Low-seat motorcycles for shorter riders (2026)

Stopping at a traffic light and barely touching the ground with the tips of both feet is one of the tensest moments of riding. For shorter riders it happens every day, especially on a sloping road or a sandy car park. The good news: the catalogue has many models with a seat height of 790 mm or lower that are also light. In this guide we explain how to read seat height, which classes are lower, and list options by licence using data from the Pusulamoto catalogue. The answer to the "light and low motorcycle" question that women riders often ask is largely here too.

What does the seat-height figure tell you, and what does it not?

The seat height given by the manufacturer is the distance from the lowest point of the seat to the ground. But three more things affect whether your feet reach the ground:

• Seat width: a wide seat spreads your legs apart and feels "higher" than a narrow seat of the same height. This is noticeable on adventure bikes and some scooters.
• Suspension sag: when you sit on it, the motorcycle sags a little. A motorcycle with soft suspension can feel lower than the figure on paper.
• Weight: if your feet do not reach the ground fully, you hold the bike upright on one foot. On a 170 kg motorcycle this is easy, on 240 kg it is hard. So look at weight as well as seat height.

Practical rule: sit on the motorcycle at the dealer, hold it upright and see whether you can put one foot flat and the other on its toes. This is a more reliable test than any figure on paper.

A1 and B licence: low-seat 125s

If your B licence is at least 2 years old and you have completed motorcycle training you can ride these models; the conditions are on the licence page.

The RKS RZ125 is the lowest model in this table, with a 745 mm seat, 14.5 hp and ABS; 169,740 TL (October 2026 list price). If the budget is tight, the RKS RK125S with a 760 mm seat and 125 kg weight costs 108,732 TL (October 2026 list price). The Honda Monkey is very light at 104 kg and offers a 776 mm seat and ABS; but its price is high at 272,250 TL (October 2026 list price). If you are looking for a balanced option for everyday use, the Honda CB125F is 117 kg and 789 mm at 166,000 TL (October 2026 list price); the TVS Raider 125 is 120 kg, 780 mm and 149,400 TL (October 2026 list price).

On the scooter side, the Honda PCX 125 with a 764 mm seat and the Yamaha NMAX 125 with a 765 mm seat are popular and relatively low models of the class. However, because scooters have a wide footboard, your foot comes down to the ground a little further out; be sure to sit on one and try it. A comparison of the two is in the PCX or NMAX guide.

A2 licence: light and low options

The 780–790 mm band is very crowded in the A2 class. In this band, weight becomes decisive. The Kove 250R is light with a 790 mm seat and 153 kg (dry), and at 199,900 TL (October 2026 list price) is the cheapest in the table. The Yamaha MT-25 is 780 mm and 165 kg at 464,500 TL (October 2026 list price). If you want a more powerful motorcycle, the Kawasaki Z500 with 167 kg, 785 mm and 44.8 hp is among the most balanced models in this band: 556,000 TL (October 2026 list price). The Honda CB500 Hornet gives 46.9 hp at the same seat height but weighs 192 kg; 550,000 TL (October 2026 list price). You can see these two side by side in the Kawasaki Z500 vs Honda CB500 Hornet comparison.

If you like a classic look, the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is 780 mm and 184 kg at 508,000 TL (October 2026 list price), and the Triumph Speed 400 is 790 mm and 170 kg at 526,400 TL (October 2026 list price).

The lowest class: cruisers

If seat height is your most important criterion, look at the cruiser class. Most A2-compatible cruisers are around 700 mm or below.

The CFMoto 450CL-C with a 705 mm seat and 181 kg, and the Kawasaki Eliminator 500 with 735 mm and 176 kg, are both low and relatively light. The RKS SRV250VS, with a 720 mm seat and 293,970 TL (October 2026 list price), is a more affordable entry. We covered all cruisers in the cruiser guide.

For those who want a maxi-scooter

On maxi-scooters the seat is generally around 780–800 mm and the body is wide. Relatively low options: the SYM Joymax Z 250 at 755 mm and 319,000 TL (October 2026 list price), the Voge SR3 at 770 mm and 244,900 TL (October 2026 list price). The Suzuki Burgman 400 is low at 755 mm, but take its 218 kg weight into account.

What to watch for on a low-seat motorcycle

• Lowering kit and low seat: some manufacturers offer a low seat as an accessory; lowering the suspension, on the other hand, reduces ground clearance and lean angle. Have this done at an authorised service centre, with manufacturer-approved parts.
• Choice of boots: thick-soled motorcycle boots can gain you 2–3 cm. Make sure the sole is non-slip.
• Parking technique: before stopping, look at the slope of the road; do not end up having to put your foot down on the low side of the road. Decide a second or two before stopping which foot you will put down.
• Side-stand angle: for shorter riders it can be hard to lift the motorcycle upright off the stand. Try this before buying as well.
• Gear sizes: for short and slightly built riders, standard sizes may be loose; the women's cut gear category and small-size four-season jackets are worth a look from this angle.

Which suits whom?

Conclusion

Being short does not limit your choice of motorcycle; it only means you need to look in the right place. The RKS RZ125 and Honda CB125F among 125s, the Kawasaki Z500 and Yamaha MT-25 in A2, and the CFMoto 450CL-C and Kawasaki Eliminator 500 for the lowest seat are good starting points. For more models, see the lists of low-seat motorcycles and the lightest motorcycles, and to filter by your own measurements use the motorcycle finder.

Frequently asked questions

Which motorcycle suits someone 1.60 m tall?

There is no fixed limit; inseam and seat width are decisive. In general, seats of 750 mm and below (cruisers, models such as the RKS RZ125) are the most comfortable options for this height. Be sure to sit on it at the dealer to try.

Is there a light motorcycle recommendation for women riders?

In the catalogue, the Honda CB125F (117 kg) and Honda Monkey (104 kg) in the 125 class, and the Kawasaki Z500 (167 kg) and Kove 250R (153 kg dry) in the A2 class are among the models that are both light and low-seated.

Is lowering the seat safe?

A manufacturer-approved low seat generally causes no problems. Lowering the suspension, on the other hand, can reduce lean angle and suspension travel; have it done at an authorised service centre and check the insurance terms.

Is a scooter lower, or a motorcycle?

The figures may be similar, but the scooter's wide footboard makes your foot come down to the ground further out. For shorter riders, a narrow-bodied naked bike or cruiser often feels more confidence-inspiring.