@@alf1e12hernandez9 same I'm 5/6 I just got my 250 and thought I'd need scaffolding to get on and of it lol but I go for my first ride today so let the fun begin 😅
Thanks Meg, you are so basic and helpful and to the point. I am a 60 year old widowand very old school, I drive a 1986 Honda Reflex TLR trials bike and I am currently healing from a bad spill. I am getting better gear and more trainng thanks to you!
👱🏻♂️ I DO DEADLIFTS , POWER CLEANS , POWER SNATCHES , HIGH PULLS, CURLS, AND BENT OVER ROLLS NOW I CAN HANDLE MY WR250R LIKE A RAG DOLL, YOURE RIGHT ABOUT THE GYM , BRO
Im 6'1" and i use these techniques as well. Im also older, slow, out of shape and 2 years riding after almost 30 years off. You and BeRad keep up the great work and vids!
This video really helped a lot, even 4 years later, i always get told my bike (a yz250) is to large for me simply because i have to tiptoe to reach when on it, really diminishing my confidence in my ability to ride, im taking this advice to heart and not selling my bike simply do to size, im going to learn and prove to everyone a shorty can ride big bikes to!
This video is timeless! I will always be short so your tips are great. The best one is we need to build confidence thru practice and hard work. That is a another good reason to keep riding!
Thank you so so very much. Greatest video on RUclips for short rider. Straight to the point not much talking and a lot of examples. I will practice your teaching. Thanks again
Just found your channel and subbed. Your advice is helping me a lot. I was ready to sell my bike because I wasn't enjoying it. Now I am getting better and having a lot of fun thanks to your videos. Thank you!
I have a DR600 and I have short legs so I shaved the seat lowered the rear suspension and now I put my left foot down and tilt the bike at stop lights works for me
Great video yet again meg. I'll add to tip 1- Get a job on a farm. I recently started on a farm and riding through cow tracks has immensely improved my balance and confidence on the track
Excellent as ever. I'm 5'4" age 60 started riding this year. I used the side stand the other week to help me out of a cross-rut. That is front and back wheels in different ruts.
Great tips Meg, been practicing these myself as a shorter rider. Another one I would like to add is start on a small bike (125-230cc 4t trail bike) it's much easier to practice all of these on a bike that already fits you!
Shaving my seat made all the difference in the world. I rarely sit, but it made it so much easier to reach down and dab a foot when necessary. Those side-to-side dabbing exercises are a great idea and I'll work those into my training schedule. Thanks for sharing!!!
Hi, I'm from Mexico and I just bought my first bike and I'm watching your videos to learn how to balance my bike. I'm 5'6 and with your video I can learn more.
Thank You. I recently turned 60 and wanted to get into riding a dual sport on forest service roads. (it has been since I was a kid at16 that I rode a dirt bike (Honda XL100)). I got a DRZ and at 5'9" the bike is quite tall for me. Your tips are great and I especially appreciate 'be confident'. I am getting better on the bike and your first tip that I am going to practice more is riding really slow and working on my ballance. Thanks again and Merry Christmas
@@gottagetsollozzo riding is good. I have a riding buddy. This year has been a little tuff because of some healt issues but with a little luck i will be riding again some in November. Likely not going to have my full strength back until early spring..hope the riding group is doing well
I do all of those things Megs although I could certainly practice more figure 8’s and slow speed and static exercises. You’re absolutely right, no mods need to be done to a bike. Practice and skills count for way more.
Thank you for the tips! I’m 5’1 and I wanna get into enduro I currently race an 85 but I realized all the enduro bikes are full sized so I will definitely use these tips!
Short dude here, thanks for the tips Meg! I was able to mod my Harley's to fit my short inseam just fine, but a dirt bike? That was always a deterrant. Hopefully now I can get a bike and when my daughter is old enough, teach her to ride on the dirt too!
