Too short?

[rtuosi]

Hey everyone. I searched around the forum for a little bit to find out about this, but didn't find the answer I was looking for. I know the Shiver has a pretty high seat height, but even with a shorter seat would I still be able to put my feet on the ground? (5'8" with boots on). I really love the shiver and if I can't fit on it I'd have to go with the monster 695. :/

Thank you

[J.Bauer]

Hey everyone. I searched around the forum for a little bit to find out about this, but didn't find the answer I was looking for. I know the Shiver has a pretty high seat height, but even with a shorter seat would I still be able to put my feet on the ground? (5'8" with boots on). I really love the shiver and if I can't fit on it I'd have to go with the monster 695. :/

Thank you

Height is a near determinate, but inseam (which is not always directly proportionate to one's height) is the real factor with how well you can touch the ground. I'm a shade over 5' 10" with boots, and a ~32" inseam. I can almost get my heels down. But the front 2/3 of my feet make solid, reassuring contact with the good ole terra firma.

[rtuosi]

ha, shoot...if you got 2 inches on me and can't even fully touch the ground, then I'm SOL. Thanks tho

:bangwall:

[Brackstone]

I'm 5'8" 30" inseam and I've got about half my foot down. I feel comfortable.

[DZSV]

I'm in the same boat as you... I just sat on the Shiver and said Ummm no.

I'm 5'6 with a 30 inseam and I could barely get my big toe's down. Granted I was wearing street shoes and my motorcycle boots are a bit thicker, but I don't want to be fumbling at stops or dirt lots, or on hills.

[makrand]

If you are very disappointed then try it again once the new lower seat is available.
Perfect has it and likes it (I think)

Mine is coming...........

[perfect]

I'm 5'7" also and have a 30 inseam.

The first time I sat on the bike which just happened to be the day I collected it I was like hmmm that's a bit of a stretch, it was obviously fine whilst riding but when I pulled up, pulled away and stopped at lights, islands etc I found my self scooting ride forward to the tank and had to lean off the seat to the left so I could touch the floor.

I eventually decided to reduce the rear spring tension by four turns, this alone made the bike a lot more comfortable and lowered the bike by about an inch and a half.

I later acquired the new lower seat, which has given me about another inch
lower to the ground.

Both these have made a huge difference to my confidence and comfort on the bike, I can only tell you how it is for me but I did 800 + miles on the original set up and now I'm riding it with a slightly softer and a little lower ride height I feel much more at home on it.

The reduction in spring tension has not affected the handling in my opinion and I confess to riding hard occasionally, it's still a little harsh over bumps on the rear but I think this is a damping issue rather than the spring tension.

The new seat feels more grippy, narrower and it holds your bum more, I kind of feel like I'm sitting into the seat now rather than on top of it now.

Allegedly the later shock is also slightly lower? I don't have this and don't plan to replace mine either, I'm pretty happy with mine now and don't feel it needs anymore tweaking, The last bike meet I went to I had to turn the bike round on a bumpy off camber grass embankment, it was no problem, if I still had the old set up then I would not have even attempted it!

it's amazing how much more confidence a couple of inches can give you!

Just for the record too I can one foot flat down on the floor (boots on only) if I lean very slightly to one side and almost both feet all the way down whilst sat dead centre, I can live with that, You should trying riding an off road
bike! you basically hop on and go before they topple over.

Perfect:)

[DZSV]

So where do you get this new lower seat? Any pics or info?

[makrand]

I'm pretty happy with mine now and don't feel it needs anymore tweaking,
Perfect:)

surely that can't be right? :confused:

[perfect]

Only regarding the ride height and Comfort Makka, Don't worry nothing has
changed in regard to my wish list!

In fact it's growing!

Dan AKA Perfect:)

[makrand]

Good to hear.
Apple is above 180 now so I might be ordering my pipes in a week or two.
Won't be waiting for the Akras in that case.
I can't imagine they will be better than the Leo's, and will no doubt cost a lot more, especially if bought through Aprilia.

[perfect]

I agree, I'm thinking well over a £1000 for Akra's

Dan

[Sjon]

Hey hate to sound like a novice...

But whats an inseam ?

[Brackstone]

Hey hate to sound like a novice...

But whats an inseam ?

How long your leg is I believe.

Like my pants are 34wide and 30long the 30long is my inseam.

[Mitchy]

Your inseam is the measurement of your inside leg from ankle to top of inner thigh.

[n3ophile]

Well, I'm a towering 5'7 with a 28" leg and i manage. In fact, I commute to Soho in central London every day.

To be fair, it was a little disconcerting at first but you get used to it. I can get the ball of my right foot on the ground when stopping and i did have to get an extension welded to the stand to be able to flick it up. (temporary 10mm spanner now removed :) )


I worried about the height at first but I had a load of more experienced bikers telling me it wouldn't be a problem. My instinctive reaction was it was easy for them to say as they'd been riding for years. Honestly, it takes concentration at first but now it's pretty much second nature. I've only been riding bikes for 9 months too and this one for less than 2, so it's not like i'm an expert.

