I can't lift it

[drBill]

Hi gals--
This is my first post (I'm posting under my husband's name).
My husband and 2 sons love to ride, and I'm getting tired being left at camp. I want to ride! Since my son is outgrowing his Honda XR200 and I'm trying to decide whether to adopt it. It fits me comfortably except for one thing. I can't lift it. I'm 5'7'' but I'm small boned--thin. Guess I need more upper body strength. Do you think a TTR125L would be better for me? Or should I keep this bike. Other suggestions or ideas?

I plan to do mostly trail/desert riding.

Sharon

 

[Michelle]

Hi Sharon & welcome.
The TTR will be too small for you at your height. If I were you, I'd keep the XR for now - you've got it, so learn the basics on it, then as you get experienced, take other bikes out for a ride to see what you want next.
As for lifting the bike, you'll adjust as time goes by. If you can, don't run a full tank of gas in it, just half fill it, that'll help with the weight issue.
When picking up the bike, grab the handle bar with your left hand and the seat with your right (just below the seat really) - this is with you standing on the right side of the bike. You should now be crouching with your back to the bike. As you straighten your knees, the bike will come up with minimal effort i.e. don't use your back, it's way easier this way. I'm not exactly strong (or fit), but can easily lift my KDX or friend's XR. I had to run half a tank of gas initially just to adjust to the weight - coming off an 80, then worked out the guys weren't filling it up as much as I was, so thought I'd try full tanks and found it was no longer an issue (my half tanks were about 3/4, theirs were 1/2).
Hope that helps some and looking forward to reading your first ride report along with what you decide to do :)
Michelle

 

[LoriKTM]

Welcome Sharon!

The XR200 is a great bike to learn on. It is as heavy as any of the other full-size bikes, but eventually you will get used to it. Believe me, after your first few days riding around, you'll know exactly which muscles are getting used! ;)

Enjoy!

 

[bbbom]

And another welcome Sharon! :) I agree with Lori, the XR200 is a great bike to learn on and I know several women that won't ride anything else.

Technique is important, like Michelle said. I'm pretty strong (for a petite and dainty flower ;) ) but I have had situations where my bike is really hard for me to get back up on two wheels.

If I end up in a difficult pick up position, I shut the gas off as quick as possible, then take a minute to figure out some type of leverage position to use (at least I try to).

Sometimes it means I actually flop the bike over from one side to the other (like when I crash on a narrow uphilll and the bike is laying on it's side with the tires uphill - no way to actually right it without super human strength) or drag it to a better position. It isn't pretty and it does break levers and perches (with barkbusters) and plastic sometimes so I try to figure out a way to not flop it over but, if it's that or be stuck there - over it goes (or if I am particularly mad at the bike).

You might want to just lay the bike down gently and practice different techniques. I never had to do that because I tip over enough on accident that I get plenty of practice - it is easier to pick it up when you are mad at it too.:eek:

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[KiwiBird]

Welcome Sharon. Michelle's method is very good and safe for your back. As bbbom says a little thought on leverage methods saves the bod, sometimes I will drag the front or back of the bike to a more advantageous place before lifting it up.

 

[CJ Rider]

These folks covered the good techniques to follow; I just wanted to add one more thought. Both my friend and I had the same trouble as you when we first started so we made sure we rode together. Ya know, the "buddy system." If one of us biffed and got pinned or whatever, we would work together to get the bike back up. Eventually we learned the techniques, but the buddy system was key initially. I'm with bbbom in the suggestion to practice in, say, yer yard or wherever. 'Neighbors think I'm weird when I do that, but they're probably right.

