best all rounder for vertically challenged

[r_o_b]

Hi All

after riding sports bikes for 5 years its time for a change.

Id like to get into green laning/off road riding it looks like great fun and our typical weather suits this kind of riding just perfect.

I've been searching the net and im a bit lost with the many different models and classes of bike for example trail/enduro supermoto etc etc!! Not really sure where to start with it all!

i had a look at a recent thread titled
'Best/Good Commuter/Trails/Occasional Enduro Bike'

i found this quite useful as my requirements are practially the identical as those detailed in the thread by jackdim. same budget/something i can commute on/greenlane on 2-400cc etc etc

The only issue i think i will have is my height.... At 5'5'' i think im going have a limited choice as most of these bikes seem to be pretty tall.

Going on purley what ive been looking at online i quite like the look of the wr400 or the dr-z but have no idea if these two will fit me.

Any sugestions as to what might suit a shorty?

Thanks

[MarJay]

I've ridden an XR250 and I'm about the same height as you. I did have a bit of an issue touching the floor, but I suspect you could reduce the preload a little...

I currently have a GasGas Pampera which I use for green laning and a bit of muddy fun. Its probably the shortest trailie that still has some ability. It has a trials based engine and has loads of torque and is good fun to ride. Its sat in the back of my garage not doing a lot at the moment to be honest.

I plan to get it MOT'd soon and then sell it. Your profile doesn't say where you are, but if you aren't too far from Reading then it might be something to consider.

It does have one or two downsides though. It runs on premix, it doesn't currently have a sidestand (although I have the stand and the spring, I just need to refit it). It does not have an ignition key and starts with just the kickstart.

However, it only weighs around 100kgs, which is pretty damn light, its got a trials based engine and so parts are plentiful. The tyres are nearly new Michelin enduro tyres and it has great brakes and suspension. Its a bloody nice little bike, but I just don't use it at the moment so can't justify MOTing it and then keeping it. So I might as well MOT it and then sell it.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[garyd]

Its the Honda CRF230 every time
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CRF230 all you need

[CRF_Rider]

Have a look at the Scorpa T-ride should be perfect. Great fun bike with a highly capable motor.
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Why is it everything i race, seems to be going backwards?
Current: Honda CRF 450 R Supermotard
Previous: Yam TY250 x2, Gas Gas TXT 200, Sherco 290, Suzuki TS 50,Honda CG 125, Yam SR250, Suzuki DR-Z400E, Yamaha YZF R6 112rwbhp

[ben_wheely]

Most/all trail bikes can be lowered...
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Rides: '05 Yammy WR290-F

[MarJay]

[CRF_Rider]

[r_o_b]

Quite fancied a dr-z but if lowering it will affect the handling then ill go for something else.

what about a wr? would that be the same situation as above.


I have considered the CRM230F and have also looked at the TTR250 but ive not seen many in my budget.
XR250.. ill have a look at those too.

Hi marjay, Id never heard of gas gas before... it looks a pretty smart bike though very light aswell looks like great fun. how does it go on the road?
Oh im based in twickenham, so its not too far from reading which could be handy should i go for that bike.



I guess ill get myself down to a local dealer aswell, just to try out a few different bikes for size before i decide on something.

[MarJay]

[r_o_b]

looks quite a nice bike there and in the link you posted.

I dont think it would be all that practical for me, what with requiring premix and the ammount of day to day use on the road id be doing
i'll be using more on road than off so would need something a bit quicker too for the roads ill be using.
also the lack of steering lock/igition would be a bit of an issue for me(already had one bike stolen)
looks like a blast off the road though....

i know it will be a compromise between one and the other....just a case of finding the best one for me.

[r_o_b]

What does everyone think about a super moto type bike... are there many out there that are suitable for shorter riders?

with the tyres i guess they'd be better on the road but what do you guys think of taking a moto on the trails with sm tyres. Are they any good, or would that be asking for trouble?

I like the moto look. It could be more suitable as ill be on tarmac more than ill be off the road

Ive seen a few people change the tyres to knobblies or vice versa but it looks like you have to change the rims also to suit right?

[meach]

I am probably going to get hammered here but what about the XT660R

Ok ok i know its not everybody's cup of tea but with the R you will be able to commute and do some greenlaning too as standard.
seat height may be a tad high but you can lower them
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2005 xt660x in red, not everyone's cup of tea but neither is coffee
https://www.youtube.com/imeach

[MarJay]

[dudeskin]

hi i've not read through this much.

but, im about the same high, i've come back from my ride today in a massive old quary, full of mud and rocks.

lots of fun.

i have a WR400 that i use as a supermoto and more recently for off road. i struggled abit in the mud as i could do nothing but slide around and not put my feet down very well. but if i was on gravle i wouldnt need to put my feet down.

you can drop the forks down about an inch, and problem solved.


i love mine.



dudeskin
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live hard, die young, leave a damn good looking corpse.

[r_o_b]

[eddclarke]

Im 6foot1 and ride an xr250r, Its a pretty tall bike, ive got my suspension set up pretty hard, due to my size/weight. I think you would struggle a lot on a bike like this. even if you adjusted the rear shock a lot.
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Honda XR125L 06 ----> Yamaha FZ6 05 + ex SAS XR250 --> VFR800 + XR250r

[dudeskin]

edd is right. my best mate had an XR250, a reasonaly old one, and i couldnt ride it as it was way too tall. he is also 6 foot 3 .


dudeskin
____________________
live hard, die young, leave a damn good looking corpse.

[G]

It does depend on set up a lot; bendy rode my KTM 200 EXC ok (similar height to Marjay.)
Then I adjusted the preload to be correct and I can only just touch the floor now (I'm a little under 6 goot).

The XT660 makes less power than something like a WR400. But, more importantly, it weighs about the same as my Triumph 675 track bike! Sure you can do green lanin on it, but it's going to be less fun; doubly so if you can only just touch the floor when you're not on a muddy slope!

I wouldn't get too worked up about cc; as suggest, the XT engine would be a pussy car to use in comparison to something like a Husaberg 500cc.
How about the BMW G650X_Country. This is a smaller version of the X-Challenge. Unfortunately with smaller wheels too, but you should still be able to get tyres ok for greenlaning in those sizes.
Good reliable (F650) engine for road work too.

[r_o_b]