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Yamaha TT-R125LE or Honda CRF150 for a shorty..
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Posted by: Biker2B---------------------
I'm a complete newbie, never ridden a motorcycle before and will most likely only be riding on trails. I'm 5'4" about 180 and I'm also an avid mtn biker.
I've sat on both bikes and I can stand flat footed on the TT-R but only on my toes on the 150 but it felt soooo much heavier than the 125 and that concerns me. Also, are there many differences in suspension and if it came down to better suspension vs electric start, as a total newbie, which one should I place more importance on?
I don't think I'll be doing any riding more than once a month so if there are any maintenance issues during down times that I should know about....well, would either require more maintenace than the other?
Thanks for all your help!! 
Posted by: sneeky---------------------
I see no one replied yet so as a fellow vert challenged rider I'll help you out as best I can. TTR 125 is a bad choice unless you're gonna put stiffer springs in and do mods like pipe/filter/jetting. I'm 40lbs less than you and one inch shorter and I'm putting in stiffer springs and I don't consider myself an aggressive rider either....well maybe a little 
I also think that if I was 40lbs heavier this bike wouldnt be as fun power wise. As far as the crf150 I've sat on it before but feel that if your going past the ttr 125 you may as well go for the crf230. I can only have one tip toe at a time when I'm on the 230 (sag not adjusted for me) but if you're 40lbs more and an inch taller than me and set the sag right you should be able to get the balls of your feet down at least and thats plenty. Then you could always shave the seat and you should be more than low enough. I'm pretty much saying the 230 due to your weight (plus gear) cuz you'll need the somewhat better suspension/power and its electric start too!
either way, have fun deciding....I've been going back and forth on my next bike choice for a while now 
only thing holding me back is $$$ 
Posted by: 1tontj---------------------
And if you want to ride hard and fast in the future on it - then both the bikes you suggested suck. They are only beginers bikes that most get tired of right away.
Have you considered the KX100? Great trail bike, lighter than the ones you posted. Better suspension, better brakes, and way more power.
My 5'6" GF has one and loves it.
Phil
Posted by: Biker2B---------------------
Thanks for replies, guys. I was wondering if anyone was going to throw me a bone 
Hmm, I was originally trying to keep my expenses down to around $2500 but its starting to sound like I might just be better off going with a bigger bike. I thought about the 230F but didn't get a chance to sit on it when I was looking at the 150. The sales guy did say that they could lower the suspension on the 230 but then the weight might be an issue for me. My husband doesn't ride so I'll be doing all the loading/unloading on my own. Annnd I did see a couple of 230s go for under $2K
I'll be doing trailriding so I wonder if the KX100 might be too much. Would the KX85 or CR85 be worthwhile considerations?
Posted by: ScottS---------------------
I think the 230 would be better than a 2 stroke for a lot of reasons
My wife used to ride with me and the e-start was absolutely a necessity especially if we were seperated at all.
The Honda is real quiet, and the power low end is better than a two stroke that has to be revved out to move- you would i think not be happy with a small 2 stroke- the 230 seems like a real good compromise and you can start out on it and it will still serve you well when your skills progress.
Posted by: Biker2B---------------------
Did your wife find that the weight of the 230 bothered her at all? That's one of my main concerns and the 230 weighs in at a hefty 238 lbs compared to 216 on the 150.
Actually, since I sat on the 150 again, it didn't feel all that heavy and seemed like something I could easily get used to. Maybe it would the same for the 230?
Posted by: sneeky---------------------
As far as weight is concerned, the only time I think you'll have trouble is loading and unloading the bike(if you're using a pickup bed thats high) but unless you're planning on riding by yourself (which I don't recommend to much for beginners) two people can load any bike. As far as on the trail, picking it up may be frustrating at first but you'll develop the strength quickly. Then just hop on it, hit the button, and hit the gas. I've heard good things about the kx100 too with mods like flywheel, pipe, etc. I sat on it and it was too cramped for my taste, not to mention needing trail mods. I'm still throwing the idea of the 230 for me, or a xr250, or a kdx200, or a drz250, or a...... I figure I could ride pretty much any bike and have it modded to work, the decision I'm having a hard time making is how much I want to spend to have fun (not competing) and which bike will be the most fun the longest????? 
Posted by: ScottS---------------------
My wife rode an XT225 which weighed more, she is about 5-5 - once she was moving the weight was not an issue but she actually got to the point where the suspension was holding her back- i think the 230 has relatively decent suspension- the yamaha was probably closer to 250 lbs
I remain impressed with the DRZ-250, it has excellent boingers on it but seat height is a little high for a beginner- that could be lowered though - that could be an option- it has an e-start too. More of a full size bike than the 230 , but taller too - and probably heavier .
I would determine what is the highest seat height you can tolerate, find out which bikes are at that height or could be reduced to that height , and then get the lightest bike that has an e-start and you should be good to go.
To lower any bike the forks and shocks have to be restricted in their travel- good thing this is a reversable modification , unlike cutting subframes and seats, so it could be un-done when you want to sell . Downside is it requires the forks and shocks to come apart, probably about 300-500 bucks-
But if you found a DRZ 250 that you could get a good deal on , and talked the dealer into lowering the suspension for you ( assuming they havethat capability) and roll it into the cost of the bike ( I see them going for as little as 3999) its 250 lbs, it is e-start, it has lights , it;'s air cooled- real nice bike for the money- by comparison the 230
is around 240 lbs, no lights , the seat is 1" lower than the suzuki
so the difference is 10 lbs more and 1" taller- and you can get the 230 for less- so maybe the 230 is the way to go
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