 

[Girlrider]

Get a trials bike anyone can pick those up. Just kidding but they are easy to pick up. You said you have kids right? Then you must have stronger arms than you realize. My friend has a 2 year old and a 4 month old and she can carry that 2 year old everywhere (while vacuuming even.) We went shopping on Saturday and I started out carrying the 16 lb baby in a baby carrier and it KILLED my arms. I was dying so she took him and the 2 year old and carried them both. She is 5'7 and probably 120 pounds (Skinny) and had no problem. But you go out to the motorcycles and I can pick those up no problem. I am 5'8" and 120 pounds (Before Thanksgiving). Yet she struggles to do it. When you go to pick it up pretend it is your kid. You will see it is not that bad. The way I found easiest to pick a bike up is if you are on the left side of the bike because it has fallen on it's left side, you reach down with you RIGHT hand and grab the grip that is closest to the ground. Then you actually turn you butt towards the bike and your face looking away from the bike, keep your arm staight, bend your legs then lift with your legs. It seems weird cuz you are only using one arm but it really works well. I figured this one out when I was riding with a broken collarbone and could not use my other arm very well. Use the other arm if it falls on the other side. Try it and let us know.

 

[nkd]

Welcome Sharon

Hi Sharon,

I know what you mean, I ride an XR250 and a CR125. When I ride
the CR it is so light picking it up is like nothing. Then I get on the
XR and I can barely lift it off the ground. One thing that is good,
give yourself a few seconds to catch your breath and recoop from
your fall before trying to lift the monster up. Or what I do, ride
with someone really strong!!! hee hee, good luck and also the XR
is the best bike going, I taught many people how to ride on an 83 XR200,
it is a great bike. Good luck and have fun!
Nancy:D

 

[Michelle]

Sharon, in line with what Nancy has suggested (composing yourself before attempting to pick up the bike), one thing I've found help is a rehydration system - it gives you a reason to stop for a minute & the water also helps your body.
When/if you turn the gas off (it does allow you to not panic so much, as the bike can't fall any further & at least the gas isn't running out the overflow tube) - try to remember to turn it back on before you go. (I'd ask people to remind me & of course none of us remembered, so they'd wonder what the heck was taking me so long) ;)

 

[drBill]

update

Hello everyone---and thanks!
I'll try all those ideas about lifting a bike. Those were a lot of good ideas! I'm going out on Saturday to El Mirage (So. California desert) with the XR200 to ride with my husband. I've ridden the dry lake bed and some easier stuff, but Bill wants to take me on some more challenging rides out in the desert so I can get a feel for how the bike does and how I do on it. I'm still trying decide if I want to get the lighter bike--TTR25L. I agree that it might be a little small for me. However, my back isn't the greatest. I get muscle spasms. I hear that Honda is coming out with a CR150F late next summer. Maybe that's a possiblity? I do hope I can handle my son's XR200--I know it's probably the best of the three. Talk to you when I get back---hopefully in one piece!:eek:

Sharon

 

[KTMster]

Sharon, welcome!

Glad to see another So. Cal. female rider joining the ranks. Don't forget to give us a "Ride Report" after your ride at El Mirage.

 

[firecracker22]

The CRF 150 is going to be the best playbike so far, but it still isn't any kind of competitive bike. The ergonomics will be very similar to a CR 80 Expert but with slightly taller, more forward bars, lower and further back footpegs and a little more rake. It might have stiffer suspension than the TTR which it was designed to compete with. The lower pegs and higher bars are to accomodate a larger person than a 12-year-old. It will be pretty cool--and you can bet BBR will have a ton of stuff for it. We were pretty excited to see it at the dealer show last weekend. It might be a better option than the XR, if you don't mind the wait. Keep your eyes open though; you may be ready for more power by then.

 

[KTMster]

I've been bike shopping myself lately--mostly on the internet, and one bike that has definitely piqued my interest is the 2002 Gas Gas Pampera. I'm still doing my homework on this bike, but the thing that is attracting me most to this bike is the 34" seat height and it only weighs 198 lbs.

