Lowering a 125cc

[Rupe]

Anyone know what I'd have to do to lower a 125cc 2t. And how much I'd be able to reduce the height by?

Thanks

[Reckless]

Does it have linkage suspension. Whatever bike it is you haven't said?? My Sons kx85 Had some longer link plates made for it when I got it, they looked professionally made out of steel strap.

Other than that I carefully cut some foam off the seat then re glued it on and covered it with gripper material when he grew a bit ,you'd never know either.

and you can drop the fork tubes through the triple clamps a bit, although Danger may comment on the effects of doing this.

you may even be able to find an 18" wheel of another bike that will fit if it has a 19" on. hehe make it a small wheel 125 like my boys small wheel KX85.

Thats my ideas I'm sure there will be more.

[Rupe]

Does it have linkage suspension. Whatever bike it is you haven't said??

Don't have one yet, the wife wants a bike to play around on, nothing serious. 85 bw is a little to small and a 125 is a bit to big, need an something in the middle. Don't want 4stroke as they are heavier, and there is nothing under $2000. If she likes it she can sort out a more suited/expensive bike after.

[Reckless]

As much as I am a 2smoke nut. I found the 125 a pain in the arse to teach my wife on and my son found that clutching it all the time in the forest was not much fun either. A 125 2 smoker in my opinion is not a muck around type bike you have to ride them in the slot or they are not so good.

my opinion only
Get a crf150 or 230 or a xr200 or something! Unless you want to put her off so you can ride on your own LOL!!

[Danger]

I don't recommend any bike be lowered any more than 35mm as ground clearance and handling issues tend to surface. Up to that 35mm is relatively easy to achieve but requires careful calculations and the addition of internal travel limiters to the suspension (these need to be made per application) and usually the replacing or shortening of fork springs. Shortening a spring increases the rate so this needs to be factored in also. Some shocks with internal top out springs need a new seal head and possibly other components. None of this is easily achieved by the home mechanic and should be done by a professional. The length of the travel limiters needs to be calculated to achieve the desired change in height. A 25mm limiter in the fork will not lower the front 25mm, the loss is not at a 1:1 ratio. Same with the rear, the spacer length needs to be factored into the leverage ratio and will differ depending on leverage ratios.
Some bikes benefit from having the rear lowered slightly, for instance the KTM's tend to be a little stink bugged and benefit from a slight lowering in the rear which increases trail to provide better front tire grip, more stability and help the forks to work better.
Some Kawasaki's are also a bit stink bugged and also benefit from having the rear lowered a little which changes the initial rate of progression and is cheaper than the many after market linkage kits made for these bikes.

[cheese]

Nicky isn't that short. She would be same height as John?? Just throw her on Dangerous daves KDX. I think that a 125 2 smoker would put off any new rider (I know she has done a little bit of riding). Pity I gave the XR100 back to my sister cause she could have had a crack on that. Mind you that bike has a habbit of making the people who ride it fall pregenant. Must have been Jesus's first bike.

[vr4king]

Well I must be different I have 125 and its my 1st real bike and I love it
However it WAS way to high for me when I first jumped on it actually made it dangerous..............So I played around with the rear shock setting all the "sags" per manual etc etc plus got a nice healthy chunk of foam removed from the seat and recovered($60) felt like i just jumped on a chopper when i got it done but you soon get used to it now its soooo much better and it really hasnt been "lowered" so i didnt compromise the bike ergo's to much

I think a 125 teaches you to ride RIGHT but it can be a very hard lesson sometimes..........Trust Me on this hahahaha

[B0000M]

i got my mrs a crf-250x not long ago, dropped the spring right down in the rear, cut the seat foam and drpped the triple clamps an inch ish, she can fit now sweet as and shes short as. id also not reccommend a 125 as a learner bike for a female.

