Looking for adventure type bike for two up, vertically challenged

[Chickenlegs]

Im looking for a bike for two up travel, tent camping, something that has a low seat height, relatively light or at least feels light. A bike that can be taken off road without imtimidation to my 30" inseam. Im 5'7" 150# and the wife is 5'6" 120#. Ive had a roadking (75K miles), a roadglide (40K miles) and a BMW R1100R (10K miles). Im really leaning toward the scrambler style of bike cause I think with its low seat height and utilitarian aspect it could fit the bill of an enjoyable bike that I could take down fireroads or the occasional creek crossing etc. Im also thinking about a ride south of the border.

So far my list of contenders:
Triumph Scrambler
HD sportster fitted like a scrambler
Buell Ulysses
BMW R1150R or R1200R

I worked as a metric bike mechanic for a few years and have loads of fabrication experience under my belt, so I could build or modify something to fit my needs if I dont find a turn key.

Fire away.

[Jimmy the Heater]

This is not the same thread that has been posted a thousand times before, that I thought I was going to see. The vertically challenged throws an interesting twist in there. You have some really good choices in there and it's a good list.

Triumph Scrambler-Really good bike, more capable off road than most give it credit for. Mid pipes limit luggage options but can be fixed with bonnie pipes.

Sportster Scrambler-Member Rusty Spuds did this one right.

Didn't go overboard on long travel suspension, looks factory. Problems with this are the rigid mount frames that make the best Scramblers some find vibrate more than they like. I haven't seen a rubber mount Scram but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Something about the swingarm mount made it difficult IIRC.

Buell-I would personally shy away from this one. Hard to buy a bike from a defunct company. Parts supply is ok for the Buell specific parts now but whats gonna happen in 10 years?

BMW R****R-This is probably the only BMW that I would let back in my stable again. Surprisingly competent on dirt/gravel with the right tires. But damn I hate working on them for just about everything except valve adjustments that are a 10 min job. I've had 2 final drive failures with my BMW's and between that, servo brakes, and clutch spline lube (remove the whole back half of the damn bike to get to a spot where you can put a nickles worth of moly grease in BS) I'm firmly in the camp of they are nice to ride but hard to own.

Oh and before someone else says this....Lowered V or Wee Strom??


In my opinion the Triumph and the Harley are your two main ones. And it surprises me to say this but I think I would go with the Harley due to the vast amount of customization options. Don't like something? Someone out there has a part to change it.

[Urban Toreador]

Height is only an issue if you allow it to be an issue. I'm 5'9 and used the tall seat when I had my GS. Way more comfortable. I ride a Multi 1200 now and would recommend it to any man over 5'5".

[Jimmy the Heater]

Originally Posted by Urban Toreador

Height is only an issue if you allow it to be an issue. I'm 5'9 and used the tall seat when I had my GS. Way more comfortable. I ride a Multi 1200 now and would recommend it to any man over 5'5".

That rider certainly has skill and it works for him. I just can't see that method working for 2 up loaded with luggage.

[Urban Toreador]

Originally Posted by Jimmy the Heater

That rider certainly has skill and it works for him. I just can't see that method working for 2 up loaded with luggage.

I also have a 30" inseam. The way I get around getting my feet on the ground is by just not putting my feet down. Two up and solo I just put one foot down. I too like the Scrambler but the seat is not that low. I don't know if you've ever sat on one but I'd compare it with the GS.

[Rackemcrackem]

On a Wee Strom with lowered suspension, you will be very glad to have installed a strong bash plate for any surfaces more challenging than a well-graded dirt road. A standard suspension height makes for fewer unpleasant-sounding hits on the plate, especially when riding with a passenger and gear. Suspension upgrades would be helpful for anything rough.

I have the same inseam length and the standard seat/standard suspension works for me with only an occasional tippy moment but I'm used to being on the balls of my feet. A low seat option or cut-down rubber seat mounts might help, though.

[Kommando]

Originally Posted by Chickenlegs

Im looking for a bike for two up travel, tent camping, something that has a low seat height, relatively light or at least feels light. A bike that can be taken off road without imtimidation to my 30" inseam. Im 5'7" 150# and the wife is 5'6" 120#. Ive had a roadking (75K miles), a roadglide (40K miles) and a BMW R1100R (10K miles). Im really leaning toward the scrambler style of bike cause I think with its low seat height and utilitarian aspect it could fit the bill of an enjoyable bike that I could take down fireroads or the occasional creek crossing etc. Im also thinking about a ride south of the border.

So far my list of contenders:
Triumph Scrambler
HD sportster fitted like a scrambler
Buell Ulysses
BMW R1150R or R1200R

I worked as a metric bike mechanic for a few years and have loads of fabrication experience under my belt, so I could build or modify something to fit my needs if I dont find a turn key.

Fire away.

Also consider the BMW F650GS Dakar or G650GS Sertao. They're smooth gas-sippers for 650 thumpers.

