Short dude wants a dirt bike

I've been into ATVs pretty heavy for most of my life. I work as a mechanic for a friend that races ATVs so I have lots and lots of seat time on some very powerful quads (ltr450 "440"ex quadzilla banshee etc etc)

I am now looking into purchasing a dirt bike, I love to go fast however, I only stand at a towering 5 foot 3 1/2 inches tall . . .
So what I am asking is what is a pretty decently quick dirt bike (preferably a 4 stroke) that isn't so damn tall?!

 

Well, i would say try to find a bike that you like with the lowest stock seat height, then theres a couple of things you can do. You can take the seat in and have a couple inches of padding shaved off and reupholstered(the seats are generally pretty thick). Also, for some bikes they make little linkages that you can replace on the rear shock (i cant remember what they're called) but it will lower the seat height without sacrificing much rear wheel travel.

 

yea, i've been looking around and the stock seat height for most bikes like a 250 or 450 is something slightly under 40 inches. I'd like to get that number down closer to 30-34.

 

Get anything you like then have the suspension sent off to anybody that does suspension (pro circuit, factory connections, racetech) and they can adjust for you height and weight no problemo. I have gotten it done for every bike i have owned and it is hands down one of the best mods you can do to help your riding abilities.

 

yea, i ride a klx650 pretty often and a honda cr250f. My experience with some beastly atvs helps me on dirt bikes but it's the whole, "i can't reach the ground"-"thing" I really like the klx250s and would like to have one licensed for the road (outrageous gas this summer) and stoplights could be a disaster. I also plan on a lot of trail riding/off roading. I just want to be able to stop and put my foot down with confidence. the seat height on a klx250s is 35" i'm thinking shaving the seat down could help. . . hmmmmmmmmm

 

also you can shave the seat down at least another inch or so a family friend had a Crf 250 for his wife who is 5'2 and after some suspension work and shaving the seat she can touch flat footed on both sides. Thats not to say the suspension work was cheap tho

 

yea i'm thinking the suspension work is out of the question unless i can do it myself or get it done really cheap. . .i mean, i'm looking at dirt bikes on craigslist for $950 . . and that was an expensive one hahaha.

 

Oh yea, well you might want to try the seat shaving first Suspension work can start to add up pretty quick i paid almost 1500 for all mine on the crf250, if you ever get the money saved for it though.... it makes the ride alot better

 

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...-Linkage-Devol-Suspension-Lowering-Links.aspx

cheap and effective
and you can do it urself

 

this problem has been nipped in the "bud"

 

Hey Keith what did you end up doing?? I'm 5'3 and just bought a CRF 250 and I can ride it but to start and stop is a big pain in the A!!

 

hey i just kinda spikped ofer all the posts. but look at a CRF150R big wheel. it’s pretty fast and you could eatch the ground. i have one and love it. i can get the front wheel up in 2nd gear with no clutch. can do it in 3rd too. i got mine when i was 5’ 3” or 5’ 4”

 

I ended buying a Suzuki Z400

Got it for $800 though!