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big trail bikes for short arses

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doggone
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PostPosted: 23:48 - 05 Jul 2010    Post subject: big trail bikes for short arses Reply with quote
I'm considering a trail bike about 600cc but not being six foot six tall I don't want to stretch too much everytime I have to stop in traffic.

I tried a Transalp a while back and that was fine, but not a bike I particularly wanted. A KLR 650 was definitely a bit tall for comfort.
What else is worth looking out for?
It is expected to do some mild off road work.
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radical
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PostPosted: 23:55 - 05 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
The BMW f650 funduro cs has a low seat height of 30.7 inches and there is an optional seat height of 29.5 inches, I think this is the lowest seat height of any of the largr trail bikes.
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neatbik
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PostPosted: 00:06 - 06 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
F650 funduro/gs. (The cs is the road version)

Lots of them are lowered, and whilst a bit heavy, they are capable off road.

I've got a Dakar version, and its great fun in the muddy stuff.
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G
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Joined: 02 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 00:10 - 06 Jul 2010    Post subject: Re: big trail bikes for short arses Reply with quote
Depends how serious you are about your off-roading really.
There are various ways to get lighter bikes a bit lower, but it does tend to be the case that the lighter and thus better off-road are also taller for ground clearance etc.
A slightly shorter seat, dropping the front and rear, possibly a bit off the pre-load if you're light your self can make a big difference.
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hmmmnz
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PostPosted: 07:11 - 06 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
if your not to serious about off roading, then the kle500 is a good option, and probably as good as a klr650 off road,
with the bonus of a low seat height, and actually faster on road
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doggone
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PostPosted: 07:47 - 06 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes KLE is one I had forgotten.
It would be mostly a road bike with a bit of easy green laning really.
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neatbik
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PostPosted: 08:46 - 06 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thats pretty much what i was looking for, although i have done a couple of green lanes that are quite challenging.

Although i think with better tyres it would make it a fair bit easier.

A mate of mine has just an xt660, thats not as tall as the BMW so might be worth considering.
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iooi
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PostPosted: 09:03 - 06 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
beatnck2 wrote:
Thats pretty much what i was looking for, although i have done a couple of green lanes that are quite challenging.
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In my experiance bigger bikes = more ball ache when they get stuck Laughing
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doggone
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PostPosted: 10:12 - 06 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
What about Triumph Tigers?
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G
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PostPosted: 10:16 - 06 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
doggone wrote:
What about Triumph Tigers?

Or an R1 with streetfighter bars, which is probably nice off-road Razz.

(I'm not one for taking heavy bikes off-road as a matter of course, enjoy it much more on lighter ones.)
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Dom
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PostPosted: 10:26 - 06 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
doggone wrote:
What about Triumph Tigers?


They're not particularly low afaik, nor are they proper dirt bikes in any sense. I wouldn't bother.

For what it's worth I'm hardly the tallest guy in the world but get on perfectly happily with tall bikes. It's just something that you get used to over time and when you do get off road the extra height/clearance is welcome. At worst you've got to shift to the left/right to get one foot flat on the ground when you come to a stop, which is easy to get in the habit of doing.
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Dr. DaveJPS
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PostPosted: 12:25 - 06 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
beatnck2 wrote:
F650 funduro/gs. (The cs is the ugliest motorcycle ever created version)


corrected for you Laughing
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hmmmnz
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PostPosted: 13:05 - 06 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
doggone wrote:
Yes KLE is one I had forgotten.
It would be mostly a road bike with a bit of easy green laning really.

then the kle is a good option,
the seat height is around 33inches actually its closer to 31, but compresses once your on the bike,
i found it reasonably good on trails, and even went up and down stairs reasonably well (its one of my favourite tests)
my bed bug with the kle is the exhaust running under the bike, so slamming it onto logs is a bit of a no-no, its slightly heavier than the klr650, but it really didnt feel like it, even off road,
its got a 17 and 21 tyre combo so there is a good range of knobblies available Thumbs Up
the older models, i found were actually better, and a bit more to the point, the new ones are just going overboard with the plastic,

another point i found annoying off road and seems to be a fairly coomon thing these days with the big trailies/tourers, is the fact the big ugly headlight fairing
stops you from seeing the front wheel,
it doesnt seem annoying, but it bloody is when you are going down a rutty path,

as a do all bike, i'd recommend it, ticks all the boxes,




if i was to improve on it,
i would remove the headlight fairing, change the mudguard to a traily type high one,
i'd prefer a aircooled motor (nothing worse than a stick to the rad when you are in the middle of no where)
and change the exhaust to run around the side of the engine,
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neatbik
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PostPosted: 14:30 - 06 Jul 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
iooi wrote:
beatnck2 wrote:
Thats pretty much what i was looking for, although i have done a couple of green lanes that are quite challenging.
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In my experiance bigger bikes = more ball ache when they get stuck Laughing


Yeah, its a bitch when that happens, but all adds to the fun Laughing
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