I'm looking for any hints for a 5'7" rider.  Seem 30.  I can barely touch the ground on the bike, I'm like tippy toieng everywhere.  I can't really lower my sag and I've already cut my seat.  Once I'm riding im fine, however its when im stopped.  Even when cornering, if I had another inch or even half, I believe I would be a lot more confident in riding.  I have a yz250f, rm250, yz426f and a 125tt for the wife and kids.

Can I lower the sag a tad?  Would that accomplish this, or would that really affect the bike performance too greatly.  Other option would just to deal with it, hehe.

What about handle bars, I see lots of ppl with these new handle bars.  My bike is used, I believe I have a Fly handle bar.  What is the purpose of a different handle bar really? woops, now im asking another question. eek.

Have you looked at lowering your bike? If you really wanted it done right get a lowering link and get a suspension shop to order shorter front springs. That should give you at least 2in, this method keeps your geometry the as close to factory as possible.

Or you can go with a lowering link and just drop your forks down in the triples its not the best but it is cheaper.

As for the bars there is no real gain unless you dont like the feel of yours. Most people change bars if they are really tall or once they get bent.

Edited by ekulb14, 29 April 2012 - 12:15 PM.

im 5'2-5'3 and i have a sick ustom seat from jeff @ sdg, 1' cut and it looks completely stock. that along with my suspension set up for my weight really helped a lot, I can tiptoe comfortably (lol.) i used to just have a link, was cool and helped, got the suspension done for me and put the stock link back on and it was even better.  Just this month I got my seat hooked up from jeff and it's amazing.  the 1" gave me a lot more confidence, so I know where you're coming from.

I would strongly suggest getting your suspension set up for your weight and ride style, else get your suspension lowered 1" or so. If you want teh cheaper route check out a link from someone liek kouba link but it will throw off your geometry slightly and affect handeling

Notice the seat, I have cut it down quite a bit.  I don't know about lowering the suspensions, just because I feel like I need them, I'm a gym junkie, i weight 180-185lbs.  Plus its probably costly right?  Unless I get the lowering link?  I never really heard of that.

The only correct way to do your bike is to lower the suspension internally (front and back, evenly). You need to also have the right springs and shock valving for your weight and riding style. Just messing wit the sag will make the bike ride all wrong. Like having pants that are too long. You have to get them shortened. You cannot pull them up under your chin (unless you live in Boca).
I an 5'7" but only have a 27" inseam (super short legs). I lower MX bikes about 2", which is plenty along with a thin seat. If I wore just shoes, my bikes are still a bit tall but once my boots are on, it is just right.

William1, on 29 April 2012 - 04:33 PM, said:

really? i have a 27" inseam aswell and i find my bike just right (cr250).does getting the seat shaved really make that much of a difference?
i find the only time i have trouble is starting the bike on a hill.

I am short with a relatively short in inseam as well.  I have always been able to get to the ball of my foot on the ground with one foot.  I have just become accustom to the feel.

I'm pretty short, 6'2" in fact. But I don't have much trouble throwing my 250 around. jk jk jk jk jk jk :P:P kay I'm done!

William1 is that expensive, to lower both like that?  and twistedkeys I hate you, no no, jk.
I'm like KcDavis I can touch the ground with the balls of my feet, I just wanted to know what others did.

And yes I found shaving the seat made a world of a difference 97cr125.

Expensive is a relative term.
Nearly all bikes need suspension work and not just for racers. If the fork or shock have a few years of use, the fluid needs to be changed. Few people are the right weight for the OEM springs  (typicaly about 165 pound rider). Damping is typically a bit on the linear side and most seem to prefer a more progressive damping rate. So, the additional work to shorten a suspension internally along with a real service is cheap. I have friends who never shortened thier bikes (we are all old, beaten up guys) and they fall a lot just because they cannot get a foot down. I never fall. You want the bike height to stay as high as you can while (for us woods plunkers) being able to comfortably dab. How much is that worth to you?
Doing just a link works on some bikes. On others, it changes the linkage ratio and makes the bike seem way under sprung. On all bikes, you must lower the front a similar amount to retain the proper rake (angle in relation to the frame and ground) of the forks.

well I will definitively look into it William1, it seems like that is the only option I have.

I also have a little problem with the really tall bikes and I'm 5'10" but with kinda short legs.  Some here on TT said " Leave the bike alone-Just get used to it".
I say thats BS.  As William said, you GOTTA dab once in a while and sometimes when you aren't in 100% control, it's gonna be on the downhill side.  If you can't even touch the ground on the level, you're going down in this example.  Nothing is going to save you every time but this will make a huge diffefence.  All the advice above is good.  I just saw a video of the "LAST MAN STANDING" event and I swear I saw a few riders hit the ground only because they couldn't get a good footing to save themselves.  It seemed the short guys had the most trouble.

if it's only a small inconvenience I would say get used to it, but people like myself and the OP it seems it isnt a 'small' annoyance.  I can ride friends bikes fine, but it's a matter of standing still or stopping (and the occasional crash because i cant dab when needed... Shortening the bike will affect the geometry and all unless it's done right for sure, but it isn't the worst idea and will ruin stuff s some people seem to believe.. just ask af67 her suspension is lowered and shes been (is again? dunno)a wmx champ