Dirt Bike for 5' 4 rider

WillyB28
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WillyB28
Edited Date/Time 1/25/2020 12:42pm
Hi all. I am 16 years old, and 5' 4. I am an experienced dirt bike rider, having ridden an rm85sw for a while. What would be a good bike for me. I am not worried by age, as i can fix most issues on dirt bikes myself. Thanks.
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BobPA
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BobPA 1/23/2020 7:03am
1/23/2020 7:03am
WillyB28 wrote:
Hi all. I am 16 years old, and 5' 4. I am an experienced dirt bike rider, having ridden an rm85sw for a while. What would...
Hi all. I am 16 years old, and 5' 4. I am an experienced dirt bike rider, having ridden an rm85sw for a while. What would be a good bike for me. I am not worried by age, as i can fix most issues on dirt bikes myself. Thanks.
You need something that has 125cc of raw two stroke power.
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Zaugg
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Zaugg 1/23/2020 7:03am
1/23/2020 7:03am
Look for a YZ125. Super solid platform, super fun, and easy to work on. You'll have this bike forever and then when you move to your next bike (most likely a four-stroke), you'll have this to satisfy a two-stroke fix.

Your height has nothing to do with it if you're an experienced rider.
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WillyB28
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WillyB28 1/23/2020 7:10am
1/23/2020 7:10am
Okay, what about a 250 four stroke.
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kkawboy14
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kkawboy14 1/23/2020 7:12am
1/23/2020 7:12am
KX 80
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The Shop

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SEE ARE125 1/23/2020 7:28am
1/23/2020 7:28am
WillyB28 wrote:
Okay, what about a 250 four stroke.
Perfect! Just make sure the oil was changed once a year and the air filter was removed for more horsepowers. Anything with Metal Mulisha graphics and spoke skins is a clear sign the owner knew what he was doing.
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bayodome
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bayodome 1/23/2020 7:35am
1/23/2020 7:35am


He is 5'4. Hard to believe, but it's true.
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bents
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bents 1/23/2020 7:52am
1/23/2020 7:52am
Lets assume it was a legit post-why would anyone downvote a question for a 16 yr old looking to get some advice? Man alive. Anyway...I would also recommend a YZ 125 and look for a lowering link and/or a short seat to help with the height issue. Being 5'5" I face the same problem with every bike and it pisses me off. Bikes are too tall these days!
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kapaa10
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kapaa10 1/23/2020 7:54am
1/23/2020 7:54am
Honda crf 150 r big wheel
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RAD60
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RAD60 1/23/2020 12:13pm
1/23/2020 12:13pm
Kx100 super fun fast
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xrmark
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xrmark 1/23/2020 12:25pm
1/23/2020 12:25pm
bents wrote:
Lets assume it was a legit post-why would anyone downvote a question for a 16 yr old looking to get some advice? Man alive. Anyway...I would...
Lets assume it was a legit post-why would anyone downvote a question for a 16 yr old looking to get some advice? Man alive. Anyway...I would also recommend a YZ 125 and look for a lowering link and/or a short seat to help with the height issue. Being 5'5" I face the same problem with every bike and it pisses me off. Bikes are too tall these days!
What exact problems do you have?? I know a lot of short dudes and one shorter than you that absolutely rip. It always amazes me when guys complain about the height of the bike. What’s the problem? I’m genuinely curious. When I raced minis I could never touch and needed starting blocks for my 65 and 85 and race them both in the same day, just used starting blocks.
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Press516
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Press516 1/23/2020 1:27pm
1/23/2020 1:27pm
RAD60 wrote:
Kx100 super fun fast
Yeah, smaller and lighter riders can flat out fly the KX100...
Evoracer
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Evoracer 1/23/2020 1:38pm
1/23/2020 1:38pm
JGR Suzuki, Geico Honda. lol
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WillyB28
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WillyB28 1/23/2020 1:52pm
1/23/2020 1:52pm
Are there any reliability issues with late 90's two strokes, apart from the obvious top end revuilds etc....
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Kelz87
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Kelz87 1/23/2020 2:02pm
1/23/2020 2:02pm
WillyB28 wrote:
Are there any reliability issues with late 90's two strokes, apart from the obvious top end revuilds etc....
Probably. Depends on the owner. Most ones I see for sale have some sort of issue..gummed up power valves, bent/broken levers, tires, chain/sprocket etc... that’s just at a glance from the outside
VetMX.com
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VetMX.com 1/23/2020 2:37pm
1/23/2020 2:37pm
Off the subject but my brother was short at about that age and the Dr. gave him HGH and now he is 6'2". On topic, a 100 or 125 cc 2 stroke and maybe do a link and cut the subframe down like RC.
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berniepiet
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berniepiet 1/23/2020 3:56pm
1/23/2020 3:56pm
Look at the Beta XTRAINER
Federung_USA
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Federung_USA 1/23/2020 5:03pm
1/23/2020 5:03pm
Maybe, a newer ktm big wheel 85 with the 105cc OEM kit, it’s a ripper, and it’s very reliable
loftyair
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loftyair 1/23/2020 5:06pm
1/23/2020 5:06pm
125 2, or 250 4.