Very good video thanks. I’ve been looking into this for several years but I’m short 65” so it becomes a fleeting thought. Maybe I’ll get a 250cc and JUST DO IT! 👏🏻
I just bought s 2017 yx250x, im tsll enough for it and i csn ride it well, but my friend bought s 250 also and i am a good bit taller than him. So im going to teach him these skills because my first ever bike when i was a kid was a 1998 kx125, and it was way too big for me and i hsd to tippie toe on one foot to stay up, so naturally i had to learn all these things. Cool video!
Im 5'3 and it doesnt stop me trying anything on my 125s tiny amount of power most of getting to be a better rider is just trying asmuch new stuff that looks scarey as possible and for short riders always look ahead and plan where you can put a foot down
"TIP #6" (I noticed your bike does not have enough sag): Adjust sag to greater than recommended as well as lower triple clamps (front end) by sliding fork tubes up in clamps. As you practice the methods demonstrated here and gain confidence, start to reduce sag and slip the fork tubes down an equal amount. A lower bike is much easier to ride slowly and recover from bobbles but has less stability at higher speeds. Most beginner and novice riders will not exceed speeds having the bike lower will cause them to experience a lack of stability. Also, be sure you have not over-pressurized your tires as that raises your bike as well.
One more thing ..as u r short your gonna get less hurt ...cuz remember when you were shorter in ur childhood you were getting less pain even after falling from 5-6 ft than now . And short guys have high strength to weight ratio . One more thing ...get your stand modified...make it easier to touch buly sitting on seat ..and u can also get one more stand on other side too😁
@@newman3059 I can touch on one side well enough to start it but if you can’t touch on one side then walk with the bike well you let out the clutch and jump on and when you come to a stop pull the clutch in and slowly drag the brake and climb off while coasting.
Everything you said is all good advice Megan. Personally, I would stress the importance of planning and risk assessing when you are tackling a tricky section. As a fairly new (about 1 year) short rider I have always enjoyed your videos and watching your progression. Recently I had an accident that ended my riding season with a ruptured Achilles that most likely could have been avoided with some simple planning and practicing skills like learning to stop on a hill, clutch control, and rear brake covering. A big learning experience for me. I can't wait to get back on the bike next season and in the meantime I will be watching videos and looking forward to starting rehab. Keep up the great content and Braap On! 👍
I'm 5'9" 1/2" and I got my YZ 125 as my first dirtbike. I got no problem with the seat height, not on a tiptoes but not also on flatfoot. It's just fine and i think almost half or more than half of my foot is on the ground.
Funny that one of your points about always looking for higher ground to put your foot is something I do constantly on the trails but I never realized it is actually a technique since I just always done it by instinct. You also have to plan every stop, it is great to find higher ground on your right foot but it isn't if you have to kick start your bike since you will have to eventually put your left foot down and now the ground under your left foot is even further down (this is for YZ owners :) ) so always plan your stops.
Thanks for sharing useful tips :) I always try to practice my balance and it really helps a lot! I feel more confident and I'm able to ride slower in hard terrain which gives me more time to think.
Personally I lowered the bike by 2 inches and I feel the bike is better suit me, also I’m having so much fun right now and that’s the most important thing by me. I’m totally agree with you about “it’s all about technique and the rider” but if we can make our ride less tiring and more enjoyable ,why not? I’m talking from hobby perspective of course(not pro riding for competition)
I am 5'4" I learned a long time ago to jump off at stop singes on the trail. Put my left foot down and hook my right knee over the seat. I still have my 1978 Yamaha YZ-100-E that would fit @Megs Braap perfect.. I ride a 1998 YZ-400 F now.. .. I have to look for say the base of a tree to kick start it.. At Home I put my left foot on a big wooden Block or a cement block .. I have a Yamaha Attack snowmobile .. I put 4" handle bar riser angled back 45 degrees. Now I can sit in the proper place on the seat.. I also have a Mountain Strap and left hand throttle .. Thus I can lean completely off the sled on either side ..
Second comment about what tips and tricks you have when setting up your bike mechanically for a short rider. Did you set the sag more than the manufacturer specs, lowering link, softer shock, fork adjustment, etc?
