Finding the right motorcycle can be challenging, especially for beginners who need a low seat height for better control and confidence. This guide covers various categories of motorcycles with low seat heights, including price comparisons and where to buy them in the UK and USA.
Going for a ride? Don’t forget to wear your helmet, gloves and boots.
By the way, here is our detailed guide about motorcycle touring in the UK.
Adventure Motorcycles with Low Seat Height
BMW G 310 GS
- Seat Height: 32.9 inches
- Engine: 313cc single-cylinder
- Price: £5,100 (UK), $5,695 (USA)
- Where to Buy: BMW dealerships, online marketplaces
Suzuki V-Strom 650
- Seat Height: 32.9 inches
- Engine: 645cc V-twin
- Price: £7,799 (UK), $8,799 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Suzuki dealerships, online platforms
Kawasaki Versys-X 300
- Seat Height: 32.1 inches
- Engine: 296cc twin-cylinder
- Price: £5,149 (UK), $5,499 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Kawasaki dealerships, online retailers
Honda CB500X
- Seat Height: 31.8 inches
- Engine: 471cc twin-cylinder
- Price: £6,199 (UK), $6,999 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Honda dealerships, online sellers
Honda Motorcycles with Low Seat Height
Honda Rebel 300
- Seat Height: 27.2 inches
- Engine: 286cc single-cylinder
- Price: £4,799 (UK), $4,599 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Honda dealerships, authorized online sellers
Honda CB300R
- Seat Height: 31.5 inches
- Engine: 286cc single-cylinder
- Price: £4,649 (UK), $4,949 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Honda dealerships, online platforms
Honda Grom
- Seat Height: 30 inches
- Engine: 124cc single-cylinder
- Price: £3,699 (UK), $3,599 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Honda dealerships, online platforms
Honda Rebel 500
- Seat Height: 27.2 inches
- Engine: 471cc twin-cylinder
- Price: £5,899 (UK), $6,199 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Honda dealerships, online retailers
Sport Touring Motorcycles with Low Seat Height
Kawasaki Ninja 400
- Seat Height: 30.9 inches
- Engine: 399cc parallel-twin
- Price: £5,499 (UK), $4,999 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Kawasaki dealerships, online marketplaces
Yamaha YZF-R3
- Seat Height: 30.7 inches
- Engine: 321cc inline-twin
- Price: £5,299 (UK), $5,299 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Yamaha dealerships, online retailers
Suzuki GSX250R
- Seat Height: 31.1 inches
- Engine: 248cc twin-cylinder
- Price: £4,199 (UK), $4,599 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Suzuki dealerships, online platforms
KTM RC 390
- Seat Height: 32.3 inches
- Engine: 373cc single-cylinder
- Price: £5,299 (UK), $5,499 (USA)
- Where to Buy: KTM dealerships, online sellers
Cruiser Motorcycles with Low Seat Height
Harley-Davidson Street 500
- Seat Height: 25.7 inches
- Engine: 494cc V-twin
- Price: £5,695 (UK), $6,899 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Harley-Davidson dealerships, authorized online sellers
Yamaha V Star 250
- Seat Height: 27 inches
- Engine: 249cc V-twin
- Price: £4,499 (UK), $4,349 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Yamaha dealerships, online platforms
Indian Scout Bobber Sixty
- Seat Height: 25.6 inches
- Engine: 999cc V-twin
- Price: £8,999 (UK), $8,999 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Indian dealerships, online retailers
Honda Rebel 1100
- Seat Height: 27.5 inches
- Engine: 1,084cc twin-cylinder
- Price: £8,999 (UK), $9,299 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Honda dealerships, online sellers
125cc Motorcycles with Low Seat Height
Honda CB125R
- Seat Height: 31.1 inches
- Engine: 125cc single-cylinder
- Price: £3,989 (UK), $4,699 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Honda dealerships, online retailers
Yamaha MT-125
- Seat Height: 31.9 inches
- Engine: 125cc single-cylinder
- Price: £4,499 (UK), $5,099 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Yamaha dealerships, online platforms
KTM 125 Duke
- Seat Height: 32.9 inches
- Engine: 124cc single-cylinder
- Price: £4,299 (UK), $4,999 (USA)
- Where to Buy: KTM dealerships, online sellers
Suzuki GSX-R125
- Seat Height: 31.1 inches
- Engine: 125cc single-cylinder
- Price: £4,199 (UK), $4,599 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Suzuki dealerships, online platforms
Classic Motorcycles with Low Seat Height
Royal Enfield Classic 350
- Seat Height: 31.7 inches
- Engine: 349cc single-cylinder
- Price: £4,599 (UK), $4,599 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Royal Enfield dealerships, online marketplaces
Triumph Bonneville T100
- Seat Height: 31.1 inches
- Engine: 900cc parallel-twin
- Price: £8,900 (UK), $10,450 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Triumph dealerships, authorized online sellers
Moto Guzzi V7 III
- Seat Height: 30.7 inches
- Engine: 744cc V-twin
- Price: £7,999 (UK), $8,490 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Moto Guzzi dealerships, online sellers
BSA Gold Star 650
- Seat Height: 30.9 inches
- Engine: 652cc single-cylinder
- Price: £6,500 (UK), $7,500 (USA)
- Where to Buy: BSA dealerships, online platforms
Dual Sport Motorcycles with Low Seat Height
Kawasaki KLX230
- Seat Height: 34.8 inches (with low seat option: 32.7 inches)
- Engine: 233cc single-cylinder
- Price: £3,999 (UK), $4,599 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Kawasaki dealerships, online platforms
Honda CRF250L
- Seat Height: 34.4 inches
- Engine: 249cc single-cylinder
- Price: £4,849 (UK), $5,199 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Honda dealerships, online retailers
Yamaha XT250
- Seat Height: 31.9 inches
- Engine: 249cc single-cylinder
- Price: £4,699 (UK), $5,199 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Yamaha dealerships, online retailers
Suzuki DR200S
- Seat Height: 33.3 inches
- Engine: 199cc single-cylinder
- Price: £4,299 (UK), $4,649 (USA)
- Where to Buy: Suzuki dealerships, online platforms
Interested in 600cc low cost motorbikes? Read here our detailed blog about the topic.