Pit Row

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SEEMEFIRST
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SEEMEFIRST 1/23/2020 6:44pm
1/23/2020 6:44pm
Are you going to be riding motocross tracks, or woods and stuff?
If you are doing woods, you need to be able to get your feet on the ground.
MX tracks only? Not so much.
crusher773
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crusher773 1/23/2020 7:00pm
1/23/2020 7:00pm
WillyB28 wrote:
Okay, what about a 250 four stroke.
Too big of a jump get a 125 first learn how to handle a big bike.
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bents
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bents 1/23/2020 9:42pm
1/23/2020 9:42pm
bents wrote:
Lets assume it was a legit post-why would anyone downvote a question for a 16 yr old looking to get some advice? Man alive. Anyway...I would...
Lets assume it was a legit post-why would anyone downvote a question for a 16 yr old looking to get some advice? Man alive. Anyway...I would also recommend a YZ 125 and look for a lowering link and/or a short seat to help with the height issue. Being 5'5" I face the same problem with every bike and it pisses me off. Bikes are too tall these days!
xrmark wrote:
What exact problems do you have?? I know a lot of short dudes and one shorter than you that absolutely rip. It always amazes me when...
What exact problems do you have?? I know a lot of short dudes and one shorter than you that absolutely rip. It always amazes me when guys complain about the height of the bike. What’s the problem? I’m genuinely curious. When I raced minis I could never touch and needed starting blocks for my 65 and 85 and race them both in the same day, just used starting blocks.
Ummmm, have trouble touching the ground? I know a lot of short dudes that rip too and the pro ranks are littered with them. Most have custom (shortened) subframes, cut down seats, etc so they can actually touch the ground. On my 2018 FC 350, I could barely touch the ground on one foot while having my other foot on the peg. Thank God for E-start. I never had that problem on my 1978 RM 125 and 250. I get that bikes have evolved, but they have also gotten considerably taller and it is annoying as fuck. I feel better on the bike when I feel like I can get at least both feet touching, even on my tippy toes. I ordered an OEM short seat, which helped, then I put a lowering link on the bike so I have a chance to swing my leg over the bike without dislocating my hip, and I can touch the ground, albeit barely. RC's bikes were downsized considerably as one example-and we are the same height.
WillyB28
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WillyB28 1/24/2020 1:34am
1/24/2020 1:34am
SEEMEFIRST wrote:
Are you going to be riding motocross tracks, or woods and stuff? If you are doing woods, you need to be able to get your feet...
Are you going to be riding motocross tracks, or woods and stuff?
If you are doing woods, you need to be able to get your feet on the ground.
MX tracks only? Not so much.
No, just dirt roads and woods
chump6784
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chump6784 1/24/2020 1:44am
1/24/2020 1:44am
cant believe no one has mentioned the RM100

OP, look for a good yz125, if height is an issue you can get a suspension shop to lower the forks and shock. I have that done on my wife's yz125's and it makes a big difference for her confidence
Talisker
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Talisker 1/24/2020 3:03am
1/24/2020 3:03am Edited Date/Time 1/24/2020 3:04am
WillyB28 wrote:
Okay, what about a 250 four stroke.
Don’t worry about a 4t, you have time. Learn how to ride and go fast on something you have control of.
Less weight also. Learning proper technique now will last you the rest of your life.
HighPlainsSquid 1/24/2020 6:01am
1/24/2020 6:01am Edited Date/Time 1/24/2020 6:04am
WillyB28 wrote:
Okay, what about a 250 four stroke.
I'm 5' 5" so I got ya there. I'm also 58 years old so I got ya there, too but I have a 16 year old son, so... let's just call it a draw.

