For motorcyclists with shorter inseams, finding a suitable bike can be a struggle. Existing solutions often come with compromises. Lowering the bike can affect ride quality and suspension travel, while opting for a lower-profile saddle may sacrifice comfort on long rides. Purchasing from unknown vendors can also lead to unsatisfactory installation results.

Here’s the good news: Triumph Motorcycles has just unveiled a new feature for their Tiger 1200 line called Active Preload Reduction. This feature aims to lower the seat height by reducing rear suspension preload as the Tiger 1200 slows down.

While this feature won’t benefit all riders, it will offer a greater range of riders the opportunity to ride Tiger 1200 motorcycles more confidently and safely. Being able to place both feet firmly on the ground enhances the riding experience.

So, how much of a difference does the Active Preload Reduction make for the Showa semi-active suspension on the Tiger 1200 lineup? It reduces the ride height by a full 20 millimeters, or just under 0.8 of an inch. In terms of ride height, this is a significant improvement.

The Tiger 1200 GT range (including the GT Pro and GT Explorer) currently has seat settings at either 33.46 inches or 34.52 inches. The more off-road capable Tiger 1200 Rally models (Rally Pro and Rally Explorer) have stock seat heights of 34.44 inches and 35.23 inches. However, there is also an accessory low seat option available for the Tiger 1200 range, which can further reduce the height.

Considering these numbers, an additional 20mm can make a noteworthy difference, depending on a rider’s inseam. Inseam length is crucial in this conversation, as some short riders may have longer inseams than others.

Triumph plans to release this new feature across their existing Tiger 1200 range. Riders will be able to access it through the right-hand switch cube, and it will be a standard feature on all Tiger 1200 models. Moreover, Triumph will provide existing Tiger 1200 owners with this feature through a simple software update.

Steve Sargent, Triumph Motorcycles’ chief product officer, stated that the new Tiger 1200 range has already been a global success. Implementing this feature will further enhance accessibility by lowering the center of gravity at slower speeds, providing riders with more confidence and better ground contact during stops.

As a short rider, news like this is reassuring. Many riders would love to have a wider range of bikes to choose from, but height-related obstacles often hinder their options. Making motorcycles more accessible to both short and tall riders can contribute to the growth of the sport. Offering solid options like this could genuinely revolutionize the game for OEMs seeking to attract new riders and secure the future of motorcycling.