THE popularity of adventure bikes has been going on so long now that it’s hard to call it a trend – this is simply a popular market segment and one that manufacturers are pressing to expand even further.
And that means reaching out to a large chunk of the riding population who have previously been denied a spot in the adventure bike crowd by virtue of nothing more than a diminutive inseam. The thing is that the bikes which now fall into the ‘adventure’ class are what we used to refer to as ‘big trailies’ back in the days of the DR800 and XTZ750. They got that name because they’re, well, big. Big and tall. So traditionally, unless you also meet that description, you’re unlikely to feel comfortable manhandling one about.
A DR800's big, garishly-coloured bench towered 876mm off the ground, and its rivals were similarly lofty. Plenty of today’s bikes are equally big – a KTM 1190 Adventure R is a full 890mm tall – but these days there are options with much lower perches. Here are 10 that might be suited to the shorter of trouser.
In terms of practical advice, as with all bike buying decisions nothing can compare to first-hand experience. Seat height alone is just an indicator as to how easily you’ll touch the ground, as the seat’s shape and width will also have an influence. If you’re short of leg, try as many bikes as you can to see which suits you the best.