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Street to Dirt and I'm short =P
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Posted by: Ninja250rider---------------------

Hi, I'm 19 and currently ride a Kawasaki Ninja 250 and want to get a dirtbike this summer. I'm currently looking at 250F's from Yamaha and Kawasaki, in particular the WR250F, that is if there is a big difference between it and the more track oriented Kawi 250F, since I will be doing mostly woods riding.

The problem is I'm only 5'4" and these bikes have 37"+ seat heights and my Ninja is barely 30" high. That said I can manage on a KX100 which has a 34.x seat height.

Is it feasible to lower these bikes 3-4 inches without any handling problems? How much does it normally cost to do something like this? If I get it done I definately want it done right and want the front and the rear done.

Any help is appreciated, thanks. Also, I do have experience off-road from YEARS ago on at TT-R 90...if experience on an 8hp bike counts at all lol.

Posted by: Ninja250rider---------------------

Sorry missed this:

1) your physical size : 5'4", 110lbs
2) How physical / aggressive are you ? Moderate to Very Aggressive
3) what do you plan to ride- Woods, Fields, lots of jumping, some MX
4) Do you have any riding experience? 1 Year Street, 1 Year off-road (on little ttr)
5) Do you think you will race ? Will definatly think about it
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work? : Depends.... Oil changes, tires, chain, etc. yes, but no real engine work
7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)? I'm used to 4 strokes, but if you guys like 125s and have good reason I'll definately look into them
8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry? All brands available
9) How much do you plan to spend on a bike? $4000-6000
10) Do you live in California? Pennsylvania

Posted by: 150rguy---------------------

I know you can shave some of your seat foam down and drop about an inch. I think you can also buy lowering kits (I think) but im not sure.
Also I think A WR250 would be really good for you in the woods if you lowered it a little.

Posted by: Blackcat---------------------

I would say sit on the bike and see how it feels first. I had a short friend a while back and he used to ride an XR 600

Posted by: 150rguy---------------------

The bad thing about bikes that are to tall for you is sometimes the corners and starting the bike. And when you tip it over its pretty hard to pick it up if your not that strong.

Posted by: Ninja250rider---------------------

Yeah, I don't doubt I could get on any bike made and get going in one way or another. I do want to feel like I have control of the bike when I'm cornering, jumping, etc. and I don't think I'll have that feeling without lowering it.

As for weight my street bike weighs over 300lbs and I know these bikes are lighter than that so lifting them shouldn't be a problem.

Posted by: rmc_olderthandirt---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja250rider

I do want to feel like I have control of the bike when I'm cornering, jumping, etc. and I don't think I'll have that feeling without lowering it.

When you are jumping the last thing you will be concerned about is your feet reaching the ground! What you WILL be concerned about is suspension travel. There are two ways to lower the bike: smaller wheels, lower the suspension. Lowering the suspension and jumping doesn't sound to me like a good combination.

When you are cornering the seat height can be an issue, but the ground will be a lot closer on the side that matters.

I find that seat height is more of an issue on getting the bike started and then getting it rolling. If you are standing on tip toes, or worse, leaning the bike over it will put you in an awkward position to kick the starter. If you stall out going up a steep hill on uneven ground and have to lean the bike to get a foot down on the ground it can be hard to get rolling again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja250rider

As for weight my street bike weighs over 300lbs and I know these bikes are lighter than that so lifting them shouldn't be a problem.

I hope you haven't had to pick your street bike up from the ground too many times....

Picking the bike up after a fall isn't going to be your problem. If anything, it will be preventing the stupid falls, like dropping the bike while you are trying to kick start it. Of course, that won't be a problem with the WR250F as it has electric start (or at least the newer models do).

The Yamaha WR250F is a very nice bike, but from your description I would be a bit concerned that it might not be well suited for what you believe you will be doing. It is not really a MX bike, so if you intend to do a lot of jumping and some racing you might be better off to get a YZsomething.

I have noticed that the Hondas tend to have a lower seat height, so you might want to take a look at their bikes.

