440grl

Member
Jan 30, 2003
2
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Hi Ladies!! I am an MX racer, only I race quads.....I do real well, but would also like to race on two-wheels - I like to be able to do it all! I have my eye on a 2002 Suzuki RM85 - seems to fit me well and I can actually touch the ground! I'm 5'10" and 130lbs....the 100 feels a little tall and heavy, but I'm worried about the 85 being too small. What do you think? The only two bikes I've ever ridden were a CR250 and a YZ426.......beasts! Definately don't want anything like that to start me off! I'm already looking for the electric start and thumb throttle!!! LOL!!! :) This is just a beginner bike, I will buy up when i'm ready........
 

CJ Rider

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Apr 3, 2000
699
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Originally posted by 440grl
... I'm 5'10" and 130lbs....the 100 feels a little tall and heavy....
Hmmm. At your height and weight, I would suggest that the RM85 and RM100 are both WAY too small for you. I'm 4'10" tall and fit quite nicely on my KX100 (same as RM100). At your height, don't you feel cramped when you ride the RM85? It's not just being able to touch the ground; it's also the overall dimesions that dictate how comfortable the handlebars and footpegs feel when you're riding. It's more those dimensions I'm talking about. The 85 and 100 dimesions are more geared towards kid-sized people.

I'm kinda at a loss of what to suggest, though. You seem like you might be an aggressive rider pretty quickly from the quad racing experience, but you're a beginner on two wheels, but you're obviously leaning towards motorcross and not trails. Anybody else have a thought?
 

Michelle

Sponsoring Member
Oct 26, 1999
1,245
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5'10"??? Beginner MX? No trails? 130lb? Heck dear, you're seriously underweight if the height is right.

Hell, I dunno. I'd go either 125 or 250, probably 125 with your weight. I'm really not sure about your height, as CJ says, the 85 should feel real cramped. I'm 5'3" and after about 6 months on a big wheel YZ80, that felt too small (I admit, these chicas helped with that decision, I got a complex about riding a small bike lol).

If you could get back to us to confirm your height/weight, but the bike is going to be ridden by you, so if the 85 feels about right, go for it. (I'm starting to wonder if you mean 4'10", in which case, listen to CJ - either way, never listen to me, no one else does - esp. those that know me hehe). You'll grow into a bike quick enough with your background, so don't buy too small. If you flatfoot it both feet, it won't last you long.
Hope that helps some, you've come up with a doosey (sp?) hehehe
Michelle
 

Lissa

"Am I lost again?"
Apr 28, 2002
562
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Welcome!  If you are 5'10 and 130lbs (I'm 5'6 and 155lbs{no, I'm not overweight either!) and I can fit flat footed on a showroom stock (stiff suspension) full size bike flat footed then you should have no problem fitting a full size machine too.  Since I'm unsure of the sort of riding you want to do I'll just recomend what I think would proabaly fit you best.  Try a Kawasaki KDX200.  Beginners, novices and experts alike love this bike!  Nice and light since it's a 2str, but very smooth controlable power.  The seat height is also a little lower then the full size MX bikes.  If your that tall, I would avoid the mini-bikes (well, their not that mini anymore). 
 

firecracker22

Sponsoring Member
Oct 23, 2000
3,213
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You would definitely be happier on a 125. A 85 or 100 might feel tall compared to a quad, but for your height on a bike it would be way too tiny. Definitely try some type of full sized bike, whether it's a two or four stroke.
 

Jeff Gilbert

N. Texas SP
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Oct 20, 2000
2,963
2
No way you should get on an 85, you're too tall. Your knees will end up smacking the handlebars. I'm 5'7", 150lbs, yeah I'm short and light and a man but I can touch the ground well enough on my 125. Besides, you only need to touch the ground enough to hold you up when your starting it, you want to keep your feet on the pegs where they belong while riding.

You mentioned you ride mx on a quad so I take it you are familiar with mx on 2-wheels. The mx bikes sit tall because they have a lot of travel on the suspension to soak up the bumps and you'll use every bit of it on the track.
 

MXGirl230

Stupid tires and trees
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Mi. Trail Riders
Dec 19, 2002
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I'm only 5'3", and 115 pounds. I have a CR125, I can only reach with my toes, but that's good enough for me. If I don't have a problem, you won't have a problem at all. The bike will feel bulky and heavy at first, but you get used to the weight. It took me a few rides before I didn't really notice how heavy the bike really was.
 