I'm really trying to make a good decision this time, especially since I have been through four new bikes in the past three years. Seems like I just can't get it right??? :think

I wish there was a place that rented the new bikes so that I could test ride a bike for a day before purchasing--or a pill that I could take to make me grow a few inches taller.....or even better yet, a pill that I could take that would make me a good rider instantly. :confused:

 

[tashben]

It's somewhat comforting to know that I'm not the only one that has problems picking up after the crash. I have just started off-road riding and have a 86 Yamaha RT 175, its pretty heavy, but before I get a new bike, I'd rather bang-up this one. I'm lucky that my husband rides with me and will help, but only after I've tried all possible angles.

I'm envious that most of you seem to have be tall enough to be able to pick from a larger selection than bikes than me. I've pretty much decided to buy a Yamaha XT225 after I'm more comfortable riding. I can touch the ground (almost flat-footed), has an electric start and seem to have gotten relatively good reviews. If any of you have experience with this bike, I'd love to hear about it. Enjoy the RIDE!!

p.s. - not only am I short , I'm getting OLD!

 

[CJ Rider]

Hey KTMster- I wish you were closer because I'd be happy to let you ride the Pampera I picked up just before Thanksgiving. 'Had it in Moab for the holiday and I've had it out quite a bit since then and I'm TOTALLY psyched about it! WHAAAA!!! However, it depends on how tall you are and how much you weigh and what type of terrain you ride whether it'll be the perfect bike for you or not. (It IS for me.) I'll explain that a little better if you want me to.

tashben- My friend had an XT225 and it was a fine bike. Ya know, she loved that bike when we were just tooling around in a dual-sport trail-road kind of way. Then we started to do harder trails and hang out at the motorcross track more often and she yearned for more suspension, power, flickability, and less weight. She ended up trading it in, but she still thinks about how friendly that XT225 was. I guess it just depends on what type of riding you do. (Oh... and I'm short and old too, but I pretend that I'm tall and young!)

 

[LoriKTM]

tashben,

Looks can be deceiving. Riding experience makes up for my lack of stature (5'3"). Plus, I had my KTM suspension shortened 1" front and rear to help me get a toe down. Being able to flat-foot a dirt bike is not even an option for me. I think the only bike I was able to get both feet flat on the ground was the TTR125 I rode at Reno last year!
I would seriously re-consider a bike other than the TTR225 as your next bike. As CJ mentioned, I'm sure it's completely adequate as a lightweight dual-sport type ride (as was its sibling, the XT225 Serow), but it weighs much more than a beginner dirt bike should weigh (in the 270 pound range, I believe). The suspension and power are merely adequate, as I understand. I know there's a few women here who have ridden these bikes, they can probably provide you with some anecdotal evidence.
At that point, you'd be better off with an XR200--about the same power and suspension, but much lighter. Better yet, try out a KDX200. That bike will take you just about anywhere you want to go. In stock trim, the motor is as user friendly as a comparable 4-stroke, but with a little more power and much better suspension. If you think it's too tall, shave a little seat foam or have the suspension shortened like I did.
Pick the bike according to your riding ability and terrain, then adapt it to meet your physical requirements.

 

[Mini127]

I'm in the same boat. I just got a YZ80, I'm short, light, and I'm only 10. Since I got my bike yesterday, I never even got a chance to try and lift it but I know I couldn't because my brother has one. When I got the bike it came with a triangle, so I don't need to lift it but I recamend that you get one (if there even is one for that size bike) because it includes no strenghth.:confused:

 

[drBill]

Ride Update - Sharon

I really need to get a name...
And thanks, Mini127 for your input. (I have a ten-year-old son who rides).

Today, Sunday, I took my first long ride in the desert--El Mirage with the XR200--at 43 degrees. Bill took me on two 15 mile loops. So we headed off toward the Shadow mountains. Bill took off like a scared jack-rabbit with my ten year-old son right on his tail, leaving me to pull up the rear. I was a little nervous at first (because my husband likes gnarly trails), but he was good - taking the trails at a sensitive pace for me. Wheew!!!! I did better than I thought. Sometimes I even had to tell him to go faster. I can't ride through sand slow, and also, I don't like stopping once I get going. That's is something I need to work on. Stopping. Today I learned---do not stop on an incline, then stall the bike. When I tried to start it, I threw my weight into the "start" and the bike immediately tipped over on top of me, and giving my head a hard conk on the dirt. My neck is a little stiff.

