2years ago we made the change to move to a Harley Freewheeler (Trike). It wasn't long before I missed riding a two wheel motorcycle.
Currently I am looking at a Sportster Roadster, XL1200CX. Because of the enhanced rear suspension in this model, the seat height is 30.9 inches.
I am 5'9" and my inseam is 30", so I am understandably concerned. Does anyone have any insight or suggestions on this issue?

I am particularly interested in the Roadster because of its upgraded rear suspension i.e. longer rear shock, thus the higher seat height.
So, I am aware that other Sportster models have lower seat heights, but I am trying to avoid them because I am trying to favor the ride quality issue particularly.
So, at 5'9" can I ride it and be flat footed or at least be stable at a stop?

 

you'll be fine. you're not going to be flat footed like you're standing, but you'll be fine. I'm same height and same inseam...17 roadster w/ a 1inch lift so my shocks are actually at 14.5

 

Inseem as I understand it is not actually to the bottom of your foot and then you will be wearing shoes or boots of some description with a heel. Shift your butt a bit and I bet you will flat foot with your left foot.

 

Welcome to the forum. The laden seat height says 29 1/2", so sitting on the bike and assuming you're 180lbs. I think you're heels will be off the ground.

Unless you like everything about the Roadster, as an alternative, why not get a Sportster you really like and change the rear shocks for a much better ride. As an example, Ohlins makes these shocks for Sportsters. They come in 12" and 13" and some have an adjustable length.
I have a 29" inseam and I ride a Road King with Ohlins 12" rear shocks. My Sportster XL1200C has 12" OEM shocks and I "flat-foot" easily on both.

 

I am 5' 8" with a 29" inseam, I have 12-1/2" shocks on my 2011 XL883N, I also have an aftermarket seat and I have no problems flat footing on the ground.

The problem with the XL1200CX 'Roadster' is that it has an 18" rear wheel and a thicker stock seat than the other Sportster models.

If you would be happy sticking with the stock rear shocks, a lowering kit for them would be a cheap option, A thinner seat would also lower the height.

In the 1980's I owned a Laverda 1200 'Mirage', the seat height was very tall on it, I used to wear "Cowboy" boots with 3" high Cuban heels to help me flat foot on the ground.

A 1979 Laverda 1200 'Mirage', you can see it is very tall in the seat.

 

Hoe did you like the the big Laverda?

 

It was a very rewarding machine to ride and own, yes they are over tall, yes the hand controls are heavy to operate, yes the fuel consumption is high (27 to 30mpg UK).

You have to show the big Laverda who is the boss, I had to drop it into corners and lift it up again when on the straights, nothing comes close to the offbeat 180 degree boom from the straight through Jota mufflers that I had on mine. The early Laverda triples are legendary, between 1976 and 1978, the Laverda Jota 1000 was the fastest two wheeled machine you could buy, it finally lost it's speed king crown to the Honda CBX 1000 in 1978. My 1200 would top out at around 140mph after I ditched the restrictive airbox for triple S & B filters, installed larger carb jets and the Jota straight through mufflers. My neighbour's window panes used to rattle in their frames when my big Lav burst into life. The first four gears are very tall, I saw 90mph in first gear on my 1200.

 

thanks for the reply "The early Laverda triples are legendary, between 1976 and 1978, the Laverda Jota 1000 was the fastest two wheeled machine you could buy, it finally lost it's speed king crown to the Honda CBX 1000" Inever new thatand never got a chance to race on when I had my Honda 750.breathed on of coarse.

 

Did you buy the Roadster?

 

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