Motorcycle seat height vs inseam chart
Each cell is your inseam minus a seat height, in millimeters. It is arithmetic, not a footing verdict.
Inseam minus seat height
| Inseam | 680 mm (26.8 in) | 720 mm (28.3 in) | 760 mm (29.9 in) | 800 mm (31.5 in) | 840 mm (33.1 in) | 880 mm (34.6 in) | 920 mm (36.2 in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 in (660 mm) | -20 mm | -60 mm | -100 mm | -140 mm | -180 mm | -220 mm | -260 mm |
| 27 in (686 mm) | +6 mm | -34 mm | -74 mm | -114 mm | -154 mm | -194 mm | -234 mm |
| 28 in (711 mm) | +31 mm | -9 mm | -49 mm | -89 mm | -129 mm | -169 mm | -209 mm |
| 29 in (737 mm) | +57 mm | +17 mm | -23 mm | -63 mm | -103 mm | -143 mm | -183 mm |
| 30 in (762 mm) | +82 mm | +42 mm | +2 mm | -38 mm | -78 mm | -118 mm | -158 mm |
| 31 in (787 mm) | +107 mm | +67 mm | +27 mm | -13 mm | -53 mm | -93 mm | -133 mm |
| 32 in (813 mm) | +133 mm | +93 mm | +53 mm | +13 mm | -27 mm | -67 mm | -107 mm |
| 33 in (838 mm) | +158 mm | +118 mm | +78 mm | +38 mm | -2 mm | -42 mm | -82 mm |
| 34 in (864 mm) | +184 mm | +144 mm | +104 mm | +64 mm | +24 mm | -16 mm | -56 mm |
| 35 in (889 mm) | +209 mm | +169 mm | +129 mm | +89 mm | +49 mm | +9 mm | -31 mm |
| 36 in (914 mm) | +234 mm | +194 mm | +154 mm | +114 mm | +74 mm | +34 mm | -6 mm |
| 37 in (940 mm) | +260 mm | +220 mm | +180 mm | +140 mm | +100 mm | +60 mm | +20 mm |
| 38 in (965 mm) | +285 mm | +245 mm | +205 mm | +165 mm | +125 mm | +85 mm | +45 mm |
Blue: inseam longer than the seat. Orange: inseam shorter.
Seat height is measured at one spot. An 840 mm inseam minus an 800 mm seat gives +40 mm: inseam is 40 mm longer. This does not predict whether either or both feet reach flat; seat width, sag, and boot soles affect reach.
Example style seat heights
Standard 820 mm, Sport 810 mm, Cruiser 700 mm, Touring 750 mm, Adventure 870 mm. Examples, not manufacturer specifications.
How to measure your inseam
In riding boots, stand against a wall, press a hardcover book up snug between your legs, and measure from the floor to its top. Average three tries. Every step: measuring guide.
Tall riders
A 1950 mm (6 ft 5 in) rider has an inseam near 951 mm, closest to the 37 in row. Height changes the knee and elbow angles through limb length: see the by-height tables on the riding position pages.
Short riders
A 1550 mm (5 ft 1 in) rider has an inseam near 733 mm, closest to the 29 in row. A minus only says your inseam is shorter than that seat.
Questions about the chart
How do I read the chart?
Find your inseam on the left and a seat height across the top.
Does a positive number mean both feet reach the ground flat?
No. The chart is only arithmetic. Check the real motorcycle in your boots.
Does inseam change the knee angle?
No. Inseam only sets the seat comparison. Thigh, shin and footpegs set the knee angle.
Which seat height should I look for?
The chart does not pick one. Enter your bike's seat height in the simulator.
Data license
The original modeled data shown here and in the JSON download may be shared and adapted under CC BY 4.0. Credit Rider Triangle. This applies to the original modeled data only; third-party source material is excluded.
CC BY 4.0 license terms (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International).