Little on large: testing two big bikes for shorter riders

It’s clear to see that bikes are getting bigger, in more ways than one. To some, 700cc machines are considered novice machinery, and the term ‘middleweight’ is applied to bikes not far short of litre-capacity…

The shift from minimalist race-reps to fully-kitted adventure machinery dominating sales charts means we’re riding around with more metal under us than ever in order to satisfy our demands for power, comfort and technological advances.

But there is a problem – one that’s very personal for me…

I love adventure bikes, but I find them intimidating, for one obvious reason: I’m 5ft 7in with a 28in leg. And that’s on a good day.

Pretty much any machine over a middleweight naked is a stretch for me. And it’s a problem that seems to get worse with every wave of new models: when the original Multistrada appeared 20 years ago it weighed 188kg (dry), and had an 820mm seat height.

The current Multistrada V4 Rally tips the scales at 227kg (dry), with a seat height of 870mm.

That’s a hefty hike, just like those it enjoys in power and torque over the original model, and yet it is rarely mentioned.

Us little folk are getting left behind. Do manufacturers not think about riders under six foot when designing adventure bikes?

Well, actually they have…