I HIGHLY recommend the 2-stroke 125 over a 250F for the simple reasons that they are fun, light, relatively cheap, and will teach you a LOT about riding. My son went from a CRF150F to a KX100 to a KX125 and then to a KTM 150 SX. He does not like 4 strokes very much at all and will tell you right now "KX 125"

We bought an unridden '14 KX 250F a few months ago as our 2nd 250F (first was a '16 250F that I bought new, put 18 hours on, and sold after buying an '02 RM 134, which might tell you something) and it's our backup, "I just wanna ride something else" bike. In a drag race down our dirt road, son's 150 SX will fall behind about 5' off the start and then catch up and pass from 4th gear on. (He has 6 and when he shifts to 6th, he's GONE). Shoot... the KX100 would beat my '16 250F in a drag race after the first 60 yards or so. Riding is not a drag race, of course, but point is... the small 2 strokes will have plenty of power for you (and for me). Where the 250F wins is getting the power to the ground in a corner. But even there, a skilled 125 rider (which you'll be) can slide and dice and put up a real battle and have a LOT more fun doing it.

I'm sure you will eventually get a 250F and a 450F and etc, but at this stage of the game, I would HIGHLY recommend a 125 of any flavor. Yamaha would be my first choice, followed by a good KX125, followed by a good KTM, and then on down.

FWIW, touching the ground is over-rated. Being up there will teach you to keep your feet on the pegs and off the ground.

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dcg141
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dcg141 1/24/2020 9:07am
1/24/2020 9:07am Edited Date/Time 1/24/2020 9:11am
berniepiet wrote:
Look at the Beta XTRAINER
I was going to suggest this myself. If your doing moto it’s not the right bike but if your trail riding and your short it really works. It's what the KTM Freeride should have been.
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Red Crawford
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Red Crawford 1/24/2020 9:36am
1/24/2020 9:36am Edited Date/Time 1/24/2020 9:40am
EDIT:

Go with a 125 and cut the seat. Maybe a link.
Always consider the bright side of life---short guys live longer, so you will get to ride longer...
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motomx88
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motomx88 1/24/2020 3:14pm
1/24/2020 3:14pm
bayodome wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/01/23/399859/s1200_13418400925_915f136bb6_o.jpg[/img] He is 5'4. Hard to believe, but it's true.


He is 5'4. Hard to believe, but it's true.
I believe he 5'6". But still a little guy
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BobbyM
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BobbyM 1/24/2020 3:16pm
1/24/2020 3:16pm
WillyB28 wrote:
Hi all. I am 16 years old, and 5' 4. I am an experienced dirt bike rider, having ridden an rm85sw for a while. What would...
Hi all. I am 16 years old, and 5' 4. I am an experienced dirt bike rider, having ridden an rm85sw for a while. What would be a good bike for me. I am not worried by age, as i can fix most issues on dirt bikes myself. Thanks.
Ask RC
ratonmacias
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ratonmacias 1/25/2020 11:31am
1/25/2020 11:31am
WillyB28 wrote:
Hi all. I am 16 years old, and 5' 4. I am an experienced dirt bike rider, having ridden an rm85sw for a while. What would...
Hi all. I am 16 years old, and 5' 4. I am an experienced dirt bike rider, having ridden an rm85sw for a while. What would be a good bike for me. I am not worried by age, as i can fix most issues on dirt bikes myself. Thanks.
Im 5'5" the Hondas and suzukis tend to fit me better, I currently own a Yz 250x and it feels taller.

I would go to a 125 smoker. for mx
A beta 200 for tight woods.

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