seat height question

[xorbe]

Hi everyone, just picked up a barely used 2014 FZ6R that is all stock as far as I know. I am 5'10" (thin male runner body) and am surprised that I can barely flat-foot the thing. I've already found the "how to lower" threads for the front (wrench) and rear (link). But does it sound right that at 5'10" the bike is tall for me? I didn't expect the bike to feel this high. Coming from a crazy easy Ninja 250R after a couple years. I don't ride or corner aggressively, so I'd prefer to have more comfortable solid footing at stops. Thanks!

 

[Scott_Thomas]

I'm 5'10 and barely flat foot either. I don't have a long inseam though for my height.

 

[leem00]

Hi everyone, just picked up a barely used 2014 FZ6R that is all stock as far as I know. I am 5'10" (thin male runner body) and am surprised that I can barely flat-foot the thing. I've already found the "how to lower" threads for the front (wrench) and rear (link). But does it sound right that at 5'10" the bike is tall for me? I didn't expect the bike to feel this high. Coming from a crazy easy Ninja 250R after a couple years. I don't ride or corner aggressively, so I'd prefer to have more comfortable solid footing at stops. Thanks!

at 5'7" with a 29-30 " inseam I can flat foot with only one foot... I am beyond tippy toes trying to two foot it..

 

[AL72]

Strange, I'm 5'10 (1.79 mt) too, and I've even used the seat in the highest position.

Regards!

 

[xorbe]

Strange, I'm 5'10 (1.79 mt) too, and I've even used the seat in the highest position.

Regards!

Thanks, I will check the seat position. That would be an easy first step.

 

[chopper71]

Best way I have found is at a stop. Have left foot down it will be flat while right foot is on the right peg/rear brake. On mine I'm ok with the way my feet are half way flat with the heels arched up some. That is with the seat position on the low setting.

 

[brownwa]

Try putting the seat position in the lowest setting. Myself I'm 5'7" with a 30" inseam and solved the problem by wearing riding boots with insoles. I can almost flatfoot both feet now. Sometimes the simplest fix is the best. The fat *** gel insoles they sell at the pharmacy are good, but I have custom foam ones from my therapist. Just slip them right in on top of the stock soles in the boots. Remember to buy your boots a half size too big so that they fit comfortably.

 

[geekmaster]

I'm about 5' 7" with 30 inch inseam and can almost flat foot it with regular work-style boots on. It doesn't bother me that I can't fully flat foot it. A slight lean one way or another makes that side flat footed, and other than that it's very stable with just the front part of my feet on the ground.

 

[ksk operator 1]

I am 6'2 and will be removing a lowering link here soon. like this week. I am all sorts of flat footed. if you need. i have. raring toys. with kick stand.

 

[Nmexico]

5 6 here and 30 inseam, almost can flat foot.
Hard to believe some of the heights here and can't flat foot.

 

[xorbe]

OP here. Okay I checked the seat height, but it was at the default "L" position as I expected -- the guy I bought it from barely used the bike, doubt he ever took the seat off, heh.

Measured the old Ninja, approx 29" at the lowest then when sitting on the bike it sags somewhere in the 28-28.25" range. (Probably needs a new shock after 10 years? But only 9K miles.) Like @KSK says, I am all sorts of flat footed there, more than enough. The Ninja may be a bit narrower also. The sag is probably even a bit more than that, due to the way I measured it with my body more towards the rear than in the saddle.

The FZ6R measured about 31" but I couldn't get a reading with me on the seat. No place to scoot back like the old Ninja's banana style seat. However it's pretty obvious my thin frame barely deflects the FZ6R shock, so I lowered the pretension from 3 to 1, which helped a little. It's not that I can't flat foot, but that I pretty much have to be positioned just right, no wiggle room. Legs straight to the ground, no flexing.

I'll have to decide between the Soupy 1.5" link (or PSR), Roaring 1.75" link, or that other 2" link (T-rex, eBay noname.) I am a little worried about overdoing it. And a new kick stand too ...

 

[Scott_Thomas]

5 6 here and 30 inseam, almost can flat foot.
Hard to believe some of the heights here and can't flat foot.

Seats wide and preload is set to max so no sag. I flat foot at 5'10,but not by a lot.

 

[Amberfz6r]

Hi everyone, just picked up a barely used 2014 FZ6R that is all stock as far as I know. I am 5'10" (thin male runner body) and am surprised that I can barely flat-foot the thing. I've already found the "how to lower" threads for the front (wrench) and rear (link). But does it sound right that at 5'10" the bike is tall for me? I didn't expect the bike to feel this high. Coming from a crazy easy Ninja 250R after a couple years. I don't ride or corner aggressively, so I'd prefer to have more comfortable solid footing at stops. Thanks!

Lower the front looks and rides so much better

 

[Amberfz6r]

Lower front looks and rides so much better

 

[Scott_Thomas]

Lower front looks and rides so much better

Agree 100%! Looks better and corners easier.

 

[xorbe]

Lower front looks and rides so much better

Yeah, just deciding which link and how much in the front. People have dropped the front as much as 2.5" (!) and the one rider that did 2.25" said no problem over 100 mph -- not that I ride that fast, but good to know there was no wobble. Either Soupy's 1.5" and 1.5" in the front, or RT with 1.75" and 1.75" in the front.

Are there any problems with aftermarket kickstands and the associated safety switch? I'd prefer swap something on, rather than have the stock stand welded shorter.

 

[Amberfz6r]

I went down as low as it goes no trouble at high speeds just watch bumps I don't know what bangs thought it was the horn but it's not

 

[xorbe]

Unless my tape measure lies, looks to me the max drop is just under 2" until it would run into the handlebars. I don't see how a 2.5" drop would be possible. My dust marks are about 1.25" so I think I'll go with a 1.25" drop in front, seems like the safe choice. But that was no doubt from the bigger, heavier previous owner.

 

[Weslowski]

I'm 5'4" guy lowered the front an inch and with lowering link and the seat lowered (I took the plastic out). If you lower the forks too much and you hit a pot hole like me you'll bottom out and that feeling sucks. I tip tow unless I only have one foot down. But hey who needs both feet to stop.

 

[buzzbomb]

I'm five foot nine (used to be taller, age is telling) and everything on my 6r is stock. My inseam varies from 30 to 32 depending upon the pant maker.

I flat-foot with no problems in my riding boots. I'd guess the boots add about an inch. I only struggle with pushing the bike backwards. I find it difficult to get leverage.

Maybe some good riding boots in your future?