In short (excuse the pun), the answer is no. However, in order to ride a bike that is taller than your inside leg, you need to be a highly skilled motorcyclist who understands how your actions impact the motorbike’s stability.
We’ve all seen short riders on YouTube, riding really tall motorcycles and they make it look so easy. They might even set off, stood next to the motorbike and mount it once it’s going (impressive huh!). I can guarantee they did not start off on this size motorbike and in order to get such a skill set, they’ve spent a lot of time, energy and effort to gain those skills. Chances are, they are more than hobbyists, who go out once a week for the summer months.
So should we expect to be able to ride the same tall, big heavy motorcycles, without adding in the time, energy and effort? Of course we know the answer is no. So why do we choose bikes that aren’t going to help us improve?
Buying a motorcycle is more than just how it looks. It needs to suit the rider and their needs. Why buy a big touring bike, if when you arrive at your beautiful location, you are too scared to get off because the camber is sloping away from you? Surely it’s better to ride a bike that you can do all maneuvers comfortably? Sometimes, we are offered well meaning advice from loved ones telling us that we simply need that big touring bike to protect us from the elements.
However, all too often, I hear from riders who have a massive motorbike sitting in the garage that they are simply too scared to ride – what a waste!
I ride a Kawasaki ZZR1400 but I certainly didn’t start on such a machine. I remember seeing bikers on them when I first passed my test and I remember thinking I NEVER want to ride such a big bike. Over time though and with several motorbike upgrades in between I have built skills to allow me to understand how I directly affect the bike and dropping it isn’t to do with the weight, but the lack of skills and knowledge.
‘I need to be flat footed’
You may feel this is essential, but it really is not. When I hear riders say this, I know they haven’t had the correct amount of training and I feel the industry I work in (motorcycle training) has let them down.
You do, however, need to get at least one foot on the floor, even if it’s just the ball of your foot. This of course does increase your risk of a drop, if the surface is loose or rough. However, if your forward planning is good, you’ll be aware of this and change the foot you stop on or stop elsewhere.
Improving your skills is the best way to improve your chances of riding a bigger bike well. Invest in your training time and practice time and your ability to ride a bigger bike will vastly increase.