The good news is I didn't crash today, I just had some stupid dumps like the one above. I still can't pick up the bike, as hard as I tried. But I haven't thrown all your suggestions to the wind, I just need more practice. I enjoyed the whoops, the curvy trails, and even the sand--it kinda reminds me of water-skiing--slipping acorss the water.

Bill's happy with my progress, and says I'm now ready for a YZ426F(!!!!)Just kidding. I think I'm going to try riding the XR200 for awhile...and not go to a smaller bike after all.

Thanks for all the encouragement. I especially remembered the downhill surfing snow hint with a foot on the back break, as I tried despartely not to set a new downhill land speed record in the Mojave desert.

Gotta go hit the bath tub,

Sharon

 

[Michelle]

Way to go Sharon :) I'm glad you've decided not to get a smaller bike, as I doubt you would be happy on it for long (I admit the weight thing is still appealing, but after riding a KX80 last weekend, it felt like a toy to me).

Definitely stop before the incline if you're going to stop, but preferably just keep on going (often easier said than done, believe me, I know). Riding through sand, keep your weight back further than you would on dirt or mud, it keeps the back wheel pushing through rather than just wheel spinning.

You will get the hang of picking up the bike, it sounds like you're as stubborn as the rest of us ;) lol

Mini127, welcome to DRN. Do you ride motocross? The problem with the triangles is that those of us who ride trails can't take them along, so we just find trees to lean the bikes against (or just dump them on the ground, whatever's easier), or have a sidestand. What year is your 80? Congratulations on the bike btw. I loved my YZ80 when I had it, just a shame it was the wrong bike for me :)
Michelle

 

[KTMster]

Sharon, sounds like you are a natural and that you did great. The funny thing is that when I dumped my bike this weekend I used all the tips you've gotten here & they really helped.

CJ Rider, since we don't live close enough for me to check out your Pampera, I'd love it if you could explain a little more. I am 5'2 120lbs and I ride mostly desert trails, hard packed, sand washes, hills (my least favorite since I am afraid of heights,:( ) whoops, and fast single-track....or no track-trails (my favorite.) I am not an aggressive rider & since I am afraid of heights I thought the Pampera or a bike with a lower seat height would give me more confidence if I could touch. The thing I can't figure out is that when I used to snow ski I was never afraid of downhills & so why do downhills scare me on my bike. :think

 

[AnneBrooks]

better late, than never!

Hi Sharon, and welcome!

I am the same height as you, but weigh a *few* more pounds!! I, too suffer from the lack of upper body strength---but I am currently working on that.

I know you said you were going to stay on the XR200 for a while, but I thought I would still add my .02 on the TTR225 issue.

You definitely DO NOT want to get that bike if you are having trouble picking up the XR200. That thing is a tank! It weighs much more than the XR200. The only positive thing is the electric start. It has the same suspension, low center of gravity and drum brake in the back (disc in front). I had a very hard time picking that thing up EVERY time I dropped it. I rode one for a little over a year, so I am very familiar with it.

Good luck and keep us up to date on your progress!!

 

[CJ Rider]

OK KTMster, I’ll try to explain…

The Pampera is THE bike for tight and/or technical trails. It’s incredibly well balanced; footpegs are in the right place, handlebars are at the right height, it’s narrow, and the weight is nicely distributed for handling either quick corrections at speed or negotiating slow-speed technical maneuvers. The power is evenly distributed throughout the RPMs with no kick like a typical 2-stroke. No hesitation in power when ya twist the throttle. I rode my husband’s DRZ400 and I think my Pampera has nearly as much power. As for hill climbs, it has gobs of low end torque for really steep loose nasty hill climbs with rocks ledges and all. You can lug it! The Pampera rules at Moab for deep sand to rock ledge transitions. Keeping up on switch-back single-track through trees and over roots is not a problem anymore. And the very cool thing is that the Pampera’s light weight doesn’t wear me out like a heavier bike does. This is prime Pampera stuff.

