Motorcycle Seat Height Comparisons (290 different bikes)

The motorcycle’s seat height can seriously influence how confident you are on the bike, especially for beginner riders or if you ride in technical terrain. Some motorcycle types have lower seat heights than others.

The average seat height of any motorcycle is 31.6 inches (803 mm). The lowest motorcycles are cruisers with an average seat height of only 27 inches (686 mm), while the tallest bikes are dirt bikes and dual sports at 34 inches (864 mm). The Yamaha YZ 125 has the tallest seat height of any bike at 38.6 inches (980 mm) and the Harley Softail Slim is the lowest motorcycle at 25.5 inches (648 mm).

Seat height should not be your only consideration when buying a motorcycle, but it will greatly influence how quickly you learn to ride if you are a beginner rider. My short wife learned to ride on a small Yamaha MR 50 from 1979 and within weeks she got onto a 421 lbs BMW 650 Funduro. If she had started on the BMW, she would have taken that much longer to gain confidence.

Before we move on, are you 100% sure your motorcycle is safe to ride? My chain once came off my bike with my wife on the back. To ensure it never happens to you, I’ve written a short e-Guide on what to check before each ride and every time you wash your bike. Sign up for my email list by clicking HERE and I’ll send you a FREE copy immediately.

The only way to know which bike is best for you is to take it for a test ride. Second prize is to at least go sit on all the bikes on your shortlist. That will give you a feel for the seat height and how easily you are able to touch the ground and balance it upright.

Once you are experienced at riding a motorcycle, seat height is almost totally irrelevant. It is during those early days while learning to master clutch and throttle control, and how to properly stop the motorcycle the right way, that seat height can be important. And please make sure you wear the proper safety gear, even if you are riding slowly.

All the Seat Heights of All the Motorcycles

This table below lists all the seat heights of all the major motorcycle manufacturers from the tallest to the lowest in inches and in milimetres.