Fark

~SPONSOR~
Aug 12, 2002
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Posted by MXgirl: "If I don't have a problem, you won't have a problem at all. The bike will feel bulky and heavy at first, but you get used to the weight. It took me a few rides before I didn't really notice how heavy the bike really was."

... until you drop it. And forget it if you drop it in mud... it's like a big suction cup. If you can't pick it up yourself don't buy it. Don't forget the mud factor and you will get tired as you ride.

If the pack happens to leave you and you fall you are screwed. You can scream all you want but they'll never hear you. It's very important to be able to handle the bike even when not riding it. I think the 100 is a better bet as the 85s are NOT torquey. You can get stiffer foam and taller bars. I think there even may be lower pegs out there. I'm looking for those for my GF. (we are getting a big bore kit for her; her CR85 expert requires too much clutch work for her to get around)You can swing the bars forward to clear your knees and give you more of a reach.

I would not recommend an 85, they are explosive and hard to manage uphill without momentum. For real. :aj: I think the 100 is for you. And if you can get a better deal on a KX100 go for it. They are the same bike.
 

MXGirl230

Stupid tires and trees
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Mi. Trail Riders
Dec 19, 2002
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You're 5'10" that is plenty tall enough for a 125. I have dropped my 125 in the mud and sand and picked it up. It takes a little more effort to pick it up in those conditions. You mentioned that you want to race MX, I race in the women's class. Everyone is on a 125, very few are ever on an 85. If you decide on the RM85 and race it, will you race in the woman's class? I started riding on an XR100 to learn on, once I got the basics we went back and the salesman talked me into a CR80, I hated it. I wanted a 125 from the start, but he thought I was too small.. (5'3" 115#). I had it for three months and bought my 125 after attending Tony DiStefano's MX school and he said "you should be on a 125 you are a little too big for an 80) I also wanted the 125 because I like the sound of them better :)...the sound of 80's are too high pitched for me. That's just my opinion though. If you're thinking about racing, I think you will like the 125. I love mine, and will never go back to an 80. Just my opinion though.
 

Philip

Dirtweek Junkie
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Feb 15, 2002
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I agree at your hieght the 85 is small. It may be hard to tell in the showroom, but once you start jumping you will realize how small this bike is for you. How did you fit on the 250, they are about the same size (hieght) as the 125, just not as much power. If the hit (power coming on) of the 250 is what your concerned about the 125 is more of a rev bike and will not pull your arms out of their sockets. Wish ya well, be safe! :thumb:
 

bbbom

~SPONSOR~
Aug 13, 1999
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I'm 5'10" tall and I am totally cramped on my son's CR80Expert. He's comfortable on it but he's only 5'1" and 10 years old. It's fun to play on once in awhile but definitely not a bike I'd be comfortable on for a real ride.

Fark, have you tried regearing the bike - we put a 13 front sprocket in place of the 15 on my son's 80 then added torque reeds and he does great on the hills & trails. Just a thought on something less expensive to try.
 

Fark

~SPONSOR~
Aug 12, 2002
438
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BBBOM Oh yeah, that was the first thing we did. It helped a decent amount. However we came into some extra cash so we went for it. It's going to be a blast i'm sure....

Thanks for the thought and ride safe! :aj:
 

Britt

Member
Feb 27, 2003
1
0
I agree with everyone here that the 85 will be too small. I started on an 80 and i'm 5'4" 120 pounds. I grew out of the 80 so quick! You notice such a difference in the bike once you start jumping or going over whoops in the desert and stuff. The 125 is definitely way better! In fact, you'll probably want a 250 before too long if you already race.
 

MXGirl230

Stupid tires and trees
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Mi. Trail Riders
Dec 19, 2002
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Yeah, I know what you mean about wanting a 250 before too long!! I would love to have a CR250. Unfortunately, it takes a lot for me to kick one over. Another thing is, I should probably pay off one bike, before starting on another!
 

MXGirl230

Stupid tires and trees
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Mi. Trail Riders
Dec 19, 2002
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Forgot to say, I outgrew my 80 after about 3 months. Sold it, and bought my 125. I won't ever go back! More power=More fun!!:D
 
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