Off-road riders with Duck's Disease

[FROSTY]

Jorja has caught the Dirt bug as bad as I have but she's only five foot and a teeny bit tall so bikes like the KDX200 are just too tall for her.
We were In Henderson Motorcycles today and the only bike that fit her wasn a lil 125 cc small wheel bike.
I thought maybee a mudbug 125 or similiar might be good for her
Any suggestions guys n gals
Ohh I need to add Her riding experience PERIOD is very limited

[cheese]

CRF150X. Mint bike, if she is more gutsy CRF150R

[Buddy L]

What happened to the dr200? if you still have it.
If she wants to get her own bike then a xr200, crf230, ttr230 all good bikes,
Just have to find out the price rang. so we can keep an eye out and a idea of what to look for.

[Jorja]

What happened to the dr200? if you still have it.
If she wants to get her own bike then a xr200, crf230, ttr230 all good bikes,
Just have to find out the price rang. so we can keep an eye out and a idea of what to look for.

the dr200 was a little too tall. Could ride it ok but was too tall for me to kick start and didn't have the control.

All those bikes you just listed are too tall sorry.

[Motu]

ct110.....

[FROSTY]

ONYA motu---achewally mate--doya have any serious suggestions for her
Im kinda eyeing up a tf125 mudbug for her ---figure its kinda like a offroad GP125

[cowpoos]

alot of its technique chick...most modern four stroke mx monsters are to tall for the riders to put two sets of tip toes on the ground... genrally if you can put one foot on the ground it will be fine...you'll learn to kick start a bike with one foot on the ground...dirt bikes by there nature require long travel suspension...so they are genrally high...crf 150s are how ever quite short.. ther are a few others aswell...stay away from ag100's mudbug 125's etc...they are primarily cheap agricultrue bikes...and not really ideal...they arn't balenced very well...and not built so well...I would have thought even at your a height a dr200 would have done the job??

[takitimu]

It'd be a bit more spikey in power delivery, but how about a KTM65, I'd stay away from the mudbugs, nothing like a big steel petrol tank to enhance weight distribution, with the KTM she'd have a blast :).

[sAsLEX]

alot of its technique chick...most modern four stroke mx monsters are to tall for the riders to put two sets of tip toes on the ground... genrally if you can put one foot on the ground it will be fine...you'll learn to kick start a bike with one foot on the ground...dirt bikes by there nature require long travel suspension...so they are genrally high...crf 150s are how ever quite short.. ther are a few others aswell...stay away from ag100's mudbug 125's etc...they are primarily cheap agricultrue bikes...and not really ideal...they arn't balenced very well...and not built so well...I would have thought even at your a height a dr200 would have done the job??

Sudeep could hardly touch the ground on his bros XR600......... but fuck he could haul that thing around a corner or two.

And his running bump start technique was class!

[ArcherWC]

I have to just about take a runup to swing a leg over my KX. as Poos said (fuck I hate agreeing with him) its normal to only be able to touch the ground with one foot on a dirt bike (especially an MX'r rather than a traily).
The other option would be to lower the dr for her. by changing the linkage length you change the seat hight

[barty5]

a mate with cr250 who has to stand on a rock or balance of the trailer to get started or kind throws himself over hitin the kick start on the way and dumpin the clutch be for it falls but he can ride the wheels of it

[raglanash]

Try a Yamaha TTR125, my vertically challanged wife has one and loves it, not that much grunt but an ideal size and it has electric start so no "I can't get this bloody thing started" problems. Ideal.

[magicfairy]

Wellington Motorcycles have some bikes called Yamaha Trickers. 250cc, small fuel tank BUT I am barely over 5ft myself and when I sat on one I could actually tippy toe and reach the ground. Only 770mm seat height I think.
Not cheap - around $7000, but this one is only $4000.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-121196031.htm

[rijekaz]

Honda CRF150 probably the pick of the bunch, the seat height is quite a bit lower than normal. Usually plenty available 2nd hand as well, otherwise Yamaha TTR125 as raglanash sugested.

