Seat height on a XS650?

[AKMac]

My mom is wanting to get a motorcycle, and I'm thinking an 80-81 XS650 would be the perfect starter bike for her since I can wrench on it, and they're pretty cool little machines. She's taking her MSF class right now and has been doing good in it.

She has to "tippy toe" my XS11, so I was hoping that the 650's would be a little shorter for her so she can at least flat foot it.

[GNEPIG]

.. the XS650s are pretty cool bikes. they are light-ish, they move out of their own way pretty good and they are easy to work on.
But they vibrate alot! they are maintenance intensive and a little top heavy. [i have owned 4 of these]
..if you would like your mom to have a pleasurable first motorcycle experience i would suggest finding her a nice XJ650 Maxim.[i have owned 2 of these][ok, because i have been a motorcycle mechanic for a while, i have repaired and ridden alot of XS and XJ 650s, besides the ones that i have owned]
the 650 Maxim is an inline 4 just like your 1100, is shaft driven, has a nice low center of gravity, a real nice low seat height [lower than the XS650], the maxim is very balanced and easy to steer, is a very smooth running bike that doesn't require alot of maintenance and it has a very nice power delivery that is civil yet will beat up on a mostly stock XS650.
best of all, you should be able to pick a good looking, good running Maxim 650 for about 8 to 12 hundred bucks, the XS650s are very popular right now and are going for big bucks! they make cool choppers, bobbers and flattrackers, but are not a very freindly bike that mom will love.

.. i'm not kickin your choice of bike for mom, just throwin out my opinion. their are other nice bikes out there to consider also, mostly you want mom to feel safe and comfortable, if she is not enjoying herself then she wont want to ride... good luck

[jetmechmarty]

The XS650 has a nice long power band which makes pretty easy for a beginner, but I don't think you're going to get any help in the seat height. The XS650 is a fairly large motorcycle considering its displacement.

[Goin Commando]

Here is a nice 650 Maxim.

[Wayne]

May I recomend something along the lines of an early 80's model Honda Nighthawk. Great running bikes. You can find them in cc models from 450, 550 and 650. Much smoother than the XS650 and you most likely will not have to work on it as much.

This is a pretty good site about late model Nighthawks.
http://www.hondanighthawks.net/