The Best Motorcycles for Shorter Riders
Being able to get both feet down transforms your confidence, especially in slow traffic and car parks. We ranked the best motorcycles with low seat heights (under 800mm) so shorter riders can plant their feet and relax.
- 01Triumph · modern classic
Triumph Bonneville T120
8.6A beautifully built, torque-rich modern classic that nails the retro brief with genuine quality and easy real-world pace, at a premium price.
Consensus from Cycle World · Motorcycle.com · MCN
- Price
- $12,895
- Engine
- 1200cc
- Power
- 78hp
- Seat
- 790mm
- 02Aprilia · sport
Aprilia RS 457
8.3A genuine small-bore sportbike with adjustable suspension, ride-by-wire modes, and full 35 kW A2 power in a light, premium-feeling aluminium chassis.
Consensus from 1000PS · MCN · RevZilla
- Price
- $6,799
- Engine
- 457cc
- Power
- 48hp
- Seat
- 800mm
- 03Kawasaki · sport
Kawasaki Ninja 500
8.0A polished, easy-going A2 sportbike that builds on the brilliant Ninja 400, and one of the best-resolved entry sportbikes you can buy.
Consensus from RevZilla · MCN · Cycle World
- Price
- $5,299
- Engine
- 451cc
- Power
- 51hp
- Seat
- 785mm
- 04Yamaha · sport
Yamaha YZF-R3
8.0A refined, low-seat twin-cylinder entry sportbike that handles crisply on track and street, held back only by modest mid-range punch against single-cylinder rivals.
Consensus from 1000PS · Cycle World · Motorcycle.com
- Price
- $5,499
- Engine
- 321cc
- Power
- 42hp
- Seat
- 780mm
- 05Zero · naked
Zero SR/F
8.0The benchmark electric streetfighter: instant 190 Nm, near-silent thrust and app-configurable power, the most resolved e-naked you can buy.
Consensus from Cycle World · RevZilla · Electrek
- Price
- $21,195
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 110hp
- Seat
- 787mm
- 06Honda · cruiser
Honda Rebel 500
7.9A low, light, supremely approachable bobber-styled cruiser whose easy 46 hp twin and 690 mm seat make it one of the best first bikes around.
Consensus from 1000PS · Cycle World · RevZilla
- Price
- $6,499
- Engine
- 471cc
- Power
- 46hp
- Seat
- 690mm
- 07LiveWire · naked
LiveWire S2 Del Mar
7.9Harley’s electric spin-off goes mainstream: a light, flat-track-styled naked with savage low-end punch and a price that finally makes sense.
Consensus from Cycle World · RevZilla · InsideEVs
- Price
- $15,499
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 84hp
- Seat
- 775mm
- 08Harley-Davidson · cruiser
Harley-Davidson Nightster
7.8A genuinely modern, punchy liquid-cooled Sportster with a low seat, divisive only on its cramped riding position and small tank.
Consensus from Cycle World · Motorcycle.com · Harley-Davidson
- Price
- $11,999
- Engine
- 975cc
- Power
- 91hp
- Seat
- 705mm
- 09Kawasaki · naked
Kawasaki Z650
7.8A light, flickable parallel-twin naked with a low seat and forgiving manners, well-suited to new riders but softer in suspension and grunt than pricier middleweight rivals.
Consensus from 1000PS · Cycle World · Motorcycle.com
- Price
- $7,249
- Engine
- 649cc
- Power
- 68hp
- Seat
- 790mm
- 10Kawasaki · sport
Kawasaki Ninja 650
7.8A friendly, well-rounded sport-tourer with a torquey 68 hp twin, upright comfort, and a 35 kW A2 kit that makes it grow with new riders.
Consensus from 1000PS · Cycle World · Motorcycle.com
- Price
- $8,299
- Engine
- 649cc
- Power
- 68hp
- Seat
- 790mm
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