[oldrider]

There appears to be a lost market for trail/off road/venture bike riders or wannabe's that are under 5ft 9"!

When you apply that world wide it must represent a huge market potential.

So why don't the manufacturers see this?

I am about average height and have really struggled with some of the very high big bore bikes being so high off the ground.

Even the smaller bore bikes are extremely high now.

Any bike is easy once you up and running.

There are always going to be times when you need to get a foot down.

If you can't reach the ground comfortably with your foot then you are going to reach it with some other part of your body, sooner or later!

I am getting quite a lot weaker now and find the height and weight of the Tiger a bit intimidating at low speed especially stopping and starting in tricky stuff.

I never really appreciated the disadvantage that shorter people, especially females, were having in this respect, until now.

It's great to see so many girls/women getting into every facet of motorbike riding.

I am sure there would be lots more if the bikes were made to order for them too!

We have successfully altered a few bikes to make them lower but it would be easier if the manufacturers would supply factory kits for this purpose.

Seems very short sighted (disrespectful even) for them not to have done so. :doh: John.

[Buddy L]

What ever happened to your XR100 cheese? if you still have it at all. might be the ideal bike.

My CR125 is the tallest bike that i have sat on and its only got a babys motor.

[SDU]

the dr200 was a little too tall. Could ride it ok but was too tall for me to kick start and didn't have the control.

All those bikes you just listed are too tall sorry.


Know how you feel, I'm a hobbit too:yes:. I ended up getting a KLX125L until I got my confidence up. It was a good light starter bike. The TTR125 is similar but has the electric leg.
As I was trail riding further afield & wanted a bigger bike so I ended up getting a Serow225 (same as XT250 but with rear disc brake) as I wanted to get my license too. I know it is a bit tall but we cored the seat, lowered the forks a little (which as I got more confident we extended again) & being an older model the suspension was a bit soft -amazing how that makes a difference. It was electric start which meant I was able to be only tippy toe on it. I had a ball on it too. The thing took me anywhere that Lemans's KTM went (only slower) it was still light enough to pick up too.
I now have a lowered by heaps:shutup: DR650SE which is alot heavier to pick up but more power:scooter:
Happy hunting there isn't much choice out there for us hobbits. Lowering is an option but you need a bike with great ground clearance to start with like the KTM models.

[cheese]

Yeah the XR100 is actually my sisters, but if she wants to have a go on it she is more than welcome, but its not for sale. To be honnest the 100 is really gutless, the CRF100X is a much better choice.

[cheese]

Sorry CRF150X.

[NordieBoy]

the dr200 was a little too tall. Could ride it ok but was too tall for me to kick start and didn't have the control.

All those bikes you just listed are too tall sorry.

CRF230 can be easily lowered and is electric start.
My brothers girlfriend is disease ridden as well.

(That didn't come out like I hoped...) :o

[barty5]

My brothers girlfriend is disease ridden as well.

(That didn't come out like I hoped...) :o[/QUOTE]

my father has same disease its called short arse syndrome
i was lucky skipped a generation.

[FROSTY]

Hey folks thanks for the responses.
Sorry to those of you suggesting sticking with the DR etc. I guess we diddn't make ourselves clear.
We have a GENUINE competence and confidence issue.
Jorja until June this year had NEVER ridden any two wheeler bigger tthan baby bikies 50 quad and is still very much a learner rider.She's done a TOTAL of about 15 hours riding since then.
Shes still having to think about gears n clutch and stuff.
Reshaping a seat is definitely an option but she wants a flat power delivery

[Buddy L]

Reshaping a seat is definitely an option but she wants a flat power delivery



What about an electic off road bike?