Bike Model	Seat Height (inches)	Seat Height (mm)
Yamaha YZ125	38.6	980
Yamaha YZ125 MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA RACING EDITION	38.6	980
Yamaha YZ250	38.2	970
Yamaha YZ250 MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA RACING EDITION	38.2	970
Yamaha YZ250F	38.2	970
Yamaha YZ250X	38.2	970
Honda CRF250RX	38	965
Honda CRF450R	38	965
Honda CRF450RWE	38	965
Honda CRF450RX	38	965
Yamaha YZ250F MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA RACING EDITION	38	965
Yamaha YZ450F	38	965
Yamaha YZ450F MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA RACING EDITION	38	965
Honda CRF450X	37.9	963
Honda CRF250R	37.8	960
Honda CRF450-S	37.8	960
Suzuki RM-Z450	37.8	960
Kawasaki KX450	37.6	955
Kawasaki KX450 SR	37.6	955
Yamaha WR250F	37.6	955
Yamaha WR450F	37.6	955
Yamaha YZ125X	37.6	955
Yamaha YZ250FX	37.6	955
Yamaha YZ450FX	37.6	955
Suzuki RM-Z250	37.5	953
Kawasaki KX250	37.4	950
Kawasaki KX450 X	37.4	950
Suzuki RMX450Z	37.4	950
Honda CRF450RL	37.2	945
Kawasaki KX250 X	37.2	945
Honda XR650L	37	940
Suzuki DR-Z400S	36.8	935
Kawasaki KLX300R	36.4	925
Kawasaki KLX230R	36.2	919
Kawasaki KLX230R S	35.4	899
Honda CRF300L RALLY	35.2	894
Honda CRF300L RALLY ABS	35.2	894
Kawasaki KLX300	35.2	894
BMW R 1250 GS Adventure	35*	889*
BMW R 1250 GS Adventure – Edition 40 Years GS	35*	889*
Suzuki DR-Z400SM	35	889
Suzuki DR650S	34.8*	884*
Honda CRF250F	34.8	884
Kawasaki KLX230 ABS	34.8	884
Yamaha YZ85LW	34.8	884
Honda CRF300L	34.7	881
Honda CRF300L ABS	34.7	881
BMW F 850 GS Adventure	34.4	874
Yamaha Tenere 700	34.4	874
Kawasaki KLR 650 ABS	34.3	871
Kawasaki KLR 650 ADVENTURE	34.3	871
Kawasaki KLR 650 TRAVELER	34.3	871
Kawasaki KX100	34.3	871
Kawasaki KX112	34.3	871
Yamaha TT-R230	34.3	871
Kawasaki KLX140R F	33.9	861
Kawasaki KLX300 SM	33.9	861
Yamaha YZF-R1M	33.9	861
Suzuki V-STROM 1050	33.7	856
Yamaha YZF-R1	33.7	856
Yamaha YZF-R1 World GP 60th Anniversary Edition	33.7	856
BMW R 1250 GS	33.5*	851*
BMW R 1250 GS – Edition 40 Years GS	33.5*	851*
Yamaha Tracer 900 GT	33.5*	851*
Honda AFRICA TWIN	33.5*	851*
Honda AFRICA TWIN ADVENTURE SPORTS ES	33.5*	851*
Honda AFRICA TWIN ADVENTURE SPORTS ES DCT	33.5*	851*
Honda AFRICA TWIN DCT	33.5*	851*
BMW R nineTUrban G/S – Edition 40 Years GS	33.5	851
Suzuki RM85	33.5	851
Suzuki RM85	33.5	851
Suzuki V-STROM 1000	33.5	851
Suzuki V-STROM 1000XT	33.5	851
Suzuki V-STROM 1000XT ADVENTURE	33.5	851
Suzuki V-STROM 1050XT	33.5	851
Suzuki V-STROM 1050XT ADVENTURE	33.5	851
Yamaha YZF-R6	33.5	851
Yamaha Super Tenere ES	33.3*	846*
Suzuki DR200S	33.3	846
Kawasaki VERSYS 1000 SE LT+	33.1	841
Kawasaki VERSYS 650 ABS	33.1	841
Kawasaki VERSYS 650 ABS LT	33.1	841
Yamaha YZ85	33.1	841
BMW S 1000 XR	33*	838*
BMW F 850 GS	32.9*	836*
Kawasaki NINJA H2 SX SE+	32.9	836
Kawasaki NINJA ZX-10R ABS KRT EDITION	32.9	836
Kawasaki NINJA ZX-10R ABS KRT EDITION	32.9	836
Kawasaki NINJA ZX-10RR	32.9	836
Kawasaki Z900RS	32.9	836
Kawasaki Z900RS SE	32.9	836
