Nevada or 750 Breva seat height

[centauro]

I may be asking the wrong crowd, but anyone out there with any of these models of Guzzi?

My wife has a  short inseam (she's 5' 4") and is planning on taking the MSF course next month; I am assuming she will get through it, as she is serious and motivated. I am looking at either the Nevada or baby Breva as a good beginner bike after that.
So, what is the seat height on these bikes?

[averb]

Check here
http://cycle-ergo.com/

Steve

[Muzz]

The Breva can be fitted with a lower seat which drops the height about 30mm, about 1.1/4 inches.

Iam not tall and have an inseam of about 30".  I can flat feet at an intersection.

[rocker59]

I may be asking the wrong crowd, but anyone out there with any of these models of Guzzi?

My wife has a  short inseam (she's 5' 4") and is planning on taking the MSF course next month; I am assuming she will get through it, as she is serious and motivated. I am looking at either the Nevada or baby Breva as a good beginner bike after that.
So, what is the seat height on these bikes?

Nevada:  767mm / 30-inches

Guzzi small blocks aren't known for low seats.

The 750 Breva is 737mm / 29-inches with low profile seat.

[Arizona Wayne]

A Suzuki Savage 650 single has a low seat.
I have a 30" inseam and fit just fine on my 750 Breva w/stock seat.  A lot of shorter women than me do ride 750 Brevas.  So what's your wife's leg length?  My wife is 5'1" and she's too short.  Some women get thicker soles added to their boots if needed. 

[sign216]

You could use low profile tires. Bridgestone makes an appropriate size, which I added to my V7.  Handling is fine.  An easy way to lower the height.

[centauro]

Thanks for all the tips; seems that my petite wife has an inseam of only 24-25 inches, and can't even put one foot down seating on my Vespa.
Looks like only a Super Low Sportster or some of the Asian small metric cruisers may be eligible bikes.

I noticed that MSF bikes are typically Honda 250 Knighthawks, Yamaha 250s, Suzuki GZ 250; but looks like they have all but disappeared from the used bike market.

[rocker59]

Thanks for all the tips; seems that my petite wife has an inseam of only 24-25 inches, and can't even put one foot down seating on my Vespa.
Looks like only a Super Low Sportster or some of the Asian small metric cruisers may be eligible bikes.

I noticed that MSF bikes are typically Honda 250 Knighthawks, Yamaha 250s, Suzuki GZ 250; but looks like they have all but disappeared from the used bike market.

Sportsters are 550+ lbs.  Sure, low center of gravity, but still very heavy.

I'd go with an S40 Savage and customize it with some Ryca parts.

http://www.rycamotors.com/RYCA-cs2-standard-&-scrambler-kit.html

http://www.rycamotors.com/

[canuguzzi]

Maybe one of the older Honda Ascots with a lower profile seat?

Beware of adding thick soles to women's boots, not too many like to look like Herman Munster.

Piaggio MP3? Not a motorcycle but it does lean. I've found myself eyeing CanAms noe that the heat issues and bunch of engine and running gear refinements found their way into the RT Touring models.

[Arizona Wayne]

Maybe one of the older Honda Ascots with a lower profile seat?

Beware of adding thick soles to women's boots, not too many like to look like Herman Munster.

Piaggio MP3? Not a motorcycle but it does lean. I've found myself eyeing CanAms noe that the heat issues and bunch of engine and running gear refinements found their way into the RT Touring models.

You need @ least a 30" inseam to ride a MP3 comfortable/safely.    I have 2.  But other max-scooters may be worth considering though his wife's legs are pretty short.   The shape of the scooter seat can make a difference and you get leg  protection from the weather/debris.    Aprilia, Piaggio make some nice scooters with MC style tires (among others) if that matters to you.

A lot of guys pooh pooh maxi-scooters but at the same time a  lot of older MC riders have switched to them instead of a trike.  In my case I have the best of both worlds(MP3s). 

[Kiwi Dave]

Nevada:  767mm / 30-inches

Guzzi small blocks aren't known for low seats.

The 750 Breva is 737mm / 29-inches with low profile seat.

Seat height is not the only criteria your wife should be considering.  I had an English couple rent motorcycles from me a couple of years ago, he took an EV Touring, she opted for the Nevada (they both ride older Guzzis back in the UK).

I asked her to try the 750 Breva which I believe has the lower seat, (I posted a photograph of it on this forum some time ago for verification).  She found it too high, which may have meant the width of the seat also comes into play.

[ogsurf]

A Yamaha V-Star 250. Is perfect and is a gorgeous bike.

[Noguzznoglory]

I have a set of lowering links and a sawed off kickstand for a ninja 250, 07 and older, if you go that direction. Having ridden both I think the Breva is a better starter bike. Same performance but the Breva is torquier, fewer gears and the clutch Is friendlier to beginners.

[tpeever]

My wife has a Nevada and is 5'5" with 30 inch inseam. Stock seat is perfect height for her. Both feet flat on the ground. She has toured pretty extensively on it and likes it a lot.

She learned on a 250 Rebel and that has a very low seat height. Bit of a stretch on the highway though

[canuguzzi]

Doesn't Honda make a low slug pseudo motorcycle? Saw one the other day on the freeway, moving along rather quickly. Looked like it would fit just about anyone.

[canuguzzi]

Honda MN4. Seat height of 25 inches. Strange looking but the one I saw had a rider on it grinning ear to ear.

[trippah]

Had a Savage (S-40) for many years, and aside from a seat height it also is a forgiving ride with lots of torque -a great beginners bike that is fun (long highway rides are doable but a bit "shaken rider" syndrome).  Cheap new and cheaper used you could probably source one for test ride easily.  Hope she passes and enjoys riding.

[chuck peterson]

Suzuki also makes the TU250

[M0T0Geezer]

I have a 29" inseam and find my stock-seated 2004 750 Breva a perfect bike.  Can easily touch flatfooted (both feet) at a stop (but my boots have 1/2" sole). 

The 400 pound weight of the Breva is a wonderful change from my 900 pound GL1800 (oink oink).  Further, it is perfectly reliable - a credible touring bike that I've put over 40,000 miles on.  Runs at 70 mph (true GPS) for hours and hours and usually gets 60 mpg.

A friend here in Longmont has a lowered Nevada 750 that he is selling if you're interested.

'Geezer

[Arizona Wayne]

I have a 29" inseam and find my stock-seated 2004 750 Breva a perfect bike.  Can easily touch flatfooted (both feet) at a stop (but my boots have 1/2" sole). 

The 400 pound weight of the Breva is a wonderful change from my 900 pound GL1800 (oink oink).  Further, it is perfectly reliable - a credible touring bike that I've put over 40,000 miles on.  Runs at 70 mph (true GPS) for hours and hours and usually gets 60 mpg.

A friend here in Longmont has a lowered Nevada 750 that he is selling if you're interested.

'Geezer

60 mpg @ 70mph for hours?  Never even gotten past 55 mpg on occasion w/my `04 750 Breva @ 65-70 mph.    Do get 65 mpg with my 400 Piaggio MP3 doing the same thing.   

[taz]

my wife is similarly challenged but has rode a 750 Breva for many years after installing shorter shocks, pulling the forks up in the triple clamps 1" and using the lower seat, very simple mods.  I think the underlying advantage of the small block MG's is their torque curve, makes it much easier for the beginner rider to manage in traffic and safer to ride. 

[Tom]

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