Engine displacement and dry weight aren't the only factors that differentiate beginner and advanced beginner motorcycles; a crucial part of the equation is seat height, and BMW just made an announcement that will attract more riders to their Bavarian brand of bikes.
According to the Bimmer website, R 1200 GT, R 1200 R, R 1200 RT, and F 800 ST models will be available with a $175 package that drop seat height to as low as 29.5 inches. For those born without Teutonic gigantism, the lower seat height should open up a whole new set of choices for sporty, touring, and adventure-oriented riding.
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Seat height . was one of the reasons I never looked at the BMW. Now it they actually make them affordable, that would be a plus….
I really don’t consider 29.5 height all that low! My wife could never ride anything taller than 27 inches! BTW what does that do for ground clearance? The last thing I would want to do is drag the hard stuff on the pavement!!!
It was about time this happened for us short people, especially women. BMW bikes are fast, lighter in weight, sporty looking, on/off road capable and ride nicely. Get a test ride at a BMW Motorrad Dealer and you will see what I mean. As a women driving bikes for the past 40 years, I recommend the 2009 F650GS (800cc & 31″)& R1200R (1200cc & 29″) Models for short women and men.
I think Carrie is correct, and it should read, “Pocket Book” challenged.
Carrie and Peter…
Consider that most BMW cost less than a Harley and are light years ahead in terms of technology and ride… no comparison.
I am 5′7 and the low frame is still too high. I am on my tiptoes. I might be able to get some boots with a high sole and heal. I would really like to own the R 1200RT, but even with it’s light weight, I still am not comfortable not being flat footed on stop and rollout.
My wife would love to ride a BMW bike, but at 5′1″ in height, she has needed to ride a Honda Shadow 600 VLX with a seat height of 25.6″ for the past 6 years. Now, if BMW would scale things down a bit more to make a 26″ or even a 26.5″ seat height instead of charging an additional $175.00 for a bike to be lowered to 29.5″, then they would have a whole new market open up to them. Till then, Harley Davidson and the Japanese Bike companies have the market all to themselves.
Roy
1991 BMW K100LT-abs
I own a 1987 K100RS. I’m 5′ 9″, and at a stop, I cannot put both feet flat on the ground.This is a bit unnerving, which, I have never got over. I’ve seen alot of shorter guys riding Milwaukee machines, with both feet planted on the ground!
I am 5′2″ short and ride a yamaha 1700 roadstar. I am looking for a new bike. But at 29.5″ – what are they thinking – could they not measure a short person and do the math? It really irks me. I need a hardy and fast bike that can be out a month of 10 hour rides. It looks like nobody at BMW wants my cash.
I walked into a dealer ready to buy this past weekend. Not a single bike would fit me – what BMW considers “lowered” is not safe for my 5′1″ frame. How can you back a bike up when you can’t put your feet on the ground? Bimmer, you’re losing a huge market and a lot of money from us short folks! I’m buying a jap bike that fits me like a glove.
Yeah, right! 5′2″, inseam of 28″ standing straight, with my ankles touching. What the heck good is 29″ seat height going to do???? C’mon, BMW.
$175 package that drop seat height to as low as 29.5 inches. For those born without Teutonic gigantism, the lower seat height should open up a whole new set of choices for sporty, touring, and adventure-oriented riding.
Best Bimmer Guide
It was about time this happened for us short people, especially women. BMW bikes are fast, lighter in weight, sporty looking, on/off road capable and ride nicely. Get a test ride at a
Best Bimmer Guide
I tried the “lowered” BMW, and it isn’t that low, mostly because it’s also so wide!!! I am 5′6″ (not really short for a woman) and I can’t get my feet comfortably down. I had a K1200lt that I loved, but sold it because of this problem. I LOVED the bike and LOVE the BMW’s, but 29″ is NOT a short bike when the weight is high and the seat is very wide. Try again BMW, you’re doing NOTHING for women riders really.
I ride a ‘86 K75C by BMW and am 5′8″ with shoes. I am lucky enough to have a 31″ inseam, which is where it really counts when comparing seat heights of bikes. With my BMW, I am able to adjust the shock to assist in the height of the bike. As for my fellow ladies who are closer to the 5′ mark, I feel for you because BMW does not offer a new bike to fit you. I have a friend that is 5′ who rides an older BMW and loves it because it is perfect for her, but the bike is well over 20 years old. The current adjustments from BMW include a lowered version and or a lower seat.
I do know of ladies in the 5′5 range who have taken the R1200GS and put different shocks on in order to get the bike low enough. The problem then lies in how much money are you willing to spend?
I hope BMW is able to come up with a solution, because I love my Beemer and would love to have more women riding them too!!!!
One thing to consider is that different manufacturer measure seat height differently. HD looks low but it includes a 175# rider on it. If you have some experience riding flat footing is not really necessary. Balls of the feet are fine. You are just balancing the bike and most BMWs are very light. Consider a 750 # cruiser vs a 425 # BMW. Don’t get over come with backing the bike backwards just get off on the kickstand side and walk it out SLOWLY. Look the way the mechanics do it at your local dealer. My 5′2″wife rides a BMW F800ST with low suspension and low seat with a 28″ inseam. I ride a K1300s with a low seat with my 29″ inseam. The width of the seat is very important. She found a great pair of HD waterproof boots with a high heal which helps.
I so agree. A 29 inch seat height is still HIGHER than most of the other cruisers and other sport bikes out there. Plus it just isn’t seat height with BMW, the issue is width as well. If your legs have to go out wide due to the seat width, you automatically lose “real leg” ability to touch the ground. I love BMW, but refuse to pay the money to get things lowered so I can ride them. This is reasonable, but I do want to see the seat width before I get giddy. Try narrow and 27″, THEN you’ll have something BMW.
I am 5′ 1″ and just got the 2011 F650GS because it is my dream bike. The bike is still wee taller than I would like to be comfortable. I ride it with only a single foot down at a time -either right or left. It is scarry when bike is at stops or when parking or when backing it out. Slow menuevering is extremely worrying but everyday is a challenge. I love it when the bike is moving – feels awesome and easy to handle. Less tiring too compared to my previous lowered Ducati Monster and HD Sportster. I dropped the bike once already – due to my own negligence I must admit, trying to buckle my jacket without the side stand engaged so I just lost balance and fell off.
I agree..you don’t have to flat foot a bike to be able to ride it but it does play a huge part in providing comfort and confidence as the 650GS is (to me) more intimidating than my 1200cc HD Sportster and not of the power or at speed but simply because of the height because I can never be careful all of the time. I am bound to make silly errors and falling off even at stops is never a fun experience…regardless. Nevertheless, I love the bike (when it is moving) so much I am not about to let the height issue deter me from keeping the bike (yet)…