[cheese]

She is welcome to have a crack on the XR100 and if you want to come along to this meet we may do out at thunder park she can ride it around there for the day (I may be giving it back to my sister before then though depending on when I go to Napier next). its a good beginners bike as its got enough to haul you round, but not scare you. The XR100 has a quite close gear leaver though so if she has big feet it can be a bit tricky to ride. I grabbed it off my sister so my wife could learn to ride.

On thinking about it though, my sister grabbed the bike and took it to tauranga and got pregnant, we borrowed it took it to Auckland and now she is pregnant.... so maybe it will knock her up!

[FROSTY]

4 boys already --thats one bike I DONT need her riding

[chop]

How about a CR80?

[cowpoos]

Hey folks thanks for the responses.
Sorry to those of you suggesting sticking with the DR etc. I guess we diddn't make ourselves clear.
We have a GENUINE competence and confidence issue.
Jorja until June this year had NEVER ridden any two wheeler bigger tthan baby bikies 50 quad and is still very much a learner rider.She's done a TOTAL of about 15 hours riding since then.
Shes still having to think about gears n clutch and stuff.
Reshaping a seat is definitely an option but she wants a flat power delivery
I won't matter tony...if she has to learn...she has to learn on something...and you'ld be a right mumble to be thinking a dr200 was outside the abilty of any newbie...

[FROSTY]

I won't matter tony...if she has to learn...she has to learn on something...and you'ld be a right mumble to be thinking a dr200 was outside the abilty of any newbie...
NO MATE--Not me HER. She can "ride" it fine its the starting and stopping and picking up thats giving her the shits.
I'd happily let her keep it and ride it

[NordieBoy]

Old mono-shock XR200?
Usually plenty on TM.

[rijekaz]

Here ya go http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-122342129.htm

Cheap and low!

[Motu]

TLR200,they make a pretty good trail bike.Other trials bikes will be low with good low speed handling - but the TLR200 will make a better trail bike than anything else.

A friend of mine is selling this TY175,they were considered one of the best novice trials bikes in their day...still a nice easy bike to ride.She'll learn more skills than you have Frosty!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-121555556.htm

[dmoney]

my wife rides around on a drz 250 ( heavy i know ) but shes 5ft nothing and we pushed the forks up and made up longer linkage to lower bike down and she finds it good. just a thought if you cant find any thing lower enough.

[cowpoos]

NO MATE--Not me HER. She can "ride" it fine its the starting and stopping and picking up thats giving her the shits.
I'd happily let her keep it and ride it
well...possibly she needs to just do it...learn and firgure out a way for her self to do it...nothing is dead easy in this world :)

[cowpoos]

TLR200,they make a pretty good trail bike.Other trials bikes will be low with good low speed handling - but the TLR200 will make a better trail bike than anything else.

A friend of mine is selling this TY175,they were considered one of the best novice trials bikes in their day...still a nice easy bike to ride.She'll learn more skills than you have Frosty!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-121555556.htm
acctually...thats a good idea...honda tl200 or even tl125...they are good lil trail bikes on a trials platform...light weight...a bit rare though??

[NordieBoy]

And they're low enough all right.
I can get both knees down at the same time.

[Jorja]

well...possibly she needs to just do it...learn and firgure out a way for her self to do it...nothing is dead easy in this world :)


Spent a full day at woodhill riding the DR200 and the one time i dropped it in the soft sand (a gorse bush jumped out at me i swear!!) I did manage to pick it up but it is extremely heavy. Was the first real off road riding I have done and have less cuts and bruises than Frosty does so didn't do too bad. It is just not the bike for me.

[Buddy L]

crf150x, walked past a couple today at the GNCC and they look nice and low to the ground air cooled as well, so peferect.

[FROSTY]

Spent a full day at woodhill riding the DR200 and the one time i dropped it in the soft sand (a gorse bush jumped out at me i swear!!) I did manage to pick it up but it is extremely heavy. Was the first real off road riding I have done and have less cuts and bruises than Frosty does so didn't do too bad. It is just not the bike for me.
What she fails to mention is that a lot of the cuts and bruises are from Kicking 5 other bikes into life after being dumped or dropped or the rider just being "too tired" to start their own bike
AND from recovering them from rediculous places --Like BBB's 50 quad--In the middle of a cutty grass bush UIPSIDE DOWN -Him crying cos the "other kids" are so far in front.

