My Legs are to short!

[deacon]

I'm 5'8" but have a 29" inseam. I can put my feet down while sitting in the saddle (Mustang seat) but if I am moving the bike on uneven ground at slow speeds and have to keep my feet down it gets kinda scary. If I have to stop and I can't get my foot down, I'm in trouble. I have read that some folks shave the seat but I would hate to do that to the Mustang. Different shocks are not on the budget radar. Has anyone lowered the bike? I lowered my C50 and loved the way I sat on it. I have an 06 nomad. Thanks!

[oldbikers]

I am 5'8" also but have a 27" inseam I had to lower mine I kept dropping it when I came to a stop but I lowered it 1 1/2" with progressive shocks.

[ponch]

65 or 66 olds?


I am 5'8" also but have a 27" inseam I had to lower mine I kept dropping it when I came to a stop but I lowered it 1 1/2" with progressive shocks.

[unwind2]

I'm just glad you're legs aren't 'too' short. LOL...sorry couldn't resist ;)

[cactusjack]

Get yourself some of these:

http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad358/cjack_1/zack.jpg

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[macmac]

I have a nice 13th century RACK for sale, perhaps we could work something out?

[skipper]

I borrowed Oldbiker's idea. I'm 5'6" with a 30" inseam and with the stock seat, I still couldn't flat foot it at times. I feel much more stable at stops now.

Kip

[deacon]

I had heard how helpful everyone here was, NOT! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Do you have a link for the boots?

[unwind2]

I had heard how helpful everyone here was, NOT! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Do you have a link for the boots?

We do like to have fun. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[lw]

We do like to have fun. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif[/quote]

If youre not having fun, youre doing it wrong. . .

[cactusjack]

Okay, I have to ask...did you sit on the bike before you bought it?

[Loafer]

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[oldbikers]

Yes CJ it was shorter than my Goldwing http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

[oldbikers]

65 or 66 olds?


I am 5'8" also but have a 27" inseam I had to lower mine I kept dropping it when I came to a stop but I lowered it 1 1/2" with progressive shocks.

65 Olds

[glwilson]

With a 30" inseam it is works if you can make the seat more narrow. Doing this will usually solve the problem without having to lower the bike.

You might be able to shave off some from the front sides of the seat... not sure on the Mustang.

[cactusjack]

Yes CJ it was shorter than my Goldwing http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

My question wasn't directed at you, Jim.

[skipper]

Yes CJ it was shorter than my Goldwing http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

My question wasn't directed at you, Jim.

If it was directed at me, then Yes it felt OK on flat ground during my test ride. I also rode on a friend of mine's 1500 Nomad and another 1600 Vulcan Classic prior to my purchase. I could have left it stock and made do, but I'd rather get a little more comfortable/stable if I'm going to put my wife or daughter on the back.

Kip

[skeeter]

all my smart-ass comments have been used :'(

[poppy]

I had heard how helpful everyone here was, NOT! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Do you have a link for the boots?

Here ya go!

http://www.motorcowboy.com/category/kissboots/

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Yep, it might be heading in the wrong direction.

[skeeter]

Yep, it might be heading in the wrong direction.

Was there ever any doubt?

[Kawhead]

29 inseam here. I juss deal with it, it's not that bad. The percentage of the time you're stopped at a light, or whatever, and holding the Nomad up is so small lowering isn't worth the time or money.
I lowered my other Nomad and the pipes scraped to easily on curves. Sometimes on Interstate on and off ramps you come very close to running out of ramp! Not to mention lowering also changes the handling.