Suzuki V-STROM 650	32.9	836
Suzuki V-STROM 650XT	32.9	836
Suzuki V-STROM 650XT ADVENTURE	32.9	836
Yamaha NIKEN GT	32.9	836
Yamaha XSR700	32.9	836
Yamaha YZF-R7	32.9	836
Yamaha YZF-R7 World GP 60th Anniversary Edition	32.9	836
BMW M 1000 RR	32.8	833
Honda CB500X ABS	32.8	833
Honda CRF150R	32.8	833
Honda CB1000R BLACK EDITION	32.7	831
Kawasaki KLX230 S	32.7	831
Kawasaki KX85	32.7	831
Kawasaki NINJA H2 R	32.7	831
Kawasaki NINJA ZX-6R	32.7	831
Kawasaki NINJA ZX-6R ABS KRT EDITION	32.7	831
Kawasaki Z H2	32.7	831
Kawasaki Z H2 SE	32.7	831
Yamaha XSR900	32.7	831
Honda CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP	32.6	828
BMW F 900 XR	32.5	826
Kawasaki NINJA H2	32.5	826
Kawasaki NINJA H2 CARBON	32.5	826
Suzuki GSX-R1000	32.5	826
Suzuki GSX-R1000R	32.5	826
Suzuki GSX-R1000RZ	32.5	826
Suzuki KATANA	32.5	826
Yamaha MT-09	32.5	826
Yamaha MT-09 SP	32.5	826
Yamaha MT-10	32.5	826
BMW S 1000 RR	32.4	823
BMW G 310 GS	32.3*	820*
BMW G 310 GS – Edition 40 Years GS	32.3*	820*
BMW R 1250 R	32.3	820
BMW R 1250 RS	32.3	820
BMW R nineT Scrambler	32.3	820
Honda CBR1000RR	32.3	820
Honda CBR1000RR ABS	32.3	820
Honda CBR600RR	32.3	820
Honda CBR600RR ABS	32.3	820
Kawasaki NINJA 1000SX	32.3	820
Kawasaki Z900RS CAFE	32.3	820
Suzuki GSX-S750	32.3	820
Suzuki GSX-S750Z	32.3	820
Suzuki GSX-S750Z ABS	32.3	820
Yamaha NIKEN	32.3	820
Suzuki GSX-S750 ABS	32.2	818
Kawasaki CONCOURS 14 ABS (incl. hard cases)	32.1	815
Kawasaki VERSYS-X300 ABS	32.1	815
Suzuki DR-Z125L	32	813
Yamaha TRACER 9 GT	31.9*	810*
BMW S 1000 R	31.9*	810*
Honda CB650R ABS	31.9	810
Honda CBR650R ABS	31.9	810
Suzuki GSX-R600	31.9	810
Suzuki GSX-R600Z	31.9	810
Suzuki GSX-R750	31.9	810
Suzuki GSX-R750Z	31.9	810
Suzuki GSX-S1000	31.9	810
Suzuki GSX-S1000F	31.9	810
Suzuki GSX-S1000F	31.9	810
Suzuki GSX-S1000FZ	31.9	810
Suzuki GSX-S1000FZ	31.9	810
Suzuki GSX-S1000GT	31.9	810
Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+	31.9	810
Suzuki GSX-S1000Z	31.9	810
Yamaha XT250	31.9	810
Harley Pan America 1250	31.8	808
Yamaha FJR1300ES	31.7*	805*
BMW R nineT	31.7	805
BMW R nineT Pure	31.7	805
Kawasaki Z125 PRO	31.7	805
Yamaha MT-07	31.7	805
Yamaha TT-R125LE	31.7	805
Honda NC750X	31.6	803
Honda NC750X DCT	31.6	803
Honda CB300R ABS	31.5	800
Honda TRAIL125 ABS	31.5	800
Kawasaki KLX140R L	31.5	800
Kawasaki NINJA ZX-14R ABS	31.5	800
Kawasaki Z650RS	31.5	800
Kawasaki Z900 ABS	31.5	800
Kawasaki Z900 SE	31.5	800
Suzuki HAYABUSA	31.5	800
BMW F 750 GS	31.1*	790*
BMW F 900 R	31.1*	790*
Harley Pan America 1250 Special	31.1	790
Kawasaki NINJA 650 ABS	31.1	790
Kawasaki NINJA 650 ABS KRT EDITION	31.1	790
Kawasaki W800	31.1	790
Kawasaki Z650 ABS	31.1	790
Suzuki GSX250R	31.1	790
Suzuki GSX250R ABS	31.1	790
Suzuki SV650X	31.1	790
Yamaha TW200	31.1	790
Honda CB500F ABS	30.9	785
Honda CBR500R ABS	30.9	785
Honda CRF125F BIG WHEEL	30.9	785
Kawasaki NINJA 400 ABS	30.9	785
Kawasaki NINJA 400 ABS KRT EDITION	30.9	785
Kawasaki Z400 ABS	30.9	785
Suzuki SV650	30.9	785
