There are over 80% of motorcycle production comes off the production line designed for “average size” riders. Meaning riders who aren’t 5’9 and 80 kg are automatically disregarded from the one fit for all formula. Now, unless it’s a Duke 250 mileage cruiser bike or rather a small displacement bike, you’d likely find yourself struggling with seat height. With it placed 31 inches up, 5’6 riders would find it tough to plant their boots on the turf. But worry no more; we have brought you a few bike modifications that will solve your problems easily.

Too many riders fail to take advantage of the easy adjustments. Adjustments that would increase their reach to the handlebars and control levers and bring them closer to the ground. There are a few simple ways to change your factory KTM Duke 200 mileage bike to fit you better without having to do too much tinkering. There are also possibilities for aftermarket modifications like lowering the motorcycle or adjusting the suspension. See some of the most common bike modifications for shorter riders as you read further.

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Adjust Your Sag And Preload

First on our list of bike modifications has to be simply adjusting the original suspension on your bike. This can significantly improve the height. The first step is to adjust spring sag. It is a gap between the fork’s and shock’s fully extended and compressed positions with a rider on board. Smaller riders tend to be lighter, so there’s a strong chance that your bike’s original settings may have high preload. Also, most suspensions are set from the factory for a 180-pound rider. So, if you weigh less, the suspension may keep your Doc Martens further off the ground than necessary.

Swap The Seat

Second on our bike modifications list seems too obvious, though, right? You have a few options here; several manufacturers provide accessory plug-and-play “low” seats that may immediately lower standover height by as much as an inch. The aftermarket is your second option, and there, you have a far wider range of options. Make sure the seat is in the right form, breadth, and length for you. Seats with a narrow nose (closer to the tank) or a deep back bolster will bring you closer to the bars for improved leverage. By virtue of their design, deep-dish chairs are also close to the ground, but occasionally they are larger as well, necessitating a greater leg spread.

The third alternative is to do it yourself; if buying a new saddle is out of your price range, you may alter the one you already have by cutting the foam to fit (after you remove the cover). The ride will undoubtedly be less pleasurable because of the lack of foam, although it is easy and affordable. We have also seen some abhorrent, really painful hack jobs.

Handlebar And Riser Changes

Although this bike modification won’t lower your bike closer to the ground, it can greatly improve comfort and handling, particularly if you have short arms or tiny hands. Check to see if a fast rotation of your existing bar will work before buying a new one. Sometimes all it takes to get a little more pullback is to just release the clamps and move the bar closer to you. Why not adjust the brake and clutch levers while you’re at it so that they better fit your paws? Rotate the levers to a comfortable position after removing the lever clamp screws. Before you tighten everything back up, ensure nothing is binding or pinched since, in both situations, you might affect cable-free play. Ensure your wiring is up to par as well, and check the steering lock frequently to ensure nothing clogs.

Opt For Mid-Mounted Footpegs

This bike modification is fairly simple. Many cruisers have forward-mounted pegs that allow for a more relaxed riding position. However, shorter riders may find it difficult to reach. Your feet will stay below you, and you’ll probably have greater control if you switch to mid-mounted foot controls. However, this isn’t always achievable on all bikes because of the lack of mounting points and clearance requirements. If you can make short floorboards work, they could even be a viable solution in some circumstances.

Shift And Brake Lever Adjustment

Although it may seem like a minor bike modification, adjusting the brake or shifter height can also benefit shorter riders, in addition, shift levers can be attached to the transmission directly or remotely using a linkage.

Linkage or stop bolts are used to modify the height of the brake pedal. You may find out what system and process your bike employs by consulting the owner’s handbook. However, it’s necessary to keep in mind that you must keep the system’s free play while modifying the pedal height.

Mechanical Lowering

If a lower seat doesn’t bring you near enough to the ground, then manually lowering your bike might work wonders. However, this bike modification should only be used as a last resort because it can reduce your cornering clearance, change how your bike handles, and shorten suspension travel, among other problems.

The best (and safest) way to lower your bike is to have the fork and shock internally shortened by a professional. Of course, you’ll pay for it, and your bike’s handling will still suffer, but you’ll at least have a good ride.

The main disadvantage of lowering your bike is that it loses lean angle, which can be problematic when a bend tightens up in front of you. You may want to reconsider reducing it if you sometimes drag heavy components at factory riding height.

Get The Right Footwear

This isn’t really a “bike modification” per se, but boots significantly influence how grounded you feel. The thicker soles on many work-style boots will allow you a little more reach if you’re short and can only put one foot on the ground. However, be careful not to sacrifice control sensation on the brake and shifter in exchange for height.

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