Triumphrat

haggis95 · 01-19-2006

I've a friend whose been out of riding for 20 years. He's fairly short - five foot four (or less!)

What would be the best bike for him? A twin cruiser or a twin standard?

jlzmeehan · 01-19-2006

With the Speedmaster/America your friend may not like the forward controls if he has short legs.The Bonnie,Thrux,or T100 might be a better fit........Any short speedy or america riders out there?

bennybmn · 01-19-2006

depends on his inseam, but I know some short dudes on Americas who are fine. As long as he can reach the shifter and break, a set of floor boards will make him comfy. He may have a heckofa time reaching the ground on a standard. Maybe a lowered standard?

tba-golfer · 01-19-2006

Short guy, 5"6," with a 29" inseam checking in.
The TBA is just fine for me, both feet nicely planted at a full stop, and no problems with the pegs, shifting or braking. I am going to get the newspeedmaster.com lower single seat; less because I think I need more stability, but because I like the look (flame version!)

FattRat · 01-19-2006

Another short guy checking in: 5' 2" w/24" inseam......

The key is a narrow seat, mid controls, and handlebars that are juuuust right. The America & SpeedMaster cruisers feel pretty sexy, though for a short person......
something with the reach of the America's handlebars, on the SpeedMaster with it's mag' wheels and triple discs, and a kit that relocates the foot controls more toward the middle of the bike, could lure me over to the Dark Side, that is to say the.... "Cruiser" side.

I ride a basic Bonneville. It may be taller at the saddle, but it's a narrow bike that actually feels pretty nimble. But I'm pretty experienced at being short though. HE needs to decided what gains HIS confidence, you can't tell him what will.

Shorty · 01-20-2006

And another short guy's opinion...I decided on the Standard Bonnie pretty much for the same reasons mentioned above. Sitting on the Speedmaster and America felt great because I could actually bend my knees and still "flatfoot" the pavement, However I was uncomfortable with the forward controls and felt like I had to stretch more than what I was used to.
In my opinion your friend should try both styles and see what he's comfortable with. At 5'5" and a 29 " inseam I can reach the ground no problem on my Standard, and that's with the King & Queen seat which is actually a little higher than the stock seat but feels narrower.

Shorty

boozefighter · 01-20-2006

He should have no problem riding a Speedmaster as he cruises from Munchkin land to Emerald City by way of the yellow brick road. Joe :-D

joe82325 · 01-20-2006

how about what ever the frick he wants to ride

bennybmn · 01-20-2006

Come to think of it, my buddy Hank rides a speed tripple. I joke about getting him a rope ladder to get on and off of it, but his tippy toes make it work.

rvbeemer · 01-20-2006

How about a Honda 250 Rebel? Untill he grows some.