DT125 alternative for short rider.

Lazysod · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 11 May 2013 Karma :

Looking for an alternative to the DT125 as I'm a short rider (5,7") and the bike is simply too high.

My budget is £3,000 and though I'd prefer a two stroke I might be tempted into trying a 250 four stroke.

Use will be as a run about and something to do some off road stuff and green laning with.

I'm looking for something solid, reliable and able to hold its own on and off road, the DT would have been just the job I reckon.

Any other ideas fellas?

Irn-Bru · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Karma :

If a DTR is too tall then you'll find others are too, so you might be best off lowering the bike a bit.
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

nathan k · Spanner Monkey Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Karma :

It's not? I'm 5 7...Max. My DT was raised by the previous owner!
For green laning i'm going to have to lower it back to original spec, maybe more. But I've taken it on some easy off road stuff and ride it everyday with no problem.

If I can ride my bike, you can ride a DT. Lowering it would take about 30-45 mins for those who have no idea what they're doing.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-DT125R-DTR125-lowering-kit-NEW-DT-125-DTR-125R-/251326217232?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item3a8435bc10

nathan k · Spanner Monkey Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Karma :

yambabe · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

prawny1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Karma :

Something like dr or xr might be better suited to you they are a little shorter from memory.

Have you tried adjusting the shock preload if it has it? might make to rear soft enough for you to touch the floor.
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hellkat wrote:

Some people are only alive cos its against the law to kill them.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

DT isn't amazing off road, but good enough for the basics.

First off, you're not massively short - plenty of shorter people do just fine on as big or bigger bikes.
Mostly you just need to learn to move over to the side (with no luggage, I have to do this on my KTM690 which has a bigger seat) when you stop and get used to making sure you're putting the foot on the higher side down.

If you're stuck on a smaller bike, I believe the TTR250 is usually fairly short, as well as being reliable.

Lazysod · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 11 May 2013 Karma :

Thanks for the replies so far and I appreciate that 5'7" isn't that short but since I can't get flat footed on a 125 I'm feeling vertically challenged.
It's seems weird because I sit flat footed on my FJR (seat at lower adjustment) and R1, I suppose sitting on a taller bike is something I might have to get used to.

Anyway I've been looking for other alternatives but it seems there's not much out their apart from underpowered jap offerings and Chinese bikes. I like the Husqvarna two strokes but the idea of mixing fuel and regular piston/ring changes puts me right off.

I just wish I had the time to take on the project of fitting a tuned DT125 engine into the rolling frame of a YZ125 and making that road legal, I guess fitting lights and the road registering part is the pita, would the process of fitting a DT125 engine into a YZ125 be that difficult? I've removed and refitted motocross engines in my teens and didn't struggle but I guess adding electrics and oil tank will require a level of ingenuity and impracticality.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Why do you want or need to get flat footed?
I don't think I do on the KTM enduro bikes I had.
And my right ankle doesn't articulate quite properly either, but still fine to use toes if I don't move myself over.

The Jap 4 stroke 250s aren't underpowered when compared to a DT - for greenlaning their wider range of power is better if anything.
The CFR230 is another one to have a look at if you're stuck on the 'short' thing.

Lazysod · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 11 May 2013 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Never found an issue myself and seen plenty of people your kind of height do just fine. Tip-toes is fine.
There's always going to be cases on a slope or similar where any height rider won't be able to get a foot down on one side or may be just on tip toes.

Half the time the bike's sunk in to mud anyway.

You could always just restrict a YZ a bit - not running at full blat everywhere will likely increase it's life a fair bit.

However, someone linked you to a lowering kit above?

You may loose a little suspension travel at the front, but not the end of the world.

prawny1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Karma :

Surely yz is going to be even taller than a dt right?

The conversion you are talking about has been done a few times believe it or not.

https://1.2.3.12/bmi/i64.photobucket.com/albums/h165/mark_midlands/yz200done2.jpg

This one the wr200 engine but is pretty much the same conversion (wr/dt200 engine fits 125 frame)
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hellkat wrote:

Some people are only alive cos its against the law to kill them.