not to short
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
Joined
·
2,174 Posts
Get different shocks in the rear. If I remember correctly, you can get Hagons that are 3/4's of an inch shorter than stock. Lower the front forks 1/2 an inch up front.
Joined
·
889 Posts
I know of a few guys aroung 5'3" and they just wear a bigger sole boot, which they make for shorter motorycle riders.
Or - you can slam it, best get some hot rod gear and cafe it out though...
Or - you can slam it, best get some hot rod gear and cafe it out though...
Joined
·
11,951 Posts
you could also pull the cover off the seat, scoop out an inch or 2 of foam and restaple the cover.
That's free, easy, and won't effect any handling.
That's free, easy, and won't effect any handling.
Or have her do what I have learned to do (but I have 35 years practise). 'Deal with it'
I'm 5' 2", and my rather large (muscular) thighs are a hinderance, but I just deal with it.... tip toe'ing, balancing, and watching VERY carefully where I'll be pointing a toe for balance.
Just know that the BEST way to lower the bike is to lower the internals of your suspension, as I have done with my FZ1. But you sacrifice a comfortable ride. I've been dishing seats out for years..... and it doesn't work if the bike is already too wide for a VERY short inseam. One's legs become outriggers sticking off to the sides, rather than hanging to the ground.
I never tried big soles and WON'T! I have my pride and don't wanna look any more goofy than I already do. Besides, I can't see how big soles permit the boot to get up under the shift lever.
Best to just learn how to 'deal with it'.....
:-D
I'm 5' 2", and my rather large (muscular) thighs are a hinderance, but I just deal with it.... tip toe'ing, balancing, and watching VERY carefully where I'll be pointing a toe for balance.
Just know that the BEST way to lower the bike is to lower the internals of your suspension, as I have done with my FZ1. But you sacrifice a comfortable ride. I've been dishing seats out for years..... and it doesn't work if the bike is already too wide for a VERY short inseam. One's legs become outriggers sticking off to the sides, rather than hanging to the ground.
I never tried big soles and WON'T! I have my pride and don't wanna look any more goofy than I already do. Besides, I can't see how big soles permit the boot to get up under the shift lever.
Best to just learn how to 'deal with it'.....
:-D
Joined
·
4,101 Posts
C'mon Fatt, you gotta have a pair of those platforms from your Disco days, right?
:-D
:-D
YEA THE HAGONS PROBABLY WILL BUT GOTTA CHANGE THE TIRES IN THE SPRING ANY WAY, YEA AND ANY BODY CAN DEAL WITH IT, KENNY ROBERTS DID BUT WHY NOT MAKE IT FUNNER FOR A BEGINNER , AND SAFER, THATS ALL, CHANGING THE TIRES ANY WAY SO WHY NOT PUT IT OUT THERE I DONT THINK THERE CHANGING THE SHOCKS OR WANTS THE EXTRA COST, THANKS, DO LIKE THE HIGH HEAL SNEAKERS THO
Joined
·
300 Posts
'golfer',
I'm ashamed to say that I DID in fact own a pair of platform shoes..... only wore them once. Funny too, by the time I hemmed my "Bell bottoms" up, I had nothing left but flaired boot-cut jeans.
=====================================
"Low profile" tires don't exist anymore. I used to run Michelin M45's many, many, many years ago. They not only had a "safety bead" that would prevent the tire from leaving the wheel in a blow-out, but they were a low profile design too. If there is ANYTHING out there for the Bonneville that might be a lower profile tire, it's the Avon Azaro AV45 & AV46. As soon as my GT501's are toast, Avon Azaro's are going back on MY bike.
Believe me, a shorter new rider WILL become a better rider. When you have to rely on skill and technique as opposed to brute strength, or the false security that being able to touch down gives you, short of inseam will MAKE one a rider who will pay MORE attention.
Buy some lowered shocks off newBonneville.com, and pay somebody to lower the internals of the tubes up front an equal amount. Consider also the 68 line of Thruxton seats. It's narrower up front and just a little lower.
And don't fret, the Bonnie will be her freind in no time!
I'm ashamed to say that I DID in fact own a pair of platform shoes..... only wore them once. Funny too, by the time I hemmed my "Bell bottoms" up, I had nothing left but flaired boot-cut jeans.
