Stumpy legged rider eyeing an ST1100

Morrissey

Morrissey

Joined
May 5, 2015
Messages
50
Location
Canada
Bike
2005 ST1300
Hi all. New to the forum. I am considering an 1100 but have some questions first. I did a quick search but didn't find the answers I was looking for. Currently I ride a Suzuki Bandit 600. I have a full set of Givi luggage (41L panniers and 46L top box) bar risers and Givi windscreen. I love most things about the bike, but the buffeting and wind noise drives me crazy. Also, after more than a decade on a Yamaha Virago before my Bandit, I REALLY miss shaft drive! I can't tell you how often I forget to lube my chain properly.

So I've been looking around and spotted an '01 1100 at a local shop with a good reputation. The bike has 40,000km and they are asking $5,200. It looks bone stock in the pictures (maybe the backrest is accessory) and it looks very clean.

Here is my concern. I am 5'7" with roughly a 30" inseam. Boots might add an inch. On my Bandit my feet come down to the ground in front of the pegs, giving me a lot of range of motion as to moving my leg for peddling around while stopped or even for adjusting my footing at a stop light which makes me feel safe. I had looked at a Kawasaki Concours 1000 a while back but noticed that my feet come down behind the pegs, and because the pegs only rotate backwards and not forward, my feet are locked into place where ever they come down. I can't move my feet forward if I need to and it makes me feel like I'd end up tipping over because I simply couldn't move my feet. The ST and the Concours are both big bikes, and I want to be able to move around as needed. I'm not bothered by the weight of these bikes if I can move my feet around freely while they are planted.

So my big question before I take the time to go and see the bike is do any of you with shorter legs find this problem with your ST?

Thanks for the insight,

Morrissey
 
Yes, it's a problem. I'm 5' 6" w/29" inseam. My Corbin Rumble saddle is lower than the OEM, but I still can't move my ST1100 around while astride. Well, except for backing down a slight downslope. Balls of the feet only, in any case. I love the bike, so learned to compensate from day one (21 years and 176K ago). I'm very careful where I stop of course. If I have to move the ST I do it standing beside it, with the sidestand down, left hand on the left handlebar and right on the left passenger handrail. Drives my riding companions crazy but works and suits me just fine. FWIW and YMMV

John
via iPhone 6
 
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i am 5'8". 30 " leg seam. I have been riding my ST for 20 years. Have a custom Sargeant seat. The problem is not always the height of the seat, but the width, ie spreading your legs decreases you functional lengthe. The bike is a handful for shorter riders, not to mention the weight. Like the last post, I am careful where I park it, pushing it backwards up any incline is difficult if not sometimes impossible. Stopping at a light, no problem. If I ever got around to it, i would have someone shave some of the padding down inside my thighs, that would help. Have to illusions, it s a big heavy bike by todays standards.
 
5'10", 27" inseam.... tippy toe only when I touch with both feet.
I don't care... I can't touch on dirt bikes either! :)
 
John OoSTerhuis said:
If I have to move the ST I do it standing beside it, with the sidestand down, left hand on the left handlebar and right on the left passenger handrail.
Click to expand...
One of the first "lessons" of my ST mechanic was how to manoeuvre/back-up that motorcycle properly (to not embarrass the brethren in public ;-))...
In this my right hand sits on the "hump" towards the passenger seat, steering with left hand on left handlebar... works brilliantly for me, even on slightly uphill passages, driveways...
My mech however was the pro in this: backing it up over 5" curbs onto the side-walk... :shock: OTOH did he handle and move bikes for a living all day long...

Important is having a good foothold when stopping, like in traffic or for parking, it just sucks the fun out of riding if that doesn't feel confident and secure...
I suggest some practical testing on a live ST1100, maybe on the lot of the dealer offering the bike, to clarify how much height is missing and if that could be cured with a different, lowered saddle...
 
Morrissey said:
Hi all. New to the forum. I am considering an 1100 but have some questions first. I did a quick search but didn't find the answers I was looking for. Currently I ride a Suzuki Bandit 600. I have a full set of Givi luggage (41L panniers and 46L top box) bar risers and Givi windscreen. I love most things about the bike, but the buffeting and wind noise drives me crazy. Also, after more than a decade on a Yamaha Virago before my Bandit, I REALLY miss shaft drive! I can't tell you how often I forget to lube my chain properly.

So I've been looking around and spotted an '01 1100 at a local shop with a good reputation. The bike has 40,000km and they are asking $5,200. It looks bone stock in the pictures (maybe the backrest is accessory) and it looks very clean.

Here is my concern. I am 5'7" with roughly a 30" inseam. Boots might add an inch. On my Bandit my feet come down to the ground in front of the pegs, giving me a lot of range of motion as to moving my leg for peddling around while stopped or even for adjusting my footing at a stop light which makes me feel safe. I had looked at a Kawasaki Concours 1000 a while back but noticed that my feet come down behind the pegs, and because the pegs only rotate backwards and not forward, my feet are locked into place where ever they come down. I can't move my feet forward if I need to and it makes me feel like I'd end up tipping over because I simply couldn't move my feet. The ST and the Concours are both big bikes, and I want to be able to move around as needed. I'm not bothered by the weight of these bikes if I can move my feet around freely while they are planted.

So my big question before I take the time to go and see the bike is do any of you with shorter legs find this problem with your ST?

Thanks for the insight,

Morrissey
Click to expand...

5ft 6" 29 inside leg and been riding pans over 5 years no real problem just maybe think about where you park so less manhandling etc
 
I am 5' 7" and 30" inseam. I bought a Corbin with a 2" lower seat high . Even with that I have a hard time vacking the bike astride. I am just careful about where I park. No issues when stopped. If necessary I pull my feet back into the pegs so the fold up giving me better footing. I love the bike.
 
