Bigger doesn’t always mean better, and fortunately for those of us looking for a fun, affordable motorcycle there are more choices than ever. Nearly every manufacturer now offers at least one model that will fit just about any rider’s size and/or budget.
Scroll down for Rider’s 2019 list of Best Bikes for Smaller Riders and Budgets. When possible we’ve included a link to our review, making it easy for you to get a real ride evaluation. We’ve also included the 2019 model year’s U.S. base MSRP (as of publication), seat height and claimed wet weight (when a wet weight was not available from the manufacturer, the claimed dry weight is listed). For more details, you can read our review, which includes comprehensive specs, or click on the bike’s name to be taken directly to the manufacturer’s page.
Aprilia Shiver 900
2019 Aprilia Shiver 900
$9,399
32.0-inch seat
480 lbs.
BMW F 750 GS
2019 BMW F 750 GS (Photo by Kevin Wing)
$10,395
32.1-inch seat w/ optional 31.1-inch seat or 30.3-inch seat
493 lbs.
BMW G 310 GS
2018 BMW G 310 GS (Photo by Kevin Wing)
$5,795
32.9-inch seat w/ optional 32.3-inch seat
374 lbs.
BMW G 310 R
2018 BMW G 310 R (Photo by Kevin Wing)
$4,750
30.9-inch seat w/ optional 30.3-inch seat
349 lbs.
BMW R nineT Pure
BMW R nineT Pure (Photo by Kevin Wing)
$11,995
31.7-inch seat w/ optional 30.5-inch seat
483 lbs.
Can-Am Ryker
2019 Can-Am Ryker Rally (Photo by Kevin Wing)
starting at $8,499 (600cc model)
23.5-inch seat
594 lbs. (dry, 600cc)
CSC RX3 Adventure
CSC RX3 Adventure (Photo by James Norris)
$5,395
31.9-inch seat
450 lbs. (dry)
CSC SG250 Cafe Racer
CSC SG250 Cafe Racer
$1,995
26-inch seat
273 lbs. (dry)
Ducati Monster 797+
2018 Ducati Monster 797+
$9,295
31.7-inch seat
386 lbs. (dry)
Ducati Scrambler Café Racer
2019 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer
$11,995
31.7-inch seat
432 lbs.
Ducati Scrambler Icon
2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon
$9,395
31.4-inch seat w/ optional 30.6-inch seat
417 lbs.
Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle
2019 Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle
Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle
$10,995
31.4-inch seat w/ optional 30.6-inch seat
417 lbs.
Ducati Scrambler Sixty2
2019 Ducati Scrambler Sixty2
$7,995
31.1-inch seat w/ optional 30.3-inch seat
403 lbs.
Harley-Davidson Street 500 / Street 750 / Street Rod
2017 Harley-Davidson Street Rod (Photo by Brian J. Nelson)
Harley-Davidson Street 500 / 750 / Street Rod
starting at $6,899
25.7-inch seat
492 lbs. (dry)
Harley-Davidson SuperLow
Harley-Davidson SuperLow
$8,699
25.5-inch seat
545 lbs. (dry)
Harley-Davidson Iron 883
Harley-Davidson Iron 883
Harley-Davidson Iron 883 / 1200
starting at $8,999
25.7-inch seat
545 lbs. (dry)
Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom
2019 Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom
$10,999
26.6-inch seat
562 lbs. (dry)
Honda CB300R
2019 Honda CB300R (Photo by Drew Ruiz)
$4,649
31.5-inch seat
318 lbs.
Honda CBR300R
2019 Honda CBR300R
$4,699
30.7-inch seat
357 lbs.
Honda CB500F
2019 Honda CB500F
$6,199
30.9-inch seat
415 lbs.
Honda CBR500R
2019 Honda CBR500R
$6,699
30.9-inch seat
419 lbs.
Honda CB500X
2019 Honda CB500X
$6,599 (2018 model, 2019 pricing TBD)
31.8-inch seat
428 lbs.