Now here’s something to think about. High speed whoops and big air jumps are NOT prime Pampera stuff. Yeah, I take my bike to the mx track and have a blast in the corners and on small jumps. Yeah, I’ve been trying doubles lately (not actually doing them, just trying) since I finally have the power. However, I don’t have the suspension (or the kahoonas) for the really big stuff. I tried a large step-down this past weekend at the mx track and bottomed out the suspension for the first time. THAT hurt. So if your thing is to blast full-throttle through mammoth-sized whoops or to sport a “heart attack” fifty feet in the air, then maybe think about a different bike.

Ya know, it’s that tall suspension that keeps me from riding most bikes so I’m not particularly interested in that anyhow. Did I mention that I’m short? At 4’10” 103lbs, I CAN lift my under-200lb Pampera when I wreck, biff, or otherwise tumble. And it’s easy to kick-start. THAT give mini-me confidence.

So that I wasn’t totally biased due to my size, I asked my friend Sara (5’7” 130lbs) to give her honest opinion this weekend. I though she might think it too small for her, but I was WRONG! She almost didn’t give it back! Her comments: It’s great fun, it’s powerful, it’s maneuverable, and it’s confidence-building to be able to stand flat-foot! She looked at her bike, shook her finger at it, and said, “your days are number!” (She was just kidding about that part; her bike is great too!)

So the verdict on the Pampera: It’s a trail bike with a very high fun factor!

Hope this helps you in your decision, KTMster! Some of the desert stuff you mentioned may lead you to a different bike if you ever got bit by the aggresive bug. If not, the Pampera might be perfect for you too.

 

[KTMster]

Originally posted by CJ Rider
OK KTMster, I’ll try to explain…

CJ Rider, you explained better than anybody could have. Thank you so much! My ONLY concern with the Pampera is the suspension, not that I'm aggressive but I do ride a lot of whooped out trails--not by choice. But, before I purchase one I am going to check with the local suspension shops to see if there is anything they can do if the bike is too mushy. My TTR225's suspension beyond stunk, even after I had the emulators put in the forks.

I e-mailed our local Gas Gas dealer the other day to find out the availability and rather than telling me the availability, they e-mailed me back and tried to sell me on a different model.....I think it was called the XC250. :debil: Guess I'll have to call them to get some straight answers. :silly:

 

[CJ Rider]

Actually... for blasting through the desert whoops, the GG XC250 isn't a bad choice. I sat on one and it's definitely taller, but the overall dimensions (footpegs, handelbars, narrowness, weight balance) felt pretty good. It felt more compact (or something) than the KTM200 I sat on. (AK! Sorry. That's WAY TOO subjective because I wan't riding either one because of the height issue.) However, cut the seat down and lengthen the pullrod (did I say that right?) to get two more inches and then Vooaala you're at the same 34" seat height you were hoping for. I'm so short I had to cut the seat down on the Pampera so there's no way for me, but you might think about that.

Oh wait! It's not like you can't blast through desert whoops on the Pampera. I try! (Yoda says "Do not try; DO!") 'Just not as fast as somebody on a XC250 is all. The Pampera suspension is WAY better than the mashed potatoes suspension of the TTR225, THAT is for SURE. It's just a little softer for the trails as compared to the stiffer, more beefy suspension of the XC250. But again, the height thing.

 

[KTMster]

The GG XC250 isn't even an option for me if it is taller, plus I am keeping my KTM. I am going to call the GG dealer to get some straight answers on if they are going to get any Pamperas in. At this point I really need to go sit on one and take a closer look.

I don't know anything about how to lengthen the pullrod as you mentioned, but if I can do this to my KTM to get it lower I am going to. I guess I should put a post in the KTM forum about that, but thanks for the insight.

Thanks for all the informative input.