4 Great Bikes With Low Seat Heights

Let’s face it: Seat height can be a determining factor for many smaller, shorter, or novice riders out on the hunt for their next ride. Although having both paws firmly on the ground isn’t a prerequisite for good control of your machine, it certainly makes parking easier and goes a long way toward instilling confidence in newer riders. Traditionally, “inseam-challenged” riders have had a limited pool of bikes with low seats to choose from, and the category has long been dominated by cruisers, scooters, minibikes, or small-displacement machines. We tried to look beyond those usual suspects to include a wider variety of bike styles with 30-inch-and-under seat heights, but ended up adding a couple of taller entries to avoid having an all-cruiser list. Fear not; our list of four bikes with low seat heights still pulls from the touring, adventure, sport, and standard world.

One of the taller entries here, the retro-flavored 2023 Ducati Scrambler Icon is still accessible to shorter riders without compromising on quality.

1. 2023 Ducati Scrambler Icon | 30.7-in. seat (low option)

Here’s the first of the outliers, or bikes with taller than a 30-inch seat height, and it comes with a caveat: The Scrambler Icon’s 30.7-inch-high perch is achieved by ordering up the $290 low accessory seat option. That said, it’s not a bad trade-off when you consider the standard equipment that’s already included on the Scrambler Icon; things like a sub-430-pound weight, LED lighting, two ride modes along with traction control and cornering ABS, and a claimed 73 hp from the 803cc L-twin engine. The bike has trimmed even more weight and the new seat is flatter and more tapered this year, while the narrow tank, mid-mount controls, and plush suspension give the Scrambler an approachable riding position and an agile quality on the move. Throw in the retro-modern scrambler good looks, a perfectly respectable spec sheet, and a reasonable price tag, and you can see why it’s an amazing option.

It may be close to 900 pounds, but the base Gold Wing still manages to offer a sub-30-inch seat height and supremely balanced ride.

2. 2023 Honda Gold Wing Automatic DCT | 29.3-in. seat

Incredible as it sounds, Honda’s hulking Gold Wing tourer serves up a lower seat height (29.3 inches) than its smallest model, the Navi (30.0 inches). Of course, the Wing displaces 1,700-plus cc more and costs an additional $23,000 over the Navi, but for all those extra digits, you get the legendarily smooth 1,833cc engine, throttle-by-wire, an automatic DCT transmission, and even a Walking mode, for when you really feel stuck in the parking lot. The seat is more than manageable for vertically challenged pilots (ask us how we know), while mid-mount controls and a pullback handlebar give you an easy reach to everything. The 5.5-gallon tank is definitely porky, but the Wing’s incredibly low center of gravity balances it out. The DCT and standard cruise control on the base-model Gold Wing Automatic DCT we are talking about here also mean a few less things to worry about on the open road, no matter what size you are. (All four Gold Wing trims have the same seat height for 2023).

It’s kind of cheating, but once configured with a low seat and low suspension the Ducati Monster+ rings in at 30.5 inches off the tarmac.

3. 2023 Ducati Monster+ | 30.5-in. seat (w/ low seat and lowering kit)

The second Ducati here has 111 hp, ride-by-wire with ride modes, traction control, a 4.3-inch display, full LED lighting, and weighs less than 400 pounds, so if you’re in the market for a sexy red Italian naked that’s compact and manageable but doesn’t skimp on performance, you could do worse than the Monster+. The least expensive model in the Ducati lineup (except the Scramblers) may not be a full-bore track weapon (though it can certainly hang), but the timeless styling, compact design, and light handling along with a robust spec sheet ticks all the right naked bike boxes. The latest-gen Monster has also received redesigned side surfaces that are narrower as well as a tapered seat in the leg area, making for easier stabs to the ground at a standstill. In stock form ($12,995) you’re looking at a 32.3-inch seat height, but the addition of the optional lower seat accessory drops it to 31.5 inches, while a lowering kit brings that down to 30.5 inches.

It’s classic cruising with the long-running, low-slung Shadow Phantom, at just 25.8 inches off the pavement.

4. 2023 Honda XR150L | 32.8-in. seat

The XR150L checks all the right boxes for the casual rider, with its relaxed, upright riding position and well-padded but low seat that will enable most riders to get a stable footing when they come to a stop. For added utility, there’s a rear cargo rack that riders can load up with everything from a gym bag to tools or whatever else they might need to transport around town. Honda also offers a long line of accessories that includes saddlebags, hand guards, a skid plate, and more. The XR150L has a low 32.8-inch seat height and weighs a claimed 282 pounds, which makes it ideal for beginners or riders lacking confidence off-road.

Check our inventory of these quality bikes and get a cool deal:

Ducati Scrambler
Honda Gold Wing
Ducati Monster+
Honda XR150L