Suzuki SV650 ABS	30.9	785
Honda CBR300R	30.7	780
Honda CBR300R ABS	30.7	780
Honda SUPER CUB C125 ABS	30.7	780
Honda SUPER CUB C125 ABS	30.7	780
Kawasaki KLX140R	30.7	780
Yamaha MT-03	30.7	780
Yamaha YZF-R3	30.7	780
Yamaha YZF-R3 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition	30.7	780
Yamaha YZF-R3 World GP 60th Anniversary Edition	30.7	780
Honda MONKEY ABS	30.5	775
BMW G 310 R	30.3*	770*
Honda GROM	30	762
Honda GROM ABS	30	762
BMW R 1250 RT	29.9*	759*
Kawasaki KX65	29.9	759
Yamaha YZ65	29.7	754
Harley Electra Glide Revival	29.6	752
BMW K 1600 Grand America	29.5*	749*
BMW K 1600 GTL	29.5*	749*
BMW K 1600 B	29.5*	749*
BMW K 1600 GT	29.5*	749*
Honda GOLD WING	29.3	744
Honda GOLD WING AUTOMATIC DCT	29.3	744
Honda GOLD WING TOUR	29.3	744
Honda GOLD WING TOUR AIRBAG AUTOMATIC DCT	29.3	744
Honda GOLD WING TOUR AUTOMATIC DCT	29.3	744
BMW R 18 Transcontinental	29.1	739
Honda CRF125F	29.1	739
Harley Sportster S	28.9	734
Kawasaki KLX110R L	28.7	729
Kawasaki VULCAN 1700 VAQUERO ABS	28.7	729
Kawasaki VULCAN 1700 VOYAGER ABS	28.7	729
BMW R 18 B	28.35	720
Suzuki BOULEVARD C90 B.O.S.S.	28.3	719
Suzuki BOULEVARD C90T	28.3	719
Suzuki BOULEVARD M90	28.2	716
BMW R 18 Classic	28	711
Kawasaki VULCAN S	27.8	706
Kawasaki VULCAN S CAFE	27.8	706
Suzuki BOULEVARD M109R B.O.S.S.	27.8	706
Harley CVO Limited	27.7	704
Harley Fat Bob 114	27.7	704
Suzuki BOULEVARD C50	27.6	701
Suzuki BOULEVARD C50T	27.6	701
Suzuki BOULEVARD M50	27.6	701
Suzuki BOULEVARD S40	27.6	701
Yamaha Star Eluder	27.6	701
Yamaha Star Eluder GT	27.6	701
Harley Ultra Limited	27.5	699
Honda REBEL 1100	27.5	699
Honda REBEL 1100 DCT	27.5	699
Yamaha Star Venture	27.4	696
BMW R 18	27.2	691
Harley Road Glide Limited	27.2	691
Honda REBEL 300	27.2	691
Honda REBEL 300 ABS	27.2	691
Honda REBEL 500	27.2	691
Honda REBEL 500 ABS	27.2	691
Honda REBEL 500 ABS SE	27.2	691
Yamaha Bolt R-Spec	27.2	691
Kawasaki VULCAN 900 CUSTOM	27	686
Yamaha V Star 250	27	686
Honda FURY	26.9	683
Honda MONTESA COTA 301RR	26.8	681
Kawasaki KLX110R	26.8	681
Kawasaki VULCAN 900 CLASSIC	26.8	681
Kawasaki VULCAN 900 CLASSIC LT	26.8	681
Harley Low Rider S	26.5	673
Harley Road King Special	26.4	671
Yamaha TT-R110E	26.4	671
Harley Heritage Classic	26.3	668
Harley Road King	26.3	668
Harley Forty-eight	26.2	665
Harley CVO Street Glide	26.1	663
Harley Electra Glide Standard	26.1	663
Harley Street Glide	26.1	663
Harley Street Glide Special	26.1	663
Harley CVO Road Glide	25.9	658
Harley Fat Boy 114	25.9	658
Harley Road Glide	25.9	658
Harley Road Glide Special	25.9	658
Honda CRF110F	25.9	658
Honda SHADOW AERO	25.9	658
Honda SHADOW AERO ABS	25.9	658
Harley Softail standard	25.8	655
Harley Streetbob 114	25.8	655
Honda SHADOW PHANTOM	25.8	655
Harley Iron 1200	25.7	653
Harley Iron 883	25.7	653
Harley Sport Glide	25.7	653
Honda MONTESA COTA 4RT RACE REPLICA	25.6	650
Harley Softail Slim	25.5	648
Suzuki DR-Z50	22	559
Yamaha TT-R50E	21.9	556
Honda CRF50F	21.6	549
Yamaha PW50	18.7	475