[Danger]

Be careful raising the forks in the triple clamps more than the recommended 10mm. There is a reason that the specs are only 10mm adjustment in the clamps and going beyond this can result in a spectacular crash!!!:argh:
If you want to be sure that the tire is not going to bottom on the bottom of the guard (triple clamp area) or the frame or pipe (the tire moves back as it moves up and the forks also bend at the triple clamp area) remove the fork springs and bottom the forks and check for clearance, and then add some to allow for fork flex backwards. Some bikes you can get away with 15mm above the clamps but I would not do it for a rider that is ever likely to get into a bottoming situation. A front tire change or an unexpected event could result in serious injury.
I know you think that your girly will never bottom the forks and that might just be the case, but if she ever did (or someone else got on the bike) it could sorely test your relationship once she gets the wire and plates out of her face!:Oops:

[chop]

Try sectioning and rewelding the subframe where it bolts to the main frame. Cut above the weld section and reweld. Rc apartantly does this do his bikes as he is vertically challenged

[scott411]

what the guys say above is true, watch dropping hte forks to much,

02 and earlier KX125's are easy to lower as you can do it with the pull rods,

another option is a KDX200, still light, easier to use power, a little lower Standard, and can be lowered easily as well, we have a lot of ladies that ride KDX200's

[Danger]

Cutting and welding the subframe can be done but clearance issues with the airbox rubbing on the shock etc can arise if not careful so only about 5mm can usually be removed. This really only lowers the back of the seat area which is good for getting the leg over and a bit of clearance over whoops if you hang off the back. It really has no effect on the bike at the forward area of the seat where you sit so it doesn't make touching the ground much easier. I have done this on my KTM. I also made the seat sit a little lower on the subframe. Little mm here and there add up and can make your bike easier to ride.
A combination of approaches can result in a better handling and user friendly bike. While I'm not short (5'8'' average ok) I have lowered the rear of my KTM for geometry reasons and I intend to lower the rear of my Suzuki slightly also, as the KTM is easier for me to throw around in the trees. The Suzuki is a quick handler so I think this will be a good move, a lower bike but still razor cornering. On a slower handling bike like the Yamaha it might make things more difficult. Once the rear is lowered slightly the forks can be raised in the triple clamps to maintain the geometry you require and an overall slight lowering for better handling off road.
Lower profile tires can also lower total height.

[cheese]

just make her were some platform shoes and then ride the bike.

[scott411]

you may even be able to find an 18" wheel of another bike that will fit if it has a 19" on.

18" tyres are not any smaller than 19" in outside diametre, the 18" have a higher profile so the outside is no different,

[B0000M]

just make her were some platform shoes and then ride the bike.

too hard to change gears, the thickness of the foot makes it diffuclult to get between the peg and the shif lever. been there tried that...

[Reckless]

18" tyres are not any smaller than 19" in outside diametre, the 18" have a higher profile so the outside is no different,

I Didn't know that scott. I thought the higher profile on the one on the KTM was because I bought a cheapo Kiwi x tyre for it as it will not be ridden so much (and not by me LOL) when I get the new one.


too hard to change gears, the thickness of the foot makes it diffuclult to get between the peg and the shif lever. been there tried that...

been there tried that...:girlfight:
OH B000M bet you looked real cute in your pink PLATFORM shooes!!!!!!!!!:killingme:nya:

[mattwood]

would it be easier to raise an 85? or does the not work? :wacko:

The best bet for her confidence would be a smaller bike wouldnt it?? But i guess an 85 is more of an all out mx bike, well older ones would be.. Just get her an XR200 and you can follow her round and push it for her :bash:

[FROSTY]

Why not something like a honda 125. they dont seem very tall--Jorja is only 5 feet tall and manages

[B0000M]

I Didn't know that scott. I thought the higher profile on the one on the KTM was because I bought a cheapo Kiwi x tyre for it as it will not be ridden so much (and not by me LOL) when I get the new one.



been there tried that...:girlfight:
OH B000M bet you looked real cute in your pink PLATFORM shooes!!!!!!!!!:killingme:nya:

hmm, kinda worded that badly, been there tried that as in had her try that..

picky cunts aye....

[Reckless]

hmm, kinda worded that badly, been there tried that as in had her try that..picky cunts aye....

Haha! I just couldn't resist that mate LOL! your probably lucky Cheese hasn't noticed this thread as well!! It'll be my turn next time I suppose!!!

[B0000M]

if cheese were here it would somehow be full of all kinds of toilet humour!! :moon:

[cheese]

too hard to change gears, the thickness of the foot makes it diffuclult to get between the peg and the shif lever. been there tried that...

You wore platform shoes while riding? Bit worried about you mate!

[cheese]

Big time delay from NZ to China.

