They said I couldn't ride this bike! | 5 Tips for Short Riders

[@aaronellingson5923]

As a 5'3" dude, i habe always been nervous about throwing my leg over anything that stood taller than 28", but finale got the gumption to try out 31". It was a 250, so light, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought!

[@YankiRides]

@@aaronellingson5923 I was the same. Now I don’t even bat an eye lol. I feel foolish for wasting so much time and energy being nervous about it looking back.

[@AKDiavelV4]

Just took delivery of a new Tiger 900 RP yesterday. What a thing of beauty! It’s still not quite riding season here in Alaska, but we’re getting really close! I’ve been hanging out in the garage doing these exercises to get myself acquainted with the new bike. I do get a bit of anxiety thinking about coming to a stop light and setting my one foot down onto a pile of gravel. Its never been a problem before on my shorter bikes, but the top heavy weight on the tiger is something new to me.

[@YankiRides]

Oh man, that bike in Alaska is going to be a friggin riot! Jealous. You get used to the weight. The longer I have it, the less I notice it

[@DonkeyDongDoug]

One thing a lot of people don't think about is boots.. you can get a boot like an Alpinestars Tech 5/7/10 and it will add probably an inch to your heel. Those aren't the most affordable or comfortable boots when you buy them, but after some break in they are comfortable and offer a lot of protection. I've been slowly wearing my Tech 7s more and more and have been reaching for them more often now. Also, Jocelin Snow is the king/queen of short rider content. I love Carolyns stuff, but Jocelin is the poster for "Short person with a BIG BIKE".

[@YankiRides]

The boot thing is great. My expeditions give me about another inch Also, love watching jocelin tear that gs up lol

[@AntiParallali]

I love Danu Pedrosa, he'd talk about his challenges being short and in MotoGP....and yet...shortie made it to MotoGP 🤜🤛❤️

[@YankiRides]

being short doesnt mean you cant do it.. just gotta be a little more creative! lol

[@A_man213]

5'7" with only 27" inseam, 29" tip toes. 😂 Thanks man for the help

[@YankiRides]

i would say most adv/dirt boots heal would be enough to flamingo it pretty safely. you will have to tap dance a little at stops, but you are stopped far less than you are moving, so its worth it to give it a shot!

[@colin20cal]

Love this video, being a 5'7" ride with the same inseam as you i appreciate you taking the time to help others. I've owned my Tenere 700 for three and a half years, commute it everyday in London traffic, take it offroad and have toured it in Europe. It's standard height but im very confident as ive been riding ADV's since 1989. Once again thanks for taking the time to make this video.👍🏻

[@YankiRides]

I always tell people, once you get used to it, you’ll be angry you didn’t try sooner. Cheers!

[@colin20cal]

@@YankiRides Couldn't agree more 👍🏻

[@jennynester9980]

Great tips! And a great energy you brought to this topic. I rode my Tiger a couple months at stock height and decided to get an adjustable lowering link and drop the forks to keep the geometry even. Might be a cheat, but I wanted to be comfortable on a tall heavy adventure bike. My philosophy: if it keeps you riding - do it.

[@YankiRides]

as long as the adjustments are small, it shouldn't be a huge deal. when I had my FZ back in the day, I dropped the forks a bit and it was squirrelly as hell.

[@DonkeyDongDoug]

@@YankiRides yeah, even 1/2" change on the front or rear will make the bike behave much differently. When I was screwing around with the NC, I went through several interations of suspension setup on that bike and I had to relearn how to ride it every single time. If you drop the front 1", then it's best to just go ahead and buy whatever you need to buy to drop the rear 1" as well. Even changing tire sizes away from OEM sizes will usually have some kind of impact on handling.

[@BodybuildingSteve]

I find riding solo fine for taller bikes but I defo prefer a more planted foot when im 2up with 3 box luggage

[@YankiRides]

Yea, the wife and I have been trying to solve that puzzle for months now 😂

[@jasenhicks]

Good stuff, a lot of the same things I've been figuring out since getting my 1190 ADV R this past spring. 5'7" and 29" inseam here. Nice to see a video catering to us short guys as everything seems to be aimed at the shorter women out there. Still getting my bike tweaked for me but I'm getting more confidence each time I go out.

[@YankiRides]

Love hearing it. That’s exactly why I made the vid. Not a lot of love for the short fellers lol

[@Smallbore2wheels]

Short king tips! Definitely some good info 🤙🏼

[@JCrozier1]

Short kings.... lol solid video. lots of great tips.

[@YankiRides]

lol. Gotta rep all my vertically challenged homies!🤣

[@tonybarton3746]

As I’m now 72 years old , been riding over 50 years , but my hips have started playing up , getting a lower seat wouldn’t work as the pillion seat remains the same ( I can’t use foot pegs anymore) so I just lowered the bike by 2.5 cms front raised suspension 1.7 cm . Perfect no more sitting on the bike in pain after getting on Yee Haa .great video 👍👍😊ps I’ve not put flat feet in the floor when stopping in all the time I’ve ridden bikes 🤪🤪

[@YankiRides]

love this. adapt and overcome. i think people get scared in the beginning when they cant flat foot, but like everything, when you have no other choice, you get used to it! hope I am still riding at 72, you absolute legend!

