Too short....

[galleto]

Hey Buddies need some help... I am 5´7 hight guy and I´m experiencing some difficulties to handle my bike ...you know I can not put both feet at the same time ....Is there anybody experiencing this condition or how can I reduce the seat high without affecting bike performance or stability ???

Apreciatte your usual support " 

[hubcapsc]

It will make you scrape sooner in the turns, but there's a lot of happy people on
here who have 11.5 inch aftermarket shocks... the OEM shocks are 13 inches...

-Mike

[Serk]

There are definitely things that can be done to make the Valkyrie better accommodate your vertical challenge. Vicki (TNT) is I believe a hair under 5', and she's ridden her Valkyries all over the place.

Things I know of that she did:

Had a custom seat made that was cut down as low as possible (Corbin I believe?)
Had shorter shocks put on to lower the bike.
I believe she also used lower profile tires, but I don't recall the specifics.

[gwise]

You could always try some high heels!!! No really, I think a custom seat would work good for you.

[f6gal]

Hey Buddies need some help... I am 5´7 hight guy and I´m experiencing some difficulties to handle my bike ...you know I can not put both feet at the same time ....Is there anybody experiencing this condition or how can I reduce the seat high without affecting bike performance or stability ???  Apreciatte your usual support "  

The first thing to try is modifying the seat.  A "nose job" is the key... it narrows the width in the front, so you get more foot on the ground.  Sitting lower in the seat doesn't help much, if you still can't get your feet on the ground in the darn parking lots.

If you still have problems after the seat adjustment, you have to resort to lowering the bike:
Lower the rear with shorter shocks; lower the front by sliipping the forks or using low profile front tire.
Personally, I prefer slipping the forks, since changing out the front tire screws with the speedometer & tach.

Yes, I scrape sooner in the twisties; but when I scrape I just lean into it more and it brings the bike up.  I still manage to run the twisties pretty hard. (I have witnesses, but they're generally specks in my mirror )

P.S.  I'm almost 5'3"

[Michael K (Az.)]

P.S.  I'm almost 5'3"

You shrinkin?

[f6gal]

P.S.  I'm almost 5'3"

You shrinkin?

Ummm no... did you think I was taller?

[galleto]

P.S.  I'm almost 5'3"

You shrinkin?

Ummm no... did you think I was taller?

F6GAL , by checking your profile I'm assuming you are a lady, right...Is it possible to share some pictures of your bike so can I see your modifications ? My OEM absorbers are almost new , do you think to cut them is a good idea ??
Thanks for ´ur feedback


   

[Serk]

This is a pic I took nearly 10 years ago of TNT (Vicki)'s Valkyrie, if it helps you any...

[ricoman]

Definitely have the seat worked on.
Shaving foam off the sides will narrow it enough to let your legs get closer together so your feet can touch the ground. Did that to a stock 98 seat and shaved some from the back as well. Got a very comfy chair to ride on.
Try another color besides yellow for your posts by the way. it's damn hard to read.

[RP#62]

My wife is about 5' even and what we did on her bike was went with 11.5 in shocks on the back, slipped the front forks 3/4", put Deuce risers on to bring the handle bars back, shaved some foam out of the seat and narrowed the nose of the seat.  The front of the seat pan stands off the frame about an inch on either side.  You can heat it up and bend it in and narrow it a little over an inch and still have clearance.  She's still not flat-footed but she can touch the ground on both sides.
-RP

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I've got a set of 11.5 412 Series Progressive Suspension rear shocks I'd trade for a set of OEM shocks off a Interstate and a  brand new Avon Cobra front tire shipped to my door.

[DavRed]

5’7” here. I put 11.5” shocks on the rear. New seat. Duce Risers so I could reach the bars.  Maybe a few extra things but not to make it fit a short guy. It scrapes early and hard. But they sell new foot pegs. I have several sharpened ones.

[fudgie]

I'm the same height and dont have a problem. I hardley ever set flat footed. Only time is when I'm loaded down. Most of the time I am on the balls of my feet or my toes. Never dropped it because of it.

[MacDragon]

5'7" here too. 30" inseam.  Stock seat.  I put 11.5 progressive 412s on the back and flatfoot easily... Rides smooth and true with no issues.  It was my brother's bike for 10 years and he was shorter than me.
This is an old pic... (Now has shield, bags, Kury pegs, grips etc.) Lowered it more than enough.

[DFragn]

All ideas above are on the money.

But, be careful slipping the forks. No more than .75" otherwise the triple clamps will have incrementally less then 50% grip of the tubes.
These tubes taper down towards the axle.

