Dumped my brand new WR 450 about a dozen times

[jamesravenwood]

Brand new bike out to carnegie the other day and proceeded to dump it all day long. If the bike starts to tip, and gets past a certain point, I cant seem to get my foot down fast enough, and wind up dumping the ****ing thing. I bent ths sh*t out of my rear brake lever 3 times!! The bike does feel a bit tall, maybe thats my problem. Im worried if I crank it down too low, the bike will actually sag when im on it. I weigh about 170 and am 5 10. I feel like an ass.

Thanks for your advice

[Indy_WR450]

The bike is tall. You will get used to it and crash less when you get better. ? The bike is pretty tough! ?

[JTWR450]

lower your sag about an inch or so. I am about the same height as you and this made a big differece. the bike can take the beatings, just m,ake sure you have radiator gaurds and some sort of bark busters

[tagger]

are you a new rider? If so, you'll get better and wreck less. Do you ride standing up or seated? Were you on up/down hills? It's very easy to tip on hills...

set your sag where it's supposed to be, not in an effort to lower your bike.

[RADRick]

Consider raising the forks about 10mm in the triple clamps. This will also result in slightly better slow speed handling.

[DIGITAL_SOLDIER]

The bike is tall. You will get used to it and crash less when you get better. ? The bike is pretty tough! ?

Yeah just ask Indy, he had front row seats watching me go ass over applecarts a few times.

I'm exactly your size, 5'10 170ish and I'm tippie toeing all over. I've gotten used to it though. Real technical stuff is where I get into trouble with the height.

I don't know much about the lowering link that's available for the WR though, it may help you.

[636sean]

You guys think your having problems!!....Im 5' 6" and 150 pounds.

I always try to look for something soft to land on once a know im going over!

Although dont fall off as much now im getting better on the bike, so my advice is to grin and bear it until you improve.

Good luck!

[rushfan]

I lowered my seat about 1 3/4". Hugh difference!! It lowered the center of gravity and it handles a lot better. ? Also, dial in your suspension at least to standard ( it explains how in your manual ), and dial in the sag.

[rushfan]

By the way, I love riding Carnegie. ?

[hotrunnin-05wr450]

Got Training Wheels???? ?? im just playing man, i used to dump my pops' 500 all the time when i was younger/shorter, and he always told me he was gonna put training wheels on the bike for me, till i got pissed and quite dumping the bike. and i could barely tip-toe it and let alone hold the bike up.

[jdd123]

Thank God, I thought I was the only one who had this problem in the past. However, I am 5'4" and did lower the precomp or sag by adjusting the nuts on the rear shock spring about 1" down. I can't quite tiptoe on both feet but it does not matter as much now. All you need to do is practice getting on and off the bike. A good trick is to be able to put either foot down flat on the ground with the knee of the other leg resting over the seat. Once I was able to consistently do this, the falling while stopping/slow does not happen anymore. By practicing and getting it automatic, I save my bike where before I would be on the ground. It may look weird with one leg up in the air on the bike but it works for me and I do not have to sacrifice the travel. The only problem that I have had is on slow technical stuff where you need to have two legs out like skis to keep you up. I haven't found an alternate way around that yet so I end up jabbing out a leg right and left.

[Dan_Lorenze]

I'm 5'8 and don't have a problem with it. Even though the 05's are shorter they're still on the tall side compared to other bikes in their class. Like others have said, I would raise the fork tubes in the clamps and shorten up the sag. I am surprised though, when I got my bike it was too soft for my liking and the bike was pretty short. Now that I've adjusted the sag the bike is a little taller and stiffer but still I still feel well balanced on the machine.. Good luck..

Dan

[jamesravenwood]

THanks guys!! Do I need a special tool to lower the sag?

[Juiceman]

As far as dumping a new bike...

It is inevitable now you don't have to worry about it you can just ride and have fun!

How is Carnegie at this time of year? I thought I was going to have to put my bike away until it started raining again. Too much dust!

[jasilva]

Brand new bike out to carnegie the other day and proceeded to dump it all day long. If the bike starts to tip, and gets past a certain point, I cant seem to get my foot down fast enough, and wind up dumping the ****ing thing. I bent ths sh*t out of my rear brake lever 3 times!! The bike does feel a bit tall, maybe thats my problem. Im worried if I crank it down too low, the bike will actually sag when im on it. I weigh about 170 and am 5 10. I feel like an ass.

Thanks for your advice

Only a dozen times? You haven't even got it broke in yet. ? Seriously though listen to rushfan. Cut your seat down, its not hard to do, go HERE for instructions. The seat is plenty thick enough to cut 1-1 1/2" from it and you'll actually end up with a softer, wider seat. If you set your sag too low you'll just end up bottoming your suspension at inopportune moments like hitting whoops at speed. ? Set your sag at 100mm you'll be much happier.

Joe

[wr429j]

I was in the dealer showroom with my son (5'7" even worse he has a short inseam) as he thought a 450 would be O.K. for him. He fell down flat on his back. ?

He was so embarrassed that he bought a 660 raptor.

(I know he didn't hit his head, he really wants to trade for a bike ? )

[rushfan]

I was in the dealer showroom with my son (5'7" even worse he has a short inseam) as he thought a 450 would be O.K. for him. He fell down flat on his back. ?

He was so embarrassed that he bought a 660 raptor.

(I know he didn't hit his head, he really wants to trade for a bike )

lol ?

[rushfan]

Only a dozen times? You haven't even got it broke in yet. Seriously though listen to rushfan. Cut your seat down, its not hard to do, go HERE for instructions. The seat is plenty thick enough to cut 1-1 1/2" from it and you'll actually end up with a softer, wider seat. If you set your sag too low you'll just end up bottoming your suspension at inopportune moments like hitting whoops at speed. Set your sag at 100mm you'll be much happier.

Joe

That's a great link Joe. Maybe you can explain how to make a home made sag scale. Otherwise, he can get at motosportoutlet.com for about $22.00 ? Even though mine is set, I think I'll buy one just for sh!ts and giggles ?

[wr-ryder]

Same here (5 10, 175-180), After my first ride, I had a bent right radiator and a bent clutch lever. Had a lot of problems with the front end washing out in the deep sand trails here in MI. Replacing the front tire helped. Also, I had to get used to the engine braking effect and run it in a higher gear. I would down shift going into a turn then let off , the front end would dive and wash out. But if I keep it in a higher gear it does not dive. Took the first summer to get used to it. I was on a crash free streak for a while until 3 weeks ago, when I went over the bars, broke my collarbone.

[kincade]

Man, it's dang good to hear I'm not the only one! I've actually strongly considered selling my bike for a shorter one several times. Moab was awesome, but damn it's embarrassing dumping it over in front of wheelers and mountain bikers! It truly is the ONLY thing I don't like about this bike; if I could find a bike that offered everything that this does and 2" shorter, I'd be in heaven.