Hey guys,

I was wondering how you short people learn't to go fast on a full size bike, I am just tall enough to ride a 250F though it just seems to bike and bulky, which makes it hard to do sharp turns and man handle like I do on my 150. Do you guys have any tricks? How did you learn to ride fast?

I know a lot of people will say seat time, and I know that's what I need, I have a private track with jumps, ruts and burms, all the basics but it just seems to awkward to ride.

Thanks

How tall are you?  I'm 5'-4" 120lbs (at 22 years old.. no hope of growing haha) and I ride a 2011 ktm 250 sx-f.  I don't have any trouble with not being able to turn the bike or anything, my biggest issue is with not having much distance between my butt and seat to absorb braking bumps and jumps.

I put a lowering link and I feel more comfortable on it. Shaving the seat would also help.  But ultimately you have to get it out of your head that your height is a disadvantage.. Just look at Charmiceal .

Being  5'5" and having a 30" inseam all the bikes since 1985 have been too tall for me. I just learned to adapt..I tried the shaved seat bit but that has a negative affect on turning because you cant get up on the tank to make the front wheel bite. The only negative for me is when I stall on a trail ride and having to get next to a tree or find favorable ground to kick the bike over.

Edited by dogfish, 14 April 2012 - 06:09 PM.

I was expecting this thread to be something else.  No offense just thought I was gonna get a pic or a video.

james stewart, ricky carmichael, chad reed, jeremy mcgrath and many more great riders in the history of motocross and supercross we all short they are all 5'-5'6" its preety funny to think about

08rider, on 15 April 2012 - 05:47 AM, said:

Stewart is 5'7, Reed is 5'11, McGrath is 5'9. Are some people that stupid that they think people will believe their nonsense? This guy sure is a joke.

Tech420, on 15 April 2012 - 11:04 AM, said:

i was simply just saying how short all of them are compared to local riders i know. almost all of them are over 6 feet tall. the best in motocross and superccross are all under 6 feet like you just said.

i was also referring to how they ride on 450's or at least did which is heavier and harder to maneuver then a 250.

yeah i hate being short, im only 15 years old and being a girl rider i am only tiny lol, nah but i handle my 250f alright, my bikes been lowered and everthing also thinking about shaving my seat, but i have trouble starting it so i have to find level ground, a tree or my stand lol

eotrampman, on 14 April 2012 - 07:45 PM, said:

Me too !!  I was picturing a 7 foot rider on a 1975 Z 50

Your toes are your friend.  Your best leverage is created with the balls of your feet on the pegs.  Be aggressive with the weight you're placing on the pegs in corners. Active swift fluid movements will do wonders for moving the bike.  Time your movements with the rebound and compression of the suspension.

While I am not currently undersized for a bike I can relate.  I rode a bike that was always one size too big so I could grow into it.  You'd be amazed at how active you can be bouncing all over the pegs with your feet and still keep the bike in control.  When you antcipate a buck the plan by putting some counter motion in the pegs.  For instance a 2inch slick pine root would kick the rear every time on me. I would literally move my feet a couple cm off the pegs in anticipation.  Then instead of having the bike rebound with me along for the ride it would instead meet my boot and body weight and counter act the entire kick.

Good luck dude.

P.S. Dogfish I always pictured you as an average build t-ball dad from the 80's with a red and white can of budweiser and a smile.

Edited by motoxhead, 20 June 2012 - 06:44 PM.

motoxhead, on 20 June 2012 - 06:44 PM, said:

Hahahah!!! close but not really. lol

Ok but please allow me to continue my bad news bear fantasy until you make it down south and we rip the track in person.

I'd love to ride in Dixie! My Mom lives in TN. Maybe this winter I'll make a run down sowf. (when T-ball season is over) lol.

dogfish, on 25 June 2012 - 03:48 PM, said:

lol, defintely wait until T-ball season is over.  The heat and humidity well melt even the most red necked men in full riding gear.  Monster Mountain is open all winter!