Hi all

How short are you?

I'm 5'2" and short in the leg (27"), and I had about 1" taken off my seat - shave the sides as well, as it helps the legs go down straighter. (Unfortunately, the company that did it aren't in business any more) I can just get the balls of both feet on the ground, or one foot flat by slightly shifting my weight. It feels scary at first, but as you get more confident, you won't find it a problem.

As for doing your DAS, I did mine on a stock GS500. Just ask the instructors what they use, as there are plenty of short people out there wanting to pass their tests!

Welcome to the fold!

Saz

DAYTONA That's the make of boot, sorry about earlier had rather a lot on my mind today but I'm back to normal functioning now

thanks guys for all your helpful info i will be taking my das test, and pasing it first time again i think though i will struggle with the u turn on a bigger bike. Also does anybody know of anywhere that does a 2 day crash course in das ty Jacqui

[CK & AK]

you will be suprised at how much more easy it is to turn a naked jap bike than an italian one

Good luck with the test (and just keep saying you CAN do the u-turn)
If you can stretch to 3 or 4 days plus test, you will feel a lot more at home on the bike too, giving yourself a better chance of passing.
Really depends on how much road experience you have methinks (that is a general 'you' not personal - IYSWIM?)

CK, also shortlegged

Just remember to keep looking up - not down at the road - and CK is SO right - Italian bikes and u turns don't really mix that well, the bike you take the test on will be much better - and I would recommend you give yourself as much road time on the bike as you can so you can really feel confident on the bike...

Good luck and happy monstering!!

Benson

[singletrack]

I too am short-legged, and ride a Monster with a lowered seat, whilst wearing Daytona "built up" boots.

I did my first test on a CB500 with a cut away seat, but did not manage the U turn. I found it easy on the second test on a GS500 - in some ways the U turn is easier on a 500 because the extra power and the fact you are part of the bike, rather than just sitting on it.
The best thing to do is go to your local bike school and ask them to do an assessment - they will then tell you whether to do the direct access over 2/3 or 4 days.
My hubby had a ridden 125 for a while before his course and did a 3 day DAS, whereas I had never ridden a bike at all and did mine over 5 days (inc CBT).

Originally Posted by scrumpster

DAYTONA That's the make of boot, sorry about earlier had rather a lot on my mind today but I'm back to normal functioning now

Yes I wear them too, it's the Daytona Lady Star, also a M-Star for men. Best thing is, they don't look like they have a heel from the outside so nobody needs to know (ideal if you're a short man), they're goretex and very comfy, and have 3quarters of an inch taller, so gives you that extra bit of confidence.
Any daytona stockist will sell them and like you said, not cheap but worth it, cos everything is fixable, new zips, new soles re-goretexed etc etc, for bout 60 quid, original price of 235.00, mine lasted 4 and half years before i needed re-sole and re-goretex done at same time made sense too, most boots with the amount of miles i do, last for about 2years, so definately worth it.

Good luck

I'm a shorty too, but am just about able to manage without having the seat taken down - I've had the suspension and forks lowered. It certainly makes riding fun! My legs were too short for the school bikes so I ended up doing my DAS on a 125. I've another 18 months before the restrictor can be taken off

Hi and welcome!
Don't worry about being short. On the Monster I'm for the first time ever just the right size. You should see how ridiculous the tall victims of puberty make the sweet looks of the Monster 2nd in attention riser.

Kath how have you got your bike restricted?

I'll let you know once I've had a chat with my boyfriend. All I know is that he took it into some place in Cirencester and they fitted a Ducati kit to it. Sorry, I am completely and utterly non technically minded, I leave all of that to my boyfriend.

thanks kath hope to here where its fitted to the bike soon

Hooray for short arses! I'm 5' 1" and can just get points down on stock monster but they can lower really well apparantly. Talking to the guys on the Ducati stand at Excel, lowering front and back will keep handling fairly standard. I'm doing DAS on riding school bike, a very low Kawasaki ER5 cos they turn easier and I'm not confident on U turns. I wanted to use my baby but the talk of turning circles put me off. Mind you when does anyone do a both feet up turn in the pub carpark, most people do it one foot down. Good luck and enjoy your bike.

Originally Posted by DukeChick620

as for riding weather you should enjoy riding all year round whether its raining or not, plus today is an absolutely perfect day shame i don't have my bike yet, where would anyone suggest doing your das test. i did my last test with lighteneing would ou recomend i go back to them. ty for you help J

hey dukechick

i used to live in Readin and did the das there with lightnin' and recommend you do the same. the instructors are solid good (except william ha ha). Steve is a very laid back dude, also the MAG rep for thames valley and now has become a good buddy. Alan is also quality (dunno if he's still there).

as for ridin in all weathers. take it from me, my duke is my only form of transport and im proud to have been out there almost every day since last summer includin crossin flooded roads with 20 inches of water and skidin on icy bends. all this fallin down only once .

Evening DukeChick

As someone said earlier, go to your local bike school and do take an assesment ride. The instructors will be able to advise you on the length of time to do the DAS.

As for being a short arse, well I've found no problem with the Monster. Being built like a GP racer myself (5'6), I've found it comfortable and easy to manage (compaired to my Bandit!). Seat foam can be cut away to lower the height, the Daytona boots are good (not that I wear them!), and most of all just have confidence in your riding It all fits together easily