Short and Angry? Motorcycles Don't Judge. Watch This!

Are you short, frustrated, and believe you can't ride a motorcycle or scooter because of your vertically-challenged anatomy? Think again! There's ways around this, and in this video I share common sense ideas that you may not be aware of. I'm shorter as well, standing about 5'-8" so I'm intimidated by taller bikes on the market, like the Honda African Twin, and I had to find a bike I felt comfortable and safe riding.
My Honda ADV 150 has a seat height of 31.3" and believe it or not, that's actually taller than a lot of motorcycles and scooters on the market. I've ridden plenty of other bikes and most of them had a lower seat height. In fact, when I come to a stop, my feet can't lay flat on the ground, but the bike is light enough where it's not an issue and I can balance it easily. I explain this and much more in the video so check it out!
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[@Trekopolis]

How tall or short are you? I'd love to know what type of bike/s you ride and if your height played a factor in your buying decision.

[@ExcelsiorDDZ]

I went to a local upholster and shaved down the foam and cut it back as far as it could reasonably go in order to get rid of the forward slide motion. Then I added a gel pad to it for added comfort. The gel pad is a personal choice.

[@Trekopolis]

I assume it made quite a difference. That's a good idea. 👍🏼

[@ExcelsiorDDZ]

@@Trekopolis I was going to do it myself and even bought a second seat just in case. Once I got the skin off and tried a cut of the foam, I thought it would be best to leave it to someone with experience. Its MUCH better!

[@504_Scooby]

That's a great idea. I've been thinking about getting a Corbin seat, but it's pretty pricey. Two questions: Did you make a before and after video of your seat and is getting it re-upholstered better price wise?

[@ExcelsiorDDZ]

@@504_Scooby I'll make a video showing stock and new. Dealing with life issues at the moment.

[@504_Scooby]

@@ExcelsiorDDZ sorry to hear that. I'll keep an eye out for the video👍🏽

[@CrystalSamples]

I have a Honda ADV150 5’7” with 30” inseam. Stock seat was much too high Ordered one from Thailand for $250 that lowers seat by 2”. Much better!

[@Trekopolis]

Nice! Any links or information you can share with the community please do. 2" would be huge for some folks. ✌🏼👍🏼

[@504_Scooby]

I'm 6'5 and ride a Transpro G Aviator and it's pretty comfortable for me. The only thing that sucks is the hump in the seat. It's too far forward.

[@iamrishio]

Nice vid - just what I was looking for! I’m 5’6”, 122lbs and just measured my inseam against the wall. It seems between 30” and 31”. I originally thought the ADV 160 is too heavy and tall for me - the seat being 30.7” (6” lower than the 150) and the weight being close to 300lbs which, being a fairly new rider, seems very heavy in my mind. But the more I learn about it, the more I think it’s the one for me. I love the GROM or Monkey weight (about 227lbs) and seat height (30”) on paper, but given that I’m a local commuter (grocery/park/beach/work/etc), want to do little backroad journeys, and don’t plan to do highway riding - this bike might work best for me compared to what’s out there in the usa. I kind of love the Grom design, but I’m not a fan of the stunt culture personally. I also love the idea of having under seat storage. I’m a little nervous about going up and down hills or leaning into turns without the engine control of a manual transmission, but CVT seems kind of cool in that you don’t have to tinker too much with chains and can chill in stop and go commuting. I’m going to have to try it out and hope that I can ride 30.7 inch seats comfortably. I also have a girlfriend who is a bit lighter than me and is about 4’10” (not abnormal for a filipina woman) - so I wonder how carrying her on the back occasionally without being able to flat foot it would be. I ride around in taiwan with her in the back with no problem - but I can flat foot the scooter I am borrowing here. Do you have any experience carrying a passenger? I’m not looking for 1st bike, I’m looking for a versatile dream bike in the budget of about 5k that can last for a decade. I’d never buy a bike over 200cc. 110cc was more than enough power for me in Asia! 500cc or more blows my mind and sounds crazy. I tell people in Asia that America has 1000cc bikes and they look at me flabbergasted. Thanks again for the great posts. ✪

[@Trekopolis]

I've never had anyone on the back of my bike yet. My wife has no desire to get on two wheels. I don't blame her with all the crazies on the roads around here. Anyway, I'm glad you found the video helpful and good luck with your new bike! Keep us posted how you enjoy it.

