Seat Height

[rogerm]

Hey all, new guy here.

Ive been riding for going on 40 years, my girlfriend about 3 years. We have our own street bikes (I have several). We enjoy riding as often as we can. Were looking to open our possibilities with some adventure riding.

Ive done a ton of research and because we are both vertically challenged, Im 5'8", shes 5'4" we decided Yamahas TW200 would fit us best. The TW200 has a seat height of 31.1". We found one at a dealer and both sat on it. It fit me perfectly, she was on her toes. Reading on the forums turns out the TW can easily be lowered.

I have a certain budget so have spent the last month looking for used TWs. Ones in good condition are not that plentiful in my price range. Started coming across Chinese bikes. Well within my budget for 2 NEW ones!. Found this one that all but one site says has a seat hight of 28.7"............PERFECT!

http://www.powerrideoutlet.com/stree...50cc-bike.html
http://www.superiorpowersports.com/2...rk250db-08.htm
http://powersportsbest.com/dirt-bike...new-model.html
http://www.motobuys.com/db-d250rte-a-sun.html

BUT.............looking at pics of this bike a seat height of 28.7 doesnt seem possible. Can anyone confirm this? Or if you have one of these bikes can you measure your seat height?

Lastly......anyone have experience with the above distributors?

[culcune]

http://powersportsbest.com/db-08-200...new-model.html

Don't rule out the 200cc for $300 less ^^

In fact, we were just discussing the 200cc http://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=14037

And here is a couple discussions of the 250 (really 229cc) http://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=13950 and http://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=13928

Finally, a similar bike that is also made by Bashan but I don't think the owner got it on the road yet http://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=14256

Seat height? My guess is 33 to 34 "

The Bashan bikes seem to have some issues if you read through the above threads--mainly, it seems, the fuel tank seems to leak if you fill it too much. Otherwise, they are run of the mill basic Chinabikes meaning you will have some extra tightening and maintenance, and quirks (i.e. leaking gas) but otherwise a straightforward, easy to work on bike.

For all it's worth, try these guys www.atv4usa.com and tell them 'Simon' sent you--I have one of these bikes and have not had many issues with it other than an accident when someone ran me off the road a couple months ago. I had an older model '09 bike that I bought used and put over 10k miles on top of whatever it had (speedo/odo was broken so no idea how many miles prior to me) putting on 33 miles a day year round with half of the 16.4 miles at 55 mph +, and bought a new one last May and have over 3k miles (until the accident) under the same conditions of daily commuting. Starts every morning except when relay wires have become loose under the seat, or when I needed a new relay (old bike); and when I needed a CDI (new bike--used the one from my '09 until Excalibur sent me one under warranty).

Excalibur have backed up the guys who have bought theirs. They are a distributor who will sell retail (unless you live near one of their dealers). See what kind of price they will give you and again, let them know I sent you but the seat is 33.5" (I am 5'7" and am very used to the height)

http://atv4usa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TMEC200-1&cat=17

http://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=13708 and http://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=13708 and http://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=13898

[rogerm]

Yeah.....kinda figured the seat was higher than they're saying. That for sure rules it out for the girlfriend and most likely for me too.
Thanks for the info

[culcune]

With workboots and at 5'7", my TMEC works fine at 33.5" (lowest part of the seat). Ask the guys on the Bashan threads for seat heights of their bikes.

[SpudRider]

Welcome; we are glad you joined us.

I doubt the bike you mentioned has a seat height of 28.7 inches. However, I do encourage you to post in the threads mentioned by Culcune. I'm sure the owners can tell you the actual seat height.

Perhaps you could buy a Chinese motorcycle for yourself, and a Yamaha TW200 for your girlfriend?

[rogerm]

Thats a possibility. Ive sat on at least a dozen dual sport/adventure bikes. Except for the TW200 and vintage enduros from the 70s, I cant get over their insane heights. Even the TWs brother the XT250 is too high in my opinion. Now I understand why they are high, if you want to smoothly go over good sized bumps at speed or take jumps you need the long travel suspension and therefore height to accommodate that suspension. Im 50 years old, those times have long past me Off road I plan on putt putting

[Weldangrind]

As a TW owner, I can tell you that you'd be thrilled with one. I can't justify buying brand new versions, so I bought a basket case and went through it. I love it.