Short person accessible?

[WriterOfWriters]

Sup, I'm kind of new to riding and about a year ago I bought a litle xt225 to get the feel of it, plus it's the only dual sport that sits low enough (I planned on riding more off dirt, but I live in urban Philadelphia, and we just never get out, and as a street bike it obviously lacks power and their numerous crimes over these little dirtbikes)....being only 5'5" and about 180, do you think I could handle this bike? I see it only sits 1" higher than my 225, and with the low gell seat, it'll sit an inch lower!  ...just curious if yall think this bike is too much for some1 of my small stature and weight

[gunny]

 

I think the versey would be a good choice, you'd be able to do light trail riding with it if you so choose, it seems to have good ergonomics. Your inseam is a major factor to consider, if it's at least 30" your golden.

[WriterOfWriters]

Thanks for the help man...I'll have to measure my inseam....I'm assuming the height shouldn't be a problem though from reading the numbers...Just wasn't sure how the handlebars would fit for someone of my size, and if the weight would just be too much (I looked at the weight, but being new to the riding scene, I wasn't sure how it would feel), but you have kept the hope alive.   Now I just got to keep putting in those overtime hours  . Also, I would just go to the dealer and sit on one, but their's only one kawasaki dealer in Philadelphia and they didn't have any. I will be riding out to take look at other dealers outside of the city, but with school and work, I didn't have the time yet.   

[gunny]

weight wouldn't be any real issue, lots of guys are either heavy or load their bikes down with gear making trips. With even a few minor mods you'd be right at home on a KLR. What really matters is how comfortable you are riding on the bike, or any bike. If you have limited experience its going to seem strange riding what's perceived as a "big" bike. If you take it easy you will get accustom to riding it. Find the time and go sit on one and ride it if they will let you so you can at least get a feel of it.

[WriterOfWriters]

to be honest, the klr650 is a bike I had been looking into a while ago...but it sits 35" and i'd need to lower it approximately 4"...I haven't seen much info on how to lower them...but seeing as the versys seems more fit for the road, im leaning more in that direction, although the klr's strong point is the $1000 savings 

[Hondo]

  WriterOfWriters!

I agree with Gunny, the Versys would be a fine choice for you.

Go try one on at a Kawi dealer & see how it feels.

If you end up wanting to do some mild off road exploring/dirt roads, you can change the tires out to a 50/50 tire like the TKC80s or whatever will fit (17 inch I think).

[WriterOfWriters]

Thank you again, I'm feeling better and better. Also good to hear some confirmation on it's offroad abilities (although it's something I'd pass on, considering I only ride offroad maybe 1-5 times throughout the year) and I don't plan on doing anything extreme at all. I'm going to try to make it to the dealer outside of the city on Wednesday. I'll give my feedback! 

P.S. Anyone here ride a BMW 650gs? The bikes MSRP is not much more than the Versys ($7000) but it seems difficult to find much about it. It sits less than 31" and looks more fitted for offroad....AHHH I'm torn again...But first I got to see what I can find about it...The closest BMW dealer to me is in the suburbs of new jersey! 

UPDATE: I got about a 28-29" inseam...with the lowered seat, the dream lives on 

[justanotherider]

WOW:

The "numbers" on seat height don't mean much in terms of how a bike feels to the rider.  A wider seat on one bike than another makes a huge difference, (wider seat = more leg required to get to the ground).  The best way to be sure you like the Vs is to go sit on one, (and preferably get a demo ride).

Having said that, I'm a firm believer in the old adage that you only need one foot on the floor for sex, pool or motorcycles.  I ride some dualsports that are way too tall for me to get both feet down.  I just put one down, and make sure I keep the bike slightly tilted toward that foot.  When I screw up, I just make a quick hop over to the other side to catch it with my other foot.  It's a bit harder to do with a passenger; but not impossible.

I don't think there is any bike that is too big for a competent rider.  If you've ridden your trailie in the dirt and had a few tumbles, you've probably got the skills to keep most bikes dirty side down.  It takes a bit of practice to get accustomed to heavier bikes; but the problems are all about keeping them straight up for balance in the parking lot.  Once they are rolling, they all ride pretty easily.

justanotherider

[Sly-one]

Hiya Writer,
The F650gs is a great bike with lots of credentials, but remember, it's a thumper. It has the same displacement as the Versys, but it does it with only one clyinder. This means vibration, not bad, but it can't be nearly as smooth as the Versys.
One good thing about the GS is something you already mentioned, in that the seat is over 2 inches shorter than the VS, but it also retails for $100 more.
As has already been said, the best thing you can do is to get some seat-time on several different bikes. What some folks love, others hate. It's all in what you want.