Hi Megs great advice you given everyone a deeper sense of achievement within themselves to motivate the skills that they have by a few Tweeks can bring out the best in there riding to never give up just because you are short u can reach your full potential like any professional it be riding your bike or any other field your life follows . Thank you Roland Staines . England
56 years old here and 5'8.5", and picked up a 2019 YZ250 2-stroke after 18 years of not riding. My last 250cc MX bike of many was a wonderful 97 KX250, and I can tell you the new bikes are too tall and you don't have to get used to it. I spent another $1,200.00 to lower the bike to normal realistic bike height, but with suspension and chassis changes, (to make the handling better too). I think I know the history for you younger riders, on why the bikes are so tall today: Before the 4-strokes were forced on us by epa type organizations around the world, a 5'8" guy had no problems with the balls of their feet on the ground. But the 4-strokes had to be taller because of the taller engine/head. Next, the magazines guys retire, and new young employees are hired, and they complain that the YZ 250 needs a "chassis update", so the factories made the 2-stroke taller also, ticking off everybody under 5'10". Those are the same magazines that 20 years ago and earlier, would always complain about European bikes being too tall. You guys go ahead and get used to these sky scraper bikes, always in search for a berm, and a foothold while begging for 250cc 2-stroke electric start because you dance too much on your toes to pull out the kick start lever. I am going to ride my new lowered bike (total of about 2" lower), and enjoy every corner a little more than a tall bike. Riding a stupid tall bike or living under communism, both are the same to me. Both are dysfunctional and I am not going to do it. Be careful what you "get used to". :) List of what I did to my YZ to shorten it, and make it handle better: Sent the forks, shock and sub-frame to PR2 racing in PA. to lower the rear .900" and the front .750", put in stiffer springs for my weight, and make my sub-frame adjustable. Added a pro circuit 1.5mm longer linkage arm. Had 1" removed from my seat, and the work is perfect, (JB Sport Trim in Gowen Michigan). Or, you can buy a 2-stroke that was made before or around the year 2000, and get a bike that was made for the human race.
Wow! This is exactly what I'm doing right now. I'm 60 years old 5'6" short and weigh 135 pounds. I have a Gas Gas trials bike and recently bought a new KTM 150 XC W. I couldn't touch the ground! I swear these new bikes are built for a stork. I'm in Portage Pennsylvania, and I bought my bike from 5 star Powersports who ordered a KTM powerparts 2" lowering kit and the low seat. So I will be lowered almost 3" the dealership couldn't or didn't want to do the work so my bike is currently at PR2 suspension in Butler. I can't wait to get it back! I was practicing getting on and off of it in my garage and we both went down on the concrete floor hard. It's going to be so nice lowered. Your right about the cost. With the kit and seat I will have about $1300 but to me it's money well spent. I've been riding off road MX and enduro bikes since 1972 and these new bikes are absolutely ridiculous. I agree with you totally on everything you said
Yes you can practice and learn how to control a bike in any situation.. BUT WHY !?!?! lower the darn bike ! it's not hard ! it doesn't hurt the handling and it is far safer than riding a bike that you cannot touch the ground on ! Riding a bike that is too tall is a danger to you ,a danger to your bike and a danger to those you ride with..... just lower the bike it's not that hard ! My XR650L has a 37" seat height...I have a 30" inseam I could not touch the ground sitting on the seat..... on my last XR650L I could touch flat footed I made a lower link for this one I bought one.... but it's not long enough so I need to make another ! the biggest complaint I hear about lowering a bike is I'll loose the ground clearance !!!! you only need about 6" of ground clearance with that you can hop over logs climb rocks or anything else you want to do, if you know how to do it don't be a dummy, lower the bike so it's safer for YOU !