Where a motorcycle have different seat height options from the factory, it is indicated with an “*”. This can either be more than one seat option or lowered suspension. I tried to include the lowest seat option that is available without paying for a lower kit or replacement seat.

Choosing the right seat can make a big difference in some bikes, for example: The seat height of the BMW R 1250 GS is anywhere between 31.5 inches (OE lowered suspension) and the standard 34.3 inches.

Seat Heights of Different Types of Bikes

Dirt Bikes and dual sport motorcycles have the tallest seat heights of all motorcycles, while cruisers have the lowest seats. Adventure bikes tend to be very tall too, while the large touring bikes have lower seat heights than the average street bike. The graph below shows the average, maximum and minimum seat height of each type of motorcycle.

The average dirt bike seat height would have been even higher was it not for the kiddies bikes that are included in the data. This is also why there is such a large difference between the maximum and minimum seat height of the dirt bikes.

Let’s have a brief look at the seat heights of each type of motorcycle:

Dirt Bike Seat Height

Adult dirt bikes are very tall thanks to long travel suspension that has to be able to soak up big jumps. Dirt bikes also have large wheels and high ground clearance to clear obstacles on the trails. In order to have a neutral seating position, the seat can’t be too close to the foot pegs, which further limits how low the seat can go.

The average dirt bike or dual sport motorcycle seat height is 34.2 inches (869 mm) tall. If we exclude the four 50 cc kiddies bikes, this average goes up to 35 inches (888 mm). The tallest dirt bike is the Yamaha YZ 125 race bike with a seat height of 38.6 inches (980 mm). The dirt bike with the lowest seat height is the Yamaha PW 50 kiddies bike at only 18.7 inches (475 mm).

There is a dirt bike to fit any rider, no matter your age or body type. To find out everything there is to know about dirt bike seat height, go check out my post on dirt bike seat height. In that post I also discuss how to choose the right dirt bike for you.

Adventure Bike Seat Height

Adventure bikes are generally quite large motorcycles with big capacity engines for long-distance comfort. They also need to be able to ride comfortably on dirt and gravel roads, without bottoming out on fast bumps while fully loaded with luggage. These demands require long travel suspension, high ground clearance and big wheels, similar to dirt bikes.

The comfortable, upright ergonomics and big engine (that needs to fit between the foot pegs and seat) further pushes the seat into a higher position.

The average adventure bike has a seat height of 33.1 inches (841 mm) which is taller than 93% of all street bikes. The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure is the tallest adventure bike with a seat height of 35 inches (889 mm). The adventure bike with the lowest seat height is the BMW F 750 GS and the new Harley Davidson Pan America 1250 Special with seat heights of 31.1 inches (790 mm).

I wrote a detailed post on adventure bike seat heights which you can read here. In that post I discuss some advice for shorter riders than want to get an adventure bike.

Street Bike Seat Height

Street bikes come in a range of different shapes and sizes. Some are tall, like the sports bikes, for high ground clearance when leaned over in fast corners on a race track. Other street bikes are small and light for easily zipping through traffic while commuting in the city.

The average street bike seat height is 32 inches (813 mm). A good example of an average sized street bike is the Honda CB 650 R. It is not as aggressive as a track race bike, yet it is sportier than a standard commuter.

The tallest street bike is the Yamaha R1M with a seat height of 33.9 inches (861 mm). The Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM is taller (35 inches), but it is basically a dual sport bike with street tires. The lowest street bike is the quirky little Honda Grom with a seat height of only 30 inches (762 mm).

Choosing the right street bike can be tricky if you are a beginner. While seat height is mostly irrelevant for an experienced rider, a tall bike can be intimidating while learning to ride. Being able to put both feet flat on the ground while practicing clutch and throttle control will give the beginner rider much more confidence.

To help you choose the right street bike for your length, check out my post on street bike seat height. In that post, I chat about the best street bike for beginners, as well as some tips for shorter riders.

Touring Bike Seat Height

Touring bikes are big, heavy machines that are designed for comfort on the freeway. In fact, the average touring bike weights nearly as much as the heaviest cruiser. Generally, touring bike riders are older and therefore touring bikes tend to have lower seat heights to make it easier to put both feet flat on the ground at standstill. This makes it easier to balance these heavy machines while waiting at a traffic light.