[@iamrishio]

I’ve probably asked too many questions, but I’ve got one more if you have the time 😅. When you stop the bike at a light or such, can you slide your body forward on the seat and possibly get closer to flat footing it? Could you move even more forward and just stand over the center hump? Just curious what are all the options for those too short to flat foot the bike, especially when my partner sits behind me.

[@Trekopolis]

@@iamrishio I don't mind at all, no worries! Well, even scooting forward more on the seat really doesn't allow a lower position since the seat actually goes even higher towards the front of it. You can sometimes see this looking at the side angle of it. I think I tried that a long time ago when I noticed that. I have to completely get in front of the tip of the seat to stand flat-footed on the ground, but I never feel I have to do that because it's quite easy to balance, even on my toes. I'd think even with a person on the back of the seat being that small it shouldn't be a big deal. Hey, is there any way you two can test this theory out at a place that has a bike like that before you fork over money? :) That's the ideal way to really know. You know?

[@iamrishio]

@@Trekopolis Yeah, ultimately I have to test it out - but they don’t sell this bike in Taiwan. I will check out the Grom here, which I still like - though it doesn’t serve my main purpose as the Adv can - like getting groceries or taking my gf out for a walk nearby. I realized if I can’t flat foot it, maybe I can keep one foot on the bike foot area and the other foot can be flat footed. Ultimately, I’ll just have to be patient because I can’t buy this bike till I come back to the USA early next year, but I got a little excited too early discovering it! Never thought I would be interested in a scooter. Another thing I am curious about is how the CVT transmission performs on hills and mountains. I can imagine my self going on twisty roads up in the mountains on a road trip and burning the brakes because I have no engine to help me slow down as you have with a manual - but hey, that scenario of driving in the mountains is a rare case scenario - though I do get to do that in Taiwan which is absolutely beautiful to drive a bike on in. Before I head back to the states, I will quit my job in taiwan and ride my cheap scooter around Taiwan and film the journey. Well - that’s the plan. Oh yeah, while I’m rambling like a child, another thought I had was purchasing a gray bike, and buying the pearl white (or pearl blue) panel parts which are available in other markets (and probably not expensive) so I can change the color to one I like. Red and gray usa colors aren’t something that I’m too into. Fyi, your stickers look cool!

[@Trekopolis]

@@iamrishio The CVT does amazingly well on hills even with my weight. I was surprised how much power that little 149cc motor has because I had the same thoughts before buying one. The engineering for the CVT is quite remarkable to me. Going down a steep hill yes, there's no "gear" you can engine-break with so you just have to use both brakes and being such a light bike you'll be fine. I never felt paranoid with that. BTW, patience is a virtue and we learn a lot from the experience. You'll get something in time. I like the idea of your color scheme concept. I have not priced panels so I can't say, but it seems like an inexpensive way to customize your bike.

[@josephgeorgeejr7039]

Modern medical miracle you can get your legs extended up to 4 inches! But the Yamaha xt250 is great low seat height daul sport Yamaha tw200 also good bike low seat, and there lot of street bikes with low seats also

[@Trekopolis]

It's a miracle I can even function after some of the silly things I've done physically. Thanks and I'll have to check them out!

[@504_Scooby]

The MSF course here in Boston is 450 bucks.

[@Trekopolis]

That's ridiculous and everything is getting so expensive people won't bother.

[@504_Scooby]

@Trekopolis yup, since I've been riding so long, I just went to the RMV and took the road test. It was a couple of figure 8s, left and right turns, and that's it. 80 bucks, and I got my motorcycle endorsement.

