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Motard & the vertically challenged

  1. #1
    xxaarraa
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    Motard & the vertically challenged

    I am considering an SXV550. It has a 36.2" seat, I am 5' 5" and I have zero chance of touching the ground even with one foot. By zero, I mean nada, zilch, the binary digit other than 1.

    Which brings me to my question. It will be track only, so reaching the ground will be necessary only while waiting in pit lane. How feasible is it to stand beside it, keep it in gear, run alongside it and then jump on it to ride off?

    This is a serious question! I have not seen this happen at all (probably for good reason) so other than the steady stream of laughs and jokes, any downsides to this sophisticated pit maneauver?

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  2. #2

    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Track days? Fine. Even there is a wall even easier and you don't have to get off at all.

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  3. #3
    Member motoarch's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Your plan does not include a dismount!

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  4. #4
    Lifer union's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Just hang off one side a bit and you can touch fine. I'm 5'6" and I've raced the things. The start was a little bit of a challenge but I could get my toes close enough while sitting on the center of the seat to balance the bike for the launch.

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    James

  5. #5
    Lifer
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Google says that weighs 280-something wet. You should be able to lean it over and one-foot it.

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  6. #6
    KNEE DRAGGING BAGGER sedanman's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Type this into the youtube search box. " bmw r 1200 gs short rider". This guy does this on the street. When standing next to the bike, the seat is taller than his belt buckle.

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    Normal is an illusion, what is normal to the spider is chaos to the fly.

  7. #7
    Lifer Chippertheripper's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    What they all said. I usually started my tard either on the stand still, or leaning against the garage wall outside.
    I believe the sxv is e-start, so this is a non issue.

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  8. #8
    xxaarraa
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Quote Originally Posted by tsorfas View Post
    Track days? Fine. Even there is a wall even easier and you don't have to get off at all.
    wow, I never thought about that! Good tip. The pit wall is more of a Loudon thing though, and I don't ride there that often (3-4 days a year). In most other tracks I ride, a freestanding start will be necessary.

    Quote Originally Posted by motoarch View Post
    Your plan does not include a dismount!
    Yes, haha. For dismount, I was thinking of a smooth sky diving landing maneuver - like slowing down and then just jumping off and jogging beside it to a stop.

    As for leaning it over to one side to make contact, I don't have too much hope of that working on such a tall bike, without it looking like I am just laying it down on the floor and picking it up each time.

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    Last edited by xxaarraa; 05-04-15 at 08:21 AM.

  9. #9
    Lifer
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    I'm somewhat inseam challenged. I do the lean technique on my dual-sport. Fortunately when I convert it to supermoto mode it lowers the bike an inch or two and it all gets easier. But in dirt mode I'm one foot at a time. It is completely manageable most of the time. You may be pleasantly surprised.

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  10. #10
    go faster cdovego's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Quote Originally Posted by xxaarraa View Post
    It will be track only
    From a guy that owns a constantly breaking Ducati - you do realize the sxv550's maintenance schedule and propensity towards not working...right?

    With that said, it's the best of the best motard wise when it's all working.

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    Central Mass Powersports #123

    1000rr, zx10r, rmz450, RE classic, r6, S4Rs, xr123, sv650(2), cr250 and a box truck that leaks power steering fluid.

  11. #11
    xxaarraa
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Quote Originally Posted by cdovego View Post
    From a guy that owns a constantly breaking Ducati - you do realize the sxv550's maintenance schedule and propensity towards not working...right?

    With that said, it's the best of the best motard wise when it's all working.
    You talking about you or me? My 848 is and has been bullet proof. I do however have an RSV4, and that is, let's say, of a more delicate nature.

    Yes, I do know the SXV is rather very high maintenance. As someone on the aprilia forum called it, "it's like dating a porn star" The freedom of buying a track only bike, and the good fortune of having a backup means I am able to put up with prima donnas more so than I would have at a different point in my motorcycle life.

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    Last edited by xxaarraa; 05-04-15 at 09:42 AM.

  12. #12
    go faster cdovego's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    I'm talking about my high strung maintenance freak and letting you know (sounds like you're already aware) that the SXV is the same.

