Making my bike feel "smaller"?

lhayward349
Edited Date/Time 5/22/2020 5:26am
Hi everyone,

Recently picked up a 2019 250sxf brand new. I'm 19 and 5"8/5"9 (on a good day) I feel like the bike feels a tad bit bigger than what i'd like it to for my riding style. I was wondering what tips if any people have??

I currently have a set of Renthal 999 bars on there as i've heard they're flatter but fairly wide. What other options do i have in terms of bars or other parts to change?

Cheers!
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JohnMatrix
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JohnMatrix 5/21/2020 10:46am
5/21/2020 10:46am
Check to see if you are running the bar mounts in the back position. They can be rotated 180 degrees to push the bars forward or back. Also some narrower bars with some sweep might help...maybe a CR low bend...not sure what 999 bend is like.
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Black Diesel Bomber 5/21/2020 10:49am
5/21/2020 10:49am
Pick up a late 80's to mid 90's 125 to play around on and it will feel like you are riding a bicycle with a motor...so fun and nimble. All the new bikes are have a much bigger feel to them, even though the wheelbase might only be slightly longer.
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lhayward349 5/21/2020 10:50am
5/21/2020 10:50am
JohnMatrix wrote:
Check to see if you are running the bar mounts in the back position. They can be rotated 180 degrees to push the bars forward or...
Check to see if you are running the bar mounts in the back position. They can be rotated 180 degrees to push the bars forward or back. Also some narrower bars with some sweep might help...maybe a CR low bend...not sure what 999 bend is like.
Perfect ill be sure to try that. Thanks dude!
lhayward349 5/21/2020 10:51am
5/21/2020 10:51am
Black Diesel Bomber wrote:
Pick up a late 80's to mid 90's 125 to play around on and it will feel like you are riding a bicycle with a motor...so...
Pick up a late 80's to mid 90's 125 to play around on and it will feel like you are riding a bicycle with a motor...so fun and nimble. All the new bikes are have a much bigger feel to them, even though the wheelbase might only be slightly longer.
haha ironically just sold my 18 yz125!

Loved the bike but had some issues with stuff so just got rid of it. Fancied myself an electric start too so purchased something else for a change