A big enough impact from a bump/pothole and you could find your triple clamp taking a rest on top of your fender.
And, you could put your eye out if you get thrown forward as the tops of the tubes shoot up thru the upper clamp. 

[BWANA]

I'm also 5'7 and had some problems when I stop on uneven surfaces.
I went to an upholstery shop and had foam removed nearest the seat pan. That lowers me enough to be flat footed and keeps the form of the seat cover. The guy was nice enough to let me try it to get the right fit. I also found putting on a back rest helped when backing up.

[Dogg]

Progressive makes a lowering kit for the front forks. Goody installed before he sold me the bike and also the short shocks in the rear. I like how low it sits but, with 5inch exhaust, I drag early. I don't need it lowered, just like the looks of it. But consider doing it the right way, not slipping the forks but with a lowering spring kit instead. Makes the world of difference and does not lose any of the handling characteristics.

[f6gal]

F6GAL , by checking your profile I'm assuming you are a lady, right...Is it possible to share some pictures of your bike so can I see your modifications ? My OEM absorbers are almost new , do you think to cut them is a good idea ??
Thanks for ´ur feedback

I can't find a great pic of the forks, but you can kinda see them in this pic.  The seat in this pic is a custom Corbin, but I've since changed to a custom Ultimate.

More pics here: http://valkyrieriders.com/f6gal/SS_BS_Seat/index.htm

Slipping the forks is pretty simple.  Use a bike jack to support the front end; lift the bike slightly so the weight is off the front end. Loosen the fork bolts, then lower the jack until the top of the forks are 1/2 to 3/4 in. above the triple tree (3/4 in is the absolute MAX b/c of the tapering).  Retighten the bolts as tight as absolutely possible, then drop the jack.  The forks have been slipped on all my Valkyries and I've never had an issue (even hit a deer at 60 mph, bent the forks, but they didn't budge from their position).

[Willow]

Galleto, I'm 5'8" with a 30" inseam.

At 5'7" you're close enough that it shouldn't take much.  An Ultimate Lowboy will drop you one inch.  A good pair of boots with reasonably thick soles will also assist you in reaching the ground comfortably.

Those two item will not change how the bike handles at all and should solve your issue.

[bscrive]

I never realized how short all you guys/gals are.  You guys seemed some what....taller (I won't say bigger).

[galleto]

First of all thank you all for your contributions ¡¡¡¡
I do have several options for choosing, I also realized that I´m  not as short as I imagine it. Some of the ideas a very creatives. Seems like just changing my absorbers from 13 to 11.5 that will resolve my problems

Thanks again.... and BUENAS Y SEGURAS RUTAS PARA TODOS

[Dogg]

Changing just the rear shocks will change the center of gravity....it's perfect balance so the handlebars will want to fall into a turn. Seen it, felt it too many times. Lower the whole bike, correctly, then you will be fine. Just don't put 5 inch exhaust on it if you lower it 2 inches or more.  Right Darrell???    Lol

[Paxton]

I lowered the rear with 11.5" Progressives in conjunction with the OEM seat. I then I installed a Mustang SOLO seat,
which turned out to be 1" taller than stock. 

My Mustang's seating area is flatter. Because I am short, the Mustang seat edges under my butt promote cramping...
This Mustang SOLO seat would be great for someone 5'9" or taller. 

To remedy the problem, I purchased studded-fringed Mustang-seat-covers ($80), made specifically for the Valk's OEM seat.
What a difference! I now can "flat foot" just 'bout anywhere.

As Willow indicated, a good set of boots with thick sole would help a lot. I bought a pair at Walmart for $45 and they work great.

NOTE: Some prefer the 2000 and later seat. I hear that earlier seats are less comfortable. I do have a 2000 seat.

After installing the Mustang seat covers and Gel Padding on the OEM seat, I would not want anything else.

Mind you, I am so short that when I seat in the floor, my feet dangle! 

[galleto]

To remedy the problem, I purchased studded-fringed Mustang-seat-covers ($80), made specifically for the Valk's OEM seat.
 

What exactly is this ?? Could you please post a picture o link to see it ?? Thanks

[Paxton]

Galleto;
Open this link. The Solo seat is OEM 2000 Valk. The seat cover (w/-fringes) is made by Mustang.
https://picasaweb.google.com/103917731019176896112/ItWasAsABeautifulDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCPLfwa7i1JGvWQ#

I believe I purchased the cover set (front/rear) from Cruiser Customizing ' bout 4 months ago. The feel and quality of the cover(s) is tops! 
I love it!