[oldguy]

Don't have one yet, the wife wants a bike to play around on, nothing serious. 85 bw is a little to small and a 125 is a bit to big, need an something in the middle. Don't want 4stroke as they are heavier, and there is nothing under $2000. If she likes it she can sort out a more suited/expensive bike after.
DRZ125 BW would be the bike to get for a learner, bloody great bike, don't worry about lowering the bike, just ride around, she will get use to it.
Hell I'm a short ass. I have to lean my DR350 against my truck or a tree just so I can climb aboard to start it, no electric start on this bike, I have to hang the cheek of my ass of one side just so I can touch the ground when I stop or start off. once moving it doesn't matter, the grandson is only 9 and thrashes the the DRZ125 around no worries and he is short, I love riding the little 125 myself, I spend more time on it than my own bike,
DRZ125 big wheel, :2thumbsup don't lower it she will learn.:yes:

[tnarg]

My pick would be for drz125 big wheel. Both my mates girlfriends thrash around on them, awesome bikes.

[scott411]

as above, great bikes DRZ125's,

got new ones going cheap and second hand ones if you interested, pm me

[F5 Dave]

too hard to change gears, the thickness of the foot makes it diffuclult to get between the peg and the shif lever. been there tried that...

I had some boots modded when I was still a bit green. Just bonded/screwed another sole on, only gave a cm & didn't affect gear changing etc (local shoe repair chap did it, maybe he took the old on off first, whatever). Doesn't sound much but a bit here & a bit there as said. Could be the diff between grazing the ground & being able to push off with a dab, which is oft used by novices. - who am I kidding I still ride like that :yes:

When cutting down the foam, cut the underside & leave the smooth surface. Electric breadknife works well.

Another vote for the venerable kdx200.

[B0000M]

I had some boots modded when I was still a bit green. Just bonded/screwed another sole on, only gave a cm & didn't affect gear changing etc (local shoe repair chap did it, maybe he took the old on off first, whatever). Doesn't sound much but a bit here & a bit there as said. Could be the diff between grazing the ground & being able to push off with a dab, which is oft used by novices. - who am I kidding I still ride like that :yes:

When cutting down the foam, cut the underside & leave the smooth surface. Electric breadknife works well.

Another vote for the venerable kdx200.

too hard to cut the bottom on a crf-x, the underside is weird and wonderful shapes to accomodate the battery etc, i cut the top, first with a hacksaw, then used a wire brush believe it or not to make it smooth and shaped. turned out to be the best thing i tried

[F5 Dave]

Thanks I'll put that in the memory banks.

kdx isn't too bad underneath. need to pay some attn with stretching the cover back on & DIY staplegun will just cope with the plastic base if you push hard. Try to make it narrow at the sides without being sharp as it splays the legs apart less.

When she complains about being uncomfortable tell her it's to make her stand up & show her a picture of a Trials bike so she can she how she's so pampered to have any seat.

[Rupe]

thanks for the replies, some things to think about there.

She's sat on a kdx and it's to big and heavy, she nearly dropped it.

Drz125 might be an option if a cheap one comes up, but most of the 4strokes that would do seem out of the price range. Which was why I was thinking 125 2t, as cheap to buy and run.

Only want something cheap as she'll only use it a handful of times in a year, if she catches the bug she can get a better bike.

[noobi]

got a crf150f for sale, 05 one, not electric start but real easy to start once hot.

[cheese]

Maybe we should do a road trip to gissy so she can try mandas bike? Go camping at Booooms house! LOL

[B0000M]

sure, why not, but make it the weekend of the 17th of august, so everyone can go on the awesome mangatu / tarndale / waipaoa trail ride

[yamalink]

Check with koubalink.com

[WeeHaggis]

[QUOTE=cheese;1661251]Nicky isn't that short. She would be same height as John??

Ya cheeky b#stard cheese, you'r not exactly a f@#kin globetrotter yersel!!!!!!:finger:

[Rupe]

[QUOTE=cheese;1661251]Nicky isn't that short. She would be same height as John??

Ya cheeky b#stard cheese, you'r not exactly a f@#kin globetrotter yersel!!!!!!:finger:


lol, you had a glasgow kiss before cheese???

[cheese]

LOL no head-butts for me ta.

Sorry John that wasn't meant to be offensive.

Where were you today John? heard that your heaps faster on that KDX.

[Rupe]

LOL no head-butts for me ta.

Sorry John that wasn't meant to be offensive.

Where were you today John? heard that your heaps faster on that KDX.

Sounds like a bit of back tracking there cheese, hope you like the bash mate!!!