Thanks meg awesome video im 4ft10 lol. I have only been on a dirtbike 2 times lol i ride quads more im scared im gonna get messed up bad on a dirt bike lol but i will follow your tips lol i have not ever rode big machines til about like 4 months now still learning lol
i'm 5'2 and have a honda cr 85r and would really like a bigger bike but i barely tippy toe touch the ground w my bike, i've gotten on 125cc and 250cc and i'm not scared of the power of them but more so not being able to touch the ground when i'm in very tight curves and when it comes to stopping 🙏🏻 ty for this
im 5'1" I've ridden 250s and 450s but never bought one. I rode my dads lowered bike for a while but still struggled:( at the moment I ride 140s, 150s and 230s but really want to upsize:(
I used to have to do the side slipping to touch the ground, and I kept pulling muscles in my upper legs. That when I learned to stretch before I rode and when I didn’t stretch it hurt.
I'm 5'6", really appreciate your tips, having dificulties makes us to develop extra skills to compensate for sure.
Hi 5'6 I'm Anthony
I'm 5'4
I’m 5’6 too and I just started riding a 450 and it’s really hard to get on/off the bike. Dropped it a few times lol.
@@alf1e12hernandez9 same I'm 5/6 I just got my 250 and thought I'd need scaffolding to get on and of it lol but I go for my first ride today so let the fun begin 😅
@@brianrobertson4948 how did your first ride go bud?
I’m 5’ 8” and I now recognize I have no excuse. Watching what you are able to do on a bike is an inspiration to all us shortys.
5'8 is not short
I’m 5 8” too my friend and just bought a Yamaha yz450 it’s on my channel but it’s absolutely massive 😢
I'm 5/8 on a 426f and I manage just fine
Yup im 5 7 this woman showed me i was a baby. Ive never mentioned my height since
I wish I was 5’8”.
I’m 5’5” but I ride a Yamaha XT250
And manage just fine on it.
I'm vertically challenged too lol...and one thing i always have to do to my bikes is to cut down the seat it helps alittle also.
Thanks Meg, you are so basic and helpful and to the point. I am a 60 year old widowand very old school, I drive a 1986 Honda Reflex TLR trials bike and I am currently healing from a bad spill. I am getting better gear and more trainng thanks to you!
Hi
Another pro tip from a short guy, make sure to hit the gym and build that strength up, cuz you'll need it!
You got that right
👱🏻♂️ I DO DEADLIFTS , POWER CLEANS , POWER SNATCHES , HIGH PULLS, CURLS, AND BENT OVER ROLLS NOW I CAN HANDLE MY WR250R LIKE A RAG DOLL, YOURE RIGHT ABOUT THE GYM , BRO
I'm 5' 4"; the "side slipping" is a great idea. I'm definitely going to start using it. Thank You.
Me to
Im 6'1" and i use these techniques as well. Im also older, slow, out of shape and 2 years riding after almost 30 years off. You and BeRad keep up the great work and vids!
My favorite channel on RUclips. I'm 6'2" and still watched it as well just because I knew a Megs vid would be a positive part of my day. Thanks!
G.C. Simons You made my night! Thank you :).
This video really helped a lot, even 4 years later, i always get told my bike (a yz250) is to large for me simply because i have to tiptoe to reach when on it, really diminishing my confidence in my ability to ride, im taking this advice to heart and not selling my bike simply do to size, im going to learn and prove to everyone a shorty can ride big bikes to!
This video is timeless! I will always be short so your tips are great. The best one is we need to build confidence thru practice and hard work. That is a another good reason to keep riding!
👱🏻♂️ U NEED A GIRL AND A JOB
Thank you so so very much. Greatest video on RUclips for short rider. Straight to the point not much talking and a lot of examples. I will practice your teaching. Thanks again
Just found your channel and subbed. Your advice is helping me a lot. I was ready to sell my bike because I wasn't enjoying it. Now I am getting better and having a lot of fun thanks to your videos. Thank you!
I have a DR600 and I have short legs so I shaved the seat lowered the rear suspension and now I put my left foot down and tilt the bike at stop lights works for me
Great video yet again meg.
I'll add to tip 1- Get a job on a farm.
I recently started on a farm and riding through cow tracks has immensely improved my balance and confidence on the track
Triikor I love it! That’s awesome.
@@megs_braap how tall are you and is the bike stock?
Excellent as ever. I'm 5'4" age 60 started riding this year. I used the side stand the other week to help me out of a cross-rut. That is front and back wheels in different ruts.