Ultimately, how do you think people manage to ride tall motos and GS1200s and whatnot? These can be 10-15cm higher than the shiver and i've seen folk my height riding them, especially GSs.

Just takes a little practice. You'll be fine.

Just watch out for gusts when you stop at the lights... :)

[Lttlcheeze]

So where do you get this new lower seat? Any pics or info?

My wife is looking at the Shiver and needs it to be lower too. Does anyone have info on this mysterious Lower Seat?

[Lttlcheeze]

My wife is looking at the Shiver and needs it to be lower too. Does anyone have info on this mysterious Lower Seat?

Ok I kept reading and it seems this is just the New seat that is standard from the factory. Am i right???

How can I tell if the bike she sat on has the new seat?

What production years started getting the new lower seat?

[Ed / AF1 Racing]

USA bikes already have the lower seat

[Lttlcheeze]

USA bikes already have the lower seat

Thanks for the info. Guess we will have to try to find another way to make it shorter.

[Ed / AF1 Racing]

the front can be lowered a little, and you can back off the rear preload.....lowers the bike some

with time and practice, she'll never even notice the height....I'm short and can ride the tallest of dirt bikes.....its all about balance.

reshaping the stock seat to narrower, and getting a custom shorter Penske shock would be the next moves.

[Lttlcheeze]

the front can be lowered a little, and you can back off the rear preload.....lowers the bike some

with time and practice, she'll never even notice the height....I'm short and can ride the tallest of dirt bikes.....its all about balance.

reshaping the stock seat to narrower, and getting a custom shorter Penske shock would be the next moves.

Its more in her head than anything else. She can get the balls of her feet down with the preload pulled all the way out. She is just used to her Ninja 250 that is TINY, she can stand over it!! I was also looking into THIS (http://motowerk.com/LoweringKit.aspx), so if it turns out to be a big deal I can make something like it that will work on the Shiver.

There is a thread about the Shiver you are turning into a track bike (HERE (http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2008701&postcount=42)), and in it you picked up an "adjustable custom/soon to be production Penske”. And it looks like it has ride height adjustment. Any word if/when it will be a production shock (ie cheaper than a "custom" one)?

[Ed / AF1 Racing]

all Penskes are built to order so "custom" is their regular price. They can make them any length once they know their baseline shock is good to go.

we just need to road/track test the spring rate and valving, and then its a go......time to give the service dept. a swift kick in ithe arse to finish up the bike so we can ride it......they keep screwing around with airbox, pod filters, and prototype PCIII


Its more in her head than anything else. She can get the balls of her feet down with the preload pulled all the way out. She is just used to her Ninja 250 that is TINY, she can stand over it!! I was also looking into THIS (http://motowerk.com/LoweringKit.aspx), so if it turns out to be a big deal I can make something like it that will work on the Shiver.

There is a thread about the Shiver you are turning into a track bike (HERE (http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2008701&postcount=42)), and in it you picked up an "adjustable custom/soon to be production Penske”. And it looks like it has ride height adjustment. Any word if/when it will be a production shock (ie cheaper than a "custom" one)?

[bonehead]

sounds great.

[Sike]

Its more in her head than anything else. She can get the balls of her feet down with the preload pulled all the way out. She is just used to her Ninja 250 that is TINY, she can stand over it!! I was also looking into THIS (http://motowerk.com/LoweringKit.aspx), so if it turns out to be a big deal I can make something like it that will work on the Shiver.

There is a thread about the Shiver you are turning into a track bike (HERE (http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2008701&postcount=42)), and in it you picked up an "adjustable custom/soon to be production Penske”. And it looks like it has ride height adjustment. Any word if/when it will be a production shock (ie cheaper than a "custom" one)?

My wife is small and light (5'2" maybe and about 115lbs), so it has been hard to set her up. These folks http://www.le-suspension.com/ put a new spring into the stock shock of her Honda 599 for us, based on her weight. It has worked out incredibly well. They also built my Penske for my ZX10, and got it just right. Last, if you don't set her up right she will lose her confidence, and keeping her happy and confident will make your life much better, trust me!!!

Here is my wife during a trackday/school.

[shpclay]

I previously wrote that if someone in the San Diego area would take their bike speedy@motowerk.com. This is his email. He will measure this rear shock area and make lowering links for the bike. He already makes one for the Kawasaki Versyes. The dealer in San Diego has a demo if he would take it by his shop the measurements could be made.
I know there are a lot of people that would like to have this bike lowered some including me.

[burty]

Out of curiosity: How would lowering links fit with the rear shock mounting as it is on the Shiver?

