Best option for short legs

[WannaBF6Ridr]

Looking to pick up an F6B(getting rid of the vtx1800) but only 5'6" and am having trouble balancing when I straddle one.

who else has this issue and what have you done to fix it? Thicker Tread on your Shoes?


Thanks
Steve

[Verismo]

Mustang makes a seat that is an inch lower, but it is also an inch farther back, so it may give you problems with the bars. You might look into a custom seat that's lower but the same distance to the bars. There are lots of reputable seat makers with a quick Google search.

Oh and by the way, there are also more expensive options, like buying the shorter progressive front springs, or the lowering link and a shorter rear shock. However, that seems like a last resort to me because it takes some travel out of what I consider an already moderately harsh suspension, and it might also limit your resale market to the shorter inseam crowd, making it somewhat more tedious to move once the time comes.

Jason

[opas ride]

I added 3/4" soles and heels to my riding boots at a local shoe maker, installed the Mustang seat and have no issues now at all...I did not notice that the Mustang seat pushed me any farther away from the bars as some have claimed...Also, try to contact Alan at Mean City Cycles. They can lower your stock seat and change it almost anyway you want..Their site is on the web.....Good luck

[shortleg0521]

Looking to pick up an F6B(getting rid of the vtx1800) but only 5'6" and am having trouble balancing when I straddle one.

who else has this issue and what have you done to fix it? Thicker Tread on your Shoes?


Thanks
Steve

Right up my alley, first I would say check your footwear.
As far as the bike goes you can change the seat[mustang]
Get a lowering link and do what's called slip the forks.
That's all you can do, but with doing some of these you
suffer in the cornering section.

[olegoat345]

Call Jay @ Russell Day Long, he might be able to help or give you some good advice. Mid week is the best time, they're on the west coast, 3 hours diff..

[Ewreck]

5196:rolleyes:

[Nicki]

At 5' 3" I have no trouble, but I installed a classic (full on GW) seat onto F6B and solved all my reach problems.

[broncsrule21]

At 5' 3" I have no trouble, but I installed a classic (full on GW) seat onto F6B and solved all my reach problems.

Any pictures of your setup?

[Jimmytee]

Arnott Air ride. You can lower the bike way down when you need to manuever and when under way just add more air for increased height if you desire. Not inexpensive though.

[Davidk]

I and 5'4. I bought boots with 2" heels. No problems at all.

[Xrider57]

I put a 1 inch lower bracket on mine from lower wings. Thicker sole boots and good to go. I’m the same height as you with short legs. The lower wing bracket does not hinder your shock and doing trace but it will change your cornering clearance just a little. I have no problem with that however .

[Fnicolosi]

I had a local friend who does seats modify the stock seat to narrow the leg area. There’s a huge gap on stock seat making this workable. He cut the vertical reinforcement ribs on the pan and heated the plastic, then folded the sides down closer to the bodywork. That gained at least an inch of reach. I’m also having him now put in a stiffer foam because I’ve learned a firmer seat lets me ride longer than softer ones. Also bought new HD boots that gained at least another 1/2 inch. Hope this helps.

[perohijo]

How can you be 5'" and have no trouble I wonder! I'm 5'7" and the only solution that worked for me, without paying a small fortune, was to get my seat lowered, and have them install a backrest for about $500.00 including shipping. I added risers as well and that solved my problem but I still cannot plant my feet flat on the ground but have good enough control. My only problem is that my seat is harder than before so I'm looking to get a cushion or something.