Short riders on a xb12r?

[turbosvt]

Ok.....I've been looking at lightnings but these firebolts are growing on me everyday. I'm only 5'5"... how bad/uncomfortable would one of these be for a short rider?

 

[kalifornia]

my bud is like 5,7 and while its not ideal he makes it work. if you have expierence, just do it. if you're light you can run alot of sag. have you sat on one?

 

[upthemaiden]

if it's too tall an scg suspension will help you out. You could also buy an scg and put the lightning fairing on it, but still keep the low lightning seat.

 

[beaterbaja]

I'm about 5'6" and I ride a 09 Firebolt. Its not to bad at all except backing it up an incline( which sucks on just about anything anyways) Eventually I'd like to go to a lightning tail conversion like Xtremelow did, that may help out with ride height as long as you don't lift the tail(which looks kick ass!). I ride all the time and have such a blast doing so, I've either adapted to the height, or just don't notice it being that bad.

 

[upthemaiden]

to be honest I'm not much taller than you, and my last bike's seat was so high that I could only get my toes down, although my 9sl lets me flat foot with me knees bent, and when it comes to backing the bike up I really don't even notice that much of a difference. You get used to doing it on your toes. Backing up with 400lbs between your legs isn't easy no matter how low you are. If it's too high you just hop off before you back it into the parking spot. I think you'll be fine, just be careful the first day or two.

 

[dave_xb12r]

I'm 5'5" and I have a firebolt. Sometimes I wish it was shorter. Like beater said, just backing up or when on a incline is hard. That's when I just get off and push. I shaved my seat down a little to get a half inch lower. I wouldn't want to lower it though. I'm not sacrificing handling. It only feels too bike when standing. When I'm riding it, it feels fine.

 

[2009rick]

im 5'7" and i ride a 2009 lightning xb9xs.if you like the non fetal position get the lightning.my bikes great for my 200 mile occasional commute.i love the bike so much i learned how to deal with the fact im short and my bike is tall.right foot down with a lil lean.learn to park in way you dont have to push back then go.

 

[everythingwastaken]

Im 5'7" and my '04 12s doesnt give me any problems. Cant speak on the bolts though.

 

[Midnight82]

I'm 5'10" with a 3o" inseam. I can get one foot flat and the other is a mild heal raise.

 

[canucklovingbrit]

A lot of it is down to adapting to the bike. If you get chance, try one for a while. I'm sure you'll do fine. I'm the other end of the height scale at 6'2" and 175 lbs and although the first couple of weeks the wrists and neck were a bit sore, I got used to it, and absolutely love the riding position of the 12R. Fits like a glove!

 

[brightbuell]

Buy some of these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kyle_dewald]

I'm 5'7", I can't flat foot both feet but I have no problem riding but like everyone else, I avoid inclines so that I don't have to back up them.

 

[Bolt]

Yeah , I'm shorty too. I ride the firebolt & the scg-I've been planning on swapping out the stock shock on the firebolt with the scg one(, I bought an extra scg shock sometime ago).
But truthfully,it's all about your experience as a rider & your comfort level handling a bike your leaning over while your on your toes. I've never flatfooted a sportbike nor do i fully flatfoot on the scg-

 

[vrun]

I'm 5'6, with a 29" inseam. I ride an 07' XB12s. I swapped for a scg seat and shaved some of the foam. I have been riding for while (over 10yrs) so I've gotten accustomed to riding. I recommend wearing thick healed boots.

 

[oldman61]

I'm 5'5" and changed my 06 Scg to a firebolt front fairing with my 06 front suspension. works ok for me, just not flat footed.

 

[Alfatango1]

I'm 5'7" with a 30" inseam and 175 lbs, no issues with my 03 Bolt.

 

[redrider]

I am 5'6 and 29inch inseam and ride scg i like the low stance of the bike but the short travel of the shock and forks really sucks over bumps pot holes and wheelies so i would feel better on my tip toe with more suspention!