Rod

Posted by: Chili---------------------

I'd consider the Honda CRF250X as the seat height is almost a full inch shorter to start than the WR250F (38.6" to 37.7"). From there I'm guessing but I'd think a $500 budget will likely accomplish getting the suspension professionally dropped. Not sure what part if the USA you are in but Jeremy Wilkey from MX-Tech has done many of these suspension mods with good reviews.

Posted by: Ninja250rider---------------------

Regarding suspension travel...I definately see your point but will it be that much of an issue for me? These bikes have over 11-12 inches of travel correct? If I lower them 2-3 inches and shave the seat 1 inch, I'll still have 9-10 inches of travel. I would think that given my weight 10in. of travel would be enough to soak up the impact as opposed to 11/12in. for someone who is twice my weight, no? (I understand there will be stiffer set-ups for the heavier person as well)

As for the WR not being an MX bike, I understand that but doesn't it use the same components as the YZ 250F, just tweaked a little differently? I will be doing a lot of jumping but the majority of my riding will be trail oriented so I thought the WR power delivery would be better. If I do need to get an MX bike though I'll pick up the KX 250F since I can probably get a deal on it from the dealer I got my street bike from.

BTW since you mentioned it, I've had to pick my street bike up 2 times. One time I wrecked it doing stoppies, the other was just losing my footing and the bike fell with me on it, I still had ahold of it though, so I set it down easy before I got off to pick it up.

Posted by: Chili---------------------

If done correctly the reduced travel should not be an issue. Have a gander at this thread http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/sh...spension+travel

Posted by: snb73---------------------

Contact MX Tech for an accurate price for lowering the bike of your choice.

http://www.mx-tech.com/?id=services

Posted by: Ninja250rider---------------------

K, thanks a lot guys.

Posted by: fundgh---------------------

Coming from a 5'6" rider: Starting and stopping the bike are going to be your biggest challenges. I tip toe my KDX and my SuperHawk. Once you are going, it is nice being short (especially in the legs) because it is easier to sit stand sit stand all day. There is really no time in riding a moving motorcycle that you should put your foot on the ground. Even kicking a leg out (forward) during turns will rarely result in "planting" your foot, you might lose it if you do! That being said, kick starting a bike would be hell for you on big 4 stroke. 2 strokes kick very easily, no jumping required, and it can be done with your hip cocked and leg barely hanging over the seat. Now in tight trail riding you may have some challenges, as "dabbing" and slow tip overs will be more common. Again, having a lighter 2 stroke bike would be beneficial. Once you get good at riding it won't be as big of a deal, but it will be frustrating for the first year or two. I put Kuba links on my KDX which dropped the ride height a little bit without comprimising performance. I shaved the seat foam when I first got it, but did not like how "saddled" it was, and how much less butt cushion I had. An E-start 250F would be good, or a good ol fashioned 2 stroke! Just my opinion!

Posted by: Ninja250rider---------------------

Well, I went to a few bike shops today and I looked into the Honda's since it was mentioned that they have lower seat heights. I think I may have to go with a Honda and they said the CR125 had the lowest seat height out of all the bikes and was the lightest as well. I'm considering going with it and they also said this is the last year the 125 2t will be produced.

One question about that though, a lot of people on here dislike the 4 strokes because of cost to maintain, reliability, etc. Will I truly save a lot of maintenance time and money if I go with the CR125? I honestly don't care what bike I get or brand, I've also never got to experience a 2t and since they won't be making them anymore it may be a good time to jump on it. The dealer was really trying to push me on the 4 strokes though for some reason.

BTW just for comparison I sat on a Suzuki DRZ400SM which has a 35in seat height and that was prefect for me IMO. I could just barely touch my tip toes on both feet and just about flat footed if I went on to one foot so that's the height I'm gonna shoot for. I found a CR125 in Ohio for $5000 brand new as well, it that a decent price for a brand new one?

Posted by: Chili---------------------

This is the last year of the Honda CR125, not 125 2 strokes as a whole. With the lopsided rules the AMA enacted it essentially signed the death warrant for 2 strokes and even more so the 125's since they are at a complete disadvantage to the 250 4 strokes they have to race. Given all that, most dealers are having a hard time giving away 125 2 strokes so I'm betting you can do far better than that price, especially if you will take a New 05 or 06 leftover the dealers can't move.

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