The average touring bike seat height is 28.7 inches (729 mm) which is lower than the shortest street bike, the little Honda Grom. The tallest touring bike is the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT sport tourer with a seat height of 33.5 inches (851 mm). The Kawasaki Concours 14 has the tallest seat height of the ‘true tourers’ at 32.1 inches (815 mm).

The touring motorcycle with the lowest seat height is the Harley Davidson Road Glide Special with a seat height of only 25.9 inches (658 mm). Almost all of the the Harley Davidson touring bikes have lower seat heights than the Japanese touring bikes. This is because the Harley tourers are basically cruisers (the lowest bike type) with large fairings, luggage, and comfy seats.

Cruiser Bike Seat Height

Cruisers have low seat heights due to very little suspension travel, a low center of gravity, a shallow rake angle and very little ground clearance.

Cruisers are designed to ride on smooth asphalt which doesn’t require much suspension travel. Cruisers also don’t have to lean as far over as sports bikes, so ground clearance (when leaned over) is not that important. The shallow rake angle allows for a more stable ride on the highway at the cost of sharp handling.

The average cruiser motorcycle has a seat height of only 27 inches (686 mm) which is lower than the lowest street bike (the little Honda Grom). The tallest real cruiser is the Suzuki Boulevard C90T with a seat height of 28.3 inches (719 mm). The Harley Sportster S is slightly taller (28.9 inches), but it is more of a street bike than a true cruiser. The lowest cruiser is the Harley Davidson Softail Slim with a seat height of only 25.5 inches (648 mm).

I’ve written a post that covers cruiser seat heights in more detail. You can read it here. In that post, I also discuss the top three cruisers for beginner riders and whether cruisers are suitable for tall riders.

How Much Does Motorcycle Seat Height Matter?

For very experienced riders, seat height doesn’t matter at all. Dirt bike racers are used to not being able to flatfoot it on both sides of the bike. The high ground clearance and long suspension travel that is responsible for the seat being so high is what make it possible to ride these bikes hard off road.

Similarly, sports bikes need to be tall in order to lean almost flat into a corner without scraping on the tarmac of the race track. Moto GP and World Superbike racers have no problem with tall sports bikes.

For the average rider with enough experience, seat height should also not be a problem in most situations. If you employ the correct techniques at the bottom of this post, you should be fine. A motorcycle is very stable while moving and perfectly balanced around the mid-point when standing still. It is only when you don’t have a firm, dry, flat spot to put your foot down when a tall bike can cause trouble.

Even experienced riders can have difficult keeping a large adventure bike upright if it stalls on a rocky uphill. And paddling through slippery mud or thick sand on a dirt bike that is too tall for both feet to touch is near impossible. A bike with a lower seat height will make it easier in these situations, but nothing trumps developing the skills to master any situation on any size bike.

Even though dirt bikes are very tall, they are also very light. The average dirt bike weighs only 217 lbs (98 kg) compared to the average adventure bike that weighs a porky 499 lbs (226 kg).

What about beginner riders?

Beginner riders are better off learning to ride on a bike that is not too tall. Being able to put both feet flat on the ground will help a beginner rider master clutch and throttle control, and stopping the bike the right way, without the risk of toppling over.

Learning to ride on a lower motorcycle will give a new rider more confidence and you will become a much better rider that much faster. You can always upgrade to the tall dream bike of yours once you are ready.

Conclusion

If you are new to motorcycling, get a bike where you can put both feet flat on the ground. Measure your inseam (from the floor to the inside of your crotch) and compare it with the seat heights in the table in this post.

Don’t be tempted to start off on a bike that is too tall for you. You will only get frustrated as you struggle to balance the bike while learning to pull away and stop. Better yet, get a second-hand bike that is low to the ground to learn on. You’ll thank me when you drop it for the 10th time in the parking lot.

Then when you are ready and more confident, get that dream bike of yours. If it is one of the tall ones, keep honing your skills until you master it.

Happy riding!