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Seat Height

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greenstreak:
I have a 2003 KX500 and I can't touch the ground with both feet.  I am 5'9" and this is the first bike I have ridden that I am too short for.  I have 2 seats so I could practice on one.  Does anyone have a good solution for this vertically challenged problem?  I am considering cutting the seat down or putting lowering links on the bike. 

Friar-Tuck:
 Hey Green,
 There are different heights of seat foam available, or you could pull the staples and maybe cut a stepped seat.
The best way to cut the foam is with a "Hot Knife"  The ones I remember seeing were like a heated wire that makes a clean smooth cut in the foam.   You can use a razor or saw but they do leave the surface rough.

This link should open up a window at service honda,  if you scroll down there are the part #'s for the oem seats
http://www.servicehonda.com/look-up-parts/03

here is what the step looks like: http://www.gutsracing.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=1491

Or here is a new low seat : http://www.ceetracing.com/FK005.htm

 Ceet Racing :     http://www.ceetracing.com/KawasakiBikes.htm#KawasakiSeatFoam

  Tuck \o/

greenstreak:
Thanks for the info.  It's funny I have riding dirt bikes for 40 years and never had one I could not touch both feet on the ground until now!  I have 2 seats, so I think I will try the hot wire first.  Thanks again for the help.

ktmdude:
I'm a 5'-7" midget (32" endseem on a good day) and ride a ktm 300 with a 38.5" seat height. I can only touch the ground if I am off to one side, and of coarse it is only with one foot. You get use to it. My girlfriend (rides a full size bored out 250f, fast) says that you have more horse power than foot power. She can't touch ether. On my first bike I removed the seat cover and used a bread knife to cut out about an inch and a half than recovered it. Like Tuck said it was a bit lumpy but it helped my confidence being closer to the ground. I still could only touch with one foot. I have sense added fome to put it back to stock. Like I said it was my first bike and with all your experience I would try to get used to it. If you really don't like it, get or make a lowered seat, I would not mess with suspension height. I like to have the most travel I can get. Good luck.

cutting torch:
I am a runt at 5'4". All I need to say to the "short" guys is that you need to master the side-saddle manuever for planting a foot.

It does not always work, but when it doesn't, not too many people will give you grief if you can right your bike and keep riding.

torch

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