Great tips Meg, been practicing these myself as a shorter rider. Another one I would like to add is start on a small bike (125-230cc 4t trail bike) it's much easier to practice all of these on a bike that already fits you!
Shaving my seat made all the difference in the world. I rarely sit, but it made it so much easier to reach down and dab a foot when necessary. Those side-to-side dabbing exercises are a great idea and I'll work those into my training schedule. Thanks for sharing!!!
Hi, I'm from Mexico and I just bought my first bike and I'm watching your videos to learn how to balance my bike. I'm 5'6 and with your video I can learn more.
Thank You. I recently turned 60 and wanted to get into riding a dual sport on forest service roads. (it has been since I was a kid at16 that I rode a dirt bike (Honda XL100)). I got a DRZ and at 5'9" the bike is quite tall for me. Your tips are great and I especially appreciate 'be confident'. I am getting better on the bike and your first tip that I am going to practice more is riding really slow and working on my ballance. Thanks again and Merry Christmas
Hey Mark. Update please. Hows the riding?
@@gottagetsollozzo riding is good. I have a riding buddy. This year has been a little tuff because of some healt issues but with a little luck i will be riding again some in November. Likely not going to have my full strength back until early spring..hope the riding group is doing well
Best advice for a 5’3” girl I have ever came across. Thank you!!
I do all of those things Megs although I could certainly practice more figure 8’s and slow speed and static exercises. You’re absolutely right, no mods need to be done to a bike. Practice and skills count for way more.
Got a great presence on camera Meg. Nice video as always
Great suggestions !!! as an older short woods rider of 40 plus years ...you are spot on ( correct ) !!!
Tip X....make sure your bike has an good electric start..lol
No
I don't have a electric start bwahaha
@@julieanneangeles4276 so you must have humanic starter (friends)😁
Thank you for the tips! I’m 5’1 and I wanna get into enduro I currently race an 85 but I realized all the enduro bikes are full sized so I will definitely use these tips!
Thanks for the tips I'm 5"2
Im 5'4 I applaud you 🙏
Great tutorial-makes sense
I was thinking about spending a lot of money to get a shorter bike
This video helps a lot. Im 5'1" riding a honda dirtbike xr150cc
loved watching this as I am only 5'0! Thank you for your videos!!
Thanks for the tips and greetings from a 5'7" chilean guy.
This will be helpful for the younger generation moving up from mini to full frame bikes.
Short dude here, thanks for the tips Meg! I was able to mod my Harley's to fit my short inseam just fine, but a dirt bike? That was always a deterrant. Hopefully now I can get a bike and when my daughter is old enough, teach her to ride on the dirt too!
Just tried out your bike lifting technique in the garage. It's awesome and I'll be using it with my 6'1 person legs!
I’m 4’11 on a ktm 250 so these tips definitely helped
If possible please make a quick tutorial, for the 4.11 crew:)
Show us how you ride it im 5.2 and wanted to move from kx100 to 450 need some tips
Please make a video on how you kick start!
Your a great inspiration to me I can ride my WR250R now, thank you
Very good video thanks. I’ve been looking into this for several years but I’m short 65” so it becomes a fleeting thought. Maybe I’ll get a 250cc and JUST DO IT! 👏🏻
This video has change my life thank you
GiantKing200 I’m happy to help! 😊
I just bought s 2017 yx250x, im tsll enough for it and i csn ride it well, but my friend bought s 250 also and i am a good bit taller than him. So im going to teach him these skills because my first ever bike when i was a kid was a 1998 kx125, and it was way too big for me and i hsd to tippie toe on one foot to stay up, so naturally i had to learn all these things. Cool video!
No matter what it seems like you have those times when stuck in a spot where you can't touch and you stall your bike lol awesome tips great video.
Best video on RUclips on this topic
That was awesome! Love to see how you practice pivot turns!!