[cowpoos]

-Him crying cos the "other kids" are so far in front.
ain't that cute...just like dad huh!!! ;)

[FROSTY]

ain't that cute...just like dad huh!!! ;)
Thought you'd pick upon that poos:innocent:

[grantman]

Hi Frosty
I would agree with cheese
An XR100 would be the best bet (or a electric start 150cc if budget allows)
melow power ..very light and a great confidence builder.

keep it for a year then get somthing bigger

I'm short
(guys at work call me Lord Farquard ....the king from Shriek movies)

Starting bikes and stalling on hills is the only downfall

Solution - Just dont stop!

[cheese]

Well have a go on the XR if you want Jorja. If it dries out probably heading to thunder park in about 3 weeks. Its tyres are a bit worn down, but it goes sweet as.

[barty5]

What about an electic off road bike?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.asp?id=123232614
here it is electric off road bike

[aussie50nut]

Jorja has caught the Dirt bug as bad as I have but she's only five foot and a teeny bit tall so bikes like the KDX200 are just too tall for her.
We were In Henderson Motorcycles today and the only bike that fit her wasn a lil 125 cc small wheel bike.
I thought maybee a mudbug 125 or similiar might be good for her
Any suggestions guys n gals
Ohh I need to add Her riding experience PERIOD is very limited

Maybe yamaha ttr 125 or honda crf150,You want something she wont get bored with quickly as her confidence grows.I purchased a crf 150 for my ex and she loved it and there are plenty of hop up parts on the marketfor them.

[scott411]

Kawasaki has a KLX140 coming out which will be perfect. simlar to the CRF150 with an air cooled 144cc motor, but it has better suspension, (adjustable rear on the big wheel) and disc brakes front and rear, they are due in decmeber, are going to be the under $5000 new,

some people here have mentioned 65/85cc mx bikes, these are pretty lethal if she has not had much riding experince, they have very aggrexive power bands and are not the go for leaners,

[clmintie]

I concur with Scott, Grace is really struggling with the RM80 small wheel. The bike is the right size but the power delivery is simply too aggressive, requiring clutch work a beginner doesn't have the skills for. The CRF100 will be much better, leading on to a 150 at a later date.....Wish there was a Kawasaki equivalent of the CRF100, then I wouldn't have had to get her new, red riding gear...:rolleyes: I am still learning about girls... Colour is much more important that horsepower...... We've been alternating motorbike and mountain biking up at Woodhill, she is fair flying on the bicycle and is fearless. Great fun to follow down steep hills, she simply bounces off or over anything in her path. The next few years are going to so much fun.....
Sorry, got a bit carried away there... Proud Dad... :whistle:

[SDU]

Kawasaki has a KLX140 coming out which will be perfect. simlar to the CRF150 with an air cooled 144cc motor, but it has better suspension, (adjustable rear on the big wheel) and disc brakes front and rear, they are due in decmeber, are going to be the under $5000 new

Wish it was about when I started- more power & rear disc brakes meant I could've stayed with a bike my size for longer instead of bikes when step ladders are needed. Green....mmmm

[FROSTY]

THANKS FOLKS--for all the fantastic advice.
After "trying on" a whole bunch of different bikes we decided on a Shineray 150 trail bike. Almost a spitting image of the late model Honda XR100 but with more grunt.
Its got kick and lekkie boot
The bike we settled on has had an owner who already did the fettling stuff with tubes and nuts n bolts n stuff
The great news is with the factory soft shock Jorjas feet are flat on the ground so she can gain confidence then upgrade the shocks.
The ONLY complaint from her--AWWW Itsthe same blue colour as the boys yamahas