Shorter motorcycle riders can often face a few challenges when selecting a motorcycle they can ride in comfort and with confidence. One of the most common challenges is that the hand and foot controls may be beyond comfortable reach while seat height may make it challenging to touch feet down when the motorcycle is stopped. If you’re short, don’t fret; there are many H-D motorcycles on the market that have the right features to suit a short rider.
The best motorcycle for short riders from Harley-Davidson® addresses these challenges by placing the rider within the “triangle of comfort” that represents an ideal distance from their hands on the handgrips, to their hips in the saddle, to their feet on footpegs. The result is a motorcycle that fits the rider in a comfortable way.
We outline some of the best motorcycles for short riders from Harley-Davidson that are well equipped to meet the needs of a shorter rider’s triangle of comfort.
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Best Motorcycles for Short Riders from Harley-Davidson
Here are some Harley-Davidson motorcycles best suited to short riders.
How to Make a Motorcycle More Comfortable for a Short Rider
Harley-Davidson offers a range of motorcycle parts and accessories designed specifically to help shorter riders to realize an ideal fit on most Harley® models through customization. Some common customizations for short motorcycle riders include:
1. Adjusting the Handlebar
Many Harley-Davidson models have a handlebar that can be rotated rearward to reduce the reach to the hand controls. If more adjustment is desired, a Reach® Accessory Handlebar designed to place the grips and controls closer to the rider can help dial in the fit for a shorter rider. When adjusting the handlebar rearward, be sure the handlebars can be turned to the full left and full right steering lock positions without contacting the fuel tank, frame, or other parts of the motorcycle which could interfere with the full range of steering. It’s important to note that handlebar height is regulated in many locations. Check local laws to ensure your motorcycle meets applicable regulations.
2. Purchasing a New Motorcycle Seat
Harley-Davidson Reach® Seats are available for many models and can help make a bike more comfortable for a short rider. A Reach Seat is designed to position a rider lower and forward, closer to the ground and in a comfortable and confident relationship to the hand and foot controls.
3. Adjusting the Foot Controls
Accessory Mid-Mount Foot Control kits can be used to relocate forward controls on some models to reduce the rider’s reach to the foot pegs, brake and shift control. These kits move the foot controls back as much as 7 inches, which can be a helpful adjustment for shorter riders.
An authorized Harley-Davidson dealer is a motorcycle fit expert that can help you dial in your ideal triangle of comfort with accessories for many models that can be used to adjust the triangle of comfort to better fit a short rider. Visit your local dealer for more custom fit recommendations.
To see the wide selection of new and pre-owned Harley-Davidson motorcycles and riding gear, visit your local authorized Harley-Davidson dealer, where you can reserve a motorcycle and more.
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