A little problem (no pun intended)...

So today I went to a local motorcycle dealership to check out some bikes in person. Never being really up close to a bike, I never realized quite how large they were. I was looking at the SV650 (my future bike I hope), and realized I probably can't touch flat footed while sitting on it.

So.. what should I do about that?

Unless you're fairly tall, you probably wont be able to touch flat footed on any sport bike or dual sport. Im short and I tend to be about halfway between flat and tip toed on my 600. As long as the bike isn't a 1300 busa or something, you'll probably be fine...you'll get used to your bike and its balance. They are pretty balanced so unless a big wind gust hits you at the light, you'll be ok. If you want to touch flat footed, you'll have to get a cruiser, but cruisers are a lot heavier.

However, if you find that you're uncomfortable or the bike is too tall, you can get lowering suspensions for most bikes as well as a lower seat from say Corbin. All these mods are expensive though and I wouldn't do it unless you really want a bike that is way to big for you...which in the case of a new rider probably isn't the best idea anyway. Good luck.

Well I plan on keeping my first bike a while, which I know isn't normally the case but I don't really have any need to get something bigger and faster than the 650. Anyways, I'm about 5'6"-5'7", 150 lbs.. think I'll be alright?

Yea, I'm 5'6" and I can sit on that bike...you just gotta get used to it. I wouldn't lower it or anything unless it really becomes a problem (like you drop it at a light or something silly :-p)...

Check out Ninja 250/500, GS500, Ninja 650R, and 99-02 Sv650 nakeds, those seem to have lower seat height than newer models. There's also dog bones to lower the height, but if you can tip-toe on your bike, then don't bother. Lowered bikes affect the handling greatly, in negative way if you like to lean extremely.

Well I didn't get to sit on it so I don't know if I can tip-toe it or not.. the SV650 or the CBR600 are really the only two bikes I wanna get so hopefully one of them will be a decent fit.