If you want simpler for riding around in BFE, I'd look into extending the seat and lowering the passenger pegs on a DR650SE. I ride mine 2up all the time with luggage. It needs a longer seat with more comfort to be much good for serious distance 2up, but it has plenty of power, suspension, range, and luggage options in the aftermarket. See www.procycle.us for an idea of what's out there for a DR650SE. We're 5'8"/200lb/30"inseam and 5'4"/petite/30"inseam. The DR is 367lb curb and 34.8" (unlowered) at the seat. Factory lowering and a shaved seat can put it at 31-32". Mine even handles sugarsand decently, while being able to handle 1000 miles of slab in a single day. At our sizes, it's about as big and heavy as I'd want to ride in true offroad conditions, and about as small and light as I'd want to bomb 1000 miles of slab with while loaded with luggage and a passenger.

Phreaky Phil extended the seat on his DR and rode the TAT 2up. There's another couple that rode to Ushuaia 2up on their DR.

Travel lighter and simpler. Stop more often to smell the flowers and take pictures.

[JCANRUN]

Since you already have experience with BMW boxer engine, why not look for a GS with the factory low suspension. I tried one out a few years ago and it was easy to handle. I'm only 5'7" with short legs. Only thing about the Scrambler is that exhaust, not sure if your leg will contact the exhaust. I'd suggest surfing the Scrambler forum to see if that's really an issue or not. The main issue against a Harley is the belt drive, which could be a disaster if you get any rocks/pebbles when off road.

[JCANRUN]

Originally Posted by Jimmy the Heater

That rider certainly has skill and it works for him. I just can't see that method working for 2 up loaded with luggage.

He's got some skills. Maybe I'll try that (after adding engine guards, etc.)

[Jamie Z]

Originally Posted by Urban Toreador

Height is only an issue if you allow it to be an issue. I'm 5'9 and used the tall seat when I had my GS. Way more comfortable. I ride a Multi 1200 now and would recommend it to any man over 5'5".

I agree. That said, I'm 6', but I've seen several guys who aren't as tall maneuver a tall bike just fine.

Here's two examples:

Here's Bill. I don't recall how tall he is, but I met him riding his fully-loaded KLR on a several-month trip through Central America. In this picture he doesn't have luggage because we were just out on a day ride, but you can see his method fine.



And here's Sergio, a local I met in Mexico who rode a Rebel 250. He was about 5'4". I offered to swap bikes with him for a while.



Here's him sitting on the DL650, which has 3/4" raising links in the back.



It took Sergio a few tries to figure out the best method of getting on the bike and raising the sidestand, (he didn't do the run-and-jump method) but he rode it like a champ. He even took my bike down some hairy gravel and then up a steep rutted driveway. As far as I could tell, his height was never an issue.

Look, you can, of course, ride whatever bike you like. You can raise it, lower it, put training wheels on it. Whatever makes you happy. I'm raising my hand and offering the viewpoint that you don't have to be able to flat-foot your bike in order to ride it competently and it sounds like you have good experience already.

My suggestion is not to let seat height decide your next ride.

Jamie

[DougInKY]

I have a 30 inch inseam and ride a '07 DL-650 (WeeStrom) that I lowered by an inch. I have no problem (almost) flat footing it most anywhere (off camber roads can be a one foot thing when stopping). I didn't like the stock seat so put a aftermarket seat from Seat Concepts on but that didn't make a difference in the seat height (but did make a big difference in passenger and rider comfort).

Take a ride on one if you can find someone that will let you ride his bike. You might really find you like the bike. They are rock stupid reliable too.

[twinrider]

Originally Posted by Chickenlegs

Im looking for a bike for two up travel, tent camping, something that has a low seat height, relatively light or at least feels light. A bike that can be taken off road without imtimidation to my 30" inseam. Im 5'7" 150# and the wife is 5'6" 120#. Ive had a roadking (75K miles), a roadglide (40K miles) and a BMW R1100R (10K miles). Im really leaning toward the scrambler style of bike cause I think with its low seat height and utilitarian aspect it could fit the bill of an enjoyable bike that I could take down fireroads or the occasional creek crossing etc. Im also thinking about a ride south of the border.

So far my list of contenders:
Triumph Scrambler
HD sportster fitted like a scrambler
Buell Ulysses
BMW R1150R or R1200R
.

You are the same height/inseam as me. I've owned a number of Adv bikes and ride with the seat in the high position as it's more comfortable for my bad knees. Now own an XT1200Z Super Tenere and an F650GS Dakar, previously owned an R1100GS. Very used to only being able to put one foot down flat and no issues at all on road or on fireroads.

Good candidate bikes but if you get a BMW give the R a miss and go for a GS, it's far more versatile.

[cb1313]

I have a 2008 Kaw. Versys (650cc) that I have lowered the rear with a kit and the front by adjusting the fork. Seat is lowered. I also installed a lowering spring. I have a 29 inch inseam .

Cb

[kojack]

I second the versys. 30in inseam, suspension stock and I have no troubles. Wife has plenty of room on back too.

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