Any short VFR riders?

Hi all, So is there any short VFR riders out here? I have a 29" inseam. anyone on a VFR like me? If so, how well do you handle the bike at a stop! Like in parking lots, stop lights and road side turn outs? Has anyone had to do mods to seat or lower the bike at all? You get the idea, anyone? I like to ride to work and take long day trips 600 to 700 plus. I also like longer trips out of state for a week on vacation on the bike. I do this one up 99% of the time, wife likes to stay home! Thanks for any help with the VFR.

 

I have a 29" inseam - see the thread "shortening the kick stand"
My bike has a lowering link and a Sargent seat

I can't get both of my feet flat on the ground but I can get better than just tip toes, wish I could say the same about my dirt bike!!

 

I have a 30" inseam with a lowering link installed. I would definitely recommend a lowering link. I can get enough of the balls of my feet on the ground to feel stable on the bike and it drops the center of gravity a little bit to assist with the top-heavy nature of the bike, particularly when the tank is full. One draw back is that unless you shorten the side stand you will be forced to use the center stand more. I've gotten good at it to the point that I like the center stand much better when I'll be away from the bike. Again, with a full tank it's a little more difficult to get up on the center stand, but it's 95% technique. Just get a friend to stand on the other side of the bike while you practice getting the bike on and off the center stand.

I find once the VFR gets moving it feels like a much lighter bike, but at low speeds it can take a little concentration to keep full control, and that's just the nature of the bike. I attribute much of my enjoyment of the VFR to having lowered it, I simply don't worry as much about dropping it because I don't have enough length in the legs. Last year a guy who I'd estimate to be about 5'10" pull up next to me in a beautiful brand new Ducati 1098S at a light. As he stopped he looked at me to nod hello, not knowing that a 3" pothole was under his right foot as he put it down. By the time his foot had travelled that extra 3" and settled at the bottom of the hole, he had enough momentum to lose the bike and wound up doing some damage to the right side of his new Ducati. Being short, we have to be extra careful with a bike with some weight behind it, like the VFR. But that doesn't mean we can't safely ride and have a great time.

 

I wear 29" length jeans, I dk if thats the inseam measurement, but for me, I can pretty much flatfoot the bike with my boots on. The boots aren't really stacked either, redwings with a couple inch sole.
With my sneakers, its more like balls-of-the-feet.
My bike is new to me, but so far its not a problem, I can one foot it at stops w/o any difficulty.
the bike is not lowered.

ace57

 

I've worn different versions of this for over 30 years. I throw a thick cushy insole in them and I can flat foot my '97 without any suspension lowering.
5'6" w/ 29 in inseam.

 

I measured my leg last night after I posted, its about 30" once everything is moved aside/"adjusted." :biggrin:
So with the probably 1 1/2 boot, thats 31 1/2" roughly, seat height on the viffer is 31.7"....so I guess thats why its not an issue, too much, for me.
Nice to know there are lowering options if necessary.
Does anyone know of the site that sells the 'thurm' or whatever it is lowering triangles? I had actually looked once back when, and couldn't find any website that carried that (German I think) brand...

ace57

 

It's Thurn Motorsport Ace57,you're correct they're located in Germany. Here's the link- THURN-MOTORSPORT The lowering link kits for the 6th gen. VFR's are located in the RC46 VTEC section