    I've got a few friends that have had nightmare stories with the SXV450 and 550. All that aside, they are the top of the motard pecking order and a blast to ride.

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    Central Mass Powersports #123

    1000rr, zx10r, rmz450, RE classic, r6, S4Rs, xr123, sv650(2), cr250 and a box truck that leaks power steering fluid.

  13. #13
    Lifer
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    I once garaged with a guy that rode one of those at a NHMS track day.
    His day was done at noon. Something about an oil something-something. I felt bad for him.

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  14. #14
    Day late, dollar short carsick's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Quote Originally Posted by xxaarraa View Post
    "it's like dating a porn star"
    So this is different than an SV650 which is like marrying your cousin?? Name sounds similar.

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    99 + 02 SV650 ex-race - 91 FJ1200 street - 03 KDX220R woods - 12 WR450F motard/ice

  15. #15
    Backwoods lobster boy number9's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Quote Originally Posted by carsick View Post
    So this is different than an SV650 which is like marrying your cousin?? Name sounds similar.
    My old man says "It's like kissing your sister, you know it's wrong but it feels good"

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  16. #16
    Resident Turkey Tricky Mike's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Quote Originally Posted by number9 View Post
    My old man says "It's like kissing your sister, you know it's wrong but it feels good"

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  17. #17
    Eatibus almost anythingus Marc R's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Quote Originally Posted by xxaarraa View Post
    ... How feasible is it to stand beside it, keep it in gear, run alongside it and then jump on it to ride off? ...
    here's one way to do it:

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  18. #18
    KNEE DRAGGING BAGGER sedanman's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    That's the video I mentioned in my post. My dumb phone wouldn't let me post a link.

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    Normal is an illusion, what is normal to the spider is chaos to the fly.

  19. #19
    xxaarraa
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Quote Originally Posted by Marc R View Post
    here's one way to do it:
    This guy is an inspiration! OK, I am going to do it!

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  20. #20
    Soul Rider Paul_E_D's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    What does that guy do at traffic lights? dismount?

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    Paul_E_D


  21. #21
    KNEE DRAGGING BAGGER sedanman's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Yes.

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    Normal is an illusion, what is normal to the spider is chaos to the fly.

  22. #22
    Soul Rider Paul_E_D's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    That could be a workout in traffic!

    I'm short and lived with a 690SMC for 5 years. It was my street and track bike. I did lower it an inch. Every little bit helps. It was actually really tiring to ride on the street. Getting on and off, plus twisting my hips to put one foot down at stops. It didn't see many street miles for this reason. At the track I had no issue with the foot down thing, but my legs were not long enough to feel very connected to the bike at full lean. I had to tippy to to reach the outside peg. I dealt with it, but it's a bit precarious, especially when something goes wrong. Higher footpegs were really what I needed. They may make them for the SXV

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    Paul_E_D


  23. #23
    Backwoods lobster boy number9's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Quote Originally Posted by Marc R View Post
    here's one way to do it:
    That is awesome!

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  24. #24
    xxaarraa
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    Quote Originally Posted by Paul_E_D View Post
    That could be a workout in traffic!

    I'm short and lived with a 690SMC for 5 years. It was my street and track bike. I did lower it an inch. Every little bit helps. It was actually really tiring to ride on the street. Getting on and off, plus twisting my hips to put one foot down at stops. It didn't see many street miles for this reason. At the track I had no issue with the foot down thing, but my legs were not long enough to feel very connected to the bike at full lean. I had to tippy to to reach the outside peg. I dealt with it, but it's a bit precarious, especially when something goes wrong. Higher footpegs were really what I needed. They may make them for the SXV
    Thanks for the valuable tip. It didn't occur to me at all, that the hips to footpegs length might also be too long, especially while moving around on the bike side to side. I will hit up the aprilia forums for information on higher pegs, thanks.

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  25. #25
    Soul Rider Paul_E_D's Avatar
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    Re: Motard & the vertically challenged

    It's really knee to footpeg length that is at issue when hanging off.

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    Paul_E_D


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