Buying a motorcycle? You'll need motorcycle insurance. Just answer a few questions below to compare personalized quotes.
⚠️ ATTENTION: Need to register or title your motorcycle? Be prepared to satisfy any insurance requirements. Click below for a free insurance quote.
Please answer the questions below to get started:
Your motorcycle’s seat height is an important thing to consider if you’re a shorter rider or just learning how to ride.
The seat height will affect how easier it will be to get on your bike, control it at slow speeds, and balance when stopped.
Recommended Seat Height for New Riders
If you’re just starting out, or if you’re a shorter rider, finding a motorcycle with the right seat height for you is an important choice to make.
In general, it’s recommended that you are able to have at least both balls of your feet touching the ground when you’re seated on the motorcycle at a stop.
It should be comfortable for you to balance the bike without feeling like you’re straining or stretching to do so.
Lowest Seat Heights
The low-range for motorcycle seat height goes from about 23″ to 30.”
For the most part, low seat heights are dependent on the type of motorcycle.
Cruiser motorcycles typically have the lowest seat heights, while adventure bikes and dual sports tend to have the highest.
Harley Davidson motorcycles have some of the lowest seat heights across many of their models. Some even come in lower height variants.
Street and standard bikes offer a wider variety of seat heights.
Some examples of motorcycles with low seat heights include:
- Ducati Scrambler at ~31″
- Harley Davidson Sportster 883 at ~29″
- Harley Davidson Street Bob at ~26″
- Honda Rebel 500 at ~27″
- Indian Scout at ~25″
- Kawasaki Vulcan at ~28″
- Kawasaki W800 at ~31″
- Royal Enfield INT650 at ~30″
- Triumph Street Twin at ~30″
- Yamaha Bolt R-Spec at ~27″
How to Adjust a Motorcycle’s Seat Height
On many bikes, you’ll be able to adjust the seat height.
You can do this my raising or lowering the motorcycle’s front and rear suspension.
If this doesn’t work, you can also try swapping out for a different type of seat.
Refer to your motorcycle’s service manual or talk to the dealer about adjusting the bike’s height.
How Tall do you need to be to Ride a Motorcycle?
There is not minimum height to ride a motorcycle.
Different motorcycles are designed for different sized riders, and many can be adjusted to accommodate rider height.
As a general rule of thumb, you should be able to sit comfortable on the bike, reach all the controls without stretching, and be able to balance the bike at a stop with the balls of your feet and toes on the ground.
Motorcycle passengers need to be able to reach the passenger foot rests comfortably as well.
Learn how to pick the best beginner motorcycle.