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Since my 305 croaked last summer and I said there are deals out there, there haven't been many deals at all. What I have seen is collectors scooping up classic bikes. I see a 450 Nighthawk for a few hundred bucks, but I'm only 5' 7" and I'm worried about the 31 inch seat. Its one of the better deals I've seen, but I'd have to buy it sight unseen without riding it. Since I'd only be out a few bills and deals will be fewer and farther between as summer approaches, I'm considering taking the risk. That's 1.5 inches taller than my 305. Also that seat looks wide which won't help either. I'm sure I can probably get a different seat but I"m kind of a stock guy. I probably shouldn't do it, should I?

Go sit on it, I'm sure it has more pep

Its near my home, and I'm 1000 miles away for another month. I'd have to buy it without sitting on it. Also my riding buddy is 1000 miles away, in a different place or I could have him check it out. Its obviously a gamble; if it turns out good and not too high for me its a great deal. If it turns out poorly I probably won't be able to buy another bike this year.

For your comparison, I'm 5'9" and my 2nd bike was a 650 Nighthawk, 31+"seat height. I had no issues with the seat height.

Also FYI, I think the 450 doesn't put out enough electrical energy at idle to recharge the battery. It loses power at idle so keep the RPMs up!

CCrosswait wrote: For your comparison, I'm 5'9" and my 2nd bike was a 650 Nighthawk, 31+"seat height. I had no issues with the seat height.

Also FYI, I think the 450 doesn't put out enough electrical energy at idle to recharge the battery. It loses power at idle so keep the RPMs up!

if i was 5 9 i wouldn't worry. But I found this thread and it looks like a lot of people ride taller bikes with shorter legs. My inseam is 29 so 31" seat shouldn't be too difficult. Some of them are riding bikes 4,5, 6 inches taller than their inseams.

I'm just afraid to miss what might be the only cheap functional bike of the season.

advrider.com/f/threads/seat-height-vs-inseam.452070/page-3

My wife took her motorcycle safety course on a Nighthawk , she has a 28" inseam and says she was on her tippy toes and didn't like how it felt.
I have short legs and ride a 1000 with gym shoes so I'm on tippy toes too It doesn't bother me.
Good boots with heals and I can stand flat footed.