[Lttlcheeze]

Out of curiosity: How would lowering links fit with the rear shock mounting as it is on the Shiver?

Check out this LINK (http://motowerk.com/LoweringKit.aspx) (also posted above). Is not really a lowering link, but it moves the lower mounting position of the shock back a bit.

[Lttlcheeze]

all Penskes are built to order so "custom" is their regular price. They can make them any length once they know their baseline shock is good to go.

we just need to road/track test the spring rate and valving, and then its a go......time to give the service dept. a swift kick in ithe arse to finish up the bike so we can ride it......they keep screwing around with airbox, pod filters, and prototype PCIII


My wife is small and light (5'2" maybe and about 115lbs), so it has been hard to set her up. These folks http://www.le-suspension.com/ put a new spring into the stock shock of her Honda 599 for us, based on her weight. It has worked out incredibly well. They also built my Penske for my ZX10, and got it just right. Last, if you don't set her up right she will lose her confidence, and keeping her happy and confident will make your life much better, trust me!!!

Here is my wife during a trackday/school.

Thanks for all the input guys, I am sure we will go with the "custom" Penske. Well atleast eventually, when $$ allows. We may still do the lowering link until the shock is within the budget.

[ladycheeze]

Thanks for the info. Guess we will have to try to find another way to make it shorter.

I could get my leggs shortened. I would much rather do what it takes to have the Shiver then get the Ducati :happy:
And thanks for all the info guys.

[Lttlcheeze]

I could get my leggs shortened.

Shorter legs aren't going to help you any honey. :bump:

[williamr]

These threads always puzzle me. I'm 5'7" with a 29" inseam, and I just never think about seat height apart from its relationship to the pegs and bars for comfort on long rides. As long as you can lean the bike so that the ball of one foot is on the ground that's all you need, and I've never yet met a road bike I couldn't do that on.

Rob

[Lttlcheeze]

These threads always puzzle me. I'm 5'7" with a 29" inseam, and I just never think about seat height apart from its relationship to the pegs and bars for comfort on long rides. As long as you can lean the bike so that the ball of one foot is on the ground that's all you need, and I've never yet met a road bike I couldn't do that on.

Rob

But you probably have quite a few years of riding experience. Where as my wife has only been on the road for one season, and wants the piece of mind that having both feet on the ground brings.

[ladycheeze]

Shorter legs aren't going to help you any honey. :bump: DOH You know what i meant! :bangwall:
Screwed up ma first post too. Dang!

[williamr]

Years of riding don't come in to the equation. What does is having confidence that the rider has total control of the bike. The basic MSF course exercises are meant to do this, but fall short and aren't practised enough. The rider must make the effort to put in as much extra practise as needed.

There are four exercises that need to be practised. One is a controlled braking exercise. Stop from about 25 mph, using both brakes. As the bike slows past waiking speed, ease the front brake and come to a halt on the rear. This is the correct way to stop and eliminates any risk of front wheel lock up. As the bike stops, the left foot goes down so that rear brake is still under rider control. Re-start with the right foot on the peg so that the brake is covered all the time that the wheels are turning. Shoulder check as you re-start so that it becomes an instinctive action. You must be able to stop the bike with the axle over a line on the ground.

Emergency stop. Must be under full control without locking either wheel.

Sow riding. Feet up, at walking speed using clutch and rear brake to control speed. The throttle should be more ore less at a constant opening. Get a friend to walk alongside varying his speed randomly.

Using that skill, go on to figure eights. These should be feet up and full lock to lock. The target is a minimum of 5 complete figures, a U-turn and five in the opposite direction without putting a foot down.

Once these exercises are completely mastered the rider has all the skills. and confidence in those skills, needed for slow speed riding and for bringing the bike to a controlled stop. Height problems will cease to exist. Experienced riders should practise these exercises every two or three months as well, or anytime you have a new bike.

Having both feet on the ground is something that you should aim to avoid, not something that you need to be able to do. The exception is when you're pushing the bike around with the feet, but then it's better to dismount and wheel it.

Rob

[ladycheeze]

Thanks for all that. I would still like to have both feet sturdy on the ground. Especially if I'm at a stop and I know I'm going to be there for a long light. I have full confidence in my riding and can't wait to get the Shiver. I'm trying not to let my height or lack there of get in my way. I will have that bike! Becides, it comes in orange. Always wanted an orange bike. Sigh.

[williamr]

Becides, it comes in orange. Always wanted an orange bike. Sigh.

Oh Dear. You're beyond help lol

Rob

[ladycheeze]

You have nooo idea. hehe

[Lttlcheeze]

You have nooo idea. hehe

She isn't being sarcastic either. She would probably have it already if it had a cow print seats.

98611

And while looking for that pic, I found the perfect material for seat covers.

98610 (http://www.jandofabrics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=fle000200)

[ladycheeze]

Yeah, cuz cows make delicious!