MX/Trail bike for short guy

[takethebounce]

Been putting all my time, energy and money into sledding for the past few years and want to get back into having a dirt bike and wanted some opinions on whats out there for used bikes.

I am used to 2strokes but am leaning towards a 4stroke and looking at a 250 be it a yammy, honda or kawi. I am not brand loyal to bikes as I am sleds so it doesn't matter much.

Biggest issue is I am short! Man the seat heights on these 250's seem high when I check them out at the dealers so I am looking at shaving a seat, likely a drop link for the suspension and lowering the triple clamps on the shock tubes a bit. I might even get into a professional lowering job if any local companies do it. Of the bikes I like most are like the 05/06 CRF250X since it has a light and the price fits my budget. (3500-4500)

Anyone have any opinions or experiences on what if any of them are better than the other? I haven't paid any attention to bikes in a long time.

 

[ghglenn]

The problem with trying to lower the bike is the suspension not having enough adjustability to do it. Try this first:

If that doesn't work, contact a suspension guru like:

Everyone should get their suspension set up by a professional. It is the difference between night and day. Worth every $.





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[Slamnek]

How tall are you? I'm 5'6" and have no problem with my CR 250 or a new 450.

 

[takethebounce]

I'm a whopping 5'3,

I agree with properly setting up a bikes suspension. I was looking at Enzo and they do lowering as well. Biggest issue with that is most places are back logged this time of year for work.

 

[ghglenn]

True, they are busy right now. Enzo is a nice choice too. The bonus of Pro-Action guy is they are usually local, and mobile (like Snap Tool Guy,lol) might be a little easier?
Do you have to send Enzo your suspension, or is there a local rep?
I remember (years ago) our local Pro-action guy doing forks and a rear shock in about an hour, at the track, then you could ride it and come back and he would tweak it till you were happy.
It was crazy watching him take the bike apart in minutes...

The more I think about it, it was like having factory $upport, at least for an hour or so....:d

 

[winterax]

Sent my suspension to Pro Action in Calgary on Tuesday this week, he's shipping it back this afternoon.

 

[Slamnek]

X2 for pro-action in calgary. I had my fork seals and valving done 4 years ago and there still perfect.

 

[takethebounce]

I will have to check those guys out once I get my hands on a bike, still leaning towards a crf250x, I see a few for sale, just have to find one in decent shape.

Thanks for the replys.

 

[Taminator]

Hey....feel for ya. I happen to know how tall you are and am the same 5'3". I had a he!! of a time finding a bike I could even remotely touch on! The crf250 was too tall for me but if you could drop it a few inches it would be great! I got a ttr230 and have the suspension as soft as it can go and shaved an inch and bit off the seat! That made the dif between not even being close to the ground to tippy toeing! Not a snappy bike, but great trail/offroad bike, not so much for tracks though. Lots of lugging power
A girlfriend has a ktm xtc250 and she loves it, but it's way too tall for me

 

[takethebounce]

Haha yeah Tam we don't have the longest legs. The TTR is a good bike, it might be an option for the summer. Now that the sled is just about put away (holding onto hopes there is one more ride) I will have to get into my bike search.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[sumx54]

You can also gain 1"-1 1/2" by shaving foam off your seat and then recovering it, depending on what brand you go with, some don't have enough to spare. Like I've always told my son " you don't ride with your azz on the seat or feet on the ground anyway" :d Sometimes makes it hard to start though but e-start helps that. Good Luck

 

[takethebounce]

I ended up going with a KX250F and they are going to lower it at the factory before they ship it. SAAAAAAAAAWEEEEEEEEET! Been awhile since I had a green machine!

 

[ghglenn]

Congrats on the new bike.

 

[takethebounce]

thanks, i just realized I posted this in the events section! oh well

 

[somethingnuw]

anyone ever think of triing a trials bike... buddies of mine are all switching from their 450's to trials bikes... on technical rides n single track they say its the funnest riding they have ever done... your height wouldn't matter as you all know they aren't meant for sitting... i got into riding to late in life and still sit way too much... just a thought

 

[takethebounce]

anyone ever think of triing a trials bike... buddies of mine are all switching from their 450's to trials bikes... on technical rides n single track they say its the funnest riding they have ever done... your height wouldn't matter as you all know they aren't meant for sitting... i got into riding to late in life and still sit way too much... just a thought

I have friends who have trails bikes, those things are awesome to rip around on, but for most people are going to limit the type of riding they do until they really get a handle on riding them. We love stump jumping and rock crawling with them but not exactly bikes you take to the track or off road on all day.

 

[Marauder01]

2012 KX250F?? dual fuel injection.. DROOL i r jealous of this bike..

make sure to get some posts and pics up when she shows up..

if i had to buy a 2012 right now, would either be the KX250F or 250SXF (ktm).

ktm has e-start from factory

Kawi has dual fuel injection,, if i am not mistaken, the KX makes the most power of the 2012 250fs

 

[MOMMA]

One of our customers is trying to get me out on his Trials Bike. I'm just finding my love for bikes. I'd never tried single track riding till yesterday, and I freakin LOVE it. It's wayyyyyy more fun than any other dirt riding I tried before. I was on our CRF230F.. so like Tam said, not super snappy, but I had a LOT of fun popping over logs and stuff on it.

This dirt biking thing doesn't suck after all!!! Woo hooo!!

 

[takethebounce]

One of our customers is trying to get me out on his Trials Bike. I'm just finding my love for bikes. I'd never tried single track riding till yesterday, and I freakin LOVE it. It's wayyyyyy more fun than any other dirt riding I tried before. I was on our CRF230F.. so like Tam said, not super snappy, but I had a LOT of fun popping over logs and stuff on it.

This dirt biking thing doesn't suck after all!!! Woo hooo!!

You have some amazing single track riding in your back yard. Lots of great terrain all within 20 mins. Keeping up to those local boys can be a challenge. Lots of single track up Rover as well. Bark busters mandatory!

 

[MOMMA]

You have some amazing single track riding in your back yard. Lots of great terrain all within 20 mins. Keeping up to those local boys can be a challenge. Lots of single track up Rover as well. Bark busters mandatory!

OMGOSH I know eh! The Tuesday night rides are up rover for now. They keep trying to get me out. I figure one more week and I'll giver a whirl.. My Boss, Kevin takes a group on a less challenging route, and the other guys like Ian, and Shuke, and Colton go for the gusto on the more advanced track. I'm hoping to learn a bunch this year from them.