MX bike for taller rider

Brooklyn
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Brooklyn
Edited Date/Time 9/17/2017 1:39pm
Hi everyone!

Does anybody who is above 6' (over 183 cm) have any experience in riding with different bikes (preferrably 250f) and can tell me if there is any difference in riding them (Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, KTM, Husqvarana, Suzuki)?

My first bike was CRF 2012 and it seems that this bike is not so easy to grip with my knees than the 2016 CRF450 for example which I tried a while ago on the same track. I haven't tried different bikes because I just don't have a chance because there are not enough local riders in my home place.

I know that putting mounts to the handlebar and changing the footpegs will mess up the center of gravity, thats why I would like to leave that discussion out of this thread. But maybe somebody has any experience with other bikes and can tell me if they suit better for guys with my height. I am 186 cm.
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Skerby
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Skerby 9/17/2017 10:52am
9/17/2017 10:52am
Yamaha 4 stroke. Kawis used to be pretty big too, plus the pegs are adjustable.
mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 9/17/2017 10:54am
9/17/2017 10:54am
Skerby wrote:
Yamaha 4 stroke. Kawis used to be pretty big too, plus the pegs are adjustable.
X2 on this
Brooklyn
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Brooklyn 9/17/2017 10:56am
9/17/2017 10:56am
Ok, then these are the bikes I should try first.

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scooter5002
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scooter5002 9/17/2017 10:58am
9/17/2017 10:58am Edited Date/Time 9/17/2017 11:04am
I'm not the best at this habit, but standing on the balls of your feet, instead of your arches, makes gripping with the knees infinitely easier. I should add, I'm 198 cm tall, so I know what a struggle it is, with a smaller bike.
mikec265
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mikec265 9/17/2017 11:07am
9/17/2017 11:07am
scooter5002 wrote:
I'm not the best at this habit, but standing on the balls of your feet, instead of your arches, makes gripping with the knees infinitely easier...
I'm not the best at this habit, but standing on the balls of your feet, instead of your arches, makes gripping with the knees infinitely easier. I should add, I'm 198 cm tall, so I know what a struggle it is, with a smaller bike.
What he said and point your toes in.
Pointing the toes in automatically brings the knees closer together and makes gripping the bike easier.
Brooklyn
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Brooklyn 9/17/2017 11:27am
9/17/2017 11:27am
good suggestion mudpup454 :D

I think the bikes handles and feeling on it differs a little bit. Otherwise the brand and the image couldnt be separeted from each other (Yama, Kawi, Honda, Suzu, KTM etc).
mxwrench66
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mxwrench66 9/17/2017 11:55am
9/17/2017 11:55am
the suzuki has a big pocket in the std seat.
this makes the tall seat feel more natural. The x trig clamp has multiple adjustment and pro taper sells lower pegs. I'm 6'4 and this is my set up.

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CLT809
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CLT809 9/17/2017 1:25pm
9/17/2017 1:25pm Edited Date/Time 9/17/2017 1:39pm
Been 6'5" since I was in high school, and actually prefer stock seats. Used a tall seat in 05-06 until I switched back to stock for a stock class at an event. I was blown away with how much better it handled. Rode hondas and Kawasaki's through 2015, tried a tall seat again on my 2013 kx250f and regretted it pretty quickly. Currently on an fc250 and seeing them on a couple of people's bikes (deano's and Bloss') have me considering trying it again, but I doubt I will.
wsc96
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wsc96 9/17/2017 1:42pm
9/17/2017 1:42pm
I've ridden with and without a tall seat on bikes I've owned and the taller seat helps with transition from standing to sitting and vice versa. Same goes with pegs. I think people read too much into the negative effects of these if they haven't tried them out.
quadzrulebro 9/17/2017 1:58pm
9/17/2017 1:58pm
I'm 6'4" and ride a 2013 KX450F. I would have gotten a new bike by now, but I can't find one that is as comfortable for me as the one I have. Tall bars and tall seats just make it awkward in the corners. If you're already tall, putting a tall seat on your bike would just further raise your center of gravity.
GAB_1230
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GAB_1230 9/17/2017 6:10pm
9/17/2017 6:10pm
Im 6'5" and jumped on a buddies 17 husky fc250 in stock form and felt super comfortable. Bar bend was spot on for me also
Zycki11
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Zycki11 9/17/2017 6:42pm
9/17/2017 6:42pm
mxwrench66 wrote:
the suzuki has a big pocket in the std seat. this makes the tall seat feel more natural. The x trig clamp has multiple adjustment and...
the suzuki has a big pocket in the std seat.
this makes the tall seat feel more natural. The x trig clamp has multiple adjustment and pro taper sells lower pegs. I'm 6'4 and this is my set up.

ehhh... what do you know about bikes. Cool
Moto_Geek
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Moto_Geek 9/17/2017 7:15pm
9/17/2017 7:15pm
I don't think any of the bikes favor that height. Good news is the aftermarket items for these bikes are available. I have a KTM and it's was very easy, I did these simple things, added bar mount risers (1/2"), taller foam seat. And lower stance pegs. This all should be available for most the bikes. Definitely is for KTM's.
tempura
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tempura 9/17/2017 8:10pm
9/17/2017 8:10pm
As someone who's small, I can tell you the Yamaha bikes are the most difficult for me to get comfortable on because of their size (and..umm handling traits..).
Although I haven't been out on a 2018 model yet.
Brooklyn
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Brooklyn 9/17/2017 10:29pm
9/17/2017 10:29pm
tempura wrote:
As someone who's small, I can tell you the Yamaha bikes are the most difficult for me to get comfortable on because of their size (and..umm...
As someone who's small, I can tell you the Yamaha bikes are the most difficult for me to get comfortable on because of their size (and..umm handling traits..).
Although I haven't been out on a 2018 model yet.
Is it true that Yamahas back side of the bike is a little bit higher or the rear shock is set to be a little bit higher? I have heard some rumors but I don't have any proof or verification for that. That is actually the reason why I'm asking about YZF, that maybe it could suit for a bit taller riders.

The problem for me regarding this matter is, that my back wears out. I can get the attack position but I tend to stay at the same posistion for all the ride. And I don't move on the bike, I'm like cramped on the bike the others said but they say that at least the back position is good. But as I've said earlier when I tried my friends CRF450 2016, it felt better to grip with. He also had other pegs (the height is the same as the stocks) which had good grip as well.
nascarnate326 9/18/2017 3:43am
9/18/2017 3:43am
None of them are good for us tall people. Tall seat foam makes it easier to stand but raises center of gravity so pick you Battle.

I've just learned to grip with my calves the best I can on my kxf.

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