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motokiwi
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motokiwi 5/21/2020 11:56am
5/21/2020 11:56am
Taller pegs.
Make sure chain blocks are on their closest setting to make the wheelbase smaller.
Put the forks up thru the clamps a little.
Shave your seat down a little.
Lowering link on rear shock.
Try some different bar bends other short guys are using - you may need them to sweep back more or something
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lhayward349 5/21/2020 12:03pm
5/21/2020 12:03pm
motokiwi wrote:
Taller pegs. Make sure chain blocks are on their closest setting to make the wheelbase smaller. Put the forks up thru the clamps a little. Shave...
Taller pegs.
Make sure chain blocks are on their closest setting to make the wheelbase smaller.
Put the forks up thru the clamps a little.
Shave your seat down a little.
Lowering link on rear shock.
Try some different bar bends other short guys are using - you may need them to sweep back more or something
Perfect thank you so much man Smile
BroFoSho
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BroFoSho 5/21/2020 12:22pm
5/21/2020 12:22pm
motokiwi wrote:
Taller pegs. Make sure chain blocks are on their closest setting to make the wheelbase smaller. Put the forks up thru the clamps a little. Shave...
Taller pegs.
Make sure chain blocks are on their closest setting to make the wheelbase smaller.
Put the forks up thru the clamps a little.
Shave your seat down a little.
Lowering link on rear shock.
Try some different bar bends other short guys are using - you may need them to sweep back more or something
Just watch out for headshake if you're moving the wheelbase in...
1
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BroFoSho
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BroFoSho 5/21/2020 12:24pm
5/21/2020 12:24pm
Black Diesel Bomber wrote:
Pick up a late 80's to mid 90's 125 to play around on and it will feel like you are riding a bicycle with a motor...so...
Pick up a late 80's to mid 90's 125 to play around on and it will feel like you are riding a bicycle with a motor...so fun and nimble. All the new bikes are have a much bigger feel to them, even though the wheelbase might only be slightly longer.
Get a bike that's almost double the age of the rider???
mxryan25
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mxryan25 5/21/2020 12:45pm
5/21/2020 12:45pm Edited Date/Time 5/21/2020 12:49pm
Guts makes a -13 and -30 mm seat foam, the ktms have a larger seat to foot peg height than most other bikes. -13 would probably be nice for shorter guys. The bar mounts come stock in the closer position which is where you want them. 999 bar should suite you well too
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lhayward349 5/21/2020 12:50pm
5/21/2020 12:50pm
mxryan25 wrote:
Guts makes a -13 and -30 mm seat foam, the ktms have a larger seat to foot peg height than most other bikes. -13 would probably...
Guts makes a -13 and -30 mm seat foam, the ktms have a larger seat to foot peg height than most other bikes. -13 would probably be nice for shorter guys. The bar mounts come stock in the closer position which is where you want them. 999 bar should suite you well too
Trouble is im so limited to parts here in the UK is sucks. Ill dig around and see if i can find something
Black Diesel Bomber 5/21/2020 12:54pm
5/21/2020 12:54pm
Black Diesel Bomber wrote:
Pick up a late 80's to mid 90's 125 to play around on and it will feel like you are riding a bicycle with a motor...so...
Pick up a late 80's to mid 90's 125 to play around on and it will feel like you are riding a bicycle with a motor...so fun and nimble. All the new bikes are have a much bigger feel to them, even though the wheelbase might only be slightly longer.
BroFoSho wrote:
Get a bike that's almost double the age of the rider???
Why not? If you want to ride well then learn how to ride an old 125 first. Everything else is cake if you can learn to keep an old 125 on the pipe.
Bruce372
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Bruce372 5/21/2020 12:57pm
5/21/2020 12:57pm
Set sag and air pressures
Rawly
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Rawly 5/21/2020 1:26pm
5/21/2020 1:26pm
I’m your same height , got a 1/2 “ shorter seat from KTM for $100 US dollars. It was cheaper than all of the aftermarket seats. If you can’t find one , an electric knife like you would use to cut a turkey is good for shaving your seat down.
Bruce372
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Bruce372 5/21/2020 1:39pm
5/21/2020 1:39pm
Rawly wrote:
I’m your same height , got a 1/2 “ shorter seat from KTM for $100 US dollars. It was cheaper than all of the aftermarket seats...
I’m your same height , got a 1/2 “ shorter seat from KTM for $100 US dollars. It was cheaper than all of the aftermarket seats. If you can’t find one , an electric knife like you would use to cut a turkey is good for shaving your seat down.
Very good way also. Its so cool ktm, husky sell those oem complete seats with plus or minus 20mm
kkawboy14
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kkawboy14 5/21/2020 2:20pm
5/21/2020 2:20pm
Lower the rear end


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yamaharider471 5/21/2020 4:15pm
5/21/2020 4:15pm
I got a lower seat from SDG, my favorite investment for the bike so far.
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idiotic isaac 5/21/2020 4:20pm
5/21/2020 4:20pm
This may not be what you want to hear but for me it helped to just ride the bike a lot. Im assuming your talking about the general size of the bike and unless you switch brands theres just not much to do but get accustomed to the size.
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brimx153
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brimx153 5/21/2020 5:11pm
5/21/2020 5:11pm
5 8 to 5 9 is the perfect size for the bike , id just try get use to it first . Imo
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devotid
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devotid 5/21/2020 5:24pm
5/21/2020 5:24pm

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TbonesPop
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TbonesPop 5/21/2020 6:03pm
5/21/2020 6:03pm
Do you even lift bro?
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SEE ARE125 5/21/2020 6:40pm
5/21/2020 6:40pm
RC’s a short guy, where’s that pic of his handlebars on his Honda? First time I saw it I thought they were put on upside down. Laughing
kkawboy14
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kkawboy14 5/22/2020 3:35am
5/22/2020 3:35am
SEE ARE125 wrote:
RC’s a short guy, where’s that pic of his handlebars on his Honda? First time I saw it I thought they were put on upside down...
RC’s a short guy, where’s that pic of his handlebars on his Honda? First time I saw it I thought they were put on upside down. Laughing
They lowered RC’s subframe and seat foam.
Jarid332
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Jarid332 5/22/2020 5:26am
5/22/2020 5:26am
I’m 5’7 and put the GYTR short seat on my 450 and it made a world of difference for me.
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