Advice for the vertically challenged

[DaveGPz]

As of 7.45PM last night (Swan Street Bridge in Melbourne, if you were there) my wife's ZZR600 is no longer in the land of the living. Once the bruises heal (after bouncing off the tank and the screen) Kathy's going to be looking for new wheels. As a member of the vertically challenged, she's thinking about taking the opportunity to move to something a bit closer to the ground, but still as much fun in the twisty bits, and still as good a sports tourer as the late lamented "Noddy" (don't ask). She's about 5'6" when she stands straight (not doing a lot of that just now). The ZZR had been lowered a tad, just by adjusting the collars on the rear spring. Any suggestions, or do we go for a later model ZZR? Commutes 5 days a week, plus trips and tours. Taking a pillion for the next 6 months, until number 1 son has his bike, is also an issue.

Thoughts?

[Ratmick]

Hi Dave,

Been down the same road as there's a few of us on here the same height (or less hey Karen and Colette ).

If you are wanting to stay Kawasaki you're basically screwed unless you like the ER-6n/ER-6f. Depending on your wife's leg length she may get away with a Z750/Z1000/ZRX1200r or if she's sportier a ZX-6R if she submits it for sugery at a suspension specialist. Basically it is hard to tell unless you actually sit on the bike as it's different for everyone.

I have short legs, but can tippy-toe or better all the bikes above. The Hornet I have now I could get the balls of each foot down at once, but wanted more as I live in the country and it occasionally sees surfaces not as flat as they could be and the small country towns around here have serious cambers on the main roads due to the amount of rain they need to clear in winter. As a result I have had the front and rear worked on by a suspension specialist, the net effect being an extra 10-15mm closer to the ground and the shocks are now much much better than OEM have being revalved in the process.

Other contenders in the naked stakes are both small and large Cagiva Raptors, SV650 and SV1000 (naked and semi-faired). The CB400 is also an option without any work needed at all.

Having said that I rarely two-foot down anyway, only in strong crosswinds at the lights. If your wife is a confident rider (and she should be given the amount of commuting) then she may be ok with either leg on the ground rather than both. I used to find this extremely off-putting when I first started, but I am ok now with one leg down, if I need the other foot flat I just slide off the seat slightly on the other side. The only times I come unstuck is stopping halfway off a kerb, or trying to back the bike up an slight incline (like if you park nose into the kerb in one of the above-mentioned country towns). In this case I either try to avoid putting myself in that position altogether (after the first time) or get off and drag it around manually.

HTH, let me know if you'd like any more info.

Mick

[DaveGPz]

Cheers - the ER6f is actually on the short list, at least until we've ridden it. Weight's an issue, as well, so the ER's good there too. Should talk to Lainie about that... The SV650S... um, do you remember how they used to call the GSX750F the flying condom? It must be a Suzuki thing.

[Ratmick]

Hmm, I didn't mention the GSX750F as a contender as it's ugly as a hat-full of arseholes and somehow a fully-faired air-cooled butt-ugly bike doesn't appeal.

I've heard good reports about the ER-6f. I sat one one myself just after they were released and I was surprised it wasn't as low as I expected (although it may have been cranked up a bit by the owner of the shop who was taking it out for the weekend).

I actually don't mind the angular look of the current SVs, except for the pillion pad. I did consider the SV1000 at the time I was looking around, but the Hornet won out. FWIW I also fell in love with a ZRX1200R in Cosways, but the guy there was an arsehole and he pissed me about so I went elsewhere. I've since sat on an '05 Z1000 in the Yamaha dealer on Elizabeth Street and was seriously smitten...alas I'm yet to talk turkey with my Ex re. splitting our assets (such as they are) so splurging out and returning to the big K will have to wait a while. I try not to go into bike shops at the moment...

A lot also depends on the weight of the rider. Guys are normally heavier than women and the bike tend to squat slightly when we sit on them, hence lowering them slightly of their own accord. Women are generally lightly built and tend to perch on them.

Mick

[Slow and wobbly]

If you can find one a zr7 might be a great option. Very under rated bike that barely registered a blip on the radar. Consider its replacement also the z750. Suspension can be lowered and the seat foam can be reshaped for surprisingly little.

[DaveGPz]

Now there's a thought - though she does like a fairing on the country runs...

[z900/zx9]

After some looking Kazz sat on a ducati monster 696,it is lower than an er6 lighter than a er6 and more get up and go.Only problem is they are a new model and will set ya back 14-15 on the road.If i was looking for a short fun bike this would be my choice Oh yeah the white one looks really good Or maybe offer Kazz a really good price and you will have the lowest bike in the free world,also the most maticulasly maintained zzr600.

[Black Magic]

Cheers - the ER6f is actually on the short list, at least until we've ridden it. Weight's an issue, as well, so the ER's good there too.

I am only 5'5 and my ER was a reasonable height for me. It is also a very comfortable tourer. I did 11 hours straight on it once no problems.

Sorry to hear about the bingle......

[dilligaf]

saw an er6-n for $8000 +ORC at 11300kawasaki in ferntreegully yesterday

[DaveGPz]

Many thanks all. BM, how did you find the build quality of the ER? A couple ofthings I've read have suggested it's not super (but I'll test ride one this afternoon and see?)

[dilligaf]

I've had an er6-n since last Nov and the quality has been fine.

[ducati_paul]

[Black Magic]

Many thanks all. BM, how did you find the build quality of the ER? A couple ofthings I've read have suggested it's not super (but I'll test ride one this afternoon and see?)

I found it fine. I guess it depends what you are comparing it to- I went up from a ZZR 250 to the ER. I found the gearing a little rough and the cornering was nothing like the GSXR- but that is like comparing apples with oranges. You couldn't go past it for comfort and the quality was just fine.

Good luck!