Setting bike up for taller rider

Kawisrok
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4/24/2015
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Grand Rhonde, OR US
Edited Date/Time 7/29/2015 11:06am
I was curious how some people are setting the back end of the bike up for taller riders? After reading the Art of Trail Riding, it seems I have found out why my thighs are burning so badly as I have my legs too cramped in the seated position. It seams my only options are to pad the seat or raise the subframe, or am I missing another trick? I have the front set up correctly now with 15mm + bar clamps. Thanks for any info.
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MxKing809
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Big Sand Whoops, MI US
Fantasy
7/26/2015 6:36pm
I don't know man...... I'm taller (6'1") and couldn't stand my tall seat. It was nice in terms of comfort, but at the expense of cornering stability. It put me so high on top of the bike I had no leverage and had trouble laying the bike down in corners. I couldn't believe how much faster I was after putting the stock seat back on.
mb
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Columbia, SC US
7/26/2015 7:25pm
You could lower the footpegs as well. I also suggest being ether sitting completely, or standing completely. Try to limit the time where your butt is only an inch or two above the seat (basically squatting).
drenmaster
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AZ US
7/27/2015 7:29am
I run Renthal RC high bars. and fastway pegs in the lowboy config. both those made a huge difference.
Kawisrok
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4/24/2015
Location
Grand Rhonde, OR US
7/27/2015 9:20am
drenmaster wrote:
I run Renthal RC high bars. and fastway pegs in the lowboy config. both those made a huge difference.
I am looking at those pegs now, thanks!

The Shop

drenmaster
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AZ US
7/27/2015 2:33pm
hope u like that set up. i was running those bars for a while then added the pegs. wish i did the pegs a long time ago.
7/27/2015 7:59pm
I am 6/1 I used low boy pegs and slightly taller bars.
As said earlier the tall seat and high bars made the bike feel really heavy?
Bruce372
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US
7/27/2015 8:02pm
mb wrote:
You could lower the footpegs as well. I also suggest being ether sitting completely, or standing completely. Try to limit the time where your butt is...
You could lower the footpegs as well. I also suggest being ether sitting completely, or standing completely. Try to limit the time where your butt is only an inch or two above the seat (basically squatting).
You just have to experiment, I am 6"1 and all I run is a tall seat on my rmz450, it's only 15mm taller than stock, it still corners great, and it's so much easier to grip the bike with knees when standing.

I am also using ktm bend renthal fat bars, they aren't that tall but they have little pull back, in the zero degree setting they are really neutral.

My buddy is 5"4 a rider, and just letting the air from the forks and backing off the shock he still loved the turning despite the seat lol.

I've always felt the taller bars make turning worse (for me), pastrana always ran a tall seat and low bars, plus travis preston 's cr125 looked to use one when he won his sx title.

I really don't think there is a single solution for everyone , it's about experimenting
mb
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Columbia, SC US
7/27/2015 9:07pm
I also second the low bars. I'm about 6'2" and my favorite bar is the Renthal 971 "RC" bend 1 notch forward. Lowest, less swept bar Renthal makes. When I ride my buddies bike with STD bars I feel like I'm towering over the bike because a higher bar extends closer to your torso, which puts you in a more vertical position on the bike.
drenmaster
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AZ US
7/28/2015 4:03am
I can only assume since you're taller you have larger feet as well. There are a lot of options for longer shifters and brake pedals to fit your feet better.
Bruce372
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US
7/28/2015 6:53am
Moose also make pegs with stock height but 12mm backwards to help get more room behind the shifter and brake.
Kawisrok
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Location
Grand Rhonde, OR US
7/28/2015 7:40am
drenmaster wrote:
I can only assume since you're taller you have larger feet as well. There are a lot of options for longer shifters and brake pedals to...
I can only assume since you're taller you have larger feet as well. There are a lot of options for longer shifters and brake pedals to fit your feet better.
I currently run the 998 Renthal TW's, and so I will do a back to back comparison with them and see how it feels. I do have big feet and have my bike set up with Hammerhead shifter and brake levers with +15 pegs. It was the only way I was able to shift or brake very well while standing. Thanks for all the info guys!
HackMan162
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2/16/2007
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Austin, TX US
7/29/2015 11:06am
6'4" here. Current bike is Rm250 smoker, but the basics apply for most the bikes I have had. Fastway pegs down and back. High seat on the RM, but not on YZs. Reed Bend Pro Tapers (not as high as Windhams or CR High, but flatter) rotated up/forward +1 notch. Bar mounts turned to the forward position.

I agree with Bruce, on the RMs the high seat is only about 15mm higher, and doesnt affect turning.

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