When looking at bikes the most common question is always the same: "I am 1.70 m tall; will my feet reach the ground on this bike?" The answer does not depend only on your height. What really decides it is your inseam length, the bike's seat height, the width of the seat and how much the suspension sags when you sit down. In this article we go through these one by one; using the 580 bikes in the catalogue we have also put into a table on how many models your feet reach the ground comfortably for your height. If you want to try with your own measurements, just enter your height in the Does it fit me? tool.
First measure your inseam
Height is a misleading measure for choosing a bike. Of two people of the same height, one can have legs 5 cm longer. The measurement you will compare with seat height is the inseam: the distance from the crotch to the floor.
- Stand upright without shoes, with your back against the wall.
- Raise a hardback book, spine up, between your legs until it touches your crotch.
- Measure the distance from the top edge of the book to the floor. That is your inseam.
If you cannot measure, as a rough estimate you can take 45 per cent of your height: about 77 cm for a height of 170 cm. If you do not enter your inseam, our tool calculates with this ratio.
A simple rule: compare inseam with seat height
The seat height given by manufacturers is the height of the lowest point of the seat above the ground. Comparing this with your inseam gives you a first idea. For a naked or classic bike with a standard-width seat, the approximate rule from our calculations is as follows, including boot soles and the suspension sagging when you sit:
| Seat height | What happens when you stop? |
|---|---|
| Equal to or lower than your inseam | Both feet reach flat on the soles |
| Up to 3-4 cm higher than your inseam | The balls of both feet reach, the heels lift slightly |
| Up to 8 cm higher than your inseam | Both feet are on tiptoe |
| Higher | Both feet hardly touch at once; you generally stop on one foot |
Example: if your inseam is 79 cm, on the Yamaha MT-07 with an 805 mm seat the balls of both feet reach; on the BMW R 1300 GS with an 850 mm seat you are left on tiptoe. Standing on the balls of your feet is a safe and comfortable stance for most riders; flat soles are not essential.
On how many bikes do your feet reach the ground for your height?
We calculated the 580 bikes in the catalogue that are on sale and have a known seat height for each height, taking the inseam as 45 per cent of height. The "Reaches comfortably" column shows the models on which both feet reach with the soles or the balls of the feet:
| Height | Estimated inseam | Reaches comfortably | Tiptoe | Hard or does not reach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 155 cm | 70 cm | 67 | 42 | 471 |
| 160 cm | 72 cm | 75 | 121 | 384 |
| 165 cm | 74 cm | 98 | 202 | 280 |
| 170 cm | 77 cm | 221 | 238 | 121 |
| 175 cm | 79 cm | 326 | 192 | 62 |
| 180 cm | 81 cm | 447 | 102 | 31 |
| 185 cm | 83 cm | 507 | 72 | 1 |
| 190 cm | 86 cm | 557 | 23 | 0 |
The biggest jump is between 165 and 170 cm: the number of models on which both feet reach comfortably rises from 98 to 221. The reason is that the seats of most bikes in the naked, sports and scooter classes are clustered in the 760-820 mm range. If you are under 170 cm your options narrow but do not run out; below we explain where you should look. At 180 cm and above, reaching the ground is hardly ever a problem, and the real issue turns to knee angle.
Seat height alone is not enough
On two bikes with the same seat height on paper, your feet can reach differently. Three things make the difference:
- Seat and body width: a wide seat or footboard makes you spread your legs to the sides and shortens the distance you can reach to the ground. This is why scooters feel taller than on paper: the Honda PCX 125 has a 764 mm seat and the Yamaha NMAX 125 765 mm, but because the footboard is wide they can trouble a shorter rider more than a naked bike with the same seat height. On maxi-scooters this effect is even greater.
- Suspension sag: when you sit, the bike lowers a certain amount according to your weight. On long-travel adventure and enduro bikes this sag is greater; a high seat on paper is somewhat rescued when you sit.
- Weight: standing on tiptoe is manageable on a 150 kg bike, but on a bike over 250 kg it gets hard on sloping ground or when manoeuvring in a car park. If you are short, look at weight as well as seat height.
If you are short, where should you look?
The lowest seats are in the cruiser and classic classes. When we calculated for a height of 163 cm and an inseam of 73 cm, some of the reasonably priced options on which both feet reach comfortably are:
- Zontes ZT200C: 700 mm seat, 198 cc, on an A2 licence.
- CFMoto 450CL-C: 705 mm seat, 449 cc, on an A2 licence.
- Kawasaki Vulcan S: 705 mm seat, 649 cc, on an A licence.
- Kawasaki Eliminator 500: 735 mm seat, 451 cc, on an A2 licence.
To see two of them side by side you can compare the Eliminator 500 and 450CL-C in our tool. For a wider list, you can look at our articles on low-seat bikes for shorter riders and cruiser bikes. If the bike you like is tall, ask the dealer whether there is a low seat or lowering kit option.
If you are tall, look at the knee angle
If you are 185 cm or above, your feet reach the ground on almost every bike. This time the problem is that if the distance between the footpeg and the seat is short, your knees bend too much; on a long trip this means cramp and pain. The Riding tab of our tool shows the knee angle for each bike. When we calculated for a height of 190 cm, the adventure and enduro classes are among the first to give the most open knee angle: long-travel models such as the BMW R 12 G/S, BMW F 900 GS Style Base and KTM 690 Enduro R leave more room for your legs. On sports bikes the footpegs are high and set back, so a tall rider's knees are bent noticeably.
Always sit on it before buying
Calculations make a good preliminary filter but always sit on the bike before deciding. At the dealer, try these:
- Sit in your boots; a trial in trainers misleads.
- Put both feet on the ground and feel whether you can hold the bike balanced, tilting it slightly left and right.
- Lift the bike off the side stand to upright; see how the weight feels to you.
- Turn the handlebar fully right and left; make sure your arms reach comfortably.
You can find the authorised dealer near you in the dealer guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which bike suits a height of 1.70?
With a height of 170 cm and an inseam of about 77 cm, on 221 of the 580 bikes in the catalogue both your feet reach comfortably, and on 238 you are left on tiptoe. On bikes with a standard-width seat, your whole sole reaches up to 770 mm, and the ball of your foot up to around 800 mm.
Can you ride a bike if your foot does not reach the ground fully?
Yes. Most experienced riders stop on the ball of the foot or on one foot. If you are just starting and the bike is heavy, having at least the balls of both feet reach makes things easier; if you are left on tiptoe, think of a lighter or lower model.
Is it possible to lower the seat height?
On many models there is a low seat or lowering kit option from the factory; there are also upholsterers who thin out the seat padding. Since a lowering kit can reduce ground clearance and suspension travel, you should have it fitted at an authorised workshop.
Is the calculation different for women riders?
Our tool has a woman and man option. When woman is selected, arm length and suspension sag when sitting are calculated according to average women's measurements; the real decider is still the inseam length.
Conclusion
It is your inseam that speaks, not your height. First measure your inseam, compare it with the seat height, then adjust for seat width, suspension and weight. The fastest way is to open the bike you have in mind in the Does it fit me? tool and see it with your own measurements; you can put two bikes side by side and compare on which your feet reach more comfortably.