I'm planning to buy a bike for a trip from Seattle to South America, but my problem is I have short legs. Some bikes I've sat on I can barely reach the ground, while others I'm 1-3 inches off. Any suggestions?

How short? and how big a bike are you looking for?
for example a small harley, a honda shadow(750) or rebel (small engine 250 cc) even a scooter should do the trick.
beyond that you have to cut down the seat, change shocks, lift stanchions (fork legs) and even look around for lower profile tires.

best

Lots of options.
Also, quite a few threads here on HUBB about this issue.

You need to decide what sort of bike you plan to ride on. Nearly any bike can be made lower ... but it is a compromise and can effect suspension performance or comfort depending how you approach the problem.

I've been looking at a BMW F700GS, a bike that I can touch the ground but barely. I know BMW sells a lower seat, and I can get shocks that lower the frame, but I was hoping there was a good, sturdy bike out there that doesn't need to be lowered. I'm leery of getting a smaller cc bike because of the distance of the trip and the fact that I want to ride the bike for a long time after we get back. I like the Ducati Scrambler, but haven't heard of anyone taking one on a long trip. Any Scrambler owners out there?

Other thing to consider when short of leg is WEIGHT. Shorter folk, unless incredibly strong, may have trouble handling a heavy, fully loaded up bike if balance is lost.

Especially so off road or parking situations at slow speed. Getting feet down helps but if the bike is too heavy ... it can pin you to the ground like a bug. Been there, done that! (5' 6", 29" inseam)

The F700GS (800cc motor), great all round bike but quite heavy. A smaller CC bike may not cruise at 85 mph while heading South from Seattle on I-5, but once into Latin America your pace is likely to slow.

If doing back roads or dirt tracks you'll be wishing you were on a 300 lbs.250cc rather than a 550 lbs. F800.

Lots depends on your riding experience and expertise.

The Ducati Scrambler could be an awesome choice as a travel bike ... but I've not heard of anyone doing a long tour on one yet. If set up correctly for carrying luggage I believe the Scrambler would work. It's a tough and reliable motor but the rest of the bike is a bit unproven. It's also expensive for what it is ... but it's not outrageous. If you can afford it, go for it .... BUT ....

For your first really long bike tour you may consider something expendable, something you can afford to just walk away from if all goes tits up.

This is why so many Americans travel aboard low investment Kawasaki KLR's or DR650 Suzuki. Both wonderful and cheap travel bikes, commonly found South of the border. Tough, reliable and perfect for rough roads and off road you'll find down South. The DR650 can be made very LOW without much compromise.

Perhaps,
Moto Guzzi V7 (shaft drive)
Kawasaki W650/800

Or, the Suzuki 650 V Strom may have a lower seat, as standard, than the BMW that you mention.

They are all twin cyls, like the Beemer, for more comfort when covering distance.

__________________
Dave

There is really no reason to stick to the "enduro" look, if you get a bike that suits your height and then put road legal knoblies you can go down just about any reasonable dirt road. You can then fit road tyres when you return home.

I remember seing a video of some guy thar crossed australia on a ninja 1000 with knoblies!
As Mollydog suggests your build is important , are you built like a brick house? can you lift the bike if you drop it....?

2015 Interstate Overview - Honda Powersports

26.8 inch seat height

Reliability and comfort ( I see you are retired so this is very important...) would be top of my list once you meet your height reguirements.
BTW loved your city, probably the nicest city in the USA to visit. (I did get 5 sunny days in a row !!)

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Again, I'm looking for a bike that I can reach the ground while sitting on the seat. The Suzuki and Kawasaki bikes are 2-3 inches taller than the BMW I'm looking at. I believe the height advantage outweighs the weight advantage as I will be traveling with a friend and I'm sure we will be helping each other lift our bikes up at some point. (he's riding a BMW R100)

M8 you gave very little info about your self you expect use to tell you what would suit you, site down have a coffee have a think then come back and then reply to the questions people are asking

Actually, the DR650 can be made lower than the BMW F700GS. By using the Suzuki provided lowering options, plus adding a lowering link to shock linkage (cheap and easy to do), then raising the forks UP within the triple clamps (this lowers the front of bike), the DR650 can be made at least 3.5 inches LOWER than standard ... and it's already lower than the BMW is standard form.

I know the DR650 quite well, quite sure of this. Keep in mind the BMW is about
100 lbs. heavier than the DR650. Trust me, that should a major concern ... and then of course there's the cost difference!

Don't mix up the Suzuki DRZ400S or E with the DR650. DR650 is lower and can easily be made much lower still. (as noted above)

When I worked at a Honda/Suzuki dealer we had a female customers about 5'2". Doing the above procedure we made her DR650 nearly 4 inches lower than standard. She was able to put BOTH feet FLAT on the floor ... and the bike still rode and handled well everywhere, albeit with less ground clearance.
It's a very simple job to do the modification.

M8......

took me about 2 pints to work it out

Are you talking about getting both feet down at the same time? I'm shortish, ride a Tiger 800XC with regular seat on low setting. I generally only put one foot down, either foot depending on the situation. With both feet I can only get the balls of my feet or toes down.

But it's no issue. You get good at balancing a heavy bike with one foot or toes only. Plus when there's luggage and/or a pillion the suspension compresses given you better purchase.

Generally you don't need to put the feet down much anyway, except when stopping.

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Lida, my wife purchased a BMW G 650 GS factory lowered. Bike has done 17<5000 kms without trouble and she is comfortable.