New biker with new bike just a few inches too high...

[Rosie]

I've cut down the front of the seat on my WR to make it a bit shorter. I used an electric breadknife to do the cutting, and a belt sander to tidy the foam up. I also stuck some softer foam on top of the original foam to make it more comfortable (F3 gel contact adhesive is very good for this). Once I'd finished, the original cover no longer fitted, so I got a local automotive upholsterer to make a new cover ($80). If you weren't confident doing the foam yourself, you could probably get an upholsterer to do the whole thing fairly reasonably.

Lowering links, and sliding the forks down in the triple clamps could be a good idea to make the bike low enough to give you confidence while you are starting out. You can always put the bike back to its original height later on.

A couple of things that help me to deal with a fairly tall bike: Only try to put one foot on the ground when you stop. Decide which foot it's going to be, and keep the other one on the footpeg, that way you can slide off the seat a bit and get yourself closer to the ground. If I need to push the bike around, I always get off to push it. I know some people can push their bikes around ballerina style while sitting on them, but I find it a bit difficult and precarious, so I just get off and push.

[tamarillo]

Hi there!

Was just posting in the newbies section about this and then found this area. I figure someone here can answer this for me...

I have a new klx 250s 2009 in my possession, but have decided it is too tall for my liking. Can just get tip-toes down and as a new (very new) rider would much prefer more control at slow to no speeds. The bike weight is fine. I know this because after a stupid loss of balance (undamaging) I could pick up the bike. (might ask my back about that tomorrow though).

But having to push it everywhere (as in not on the bike) and having no confidence that the ground is where I expect it to be is not fun. (I'm glad I've been kickboxing for fitness to get that leg over! Don't want to be doing that in another 10 yrs time) I was very confident on the bike I trained on, but I was pretty much flat-foot on that one...it was only a 150...and not as nice as the klx...

Anyway! My question is:

Has anyone (in Auckland preferably) shaved their seat? And how/where did you go about this?

as others suggest lower suspension. And then do slow riding course and practice. You will soon find you don't need to touch ground anywhere near as much as you do now - many long long term riders still can't handle a bike at slow speed well so you will be able to show them up!

[wysper]

Sorry, Auckland is where my parents chose to live....

I figure I just bought this bike new from the local Kawasaki dealer...so I should get them to do the job. Novice rider, wrong tools, no patience, short attention span...bad combo. I did ask actually, but they said "you'll be right". And that may be so...but darn it I want to have some fun with this bike now! Did I mention I have no patience?

Thats not good. The dealer should be making sure you are happy with your new ride.
Go back and ask them to sort it for you. Not a good combo being a new rider, and feeling a little unsafe on your ride.

Not a good look for the local Kawasaki Dealer to be not looking after a new rider like that.

[bogan]

Have you lowered the suspension?... all dirt bikes have quite a bit of adjustment to them.

If you dont have the right tools use a hammer and wrap a rag around a flathead screw driver - use this to gently screw the 2 x metal plates down as far as they go around your rear shock See how you get on you may want to shorten the front forks also.

Just a thought. And Damn why are you all the way up in Aucks!

that adjustment is for setting the proper sag, not adjusting the height! But, if she is shorter (and lighter Im guessing) than the average rider, then it's likely to need the sag re-adjusted.

I'd say, make sure the sag is set correctly (see if you an get someone local to help you out with that), then chuck some blocks on the ground and see just how much height you are comfortable with/need to lose on the bike, then see if you can drop that off the seat.

[kilgh]

Thanks everybody. Some great tips here.

Ahhh Bogan....thanks for calling me light! I'm about 80kgs.

Tamarillo I have heard that many riders are okay with not touching the ground when they get experienced, so it may just be that as Rosie suggests I just need to lower it for my basic learning months. But I like the idea of being good at slow speeds. Want to be a good biker at all speeds really.

Thanks Wysper. Agreed.

HelloKitty, I think I already met her when I was in there the other day. Must go back.

[bogan]

Ahhh Bogan....thanks for calling me light! I'm about 80kgs.

I see, all is not lost though, riding dirtbikes is a pretty good way to lose a few pounds

Tamarillo I have heard that many riders are okay with not touching the ground when they get experienced, so it may just be that as Rosie suggests I just need to lower it for my basic learning months. But I like the idea of being good at slow speeds. Want to be a good biker at all speeds really.

yeh I knew a guy who used to just park next to a box and use that to start off, then if he came off on a ride just started leant over then just turned into the lean to straighten up.

[kilgh]

Started leant over?! Man I never woulda thought of that!

If I wanted to be lighter I would stop lifting weights and stay away from Hell Pizza!

[vifferman]

Only try to put one foot on the ground when you stop. Decide which foot it's going to be, and keep the other one on the footpeg, that way you can slide off the seat a bit and get yourself closer to the ground.

Dani Pedrosa has to do this on his MotoGP bike.

[kilgh]

Alrighty, the nice Kawasaki dealer owner has just picked up the bike and is going to lower it for me!

Plus I have found an upholsterer who knows how to seat shave who is just 5 mins away.

So just have to get through the next 6 days of overnights and I'll have another go at conquering this bike.

[Trudes]

Can the seat be made a little narrower as well as lower? A narrow seat also helps with short-arse syndrom on bikes.

[kilgh]

The seat is as narrow as the bike.

[Howie]

Alrighty, the nice Kawasaki dealer owner has just picked up the bike and is going to lower it for me!

Plus I have found an upholsterer who knows how to seat shave who is just 5 mins away.

So just have to get through the next 6 days of overnights and I'll have another go at conquering this bike.

Sounds like your on the right track, If they fit the lowering links to the rear suspension get the standard ones off them as once you are feeling more confident you might want them put back on the bike,

[kilgh]

Yes, we discussed this back at the dealership. These changes are to be fully reversible as I get more confident and balanced.

Except for the seat, but that's not an issue.

[p.dath]

If you want to learn road riding skills come along to free lessons at NASS:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Nort..._Street_Skills

[Crisis management]

These changes are to be fully reversible as I get more confident and balanced.

Sounds like you have it sorted, listen to what Rosie posted as well, she is a very accomplished rider and doesn't let her proximity to the ground slow her down.....

As soon as you are confident on the bike get the suspension set correctly for your weight so it can work properly, lowering links etc always compromise the suspension horrendously. Once you are used to tall bikes you will easily get around with a single toe on the ground, it's just a new skill to acquire and will let you select a bike you like rather than be limited to short bikes only.