Why, exactly, am I too short for this bike?

[cutting torch]

Inspired by er193's "potential" thread.

I am 5'4" tall and a buck forty, and I ride an '08 KLX450R and a '92 KX250. Both of these bikes are tall for my 30" inseam.

I've been told many times that I might want to try a different bike (one that is shorter, of course). Why do some people feel the need to tell me this? I am fully aware of my short legs, (fall over!) and tall bikes. I deal with it.

I understand that some riders are "paddlers" that sit most of the time and have thier feet on the ground a lot, and these type of riders are usually the ones to comment on my choice of bike. Some of these "paddlers" are really quick on the trail, but I prefer to stay on the pegs. I really don't understand why some people feel the need to tell me I need a shorter bike.

I can reach the pegs just fine, and that is all that matters to me. I just wonder why some people think that they need to tell me I need a shorter bike.

torch

[CRFsean]

one of my good friends rides a crf450x and is pretty short for it and hes a little better at riding than I am so I agree.

[Freerider55]

Im like 5'11 and feel short sometimes on my YZ lol, its not easy riding tall bikes but ya tellin some one they need a smaller bikes dumb, those people should mind their own business.

[groundpounder450]

im in the same boat man... im a lil bigger then u but still small for my bike... i ride a 03 yz450 and i ride only trails... this being my first bike i don't know how a smaller bike would be... my bud has a klx450r andi notice that its a lot nice ride cuz of how narrow the frame is.... im like 5'8''-5'9'' and like 200lbs, i have really short legs tho when compaired to my upper tourso so i know where ur comin from with not always being able to put my feet down... no i really only have to when im riding tight single track and have learnd to cope with it alot better then when i started a few months ago.... all the bikes are pretty much the same hight and weight... theres some difference but for the most part there all the same in a trail situation so i guess i short people lose.... how u like that KLX? i love ridin my boys its got alot more power then i thought it would.... ur battery go dead?

[socal_sierra]

who cares what other people think, its a matter of weather or not YOU are comfortable on the bike. Look at RC, he is what 5'4 and rides a 450. Dont worry about the other guys.. Tell them to worry about their riding and bike choice and leave yours alone.

[Thorman23]

the G.O.A.T. is 5'5-5'6 on a 450 and bubbas not much taller

[657pinkKTM]

yeah ihate that. i was tlakig to someone and hes like yeah i ride a YZ85 and a TTR125 and i want to get a YZ250f but i think it might be too tall im only 5'9 in like are you kidding me im 5'4 with gear on and i ride a 250f fine.

[Thorman23]

the G.O.A.T. is 5'5-5'6 on a 450 and bubbas not much taller

haha wow he posted like 5 seconds before i did haha

[mbogosia]

I am 5'11" and if I am on the side of a hill with full gear it can be a PITA to get on my yz125.

[myk_x_rips07]

do they even make smaller bikes? i think its funny when people complain about being way to short and im only 5"2 and ride a full size 2001 kx125 no its not always easy to get on it and when i stop i do hang off the side of the bike big deal i can live with it the power is definatley worth it:ride:

[cutting torch]

how u like that KLX? i love ridin my boys its got alot more power then i thought it would.... ur battery go dead?

I'm loving my KLX, and I am happy to say that I have dodged the bad battery bullet!

torch

[ttr125l95]

Im only 5'4" and i ride my 01 wr250f, sure it sucks if i fall but isnt the idea to stay on the bike? I wont say Im lightning, but I am at least intermediate.

[er193]

Inspired by er193's "potential" thread.

I am 5'4" tall and a buck forty, and I ride an '08 KLX450R and a '92 KX250. Both of these bikes are tall for my 30" inseam.

I've been told many times that I might want to try a different bike (one that is shorter, of course). Why do some people feel the need to tell me this? I am fully aware of my short legs, (fall over!) and tall bikes. I deal with it.

I understand that some riders are "paddlers" that sit most of the time and have thier feet on the ground a lot, and these type of riders are usually the ones to comment on my choice of bike. Some of these "paddlers" are really quick on the trail, but I prefer to stay on the pegs. I really don't understand why some people feel the need to tell me I need a shorter bike.

I can reach the pegs just fine, and that is all that matters to me. I just wonder why some people think that they need to tell me I need a shorter bike.

torch

Well, I was going to ask you why you have a 450F since you can't use it to its full potential but since you already have one I can't understand why anyone would tell you you need a shorter bike ?

[gottogomoto]

I moved up to a 250f and a friend of mine who is 6'5 said I will kill myself on a 250f and guess what?, i smoke him now...its great ..haha I would just tell ppl who tell you that u need a smaller bike to go do themselves in the ass

[Yamaha4lyfe]

nothing to worry about. i raced my kx250 when i was 5'4 120 lbs and took 2nd in the final mx and took 3rd overall.

you just got to pass them, work them on the trail and track. and they wont make stupid comments such as that

[cutting torch]

Well, I was going to ask you why you have a 450F since you can't use it to its full potential but since you already have one I can't understand why anyone would tell you you need a shorter bike ?

Smart-ass!

Hmmmm.... I'd bet we'd get along well!

torch

[EastBoundAndDown]

God damn there are some MIDGETS in this thread I didn't know torch and TTR were such little guys lol I'm 6'2" in gear and have never had issues on my bikes.. but i was 5'9" 170 when i sold my XR100 !

[Justin 314]

Don't even worry about it, as long as you're comfortable on the bike. I was at a track down in NC racing a couple years ago, and there was a girl on an RMZ250. She had to have people hold the bike up for her (too short to even use starting blocks) and she flat out HAULED. She rides B class now...Holly something.

[cutting torch]

God damn there are some MIDGETS in this thread I didn't know torch and TTR were such little guys lol I'm 6'2" in gear and have never had issues on my bikes.. but i was 5'9" 170 when i sold my XR100 !

Knock it off with the midget talk, sasquatch!?

torch

[Metric Mark]

You're 5' 4" with a 30" inseam?? ? I'm 5' 10" with a 30" inseam and wish I could ride to my bikes potential.