Beginner Motorcycles for Shorter Riders
This is my recommended list of beginner motorcycles for short riders that combine a comfortable set of ergonomics with a lighter ride. Just because it’s shorter doesn’t mean it’s easier to ride!
So what do Ergonomics have to do with it?
Everything. Because our limbs are shorter, it’s far more comfortable when the controls are easily within reach. With that, the Center of Gravity is going to be your gauge as to how manageable the weight of that bike is going to be.
If I want to lean over on my motorcycle, how could it be any lower? I’m already so close to the ground. This is why you must be so careful about lowering a sportbike, doing it improperly will result in damage, or worse, injury because you’re bottoming out.
The fact that your arms are 3-5” shorter than someone else brings you much, much closer to the tank. So you want to search for bikes that bring everything within easy reach.
Just a word about Sportbikes. Next to Adventure bikes, sportbikes are tall because that’s the idea. When you ride a sportbike, it’s #1 job is to drive into a corner and then accelerate out. In order to do that the most efficiently and quickly as possible, it must transfer the weight from the back to the front. There are far more technical and detailed answers to this, so I urge you to google and see why exactly they need to be taller than your average motorcycle.
And the narrower the bike, the better. The further out your knees are pushed away from the tank, the harder it will be to control your bike, especially as a newer rider. My Yamaha XT250 is amazing as a beginner dual sport/adventure bike because it’s so skinny. I can maneuver this bike so easily, I don’t have to worry about dropping it because the center of gravity is too high. I don’t have to worry about being able to do a quick, tight uturn. There are so many things I don’t have to worry about, because it’s the perfect size and weight for me to figure things out.
The definition of a beginner bike should include more than just seat height and engine size:
Is it too tall for you to balance with one foot without dropping it?
Can you park it easily? (without being nervous, apprehensive or scared, or having to rely on someone else to do it for you)
Can you stop quickly and smoothly without dropping it?
Does it boost your confidence the more you ride it? Or does it make it worse?
Are you comfortable taking it out alone without anyone there to help you? (the first few times, sure, but every time?)
Me, learning to ride on the dirt with my friend’s Yamaha XT250. SUCH an incredible beginner adventure bike! DCDirtCamp.com
RIDING POSITION
I’m also a fan of bikes that have a neutral riding position. Where your feet are neutral, not behind you, not in front of you, but closer to 90 degrees below you. Your arms are also 90 degrees, so it’s closer to sitting in a chair.
The farther your hands and feet are from your body, the more skill and effort it takes to control weight, maneuver, counterbalance, and make tighter or faster turns.
Just take note of how far away your hand and foot controls are when you sit on a bike and make sure it doesn’t make you feel “out of control”. You’ll feel far more confident and comfortable, when the controls are closer to you.
Confidence is key, right? Riding your motorcycle isn’t the only way to gain confidence.
Me, test riding a friend’s Honda Grom 125. SO much fun, and one of the best beginner bikes for smaller riders.
SMALL, LIGHTWEIGHT, NARROW MOTORCYCLES
Motorcycles are like relationships—you likely won’t have just one for your whole life.
