can have both balls of my feet on the ground with my FZ at stock height. It never feels topheavy and I don't feel I have to struggle to keep it up. Its not as comfortable to one-foot it, but for the short duration of the lights, I don't find it an issue.

"And don't let the people who tell you lowering the bike sucks, you shouldn't do it scare you. Lowering the bike changes it's geometry, so you can't lean as much. Who drags their knees on the streets? Only crazy people would with all these cagers who can't even see a bright neon vest.

So, lowered = okay for streets. Just lower the front and rear the same.
Stock = track "

Very good point. I had lowered the Venture front and rear with no noticable handling difference. Same with my Roadstar and my V-star, both cruisers, but still a bike! Never felt any change other than more secure feeling, which is worth a lot to more people than being able to drag a knee. As to no pushing back fromt he on the bike - You learn really quick how where to park!

 

[SAFE-T]

It all depends on how comfortable you are on the bike and experience. I've seen girls as small as you or smaller ride tall bikes using the one foot method. Just need to get off the bike to move it back is all.

The key word here is EXPERIENCE. I have yet to see a new rider on a bike that can only get one foot on the ground who is OK with that...

I was a motorcycle instructor for almost 15 yrs. and have been riding for nearly 25 yrs. I once test-rode a Honda Goldwing GL1500 ~ I'm sure I could have gotten used to it, but the feeling of coming to a stop on a 1,000lb motorcycle that I could just barely touch the ground on with expensive bodywork was quite humbling.

Lowering the bike changes it's geometry, so you can't lean as much.

Lowering the bike changes ground clearance and trail, and for bikes with a rear suspension linkage, increases the rising rate of the shock making it firmer. But unless you lower it a lot and like to ride fast it will most likely never be a problem.

If you have a bike with a centrestand, lowering it will make it more difficult to put on the centrestand.

In some cases you will have to shorten the kickstand, or get an adjustable kickstand.



One thing no one seems to notice is how difficult it can be to put a kickstand down if you have short legs. My wife struggles with this constantly.

 

[DocFZ]

Lol is it weird that I only lowered the bike to help me push it out of parking spots? I mean I have the "one foot" method down pat. Just didnt want my foot slipping out when trying to push the bike backwards. :don'tknow:

 

[NoDoze]

One thing no one seems to notice is how difficult it can be to put a kickstand down if you have short legs. My wife struggles with this constantly.

Oh yeah, I know this all too well It took me a little to get used to the Roaring Toyz Kickstand but I'm able to push it down now without looking - but I still make sure to look because I want to make sure it's firmly down. Dropped the bike before pulling a newbie brain fart move of not putting the kickstand down. haha!

Lol is it weird that I only lowered the bike to help me push it out of parking spots? I mean I have the "one foot" method down pat. Just didnt want my foot slipping out when trying to push the bike backwards. :don'tknow:

It's not weird at all, that's one of my reasons as well. At times, I couldn't even one-foot backing it up, I had to get off the bike and roll the it backwards.

 

[SAFE-T]

Lol is it weird that I only lowered the bike to help me push it out of parking spots? I mean I have the "one foot" method down pat. Just didnt want my foot slipping out when trying to push the bike backwards. :don'tknow:

Better to just get off and push it backwards.

Last year I lent a friend my bike and he fell over on it backing it up when his foot slipped on a small bit of sand in his driveway. There was more than enough room to get off and push the bike around normally. He paid for the repairs, but it cost him $500 and I felt terrible that my favor in letting him ride my bike cost him so much money.

Don't park your bike in a way that you have to push/pedal it backwards in the first place.

 

[bigguybbr]

Hey y'all I'm interested in looking for a dual sport bike...

Do you really mean a dual sport bike? You do know that means on and off road right? I hope you aren't thinking about taking the FZ6R on anything but pavement or hard packed gravel...

Also since you are 5 foot nothing, you are going to be way better off having your first bike being a cruiser or small standard before you try ride something top heavy like a sport bike. I'm not saying you can't do a bunch of modifications and try and make it work, but it's just a bad idea. You are better off learning on something suited to your stature rather than making it more difficult right off the bat.

 

[bjs045]

Better to just get off and push it backwards.

Last year I lent a friend my bike and he fell over on it backing it up when his foot slipped on a small bit of sand in his driveway. There was more than enough room to get off and push the bike around normally. He paid for the repairs, but it cost him $500 and I felt terrible that my favor in letting him ride my bike cost him so much money.

Don't park your bike in a way that you have to push/pedal it backwards in the first place.

Getting off and pushing the bike back would always be the better options. Unless you feel comfortable or strong enough to balance the bike like that.

Always note inclines or declines before you park. Some times its a lot easier to back it in.........We'll if you can at least get the balls of both feet down. I can see how that may be challenging for a 1 footer....in reverse.

 

[DocFZ]

Better to just get off and push it backwards.

Last year I lent a friend my bike and he fell over on it backing it up when his foot slipped on a small bit of sand in his driveway. There was more than enough room to get off and push the bike around normally. He paid for the repairs, but it cost him $500 and I felt terrible that my favor in letting him ride my bike cost him so much money.

Don't park your bike in a way that you have to push/pedal it backwards in the first place.

Yeah that makes sense. I just notice sometimes there isnt much of a choice. And I kinda feel like a dope if I hop off the bike and pull it outta a spot lol, idk why, just kinda happens.

 

[knowJAC]

Thanks

Thanks for the inputs.

 

[sexylilbikerchick]

Go for it!

Hello everyone,

I am here to say YES WE CAN RIDE FZ6R at 5ft. I am 5ft and ride this baby to the fulliest. You have to get some custom work done but it is worth it. My bike is dropped down 4inches to the ground. I have a full exhaust system, dyno power commander, and more. This bike is a clone from the R6 and almost most of the R6 parts can be configured into the 2009 FZ6R. Did I mention I am a beginner rider and I'm here to say YES WE CAN RIDE FZ6R.

sexylilbikerchick

 

[SAFE-T]

A beginner rider that rides a bike to it's fulliest...that's AGAIG

 

[anson650]

knowJAC,

Good luck on your BR class, and your choice of rides. Do the class first. I have a friend who bought a bike before the class and never rode it.
Anson

 

[GoXJ6]

I am also a little bit on the short side with about 5ft (1,55m) and I had the Fazer for 2 years. I had the original Yamaha kit to bring it down about 1 inch and could reach the street on tippy-toes with both feet or one foot flat and the other one, well, on the footpeg...

It was okay for me, but I didn't start with that bike - I had one year experience with another, lower bike and, in Germany, we have to take riding lessons and an examination before we are allowed to ride.

But personally, I would not recommend that for an absolute beginner...

 

[adidas01kg]

I am only 5-4 as well with a short inseam. I started off with an lowered ninja 250 and when i moved up their wasn't to many options for us shorter girls and I loved the way the white FZ6R's looked, so I got the hyper pro lowering spring kit from EPM Performance not only does it ride better but I am able to flat foot it and feel much more comfortable. It also worked out great for me living in NJ the installed it for me in less then a few hours.