Im 5'3 and it doesnt stop me trying anything on my 125s tiny amount of power most of getting to be a better rider is just trying asmuch new stuff that looks scarey as possible and for short riders always look ahead and plan where you can put a foot down
nayr h19 dude im in a 250 we both same height
@@mxheaven5781 same
mx heaven I'm also 5'3 with a 250 still is challenging
I’m 5’0 and ride a 250 😂
@@jaymee1576 really ??
"TIP #6" (I noticed your bike does not have enough sag): Adjust sag to greater than recommended as well as lower triple clamps (front end) by sliding fork tubes up in clamps. As you practice the methods demonstrated here and gain confidence, start to reduce sag and slip the fork tubes down an equal amount. A lower bike is much easier to ride slowly and recover from bobbles but has less stability at higher speeds. Most beginner and novice riders will not exceed speeds having the bike lower will cause them to experience a lack of stability. Also, be sure you have not over-pressurized your tires as that raises your bike as well.
Thank you for making this video!
Great!
Will use this for training my son on his new RM85L. Thank you.
One more thing ..as u r short your gonna get less hurt ...cuz remember when you were shorter in ur childhood you were getting less pain even after falling from 5-6 ft than now . And short guys have high strength to weight ratio .
One more thing ...get your stand modified...make it easier to touch buly sitting on seat ..and u can also get one more stand on other side too😁
Love your videos megs so inspiring:) Come do a clinic on the Sunshine Coast one day tons of riders would flock !!!! 🙌🏼
Super clean video,ur always here to help us thx. Keep shining!
Funny Soup Thanks for watching!
I am 4”10 on a full size this was very motivational
I’m 4.9 but I ride a 85
Im 5'6 i ride a CRF250L..its very challenging yes..but not impossible
@@hetfield_75 I just moved up to the 125 from an 85 and the bike feels huge videos like these give me motivation
Jett Pengrazi hey dude I’m also short and I’m moving to a 125 just how do you actually start the bike? Because both legs don’t touch the ground
@@newman3059 I can touch on one side well enough to start it but if you can’t touch on one side then walk with the bike well you let out the clutch and jump on and when you come to a stop pull the clutch in and slowly drag the brake and climb off while coasting.
Great tips ! I practice these things all the time
Thx i am 13 and i got a ktm 450 and this video helped me out a lot
Thanks for sharing, Megan .
Glad i found your channel.. ill be getting a bigger dirtbike soon and these tips will definitely help.. im 5'5"
I ride with some shorter riders and have shared this video with them.
Everything you said is all good advice Megan. Personally, I would stress the importance of planning and risk assessing when you are tackling a tricky section. As a fairly new (about 1 year) short rider I have always enjoyed your videos and watching your progression. Recently I had an accident that ended my riding season with a ruptured Achilles that most likely could have been avoided with some simple planning and practicing skills like learning to stop on a hill, clutch control, and rear brake covering. A big learning experience for me. I can't wait to get back on the bike next season and in the meantime I will be watching videos and looking forward to starting rehab. Keep up the great content and Braap On! 👍
6' 3" but its a megs video, so I watched anyways.
Mike McKay Haha! Thanks Mike! 😊
Same here, I was halfway through the video enjoying it until I thought: "Why am I watching this? I'm 6.2" XDD
Ok no need to rub it in ya tall bastard 😂 lol 🇬🇧🏍.
@@megs_braap what size are you ? I just bought the 2019 sm husqvarna but i am to small so i said to lower the bike 3cm
Idol
Great vid thank you. I'm riding a suzuki rmz 450 I just bought and can only touch the ground with my tipi toes lol..
Great video! Thank you!
I will try to remember all about this weekend *-*
I'm 5'9" 1/2" and I got my YZ 125 as my first dirtbike. I got no problem with the seat height, not on a tiptoes but not also on flatfoot. It's just fine and i think almost half or more than half of my foot is on the ground.
Funny that one of your points about always looking for higher ground to put your foot is something I do constantly on the trails but I never realized it is actually a technique since I just always done it by instinct. You also have to plan every stop, it is great to find higher ground on your right foot but it isn't if you have to kick start your bike since you will have to eventually put your left foot down and now the ground under your left foot is even further down (this is for YZ owners :) ) so always plan your stops.