[@womanhoodisnotacostume7648]

Glad to join the flamingo gang LOL! 5'2 (and half!) Butt scooching all the time!

[@YankiRides]

the scooch is clutch! #flamingang lol

[@kkhalifah1019]

I absolutely loathe people referring to all those videos where short riders literally jump on and off the moving bike as prime examples of how to ride too-tall bikes. Worst of the lot are those where the sidestand kill switch was disabled to enable the sidestand to be lowered and raised when coming to a stop or when rolling off from a standstill (coz the rider is too short to even have one foot touch the ground). People will fake anything on Tiktok nowadays. To me, if the bike forces you to use techniques that won't get you a pass during your riding test, you shouldn't be riding it on the road. Period! Off-road, that's a different story - you can jump off your moving bike when stopping and drop your bike into a gulley for all I care as long as you don't ruin other motorists' day. I bought my Tiger 850 commuter bike specifically because, of all the ADVs available, this is the model that allows me to have my feet firmly on the ground. Shaving a little seat foam off the sides narrowed the seat to make it even better. And I always go for riding boots that have thick soles at the toes to add a bit more to my in-seam. My absolute greatest fear is losing my balance or slipping while tip-toeing on one foot and smashing the bike into the car next to me. The grief would be unimaginable.

[@YankiRides]

I do think there is an upper limit to a bike being to tall, as you have said. My general rule is toes/balls of the feet= comfortable enough for me, though everyone’s threshold is different. Those til too videos are wild. Like , one strong breeze and they are screwed lol

[@lancelemay6971]

Good video. I have multiple challenges when it comes to tall bikes - I’m old, short (29” inseam), heavy at 305, and I have bad hips and knees. But I want to ride! I struggled with my 2017 Africa Twin - dumped it a few times stopping in uneven places but I think the 2024 model with the electronic suspension set to soft and the 19” front wheel instead of the 21” I had might work for me. I will still rely heavily on the side stand to mount and dismount the bike but there’s just no way around it for me. On flat ground I can use the center stand to help me but that’s not always possible.

[@YankiRides]

I love that it hasn’t dissuaded you from riding! That’s the kind of rider I hope to be!

[@rajivnsvlogs]

I’m 5 foot 8 inches and I ride my tiger 900 RP most of the time in high seat setup.. it is just about how confident we are….. BTW great topics you have covered nice video..

[@YankiRides]

Took me years to realize that. Once I did, it became more fun.

[@brentm8161]

Thanks for the vid. I too am not going to get drafted by the NBA. So, I appreciate your insights into this particular bike and the vertical challenges therein. I ride a Harley and am contemplating a lighter bike.

[@YankiRides]

In a perfect world I would have a bagger for the cruising and taking my wife around, and the tiger for my off-road stuff. Thankfully for the last couple years, Harley has been going more performance, so the bikes are starting to shed some weight.

[@ghostontwowheels]

Beau... I have to confess... At 6'2" i kinda didn't really pay attention to this video... But i let it play thru for the algorithm.

[@YankiRides]

I appreciate the sacrifice lol

[@ghostontwowheels]

@@YankiRides and now I'm getting all of Doodle's short rider videos recommended...

[@YankiRides]

@@ghostontwowheels now you have ALL the info you could ever need to help your short friends 😜

[@atuareg70]

Great :) another tip is to reduce the weight of the bike....and only put on what is useful...this bike seems to be quite loaded...in addition to lowering the suspension and saddle

[@YankiRides]

a great tips the tiger looks worse than it is. the bags are mostly empty (a spare set of gloves and a hoodie) but i can definitely tell a difference on the camping trips when its fully loaded

[@johnherian781]

Get really good at slow speed manuvers, you don't need to put a foot down as often.

[@YankiRides]

Solid tip!

[@jeng6863]

Bump into your video by chance. Thank you for the wonderful tips and valuable guidance. I am 5'7". Currently taking learning lesson to prepare for Big bike license test.

[@YankiRides]

Absolutely. Good luck on the test!

[@kee7678]

Great video. I have the same bike, same crash bars. How are you liking the Outback Motortek crash bars and bash plate so far? I like those crash bar bags you have on also. I just got a Mosko Moto heated jacket for the wife...and a 46L Top case and she LOVES riding now. We ride down to Baja from San Diego often too!

[@YankiRides]

the OM bars and skid plate are top friggin notch. I'm probably going to do a video soon about them, because i remember all the bs comments when we put them on, saying how there was so many problems and all that. ive had zero issues, and have NOT been kind to them lol

[@fixento]

In addition, you should be able to stop at a stop and start again without putting your feet down.

[@YankiRides]

the no-feet game! my favorite!

[@denizkendirci]

not that important of course but there was a slight conversion error; 173 cm is indeed 5,68 ft, however 5 ft and 7 inches is not 173 cm, it's 170,18 cm

[@YankiRides]

LOL, cut the american some slack, im not used to metric

[@glennr9913]

You only need one foot touching the ground when you stop. Otherwise, they only need to read the pegs.

