New to this board. Been riding since 1986 - motorcycle instructor up until 2004 with the Alberta Safety Council. Currently own a '99VFR800 modified with some Ducati parts.

Wife has always liked the Monster - checked out an older 600 and it fits her quite well. Noticed that the 620, 800 and 900 all have the same seat height - hoping to get some feedback on which one to buy and whether they can be lowered around 1.5" as she has a short inseam. Had a 1984 VF500C Magna, then a 2007 Honda CBR125 after not riding for 10 yrs, currently back on a 2007 Suzuki GS500F. Riding experience not an issue.

Lowerability or low seat height and manageable weight more important than power.

the 620 is a great bike. lighter than the 800 and 900 too.

Welcome to the DMF!

There is a lowering link option for the 620 (not sure about the 800 or 900) and the easiest thing for the seat is to shave it.  If you put in a lowering link you may have to mod the sidestand.

I started a Short Rider FAQ.  Your wife might also want to check out our Women's Forum.

Good luck and please keep us updated.

Goose,

I am 5.2 and ride a 696. The bike is a dream for me. Power is smooth and plentiful since adding the Termi Exhaust with new ECU. I highly recommend the 696, for new or experienced rider.

I'm aspirationally 5'0" --- that is, only when I hold my breath and pray --- and I bought a Monster 620.  I took it into a shop, had a lowering link installed, dropped the forks about 1-1.5", and had padding taken out of the seat.  I was still a little precarious, so I went to a cobbler and got a 3/4-inch-or-so platform added to my boots.  Now it's perfectly comfortable.

The stock seat on the new 696 is higher than on the old 620/695s.  Although it has an adjustable link (unlike the prior models) I'm not sure I could have gotten it down as low as I got mine.

I did not have to modify the side-stand: it sits pretty upright, but I've had no trouble.

Kept the GS500F for another season. Did see quite a few 620's for sale last year though.

Maybe 2011 will be the charm

there are aftermarket sidestands that are shorter. like i had picked up a cycle cat that i thought was going to be longer.. but ended up being 1/3" inch shorter so i couldn't use it.

My 5' 2" wife thinks her 696 fits her better than my old 620 did.

For either old or new Monsters you can get a lower seat or, of course, shave the standard one. Lowering links are easy to find. On a 620, at least, I wouldn't be too worried about the side stand. My bike always seemed as if it were on the verge of toppling over so I doubt a small amount of lowering is likely make it too upright on the stand.

My wife is 5'2" @ 110lbs+/- and she feels very comfortable on her '03 monster with the seat shaved

Quote from: Raux on January 12, 2011, 09:07:13 PM
there are aftermarket sidestands that are shorter. like i had picked up a cycle cat that i thought was going to be longer.. but ended up being 1/3" inch shorter so i couldn't use it.

The steel of the stock one isn't hard to weld. Folks have had a section chopped out of the stock one and welded it. The Cyclecat ones are out there, but out of production for a number of years.