Hey Mr. Tippy Toes!

RevDice

Member
Nov 16, 2006
11
0
Recently picked up a CRF250 X for some trail riding. I'm a seasoned street cruiser and sportbike rider just getting back to dirt riding.

My Honda is a real stretch to the ground (I'm 5'8"). I'm just able to get the tips of my toes down.

Should I have the bike lowered? Anybody else a tippy-toer out there? I've always been a one foot down at a time rider. The Honda just requires a big weight shift to get something flat on the ground. I'm wondering how secure I'll feel on the trails.

Didn't really want to mess with the suspension besides setting the sag. Any words of encouragement out there?
 

IndyMX

Crash Test Dummy
~SPONSOR~
Jul 18, 2006
5,548
2
Amo, IN


My CR125 is pretty much the same way.. Just keep moving...

You should see my dad on his 97 CR125, he pretty much has to start the bike, then jump on and take off in one fluid motion.. Then when he is ready to stop riding, he pretty much has to crash to get off.. (I'm exaggerating a bit)
 

Tony Eeds

Godspeed Tony.
N. Texas SP
Jun 9, 2002
9,535
0
Welcome to the fun world of mega suspension.

Check out Kouba Link.

They have a link that claims to lower the CRF as much as 2.60 inches. I have a link on my BRP and it helped me a bunch.

Regarding lowering the suspension, I did that on my KTM 200 and it is nice as well. It did cost me almost $800 for 1 inch.

Also, welcome to DRN! :)
 

RevDice

Member
Nov 16, 2006
11
0

LOL... the crashing to stop is what I was concerned about. I've riden alot of "tall" bikes (my Ducati Sport 1000 is surprisingly tall). But the pavement is alot more predictable.

I like the "just keep moving" idea also... Cheers!
 

IndyMX

Crash Test Dummy
~SPONSOR~
Jul 18, 2006
5,548
2
Amo, IN
RevDice said:
LOL... the crashing to stop is what I was concerned about. I've riden alot of "tall" bikes (my Ducati Sport 1000 is surprisingly tall). But the pavement is alot more predictable.

I like the "just keep moving" idea also... Cheers!
Click to expand...


Seriously though, He has a nice aluminum stand that he sits his bike on.. He makes sure that it's on solid ground and uses that as a launch/landing pad. Just rides up to it and stops and uses it as a sort of ladder.

Very simple solution.
 

RevDice

Member
Nov 16, 2006
11
0

Thanks for the welcome Tony and the link. I'll check it out. $800 on the KTM for an inch! I might need to invest in a pair of KISS trail boots!
 

MikeT

~SPONSOR~
Jan 17, 2001
4,095
11
You might want to just shave down the seat foam so you will be able to touch better without hurting your suspension.
 

Tony Eeds

Godspeed Tony.
N. Texas SP
Jun 9, 2002
9,535
0
MikeT said:
You might want to just shave down the seat foam so you will be able to touch better without hurting your suspension.
Click to expand...

Good point Mike. RevDice, I have done that as well. It is free if you can remove and reuse your existing cover. It only costs a bit of time, an hour and half, if I remember correctly.

I have shaved the seat foam on my KTM 400 and my KTM 200.

I also forgot to mention that I have short legs (I have always wondered why that is long waisted) with only a 31 inch inseam.

My boots help, but I try and pay attention where I stop. If the ground is more than a couple of inches below my boot, it is difficult to get off the seat and my foot to the ground. If the bike leans over too far ... down it goes ... then everyone laughs and points at me and I have to explain how I "meant to do it" and enlist someone to help stand it back up, as the odds are that it fell where the tank is below the tires. Nothing like trying to deadlift a loaded motorcycle with a full tank of fuel.
 

RevDice

Member
Nov 16, 2006
11
0
Shaving the seat foam down a bit will be my first fix... thanks for the advice.

This sucka is seriously tall in the saddle... my friends (under 6 feet) just can't reach the earth comfortably.
 

XRpredator

AssClown SuperPowers
Damn Yankees
Aug 2, 2000
13,504
19
apologies to Randy Newman . . .

Short people got . . . no reason . . .

:p
 

RevDice

Member
Nov 16, 2006
11
0
XRpredator said:
apologies to Randy Newman . . .

Short people got . . . no reason . . .

:p
Click to expand...

Man... I didn't feel short until this bike. Short has two advantages... we fit in sports cars better... and we're soooo much smarter as a people. :nener: Being tall has advantages on big bikes and at concerts! :cool:
 

Tony Eeds

Godspeed Tony.
N. Texas SP
Jun 9, 2002
9,535
0
RevDice said:
Want to lower about an inch/inch and a half. I assume you have that CRF3 link available? How challenging to install and what kind of wrenching time to install?
Click to expand...

Can't speak specifically to the CRF3, but the one on my BRP took about an hour, which included opening up a spot in the garage big enough to work on the bike.
 

JuliusPleaser

Too much of a good thing.
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 22, 2000
4,392
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RevDice said:
Want to lower about an inch/inch and a half. I assume you have that CRF3 link available? How challenging to install and what kind of wrenching time to install?
Click to expand...

An hour if you're moderately talented with a wrench - two hours if you have beer first.

I still have it.
 

Tony Eeds

Godspeed Tony.
N. Texas SP
Jun 9, 2002
9,535
0
JuliusPleaser said:
An hour if you're moderately talented with a wrench - two hours if you have beer first.

I still have it.
Click to expand...

The beer?

Did you ever finish the 70? Now that would need tall foam.
 

JuliusPleaser

Too much of a good thing.
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 22, 2000
4,392
0
I collected $500 worth of parts for it, re-laced the wheels, replaced the tires & tubes, then sold it for a net loss of $400 or so.

Sucks being broke. :uh:
 

kmccune

2-Strokes forever
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Jul 3, 1999
2,726
1
Unless you ride on the side of a mountain and you always forget what side to dismount on you really don't have to be able to touch flat footed. I'm 5"8" as well and and it really is not an issue.
 
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