[@razorog3283]

i'm 6ft, and i also have to use my food tips when stopping on the adv150

[@Trekopolis]

I'm not alone. Good!

[@conniewaite1371]

I am 5'8 with a 34inch inseam.i can touch the ground but the adv seems top heavy and my feet have to go around the foot boards.but when i am riding ,i have to brace myself onto the seat.else i am sliding all over it.cant hold onto the bike with my thighs.feel like i need a seatbelt.this January ,after waiting 3 years ,i finally got the monkey..hoping to learn to ride it this summer.may need to bring the handlebars back some so i am not reaching so far forward. Broke my foot,and hoping the weather breaks soon.nothing but rain,wind and storms this spring.but i am happy to have my bikes.

[@Trekopolis]

You're absolutely right about not being able to brace yourself with the legs and I felt this last year after riding some other bikes. It would be really nice to be able to stay put on the seat more, I agree. When I rode the Kawa Ninja 400 the use of the tank with my legs was awesome and that's one of the reasons I enjoy sport bikes come to think of it. With a smaller scooter like the ADV150 they are not engineered to ride like sport bikes, but more like casual commuters. This all boils down to riding style and personal preference. I like both! :) Some days I'd love to hop on a sport bike and rip through the curves, while on most days those casual, low-speed jaunts is just what the doctor ordered.

[@conniewaite1371]

@@Trekopolis in my 20s I had a honda 400 automatic.looked and rode like a cycle,but no shifting,just hi and low.loved that bike.dont know why they make automatics ride like a scooter. Think the monkey is a better choice.i am 70.and seems most older folks get the monkey easier to park,store,maneuver, about 100mpg.may keep both,store then in a cargo trailer and take it as a camper.then when we hit a campground,we get on the bikes and explore.

[@Trekopolis]

@@conniewaite1371 That sounds amazing. Maybe on day...! :)

[@iamrishio]

Yes, the Grom and the Adv are two bikes I’m debating between. It’s a tradeoff whichever way I go. Regarding Monkey vs Grom, while I prefer the Monkey styling, I like how the Grom has a 2” longer wheelbase, and with an exhaust low to the ground over the Monkey. That allows me several advantages: 1) I can put panniers on both sides (high up exhaust gets in the way for the monkey), 2) If I wear a backpack, I have enough space behind the Grom to rest the bottom of it on the seat, 3) I can carry a second person on the Grom, and my gf being just 4’10” tall and us both light people (I’m 5’6”, 125lbs), it should be okay for short trips together. Monkey can’t carry a second person. 4) The Grom, is a few a few pounds lighter and has a bit better performance from what I read (though the Monkey seat wins on comfort). Anyway, the Grom is still in the running versus the ADV. At 224 lbs versus the ADV 298 lbs (I believe) and me being at 120 lbs, I think the the 125cc might be similar to the 160cc. But anyway, the reality is I’ve never touched either bike in person - just in the research phase for what I want. I do like how in motorcycles and manual transmissions, the human becomes part of the engine and one with the bike, where as a scooter, the human just rides it and the scooter does most of the work. But the ADV is hell of a lot more versatile in practicality (and 160cc - my ideal power for a bike - makes it highway legal in California, unlike the Grom - though I plan to avoid highways anyway).

[@dcijams]

the KLR S has a 31 seat height. we have been looking for a bike that would fit them.

[@Trekopolis]

eBay is usually a good source, but so are Facebook Groups for that particular bike, which I'm sure there's some out there.

[@dcijams]

@@Trekopolis My friend lives in Jersey & I'm in Florida, we found two brand new bikes in NY state, for 5565.00 each out the door

[@Trekopolis]

@@dcijams I'm searching Cycle Trader and seeing some as low as $2,999 used. They're out there, just gotta hunt around for sure. Slightly used in great condition could save some $.

[@Trekopolis]

@@dcijams www.cycletrader.com/listing/2022-Honda%C2%AE-ADV150-5029194817 (example)