Hello All!

My name is Angela. I have signed up for the MSF course and have started shopping around for a scooter but seem to be having trouble finding one that accommodates a shorter rider. I'm about 4'11" and so far I've tried a Genuine Buddy with a Low Profile Seat, a Vento that belonged to someone else and wasn't for sale, and a Keeway Venus that also belonged to someone and wasn't for sale. I was only able to put my feet flat on the Keeway but I suspect that the owner had modified the shocks or possibly had a flat tire (it was hard to tell) because it sat incredibly low to the ground and when I looked up the specs online later, it said the seat height was 29.3, similar to the factory specs for the Buddy and even with the Low Pro Seat, I was still only able to tip-toe.

So, what's a short girl to do?? Is it common to modify the shocks? Am I destined for platform boots?? How important is it to be able to put my feet flat?

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

It's not always key to flat foot it. I'm happy as long as I can get a solid grip with the balls of my feet.

And welcome to Scooter Dive

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~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~

Thanks! That's good to know.

Aside from not being able to find a scooter low enough, I'm also a little worried that I'll have trouble in the MSF course. Do you know how low the trainer motorcycles are? I wonder not being able to get my feet flat will be an issue??

They usually have a variety of motorcycles for the course since riders come in all sizes. Our coaches paired bikes and riders by size, they might put you on something like a Rebel which is quite low.
As Turtle said, flat footing isn't a requirement. I've had 5 bikes and could only ff one of them, then I put a new seat on and there went that. One of my scooters I only touch with my tip toes but it is very light so no problem. I'd be more likely to drop one of the heavier bikes first.
Try looking for a lighter scooter with a lower center of gravity to start on. As you build skill and confidence it will become easier to handle.

Welcome!

What is your inseam length? Sometimes that is more important for fitting you than your overall height.

My inseam is 29" and I am sitting on a 29" seat on my scooter. I know a seat lowering kit is available for this model as a lot of guys do mods on this scooter and for some reason like to lower the seat.

I hope others with more information about this problem will reply. I know it is a problem for us shorties on scooters and bicycles...

Deb

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2009 Monzo Honda Met "Squirt"
My scooter blogs:
http://www.49ccscooterlife.blogspot.com
http://www.ohioriverramblersscootin.blogspot.com

How many cc's did you want for your scoot? A Yamaha vino 125 might fit you. I know the 50cc works for me and I am not over-tall either. I had trouble with the Vespa because it was a little higher off the ground. Don't worry about the MSF they will fit you to a bike, it may not be perfect, but you will be able to take the course.

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Dar ~ I was born to ride!

my blog: Princess Scooterpie http://scootermayhem.blogspot.com/

Welcome to the forum I agree with Island Diva I have a yamaha vino 125 and I am barely 5 ft. and I can touch with both feet. I feel it is very important to be able to touch the ground for good stability. The motorcycle safety course that I took had Honda Rebels and they are an easy bike to learn on and low rider too. Good Luck with the course!

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~~~~SCOOTALONG~~~~ "" Keep Calm Scoot On""

Thanks for all the help!!! I definitely feel better about the MSF course!

My inseam is about 25". I am hoping for a 50cc scooter, primarily because most of my riding will be on base where the speed limit is set at 30 mph, but wouldn't mind something higher as I do plan to venture off base occasionally.

I forgot about the Vespa. It was the first one I tried and I couldn't get my tip toes to touch at all. It seemed a lot taller and the seat seemed wider than the Buddy with the Low Pro Seat.

I will definitely start looking at the Vino. Thanks for the recommendation!!!

What kind of boots are you all wearing? I was only half-joking earlier about platform boots.

Thanks again for all the help. I can't wait to get riding!!

I have a 30" inseam and my stock Buddy seems to work well enough. I can't always flat foot it if I'm not wearing my boots, but I'm just fine.

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I don't post here often, but at 4'10", I feel I'm an expert on RWS (riding while short), so I have to chime in. I have been riding a Buddy 150 for about 2.5 years now. I do actually wear platform boots. They might look a little silly but they get me that little bit of extra reach that makes all the difference in the world. Even with the platform boots, I can't flatfoot. But I can't say often enough that flat footing is absolutely not necessary. Think about it - when you put a scooter on the side stand, there's just one tiny little toe sized thing holding it up. That's really all you need too, as long as you get a scooter that's not too top heavy. Now that I've been riding for a while, I am able to ride without my platform boots, but I keep wearing them since it's a good idea to wear boots, anyhow. Since you're thinking 50cc's, there are plenty of choices that are super short - i.e. Yamaha Vino, Honda Metro, Kymco Sento. That being said, I can't speak highly enough about my Buddy. It's my everyday commuter and it's never let me down in over 7,000 miles of riding. I highly recommend them. I just got the low profile seat this week and took my first ride with it yesterday. I like it and it does give me a couple of inches more reach. Even though it's not necessary, it's nice to have, since it's an option. When you go to sit on scooters, make sure you're trying to put your feet down from different spots on the seat. On a stock Buddy seat, the best reach is from the very front of the seat. I got in the habit of sliding forward at stops - did it without even thinking about it. On the low profile seat, I think the reach is about the same from the middle as it is from the front because there's a little dip in the middle. But do try out different positions. On most scooters, if you sit further back, you'll have less reach.

Oh, and as for the MSF, as others have said, they'll probably put you on a Rebel, which is super low. In addition, the Rebels that they have at MSF are typically very well worn, so the seats are compressed and the shocks are soft, making them even lower than a new Rebel would be. You'll do just fine. My first two wheeler was a Rebel and it was shorter than my scooter is. Good luck!

5'2" here but I have a long inseam that makes up for my lack of stature. 30". I also have long arms making me think I got the family monkey gene. One of my scoots is a Honda Elite, the other is a Zuma. My two cents worth is a vote for the Honda Elites. Very shortie friendly.

The MSF I took offered Rebels for short people. I took it on a TW200 because it reminded me of my dirt bike. I agree that a lot of the comfort has to do with the scooter and the weight of the scooter. I flat foot my Elite with room to spare but can do a solid 'ball' balance with my Zuma. I'm as comfortable riding it as I am the smaller Elite.

If you find a scoot you like and it's a close fit, take a look at the seat and see if it can be shaved down to give you a better reach. There are tricks to making a bike fit better.

The short rider debate is one that happens often here. Usually when you want to start looking for a more powerful ride and you realize the manufacturers are all designing scooters for the inhabitants of the planet Pandora.

Welcome to the forum!

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There are two types of people in this world, people who ride scooters and
people who wish they could ride scooters.

I have a Vino 125 and I am 5'2. I love it and it's easy to ride and I don't feel like it's too heavy. It also has a side stand which my Aprilia Scarabeo 150 does not. I may add one as that scooter is bigger and heavier.

If you're one of those folks who's able to wear heels, there are actual proper motorcycle boots with ankle protection that have wedge heels. These may help you out. Here is the tall version.

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I am 5'1"... Barely.

I ride a Buddy125 with a lowered seat. After a short while, the seat compressed on its own, making it even lower. I can now flat-foot. Also, I use prostheses bilaterally below the knee, after an accident long ago, so if I can do it, you can do it!

Good luck.

How about the Honda Ruckus? Listed seat height is 28.9. Is it pretty easy to get modify/lower seat height in a scooter? I am 5'1". Thanks!!

Kathy G
Denver CO