=====================================
"Low profile" tires don't exist anymore. I used to run Michelin M45's many, many, many years ago. They not only had a "safety bead" that would prevent the tire from leaving the wheel in a blow-out, but they were a low profile design too. If there is ANYTHING out there for the Bonneville that might be a lower profile tire, it's the Avon Azaro AV45 & AV46. As soon as my GT501's are toast, Avon Azaro's are going back on MY bike.
Believe me, a shorter new rider WILL become a better rider. When you have to rely on skill and technique as opposed to brute strength, or the false security that being able to touch down gives you, short of inseam will MAKE one a rider who will pay MORE attention.
Buy some lowered shocks off newBonneville.com, and pay somebody to lower the internals of the tubes up front an equal amount. Consider also the 68 line of Thruxton seats. It's narrower up front and just a little lower.
And don't fret, the Bonnie will be her freind in no time!
Joined
·
889 Posts
The perfect shoe for this occasion:
![]()
Joined
·
422 Posts
hey kurt, don't get crazy, just cuz my bike is in your garage...i have pretty long legs for a short girl. the seat height is fine.
fattrat is right, i just deal with it.
i bet your legs are actually shorter than mine :wink:
robin
fattrat is right, i just deal with it.
i bet your legs are actually shorter than mine :wink:
robin
Joined
·
422 Posts
i have a friend with an 01 bonnie, and his wife won't let him out to ride...any suggestions?
hahahahahahaha :-D
hahahahahahaha :-D
Joined
·
751 Posts
Try Looking at this site. However its in French and no longer seems to have an English translation.
www.mecatwin.com
Look at the pictures of their Bonneville TT. This' ll give you an idea of the lower profile.
Basically they shortened the front forks an inch by slackening and the re-tightening the yolks so the forks protrude above the top yolk and then put the shorter Alf Hagon shocks on the rear.
I've seen a site that sells a nice pair of covers for the exposed ends of the forks above the top yolks, but can't find it again now.... Typical!
But they do exist.
All the best
Jon (UK)
www.mecatwin.com
Look at the pictures of their Bonneville TT. This' ll give you an idea of the lower profile.
Basically they shortened the front forks an inch by slackening and the re-tightening the yolks so the forks protrude above the top yolk and then put the shorter Alf Hagon shocks on the rear.
I've seen a site that sells a nice pair of covers for the exposed ends of the forks above the top yolks, but can't find it again now.... Typical!
But they do exist.
All the best
Jon (UK)
Joined
·
300 Posts
Yo 'bg',
Step away from the wife's husband.....
bad girl, bad bonniegirl.
:hammer:
Joined
·
422 Posts
not to be misunderstood...there is no interest EXCEPT as a riding buddy. i know the wife, his kid works for me... it's a small town. that was so much a joke!! he has a bad case of january in vt and has done all he wants to his bike and is now attacking mine.
i've ridden 4000 miles this year, my first year with the bike. the ONLY time that i've had any instability is when some well meaning friend (kurtisf) decides to go play explorer and leads me down some steep rutted dirt vt back road that's hardly wide enough for a car or decides to turn around in a little super soft dirt shoulder. there isn't a problem with the seat height...both my feet are flat on the ground when i'm on the bike and like fattrat said, one remains aware and careful.
robin
i've ridden 4000 miles this year, my first year with the bike. the ONLY time that i've had any instability is when some well meaning friend (kurtisf) decides to go play explorer and leads me down some steep rutted dirt vt back road that's hardly wide enough for a car or decides to turn around in a little super soft dirt shoulder. there isn't a problem with the seat height...both my feet are flat on the ground when i'm on the bike and like fattrat said, one remains aware and careful.
robin
Joined
·
751 Posts
Hi again
With reference to my earlier reply.
Just thought I ought to mention that what we English call yolks.
I believe the Americans call Triple Tree's.
Just to clear that up.
All the best
Jon (UK)
With reference to my earlier reply.
Just thought I ought to mention that what we English call yolks.
I believe the Americans call Triple Tree's.
Just to clear that up.
All the best
Jon (UK)
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