Cjames - my woory is not being able to put foot down in front of the peg to utilize that backwards folding to the prgs. I'm worried about my shins being stuck against the pegs and not being able to move my leg and adjust my footing while at a stop or while using the clutch to duck walk at slow speeds. I'm fine with muscling the bike around while off the bike to back it up etc.

Going to have to find some time to get out and sit on one. Will know in a moment if this worry is valid or not.
 
Just noticing the "tip over" counters under some of your avatars! Not the most confidence inspiring for a potential owner! Haha.
 
Yeah. Meant to mention that for full disclosure. Haven't had a parking drop in years, though.

N.B. Note the engine guards built into the ST1100 and beautifully integrated into the design. As my friends across the big pond say, "brilliant!" They've certainly saved me thousands of dollars over the years.

Feet fall in front of the pegs when stopped/astride.

John
via iPhone 6
 
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31 1/2 inch inseam here and can easily flat foot the left foot, with the stock seat. Getting a Russell seat soon, so may have to re-learn a stopping position though. I don't foresee a big problem and don't think you would have one either, once you get used to the weight of the bike and get a feel for your balance when stopping.
 
Seriously, folks spend big $$$ on accessories. So, why not spend a few hundred $$ and have a shoemaker install risers on your boots ? I would go to almost any ( legal ) extreme to fit myself to a nice low mileage ST1100 like you have located.
 
Same inseam as you at 30" and no concerns about flat footing - just ain't gonna happen for me. I ride with the stock seat in the middle position normally and in the high position on a longer ride to make it easier on my knees. I wear boots with great traction and I'm comfortable with just one foot down at stops. Once or twice a week I need a quick touch on the ball of my right foot to compensate for a misjudgement. The bike rolls surprisingly easily backwards, I've never had a problem backing, but I'm pretty mindful to not park in a tough spot. I've managed to not drop Pooter yet, but I hear the ST lays down pretty gracefully when that happens. I'm sure some day my tip over counter will move off of zero, but not today!
 
Morrissey said:
Cjames - my woory is not being able to put foot down in front of the peg to utilize that backwards folding to the prgs. I'm worried about my shins being stuck against the pegs and not being able to move my leg and adjust my footing while at a stop or while using the clutch to duck walk at slow speeds. I'm fine with muscling the bike around while off the bike to back it up etc.

Going to have to find some time to get out and sit on one. Will know in a moment if this worry is valid or not.
Click to expand...

So, I paid alittle more attention to were I can place my feet when I come to a stop on the way home yesterday. I am able to set down just outside the pegs on the balls of my feet pulls alittle bit. I also ride with the seat in the middle seat height. Hope this helps.
 
Morrissey said:
Just noticing the "tip over" counters under some of your avatars! Not the most confidence inspiring for a potential owner! Haha.
Click to expand...

The 1100 is kinda like falling a tree. Once it gets to a certain point past vertical you don't try to straighten it back up, you just make sure you're not underneath it as it falls. That's a bit of an exaggeration, but not by much.

I'm roughly 31 inseam, and find the stock seat to be OK for my confidence on clean pavement. Gravel parking lots, not so much.
 
I have a 28 inch inseam. Here is what I've done:

1. 60 series rear tire;
2. Lower Works shock;
3. Daytona M-star boots with an EXTRA 1" insole.

With my Corbin seat I had a pretty good knee bend. With my Russell Day Long saddle I can still flat foot it.

I dropped mine because I was looking at the dashboard during stops. You have to look ahead to get a good sense of level.
 
I've got a 29" inseam (just under 5'7") and find the ST 1300 to be a handful on anything other than a flat parking lot or driveway. I had Spencer lower my seat and I can move the bike forward in my garage while astride it, but not backwards (no flatfooting - only tip toe). You will quickly learn to plan ahead when stopping, not stop with the front handlebars turned, and take a loop around parking lots to find the best place to park. Oh, and watch out for off camber stops.

On the other hand, once the bike is rolling faster than a couple of mph, it is indeed a dream come true.
 
Any luck with finding one to sit on?
I'm very close to the same size as you and just bought an ST1100. While shopping I got to sit on one where the owner had both the stock seat and a corbin. I know the corbin is supposed to be lower (and perhaps it is), but as mentioned in an earlier post, the width can make a big difference and the corbin I sat on was wider than the stock seat and made it noticeably more difficult to get my feet to the ground. That said...
I did buy one with a corbin seat. No, I can't flat foot it, but I'm hopeful/confident that with due consideration, I'll be fine.

Good Luck,
Extemp.

N.B. This is my first bike since I had a yz125x motocross 35 years ago.
 
Extemp said:
I did buy one with a corbin seat.
Click to expand...
The issue with Corbin (or any other popular after-market seat) is the wider seat-pan, forcing one to spread the legs even further...
A lowered stock or Bespoke saddle might work nicely.
 
So I got out yesterday to check out the ST1100 that I mentioned. Clearly this service shop's idea of "very clean" and mine are two VERY different things. The bike was covered in deep scratches on the tank and side bags and the header pipes were rusty. Mechanically the bike was great. So, I hoped on her to see how she fit. I must say the seat height and width was a non-issue which was a big relief. The stock windscreen was awful, right in my line of sight. The other problem for me, and it is a deal breaker, is the colour. I'm sure when it was new it was burgundy or maroon. After 15 years of sun fading, I call it pinky-purple. I can't ride a pinky-purple bike. I know, I'm shallow. ;)

But, this experience has given me hope that there will be a shaft drive touring monster in my future! I'm going to put a few more $$ into the bike account and keep my eye out for a low mileage ST1300 in great shape.

Thanks for the help everyone! I'm going to keep haunting this site and learn as much as I can about the 1300.
 
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