Shortness + Dirt bikes

Yuggert · 02-09-2008, 07:25 PM

Hey all

Preamble:

Since my mate got a dirt bike a few months ago, we've been hitting the trails pretty regularly, like once a week for a good day or so.

I'm getting to the point now where i'm gonna kill my XT250. I distinctly remember the guy I bought it from all those years ago (I was 15) saying it was good for everything but NOT jumps. As the bike is regularly getting airbourne, wheelied over whoops etc, the suspension, power, everything is becoming a bit wanting.

So i'm tentatively looking to upgrade.

The point:

However, I'm only about 175cm tall, and on the sports bikes with approx 800-820mm seat height I'm getting both feet down, but not flat footed.

My question is, how the hell do shorter guys ride dirtbikes with the seat heights of closer to 1000mm? I know it's obviously possible as in ADBM etc they list the reviewer's height and weight, and a couple of the guys are also around 175cm. How do you stop with one of these things without falling off? Also if you had a bit of a moment, you wouldn't be able to push it back up with your legs if they only touch down when the bike's at a 45 degree angle haha.

Thoughts?

thro · 02-09-2008, 07:31 PM

^^ i think they sag a lot more than a sports bike? (i know my old dirt bikes did).

Suspension is quite a bit softer...

... i hear milk crates are also handy (waits for shortsteve to comment

)

Marty MOOSE · 02-09-2008, 07:33 PM

I'm 176 and its fine. They are also narrower so you have more leg. You will be fine and yes they sag more 100mm in the rear as a ball park

MM

Yuggert · 02-09-2008, 07:34 PM

My XT250 has soft noob friendly suspension, and it sags maybe 50mm max. Remember short people don't weigh much either dude

EDIT: Just read MM's post.. hmm i think i need to go and sit on a few in a dealership. Sure fucken hope it doesn't fall over, i hate running.

bertie · 02-09-2008, 07:34 PM

i'm 178cm and spent a lil bit of time on a WR400. i couldnt touch the gound flat footed. I had a few dramas trying to restart on some steep banks and trying to pick the bike back up on the mud pans.

I rekon you'll be right with a flash new big bike. it looks to me like the 250s are the same height as the 450s. so either way your not going to be flat footed.
I guess the more you ride a tall bike the more you get used to it.

Rob · 02-09-2008, 07:36 PM

You will get by. I have seen a guys kid turn up on one of these big wheel 85's - he just ran along side and jumped on once it was going etc

edit - just asked my wife how tall she is and she says 165, so she's laffin at joo

Yuggert · 02-09-2008, 07:37 PM

Heh if i upgrade, it certainly won't be to a flash new bike. This is more a hypothetical, need all my money (and then some probably) for racing soon.

Rich · 02-09-2008, 07:38 PM

I have no problems on my KTM's...

The XR600 is a camel, but I have never found it a problem...

I'm 175cm...

I remember riding a YZ125 when I was 10...

I could only just reach the footpegs...

Push it along, jump on, chuck it in gear and ride...

Slow down, chuck it in neutral, just as it was about to stop, jump off...

Johnno · 02-09-2008, 09:55 PM

I have a mate thats suffers from short ass syndrome and he had his xr 250 seat redone with reshaped foam to make it lower, worked for him.

Marty MOOSE · 03-09-2008, 06:02 AM

Kepp an eye out it in the rides section next time I post a ride for my kids come have a ride on my TALL dirt bike you will found out you are fine.Remember everything about the dirt riding position is different. Dirt bikes also sag the same regarless of weight

MM

[DR34M3R] · 03-09-2008, 06:28 AM

Well I am 158cms I ride a dirt bike.....I am too short for a 250 so I bought the baby brother the 140.....even my 140 dirty sits higher then Stratos's 250 roady.....

I am also lead to believe that a 250 motor will fit in my 140 frame.....always another option

All else fails get a quad.....

As long as you know how to ride ( I assume you do

) it is just a question of getting on & off it

T_B R1 · 03-09-2008, 07:24 AM

matt battista isn't the tallest dude around but look what he did on a dirty.

Spock · 03-09-2008, 07:43 AM

It's a shame that dirt bikes are all styled after motocross bike nowadays with the super high seat heights. It's all very well when you are going hard on open ground, but when you get into tight, hilly wooded areas it starts to get tricky and awkward.

The Yamaha TTR230 and Honda CRF230 are about the only decent trail bikes with low seat heights but their relative lack of power might put some people off. (They would be much better than your XT250 though, Yuggert).

Bender · 03-09-2008, 04:17 PM

07 kawasaki KLX250 have low seat height and soft suspension. Im got to the point that i have to repholster my seat so its higher to suit my 185 frame.

Yuggert · 03-09-2008, 04:25 PM

Cheers for input guys,

I'd be looking for something with harder suspension, more dirt focussed than road/trail. I love the XT to bits, it's durable, easy to maintain, does everything, but i think it'll get damaged from the big impacts it's taking bottoming out the suspension frequently.

Also while i reckon it'd be all good when underway, how does a short guy go about physically getting on a stationary bike with a massive seat height and supporting it? Bear in mind when i stand next to these bikes, the seat is at the bottom of my ribcage..

Wrex · 03-09-2008, 04:44 PM

You can buy lowering links for trail bikes too

Scary fish · 03-09-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrex

You can buy lowering links for trail bikes too

+1 on the lowering links.

and in term of gettig your ass on the seat. the trick is to either to work on that "high kick", and once you get some of your weight (leg) on the seat the resulting sag makes it easer to pull the rest of your body on board.
the other method requires a bit more practice and can best be described as a horse mount. only problem is if you are not that supple, and you havent worked on those "high kicks" getting back off can leave you stuck in a bit of painful situation with one leg on the ground and the other half way cross the seat and the suspension pushing up !!!!!
having said that its all a matter of confidence

shortSteve · 03-09-2008, 07:06 PM

Ok, i'm 169cm, and until recently owned a YZF400. Used to take a milk crate in the ute with me everywhere, to get in and out of the ute tray and to start the bike (kickstart). Once riding it was fine, comfy even. Coming to a stop just drop one side of the arse off the seat and stop with one foot. If I stalled it, would have to find a tree to lean the bike against while I started it again, or a log/rock to stand on. Could of just fitted a side stand I suppose.... Wasn't hard to climb on or off, and if you move your body around properly, you can 'prop' yourself quite easily if you start to fall.
Just my 2cents..