Motorcycle Seat Height Calculator
To calculate the ideal seat height for a motorcycle based on the rider’s height, you can use the following formula:
Ideal Seat Height = Rider’s Inseam – 2 inches
This formula helps ensure that the rider can comfortably place both feet on the ground while seated on the motorcycle.
Motorcycle Seat Height Chart
Below is a chart that suggests suitable seat heights based on the rider’s height.
| Rider Height (ft/in) | Rider Height (cm) | Suitable Seat Height (inches) | Suitable Seat Height (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5’0″ | 152 | 25.6 – 27.6 | 65 – 70 |
| 5’1″ | 155 | 26.0 – 28.0 | 66 – 71 |
| 5’2″ | 157 | 26.4 – 28.4 | 67 – 72 |
| 5’4″ | 163 | 27.2 – 29.2 | 69 – 74 |
| 5’6″ | 168 | 28.0 – 30.0 | 71 – 76 |
| 5’7″ | 170 | 28.4 – 30.4 | 72 – 77 |
| 5’8″ | 173 | 28.8 – 30.8 | 73 – 78 |
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
What is a good seat height for a beginner motorcyclist?
A seat height of 30 inches (76 cm) or under is generally considered beginner-friendly. A practical way to find your ideal seat height is to subtract 2 inches from your inseam measurement. This gives you a height where you can comfortably place at least one foot flat on the ground, which builds confidence when stopping. Riders with an inseam under 28 inches should look specifically at cruisers, which typically sit between 25 and 27 inches.
Do I need to flat-foot a motorcycle to ride safely as a beginner?
No — you do not need to place both feet flat on the ground to ride safely, but it does help with confidence as a new rider. Being able to get the balls of both feet down simultaneously is a solid starting point. Many experienced short riders manage perfectly well with one foot flat and one foot on the ball. What matters most is that you can hold the bike steady when stationary and manoeuvre it at low speeds without feeling off-balance.
Which type of motorcycle has the lowest seat height?
Cruiser motorcycles consistently offer the lowest seat heights, typically ranging from 25 to 28 inches. Models like the Honda Rebel 300 (27.2 in), Yamaha V Star 250 (27 in), and Harley-Davidson Street 500 (25.7 in) are among the lowest available. Standard and naked bikes come next, followed by sport bikes and adventure motorcycles, which tend to sit tallest. For UK learner riders on an A1 licence, the Honda Grom (30 in) and Yamaha MT-125 are worth considering in the 125cc category.
Can I ride a motorcycle if I am 5 feet tall?
Yes, absolutely. Height alone is less important than your inseam length, which determines how well you can reach the ground. A rider who is 5 feet tall with a 27-inch inseam can comfortably ride many cruiser and 125cc motorcycles. Bikes like the Indian Scout Bobber Sixty (25.6 in seat height) and Honda Rebel 300 (27.2 in) are well suited to shorter riders. Wearing flat-soled boots with a thicker heel can also add a useful inch or two of effective reach.
How can I lower my motorcycle seat height?
There are three main approaches. First, a custom or shaved seat — foam is removed and the seat is reupholstered — typically reducing height by 1 to 2 inches without affecting handling. Second, a suspension lowering kit replaces or modifies the rear linkage and front forks to physically lower the bike, though this can reduce ground clearance and affect cornering ability. Third, some manufacturers offer factory low-seat options as optional accessories. For beginners in the UK, a shaved seat is the safest starting point as it preserves the bike’s original geometry.
What is the best low seat height motorcycle for beginner riders in the UK?
The best choice depends on your licence category and inseam. For A1 licence holders (125cc limit), the Honda CB125R (31.1 in) and Suzuki GSX-R125 (31.1 in) are popular options. For A2 licence riders with more power available, the Honda Rebel 500 (27.2 in), Kawasaki Ninja 400 (30.9 in), and Royal Enfield Classic 350 (31.7 in) are strong all-round choices. If comfort and the lowest possible seat height are the priority, the Honda Rebel 300 at 27.2 inches remains one of the best beginner bikes available in the UK market.