Crikey, you make tip 4 look so easy!
Thanks for sharing useful tips :) I always try to practice my balance and it really helps a lot! I feel more confident and I'm able to ride slower in hard terrain which gives me more time to think.
Hi Meg..I'm from Indonesia,I'm short biker only 155cm
You're very inspiring me ...thank you
Good video young lady and I am impressed with your skills
Those tips are great for all riders! Keep it up short stuff 😂
Personally I lowered the bike by 2 inches and I feel the bike is better suit me, also I’m having so much fun right now and that’s the most important thing by me. I’m totally agree with you about “it’s all about technique and the rider” but if we can make our ride less tiring and more enjoyable ,why not?
I’m talking from hobby perspective of course(not pro riding for competition)
I am 5'4" I learned a long time ago to jump off at stop singes on the trail. Put my left foot down and hook my right knee over the seat.
I still have my 1978 Yamaha YZ-100-E that would fit @Megs Braap perfect..
I ride a 1998 YZ-400 F now.. .. I have to look for say the base of a tree to kick start it.. At Home I put my left foot on a big wooden Block or a cement block ..
I have a Yamaha Attack snowmobile .. I put 4" handle bar riser angled back 45 degrees. Now I can sit in the proper place on the seat.. I also have a Mountain Strap and left hand throttle .. Thus I can lean completely off the sled on either side ..
Awesome megs..im short rider too..its very usefull
Second comment about what tips and tricks you have when setting up your bike mechanically for a short rider. Did you set the sag more than the manufacturer specs, lowering link, softer shock, fork adjustment, etc?
Seemed to help me a lot. Plus I wasn’t getting bucked off the XR400R
I even side slip on my adventure bike at red lights. Oh the looks you get lol.
Hi Megs great advice you given everyone a deeper sense of achievement within themselves to motivate the skills that they have by a few Tweeks can bring out the best in there riding to never give up just because you are short u can reach your full potential like any professional it be riding your bike or any other field your life follows . Thank you Roland Staines . England
Sweet vid. Thankyou Megan
Thanks Megs, always good stuff and well explained.
I rode with a guy not a cm taller than 1.60m that had a crf450x. He had the side slipping down to a science.
damn ,that extreme side slip, never tried before
56 years old here and 5'8.5", and picked up a 2019 YZ250 2-stroke after 18 years of not riding. My last 250cc MX bike of many was a wonderful 97 KX250, and I can tell you the new bikes are too tall and you don't have to get used to it. I spent another $1,200.00 to lower the bike to normal realistic bike height, but with suspension and chassis changes, (to make the handling better too). I think I know the history for you younger riders, on why the bikes are so tall today: Before the 4-strokes were forced on us by epa type organizations around the world, a 5'8" guy had no problems with the balls of their feet on the ground. But the 4-strokes had to be taller because of the taller engine/head. Next, the magazines guys retire, and new young employees are hired, and they complain that the YZ 250 needs a "chassis update", so the factories made the 2-stroke taller also, ticking off everybody under 5'10". Those are the same magazines that 20 years ago and earlier, would always complain about European bikes being too tall. You guys go ahead and get used to these sky scraper bikes, always in search for a berm, and a foothold while begging for 250cc 2-stroke electric start because you dance too much on your toes to pull out the kick start lever. I am going to ride my new lowered bike (total of about 2" lower), and enjoy every corner a little more than a tall bike. Riding a stupid tall bike or living under communism, both are the same to me. Both are dysfunctional and I am not going to do it. Be careful what you "get used to". :)
List of what I did to my YZ to shorten it, and make it handle better:
Sent the forks, shock and sub-frame to PR2 racing in PA. to lower the rear .900" and the front .750", put in stiffer springs for my weight, and make my sub-frame adjustable. Added a pro circuit 1.5mm longer linkage arm. Had 1" removed from my seat, and the work is perfect, (JB Sport Trim in Gowen Michigan).
Or, you can buy a 2-stroke that was made before or around the year 2000, and get a bike that was made for the human race.
