Honda CRF150 questions

[thecharmed01]

I'm only 155cm tall.......

I would love to hot up the DRZ, cause really I do love it.
I just would like a bit more power.... and an elec start would be a bonus, but not essential.
I do need to be able to reach the ground though!

[SpikedPunch]

There is an NZ guy who posts on thumper talk who hotted up a DR-Z for his son's friend (his son was getting boastful about always beating his mate since he was on an 85 2t, and the Dad didn't want him getting cocky...!). Ran in to him at the sandpit one day and recognised the bike, it was pretty darn cool, but an expensive endeavor. Lots of BBR parts imported from the states. He would be the guy to talk to if you wanted to go down that route.
You're facing the same prob all us short chicks have (I'm a cm shorter than you) there's no easy answer really. If you want to stick to the small bikes rather than lowering a big one, what about a kx 85/100? I had an rm100 after my DR-Z125 and despite some mechanical issues (nothing to do with the owner of course *cough*) it was a really good step up and taught me lots about clutch control. As a bonus they're lighter than the DR-Z too.

[random rider]

I'm only 155cm tall.......

I just would like a bit more power.... and an elec start would be a bonus, but not essential.
I do need to be able to reach the ground though!

OK I got measured last week & I am shorter than I wanted to know - approx 163cm.
I have a KX125 as I wanted more power and a bigger bike but the height thing was an issue for me.

I got the seat cut out by an upholsterer so it was done cleanly and looks tidy, and got a modified linkage bolt. Then took to a suspension guy that reset the sag etc for the bike ($20 at an epic event) and that made huge difference. I can touch the ground on one side now and just make sure I stop so the left side is a little higher or my partner waits beside me so I can balance on his bike - just to start it.
The bike is easier to start once warmed up and to be honest I don't notice too much....but I have now gotten used to it.

Have a chat with a local suspension person to find out costs etc as that could be an option. As previous posts said find something that you like and only have to make little changes to.
Is anyone local that you can try their bike out??

[thecharmed01]

I don't know anyone local with a small bike unfortunately.

We have an RM125 here, but it's huge in comparision to my DRZ125....

I've tried standing over a lowered CRF230 and it's still way too tall and I just don't have the confidence for a bike that I can't reach the ground on.
I wish I did as then I would be able to choose from any number of bikes!!!!

Who would be a good port of call in Welly, if I wanted to ask about suspension and lowering - as in costs for different bikes if I was to look at something bigger and actually going through the process of lowering it properly?

I would actually be super keen to have a chat to someone who HAS hotted up a DRZ though, as I have no problem putting money into my bike - I really do like it other than the power thing. It's the perfect height, I can lift it out of awkward situations easily and it runs like a dream! It's an 09, so it's pretty new.
It wouldnt be like pouring money into an old bike - if I do it properly I can hang on to it for a good few years I reckon!
Do you have a contact for him?

Thanks for all the ideas and input. It's quite confusing all the differences when you don't know much about the different brands and bikes!

[morg_nz]

I don't know anyone local with a small bike unfortunately.

We have an RM125 here, but it's huge in comparision to my DRZ125....

I've tried standing over a lowered CRF230 and it's still way too tall and I just don't have the confidence for a bike that I can't reach the ground on.
I wish I did as then I would be able to choose from any number of bikes!!!!

Who would be a good port of call in Welly, if I wanted to ask about suspension and lowering - as in costs for different bikes if I was to look at something bigger and actually going through the process of lowering it properly?

I would actually be super keen to have a chat to someone who HAS hotted up a DRZ though, as I have no problem putting money into my bike - I really do like it other than the power thing. It's the perfect height, I can lift it out of awkward situations easily and it runs like a dream! It's an 09, so it's pretty new.
It wouldnt be like pouring money into an old bike - if I do it properly I can hang on to it for a good few years I reckon!
Do you have a contact for him?

Thanks for all the ideas and input. It's quite confusing all the differences when you don't know much about the different brands and bikes!

why don't you try lowering the rm125 you have as much as you can, and making the rear shock as soft as possible and see how far off comfortable you are - maybe you just need a lowering linkage for the rm? if you could get close to where you would be comfortable height wise on the rm, it wont take much riding for you to get used to it ay

[SpikedPunch]

Do you have a contact for him?

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/sho...625&highlight=

This is the guy. I can't remember if he posts on KB or not? Saw him at the sandpit once tho. It would be interesting to see how all the mods (mostly the 190cc big bore kit!) have held up after a couple years of use.

[SpikedPunch]

It's a pretty cool project bike, but for what it achieved I almost wonder if just putting a flywheel weight on a nice rm 85 would land you something similar? I guess it would still be less tractable than the drz though.

[thecharmed01]

I sent him a PM... will see if he replies!

[morg_nz]

It's a pretty cool project bike, but for what it achieved I almost wonder if just putting a flywheel weight on a nice rm 85 would land you something similar? I guess it would still be less tractable than the drz though.

good point with an 85 2t though, that would be a step up in performance and handling from the drz without a massive height change

[Reckless]

We have a 150F for my daughter!
Look imho it really comes down to how well you ride and we cant tell that over the net LOL!! If you ride the DRZ well enough to go to a 2T 85cc go for it but if your not quite ready it will be a struggle mastering the fiery 2T on enduro trails and muddy hill climbs.