[@YankiRides]

I think a lot of the myth about flat footing comes from the basic instruction course. As long as you can confidently operate, 1 foot is all that’s needed.

[@tomstc]

Other end of the spectrum here, 6'6 i have completely the opposite issues.

[@YankiRides]

its funny you say that... one of the guys on the pan America trip was super tall, he mentioned that its hard to be comfortable because when he is sitting, he gets crunched up tight. i had never thought about being too tall for bikes until then

[@MsCharly20]

Hihihi... there is no bike too big. Just a mind too little :D its all about practise and a hell of a will

[@YankiRides]

Preach! Couldn’t agree more!

[@onerugrat]

interesting video, did you find as a shorter rider that adjusting there preload lowered the seat with the right amount of sag, when I sat on one of these in the showroom the suspension was super stiff and there was absolutely no sag, thinking I may have to give another shot?

[@YankiRides]

I feel like it could have a little more preload for my weight, but it’s comfortable and I haven’t bottomed out yet. I spent quite a bit of time dialing in the suspension , and I highly recommend doing so. It makes the world of difference

[@A_man213]

Do you think wearing boots with big heals is safe and can help?

[@fjeewani]

Can you please put links for the accessories you have installed? Side bags, low seat, side racks, mobile stand etc...

[@YankiRides]

ill put one together this week. gotta round all the links up!

[@YankiRides]

bit.ly/3VxWAYQ bit.ly/3vo6jWZ imp.i104546.net/AltRider_luggage_rack imp.i104546.net/Barkbusters_vps_kit imp.i104546.net/Kriega_OS_drypack imp.i104546.net/Garmin_ZumoXT There is most of it!

[@fjeewani]

@@YankiRides thank you so much.

[@fjeewani]

@@YankiRides tires? 😁

[@YankiRides]

imp.i104546.net/TrailmaxMissions Cheers!

[@capnod8541]

can i know seat height for this bike?

[@YankiRides]

About 33in(83cm) with the seat in the low position

[@stevec-b6214]

2 words - Gaston Rahier - look him up.

[@superpug666]

Good one. Did u leave c2w?

[@YankiRides]

Yes, we parted ways a little while back, so I’m running solo now. Figured now is as good a time as any to resurrect my channel, which had been abandoned for years.

[@superpug666]

@@YankiRides Hope it was in good terms. Lots of ppl left and no mention of their leaving. Keep up the great work. Ill be watching :)

[@AllainCote]

Thank for the tips. I'm same body type as you with very much the same measurements. I ride an older R1200GS. I set the seat on highest when on the road for maximum leg room then when I get off road I'm at the lowest seat height best foot ground contact.

[@YankiRides]

@@AllainCote I hung on to my low seat just in case, but my hind end thanks me for switching to the comfort seat lol

[@user-mn7cn3jy4x]

Nice video 😉♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️🍫🍫🍫👌😉😉🙏👏🌟😘👍

[@YankiRides]

Many many thanks!

[@seriousandy6656]

Left foot down lets you stay on the back brake....

[@YankiRides]

Absolutely. I find myself doing that even on bikes I can flat foot.

[@Simon-fm8yc]

Daytona make midget boots with a built up sole.

[@YankiRides]

my adv boots have a pretty good sole on them. getting taller boots is a solid tip!

[@Kiwi_NZ610]

Bro your taller than me

[@YankiRides]

i don't get to hear that often lol

[@Kiwi_NZ610]

@@YankiRides lol

[@2WheelPursuit]

Sure, short people like us definitely can ride big bikes! For example, I can ride around my Ducati Multistrada Enduro which is a big old bike and I can't come anywhere near flat-footing it. Usually, I need to only have 1 foot down. Can I ride it as a 5'10 guy? Yeah. Would I prefer a MT10 for the large majority of my riding? also yes lol. I think it is great to know you can ride big bikes, but what I've learned is just because we can, doesn't mean it is the best option.

[@YankiRides]

That’s fair. There is always an upper limit I suppose. I miss being able to walk my cruiser at stop lights, and I would prefer a shorter adv bike, but there aren’t many to choose from so.. when in tall ass Rome I guess lmao

[@2WheelPursuit]

@@YankiRides I feel the same way. The unfortunate part is when you start considering a lower ADV bike, or lowering one aftermarket, it kind of significantly reduces the "ADV" capabilities of it. At that point, might as well get a cruiser. So if an ADV best suits someones style of riding, then it really is best to just bite the tall bullet I think.

[@007lutherking]

30 inseam.. 2016 yamaha r1. Tip toe to moon and back

[@2WheelPursuit]

@@007lutherking Amen

[@TheBrasscowboy]

Way to burry the lead on the #flamingogang sticker

[@YankiRides]

lol.. didnt even register when i did it. noticed it the day after when my friend watched it

[@YantoSP]

What height is considered short? Under 6ft?

[@YankiRides]

apparently, according to everyone on the internet lol

[@YantoSP]

@@YankiRides crap, officially short. #flamingogang