[unwind2]

29 inseam here. I juss deal with it, it's not that bad. The percentage of the time you're stopped at a light, or whatever, and holding the Nomad up is so small lowering isn't worth the time or money.
I lowered my other Nomad and the pipes scraped to easily on curves. Sometimes on Interstate on and off ramps you come very close to running out of ramp! Not to mention lowering also changes the handling.

all kidding aside Mike is spot on. I had a moto guzzi that I really wanted but was way up on my tip toes. Asked dealer about lowering..he said could be done but does not recommend as it does effect handling. Instead we did the seat mods...then was on ball of my feet...drove that baby for 3 years...only problem had is same I have on the Nomad...sometimes have to enlist help to back out if I did not pay attention and parked in space with front wheel slightly downhill. ( sometimes I pull in and know right away as soon as I've pulled in...nope not gonna back out of this one ). :-/ Thus I try to remind myself....back in ...back in...unless spot is slightly upgrad then pull in pull in ::)

So there's Ken on his Goldwing with the reverse doesn't have to worry...then here I come...if it's a spot I start out to back in to discovery slight upgrad...then here I go around the parking lot again to head in. http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif

Hope you can figure something out so more comfy with you passengers. The nomad is such a sweet ride.

[unwind2]

I had heard how helpful everyone here was, NOT! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Do you have a link for the boots?

Here ya go!

http://www.motorcowboy.com/category/kissboots/


Wouldn't those look snazzy with the right outfit. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[deacon]

Ok, I've had the bike about a week now and it's not the problem I thought it would be. Just realize I have to pay attention to where I park. I've also spent some time practicing slow speed turns, U turns and figure eights. I've gotten much more comfortable :)

[skeeter]

glad to hear it. getting to know your bike.

[Kawhead]

Ok, I've had the bike about a week now and it's not the problem I thought it would be. Just realize I have to pay attention to where I park. I've also spent some time practicing slow speed turns, U turns and figure eights. I've gotten much more comfortable :)I knew you would. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[unwind2]

Ok, I've had the bike about a week now and it's not the problem I thought it would be. Just realize I have to pay attention to where I park. I've also spent some time practicing slow speed turns, U turns and figure eights. I've gotten much more comfortable :)

Alright!!!! Enjoy.

[dooley]

...but if I am moving the bike on uneven ground at slow speeds and have to keep my feet down it gets kinda scary. If I have to stop and I can't get my foot down, I'm in trouble.

Deacon, I truly understand your concern. I'm 5'8" with a 30" inseam and I too noticed how my 08 Nomad is taller than my 04 Classic w/ Mustang seat. Going form the stock seat to a Mustang on my Classic made a huge difference. See if you can find a Nomad w/ that seat and give it a try.

On a nother note....this should only be a concern when stopped at a light or backing into a parking space. For the slow speed maneuvers, and uneven ground experiences, I suggest you keep both your feet on the floorboards, it's the safest place to keep them.
You just simply cannot hold a falling motorcycle while it's moving (or shouldn't try to, anyway). That's a sure way to get a broken ankle (or worse).
Try attending an experienced rider course in your area and do lots and lots of parking lot practicing!

[1badbagger]

For those of you with short legs that have a hard time backing your bike up I have a trick for you guys that my 5' 3" wife uses on her FJR 1300. I learned it from a short police motor officer and it works like a charm:

1 Apply front brake while the bike is stopped. Your feet should be on the ground.

2 put weight on front end in order to compress your front forks

3 allow the forks to rebound and as you do, release the front brake and start pushing backwards.

This is easiest while your standing up out of the saddle so you can get the most weight on the front forks.

It takes a little practice to get the timing just right but within a few tries, you should be able to use the energy from the front forks rebounding to help get the bike rolling. On steeper hills when you lose your momentum you might have to use it again, but it certainly makes it easier to get the bike rolling.

[dooley]

For those of you with short legs that have a hard time backing your bike up I have a trick for you guys that my 5' 3" wife uses on her FJR 1300. I learned it from a short police motor officer and it works like a charm:

1 Apply front brake while the bike is stopped. Your feet should be on the ground.

2 put weight on front end in order to compress your front forks

3 allow the forks to rebound and as you do, release the front brake and start pushing backwards.

This is easiest while your standing up out of the saddle so you can get the most weight on the front forks.

It takes a little practice to get the timing just right but within a few tries, you should be able to use the energy from the front forks rebounding to help get the bike rolling. On steeper hills when you lose your momentum you might have to use it again, but it certainly makes it easier to get the bike rolling.

I do it all the time when backing out the bikes out of the garage and going at an angle out of the driveway onto the lawn.
I'm too lazy to move the car out of the way, I guess!

"Boucing" off the front suspension really helps you with momentum!