Another topic. You make a good video. :)
Wow! This is exactly what I'm doing right now. I'm 60 years old 5'6" short and weigh 135 pounds. I have a Gas Gas trials bike and recently bought a new KTM 150 XC W. I couldn't touch the ground! I swear these new bikes are built for a stork. I'm in Portage Pennsylvania, and I bought my bike from 5 star Powersports who ordered a KTM powerparts 2" lowering kit and the low seat. So I will be lowered almost 3" the dealership couldn't or didn't want to do the work so my bike is currently at PR2 suspension in Butler. I can't wait to get it back! I was practicing getting on and off of it in my garage and we both went down on the concrete floor hard. It's going to be so nice lowered. Your right about the cost. With the kit and seat I will have about $1300 but to me it's money well spent. I've been riding off road MX and enduro bikes since 1972 and these new bikes are absolutely ridiculous. I agree with you totally on everything you said
Thanks makes me want to ride my 250 more now have more things to practice on to get better 👌🏼
Let us not forget guys that the Greatest Of All Time motocrosser is only 5 foot 6 inches - Ricky Carmichael
You are Awesome, and make good logical sense! Thanks Meg
Hitted all the points! 👍
Hi, is it advisable to use a lowering link?
Thank you very much, your video just inspire me to go tomorrow and purchase my KTM 500.
JK Kazt You’re welcome! 💪💪
Could you do a video about what you'd do to maintain your bike if you had to put it away for the winter ?
I’m 5’6 and ride a cr250 and just adjusted the rear shock so I can somewhat touch the ground with 1 foot
Yes you can practice and learn how to control a bike in any situation.. BUT WHY !?!?! lower the darn bike ! it's not hard ! it doesn't hurt the handling and it is far safer than riding a bike that you cannot touch the ground on ! Riding a bike that is too tall is a danger to you ,a danger to your bike and a danger to those you ride with..... just lower the bike it's not that hard !
My XR650L has a 37" seat height...I have a 30" inseam I could not touch the ground sitting on the seat..... on my last XR650L I could touch flat footed I made a lower link for this one I bought one.... but it's not long enough so I need to make another !
the biggest complaint I hear about lowering a bike is I'll loose the ground clearance !!!! you only need about 6" of ground clearance with that you can hop over logs climb rocks or anything else you want to do, if you know how to do it don't be a dummy, lower the bike so it's safer for YOU !
Thanks meg awesome video im 4ft10 lol. I have only been on a dirtbike 2 times lol i ride quads more im scared im gonna get messed up bad on a dirt bike lol but i will follow your tips lol i have not ever rode big machines til about like 4 months now still learning lol
i'm 5'2 and have a honda cr 85r and would really like a bigger bike but i barely tippy toe touch the ground w my bike, i've gotten on 125cc and 250cc and i'm not scared of the power of them but more so not being able to touch the ground when i'm in very tight curves and when it comes to stopping 🙏🏻 ty for this
Thanks for the excellent tips, subscribed. Information will be very useful dealing with my new dual purpose bike, a Honda CRF450L.
great tips meg. thanks
im 5'1" I've ridden 250s and 450s but never bought one. I rode my dads lowered bike for a while but still struggled:( at the moment I ride 140s, 150s and 230s but really want to upsize:(
Thanks for the advices! I was doing all of them except the first héhé
Dragging the back brake can make it easier to do figure 8s slowly
#DDFM CREW IS HERE TO SUPPORT YOU! Keep up the great work!
What a great video. You're a great person
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.
I used to have to do the side slipping to touch the ground, and I kept pulling muscles in my upper legs. That when I learned to stretch before I rode and when I didn’t stretch it hurt.
I'm in the process of making mono shock training wheels, to old for all that side to side stuff
I'm teaching you the bike in Korea.
It was useful to know the exact point.
As some one who is like 5 2. This is helpful
Great tips thanks. When will you come to SoCal and hold a clinic? You could to a dual V-log with AGHB.
She needs more views and subscribers
Wow, great video and great tips. They´ll be very handy 😉👍