Midget200 went down this track and is now on a lowered kdx200 but she can ride quite good.
Sammikins has a drz and went for a ride on my 150f and it was better for her but she is tall enough for a 250f and I think is goin down that route.

So it depends a little on what fits you in an area that is a big hole in the learning chain as far as bikes go. Everything that is good is to tall, everything that fits isn't quite up to it as far as mx suspension etc goes! I dunno why any of the manufacturers haven't clicked on to it but???? I thought KTM may have had it nailed with the 125exc but the thing is 930mm of the ground and they didn't make a small wheel?

OK back to you! My opinion is if your not at the level you are firing yourself up banks at a great rate of pace or clutching the DRZ out of corners and finding it really really slow don't go the 85cc route. Spend a year on a 150F and enjoy the sport and have fun, but you wanna join the girls at the local club and race get the 85cc. So racer=85cc / trail rider=150 or 230F.

Just a few my observations hereunder!

Yes the 150f has farm bike suspension
yes its a bit heavy

But
Not a bad next step if you've out grown a DRZ and arn't tall enough for a KDx or CRF or KX250f. Depends on your skill level.
Rode with a young fella up the Farm on one, he did everything on it we where and at speed on some tricky trails!!
Have you ever been on a Mr moto ride and been clipping along at a really good pace and found when you caught up that person was on a 150F and goin like the clappers!

Look imho it really comes down to how well you ride and we cant tell that over the net LOL!! If you ride the DRZ well enough to go to a 2T 85cc go for it but if your not quite ready it will be a struggle mastering the fiery 2T on enduro trails.

Midget200 went down this track and is now on a lowered kdx200 and she can ride quite good.
Sammikins has a drz and went for a ride on my 150f and it was better for her but she is tall enough for a 250f and I think is goin down that route.

So it depends a little on what fits you in an area that is a big hole in the learning chain as far as bikes go. Everything that is good is to tall, everything that fits isn't quite up to it as far as mx suspension etc goes! I dunno why any of the manufacturers haven't clicked on to it but???? I thought KTM may have had it nailed with the 125exc but the thing is 930mm of the ground and they didn't make a small wheel?

OK back to you! My opinion is if your not at the level you are firing yourself up banks at a great rate of pace or clutching the DRZ out of corners and finding it really really slow don't go the 85cc route. Spend a year on a 150F and enjoy the sport and have fun, but you wanna join the girls at the local club and race get the 85cc. So racer=85cc / trail rider=150 or 230F.
Read this and click on a pic and see the slideshow. They ain't just trail riding on it can you do this stuff yet?? http://www.dirtrider.com/reviews/dir...150/index.html


Just a few my observations hereunder!

Yes the 150f has farm bike suspension
yes its a bit heavy

But
Not a bad next step if you've out grown a DRZ
Rode with a young fella up the Farm on one at Xmas ( about14-15ish) he did everything on it we where and at speed on some tricky trails!!
Have you ever been on a Mr moto trail ride and been clipping along at a really good pace and found when you caught up that person in front, he was on a 150F and goin like the clappers!

Its really about the rider and what is your present jumping point

Its really about the rider and what is your present jumping off point.
Im thinking a crf150f or a KLX140 might be good for you for a year but I haven't seen you ride.

My 150 is an 06 and the first year with the electric start make sure you get 06 with electric start or later!
Secondly mine has a 16" rear and I can only slide my fingers between the tyre and the swingarm but I'm pretty sure you'd never fit a 18" rear on it.


Anyway I've written a book again sorry just trying to help???? Ride them see what fits and flicks your switch!

[FROSTY:Me]

Noones tossed the yamaha 150 into the ring.They look pretty darned good to me

[thecharmed01]

Can you give me a link to this 150cc Yamaha? I've googled, and checked out the Yamaha Site and I can't find any mention of one?

My first bike was a TTR so I quite like Yamaha, but curious to know more about a 150cc version!

[morg_nz]

Can you give me a link to this 150cc Yamaha? I've googled, and checked out the Yamaha Site and I can't find any mention of one?

My first bike was a TTR so I quite like Yamaha, but curious to know more about a 150cc version!

i think he's referring to the yz144 - its a 2 stroke 150cc - yamaha started making them a couple of years ago to compete with the ktm 150cc 2 strokes (basically just a 125 with a slightly bigger engine

[morg_nz]

i think he's referring to the yz144 - its a 2 stroke 150cc - yamaha started making them a couple of years ago to compete with the ktm 150cc 2 strokes (basically just a 125 with a slightly bigger engine

and i dont think yamaha sold them new in nz? i may be wrong there though

[thecharmed01]

Ahh, I'm not sure my riding style would support a two stroke yet.... shame, but I think I'd probably spend more time changing fouled plugs than riding LOL